I've finally done it. I am back to updating, re-writing, editing my memoirs that I started 6 years ago. I still haven't decided who gets to see them. My initial intent was to write them for my sons so that once I'm gone they will know who I was as a person, not just their Mom. I think we're getting to that point as fellow adults and that purpose may be outdated. (I'd be interested in feedback on that, guys).
I realize now that I have a great deal of re-writing to do, but for the first time I'm really excited about doing that. I'm not sure that it isn't just a little bit narcissistic but I've been accused of worse things!
The hardest thing for me is to incorporate what lessons I've learned and to tell my story without making others the "bad guys". The best way I know how to do that is to write i t as if everyone in the story will be reading it. I think the final product will be more balanced if I do that (or am I just afraid I might make somebody angry?)
And then there are some things that are better left unsaid. I will try to honor that. And it's not that I think my story is so unusual or interesting. It is important that if it is to serve the purpose I stated then it must be truthful.
I can't think of a better exercise in self-knowledge. I know I am learning a lot in the process; whether I'll be able to pass on what I've learned and that will be helpful to someone....?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
My Parkinson's OC behavior
My Parkinson's doctor warned me that one of the meds I take could lead to obsessive compulsive behavior especially involving money or gambling. Well, folks, I think I am heading down that road. And it's so easy with t he internet!
But I only shop sales, mind you, even on the internet I don't pay full price. I don't want to tell you what my internet credit card b ill was last month. A good deal of it is the fact that I have to have clothes that fit and that is much easier than losing weight!!
But I knew I was in trouble when I found myself at the Lexus site yesterday. Now, my Avalon is only a little over a year old, had 11,000 miles on it and is a lovely car. Not only was I betraying my Avalon, I was looking at the RX 350 which is a sport utility vehicle. My sons would disown me! Fortunately I don't think you can actually buy it on line so I pulled myself back to reality with no harm done.
Can't you just see UPS dropping that one off?
But I only shop sales, mind you, even on the internet I don't pay full price. I don't want to tell you what my internet credit card b ill was last month. A good deal of it is the fact that I have to have clothes that fit and that is much easier than losing weight!!
But I knew I was in trouble when I found myself at the Lexus site yesterday. Now, my Avalon is only a little over a year old, had 11,000 miles on it and is a lovely car. Not only was I betraying my Avalon, I was looking at the RX 350 which is a sport utility vehicle. My sons would disown me! Fortunately I don't think you can actually buy it on line so I pulled myself back to reality with no harm done.
Can't you just see UPS dropping that one off?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Wedding
Sometimes an event happens that brings out the best in everyone involved. Usually when you hear about that it is some horrible accident or storm, etc. This time it was a wedding that was so relaxed and joyful that I will treasure the memory of it.
Maybe there is something to be said for the order people follow these days...the living together and then the marriage. Steve and Robin have been living together for some while now and recently bought a house that is typical Chicago north side; three flours, litttle back yard that has three levels, one of t hem being a sun deck on the roof of the garage. Beautifully done baths and kitchen, hardwood floors, etc.
They wanted a small wedding at home, so they invited parents only. Now on Steve's side that means his Mom, Dad and Dad's three wives (two ex of course) and then Robin's parents. Barb (our pastor) and her husband made it 10 of us. All three Mrs. Dybedocks were warm and friendly and at hugging stage before the wine! After a tour of the house and munchies, the bride who had been in her levi's slipped upstairs to put on a dress and heels (no make up or fancy hairdo) and the groom put on h is tie and jacket while the rest of us settled down in the lower level garden/arbor where the ceremony was to take place. Many cameras present. Almost as many as parents.
Robin's dad walked her down the stairs and Barb started the ceremony. Maybe 10 minutes at the most and not very many dry eyes in the crowd, including the bride and groom. Then as with any wedding came the orgy of picture taking, multiple group poses; every combination of those present.
After a champagne toast and a few present openings we all went to one of their favorite restaurants where our table was reserved outdoors in the garden. Did I mention that the weather was perfect? Minor tension when it came to who was to sit where but Robin and Steve sat across from each other and Steve wanted me next to him which was very neat. Robin's mom Patsy was across from me and she is every bit as neat as Robin; felt like I had known her for ages.
