Based on my last post about the "little things" in life, I am going to take another chance to shamelessly plug the blog and ask that you click here and vote again. This is my "little thing" in life that I really want to win. You can only vote every 24 hours (not to be confused with once a day).
The gentleman who writes the blog who just stole MY second place spot wrote about me in his blog and how I might be deserving, but that he is more so. He draws doodles and posts them online... and I write about life as my husband spent months and months suffering from cancer which inevitably took his life. Did I mention that I am a thirty-four-year-old widow with a four-year-old son who I am now raising by myself? OK, I rarely play the "widow card" but I need the votes... desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose.
If you could vote again, I would greatly appreciate it.
VOTE HERE
It's so easy to let the big things in life overshadow the little things. After all, that is why they are considered to be the BIG things. In life we all have issues that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Things beginning, things ending, things bought, things sold, things changing, things stagnant, things sufficient, things lacking, things that matter, things that don't.
I have had almost two years of BIG things that have completely smothered the little things that I so greatly cherish. I started thinking about my favorite little things in life, and the immense value they all hold.
Whether it's an impromptu "I love you" from my favorite four-year-old, or flowers from a parent "just because."
It might be a perfectly timed text from a friend with only one word - "dinner?" or it could even be the excitement of wearing a new outfit.
Often it is a fresh new "cut and color," or maybe it's leaving for work in the morning without a crying child waving good-bye at the window.
It doesn't really matter what the little things are, but what does matter is how often you step back and notice them. Take the time to cherish the little things, because if they disappear, they can all too easily become the BIG things.
I received an e-mail about a month ago informing me that the blog was nominated for a "Blogger" award. I was interviewed and now need votes. I wouldn't normally do this, but the competitive side of me wants to (at least) follow through with the process. If you are so inclined, you can click on the link below and then click the blue "Vote Now" button in the top left corner of the interview. VOTE HERE
I'm having an "It's Not Fair" day. I know life isn't fair, and no one has ever told me differently. I have said to many a student, that if someone told you life was fair, they were telling you a pack of lies. Today was just one of those days... and it's not fair. It's not fair to me, my child, or the people who surround us. It's just not fair on so many levels, for so many people. The feelings, the grief, the anger, the acceptance, the guilt... none of them are fair and things were never supposed to be like this. Ever. Yet they are.
But this is real life, and I need to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward... which is very different from moving on. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day.
This post did not really turn out to be the "Happy Easter" post to which it was intended. Nonetheless, I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and are able to spend it with loved ones.
Faith was the topic at the Easter church service yesterday. Although it was based on the "leap of faith" idea, it got me thinking about faith in general... leaping, blind, or otherwise.
Right or wrong, I have always been a "blind faith" person. I don't need proof or to see things with my own eyes. If you would have asked a few years ago about my faith, I probably could have given you a very intelligent, well-thought out answer that summed up my beliefs in a few sentences. My faith had never been tested, so it was quite simple to decide what to believe.
Life happened. And a few months ago, if you asked me the same question regarding faith, my answer would have probably been a jumbled attempt at an explanation, because after faith is tested it's not always so easy to put your finger on your exact beliefs. However, if you asked me that same question today, I think my answer would just simply be one word. YES.
Faith requires trust and trust requires risk. The death of a loved one can make you feel robbed of that trust, which off-sets the common beliefs that lead you to faith. Having a not-so-common circumstance makes everything seem abstract, and therefore too risky. The blurriness tests your faith, but if you believe blindly, then it shouldn't matter.
For me, nothing is better than taking my contacts out, removing my make-up (or not caring about it), and rubbing my eyes. It is a rarity for me since I sleep with my contacts in and generally have make-up on during the day.
Tonight was one of those "rub your eyes until it hurts" nights.
I absolutely could not wait to rush home and let the eye-rubbing commence. It is such an amazing feeling to be able to finally rub them without worrying about make-up smearing or having a contact come out or even tear.
As with many pleasures, there is an ever so slight sting that comes with the great joy of rubbing an eye. It is hardly noticeable, yet in some ways makes me extremely grateful that I have allowed myself to not worry about the few things that naturally come when wearing contacts. It's a sting that keeps me aware and thankful that I have such delicate assistance that help me to see clearly each and every day.
You can read between the lines or take it at face value... both are accurate applications.
The latest and greatest...
Tyler is playing basketball and finally loves it. It took a few weeks for him to warm up to the idea, but he now has the hang of it and is ready to pose for the camera every time he scores. Watching a group of kids, ages four and five, run up and down the court is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. This last week I turned into "that mom." Truthfully, my friend and I turned into, "those moms" since I was not alone. We were ready to take down a few five year olds who were bullying our kids on the court. So yes, I am THAT mom, and yes, I am saving money for my child's therapy.
Tyler really does love playing and the #6 shirt doesn't hurt either. Now he is claiming that he wants to be a basketball player AND a drummer when he grows up.... AND wants to do both at the same time. I had to break the news to him that drumming and playing basketball simultaneously has clown-like tendencies, and I'll be able to use his college fund to off-set the therapy costs. ;)
I am loving my new school and am very happy I made the change. I miss my old clan at Golden, but the new start has been refreshing. I found out last week that I will be able to go part-time next year. I have a partner (at my school) and we turned in our proposal and received approval for next year. I'll be teaching 60% and she will be teaching 40%. I am thrilled to have this opportunity, and excited to start a new adventure.
I am once again having some serious trouble with my shoulder. I'm going to leave it at that, since the recent wound is a little too fresh to recap. It hurts. Constantly. For me to admit that I'm in pain is pretty major, and I would venture to say that if the doctor says the "surgery" word I might actually listen this time. At this point I'll do just about anything to have it not dislocate. It's THAT bad.
