The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Saturday morning, I made Mark go with me to my Pepsi Store. I was in need of my morning pick-me-up (an ice cold Pepsi) and Mark was grabbing his coffee.

I won't allow Mark to have a coffee pot in the house. At times he gets WICKED mad at me, however, he only has himself to blame. While pregnant with Shelby I was grabbing cereal at the grocery store, and somebody recently had ground coffee beans. The smell was ohmygosh so strong. I began vomiting. I puked and groaned and left a HUGE mess from the cereal aisle all the way out the doors to my car. Therefore, Mark doesn't get a coffee pot. Too bad for him, right?

We drug ourselves out of bed, showered, brushed teeth and climbed in the car to get our guilty pleasure. Mark says EVERY SINGLE TIME, "Let's go see WamBamPam."

Pam works weekends at my store. As the years have passed, I have grown to love this lady. She is good and honest and kind and beautiful (inside and out) and kind and kind and kind. Did I mention she is kind? She is. I really really, REALLY like her and look forward to seeing her each Saturday and Sunday.

I wobbled into the store. Pam isn't there. Pam is ALWAYS there. This lady works SEVEN days a week. No lie. She works full-time at another place and then weekends at the Phillips 66 where I met her.

"Where's Pam?"

"Her daughter died last night and I am covering her shift."

Tears dripped from my chin as ice clunked and Pepsi streamed into my cup.

Oh, Pam. I am so very sorry. I am SO VERY SORRY. 

On the afternoon of March 14, my phone rang. It was Shelby.

"Mom, do you remember Katie?"

Duh. OF COURSE I remember Katie.

Katie danced Ballroom Dance with Shelby. She is such a beautiful girl with the most humble, sweet spirit. She soared through High School. She married a handsome, kind, pretty-dang-cool man and then Philip grabbed his beautiful bride and landed in Ireland for work. 

Katie and I are Facebook friends and periodically I see her posts that feature places seen, places been and then the OHMYGOSH post. Katie was pregnant. We found out she was having a boy and the due date was given. March 13.

"Mom. Katie's baby died."

"What? Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. What happened?"

"They don't know. He was fine. She went into labor. His heart just stopped."

And together my daughter and I wept.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how bad things happen to good people. I don't know why it happens. I don't know what we need to learn. What are we to take from the heart wrenching, gut turning experiences?

I don't know.

What I do know is that hurt and pain and unfairness are a part of this thing we call "Life". It just is and always will be. Does that bring me comfort? No. Does that bring dear Pam and beautiful Katie a sense of purpose behind the hurt and the pain and the loss? Heck no. 

Strength and hope and love and faith in new beginnings will carry them.

So, my dear friends, cry and howl and mourn. Then begin. Heal and grow and believe.

May we all find peace. May we all find joy. May we ALL believe again. Until that time...

(Thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer, Katie, you are wise beyond your years.)

                                       

Tick Tock Tick Tock

I have been wanting to write for a while now. I got slammed with graphics. No. I'm not complaining. Not one bit. Me? No way.

Sigh.

I'm super busy. And super stressed.

Since blogging and (weirdly) cleaning is great therapy for me, I cleaned my house this morning. It looks good. It smells better. I went on the motorcycle with Mark for a bit. I felt the wind. I smelled the great outdoors. AND the sun landed on my shoulders. Now, I'm sitting down for part three of the therapy session. Tag. You're IT!

[insert evil laugh]

Anyone who knows a lick about me knows that I LOVE Tim McGraw. Not just a little. A whole lot.

When I found out that he was in the movie "The Shack", I counted the days to opening night at Cinemark. Tanna was my date. Extra large popcorn (Half kettle corn and half regular popcorn. No butter. Mark taught me no butter - you can eat more popcorn without butter weighing it down. Pat taught me to do half-and-half - because it's simply delicious.) Blankets. Water. Reclining chairs. Tim McGraw. Yep. I was set for a good time.

I won't go much into what the movie is about. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I found it humorous in unanticipated ways. I loved how the holy figure was represented unexpectedly.

Time is discussed. I can't find the exact quote from the movie. My memory SUCKS anymore, but the quote was something to the effect of "It's not about the destination, it's about the journey."

Something we hear ALL the time right?

I am a worry-er. I fret. I ponder. I stress. Tons. I live my life according to what the future might hold.  I'm so afraid of change that I freak out over what's ahead in the great unknown. I don't live in the now.

I so want to change that.

