We are safe. We sustained no property damage or injury. We have been without power since about 6:30pm Monday and the power company does not estimate restoring us until this coming Monday. Since we have a well for water it also means no running water.
Things to be thankful for...
1. A borrowed generator so the fridge keeps cold and we don't have to rely only on candles for light
2. Friends allowing us to bathe and fill water jugs
3. A fireplace for keeping warm
4. No damage to the house and especially... NO WATER IN THE HOUSE. We are very grateful our area only saw wind related power outages and not flooding because we often have to wet-vac when there is heavy rain. Just so glad we didn't have to use towels and buckets to try to keep the house dry.
5. A warm yoga studio. Yeah, that's been really nice for beating the cold and for restoring a sense of calm amidst the trials.
6. Lots of people checking in to make sure we are ok.
I'll be back once power is fully restored but for today I am visiting a friend and enjoying her warm house while she feeds me and lets me check email. Much to be grateful for when so many have suffered so much as a result of this storm. We are blessed.
Showing posts with label attitude of gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attitude of gratitude. Show all posts
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Da Count-Thank God!
Two weeks ago I mentioned Calypso's friend who was undergoing surgery for a malignant brain tumor situated near his brain stem...a tumor they felt pretty sure had already begun to spread to his spine. I asked for prayers, good thoughts, healing energy, anything positive you wanted to send his way and so many of you offered such encouragement.
I am so relieved to report that not only did they determine it had not spread to his spine but that it was a far less aggressive tumor than suspected. The doctors believe a short course of radiation will neutralize any remnants. This young man came home from the hospital after a week and a half and just a couple days ago made a major post on his Facebook wall to update everyone. He will have to undergo visual training to re-coordinate his sight and physical therapy to regain a sense of balance but he is expected to make a full recovery in 4-6 weeks...."barring the sweet scar down the back of my head, for the laydeez," as he writes in his post.
His post is full of gratitude for the support of so many people near and far as well as his characteristic humor and good nature which seem entirely undiminished. And with him, my heart is fully of gratitude that he has been spared the worst outcome and even though he has been through so much considers himself greatly blessed by friends, family, and God.
I am so relieved to report that not only did they determine it had not spread to his spine but that it was a far less aggressive tumor than suspected. The doctors believe a short course of radiation will neutralize any remnants. This young man came home from the hospital after a week and a half and just a couple days ago made a major post on his Facebook wall to update everyone. He will have to undergo visual training to re-coordinate his sight and physical therapy to regain a sense of balance but he is expected to make a full recovery in 4-6 weeks...."barring the sweet scar down the back of my head, for the laydeez," as he writes in his post.
His post is full of gratitude for the support of so many people near and far as well as his characteristic humor and good nature which seem entirely undiminished. And with him, my heart is fully of gratitude that he has been spared the worst outcome and even though he has been through so much considers himself greatly blessed by friends, family, and God.
Friday, December 30, 2011
2011- Year of the Roller Coaster
*image from favim.com
Please buckle the safety belt and pull the bar down firmly to your lap until it clicks. Keep all appendages inside the car for the duration of the ride and secure any loose personal belongings.
It should come as no surprise to you that I enjoy roller coasters...at amusement parks...as a lifestyle, not so much. This past year and a significant portion of the previous year were complete roller coasters. At times it seemed like a combo pack of roller coaster and spinning teacups (which I loathe entirely, they make me feel like vomiting)
The year opened with chronic mystery illness and a new scary health event Oh yeah, baby! Throw those hands up and scream your head off as the coaster car hits the first drop hard! Heading into the curves we have outrageous arguments with car AND health insurance companies playing the "Not my problem" game. We have a series of twists, loops, hills, and drops the entire school year never knowing what to expect with Calypso. Throw in a few more big hills with perilous drops with each specialist we see and one who turns out to be just plain evil. When you think you're about to pull into the straightaway at the end we're going to surprise you with one more upside down loop by threatening graduation. Just to keep the view interesting all along the way let's add one person loosing a Driver's license, another dropping out of college, hitting a deer, a car crapping out permanently, and just so the year could get its last dig in...a death in the family this week.
Lord have mercy, I want off this ride! Enough! Really! Just let me go sit on a park bench with my head between my knees for a few minutes.
