Earlier while I was at work, a woman named Angela came in and told me she was looking for an outfit to wear tonight when she went out with her friends. I asked where she was going and she said her and her girlfriends from high school had rented a limo and were going out to a nice dinner and then dancing at a club. We picked out some jeans and some fun tops and she got started trying on.
She modeled her outfits for her two young daughters and me. We debated what shoes to wear and whether she should wear a necklace. I told her she was going to look so cute and have such a good time with her friends.
"Yeah. I wish we were going out for a happy occasion, but hopefully we will have fun," Angela remarked as she got ready to change back into her clothes.
"Oh really? What's going on? What's the occasion?" I half expected her to tell me it was a divorce party (we get a lot of women coming out to celebrate that, or get their minds' off of it, one or the other).
"One of my friends just finished her 4th round of chemo, and there's been no improvement, so we're taking her out to have fun and prove to ourselves that there are still good things in life," she said.
I felt my eyes start to well up, but managed to hold back tears. Incidentally that would have been at least the 4th time I've cried at work in the last two weeks, so thankfully I managed to hold back. I expressed my condolences, but assured her of what a good friend she was and that I was sure they would all have so much fun spending time with each other.
At the register, Angela mentioned that it had been 12 years since high school and since all 14 of the girls had been together (which would only make her 30-ish), and that she couldn't wait to see everyone and have fun. She talked about where they were having dinner, and the tables and bottles they had reserved at the clubs. The excitement was clearly and understandably mixed with other emotions.
On one hand, I am so sad that it took something so tragic and truly life-altering to get Angela and her friends back together after all this time. On the other, I couldn't be happier that they are going to go out and live it up, at least one more time, to create some amazing lasting memories. When I think about how quickly life can change, and at any age, it really makes me appreciate the people I have in my life.
Realize that you are blessed. Appreciate who and what you have around you. Let those who matter to you know that they do. Understand that no one is perfect but life is too short. Know that there are still good things in life. Raise a glass to Angela and her friends. Here's to you.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
what a day.
I am like a fish...
I'm gonna float a-way-ay.
I don't know where my road is,
I don't know where the yard is.
I'm gonna float a-way-ay.
I don't know where my road is,
I don't know where the yard is.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Sixteen to twenty-three
Okay, so obviously I have some work to do with this "blogging every day thing," which I guess is why I started this challenge in the first place. At least I know my flaws. Sigh.
To catch up, "things" sixteen through twenty-three will follow shortly. If you want to catch up on "things" click here.
Sixteen: What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
This is probably going to sound frivolous to most, but I wish I were better at video games, because I am (by far) the worst in my family and I fear I'm not very fun to play with.
Eighteen: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
I struggled with issues surrounding my mom's death for quite some time: forgiving myself for not being around more before she was gone, forgiving others for not being truthful with me about how sick she really was, forgiving doctors and nurses for not saving her, forgiving her for leaving (incredibly contrite words, no doubt, but ones you will probably understand if you have lost someone).
Nineteen: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
Just in case you were wondering, I answered this question first, because it is most exciting to me. I would live on an island in Maine (preferably one that I owned in its entirety). We would have a beautiful New England style house with a big, relaxing porch overlooking the Atlantic.
Twenty: Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
Twenty-one: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
I would want to slow time to revel in the spectacular moments in life that are fleeting. I would slow time on the next amazing day that comes along.
Twenty-two: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
Wow, in 5 years Sam and Mike will both be in college. That's crazy enough. But that's not me, that's them. It's really hard to think beyond that. Honestly, it's fun to dream, but I've learned that it's better to go with the flow and not worry about your 5- 10- 15- year plan because life never, ever turns out the way you think. I'd like to go back for my Master's Degree at some point. I'd like to advance at my job. It'd be cool to live on an island in Maine (see 19). A decade ago, when I was getting ready to enter my senior year, I would have never dreamed I'd be where I am right now. Which, incidentally, is sitting in the same chair Alison hid my hair in (see 20), listening to Harry, Mike, and Sam kill zombies on Call of Duty, writing a blog (I don't even know if blogs existed back then-if so I didn't know about them) about completely random tidbits about myself.
Twenty-three: List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
To catch up, "things" sixteen through twenty-three will follow shortly. If you want to catch up on "things" click here.
Sixteen: What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
- my Bachelors degree
- landing a new job
- having a happy family
- having great friends
- being happy
This is probably going to sound frivolous to most, but I wish I were better at video games, because I am (by far) the worst in my family and I fear I'm not very fun to play with.
Eighteen: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
I struggled with issues surrounding my mom's death for quite some time: forgiving myself for not being around more before she was gone, forgiving others for not being truthful with me about how sick she really was, forgiving doctors and nurses for not saving her, forgiving her for leaving (incredibly contrite words, no doubt, but ones you will probably understand if you have lost someone).