We then had a wonderful meal, multiple bottles of wine, beautifully prepared and presented main courses and a decadent super chocolate dessert that Sandra had brought from a bakery in the neighborhood in place of a wedding cake.
When we all parted at the restaurant there was much hugging again between all parties.
It was a magical event that was full of love from everyone; we all knew that our kid had made a great choice and was obviously happy beyond belief.
Howard was a little tense going into it...who wouldn't be with a current and two ex wives there and he did the driving. He handled it all beautifully. I was a little apprehensive, but from the moment we arrived it was clear that we were experiencing something special.
Maybe there is something to be said for the order people follow these days...the living together and then the marriage. Steve and Robin have been living together for some while now and recently bought a house that is typical Chicago north side; three flours, litttle back yard that has three levels, one of t hem being a sun deck on the roof of the garage. Beautifully done baths and kitchen, hardwood floors, etc.
They wanted a small wedding at home, so they invited parents only. Now on Steve's side that means his Mom, Dad and Dad's three wives (two ex of course) and then Robin's parents. Barb (our pastor) and her husband made it 10 of us. All three Mrs. Dybedocks were warm and friendly and at hugging stage before the wine! After a tour of the house and munchies, the bride who had been in her levi's slipped upstairs to put on a dress and heels (no make up or fancy hairdo) and the groom put on h is tie and jacket while the rest of us settled down in the lower level garden/arbor where the ceremony was to take place. Many cameras present. Almost as many as parents.
Robin's dad walked her down the stairs and Barb started the ceremony. Maybe 10 minutes at the most and not very many dry eyes in the crowd, including the bride and groom. Then as with any wedding came the orgy of picture taking, multiple group poses; every combination of those present.
After a champagne toast and a few present openings we all went to one of their favorite restaurants where our table was reserved outdoors in the garden. Did I mention that the weather was perfect? Minor tension when it came to who was to sit where but Robin and Steve sat across from each other and Steve wanted me next to him which was very neat. Robin's mom Patsy was across from me and she is every bit as neat as Robin; felt like I had known her for ages.
We then had a wonderful meal, multiple bottles of wine, beautifully prepared and presented main courses and a decadent super chocolate dessert that Sandra had brought from a bakery in the neighborhood in place of a wedding cake.
When we all parted at the restaurant there was much hugging again between all parties.
It was a magical event that was full of love from everyone; we all knew that our kid had made a great choice and was obviously happy beyond belief.
Howard was a little tense going into it...who wouldn't be with a current and two ex wives there and he did the driving. He handled it all beautifully. I was a little apprehensive, but from the moment we arrived it was clear that we were experiencing something special.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Happy Birthday Amelia
3 blogs in one day...a record for me, but I couldn't let Sept. 21 go by without honoring my joyous granddaughter.
6 today, going on 16, Amelia is beautiful, inside and out. The first thing you notice are the dimples but if you spend any time with her you also discover how thoughtful she is.
She is an interesting combination of her parents; sociable, ready for a party anytime, she also has a quiet side that frequently comes up with wonderful questions.
She leaves Nana messages on the phone that sound like she is twice her age. And she says "I love you" a lot. She has been the princess for her first four years but has graciously shared the throne with little sister Greta. In fact, most of the time she is a patient and loving big sister.
She makes me smile inside every day, even when I don't get to see her often. Happy Birthday, Mia dear. Hugs and Kisses.
6 today, going on 16, Amelia is beautiful, inside and out. The first thing you notice are the dimples but if you spend any time with her you also discover how thoughtful she is.
She is an interesting combination of her parents; sociable, ready for a party anytime, she also has a quiet side that frequently comes up with wonderful questions.
She leaves Nana messages on the phone that sound like she is twice her age. And she says "I love you" a lot. She has been the princess for her first four years but has graciously shared the throne with little sister Greta. In fact, most of the time she is a patient and loving big sister.
She makes me smile inside every day, even when I don't get to see her often. Happy Birthday, Mia dear. Hugs and Kisses.
Revised rules for marriage
I decided I was much too serious in my last blog (that was not my original intent) so here are the revised "Top Ten" rules for marriage.