I stagger to the bench and assume the position. Moaning, I am sure I'm going to toss my cookies just when I am nudged by someone sitting next to me who offers a bit of refreshment. If this past year was one of seemingly unrelenting trials it's also one when I was given so much encouragement, love, and support from people and places I never expected. If the trials were the heart-stopping drops and nauseating twists of the roller coaster, friends were the exhilarating high points or the soothing straightaways. From one friend who is a licensed counselor and came to teach some anxiety managing techniques to us all, to all the friends who helped Mr. Lime get where he needed to be for six months of not having a driver's license, to those of you who kept in contact and provided encouragement and laughs through dark days, to Susie and those who responded to her request on my daughter's behalf, I do not know how I would have survived without the kindness and love of faithful friends.
Then there were the joyous times spent with friends in contexts not related to crisis at all. Getting to meet Susie and Logo in Seattle was such a wonderful trip. The provision of a free airline ticket, Mr. Lime's idea that I go, having vacation days left to have enough time, all of it worked together to make for a fantastically memorable time I never would have thought possible just one year ago.
And now I am coming off the time spent with my Trini family. Far too many years passed without us being able to see each other but what pure joy it was to spend the holidays together and make memories that will last a lifetime. I have hope that much less time will pass before we can be reunited again.
Of course there are also the blessings within the family. Seeing Calypso well again is high on the list, not just well enough to get through a regular day but strong enough to get through days involving heavy labor on a daily basis. She's also come out more confident in her abilities to endure and the provision of God as well as more sensitive to folks around her who are suffering in various ways. Though she had the exquisite pain of friends who left her in her darkest hour she also has the joy of knowing the ones who endured are as true as they come. Mr. Lime has clean bills of health and seems to be well. He has a new openness to my online friendships for which I am grateful. Isaac has grown (Boy howdy, has he grown! He hit 6'2" before his 16th birthday!) in ways I did not expect and has begun taking some initiative or at least helping out more willingly now that he's the only Limelet left at home. Diana is learning some hard lessons from some of her own decisions but seems to be handling them.
I have to admit, most of those good things would not have been as evident or occurred at all if the trials hadn't come so the roller coaster had its purpose. I can be thankful for that and I am, truly.
Nonetheless, my adrenals are a bit taxed and I would not mind at all if 2012 were the year of the carousel. Just let me ride along and enjoy the sights to rest a bit and I'll grab for the brass ring when it comes around.
It should come as no surprise to you that I enjoy roller coasters...at amusement parks...as a lifestyle, not so much. This past year and a significant portion of the previous year were complete roller coasters. At times it seemed like a combo pack of roller coaster and spinning teacups (which I loathe entirely, they make me feel like vomiting)
The year opened with chronic mystery illness and a new scary health event Oh yeah, baby! Throw those hands up and scream your head off as the coaster car hits the first drop hard! Heading into the curves we have outrageous arguments with car AND health insurance companies playing the "Not my problem" game. We have a series of twists, loops, hills, and drops the entire school year never knowing what to expect with Calypso. Throw in a few more big hills with perilous drops with each specialist we see and one who turns out to be just plain evil. When you think you're about to pull into the straightaway at the end we're going to surprise you with one more upside down loop by threatening graduation. Just to keep the view interesting all along the way let's add one person loosing a Driver's license, another dropping out of college, hitting a deer, a car crapping out permanently, and just so the year could get its last dig in...a death in the family this week.
Lord have mercy, I want off this ride! Enough! Really! Just let me go sit on a park bench with my head between my knees for a few minutes.
I stagger to the bench and assume the position. Moaning, I am sure I'm going to toss my cookies just when I am nudged by someone sitting next to me who offers a bit of refreshment. If this past year was one of seemingly unrelenting trials it's also one when I was given so much encouragement, love, and support from people and places I never expected. If the trials were the heart-stopping drops and nauseating twists of the roller coaster, friends were the exhilarating high points or the soothing straightaways. From one friend who is a licensed counselor and came to teach some anxiety managing techniques to us all, to all the friends who helped Mr. Lime get where he needed to be for six months of not having a driver's license, to those of you who kept in contact and provided encouragement and laughs through dark days, to Susie and those who responded to her request on my daughter's behalf, I do not know how I would have survived without the kindness and love of faithful friends.
Then there were the joyous times spent with friends in contexts not related to crisis at all. Getting to meet Susie and Logo in Seattle was such a wonderful trip. The provision of a free airline ticket, Mr. Lime's idea that I go, having vacation days left to have enough time, all of it worked together to make for a fantastically memorable time I never would have thought possible just one year ago.
