Sure Could Use a Little Good News Today

Anne Murray was one of my favorite singers when I was little. She has such a unique voice. I still love to listen to her stuff. I often hear this particular song in my head. I don't know exactly when it was released, but it was sometime in the mid-80's.

Things have been pretty intense around here for the last month. My friend's daughter died on January 30th. She was 2. The day before her memorial, my son was diagnosed with a pretty darn scary illness and instructed to get a CT scan ASAP. We spent four days in agony imagining the worst of the worst. We had to give our dog back to the shelter last week, as we just couldn't house train her--despite more effort, money, and tears than any pet owner should ever be subjected to. I found out my neighbor's cousin delivered a stillborn baby last week. And my own cousin is dealing with profound health issues with his baby girl. Yesterday, a friend of my mother-in-law backed her car into my MIL's house. Sometimes, I just want to hide under the covers until the world learns how to play nice.

The good news, though, is that we're doing all we can here to support my friend. Tomorrow, we plant a majestic Austrian pine in honor of her daughter, from whom I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my entire life. My son is fine. He has a chronic condition of the optic nerve that we'll need to monitor, but he does not have a brain tumor. My cousin's daughter finally found a medication that seems to be working. Yay! And my mother-in-law got her house boarded up. The contractor starts the repairs in three weeks.

I am so grateful for the moments that make my life grand. Today, I watched my youngest squat and peer closely at something. It is such an adorable pose, and they outgrow it all too quickly. Tonight, my husband took me out to dinner and we had uninterrupted conversation for two hours! I don't always have something glorious to report every day, but every day is glorious nonetheless.

And I registered today to take the PLACE test. Am I on the ball, or what?!?

Mighty Fine Friends

I've always loved the song, "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog", from the time I first heard it as a young girl. I thought the notion of a bullfrog with friends was mighty silly, indeed. Bullfrogs gave you warts if they peed on your hand when you picked them up. How gross. As a grownup, I am fortunate to have several mighty fine friends. And they often have great wine. And opinions. And they share both with me.

Lately, some of my friends are suffering. Life is just a giant lesson, and I learn something new every step of the journey. One thing I've learned from my friends lately is to enjoy--no, savor--each moment with those that I love. The moments just before I fall asleep, when Kevin and I reconnect and share small details that made our day the unique day that it was. The moments on the phone with my sister when my neice says something adorable and I get to witness. The interactions between my daughters, or my son and one of my girls. Those are so precious. And I'm so grateful that my mighty friends taught me how to appreciate those moments for what they are.

Waxing philosophic mood is ending, so I'm off for dinner and a beer. Yum!