I've stated over and over again that I love being a mom. I was made for motherhood. I am strong because my kids are strong. I AM because my family expects absolutely nothing different. I am not allowed to be stagnate, so I wobble forward and learn and grow and become. In case you're wondering, it's why I swear so dang much. However, I do it. And for the most part, I'm grateful that I did.

I usually read every night. I slip on my jammies, climb into bed and after I let loose with a heavy sigh, I grab my book and begin living vicariously through the adventures of the main character.

Except when I'm too exhausted to read. At that time, Mark takes over and reads out loud to me. It's so lame, isn't it? Two old people reading in bed. However, I absolutely-without-a-shadow-of-doubt love this time with Mark and I adore when he reads to me.

Mark keeps the Book of Five Rings within easy grasp. Another book that the Sensei from his karate class gave him to read and we have never returned because Mark has yet to "be done" with it resides on the nightstand as well. We just ordered and received a book by Bruce Lee titled Striking Thoughts that now ornaments the table as well.

Yesterday was an I'm-so-tired-I-can't-stand-it day. Mark read to me. I'm finding the reoccurring theme from these larger-than-life Masters is time. Don't waste it. The past should stay there. The future is unknown. Why not live in today? Don't take preconceived thoughts with you on your daily journey. Be ready to learn and grow and become. No excuses. Just do it.

I was not the Mom that wanted "more" from my kids. I enjoyed baby-hood, terrible twos, toddler-hood, the elementary years, middle school time and alas, the dreaded high school years. I bawled and cried and howled and mourned as each journey came to an end and the door opened for a new adventure.

I worried so much about the changes that might come, that I (at times) forgot to relish the moment.

Then, this dang disease struck.

I find myself paralyzed with fear. I am so scared of what is ahead that I forget to be grateful for the NOW.

I begin my new journey today. At the risk of being lame (and I'm SO lame - trust me) I hereby vow to cherish moments. The things that matter are surrounded by time. Time to laugh. Time to share. Time to simply STOP and be still.

Time IS a gift. Isn't it?

Valentines Day

Yep. Today is Valentines Day. Admittedly, not my favorite day of the year. I don't do well with commercialized anything, and Valentines Day falls right in that category.

Mark and I don't make a big deal of this day. In fact, we never really have. Nope. No hearts. No flowers. We don't exchange you-have-to-buy-a-gift-to-express-your-love gifts. 

I awoke today with a simple text from Mark. "Happy Valentines Day babe I love you."

And my heart soared.

I met Mark the summer before my sophomore year. He moved into the neighborhood that I lived in. I was fascinated by this long haired, hippy boy who had no fear. 

1983 brought marriage. 1984 brought Tyson, 1987 Goose came, in 1989 Tanna entered and in 1991 Shelby made her appearance. Followed by divorce. Rotten words. Worse actions. Still in love, but HELL NO, wasn't about to show it to each other. Reunited. Remarried. And in 2000, our family came full circle when Jaden entered this world.

Mark has taught me the meaning of persistence. Never, ever, ever, EVER give up. No matter the obstacle. No matter what others say. Don't talk about it. Don't brag about it. Don't cry about it. Just do it. Use all the power within and simply "do".

Our family is strong and loyal and true because of Mark. Happy Valentines Day, Babe. I love you.

Possibility

In 2016 I shared a post on Facebook. You know how your history appears periodically on your current Facebook feed? This posting appeared on mine. I reposted. I watched the video again. I moved upstairs to my computer to do a quick design job that has been patiently waiting creation. I thought about the video. Watched again. Decided to blog and get my thoughts out of my mind and vomit them in black and white print.

The video is from aplus.com and is titled "What's Your Biggest Regret?"

"A blackboard stood in the middle of New York City asking passersby to write down their biggest regret."

I think about what I would write? Maybe I'd write that I regret getting in my own way. I wonder if I'd write that I didn't say "I love you" enough. Maybe I let anger and hurt and distrust rule my actions. Maybe I AM too emotional (I hear it all the time). 

As the short video progresses, you see the board contemplated. The question is viewed and observers begin to write on the board. I'm struck by the sadness on their faces as people begin to think about all the regrets that come with growing up. "Why didn't I...", "I wish...", "I should have...". 

Ah. Regret. Thinking about it is NOT fun at all. I flippantly say that don't regret. That my mistakes have made me who I am.

However, it is all a lie. OF COURSE I have regrets. And wishes. And possibilities not realized.

As the short movie progresses you hear people talk about fear and failing and regret and time. The common theme of the writings seems to begin with the word "Not". "Not getting...", "Not pursuing...", "Not having...".