10. Don't bicker in public; for that matter don't smooch in public either.
9. Personal emissions should always be done in private. (and don't leave the door open)
8. You know that rule "whoever uses it put it away"; ignore that if you are male.
7. Don't go to bed angry; just stay up all night and fight
6. Friends are welcome anytime; relatives must make appointments
5. Whoever cooks, the other cleans up. This ensures much dining out.
4. Don't put the potato chip bag away with only 3 chips left.
3. Never start a conversation about money when you are expecting company
2. Say "I'm sorry" often even if you aren't really
And the number one rule:
1. Don't watch "Everyone Loves Raymond"...you'll never get married!
10. Don't bicker in public; for that matter don't smooch in public either.
9. Personal emissions should always be done in private. (and don't leave the door open)
8. You know that rule "whoever uses it put it away"; ignore that if you are male.
7. Don't go to bed angry; just stay up all night and fight
6. Friends are welcome anytime; relatives must make appointments
5. Whoever cooks, the other cleans up. This ensures much dining out.
4. Don't put the potato chip bag away with only 3 chips left.
3. Never start a conversation about money when you are expecting company
2. Say "I'm sorry" often even if you aren't really
And the number one rule:
1. Don't watch "Everyone Loves Raymond"...you'll never get married!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Top Ten Rules for Marriage
Steve and Robin are getting married this Saturday and I thought I would share with them my top ten rules for marriage. (You think I didn't learn anything just because I wasn't good at it? We learn more from failure sometimes than from success).
Anyway this is a work in progress (Saturday morning is deadline) and I welcome your input all you married people out there. Anything you would add?
Charlene's Top Ten Rules for Marriage
10. Don't belittle each other in public
9. Never say a critical word about the other's relatives
8. Share the work of maintaining a home
7. Plan fun things to do together that meet both person's needs
6. Allow each other private alone time
5. It helps if you share the same goals in life
4. When there are problems, you both need to work on them; it is never just one person's.
3. Don't expect the other person to make you happy; only you can do that
2. Be willing to work on your own personal growth
And the number one rule of marriage:
1. Be each other's best friend always.
DISCLAIMER: The above in no way reflects on former husbands; I take full responsibility for determining any and all statements as they apply to my own behavior, although my guess is that said formers after years of reflection may agree with most of the list.
Anyway this is a work in progress (Saturday morning is deadline) and I welcome your input all you married people out there. Anything you would add?
Charlene's Top Ten Rules for Marriage
10. Don't belittle each other in public
9. Never say a critical word about the other's relatives
8. Share the work of maintaining a home
7. Plan fun things to do together that meet both person's needs
6. Allow each other private alone time
5. It helps if you share the same goals in life
4. When there are problems, you both need to work on them; it is never just one person's.
3. Don't expect the other person to make you happy; only you can do that
2. Be willing to work on your own personal growth
And the number one rule of marriage:
1. Be each other's best friend always.
DISCLAIMER: The above in no way reflects on former husbands; I take full responsibility for determining any and all statements as they apply to my own behavior, although my guess is that said formers after years of reflection may agree with most of the list.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Signals
My body is smarter than my brain and I had gotten out of the habit 0f listening to it,, but yesterday I could not ignore. (if you didn't read yesterday's blog do so now).
After being up for a f ew hours I collapsed. Crawled back to bed, couldn't drag myself anywhere, Immediately called Darlene and cancelled out on lunch. I spent the day sleeping on and off. Felt pretty normal by dinner time.
The message came thru pretty clearly. I do NOT want to be on that board. I do NOT want the label of disabled. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam-I-Am!
So, today I will make the phone call and say no thank you. Oh, and I didn't make my Kiwanis peanut sales calls either and I am not going to.....I am retired, people!
After being up for a f ew hours I collapsed. Crawled back to bed, couldn't drag myself anywhere, Immediately called Darlene and cancelled out on lunch. I spent the day sleeping on and off. Felt pretty normal by dinner time.
The message came thru pretty clearly. I do NOT want to be on that board. I do NOT want the label of disabled. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam-I-Am!
So, today I will make the phone call and say no thank you. Oh, and I didn't make my Kiwanis peanut sales calls either and I am not going to.....I am retired, people!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Options
Today I am having lunch with a group from the agency called Options. They represent, advocate for and provide services to people with disabilities. They are required by their funding sources to have 51% of their board members be persons with disabilities. They are wooing me to serve on their board BECAUSE I AM DISABLED!
