You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January, 2008.
Many years ago, when we first moved into this house in Danvers, before Vera’s house (which used to be right next door) was torn down and the current 9 homes were built, we had a flood in the basement. I remember hearing the water, immediately upon opening the door in the kitchen that lead down to our bare basement. I was afraid to look. Brad did it and a step or two off the stairs was knee-deep in clear water.
We were a young struggling couple with two tiny people, somewhere around the ages of 2 and 3, who looked to us when things went wrong, with full expectations & confidence that we had all the power and answers to make things better. I stood on the stairs, staring in disbelief as the water rose, coming from cracks in the floor, as my husband-at-the-time walked the length of the basement, searching for something that would at least, resemble, a sump pump. I’m sure I had tears in my eyes and a few may have escaped down my cheek when our beautiful, blonde haired, blue eyed, little 3 year old boy came to the doorway and looked down at the water that was rising as the minutes went by.
What could I say? I hadn’t a single answer for him. I didn’t know what we were going to do & I’m sure there was just enough “panic” in my voice to get his 3 year old brain working at a way he’d be able to calm my nerves. He looked at the water, at his dad and then back at me and said in his little boy way, “Mumma, it’s okay. God told us, first there would be rain and it would get deep, but we don’t have to worry because right after, He’ll send a RAINBOW.”
Does it get any better than that? I don’t think so.
I am unbelievably heartbroken over the death of the Australian actor, Heath Ledger. No matter HOW he died, the fact that he died during his 28th year on the Earth is just too early, in my book.
If you don’t know much about this beautiful man, and don’t know much of his work, I’d like to suggest the movie, A Knight’s Tale. It is a light telling of Chaucer’s Cantebury Tale, the Knight’s Tale and there are elements of Chaucer-era times and modern times. It’s a really fun mix and makes for a great movie. Maybe because I am a big fan of the movies where, by the end of the film, you’re on your feet cheering for the good guys, this movie is my favorite of Heath’s, but none the less, it’s worth renting. Or as my kids and I say, “This one’s a KEEPER.” I’ve actually owned the DVD for years.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Ledger, you will be sorely missed.
Be well.
About a hundred years ago, when I was working at the Pittsburgh airport, a rumor circulated quickly thru the terminal that the one and only Ringo Starr was sitting on a plane at a specific gate. He was with his wife and they were in PIT temporarily, on a lay-over, and would only be around for a few minutes. With that news, a few of us who were in-between flights ran to the gate and onto the plane.
If memory serves, there were 5 of us total and I was the last in that line. When I found myself standing in the aisle of the row where Mr. Starr and his wife were sitting, I was awe-struck. Something very interesting happened; he had the look of someone who was being bothered, he just held out his hand to me, as if to say, “Okay, where is the piece of paper you want me to write my name on…?”
I giggled and said, “Mr. Starr, I don’t want your autograph. I just wanted to meet you, I’ve been such a fan of your music for all of my life and I just wanted the opportunity to tell you that.”
For the first time, he looked up and his eyes met mine and he smiled and said, “Love, it’s a pleasure to meet you, too.” And he took my hand in both of his for a moment and then smiled as I walked away.
As I peek out the window of my second floor bedroom all I can see is, WHITE. It is whiter than I’ve ever seen before and it’s a thick white… We’re expecting a foot of snow today and I’m getting ready for my 1 mile trek to work. I woke up at 4am to go to the bathroom and checked to see what it looked like and nothing was white at that time. Mother Nature seems to be working overtime with this storm; we’ve accumulated more than 5 inches in the past 3 hours…and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon.
This is not a remarkable occurrance in New England; snow in January is not rare but what is rare is the fact that just a few days ago (a mere number of hours) it was almost 70 degrees. This is one of the many reasons I love where I live; it’s been said, “If you’re in New England and you don’t like the weather, stick around for 15 minutes and it’ll change.” No truer words have been said.
Dave and I headed out to the grocery store last night because we were clean out of milk and bread and we were shocked at the number of people in the store, after dinner on a Sunday night. (Maybe they needed bread and milk, too!)
One of the coolest elements to a snow storm in New England, in my experience, is the over-all attitude change that happens to everyone around; the lady at CVS who barely looks me in the eye suddenly wants to know how I got to the store in this mess; I’m not cut off in Danvers Square, but cars stop at every intersection to make sure that the person before them gets thru without incident; and with the ground and trees and buildings cloaked in white, everything looks clean and new, like it’s the first day with new sneakers and we know we have miles to go but can’t keep looking in awe at to how beautiful our feet look. I love this about where I live.
I’m also glad my son finally got his SNOW DAY. I’ll say he’s been really ticked off that we’ve only had 2 early release days this year and the time it DID snow enough for school to have been cancelled, it was during Christmas Vacation Week. I’m pretty sure this one’s for you, Tee.
Be well.
Sometimes the most meaningful messages can be found in the music we hear coming from our radios. For me, this moment came recently while I was listening to the new Carrie Underwood song, So Small. I’d been singing along to the tune for weeks without realizing what the words actually said. Please, take a minute to read the few lines below; they may be meaningful to you once you read them!
“Sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing, Is just a grain of sand
What you’ve been out there searching for forever, Is in your hands.”
Beautiful huh? I say, a great big thanks to the writers of that song and to Ms. Underwood who makes it sound so beautifully!
2008. It’s amazing to me to realize that so much time has gone by during my time here, on the planet. There have been wonderful and terrible things that I’ve gone through and I sincerely believe I would not change a single thing; I am who I am today, because of every event I’ve lived through — whether good or bad. I like the woman I am today. I am honest and trustworthy, a loyal friend, devoted partner, loving mother and dedicated employee. For me, it doesn’t get much better than that — ever.
It’s 0655 in the morning and I’m heading out to a 0730 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting that meets Monday thru Friday…and obviously, even on “holidays.” I’ve never been a big New Year’s Eve fanatic and last night was no exception; I was sound asleep at 10pm and Dave woke me just to say, “Happy New Year, honey,” give me a kiss and I was back in la la land!
I’m really excited about this year; after reflecting on last year I was pleasantly surprised to realize that my year was one of the best for the past 10!!! In the past ten years I have…stopped drinking and using prescription medications, had cancer twice, gone through a divorce, left a career after 17 years, went to school (but stopped short of my degree), found my voice (I’ll go into that one more, trust me), watched my kids turn into teenagers, fallen in love — one that was only the source of great sadness, found a man I want to love for the rest of my life, buried a best friend, experienced 3 men I was very fond of take their own lives and much more. The thing is this; I made it!
So today, the first day of this New Year, I embrace the changes that will come my way and welcome the challenges because I know for a fact that it’s through the difficult times that I grow and I’m relatively sure I have more growing to do!
Thanks for reading.
Be well.
