100th Post

Today is my 100th post and in celebration I will share a story of endurance and dedication.



This is Maddy. She is my daughter and a regular feature of past blog postings. This year Maddy decided to join the high school track team. Maddy has always wanted to be a part of a school sports team but bless her little heart; she isn’t a natural athlete. She has tried out for teams and narrowly missed the final cut. This winter she decided that track would be her answer.

One of her sister’s was a track star back in her high school and college days. One of her brothers also ran. Her father and I are former runners. This year, her brother Andy decided to drop golf for track so Maddy said this was her year too.

She is learning a very important lesson. She is learning that sports aren’t recreational – to be an athlete takes time, practice, and determination. She is learning that in order to run a full mile she has to log many miles throughout the week. She is learning that being a part of a team is being part of something larger than you. Being a team unites a group in focus, spirit, and friendship.

Maddy isn’t the fastest runner on the team. In truth, her mile time is nearly a minute off the other girls. That means that Maddy is often the only person running on track at the end of the race. But she never stops.

For Maddy the race isn’t about winning. It isn’t about having the fastest time. It is about believing in yourself. It is about working so hard to accomplish a dream that you will endure being the last person still running on the track. It is about discovering that your team members and coaches love you, cheer for you, and are a part of achieving your goal.

When Maddy finishes her mile and catches her breath she puts on her sweats and takes her position along the sideline so she can cheer on her team. Maddy’s team!

Assignment: Remember while each step brings you closer to your goal – but you have to commit to taking that first step.

Listening

I have to write today for the simple therapeutic release it will hopefully bring.

I have learned one important parenting lesson in my life: when your children work up enough courage to start talking – shut up and listen. With this lesson comes a heavy burden because as your child begins to share his fears, heartache, and concerns for life; you begin to hurt inside.

Your heart aches because there is nothing you can do to fix the problem. A child has to be rejected, lose a friendship, or have their morals tested in order to grow into the person they are meant to become. A child has to suffer so they can grow stronger and prepare themselves for the challenges of life. Without these hardships, children would not grow up to be healthy parents, partners, or professionals.

But as a parent, when your teenage child starts to open up and you can see a part of them wants you to make it all better but knows you can’t – it hurts. So you listen. You ask if you can share a perspective. You offer a hug. You tell them you love them. Finally, you let them know that they are just about the most special person on the face of the earth and that everything will be okay. Then you send them to bed for a nights sleep.

One of the most troubling things is to know that when they wake up, they will close up again and they will carry all this in their hearts alone. The moment is over and they are in the process of working it out. You will never learn the end result or know how long it took them to heal – but they will. In the meantime, you will worry about them (more than normal) and you will watch them for signs that things are okay again.

And, you will do all of this without being able to share it with others.

Assignment: Thanks for listening.

Photo Friday

Saying Goodbye is so hard

My little 2005 Vibe is getting old. She has more than 200,000 miles on her. I feel ya, little Vibe.


So I had to look for a new used car. Isn't it pretty? Because I work for a non-profit Tom asked me; What would people say?. I say they would think I was as hot as my pretty little sports car!


Look how it shines. What a pretty little car. The repair costs would be out-of-control high. But . . so . .pretty. It only has rear-wheel drive - not practical at all for where I live. . . .but . . .pretty and see how it shines? Wouldn't I look great in this car? It would drive so fast!!!



I purchased a 2008 Chevy Impala instead. My first car was a 1969 Chevy Impala. My dad gave it to me in 1979. It was two-tone blue. Dark blue body with a light blue top. I could get 9 girls in it to sneak into the drive-in. It was a good car.

Today was the Impala's first trip to and from work. In five years, I hope I love it as much as I loved my little Vibe. I will miss you Little Vibe.

What I am Reading Right NOW! - Epilogue

Epilogue: I cannot remember the last time I started and finished a book in one day. The Middle Place was an honest read filled with tears, laughter, love and most importantly faith.

What I am Reading Right NOW!

A few months ago I was at Barnes and Noble when I saw The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan on the clearance table for $4.00. I have had this book in my hand from time to time but never made the purchase. This time I thought; why not, I mean I have paid more for worse so take a chance.

I am currently in between book club reads, so this morning I picked up the book to start reading it. I have only been reading it for about an hour and I am already in love. It is written with a deep range of emotion. I can feel what this Corrigan is experiencing. The book had me crying by page 26 – PAGE 26 – oh what fun this read will be!

Assignment: Please do not bother me for the rest of the day – I have some serious reading to do!

Wine

I have officially hit a turning point in m life. I can no longer drink wine. I have never fully been a wine fan. It isn’t my first drink of choice, mainly because I don’t know enough about vino to know what I am supposed to like. However, my lack of knowledge didn’t overshadow my willingness to try to learn.

All was well until a few years ago. I started to notice a change after an evening out with friends. I would wake up in the middle of the night with energy abound. It didn’t happen every time I had a glass but enough that I started to become cautious.

Last night, our Dam Book Club met to discuss our recent read. I had a couple glasses of wine (and I assure you these were small glasses). I was not impaired in the slightest but when I got home . . . . energy abound. I was up till well past 2:00 am and I woke up again at 3:30.

So that’s it, I am finished with wine. I don’t enjoy the flavor enough to deal with the anxiety that comes with a glass. Thankfully, I do have a very positive relationship with vodka . . . . .

Assignment: Don’t whine – it’s just wine!