A lot has happened in the last two weeks. On Monday, of the week prior, our family experienced a "banner day." We got our second grandchild, born healthy and strong, our third son got three job offers in one day and our daughter sent a very lovely text, communicating her reflections on going to rehab. An odd sort of mix but wonderful, nonetheless!

My DIL was a trooper, giving birth to an 8 lb.8 oz baby boy, receiving Pitocin but no pain meds. Geesh! We love that they live only a few hours away so we will be able to partake in many of his childhood milestones. I stayed in their home while they were at the hospital and that proved a very satisfying experience. Seeing the mundane of your grown-up kid's lives feels very rewarding, especially if they are doing well. I love how they keep their home and their commitment to a balanced life is obvious by the things they have placed in it.

Son number three graduated from Auburn last December. Due to his over-exuberance for band life, his GPA took a few hits. This made finding a job a bit more difficult. While he stood head and shoulders above his peers in leadership qualities, his academic marks placed him lower on many recruiter's lists. Finally a top notch company fully appreciated his role of head drum major for a band of over 350 and gave him an onsite interview. Results are in and he will move to Phoenix sometime after the first of the year.

About this time, two years ago, our daughter returned from Remuda Ranch, a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Never fully understanding how the experience effected her, it was nice to receive a recent "thank you." She expressed her gratefulness for our sacrifice of sending her there. Having her acknowledge this was priceless.

These are the things that make a heart sing!

Add in a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and a couple of good colitis days under my belt and I would wear a "Life is Good" t-shirt if I had one!

In case you are wondering how I navigated thru the dietary land mines of Thanksgiving dinner, here is a brief report: I took my own dairy-free mashed potatoes. Ate dressing, my most favorite thing, and knew I might suffer the gluten consequences later. Everything else I ate was legit except the pecan pie and the pizza we had the next day after family bowling time. I can't help it but pizza is my all time favorite food item. I can't and won't consume it as I did before but I know that I will continue to eat a piece or two now and then. I know you can make a gluten-free crust and use non-dairy cheese, but not when you order from Sugar Bear's, in Lancaster! All in all, I fared well. Thank you, God!

Enjoying the happiness,

Caroline

Labels: babies, new jobs, pizza, Remuda Ranch, Thanksgiving

I feel exhausted. I ache in places where most people don't give a thought to. I am really tired of not feeling well. So here is a little list of the things I miss/have missed because of my illness:

1. My niece, Mel's, wedding in Dallas. I am still not over that one.
2. Helping my parents after some surgery.
3. Time with my PDP girls. One of my greatest joys in life.
4. Jumping in the car to drive to Detroit when my dear friend lost her mother.
5. Thursday morning bible study.
6. Cleaning my house. Ok, I don't really miss it but it needs to be done.
7. Lunch with friends.
8. Almost missed our son's rehearsal dinner.
9. Small group.
10. Feeling normal!
11. Not having people asking how I am doing. While I certainly appreciate it, I feel its been going on so long, everyone is probably becoming numb to the whole thing and tired of viewing me as the "sick one."
12. Various bridal showers and parties.
13. A Caribbean Cruise with very good friends.
14. A brief visit with my good friend in Northern CA.
15. Cooking and eating like a regular person.
16. Being able to sit through a Broadway Play.
17. Helping my husband paint the condo.

Enough whining. I continue to try and focus on the good days but its been a pretty bad two weeks. I'll be more cheery next time! Promise!

Caroline

p.s. Forgot one of the most important events I missed ; my son's graduation from college! War Eagle!

Labels: sick, whining

Today is my birthday. When I was younger, I shared my special day with three other classmates; Jayne, Tom and Rodney. I've lost touch with most of them but now I have a brother-in-law who shares this same birthday. So who cares, you might be thinking. Well ... I don't really like to share anything! I am basically an only child (although I have a very close step brother and sister) and I just don't share well! Want to borrow a book? Ok, but I will write it down that you have it. Need to see one of my DVD's? Fine, but you will likely get a call if its not back in a week. Really, I hold my possessions closely. Too close.

Upon reflection of todays events, I see where many people shared generously with me. Here are a few examples.

I signed up for a ladies bible study which meets every Thursday morning. I have made it to three out of eight of them. My teacher and fellow classmates share abundant grace with me for my missed mornings, sending me texts and messages encouraging me to come back whenever I am able. I cannot see myself extending this kind of grace to others in a similar situation.

Late this morning, after a very rough start, I went for tea with my hubby. We have a favorite shop and a favorite tea. Sometimes we read and sometimes we talk. Today we did some of both. He shares his heart and his life with me in oh so many indulgent ways. I love him for his abandoning love for me.

After lunch I went to visit a friend. It was raining so I snaked up and down the backroads to get to her house. (I have a tiny fear of wet leaves on the roads.) When I knocked on her door she showed surprise, admitting she forgot our appointment but was delighted anyway to see my face. We get together about once a month to pray. Its a sweet, sweet time and rather hard to explain but nonetheless, a treasured gift. She shares some of her deepest longings and fears, entrusting them to me as a young child trusts a parent's grasp in crowded street. What an honor to partake in another's joys and burdens.

Evening has come and all but one of my children have checked in. They lead busy lives but often choose to share their time with me even when I know they would rather be doing something else. For each moment we can spend together, I am truly grateful.

No cake this year... I can't eat it. The above picture is from last year when my wonderful hubby baked my favorite cake and made my favorite icing ... all by himself. This year, instead of a cake, my knitting teacher drove all the way to Whole Foods and practically spent her husband's entire paycheck to buy me gluten-free chocolate cupcakes! How sweet is that!

No pile of gifts save for those I just mentioned above. I'd rather have grace, love, relationships and a wonderful family than anything wrapped in a bow.

Still celebrating,

Caroline

Labels: birthdays, family, love, prayer, sharing