Nineteen: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
Just in case you were wondering, I answered this question first, because it is most exciting to me. I would live on an island in Maine (preferably one that I owned in its entirety). We would have a beautiful New England style house with a big, relaxing porch overlooking the Atlantic.
Twenty: Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
- Taking Mickey Mouse (Gickey Gouse) with me EVERYWHERE. Literally.
- Playing "roads" with Alisa and Raven
- The time Alison cut my hair for "dress-up" and hid it in the chair cushion. When my dad asked her if she had done it, and she lied, he told her he was going to send the hair to the FBI and they would fingerprint it and tell him if she had done it. Then she bawled hysterically and confessed. I had to get a super short hair cut to even it out, and Alison got a mullet for punishment. Seriously. I have pictures.
Those probably aren't as "significant" as the author of this question intended, but what the hell.
Twenty-one: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
I would want to slow time to revel in the spectacular moments in life that are fleeting. I would slow time on the next amazing day that comes along.
Twenty-two: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
Wow, in 5 years Sam and Mike will both be in college. That's crazy enough. But that's not me, that's them. It's really hard to think beyond that. Honestly, it's fun to dream, but I've learned that it's better to go with the flow and not worry about your 5- 10- 15- year plan because life never, ever turns out the way you think. I'd like to go back for my Master's Degree at some point. I'd like to advance at my job. It'd be cool to live on an island in Maine (see 19). A decade ago, when I was getting ready to enter my senior year, I would have never dreamed I'd be where I am right now. Which, incidentally, is sitting in the same chair Alison hid my hair in (see 20), listening to Harry, Mike, and Sam kill zombies on Call of Duty, writing a blog (I don't even know if blogs existed back then-if so I didn't know about them) about completely random tidbits about myself.
Twenty-three: List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
- Photography - so you never forget your past or where you've been
- Writing - for the ability to express oneself, then hit the delete key and find a better way to express oneself
- Gardening - this is a new one, but I love to watch something come from nothing and be able to personally reap the benefits of it
- Sight-seeing - the ability to see new things, learn about history, or experience something new never gets old
- Reading - because with the turn of a page I can be anywhere I want
Friday, May 25, 2012
Fifteen
Day fifteen: If you were an animal, what would you be, and why?
On a total superficial, fun level, I guess I'd be a dog, so I could hang out with mine, and figure out what they do all day. Plus, they just sleep, eat, and play all day. Exciting stuff.
On a deeper, philosophical level, I'd say a bird. I'm afraid of heights, so maybe with the ability to fly, without the fear of falling, I could see things in a whole new light.
On a total superficial, fun level, I guess I'd be a dog, so I could hang out with mine, and figure out what they do all day. Plus, they just sleep, eat, and play all day. Exciting stuff.
On a deeper, philosophical level, I'd say a bird. I'm afraid of heights, so maybe with the ability to fly, without the fear of falling, I could see things in a whole new light.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Fourteen
Day Fourteen: Describe 5 strengths you have.
Strengths I possess:
Strengths I possess:
- Good at listening
- Sense of direction
- Extensive knowledge of song lyrics
- Being awesome - it's a strategy
- Proofreading
Too bad I can't just list these on a resume and be done.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
13
Day Thirteen: Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
weaknesses (sometimes physical, sometimes mental):
weaknesses (sometimes physical, sometimes mental):
- Dr. Pepper
- Cute dogs
- Upper body strength (as in, I have very little)
- A good home-cooked meal
- Love - that's not really a negative though...
Twelve
Twelve: Describe a typical day in your current life.
Watch out folks, things are about to get wild. And by wild, I mean boring. A typical day for me...hmm...
Well, I usually wake up when Harry does and take Lola outside. Then, I go get Bridgette, Charlie, and Bella and let them out. Lola comes back in. I might piddle around the house, getting things done around here. Fun stuff like scrubbing toilets, vacuuming, laundry, dishes, your typical housework. Work in the garden. Hang out with the pups. Lunch. Maybe watch Ellen and/or Dr. Phil. Any other housework that needs done, or errands that need to be ran. Decide what to make for dinner. Take food out of freezer to thaw. Dinner. Maybe catch some re-runs of comedies that are actually funny like Friends, Dharma and Greg, Reba, New Adventures of Old Christine. Go to gym/bike ride/walk. Watch Harry and kids play Call of Duty or FaceTime with kids. Shower. Snuggle in bed and watch DVR'd shows or movies. Sleep. Intermix FaceBook, Pinterest, Blogging, Words with Friends, job applications, phone calls catching up with friends/family, in there, too. If I'm lucky, I'll get some reading or sewing or painting done.
I lead an exciting life, people, I really need to calm down before I hurt myself.
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