It's All a Matter of Perspective

Sunday: I spent six hours sitting on either a plane that wasn't flying or in an airport while my children were far away from me at home.

Monday: I spent more time sitting in an airport due to my son's cancelled flight.

Tuesday: I discovered I had been walking around on a broken foot for a week and would be in a cast for at least the next three weeks.

This morning: I ran out of gas on the way to work--mere minutes from my office. Due to the bum foot, I had to wait for an hour and a half for AAA.

This afternoon: I read a post by WhyMommy and her justified anger.

I am grateful for the time I had to read my book on Sunday.

I am grateful for the extra time I got to spend with my son on Monday.

I am grateful that it's only a broken bone.

I am grateful for the helpful man who brought me fuel and didn't chastise me for running out.

Celebrations now and to come

Momma went for her 3 month check up at the oncologist yesterday. Life is a 3 month cycle for her now. The first 2 months are fairly worry free, and then it is time to go back for blood work and scans. And possibly she feels some twinges in her abdomen. Or her energy level is waning. Or she just feels off.

The week or two leading up to that oncologist visit are not fun. We just want to go ahead and get answers. What is her ca125? What do her scans look like? But she has to wait for that appointment, which is typically about 10 days to 2 weeks after all the lab work.

Seeing as how my brother answered his phone yesterday by skipping the traditional "hello" and just telling me that they were in Shoney's listening to the love song of me and my high school boyfriend ("The Flame" by Cheap Trick, of course), I figured there was probably good news.

Her ca125 is 15. Her scans are clear as a bell. They were celebrating at the best restaurant they could in that tiny town.

Hang in there, Whymommy. These are the visits you have to look forward to. Good news followed by hot fudge brownie sundaes.

Listen to your doctor

Sometimes I forget the importance of a medical degree and think, oh she's my kid. Well, even I her mother can miss really important things like eye doctors. Thank you Dr. S for asking me to take my little girl to the eye doctor. She can't see I found out and because we caught it early it won't effect her as much as it may have. I am thankful for glasses and doctors who push even when maybe Mom gets irritated.

Inn on Main

I am grateful for time spent with my husband.

The mountains are where we can reconnect. Our first trip together was to Asheville, we were married in Montreat. We honeymooned in Weaverville.

This weekend, we are back in Weaverville at the Inn on Main. There will be guitar shopping and massages. Dinner out at the Sunny Side Cafe. Walking. Sitting. Talking.

Reconnect.

I am grateful that I have a person I want to be connected to.

Baby's Birthdays

Ok so not totally. I actually hate that my little boy will be three this weekend but in hating it I have also learned how blessed I am to get the privilege to see this little guy grow up. I get to see him every single day of his little life. I am so grateful for that. I get two, almost three WONDERFUL little lives to guard over just long enough for them to be wonderful adults and with any luck, they will someday, make a Grandma and I will get to do it all over again. I am so grateful for getting old.

Struggle

"When we long for life without difficulties,

remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds

and diamonds are made under pressure."

– Peter Marshall

Lovely Baking

Tonight, I am grateful for baking with my stepdaughter. She often comes in the kitchen, hovering over what I might be making.

I never know whether to ask for help, so that she might learn, or to let her just watch. Tonight, I put her to work.


Easy Berry Cobbler

Melt one stick of butter in an 8x8 pan. The oven should be preheating to 350. Stir together 1 cup each of Bisquick, sugar, and milk. Pour mixture over melted butter. Spread 1 quart of fruit (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cut up strawberries, peaches, or plums) over mixture. Bake for 35-45 minutes.


My stepdaughter, who is 11, did this recipe mostly by herself. I helped with the melting of the butter in the oven, and handled anything hot. Other than that though, she made the cobbler.

After we ate the entire thing, she said, "I didn't think it would be good. I don't know how to bake."

A clean pan and her daddy letting loose a highly inappropriate, yet admiring, belch, let her know that in fact, she is a very good baker.

I'm grateful for affirmations of self esteem. I'm grateful for moments in the kitchen that bring me and Lovely closer together.