I'm reliving my college days through the baby and many of my friends' children. I'm also kneeling and praying a lot. (Dear God, Please keep them safe.) College is growing up, learning and making choices. It's also a wild and reckless abandon that forces you to fall back on your morals and decide which chances are worth taking.
Some people have the magician act down. They can turn a situation -- a feather boa into a dove. Others roll the dice and decide the possible repercussions are worth the risk.
One of the wonderful perks of aging is learning from mistakes or bad decision-making. I used to think I was cursed. No matter how large or small the mistake, I will be the one who gets caught. I now consider this a blessing because something fired in my brain that reminded me, "Don't do it! You will get caught." (Not that I didn't do my fair share but I almost always got caught.)
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Silver Linings -- A New Friendship
We buried the Belle and Hangdog within 60 days of each other. I still can't believe it.
As depressing as it is, there are times when I can take comfort in blessings. The oldies are no longer in pain or in peril. I believe they are together again.
Another personal blessing has been an unexpected friendship with my cousin-in-law. She's beautiful, talented and accomplished. She has the biggest heart of anyone I've met in years. She is extremely interesting and gracious enough to express interest in everyone else. She asked me repeatedly, "Are you ok?" I was afraid I was growing horns or something else so I ran to the restroom. No horns, just more wrinkles and frown lines.
This friendship is relatively new so I don't know all of her stories. I know she's experienced quite a bit of loss and she handles it with class. It's like I'm in kindergarten during story hour -- I am enthralled.
She also has a delightful and slightly devilish sense of humor. At Hangdog's funeral, she stood in front of the husband and me. Sharing memories of the oldies, she said, "They loved to come to my house because I would let her fry or cook whatever she wanted as long as she made me tomato gravy."
I definitely do not want the recipe for tomato gravy.
When I left Mississippi, she gave me a book, "Girlfriends are Forevah." I've always known that but I didn't expect to find a new girlfriend through this ordeal.
An added bonus is every time she says my name she sounds like the Belle.
As depressing as it is, there are times when I can take comfort in blessings. The oldies are no longer in pain or in peril. I believe they are together again.
Another personal blessing has been an unexpected friendship with my cousin-in-law. She's beautiful, talented and accomplished. She has the biggest heart of anyone I've met in years. She is extremely interesting and gracious enough to express interest in everyone else. She asked me repeatedly, "Are you ok?" I was afraid I was growing horns or something else so I ran to the restroom. No horns, just more wrinkles and frown lines.
This friendship is relatively new so I don't know all of her stories. I know she's experienced quite a bit of loss and she handles it with class. It's like I'm in kindergarten during story hour -- I am enthralled.
She also has a delightful and slightly devilish sense of humor. At Hangdog's funeral, she stood in front of the husband and me. Sharing memories of the oldies, she said, "They loved to come to my house because I would let her fry or cook whatever she wanted as long as she made me tomato gravy."
I definitely do not want the recipe for tomato gravy.
When I left Mississippi, she gave me a book, "Girlfriends are Forevah." I've always known that but I didn't expect to find a new girlfriend through this ordeal.
An added bonus is every time she says my name she sounds like the Belle.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
'Tis The Season
Maybe I should say, "Twas the season." Today is the day after Christmas. I still feel like a (rein)deer caught in the headlights. I survived and now I get to reflect. It's the:
The oldies will be back in a few days. That's my official sign that the season is over.
Season of miracles -- the baby and I made it to church last Sunday. My bonus gift was a surprise visit from my sister and sitting next to her during worship.
Season of grieving -- Our next door neighbor/friend/attorney lost his mother this week. (Why do we say lost?) She's not lost like the oldies get lost. We drove out of town and I saw her body in the casket. They are grieving and I am sad that this is something they've had to endure this holiday.
Season of short tempers -- sales people, cranky shoppers and Heaven forbid, in my own home!
Season of big money -- No matter how you try to scale back, you are guaranteed to spend more than you intended.
Season of tiredness -- There are not enough hours in the day. Any ache and pain is guaranteed to be multiplied.
Season of blessings -- The husband has spent father/daughter time and he is on Cloud Nine. Our Christmas Eve and Christmas day was blessed with both children and my parents here.
Season of forgetfulness -- I went to the grocery story three times in two days to prepare for entertaining.
Season of friends and visitors -- I can't wait to see our out-of-town guests.
Season of Rejoice -- For all my gripes, I still sing, pray and rejoice.
Season of Parties -- Our entertaining is mostly done. We will still enjoy the hospitality of others.
Season of Big, Fat Liars -- More than one person, including the husband, reneged on our agreement not to exchange gifts.
The oldies will be back in a few days. That's my official sign that the season is over.
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