It's hard isn't it? It's tough to rewind your life story and view it through muddied eyes. I don't want wasted time. I don't want regrets. I don't want my personal mirror looking back with the words "I wish" scrawled in red lipstick.

About 1.5 minutes into the 3.5 minute video, participants are handed an eraser. Faces light up as regrets are expunged with the swipe of a hand. The general aspect is smiling and hopeful and beautiful.

And filled with possibility.

The message:

EVERY DAY IS A CLEAN SLATE
DO THE THINGS YOU'LL REGRET NOT DOING

is viewed and the final screen is shown. A blackboard. THE BLACKBOARD. With two words written.

CLEAN SLATE

What does YOUR clean slate begin with? Only thoughts and dreams and hopes and possibilities are written on mine.

Please, Don't Take The Girl

For Christmas this year, Shelby and her friend gathered all my blog posts and put them in a book. It's so pretty! The book cover is cream linen, hardback and a simple wrap with "Just Words" jackets the outside. There is a pretty awesome dedicatory page and best of all? The book has all of my blogs and pics from 2011 - 2016. Yep. It's a beautiful treasure and I love it OH-SO-MUCH!

Christmas morning came around. Presents were opened and we were killing time until the movie at 12:45. The family was still gathered upstairs and the book was passed around as each person took a turn reading their favorite blog. I fought back tears as my loved ones read the words from my heart that had touched their own heart. Have I ever told you that I'm a lucky girl? I am, you know.

I have mentioned that I periodically read through my blogs. I find that I remember exactly how I felt while sitting down to type each one.

On January 30, 2012, I wrote a blog titled "Can I Borrow A Nail?" I talk about sharing information and knowledge and skills and lessons and successes and failures and hopes and dreams. Was I arrogantly writing? I don't think so. I usually share everything. I talk and pick at conversations to glean any information to help me and - truth be told - I'm not known to hold back on advice. It's not usually taken, but at least I feel better for sharing. After all, it's all about me, right?

EXCEPT I don't talk about the very thing that weighs on my heart right now. So I'm sharing. I have felt the need to "verbally vomit"  for a while now, so you get to hear my words. It's MY truth - as I know it. May not be truth as you know it, but I have said that I write what I know. Write, I will.

My daughter is a drug addict. Full blown, heroin shooting, pill popping, skin picking, bleary eyed drug addict. It's killing her and it's killing me. No lie.

I am so very thankful when she is picked up and put into jail. That's such a contradiction of how I should feel. I should be embarrassed, humiliated and frightened when she is put away for a bit. Instead, I am grateful beyond words. She'll remain alive and will be clean for a bit and I hope and pray and hope against all hope that this will be the time that she changes her ways.

I get such a stomach ache when the judge releases her. So far, I have been right. She doesn't stay clean. She ends up back with the same selfish human-beings that suck her dry and leave her dangling in the wind. She uses. We give her the boot, she goes back to people who do not want good for her, she lands in jail, she makes empty promises to the judge who then releases her and the cycle starts over again. And again. And yet again.

I've called the police more than once. We had her arrested. I watched her attempt suicide. I've written letters to judges. I've called government offices. I've talked and begged and pleaded and yelled and cried and hoped and fretted. I've answered the door to the police and knew without a doubt that they were there to tell me they had found her. Dead. I've investigated and studied and researched and always end up chasing my tail wondering "What the crap do I do to fix this?"

I think in the end, the "why's" don't matter. We can go on and on and on with the reasons that drove her to using the first time. However, I find the focus needing to be on quitting; on stopping the madness and the hurt and the bad decisions. How do I find the words that will light the fire of change in her very being?

Her siblings struggle with her decisions. Some don't talk about it at all. Some yell. Some cry. Some worry. Some stress. None of us forget. It's always there....waiting...to hurt and claw and gouge our hearts.

I was listening to my music the other day and "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten began playing. I sang along and when I got to the part where she sings:

"...My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me."

That's what it all comes down to, doesn't it? We get better, we grow, we become and we learn for ourselves. Others may want better for us, however, the real work, the final struggle and the complete glory lies within.

So, I will pray daily that I will see Tanna win this battle. I will hold my breath in hopes that she will see herself through my eyes, the eyes of her dad and siblings and friends and family. That she will see the beauty within that is hidden below the hurt and pain and damage that came with the path she chose to wander. That there will come a day that drug use is what "used to be". That the family forgets how it feels to long for better times. That we soon hear her contagious laughter. That her warm spirit will envelope us again. That the kids can all fight and holler and yell and love without the dominating hurt.

