Day by Day

Sunday night at about 9:00, I was tired, so I decided to read a book in bed. Well, first came Keera, which didn't surprise me. She always has to be around me and busy. I was able to appease her by asking her to start packing for our trip to Va. Then Katie comes in and plops on the ground, so I put the book down and we start talking about stuff. All of a sudden Connor pops in and climbs on the dresser, bantering back and forth with Katie. I turn to give him some attention too. Eventually he floats out and Brendan jumps in for an appearance and lands on the bed. In the meantime Keera is moving in and out of the scene, bringing up the kitten, the dog is chewing his toy and Katie is still hanging around. Now that is more than a mother can ask for - all her family seeking her out to hang out. I felt so happy in that moment that absolutely nothing else mattered. I absolutely could not turn down that company.

When I was in the hospital, I saw a woman walking down the hall with a dog. When I inquired about it, I was told that it was a therapy dog. Sitting at home last night and this morning, I realize why people bring animals into the hospital for therapy. Our dog, Grady, was so snuggly last night and this morning. All I had to do was plop down on the couch and there he was, curled up against me with his nose tucked into my body. His response to me petting him, sighs and sighs of contentment, made me feel needed and appreciated. Then there is the cute little kitten, Cholie (or Jeffery, as the boys call her?? We couldn't agree on a name). The dog was at one end of me and the kitty at the other end. She came over and curled up in the crook of my knees. Of course there is also the therapy of watching as dog and kitten become friends. Sometimes he stands on the floor and she sneaks in under him, turns on her back and holds onto his arms to get him to play. Then there are times when ...

Katie had her cousin and friend sleep over tonight. I peeked in her room to say, "Don't stay up too late". When I looked in, I only saw her on the edge of her bed, texting on her cell phone. I took a step into the room and not only was Katie on the edge of her bed, but Nicki and Emily were lying right next to her. It was the cutest picture.....girlfriends...they're the best! Although this generation strikes me as funny. They are right next to each other, yet their communication is texting to each other on their phones.....good thing I hear them laugh and talk too.

The dog and kitten smelling noses and a minute later becoming enemies. Keera playing with the hose and nozzle, spraying water in the pool. Then putting the hose between her legs, bending her knees, leaning backward and saying, (as only a girl with older brothers would) "Look Mom, I'm peeing." Finding out that when Bob was picking me up from the hospital that Connor brought soda and medicine to Brendan, who was in his bed with 102 degree temperature. Looking at your 12 year old daughter and wondering when and how she became a beautiful young lady. Having something happen to you that makes you worry a little less about the laundry, the dishes, the cleaning and enjoy a little more the smiles, the laughs and the important things in life.

I have come to the conclusion that we cannot really control what comes our way in life, but the important thing is helping people and others helping us to get through the downs and enjoy the ups. Where would we be without each other.

Sometimes one more straw makes the load too heavy. Sometimes it is so easy to compartmentalize our fears, our worries and our realities. And sometimes they all just melt together, making it hard to see the light on the other side. We can only live one minute at a time and one hour at a time and then one day at a time. I guess that is how we get to the light on the other side. I had an idea tonight (must be maturity-after 40 years, it should be)that I would just take all those things and say to God, "Can you just hold them for me tonight. They are too heavy for me to bear." I could visually take the load I saw sitting on my shoulders and handing it over to someone else. I actually felt a little lighter. I know this is not a new notion, but for me it was a first time try. Well, the chocolate chips in the cupboard didn't hurt either.......