I do ... except when I don't

Funny how that works. Deciding to do something, doing it for awhile, and then not doing it. Commitment phobe? Or just a little ADD. Call it what you will, I’m back for another round!

A lot has happened since last I blogged.

Barkley had his 11^th birthday, Zoe Lucille had her 9^th birthday, and MaggieMay, well, I honestly think she thinks every day is her birthday. J

Work is messy. The main contractor at work lost their bid to re-up for 5 more years so while having worked at the same place for nearly 30 years, I’ve worked for …. never mind, too many different companies to keep track of. Some good friends/co-workers – also with 30 years (some more, others not quite as many) whose contract was totally separate from any others, are out of there after having given most of their adult lives to that place. Based on how it happened, and the fact that it was allowed to happen, one has to wonder – are they actually the lucky ones???

Younger daughter, with her history of major depression, and etc, is holding steady. And that, is saying a whole hell of a lot, thankyouverymuch! Last year at this time, no, even just 5 months ago, her peace of mind, her continuing education, heck, her every effort to survive – seemed in question. So to say she is holding steady is aMAZing. It’s end of the semester, end of her second year in college, and she’s on track. By the grace of God, and Larry, she is still there. Sounds like her cello isn’t fairing as well, but hopefully it will get her through juries and the final concert of the year (both happening this week) before having to be attended to. Younger daughter will also be changing roommates end of this semester … Anna will go back to Germany, and we don’t know or care where the other two plan to live. Enough said. So the 3 of them will be replaced by 3 roommates of the male variety. One is YD’s boyfriend, one YD’s boyfriend’s best friend, and the 3^rd is YD’s boyfriend's section leader. Yes, indeed, the four of them are orchestra geeks. And good friends. And no, I am not freaked out about her living with 3 guys. I already know that they treat her better, and are simply just better human beings, than 2 of the 3 they are replacing.

Older daughter is fast approaching many different things in her life. She is wrapping up her fifth year of college, and only has 1 more semester to go before graduating with her B.S. in nursing. Before that last semester she has a lot going on … she will be packing up and leaving the cozy apartment she’s lived in for the last 2 years, packing up and heading to NY for the summer to intern at a camp for kids with special needs, she will be giving a baby-shower for her BFF since grade school, participating in the wedding of another good friend, and finally moving back home to live with me for her last semester of school. We are both independent, set in our own way, strong-willed women, and we will both have to promise to try really hard to stay out of each other’s way respect each other’s privacy! OD’s prone to anxiety attacks though I thought she had conquered them mid-way through her sophomore year in college. But with everything that’s going on, they’ve gotten the best of her a time or two recently which freaks her out. And frustrates the hell out of me, but that’s my issue not hers. :-/ I am so excited for her, and indescribably proud of her. She is going to be an awesome nurse! And it will take her, literally, wherever she wants to go. I can’t say it loud enough or often enough, but … Go, honey, go! Follow your dreams, go where your heart leads. And I’ll be here, silently hoping it takes you to the coolest places so I can visit them (yes, and you, of course J ), on my vacation!

I’d go on longer, there is much to tell. But tonight is Oprah night, and the 8^th of 10 web events for the book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.

So I’m off … catch you later!

j.

No more teenagers ... woo-hoo?!?

As of Friday, the 7th, I am no longer the mother of teenagers - younger daughter turned 20! Older daughter pointed out that it seemed to be a bigger deal, for some reason, than when she had the same birthday. Well naturally - because when older daughter turned 20 I still had a 17-year old. I don't really think it's that younger daughter is 20 that feels so different, rather it's the fact that I am apparently old enough to have multiple children "in their twenties" that boggles my little mind. In any event - Happy Birthday, honey!!

love much,

Merm

A Dog's Purpose

Borrowed from an email that showed up in my in-box the other day ...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.