Tag Archives: friends

Day 30

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A couple of quick things today.

First, my snow blower works great. And I was able to help out a neighbor with her drive. Ok, I didn’t actually use the snow blower on her drive, but I did send my kids over with shovels to help her while I figured out how to start my new machine. I’m just sad I actually needed to use it. Show of hands on who is tired of winter.

Second, I have a friend who asked me to attend her daughter’s school play with her tonight. I ended up not going, which is not what I am thankful for (not really). Although I do have to admit to some harsh parental realism…school plays and other general, auditorium-based functions at the grade school level are torture for me. Don’t get me wrong, I was as proud as any parent to see my kids squirming and semi-singing from 50 yards away. They’d be dressed up in whatever holiday attire was appropriate at the time and inevitably standing behind someone twice their size, with me thinking…why? Why were they required to wear a Hawaiian grass skirt when it’s not even visible? My kid looks like a floating head. They should just require headgear. But even that isn’t what bothered me the most at these school functions. It was the lack of space and terrible sound systems. So many family members crammed into a hot, smelly gymnasium to hear a mashing of voices or just those couple of really loud kids… Then again, maybe it was just the schools my children went to. I’m sure there are probably schools that put on wonderful programs by talented children in spacious auditoriums that have fabulous sound systems. I would then have to amend my thinking.

I jest, a little. I know these school functions are a passage of child rearing that plays an important role for kids and their parents. They are moments to be proud of our kids and let them know it in a visible, public way. My children always looked for me in the audience and I always smiled and waved excitedly. And I would have done that tonight for my friend’s daughter. Being asked to go made me feel like family. And when it ended up that her boyfriend was able to get off of work, I let them go as a family without me. I’m sure there will be other opportunities over the years to join in. But today, I’m thankful to know my friend thinks highly enough of me to be part of her child’s life in that way. For that, I would have happily gone.

 

Day 25

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Spontaneity | #spontaneous #quote #inspiration #life #inspirationalquote

I love how my days can start out one way and end completely differently than I expected. Everything I had planned for my day somehow changed as it went on, and that was ok. I didn’t get my dining room painted. I didn’t go to the gym. In fact, I got nothing done on my invisible to-do list. Instead, in a rather impromptu way, I ended up spending time this evening with a couple of girlfriends. We shared a meal, some laughter and then went to see a movie. I’m thankful I have friends who are spontaneous and a lifestyle that allows me to be.

Day 19

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I’m lucky to have a wonderful mother, but unlucky to have her living in a different state. While we talk often, we don’t see each other as much as I’d like. My father has Alzheimer’s so they don’t travel as much as they used to. It doesn’t matter how old I get, there’s something special about being with my mother. It makes me feel grounded somehow, protected, sheltered when I’m with her. In a strange way, it lifts the burdens of my own life because with her, my primary role is daughter. Not mother, teacher, homeowner, bill payer…with her I’m mostly daughter. It’s a nice break.

While I can’t be with her often, I am privileged to have other women in my life who help me feel similarly. One is a woman who has become somewhat of a surrogate mother. She has no children of her own, and we have jokingly said that we’ve adopted each other. Hers is the name I put down on forms that request an alternate family member contact. She’s the one I call when I’m needing a literal shoulder to cry on. And she has supported me in every conceivable way in the past 15 or so years I’ve been blessed to have her in my life. It’s without guilt that I send her a Mother’s Day card in addition to my “real” mother. The other woman in my life I’ve known equally as long, having worked with her at the college before her retirement, and now after as a part-time employee in my department. We’ve become closer in recent years through mutual life events. She’s become a trusted advisor and confidante and is one of those classy women most of us aspire to be.

I had both of them over for brunch this morning. The three of us don’t always get together at the same time, so we had fun sharing stories and decorating ideas. It was a relaxing morning and the time sped by while we got caught up. It’s wonderful to have people in my life whose friendship is so comfortable and effortless. It’s even better when they feel like family. I’m so thankful to have them in my life.