These things I hope for. I pray for. I long for.

Bucket Lists

After many years of squinting and proclaiming loudly to anyone who would listen "I can't see." My parents finally took me to the eye doctor. The verdict? "Yep. She needs glasses."

I didn't really want glasses. They were bulky and heavy and cumbersome. I didn't want them. No way. Nuh-uh. Wasn't going to wear them. You can't make me. I didn't want to so I didn't. Vanity prevailed and the world remained blurry.

In my eyes the world consisted of swatches of color. I didn't really focus on objects because I couldn't see with precision. Because I couldn't see objects, color reigned and my fascination with color and textures began.

Since my memory EVER came to be, I have longed to travel to Europe and see the art that resides there. Specifically, the Sistine Chapel weighed in extremely high on the you-have-GOT-to-see-the-beauty list. The colors had to be amazing. Right? The artists took bits of horsetails and managed to paint wondrous works of art that continue to inspire.

When I was diagnosed with this stupid, absolutely useless and ever-so-much-an-inconvenience brain disease, Dawn decided that I needed to develop a bucket list. I had two travel events on my list. New York and Europe. That's it.

Christmas came and one item was granted. I got to see New York. I love people and smells and colors and textures. Oh. And cheesecake. I LOVE cheesecake. What better place to experience all that than New York City? Loved it. I mean beyond-a-shadow-of-doubt LOVED IT!

The beginning of 2016 rolled around. Goose and Daulton informed me that they were going to Europe this year. Again. They went a couple of years ago and I was tinged a tad bit with envy. However, I was happy for them and spent hours with Goose looking at pictures post-visit to the land of my dreams. When they told me they were going yet again? I was GREEN with envy. Jealous isn't strong enough to tell you how I felt. To add insult to injury? Shelby was going. THEY would get to see the art. THEY would get to walk the cobblestones of Rome. THEY would get to see Michelangelo and Raphael and Rembrandt and Van Gogh and the Sistine Chapel and ALL of the art that I yearned to see. Yep. Jealous. Jealous. JEALOUS. That was me.

The kids came to me one day and told me they wanted to take me with them. What? Really? Me? Yep. I was going.

I didn't tell too many people that I was going. Not because I'm an ungrateful brat, simply because I kept waiting to hear the hammer fall with the words "We changed our minds, we aren't going." Daulton booked airline tickets. I still didn't believe. Daulton reserved hotels. Nope. STILL didn't believe. Daulton, Shelby and Goose tagged me in links and pictures and Facebook posts. I continued to wait for the hammer to fall.

We left the morning November 28th. I swear to you, I was on the plane and STILL doubting that I was really, truly, no-doubt-about-it heading off on an epic adventure. But I did. I lived it. I walked on cobblestone. I felt Roman pillars with my hands. I saw an entire museum of Van Gogh's work. I reverently viewed Raphael, Rembrandt and more art than my eyes could behold. I wept when I walked into the Sistine Chapel. When the kids were ready to leave the chapel, Goose viewed my tear-filled eyes and led me back in to gaze upon the single most amazing room that I will ever behold.

How do I tell you all that I experienced in the two weeks of wonder? How do I relate the smells and the textures and the people and the food? I have NO idea. I do know that I felt very much like the emoji that is smiling with the eyes shaped like hearts. Yep. That was me. I'm SURE my pupils were heart shaped the entire time.

I walked the streets of Amsterdam. I toured the house where Anne Frank hid from the Nazi regime. I walked through awe inspiring churches, rode on a boat through beautiful canals and my cup runneth over with joy.

That was ONE city.

We hopped onto a train that swept us to Heidelberg, Germany where we rented a car and toured the countryside. NOT before we wandered the Christmas market in old town. I listened to German carolers in the Christmas square. We were able to see the Heidelberg Schloss Castle light up the night and could hardly wait to investigate the still standing monolith the following morning.

We jumped in the car and headed toward Triberg, Germany. I crossed the Reine River and traveled many dirt roads through the Black Forest. I saw castles and vineyards and climbed to the highest waterfall in Germany. I even saw the world's largest cuckoo clock!

All these adventures led us to Lucerne, Switzerland where the most expressive monument of a dying lion was carved into the stone. We strolled along the river and viewed the lights and the people and felt the evening air.

We conquered Mount Pilatus and viewed Switzerland while standing above the clouds. Mr. Easter Rabbit all dressed in orange (down to his sparkly orange hat) became our friend and we listened to pretty-dang-good artists sing cover tunes during the open mic night at a pub.

