QUOTE: When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free. – Katherine Ponder
QUOTE: To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. – Lewis B. Smedes
Monday, September 2, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Touched; not long enough
This morning, I just finished reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. I had ear-marked pages in a few places throughout the book, wanting to go back to re-read a few excerpts. One, in particular, was quite touching (to me).
In Chapter 32, The Beauty of a Tragedy, Miller included an email excerpt from his friend, Jim. (Jim's wife, Janice, was losing her battle with cancer.)
Reading this excerpt, I appreciated the sincerity in Jim's email when he said:
The part that really touched me was the response to the question "How long you have been married?"
Not long enough.
(Granted, don't get me wrong, the rest of his realizations are also quite touching and having been diagnosed, myself, with an incurable illness, I can appreciate his heartfelt sincerity in the thoughts of losing his spouse.)
Too often, I feel that the world is missing this sincerity. Too often, jokes of marriage relating to a death sentence are cracked. Too often, we forget to tell our loved ones that we love them.
In my mind, I've always wanted to grow old with someone, loving them until the end. (My heart melts a little bit when I see an elderly couple sitting together on a bench, holding hands.) Ever since I was a child, the fairytale (played out in my mind) included "happily ever after".
Timing is everything. All things happen for a reason. You have to be in the right place at the right time.
These are all things, common clichés that make perfect sense to me.
While marrying young (and learning from that experience), I can't say that I regret it. Without these learning experiences, I wouldn't have met my husband and later had the awe-inspiring opportunity to become a parent. Without a failed marriage under my belt, I wouldn't know how to work hard to make things right this time around. (Although, I'm convinced that picking the perfect partner truly is key here.)
I only wish I would have crossed paths with my (current) husband sooner in life because I feel SO LUCKY to have him in my life. I am constantly reminded what a great fit he is for me and how much I appreciate having him along on my journey. I hope that in the event that I die before he does, that when HE is asked the question "How long were you married?" that his response would be "Not long enough."
Hoping to grow old together. Hoping to occupy a park bench while holding hands. Hoping to inspire a young couple someday to want what WE have. Hoping for my happily ever after...
In Chapter 32, The Beauty of a Tragedy, Miller included an email excerpt from his friend, Jim. (Jim's wife, Janice, was losing her battle with cancer.)
Reading this excerpt, I appreciated the sincerity in Jim's email when he said:
During this morning I have been struck with the reality that my wife is not coming back, She will never again sit up and make one of her wisecracks to put me in my place; never laugh with me or respond when asked how long we have been married by saying, "Not long enough." I will never again share her bed, her body; never attend church with her. fly to some faraway city or sit around a dinner table with her and the boys. Regardless of the time left, these things will never again happen. Today I am very sad. Very, very sad.
The part that really touched me was the response to the question "How long you have been married?"
Not long enough.
(Granted, don't get me wrong, the rest of his realizations are also quite touching and having been diagnosed, myself, with an incurable illness, I can appreciate his heartfelt sincerity in the thoughts of losing his spouse.)
Too often, I feel that the world is missing this sincerity. Too often, jokes of marriage relating to a death sentence are cracked. Too often, we forget to tell our loved ones that we love them.
In my mind, I've always wanted to grow old with someone, loving them until the end. (My heart melts a little bit when I see an elderly couple sitting together on a bench, holding hands.) Ever since I was a child, the fairytale (played out in my mind) included "happily ever after".
Timing is everything. All things happen for a reason. You have to be in the right place at the right time.
These are all things, common clichés that make perfect sense to me.
While marrying young (and learning from that experience), I can't say that I regret it. Without these learning experiences, I wouldn't have met my husband and later had the awe-inspiring opportunity to become a parent. Without a failed marriage under my belt, I wouldn't know how to work hard to make things right this time around. (Although, I'm convinced that picking the perfect partner truly is key here.)
I only wish I would have crossed paths with my (current) husband sooner in life because I feel SO LUCKY to have him in my life. I am constantly reminded what a great fit he is for me and how much I appreciate having him along on my journey. I hope that in the event that I die before he does, that when HE is asked the question "How long were you married?" that his response would be "Not long enough."
Hoping to grow old together. Hoping to occupy a park bench while holding hands. Hoping to inspire a young couple someday to want what WE have. Hoping for my happily ever after...
