No really! It happened to a friend of a friend of mine..

A long time ago, my dear friend Cinnamon (yes that is her real name) introduced me to her oldest friend, Tamitha.  We became friends in spite of, in lieu of, or because of Cinnamon.  I think I knew we would be friends forever from the first time we met.  

One day we met up for lunch and when I unloaded the challenge I was facing,  she just looked me in the eye and said, "That's hard, I don't have the answer to that, but I know you are going to be okay regardless of the outcome."  Instead of being tritely comforting, "You'll get through it." or "It's not a big deal" or "It will work out."  She gave me love and reassurance. We've spent many hours laughing and crying over the years, and it is always a good time when we are together.   Right now, she is facing a big trial and I am in awe with how she is handing things with nothing but grace. 

   

Recently, Tamitha turned 40, and her loving family threw her a giant elegant bash to celebrate. Tamitha is the one on the left, Cinnamon is the one on the right. i'm the one in the middle in case you couldn't tell.

 

After a lovely dinner, the party took a turn.  And just like every good party,  everyone was dancing with a Gorilla and I ended up wearing a lampshade on my head.   

In other words, the party was fantastic! 

St. Patrick's Day is Mr. Boy's Day

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we had a grand evening where we crammed 50 adults and children into our home, while the rain came down outside.   I love this pile of coats and boots by the front door, it's a rare sight around this town.  

 

While our guests enjoyed Corned Beef & Cabbage or Bangers & Mash, my mind kept wandering back to the real reason why we were celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  Nine years ago on St. Patrick's Day,  Mr. Man & I nervously walked into the adoption agency to meet a birthmother who had chosen us to adopt the baby she was carrying.  We were terrified at meeting this woman, and had a wide range of emotions that day.  Would she like us?  What would this relationship be like? Strained? Awkward? Intrusive? When we walked into the room and saw her, it felt like we had known her for 100 years.   We laughed, we cried, we talked, and when it came time to say goodbye, I knew that my life had changed forever.  I was going to be a mother. 

 

Four months later after multiple visits, our beautiful 1/2 Irish boy was born and placed into my arms.  In the last nine years, I have given thanks each and every night for the courageous birthmothers of my children and of children everywhere. 

 

I see so much of Mr. Boys birthmother in him, in his smile, his eyes, and his sense of humor.  I love it, because it reminds me of  the women I love so dearly, who made me a mother. 

Good Fortune or Just Optimistic?

 

It's tax season and and I'm right in the middle of the chaos.   My office is still part of my old OC life and so I'm in the car driving for 2 plus hours or more a day.   I feel like I'm constantly on the road.  Then add the kids after school activities and I practically live in my car.  It's temporary and I know this, but I can't help but dream about vacations, beaches, and the Super Ultimate Mega Summer Part Deux. 

Today at lunch we got Chinese Food and when I opened my fortune cookie, I couldn't help but laugh.  "You will travel far and wide."   Really?  Is it possible the fortune is referring to the 100 plus miles I'm logging each day as I zig zag to the office, baseball, and ballet?  Maybe, but for now, I'm going to pretend that this fortune is a prediction there is a sunny beach and fruity drink in my future. Anyone care to join me?

My Secret Talent

 

I always admire people who can sing or dance... their talents are so visible.  When I was growing up, our family didn't pursue after school activities.   While other kids did sports, dance, or play musical instruments, I hid out in the treehouse spying on the neighborhood.  

I was convinced up until the age of 18 that I was destined to be an Olympic Champion Ice Skater.  I'd never tried it, but I just *knew* it was my destiny.  If only my parents had let me take lessons, I would have gone straight to the top.  Then when I was 18, I tried Ice Skating multiple times.... I was terrible at it.  Maybe it wasn't my destiny.   

My brother hogged all the musical genes and the dimples, so I got stuck with the less obvious talents.  It has always embarrassed me when people ask me what my talents are, because when you say, "I can recall what people ordered at restaurants."  they don't seem all that impressed. 

Last week, we attended the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts for Mr. Boy.  The after dinner activity was a paper airplane competition, which just happens to be my secret talent.  I can fold a wicked fast paper airplane.  I helped my children fold their planes and gave them some pointers.  They both placed first in their divisions and my children thought I was amazing.   

Sure, Paper Airplane competitions don't come with the fancy sequined outfits and the grandiose music, but for just one day my kids thought I was the most talented human on the planet.  

What's your secret talent? 

Missing those who have gone before us...

 

Last night while I was sleeping, I had a dream and heard my mom's voice.  The desire to see her was so strong that I sat up in bed and called out, "Mom, wait come back!" Then I realized I had been dreaming.  It's funny how you think you are fine but then have these moments where you miss your loved one so intensely.  

But this last week, I am missing my Mr. Man's Dad, my Father in Law.  He was an accountant like me, and while I spend my days wading through tax returns, I think of him.  He passed away seven years ago this month from ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease). More than anything, I miss his fatherly guidance and wisdom.  He was the wisest man I've ever met and right now I wish I could sit down one more time with him. 

Mr. Man was my age when he lost his dad, and I truly couldn't comprehend the loss that he felt, but now I do. Even better, he understands the loss I feel, which I guess if these are life events you have to go through, it's nice to have someone who understands.