Our car extravaganza came to an end in Zurich where we flew off to Rome. The kids had saved this event for the end of our journey. The climax to my adventure would indeed be the Sistine Chapel. I had waited 51 years to gaze upon this miraculous craftsmanship. I could feel the build-up of excitement as Rome drew closer to reality.

I had seen pictures of the chapel. I had imagined the beauty and the art and the reverence in that room. I was wrong. I will never find the words big enough or strong enough or flowery enough to describe the wonder I felt as my eyes tried so desperately to drink in all that they viewed.

I heard the roar of the Trevi Fountain and gazed with wonder upon the Roman Coliseum. I walked on paths in the Roman Palatine Hill that were laid as early as 509BC. We wandered from the ruins of Rome to the opulence of St. Peter's Basilica where Shelby was able to see her favorite work of art, the chilling masterpiece of Michelangelo the Pietà.

Rome came to an end and we found ourselves on a train to Venice. Gondola rides through the canal, shopping and some much needed rest overtook the end of our journey. Fog added to the mystery as we were awed by the wondrous beauty of the water and architectural settings. Our gondolier pointed out where Casanova lived as well as Marco Polo's home.

Taylor Swift wrote a song that my heart played over and over throughout my adventure.

"I said remember this moment In the back of my mind..."

I will, you know. I'll remember the smells and the textures and the art and the food and the people and the wonderment of living my dream. Most of all? I'll embed the generosity of this gift and etch the unfailing love of my family deep within my heart. Yep. I'm a lucky girl.

Making Spaghetti

Last week a friend reached out to me. Distraught. Crying. Angry. Hurt. She felt all of this and more. I listened to her rant and cry and holler and yell. I heard the resignation in her voice and feared for her. This friend of mine has always been strong and kind and good. To hear that she had all but given up was not AT ALL something I was prepared to hear. I heard my self saying, "I get your anger. I understand the hurt. However, you don't get to quit. Sorry. Your purpose here is bigger than this. When I get sad or distraught or angry I remind myself that I have a life that can be envied. I remember that there are so many in this world that long for a life just like mine."

Was I fibbing? I don't know.

There have been a few things that have happened this last week that have left me licking wounds and wondering how in the world I'm going to get through "this". Much of what is going on is less-than-enviable.

After that call, I contemplated how hard everything has been. I got myself in a funk and NOTHING could pull me out.

Then I went downstairs to make dinner. Spaghetti.

I stood in MY kitchen, pulled out MY stainless steel pans, threw tomato sauce in MY programmable crockpot, opened MY cupboard full of seasoning to find the right concoction to make a delicious meal for MY family.

And it WAS good.

I watched MY television, I read MY book, I talked to MY spoiled rotten dogs, I cleaned MY house, I did MY dishes and I thought about all that I have.

Some days I wish I had a bigger house AND a maid to go with the added space. If I could do ANYTHING I wanted, I would travel the world over and go to EVERY SINGLE museum on the planet. I would hire a nutritionist and a cook. My personal seamstress would create a wardrobe designed by me. I would give my kids EVERYTHING they wanted or needed or desired and I wouldn't care one lick that they were spoiled rotten little brats. I would have. And get. And buy. I would want for nothing and those I know and love would have all they wish for.

However, I realize that I really don't want spoiled rotten entitled children. I love how giving and kind my kids are. Honest, good, generous, loyal, driven. Good qualities that each of my children possess because of the life experiences that have befallen them.

I really don't want a housekeeper. I enjoy cleaning. I LOVE my house and yard and dogs. I enjoy simple no-nonsense foods. My clothing is simple by choice. I am barefoot as often as I can because I choose bare feet. If I can't be shoeless? I have a closet FULL of hardly worn soles.

I have coats and gloves and shorts and tanks. I have a car and motorcycle. I have food when I'm hungry and a soft bed to lie upon when I need to rest. I have family and friends and loved ones to hold my hand and walk with me through the storms.

Maybe, just MAYBE I have all I need. I am. I have. I experience. I laugh. I cry. I feel.

I have learned that all I need is right here. It's in me. The times I despair and desire reflects on my own lost touch from within. It's not because I don't have. It's because I don't SEE what I have.

Mark has read The Book of Five Rings over and over and over again. His reading glasses adorn the book sitting on the bedside table easily within his grasp.  This quote by Miyamoto Musashi remains one of his favorite.

Something to think about, right?