And now I am coming off the time spent with my Trini family. Far too many years passed without us being able to see each other but what pure joy it was to spend the holidays together and make memories that will last a lifetime. I have hope that much less time will pass before we can be reunited again.
Of course there are also the blessings within the family. Seeing Calypso well again is high on the list, not just well enough to get through a regular day but strong enough to get through days involving heavy labor on a daily basis. She's also come out more confident in her abilities to endure and the provision of God as well as more sensitive to folks around her who are suffering in various ways. Though she had the exquisite pain of friends who left her in her darkest hour she also has the joy of knowing the ones who endured are as true as they come. Mr. Lime has clean bills of health and seems to be well. He has a new openness to my online friendships for which I am grateful. Isaac has grown (Boy howdy, has he grown! He hit 6'2" before his 16th birthday!) in ways I did not expect and has begun taking some initiative or at least helping out more willingly now that he's the only Limelet left at home. Diana is learning some hard lessons from some of her own decisions but seems to be handling them.
I have to admit, most of those good things would not have been as evident or occurred at all if the trials hadn't come so the roller coaster had its purpose. I can be thankful for that and I am, truly.
Nonetheless, my adrenals are a bit taxed and I would not mind at all if 2012 were the year of the carousel. Just let me ride along and enjoy the sights to rest a bit and I'll grab for the brass ring when it comes around.
*image from here
Monday, November 21, 2011
Da Big Count
It's almost time for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving! The last year and a half or more has at times seemed like an unending series of trials but in the last couple of months the winds have changed, for which I am very grateful. Either way though I have so much to be thankful for and even though I try to regularly engage in Da Count (counting the good stuff I've got rather than bemoaning what I lack) I think it's good to put together a list of things from the past year as a way to look back and remind myself. Even in a year of trials I find there is just so much to be grateful for so here goes.... It is by no means exhaustive and it's in no particular order.
1. The current physical health of my family. There are no broken bones, mystery illnesses, debilitating conditions. That all by itself is just HUGE and I am breathing a very grateful sigh of relief.
2. A stronger, healthier relationship with my dad then I would have dared hope for even a few short years ago.
3. A mom and stepmom who give generously of themselves in different ways to support their kids and grandkids when it matters most.
4. Truly amazing friends, both in 3D life and online. I am overwhelmed by the love sometimes.
5. Medicine to make my kid better, dispensed by a professional, compassionate, capable doctor after strong of incompetencies and abuses by so many others.
6. A new clothes dryer that plays a sweet little tune at the end of the cycle instead of sounding like it's tumbling around a pack of rabid cats for and entire cycle.
7. A husband who is handy enough to be able to fix a lot of things around the house so we don't have to be paying repairmen all the time.
8. A son who is discovering he can be competent in the kitchen.
9. Daughters who are striving to make wise choices now that they are out of the nest.
10. The chance to meet Susie and Logo and to see Seattle.
11. Having a job. Big bonus that I feel like I contribute to people's well-being, have bosses who provide a decent environment, and have coworkers who mostly work well together and look out for each other.
12. Flannel sheets. What? It's been cold lately.
13. A free, used refrigerator so now I don't have to deal with puddles on the kitchen floor or disgusting mold around the door seal.
14. An invite from Diana to come visit for the weekend, just so we can spend time together.
15. My camera. It was a long year and then some saving up for a new one. I thoroughly enjoy having Boom-boom at my disposal.
16. The promise that beloved friends will be here in less than a month.
17. Music and books. They provide a place to escape and imagine.
18. This space where I get to create whatever I want and that so many of you come visit and share the ride with me. Thanks you for whatever you've shared here, whether it's been a few kind words, some laughs, some tears, or some desperately needed support in a variety of forms during dark days.
I am blessed. I am grateful.
I'd love to know what would make your lists this year.
1. The current physical health of my family. There are no broken bones, mystery illnesses, debilitating conditions. That all by itself is just HUGE and I am breathing a very grateful sigh of relief.
2. A stronger, healthier relationship with my dad then I would have dared hope for even a few short years ago.
3. A mom and stepmom who give generously of themselves in different ways to support their kids and grandkids when it matters most.
4. Truly amazing friends, both in 3D life and online. I am overwhelmed by the love sometimes.
5. Medicine to make my kid better, dispensed by a professional, compassionate, capable doctor after strong of incompetencies and abuses by so many others.
6. A new clothes dryer that plays a sweet little tune at the end of the cycle instead of sounding like it's tumbling around a pack of rabid cats for and entire cycle.
