The Right Place at the Right Time

Yesterday I woke up to blue skies, pink cherry blossoms, sunshine and gusty March breezes. It was the perfect day for getting a lot of things done around the house (like several mountains of laundry that had piled up during my recent illness) and running some errands. I had my mind full of all that needed to be accomplished and I was looking forward to checking things off the list. I love feeling on top of—and in control of—things. My daughter Jean called goodbye to me as she headed out the door to work, and then it was quiet. I finished up the e-mail I was working on, pushed “send” and then heard the door open. In a flash I realized my day had changed, just that fast, as Jean came up the stairs, tears streaming down her face, having just received shocking and tragic news about a friend.

The piles of laundry faded into oblivion as I folded her in my arms. We talked, we remembered her friend, we marveled that the sun was still shining, the world was still turning, that everything was still the same and yet not. I sat watching my sweet daughter working through grief and silently thanked the Lord for allowing me to be there with her. I realized, once again, that life is fragile and every moment counts. I also was forced to acknowledge a lesson I have been slow in learning: I am most certainly NOT in control.

Yesterday wasn’t the day I had planned, and I’m so glad. It was a day filled with moments that mattered, a day where I was at just the right place, at just the right time, for someone I love. We talked, we had lunch out, we shopped to distract ourselves from the pain, it was a very different day than either of us had expected.

Abraham Lincoln has authored many of my favorite quotes. He shared this thought, “It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” I heartily agree with wise Abe, we must make our life count, make a difference every day in some small way if we can. I’m hoping I can learn to joyfully and consistently choose compassion over control and love over lists.

The laundry still isn’t done. I had a surprise visit from my sweet little granddaughter Nora today, and who’s going to choose piles of dirty clothes over hugs and kisses from a five year old princess. Not me. I’ll do the laundry tomorrow . . . maybe!

Me and my wonderful daughter Jean.


Sweet little Nora wearing the bunny mask she made at school today.

Take Two Aspirin And Call Me In The Morning

I hate being sick!!!! I’m now through a full three weeks of not feeling well. My brain is fuzzy, my ears are stopped up and making me feel like I’m living under water and my energy level is zip. I’ve seen the doctor, I’ve made sure to get plenty of fluids, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I just have to wait it out now. I’ve also come to the conclusion that no matter how old I get, I still want my mommy when I’m sick. Since my sweet mother has been gone for almost seven years now, I can’t literally see her, but I can still draw on things she taught me and I can still hear her voice giving me advice.

I’m sure, were she here, mom would be telling me, it’s okay to sit back, rest and let the world slide by for a bit. After all, she would remind me, it’s going to keep turning with or without you. Humbling words for someone who loves to feel needed, but true words. Life does go on whether I have my hand in all the pots or not. True rest, is more than just sleeping and sitting quietly, it’s acknowledging the need to kick back and relax physically AND mentally, and giving myself permission to do that. So, here’s a toast to true rest and relaxation.

Mom would also remind me that this is not the end of the world and there are many other people dealing with worse illnesses and problems. In other words, she’d probably tell me to stop whining! She’d be right, I have many friends dealing with very serious illnesses, and some friends dealing with illnesses and conditions that cause them pain and suffering every day with no promise of healing in sight. It’s a great reminder that I don’t have far to look before finding someone whose situation is much worse than mine. It’s also a great reminder to start counting my blessings. That said, my mom would be calling, fussing and worrying over me every day until I was well again.

Finally, just about the time I started feeling like I was never going to feel “normal” again (which is right about now), mom would recount some other time I had felt just the same way and then returned to health. She would become my encourager and that would lift my spirits and get me through another day. Moms really are the best cheerleaders; no one has EVER cheered me on (or up) like my mom.

So, with all that said, I’m just going to rest and watch as the world keeps turning, count my blessings (while I pop a cough drop or two), and remember not to take my health for granted once I've shaken this off. Thanks mom for all the great advice, I’m snuggling down now under the old gray quilt you made and wishing we could have one more cup of tea together.

When Jupiter Struts Its Stuff

It’s been a very long week. I’ve finally succumbed to the cold that’s been making its rounds in our family and among our friends. I thought I might beat it, but that just didn’t happen. Add to the cold the renovating of our master bathroom and bedroom, which includes lots of tear-out, dust, and painting and I am one tired, grumpy lady. However, in the midst of everything this week, there were some especially wonderful moments. That’s a blessing I’ve come to appreciate over the years, special moments that seem to pop up just when my spirits need lifting.

A few nights ago, our daughter and son-in-law, Ellie and Steve, and our three oldest granddaughters came for the evening to work on the renovation. Well, Ellie and Steve were working on the renovation. I was enjoying the girls downstairs, far from the noise of the hammer and drill. As the girls and I read some stories and ate some snacks, the sun set and the waxing moon and stars slowly appeared in the darkening sky. Taking a minute to look skyward, the nightscape took my breath away, it was just spectacular. There, framed outside the window, was the waxing crescent moon, just underneath gleamed Jupiter, and just below Jupiter, Venus glowed brightly. As beautiful as it was to look at with the naked eye, I knew that this would be an incredible night to look at this configuration with the little girls through the telescope.

Normally, this wouldn’t have been a big deal, but one of the worst parts of this cold has been the accompanying fatigue. The thought of getting the telescope down the stairs, out the door, and set up for viewing seemed overwhelming. I knew with every second I hesitated the planets were slowly dropping toward the horizon and would soon disappear for another night; if I was going to seize the moment I had to move quickly, and quick isn’t in my vocabulary this week. Would Ellie and Steve be willing to break away from the project (I know how irritating that can be) to make this moment happen? They were willing, and quickly dropped what they were doing, brought the telescope down and helped me set it up. Another spirit-lifter, another blessing I’ve come to appreciate over the years, is when “I” becomes “we” and everything becomes easier in the plural.

With the telescope focused on Jupiter I watched as Steve, Ellie, and each of my granddaughters took in the incredible sight of that shining planet and four of its beautiful moons. The oohing and ahhing, the “Wow, Grammie, that is incredible, that’s really awesome”, the “Let me look again” was all worth it. Jean joined us too, and of course I had to take a turn gazing through the view finder. We all loved Jupiter and its orbs, and Katie was amazed by her first telescope view of the moon and all its craters too. Another spirit-lifter, the enthusiastic, joyful amazement of a child learning, seeing, or experiencing something for the first time, another blessing I’ve come to appreciate over the years, when seeing something through the eyes of a child rejuvenates that same exuberance in me.

So despite the cold, fatigue, and renovating irritations, I’m feeling very blessed. I have incredible kids, willing to drop everything when asked, and while my view through the telescope was spectacular, it was nothing compared with the view through my grandchildren’s eyes; quite a spirit-lifter, and this week, those were some very special moments that mattered.

Author’s note: In case you would like to know more about current sky events and maybe plan some sky watching moments-that-matter of your own, here is a great website to help you in your planning.

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/planner.cfm