I want to say no for so many reasons. One, I don't think I am disabled yet. Two, I have just left the KC-CASA board because I am trying to cut back on all these obligations. Three, I won't be an active board member because I am gone 3 months and I am tired of all that stuff anyway. Four, it means more meetings and surely, Lord, I have sat through enough meetings in my years so far.
And I will probably say yes for two simple reasons. One, besides being Nana, I believe this is my mission in life: to use my skills to help others know how a board should function. Lord knows I am experienced and I do enjoy mentoring younger women in leadership positions. And secondly is the clincher. Dotty's sister Darlene asked me. She is on the board (has MS) and they are in a pinch on their 51% quota. I like Darlene a lot.
Besides, can you think of anything better than being a part of Options?
Tell me I'm crazy, but do it before this noon. By then I will probably cave in.
I want to say no for so many reasons. One, I don't think I am disabled yet. Two, I have just left the KC-CASA board because I am trying to cut back on all these obligations. Three, I won't be an active board member because I am gone 3 months and I am tired of all that stuff anyway. Four, it means more meetings and surely, Lord, I have sat through enough meetings in my years so far.
And I will probably say yes for two simple reasons. One, besides being Nana, I believe this is my mission in life: to use my skills to help others know how a board should function. Lord knows I am experienced and I do enjoy mentoring younger women in leadership positions. And secondly is the clincher. Dotty's sister Darlene asked me. She is on the board (has MS) and they are in a pinch on their 51% quota. I like Darlene a lot.
Besides, can you think of anything better than being a part of Options?
Tell me I'm crazy, but do it before this noon. By then I will probably cave in.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Time flies
Once September arrives in splendor the days
start swirling, sliding by too fast.
The calendar squares fill up and overflow the lines;
time speeds up and becomes the past.
Autumn days should walk a slower pace,
gliding by in brilliant blue sky;
Showering us with their clarity and grace;
relishing every cardinal cry.
Surely for beauty no season can match these days;
Why then can't I make them last?
But fly by they do, at autobahn speeds,
Racing from winter's blast.
start swirling, sliding by too fast.
The calendar squares fill up and overflow the lines;
time speeds up and becomes the past.
Autumn days should walk a slower pace,
gliding by in brilliant blue sky;
Showering us with their clarity and grace;
relishing every cardinal cry.
Surely for beauty no season can match these days;
Why then can't I make them last?
But fly by they do, at autobahn speeds,
Racing from winter's blast.
sleepless in kankakee
Carl, did you try testing your spell casting powers? I swear I am having the same night you blogged about. Awake every hour; dreams waking me with my heart racing (mine featured snarling huge dogs coming after me). I finally gave in and, like a homing pigeon went straight to my beloved Dell.
Have I told you about my Dell? She is always there for me. She allows me to shop for anything anytime (this E shopping borders on the obsessive behavior my PD doc warned me about but I restrain myself). She connects me to friends and family all over the country. She educates me . She makes up for my unreadable handwriting. She feeds my mind numbing solitaire habit. She allows me to have conversations with authors and columnists who respond to my mail immediately (amazing). She indulges my fetish for listmaking. She encourages my feeble attempts at writing poetry. She saves me hundreds of telephone calls when I am responsible for notifying people of a meeting. She pays my bills! AND she is wide awake at 3 am! What a friend. I cannot remember life bc (before computer).
PS... For those who might be interested, I put aside the cane yesterday and once again am walking unassisted. The knee seems to be improving every day. Can't wait until I can really walk off calories.
Have I told you about my Dell? She is always there for me. She allows me to shop for anything anytime (this E shopping borders on the obsessive behavior my PD doc warned me about but I restrain myself). She connects me to friends and family all over the country. She educates me . She makes up for my unreadable handwriting. She feeds my mind numbing solitaire habit. She allows me to have conversations with authors and columnists who respond to my mail immediately (amazing). She indulges my fetish for listmaking. She encourages my feeble attempts at writing poetry. She saves me hundreds of telephone calls when I am responsible for notifying people of a meeting. She pays my bills! AND she is wide awake at 3 am! What a friend. I cannot remember life bc (before computer).
