Just 40 Days

About 15 years ago, my hobby of taking photos turned into a hobby of making remembrance videos.  It started with sports videos, moving on to graduations, then birthdays, and then funerals.  At one point I created over 25 different movies over the course of a year.  Nowadays, I make one - three videos a year. I really enjoy making them.  I learn alot about the people/families I make the videos for.  I learn alot about life.  I've been working on one for Aunt Betty.  What a life she led!  She was a cheerful and generous soul.

Dear Haylee...it's been 49 days since you've gone.  I miss your phone calls.  I logged on to write this blog, that has become more therapeutic for me, than useful to readers like you with a purpose when I realized a simple truth of life: ...I'm so glad that God gave us many distractions in our lives so that we don't realize how bad they are. I was thinking about my day and how it started out (with someone wishing me a crappy day at work) versus how it finished.  I was pretty happy about that part (Life is Good!). Then I remembered my friend, battling cancer.  I thought to myself:  My life is easy compared to that.  After beginning my day with someone wishing me a 'crappy day at work' (not a fan, but those were the words spoken),  and ending the day with friends... who love me and reinforced  my being.  Thanks to my neighbors The Browns.   But really, it is so hard to stay true to yourself in a world full of anger, fear, and hate...

Today I did one more thing than what was on my list of things to do.  I got a massage.  My masseuse said I hadn't been there since February!  Way too long.  I had been getting a monthly massage for the past 10 years!  I'm sure I'll be back in four weeks...probably three! So what was on that list of mine?  Chores concerning Haylee, a little retail therapy, a long walk with my dog Aiden, (bonus that Derrick and Carly came along), and repotted several plants that needed some TLC.  Besides getting a massage, today was the last day of teaching classes!  School is out tomorrow!  I also bought four items, a skirt, a bathing suit top, and two workout shirts and that cost me less than eight dollars!  It really was a good day!

I received a really unique gift today.  A lovely beaded bracelet made especially for me.  The maker, Shannon, is the daughter of one of my co-workers.  As she made the bracelet, she prays for whom she is making for.  She prayed for all of my family and our loss of Haylee.  It really is a beautiful thing.  Because of Haylee's love for animals, my friend chose to put a St. Francis of Assisi medal on it.  I checked out their website and liked their facebook page.  I hope you will too.  What a great mission!

Today was a good day!  I paid a dollar to wear jeans at work.  Fortunately my room is air conditioned as it was a hot & humid one.  I did a good job feeding myself.  That sounds silly doesn't it? Carly and I hung out a little at home, watched a short movie, had dinner, played with Aiden and the kids next door.  I had a very sweaty workout at the YMCA, followed by a quick trip to the grocery store. Plus, I got to the dishes.

This is the 84th blog of 40 days without facebook.  That means I've gone through two sets of 40 days.  This third set of 40 days is devoted to caring.  Whether I'm taking care of one of my children, or grand daughters, or my home, or my work...I am making this promise to me:  I will take care of myself. That means, no more skipping my monthly massage.  It means eating more vegetables and no more eating what ever I want.  It means making time for a good workout, and taking my dog for daily walks.  It means going to Sunday Mass more regularly. (No more TV Mass). I need to be at my best self in order to do all the caring work that I need to do.

Today was a gorgeous day at the lake.  It was relaxing.  It was not too hot and not too cold.  It was a perfect day. As I sat on the deck over looking the lake, I noticed a baby bird in the branches of the tall grass.  I really didn't think much about it as I went through my day. So as Justine and I sat on the deck and soaked up some sun, we got too hot and decided to sit on the dock on the water.  Guess what?  Mommy & Daddy Black Bird with Red Wings started to dive bomb us!  It was fascinating.  The parents of that baby bird were so aware of its location, and so protective of it, that they dive bomb us! What a testimony to how parents feel about their children...all of us.