Friday, June 21, 2013
Anniversary gift
I dropped a not so subtle hint (a printout of exactly what I wanted, as well as another printout of all the places that carry them... along with a note that said OUR ANNIVERSARY IS IN TEN DAYS) into Mike's lap a few days ago. He played dumb, not understanding at all.
I have had his anniversary gift researched and in my possession since April (and am growing excited to give it to him soon!) It was kind of expensive, BUT since we have never exchanged an anniversary gift before and this IS a milestone year, I justified the gift. He's worth it and Ihope think he will like it!
I hope he doesn't mind... in case he doesn't get the item that I wanted (a specific scented Yanke candle - now on clearance), "he"may have purchased me a book that I had been wanting.
Thanks for remembering our anniversary, honey... I love my new book and can't wait to read it!
• • • • •
The joke was on me! He had been scheming and planning an anniversary surprise since February and had even gotten my parents in on it.
I was surprised with a sunset dinner cruise on the same boat that married us while my parents watched the boys. It was lovely.
And, for the record, he took Sydney out shopping and they bought my "that silly candle".
:)
I have had his anniversary gift researched and in my possession since April (and am growing excited to give it to him soon!) It was kind of expensive, BUT since we have never exchanged an anniversary gift before and this IS a milestone year, I justified the gift. He's worth it and I
I hope he doesn't mind... in case he doesn't get the item that I wanted (a specific scented Yanke candle - now on clearance), "he"
Thanks for remembering our anniversary, honey... I love my new book and can't wait to read it!
• • • • •
The joke was on me! He had been scheming and planning an anniversary surprise since February and had even gotten my parents in on it.
I was surprised with a sunset dinner cruise on the same boat that married us while my parents watched the boys. It was lovely.
And, for the record, he took Sydney out shopping and they bought my "that silly candle".
:)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Independence Day 2013 invites
Tonight, I printed out the insides of the invite onto paper and adhered it with a simple loop of tape inside.
On the bottom, it says:
NOTE: Card can be re-used to send to our troops by removing this inside sheet.
On the back of the card, I wrote:
– MADE IN THE USA –
DUBUQUE, IA
I'm providing our GUESTS with a blank envelope as well, for mailing of the card to a service man or woman. I'm pretty PROUD to be an American; perhaps, if I time it right, they will get them in the mail before FLAG DAY (June 14, 2013)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Boston
On my Bucket List, I have some RUNNING listed.
110. Train for and run a 5K
111. Train for and run a 10K
112. Train for and run a half-marathon
I wanted to be realistic with my goals and ambitions.
A full marathon? Twenty-six miles?
I don't think so. NO WAY!
Even the half-marathon is pushing it, but I have to set my sights on SOMETHING, right?
Currently, I don't think I could run around the block; however, it IS a very hilly block.
And with my MS diagnosis, I didn't know if running really SHOULD be on my list. (Once again, I have been SO FORTUNATE since my diagnosis.)
When you mention MARATHON, my mind immediately goes to the Boston Marathon. That's the only FAMOUS one I really know of. (That was BEFORE the horrific 2013 explosions at the finish line.)
My heart goes out to all of those victims of that crime.
How terrible. How sad.
110. Train for and run a 5K
111. Train for and run a 10K
112. Train for and run a half-marathon
I wanted to be realistic with my goals and ambitions.
A full marathon? Twenty-six miles?
I don't think so. NO WAY!
Even the half-marathon is pushing it, but I have to set my sights on SOMETHING, right?
Currently, I don't think I could run around the block; however, it IS a very hilly block.
And with my MS diagnosis, I didn't know if running really SHOULD be on my list. (Once again, I have been SO FORTUNATE since my diagnosis.)
When you mention MARATHON, my mind immediately goes to the Boston Marathon. That's the only FAMOUS one I really know of. (That was BEFORE the horrific 2013 explosions at the finish line.)
My heart goes out to all of those victims of that crime.
How terrible. How sad.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Weekly glance
Something has annoyed me (more than once) and I have to get it off my chest - simply for venting purposes.
Hanging on our fridge, is a dry-erase calendar that shows ONE WEEK at a time. I update this calendar every single week YET I am starting to get annoyed when I am asked "What time is your book club TONIGHT?" when the calendar clearly indicates that it is in three more days... or how when the actual book club night arrives, it is suddenly "A SURPRISE" that I won't be around that night and how hubby WISHED that he had been told so that he could nap/plan accordingly.