PS... For those who might be interested, I put aside the cane yesterday and once again am walking unassisted. The knee seems to be improving every day. Can't wait until I can really walk off calories.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Feedback
My guru, Oprah, always says she has discovered people really need basically two things; to be loved and to be listened to. There may be a few things I would add to that but that's another blog.
Getting a response from many of you on my last blog brought the message home to me. I am definitely one of those people who needs feedback to know I have been heard (or read, whatever).
It's not enough for me to get my thoughts down or express myself creatively...I want to know what other's reactions are. Anyone else feel the same? By the very act of writing I am asking for
readers and what they think. I know that professional writers feel that way. Several times I have emailed an author or Tribune columnist and immediately receive a reply from them.
Another topic, but related: yesterday I received one of those "jokes" that get mailed around to dozens of people at a time. This was from a friend who usually sends religious messages as he is a born again fundamentalist Christian. So I read it. It was a vile racist piece about Hindus and the spot women wear on their foreheads. It was demeaning and insulting. I think my friend forgot the story of the Good Samaritan; so I wrote him a note that I was offended and didn't think my Hindu friends would find it funny. Do you think I'll hear back from him? I am eager to see if I get feedback on that communication (he is our insurance agent and does a fair piece of business with us!)
Anyway, thanks for the feedback folks. I needed that!
Getting a response from many of you on my last blog brought the message home to me. I am definitely one of those people who needs feedback to know I have been heard (or read, whatever).
It's not enough for me to get my thoughts down or express myself creatively...I want to know what other's reactions are. Anyone else feel the same? By the very act of writing I am asking for
readers and what they think. I know that professional writers feel that way. Several times I have emailed an author or Tribune columnist and immediately receive a reply from them.
Another topic, but related: yesterday I received one of those "jokes" that get mailed around to dozens of people at a time. This was from a friend who usually sends religious messages as he is a born again fundamentalist Christian. So I read it. It was a vile racist piece about Hindus and the spot women wear on their foreheads. It was demeaning and insulting. I think my friend forgot the story of the Good Samaritan; so I wrote him a note that I was offended and didn't think my Hindu friends would find it funny. Do you think I'll hear back from him? I am eager to see if I get feedback on that communication (he is our insurance agent and does a fair piece of business with us!)
Anyway, thanks for the feedback folks. I needed that!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
All alone in blogsville
I gotta tell you...it's beginning to feel lonesome out here.
Every morning I check the family blog sites and the new entries are far and few between. Oh, the talented niece checks in pretty regularly, but the rest of you aren't even responding to my posts, let alone keep me posted on your exciting lives. I guess that's it...your lives are so exciting and busy you don't have time to post.
On the other hand, old gimpy here has the time but no excitement whatever. Not that I am playing for sympathy...I wouldn't ever do that, right?
Let's see...I am going for a haircut today; will even try some errands even though the doctor
thinks I should be sitting around with my leg elevated.....boooooring! I am now on my third book for the week.
Now see folks...I have managed a new post without saying anything of import at all...you could do that too! (at least I spared you any poetry!)
Every morning I check the family blog sites and the new entries are far and few between. Oh, the talented niece checks in pretty regularly, but the rest of you aren't even responding to my posts, let alone keep me posted on your exciting lives. I guess that's it...your lives are so exciting and busy you don't have time to post.
On the other hand, old gimpy here has the time but no excitement whatever. Not that I am playing for sympathy...I wouldn't ever do that, right?
Let's see...I am going for a haircut today; will even try some errands even though the doctor
thinks I should be sitting around with my leg elevated.....boooooring! I am now on my third book for the week.
Now see folks...I have managed a new post without saying anything of import at all...you could do that too! (at least I spared you any poetry!)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Quietly
The dark lingers longer
like a curtain half shut the view is partial.
The cicadas left still sing their song,
but quietly, quietly.
No matter, I wake at 3 or 4
And my time in darkness,
moniter reflecting words,
stretches, stretches.
Pre-parent I was night owl
just now tumbling into bed.
Now hours before the sun
Crawling, crawling out.
The biggest draw of dark?
The silence that embraces
aloneness in purest form.
