I've been trying to use the Count Your Blessings technique a lot lately, feeling very much in the midst of affliction. Upon reflection, I often realize that, when put in proper perspective (advice given to numerous members of my immediate family lately by our patriarch, Bill), my challenges and trials are very, very minimal. They just seem to be coming in a steady stream, one-right-after-the-other, necessitating a regular, deliberate mind shift to the bright side. And guess what? It works.
My number one blessing to count today is the privilege to be the mother of amazing children, one of whom is celebrating a milestone in her life. Twenty-one. The magical age that perfectly blends maturity and youth. The birthday that allows you to exchange your vertical drivers license for a horizontal one. The birthday that will possibly be used someday in the far distant future as a comical reference - the ol' "It's the 15th anniversary of my 21st birthday!" That is so funny. (Britta, resist the urge.)
Britt, your card is NOT in the mail yet (today, barring unknown pending affliction), but know that I love you immensely. You are amazing and I am extremely blessed to have you for my daughter.
Happy Birthday!
Here are some other bright spots we've had in the past week:
Mar's artwork was featured in a district-wide art show at the mall. The area where the art show was to be held is right next to The Cheesecake Factory and a gigantic Forever 21 (Happy Birthday, Britt). I only mention this because even on a Thursday evening, the parking lot was PACKED. We drove up and down rows of cars until I finally decided to try the other side of the parking lot. I drove down the narrow street in between the main mall and the outdoor mall area, and smack dab across the street from the entrance to the mall, a miracle presented itself in the form of a parking spot. I had to parallel park (not my forte), but we were able to walk across the street and directly into the doors of the mall where the art show was set up. Blessing.
After admiring the various art forms and artwork by elementary school kids from near and far, we stopped to grab a bite at Cheeburger Cheeburger.
Fattening (for me) and yummy.
On Saturday we attended Lexee's first track meet of the season. It was a League relay meet, so all running events (they had field events, too) were relays. Lex participated on three relay teams.
The first two relays didn't do so well. Hand-offs were far from efficient, and Shi and I commented that with the loss of a few of the top runners on the team (from relocation or lack of desire to participate), perhaps Legend was going to have a tough season.
Then came Lex's final relay, the 800 Sprint Medley. She was the lead-off 100 runner.
They rocked it. First place. New school record.
Blessing. She was excited, happy, and had renewed confidence. So did I.
And finally, yesterday Bill and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. We decided to keep it simple, and planned to go out to dinner and enjoy some one-on-one without child/phone/puppy interruption. Just after we ordered, Bill's phone rang. Lexee had blown a tire. We told her we would come to help AFTER we finished our dinner. On our drive to meet up with her, Bill and I had a few minutes to exchange verbal cards, since neither of us had found a spare minute to purchase a card (thank heavens... I was worried Bill would have one for me, then I would feel super lame). It turned out to be a tender, touching, loving, sincere way to express our gratitude and love for each other. I think I actually prefer it to a written card.
I'm going to make it a tradition from here on out. If I remember.
Britt, your card is NOT in the mail yet (today, barring unknown pending affliction), but know that I love you immensely. You are amazing and I am extremely blessed to have you for my daughter.
Happy Birthday!
Here are some other bright spots we've had in the past week:
Mar's artwork was featured in a district-wide art show at the mall. The area where the art show was to be held is right next to The Cheesecake Factory and a gigantic Forever 21 (Happy Birthday, Britt). I only mention this because even on a Thursday evening, the parking lot was PACKED. We drove up and down rows of cars until I finally decided to try the other side of the parking lot. I drove down the narrow street in between the main mall and the outdoor mall area, and smack dab across the street from the entrance to the mall, a miracle presented itself in the form of a parking spot. I had to parallel park (not my forte), but we were able to walk across the street and directly into the doors of the mall where the art show was set up. Blessing.
After admiring the various art forms and artwork by elementary school kids from near and far, we stopped to grab a bite at Cheeburger Cheeburger.
On Saturday we attended Lexee's first track meet of the season. It was a League relay meet, so all running events (they had field events, too) were relays. Lex participated on three relay teams.
The first two relays didn't do so well. Hand-offs were far from efficient, and Shi and I commented that with the loss of a few of the top runners on the team (from relocation or lack of desire to participate), perhaps Legend was going to have a tough season.
They rocked it. First place. New school record.
Blessing. She was excited, happy, and had renewed confidence. So did I.
And finally, yesterday Bill and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. We decided to keep it simple, and planned to go out to dinner and enjoy some one-on-one without child/phone/puppy interruption. Just after we ordered, Bill's phone rang. Lexee had blown a tire. We told her we would come to help AFTER we finished our dinner. On our drive to meet up with her, Bill and I had a few minutes to exchange verbal cards, since neither of us had found a spare minute to purchase a card (thank heavens... I was worried Bill would have one for me, then I would feel super lame). It turned out to be a tender, touching, loving, sincere way to express our gratitude and love for each other. I think I actually prefer it to a written card.
I'm going to make it a tradition from here on out. If I remember.
Despite the short amount of uninterrupted time we had, it was a blessing to spend a few moments together.
Bill gave Lex and Hailey a lesson in putting on a spare tire, and, after I picked up Shi from swim practice (Lex's original assignment), we all headed home.
I won't even go into the afflictions of late. It would be lengthy and boring, and would most likely sound like a spoiled child complaining about having to clean her own toilet... or vacuum out her own car... or pick up her own room... with intermittent whining about how hard life is. I realize my troubles are a pittance compared to some, and I really wouldn't swap with anyone else.
My table is spread.
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