So, I wonder...
WHO
am I writing this calendar for?
Please tell me that I am not wasting my time, writing it for just myself. Please tell me that it makes OUR LIVES EASIER to see the entire week on the fridge. Please tell me that you will start to acknowledge it and pay attention to it. (It would make me feel better, I think.)
Hanging on our fridge, is a dry-erase calendar that shows ONE WEEK at a time. I update this calendar every single week YET I am starting to get annoyed when I am asked "What time is your book club TONIGHT?" when the calendar clearly indicates that it is in three more days... or how when the actual book club night arrives, it is suddenly "A SURPRISE" that I won't be around that night and how hubby WISHED that he had been told so that he could nap/plan accordingly.
So, I wonder...
WHO
am I writing this calendar for?
Please tell me that I am not wasting my time, writing it for just myself. Please tell me that it makes OUR LIVES EASIER to see the entire week on the fridge. Please tell me that you will start to acknowledge it and pay attention to it. (It would make me feel better, I think.)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
TWENTY-thirteen Completed Reading List
JANUARY 2013
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society January book club
2. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood 1.13.13
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain 1.16.13
IN PROGRESS
The Help - in progress, started on vacation 2/2013... will eventually hope to get back to it
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society January book club
2. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood 1.13.13
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain 1.16.13
FEBRUARY 2013
4. Marry Him: The Case for settling for Mr. Good Enough 2.1.13
5. Bossypants 2.4.13
6. The Fault in our Stars 2.8.13
7. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual 2.16.13 February book club
5. Bossypants 2.4.13
6. The Fault in our Stars 2.8.13
7. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual 2.16.13 February book club
MARCH 2013
8. Left Neglected 3.5.13
9. Love Anthony 3.21.13
10. Y: a novel 3.25.13 March book club
11. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time 3.29.13
9. Love Anthony 3.21.13
10. Y: a novel 3.25.13 March book club
11. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time 3.29.13
APRIL 2013
12. Until I Say Good-Bye: My year of living with Joy 04.07.13
13. The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards 04.18.13
14. My Mother was Nuts 04.25.13
13. The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards 04.18.13
14. My Mother was Nuts 04.25.13
MAY 2013
15. When in doubt, add butter 05.02.13
JUNE 2013
16. The Perks of Being a Wallflower 05.06.13
17. State of Wonder 05.14.13 May library book club
18. Wife 22: a novel 05.22.13 June book club
18. Wife 22: a novel 05.22.13 June book club
19. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry 06.10.13 July/Aug/Sep book club
20. The Postmistress July library book club
20. The Postmistress July library book club
JULY 2013
21. Smart Women 07.13.13
22. Speedbumps: Flooring it through Hollywood
23. Fall Down Laughing 07.25.13
24. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years 7.30.13
22. Speedbumps: Flooring it through Hollywood
23. Fall Down Laughing 07.25.13
24. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years 7.30.13
AUGUST 2013
25. Where'd you Go, Bernadette? 08.10.13
26. The Art of Fielding 08.31.13 September library book club
SEPTEMBER 2013
27. The Beautiful Ruins 09.18.13
28. The Ocean at the End of the Lane 09.29.13
28. The Ocean at the End of the Lane 09.29.13
OCTOBER 2013
29. The Silent Wife 10.11.13 October book club
30. Just What Kind of Mother are You? 10.16.13
30. Just What Kind of Mother are You? 10.16.13
NOVEMBER 2013
31. Sisterland 11.1.13
32. The Night Circus - 11.3.13 November library book club
33. WILD: From lost to found on the Pacific Coast Trail 11.22.13 November book club
34. Revenge wears Prada 11.27.13
32. The Night Circus - 11.3.13 November library book club
33. WILD: From lost to found on the Pacific Coast Trail 11.22.13 November book club
34. Revenge wears Prada 11.27.13
DECEMBER 2013
35. The Chaperone 12.30.13 January library book club
started, but not finished Life after Life (Jill McCorkle)
started, but not finished Life after Life (Jill McCorkle)
started, but not finished Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker January HER book club
started, but not finished The Help
IN PROGRESS
The Help - in progress, started on vacation 2/2013... will eventually hope to get back to it
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