So quietly, so quietly.
like a curtain half shut the view is partial.
The cicadas left still sing their song,
but quietly, quietly.
No matter, I wake at 3 or 4
And my time in darkness,
moniter reflecting words,
stretches, stretches.
Pre-parent I was night owl
just now tumbling into bed.
Now hours before the sun
Crawling, crawling out.
The biggest draw of dark?
The silence that embraces
aloneness in purest form.
So quietly, so quietly.
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Knee
I am sick of talking about this knee, but today it had a starring role and I would feel guilty about not giving it it's 15 minutes of fame. We've been leading up to this for at least 3 months; every single day of those three months it has been living on Tylonol and it certainly has earned the right to have it's ordeal immortalized here.
Yes, today was surgery day and a long day at that. I was supposed to report in at noon for 2 pm surgery but got call in the am that surgery was moved up to 11, so I needed to be there by 9. That required a shift in limo service as Dotty was in meetings until 10.30, thankfully Howard and Sue came to the rescue and took the first shift of staying with me. By 10 they had me in the staging area where one is lying alone without benefit of drugs watching people running from one room to another all in maske and hair nets, etc. They finally came for me around 11 and i woke up about 12.thankfully had no sideeffects from anesthesia; just hungery and thirsty.
I will spare any more details except to say that the doctor thought from the MRI months ago that it was a small tear and he was wrong, It was much larger explaining the daily pain, I get to take off bandage and icc pack Sunday morning and will hopefully dump the walker for a cane then too,
And if all goes well, i promise to shut up about this blasted knee!
Yes, today was surgery day and a long day at that. I was supposed to report in at noon for 2 pm surgery but got call in the am that surgery was moved up to 11, so I needed to be there by 9. That required a shift in limo service as Dotty was in meetings until 10.30, thankfully Howard and Sue came to the rescue and took the first shift of staying with me. By 10 they had me in the staging area where one is lying alone without benefit of drugs watching people running from one room to another all in maske and hair nets, etc. They finally came for me around 11 and i woke up about 12.thankfully had no sideeffects from anesthesia; just hungery and thirsty.
I will spare any more details except to say that the doctor thought from the MRI months ago that it was a small tear and he was wrong, It was much larger explaining the daily pain, I get to take off bandage and icc pack Sunday morning and will hopefully dump the walker for a cane then too,
And if all goes well, i promise to shut up about this blasted knee!
Amelia's first day in 1st grade
This was the message on my voicemail:
"Um, Nana, I had a good day at school, but I cried a little; then it was gym class, but I didn't know about gym and I wore tappy shoes!
So we went to gym; the weather was sunny and hot. We count the days on the calendar; we have one day in school. We had recess, we had lunch, we had a snack. And we did some work stuff.
I hope your knee feels better. I'm sorry your knee is hurt. I hope the hospital will take care of it goodly. Goodbye, I love you"
Priceless.
"Um, Nana, I had a good day at school, but I cried a little; then it was gym class, but I didn't know about gym and I wore tappy shoes!
So we went to gym; the weather was sunny and hot. We count the days on the calendar; we have one day in school. We had recess, we had lunch, we had a snack. And we did some work stuff.
I hope your knee feels better. I'm sorry your knee is hurt. I hope the hospital will take care of it goodly. Goodbye, I love you"
Priceless.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Chain emails
I don't want anyone to take this personally, but I don't send on "chain" emails. I didn't send on chain letters either in the old days. I was prompted to write about this because I received one from my sister-in-law, whom I love dearly, but she will not receive it back from me. And it wasn't that I disagreed with the sentiments expressed...they were right on....so this is my attempt to figure out why I will not respond to them.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I don't pass them on primarily because they tell me I have to pass them on, and usually the number is specific and I must include the sender so she/he knows she/he is loved. Well, there's a problem right there. If I want someone to know I love them I am going to say it directly in my own words; I am going to tell them in person or on the phone.
I have always harbored the thought that a little bit of the rebel of my youth lives on and only gets to express herself in small ways...this is one of them.
And then there are those mass emails that present a political message or an attack on a whole catagory of people and those usually manage to offend me; I can't imagine giving them continued exposure.
