Room With A View

My kitchen window faces the yard.  The kitchen needs to be updated.  I like the '70's look, but my son calls it something else.  It doesn't really matter to me, because my view of the yard with blooming flowers is very special.  I can't imagine not having a beautiful view and a table next to the window.  This is where I have my morning coffee.  I pay the bills.  I talk to my son after school here.  I'm able to look past the old cabinets and outdated floor. My kitchen table is made from old barn wood.  I've had it since the children were born.  I forget the role this table has played in our lives. 



Over the summer, I've weeded and planted new shrubs and flowers.  It took a lot of work.  I did it because of this window.  It's a view I've taken for granted.  I realized that Blago takes a look out at a yard once in a while, but it's a little different than my yard!  He's lucky if he has a window in his cell. 



The birds have discovered my yard.  I turned on the sprinkler, and they're flying in for a bath and respite from the intense heat.  Simple joy. I'll add new fall colors as gratitude for my room with a view.

Color My World

It's been a busy summer for me.  I've been taking care of mom since her heart surgery.  Rough road, but it's getting easier.  Grateful to be there for her.  I found that my yard had a calming effect.  Pulling weeds and clearing dead wood was soothing. 



I recently read the story of a man who was released from years spent in prison on a wrongful conviction.  When asked what he missed the most while he was behind bars, he said, "Colors."  His room was tan and everything around him was white and tan.  I had to laugh.  I had just painted the bedrooms white.  The color was peaceful to me, but I understood what he missed. 


My own closet has a standard black and white wardrobe.  Suddenly, I missed colors.



Last week, I entered a local nursery.  At that moment I took great joy in appreciating what this man had missed.  I filled the car with pinks, blues, orange.  Every day I take time to water the colorful additions to my garden and I think of what this man missed.  My good friend told me to buy flowering shrubs.  "You'll love the colors and you'll appreciate summer even more."  She's right.



I'm wearing hot pink shoes.  Beige flats?  No. Pink makes me happy. I brought out my collection of jade dishes.  LOVE that color.  I've always loved that color.    Color my world with gratitude. 

Keeping Mom Company After Heart Surgery

One minute I'm pulling weeds in the yard.  Next minute I'm on my way to help mom decide on angioplasty or heart by-pass surgery.  A conversation that sounds like, "Shall I have a salad or sandwich for lunch?"  Everyone was calm.



Mom was complaining of shortness of breath last week.  Her stress test wasn't good.  The angiogram showed two blockages.  One blockage would be easy to stent.  The other blockage was difficult.  The doctors stopped the angiogram and gave us the options.  With surgery, mom would be on a long road to recovery.  With angioplasty/stents, her road to recovery would be easier, but she'd always be looking over her shoulder, wondering if the stents are causing a recurrence in the blockage.  


The decision to do the by-pass wasn't easy.  She said, "I'd like to see my grandchildren get married."



I'm watching her as she rests in the hospital.  Her surgery was a success.  Her strength comes back each day.  I'll be with her on this road and for that I'm grateful.  

Taste of Freedom

Last month I was on the road and listened to an intriguing "60 Minutes" interview on the radio. The story focused on a young man who was born and raised in a prison camp in North Korea.  Can you imagine what that was like?  I can't.  Nothing to eat except watered down soup.  He was always hungry, but he didn't know any other life.



The man was in his 20's when a new prisoner came in and talked about the food outside of camp.  He told tales of spices that existed outside the chained fences.  The young man was so determined to taste the foods, that he and the new prisoner hatched a plan to escape.  Yet, while climbing the fence, the new prisoner was electrocuted.  The young man escaped. 



When asked by the reporter what the best thing about freedom is, the young man replied, "So many wonderful things to eat."  Since I started this practice in gratitude for my freedom, I'm thrilled when I'm out to eat, or at the grocery store.  I knew I wasn't crazy.  I walk down the aisles grateful for the selection from the bakery to produce.  Never gave it much thought before.  I insist that everyone order something different when I'm out at a restaurant so I can test all the dishes.  



I  took my son and daughter to Taste of Chicago last weekend.  Yes, it was crowded.  But it was fun.  People were out enjoying what some of Chicago's restaurants have to offer.  Loved the spinach pizza.  The spicy empanadas were perfect. The weather was beautiful.  I was grateful for The Taste of Freedom.

New Suit For a Big Girl Job

My daughter and I went out to lunch a few weeks back.  She handed me a card and said, "I'll know the results on Friday."  Holy heaven.  The blood drained from my face.  "NO. It's not a pregnancy test.  I applied for a management position in my company!"  The card was a sweet note thanking me for being supportive of her decisions.  I told her that if she got the job, I'd be thrilled to buy her a new suit.  Deal.



She interviewed with the manager. The next week she called to say she learned that she didn't get the job.  Someone told her that the sales director's daughter won the position.  I hung up the phone, laid on the couch, and never got up. 

The next day, she called to say the manager had asked to speak with her in a few hours.   I told her he doesn't want a disgruntled employee.  He's going to give you a pep talk.  Just take it in.   It turns out that he called to congratulate her on getting the job.  I asked,  "What did he say?"  She said, "I don't know.  I blacked out.  The only thing I remember is that he said, "Let me show you your  office." 



Yesterday we went shopping for that new suit.  The salesman asked, "Is this your daughter's new Big Girl Job Suit?"  She was so excited.  I was so proud.  Who cares that it's a silly, demeaning phrase.  Would you call it a, "Big Boy Job?" So grateful to shop with her and share this experience.  



Blago spent thousands of dollars on new suits for his Big Boy Job.  I sort of get how important he felt as he was being fitted, as he touched the rich fabrics.  I get how sad he will be when he misses the opportunity to help his daughter find her first business suit. 

Being With My Son On His 16th Birthday

He's such a handsome young man.  Today is my son's 16th birthday.  I could have been working out of town, but the thought of not being with him today sickened me.  He and I share the same birthday.  The date falls on Mother's Day. 



My mom is going strong at 80.  We all went out to brunch.  Last night I took my son out for a steak.  I couldn't take him to get his driver's license.  I just don't have the courage.



It's been a day filled with gratitude for me.  I remind myself that Blago's daughter turned 16 a few months ago.  It must have sickened him that he couldn't hug her.  That's all I want from my son today.  A hug.

Gotta Love Going Out For Breakfast

I love going out for breakfast.  There's just something so perfect about a pot of coffee that doesn't end.  Nothing finer than a stack of pancakes. 



My cousin told me her favorite memory as a parent was taking the kids out for breakfast after church on Sundays.  Look around you.  Families are sharing stories, laughs.  They don't have to spend a fortune. You don't have to dress up. The day is still ahead of you.  At a recent funeral I attended, the eulogy was given by the 14 year old grandson of the man who passed.  He told us that what he'll miss most is going out to breakfast with his grandpa. 



My son had a late arrival at school last week.  He asked me if we could go out for breakfast.  So grateful for that time with him.