7. A husband who is handy enough to be able to fix a lot of things around the house so we don't have to be paying repairmen all the time.
8. A son who is discovering he can be competent in the kitchen.
9. Daughters who are striving to make wise choices now that they are out of the nest.
10. The chance to meet Susie and Logo and to see Seattle.
11. Having a job. Big bonus that I feel like I contribute to people's well-being, have bosses who provide a decent environment, and have coworkers who mostly work well together and look out for each other.
12. Flannel sheets. What? It's been cold lately.
13. A free, used refrigerator so now I don't have to deal with puddles on the kitchen floor or disgusting mold around the door seal.
14. An invite from Diana to come visit for the weekend, just so we can spend time together.
15. My camera. It was a long year and then some saving up for a new one. I thoroughly enjoy having Boom-boom at my disposal.
16. The promise that beloved friends will be here in less than a month.
17. Music and books. They provide a place to escape and imagine.
18. This space where I get to create whatever I want and that so many of you come visit and share the ride with me. Thanks you for whatever you've shared here, whether it's been a few kind words, some laughs, some tears, or some desperately needed support in a variety of forms during dark days.
I am blessed. I am grateful.
I'd love to know what would make your lists this year.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Slice of Lime & Da Count-A Shoulder to Lean On
I haven't had the time I've wanted to play with my new camera due to extra work hours and various crises around here. This weekend I am determined though! Anyway, today is an old picture but it's where I'm at. I originally took it for a post telling some pals they had my shoulder when they needed it. Lately, I've been providing a lot of shoulder for Calypso as her saga continues. It's been easy to get down. I've been really fortunate to have some folks offer me a shoulder either when I've asked for it or when I didn't even have the words to ask. I've strayed away from doing Da Count on a regular basis but I think I need to get back to that discipline. This week I combine it with Slice of Lime in gratitude for the shoulders I've been offered, both virtual and 3D. Thanks...truly.
And an oldie but a goodie to go along with it.
And an oldie but a goodie to go along with it.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
May we cultivate the grateful hearts all year long.Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thanksgiving Comes First
As you know from my last post winter has made a rather rude entrance far to early in these parts. It's entirely possible that seeing snow has also affected the brains of the people around me because yesterday Calypso decided it was time to pop in the DVD of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This was going too far. I pulled out the soapbox and began to rant about how Halloween hasn't even occurred yet, much less Thanksgiving. I have little tolerance for what seems to be the increasingly early push for Christmas preparation.
Last week at work the iPod which plays music all day shuffled around to a Christmas tune. I have been labelled somewhat of a Grinch for running to change the music selection. Call me whatever you want but hearing Christmas carols while the office is decked out in spider webs, skulls, and ghosts is just too dissonant for me. It was almost as upsetting as when Neil Diamond gets piped into the sound system.
Since I have gotten riled about this I decided to join Suldog in his quest to spread the message that Thanksgiving comes first. I am not a Grinch looking to eradicate all traces of Christmas from Whoville. I just want it celebrated in it's proper time and not turned into nothing more than an exercise in gross materialism. Unlike registering a complaint with management about the unseasonable snow it's possible that stating my preference about consumerism about "unseasonable celebrations" might give someone pause, might alter some behavior, might effect some small amount of change. Yes, I know one little blog post on a blog that gets all of 70 hits a day isn't that big a deal but maybe combined with a bunch of others who have all done the same thing it may make a slightly bigger ripple. At the very least I've gotten something off my chest and if my blog isn't good for that much...well, I may as well pack it in.
Mind you I like Christmas. I like the spiritual aspects. I like the time spent with family and friends. I like the traditions. I like the food. I don't like the way stores put up displays earlier and earlier every year. That gets on my last nerve and cheapens the whole meaning of the holiday for me.
As much as I like Christmas, in a lot of ways I like Thanksgiving more. I love that the focus is not on how much stuff you can cram under the tree but rather on being grateful for what blessings you've already experienced. I really love that such an attitude is so contrary to consumer culture that they can't make a buck on it. Ok, so the grocery stores can make a lot of money selling seasonal foods but there just can't be the same advertising blitz and drive to spend that is associated with Christmas.
When Mr. Lime and I were first married we stayed in the town where we had gone to college. We were very involved with the foreign students. If they lived on campus they had to find alternate places to stay during the Thanksgiving break. That's easy if your family is in this country. If getting "home" requires a passport it's a darned expensive and inconvenient proposition to go back there for just a week. Mr. Lime and I enjoyed giving them a place to crash for a few days and often had our own little international Thanksgiving meal with students from several countries. Those were always special times and often enhanced by some foods that weren't necessarily traditional to an American Thanksgiving.