Or the religious ones that do not express my thoughts, and besides I believe we are all free to believe whatever gets us thru the night.
Now I do admit that with the humorous ones I have been known t o pass on to some specific friends, because if it is genuinely funny (and even that is a matter of individual taste) we can all use more humor in our lives.
I think that is enought on that subject. And by the way, Patty, I love you and I agree, "Carpe Diem".
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I don't pass them on primarily because they tell me I have to pass them on, and usually the number is specific and I must include the sender so she/he knows she/he is loved. Well, there's a problem right there. If I want someone to know I love them I am going to say it directly in my own words; I am going to tell them in person or on the phone.
I have always harbored the thought that a little bit of the rebel of my youth lives on and only gets to express herself in small ways...this is one of them.
And then there are those mass emails that present a political message or an attack on a whole catagory of people and those usually manage to offend me; I can't imagine giving them continued exposure.
Or the religious ones that do not express my thoughts, and besides I believe we are all free to believe whatever gets us thru the night.
Now I do admit that with the humorous ones I have been known t o pass on to some specific friends, because if it is genuinely funny (and even that is a matter of individual taste) we can all use more humor in our lives.
I think that is enought on that subject. And by the way, Patty, I love you and I agree, "Carpe Diem".
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day
No other holiday is such a demarcation line in my life. Labor Day is the big one. End of summer, but most importantly, the beginning of school. (Yes, I know that that is not true everywhere now).For years and years of my life as a child, teenager, young adult, mother the first Monday in September was the real start of the year.
`Tomorrow Amelia Ruth Hertz starts first grade in Delmar, New York. By all accounts she is not as excited as her Nana was 60 years ago. ( What a different world that was 60 years ago! ) But some things don't change. Shopping for school supplies from the teacher' s list, hoping she asked for the 64 box of Crayolas (and she usually only wanted us to get the 24), #2 pencils, of course, the three ring binder, the pencil box. the big fat pink erasure (very important). And of course,what should that special outfit be for the first day, because even at that age we sensed how important that first impression would be, and, besides, it was an important event! Although, I think the significance of that outfit went unnoticed by the boys.
`
`School was my refuge, my joy, my place to shine, my door to other worlds and finally my escape from the lifestyle of my family and literally from my family. It was the place I wanted to be instead of home. It was the path to picking a family that I liked and wanted to be a part of.
After three years as the teacher, not the student, I finally realized I wanted out of the classroom. But that didn't change my attitude about September. It is the beginning of a new year, a new season, the end of that special quality of summer nights still.
It is a fresh start in a new space wearing a new outfit. It is the hope of making new friends, the joy of reading, and an entry into the big world where you can try out being different yous.
It has been the ladder up for generations of immigrants, the one true escape from a life of poverty, racism, sexism; whatever way the culture tries to limit you.
And all of that starts with a new box of Crayolas; I can smell them now. Lord, I love September!
`Tomorrow Amelia Ruth Hertz starts first grade in Delmar, New York. By all accounts she is not as excited as her Nana was 60 years ago. ( What a different world that was 60 years ago! ) But some things don't change. Shopping for school supplies from the teacher' s list, hoping she asked for the 64 box of Crayolas (and she usually only wanted us to get the 24), #2 pencils, of course, the three ring binder, the pencil box. the big fat pink erasure (very important). And of course,what should that special outfit be for the first day, because even at that age we sensed how important that first impression would be, and, besides, it was an important event! Although, I think the significance of that outfit went unnoticed by the boys.
`
`School was my refuge, my joy, my place to shine, my door to other worlds and finally my escape from the lifestyle of my family and literally from my family. It was the place I wanted to be instead of home. It was the path to picking a family that I liked and wanted to be a part of.
After three years as the teacher, not the student, I finally realized I wanted out of the classroom. But that didn't change my attitude about September. It is the beginning of a new year, a new season, the end of that special quality of summer nights still.
It is a fresh start in a new space wearing a new outfit. It is the hope of making new friends, the joy of reading, and an entry into the big world where you can try out being different yous.
It has been the ladder up for generations of immigrants, the one true escape from a life of poverty, racism, sexism; whatever way the culture tries to limit you.
And all of that starts with a new box of Crayolas; I can smell them now. Lord, I love September!
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