Thursday, August 14, 2008

Catching My Breath

First things first: It's time to announce the winnner of Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy from Monday's blog tour and interview!

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Timestamp: 2008-08-15 00:16:11 UTC

Congrats to Hil'Lesha! Please email me your address and the publisher will send the book your way.

Thanks for the many sweet anniversary blessings you sent my way. We had a lovely dinner out. Our new joke is that my man took me out for our anniversary and then we went and got my rings cut off! No, twenty years doesn't mark the end. My rings needed to be resized because (choose one): (1) they shrank (2) summer heat has made my fingers swell, or (3) as a 40-something mother of two I'm not as svelte as I was 20 years ago. (Feel free not to tell me what your vote is!) Anyway, my sweet husband took me after dinner to choose an anniversary ring, which I will wear behind my wedding set, and it was either cut off the rings or cut off my finger!

We barely managed to eke out a celebration. My mom is back in the hospital, and I still haven't quite recovered from spending Monday night in the Emergency Department with her.

Blissfully unaware that I would be up all night, I spent much of Monday shopping for school supplies with my girl and making arrangements for her birthday next week. Just as I was about to get ready for bed, they called about my mom. As I followed the ambulance to the hospital, I was very aware that her days are waning as she is becoming increasingly frail.

Suffice it to say it has been a frenzied, exhausting, and stressful week. By the time I got up Wednesday, I was facing a day of laundry, grocery store runs, and a visit to the hospital. I was feeling a little bummed that it was such an ordinary day, when I realized that actually, my day was the epitome of marriage. I thought back to those days in my early 20's when I had the Revolving Roommate Syndrome, as my friends only needed to room with me for 6 months to a year and they were guaranteed a trip down the aise!

And I realized I would not change a thing. I delight in having a husband and two children who need me to wash their clothes and stock the refrigerator with good things to eat. And I can't imagine going through the stress of caring for my mom without my man's loving support.

It's amazing what a little perspective can do. And how God can speak through things as seemingly mundane as dirty laundry and groceries.


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9 comments:

sara said...

awesome post! Perspective is a wonderful thing. Praying for you and your mom!

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

I vote the rings shrank...same thing happened to me every time I got pregnant...darn shrinking gold.

Praying your mom is doing better soon and rest for you bloggy friend.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Bless your heart. I'm sorry you're going through all of this. But even in the midst of the stress, you still leave the wittiest comments on my site!

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

I am personally voting for mostly (1) but a little bit of (2) as well! It's amazing how my rings shrink too..I'm glad I'm not the only one!


Xandra

bp said...

It is wonderful how God uses simple activities to remind us of our daily blessings. I hope you're having a good weekend.

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

I agree with the others, rings shrink after 20 years :)

I love it when the Lord speaks through the simple everyday things. Praying your mom is doing better and the Lord grants you the strength during this difficult time.

A Stone Gatherer said...

Me too Linda! The humm... drumm.. of marriage is so worth it! I love the averageness(word?) of my life!! It's definately a wonderful life! So sorry about your mom, I understand there too! The last time my mom was in the hospital I honestly thought it wouldn't be long! She's doing better now! My mom will turn 80 in October!

Anonymous said...

Bittersweet - blessings and trials, trials and blessings.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I'm praying for you, friend - strength and stamina, hope and peace.

Lisa Spence said...

And how is your mom?

I'm with Julie: praying for strength and stamina, hope and peace.

Blessings and comfort to you, friend!