When Mr. Lime and I were the foreigners in Trinidad we found out first hand how much it means to have people in your host country welcome you so openly. It was a tremendously deep celebration for me to be able to give thanks with those who had helped me adapt to a new place so far from family and all I once knew. If you want to read the story of our first Thanksgiving in Trinidad you can find it here.
After returning to the US and settling in another new town we found more friends from other shores. I still remember an unseasonably warm November when friends from Ghana, Kenya, and India joined us in our backyard to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. The most special moments were as were were all gathered and each person took turns sharing what they were most thankful for. I don't recall anyone caring about a big screen TV or the latest video game or stylish clothing or whatever other ephemeral thing could be listed. I do remember thanks being given for health, for new friends, for provision for genuine needs when personal economics were strained. I remember being struck by how these friends and the friends from years past, no matter where we came from, gave thanks for the things that matter most in life.
I want to enjoy Christmas in its time, but I don't want to rush past the time to pause and consider all we have to be grateful for. Thanksgiving comes first.
Last week at work the iPod which plays music all day shuffled around to a Christmas tune. I have been labelled somewhat of a Grinch for running to change the music selection. Call me whatever you want but hearing Christmas carols while the office is decked out in spider webs, skulls, and ghosts is just too dissonant for me. It was almost as upsetting as when Neil Diamond gets piped into the sound system.
Since I have gotten riled about this I decided to join Suldog in his quest to spread the message that Thanksgiving comes first. I am not a Grinch looking to eradicate all traces of Christmas from Whoville. I just want it celebrated in it's proper time and not turned into nothing more than an exercise in gross materialism. Unlike registering a complaint with management about the unseasonable snow it's possible that stating my preference about consumerism about "unseasonable celebrations" might give someone pause, might alter some behavior, might effect some small amount of change. Yes, I know one little blog post on a blog that gets all of 70 hits a day isn't that big a deal but maybe combined with a bunch of others who have all done the same thing it may make a slightly bigger ripple. At the very least I've gotten something off my chest and if my blog isn't good for that much...well, I may as well pack it in.
Mind you I like Christmas. I like the spiritual aspects. I like the time spent with family and friends. I like the traditions. I like the food. I don't like the way stores put up displays earlier and earlier every year. That gets on my last nerve and cheapens the whole meaning of the holiday for me.
As much as I like Christmas, in a lot of ways I like Thanksgiving more. I love that the focus is not on how much stuff you can cram under the tree but rather on being grateful for what blessings you've already experienced. I really love that such an attitude is so contrary to consumer culture that they can't make a buck on it. Ok, so the grocery stores can make a lot of money selling seasonal foods but there just can't be the same advertising blitz and drive to spend that is associated with Christmas.
When Mr. Lime and I were first married we stayed in the town where we had gone to college. We were very involved with the foreign students. If they lived on campus they had to find alternate places to stay during the Thanksgiving break. That's easy if your family is in this country. If getting "home" requires a passport it's a darned expensive and inconvenient proposition to go back there for just a week. Mr. Lime and I enjoyed giving them a place to crash for a few days and often had our own little international Thanksgiving meal with students from several countries. Those were always special times and often enhanced by some foods that weren't necessarily traditional to an American Thanksgiving.
When Mr. Lime and I were the foreigners in Trinidad we found out first hand how much it means to have people in your host country welcome you so openly. It was a tremendously deep celebration for me to be able to give thanks with those who had helped me adapt to a new place so far from family and all I once knew. If you want to read the story of our first Thanksgiving in Trinidad you can find it here.
After returning to the US and settling in another new town we found more friends from other shores. I still remember an unseasonably warm November when friends from Ghana, Kenya, and India joined us in our backyard to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. The most special moments were as were were all gathered and each person took turns sharing what they were most thankful for. I don't recall anyone caring about a big screen TV or the latest video game or stylish clothing or whatever other ephemeral thing could be listed. I do remember thanks being given for health, for new friends, for provision for genuine needs when personal economics were strained. I remember being struck by how these friends and the friends from years past, no matter where we came from, gave thanks for the things that matter most in life.
I want to enjoy Christmas in its time, but I don't want to rush past the time to pause and consider all we have to be grateful for. Thanksgiving comes first.
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