Autumn
~by Laurie Kolp

In high school autumn
Was football games
And playing snare drum

In college autumn
Was still football games
Yell practice, bonfire and chum

In my twenties autumn
Was teaching a new class
To learn to read with wisdom

In my thirties autumn
Was newborn babies
Nursing, diapers, feeling numb

In my forties autumn
Is back to school for my kids
Halloween, Thanksgiving to come

For Today...

The other night I was saying my nightly prayers when I asked God to tell Mary I missed her. The next morning after my run, I walked into the house and from my back window I could see three beautiful cardinals right in front of me. Then I heard a beep from my phone indicating I had a text message. I checked my message, and can you believe it was from Jeni, Mary's sister and my good friend! She just wanted to check on me and see how I was doing because we hadn't spoken in awhile. I think God was telling me Mary is okay.

Our time here on earth is so short. I want to enjoy each day like it's the last, love my family with all my heart and try to do the right thing always. I recently lost another friend who was only 52 years old (the older I get, the younger that seems). Her death came very unexpected, too. She had battled lupus, MS and another fatal disease for years and now she is free of pain and misery.

Today I am going to have an attitude of gratitude. Here are some of the things I am thankful for:
1. MY GOD who loves me unconditionally and will NEVER let me down
2. My loving, wonderful and supportive husband, Mr. K
3. Three healthy, happy and fantastically unique children God has given us
4. Family and friends who care and love me when I don't love myself
5. Health and happiness
6. Freedom from bondage
7. The opportunity to pursue my life-long dream of writing
8. YOU- my readers.

Have a great, blessed day and remember- GOD loves you!

My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue, an everlasting vision of the ever-changing view. ~Carole King

In case you have not figured it out, "Mr. K" and Pete are the same person~ my wonderful husband! I call Pete "Mr K" to add variety and individuality to this blog. Please leave a comment and let me know if you like this.

A Crazy Zoo Milieu
~by Laurie Kolp

A funny thing happened on the way to the zoo
We were stopped by a hippo wearing a shoe
In search of the other one he lost at noon
While on a picnic with a horse and a loon
After we joined in Mr. Hippo’s hunt
We ran into a monkey performing a stunt
A ring of fire he was jumping through
Laughing as the ape played a kazoo
As we searched for the shoe still missing
Our eyes espied two circus clowns kissing
We chuckled at the uncanny event
Wondering how they escaped the tent
All of the sudden we heard a whistle
As loud as a siren before a missile
Chaos erupted like a molten volcano
The animals hid and became incognito
Policemen came searching like predators
One holding the shoe missing for hours
Exhausted from all the ruckus and fuss
We drove home grateful for our pet walrus

Update On Chocolate Lab Puppies

Last Saturday, Mr. K took Katie and Nicholas to see the puppies for the last time (Andrew went to a friend's house). Sunday the adorable pups got their last round of shots and now are in the process of being sold. Someone asked me if we would get one. They are cute, but three dogs, along with three kids, would be too expensive. Plus, the purebreds are being sold for $250.00 each. I downloaded these pictures to share with you. The first one shows proud Momma with some of her babies. The kids couldn't get over how rough she is with them. Natural training, I guess.

Nicholas is proudly petting and holding one of the puppies in this picture with Mr.K right behind him in the blue shirt. Katie took this picture.Nicholas was so glad he got to take some pictures, too. He took the next two photos of Katie with the pups. She will be the saddest that their visiting has ended. She was able to see a few of them as they were born, remember?

Such sweet eyes...can you tell how much they have grown? The kids said they were very active and playful, too. Maybe our friend will breed his Labrador again. We're crossing our fingers!

I Love Animals
~by Laurie Kolp

Animals, animals big and small
Are the best friends of all

I love dogs with all my heart
Except when loose in the street
While jogging, they come nipping
Barking ferociously at my feet

I love cats with all my heart
Except when an eerie black one
Inadvertently crosses my path
Causing bad luck, I have to run

I love squirrels with all my heart
Except when they mysteriously sneak up
Like an acrobat in Cirque de Soliel
And steal my birdseed for their sup

I love horses with all my heart
Except when they don’t listen to me
While riding and holding the reins
One sensed my fear, ran amid a tree

Animals, animals big and small
Are the best friends of all

Breakfast of Champions

If what they say is true about breakfast being the most important meal of the day, then I fail terribly (except on weekends). I am usually so busy first thing in the morning during the school week, hurriedly helping with breakfast and lunches for my three children that I forget about myself. Plus, doesn’t my before bedtime snack of either a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or ice cream still count? Let me share with you what usually happens. I do eat a little bit in the morning, but it’s not the typical breakfast. I end up having a taste of peanut butter while making sandwiches, a few chips, a strawberry or two, maybe some grapes. But I never sit down and have a full meal to start my day. I guess what I’m doing is working out alright because after the kids are at school, I am able to run three miles. And I can make it to 11:00 before I am hungry for lunch.
These quirky early morning habits all began when I started having babies. I nursed all of my children and usually got into a hazy fog around week four of the sleepless nights. So what did I do for a quick energy boost? I would eat something sweet right when I turned on the kitchen light in the morning. Most of the time my sweet treat would be a cookie of some kind. Nicholas, bless his heart, got to the point of grabbing for a cookie, too. This was normal to him! I knew I had to stop the bad habit I was teaching my child, and I did…somewhat.

A Christmas to Rememeber

Five years ago, four days before Christmas
An emergency hysterectomy I had
A few days later I was released
Katie had fever and a cough that was bad

Pete took her immediately to the doctor
As I waited at home, worriedly and in pain
Until I got the call Katie needed x-rays
Where they found pneumonia not plain

The doctors told her to the hospital she’d go
Where Katie would have to a few days stay
Sadly we knew a bad Christmas we’d have
While Katie was in bed, unable to play

I knew I would stay with her at night
For Nicholas was only just one-year-old
Unable to pick the baby up if need be
On the couch I’d painfully have to be bold

Poor Katie was miserable, sick as can be
And hated the IV and blood being drawn
The interruptions at night disturbing
She was miserable and sad, weak and wan

Then after diligent heartfelt prayer
A Christmas miracle did happily occur
Read about it in “Christmas Miracles”
To be released October 13 with grandeur

*Click on the picture of the front cover of St. Martin's book, "Christmas Miracles" to order the book where my story will be!

A Christmas to Remember
~by Laurie Kolp

Five years ago, four days before Christmas
An emergency hysterectomy I had
A few days later I was released
Katie had fever and a cough that was bad

Pete took her immediately to the doctor
As I waited at home, worriedly and in pain
Until I got the call Katie needed x-rays
Where they found pneumonia not plain

The doctors told her to the hospital she’d go
Where Katie would have to a few days stay
Sadly we knew a bad Christmas we’d have
While Katie was in bed, unable to play

I knew I would stay with her at night
For Nicholas was only just one-year-old
Unable to pick the baby up if need be
On the couch I’d painfully have to be bold

Poor Katie was miserable, sick as can be
And hated the IV and blood being drawn
The interruptions at night disturbing
She was miserable and sad, weak and wan

Then after diligent heartfelt prayer
A Christmas miracle did happily occur
Read about it in “Christmas Miracles”
To be released October 13 with grandeur

*Click on the sidebar with the picture of the cover of St. Martin's Press "Christmas Miracles" to order the book this story is in (not in poetic form).

Our Anniversary

Today is a special occasion because it is Mr. K and my eleventh anniversary. Time has really flown since that warm, sunny Saturday when we exchanged our vows before God, family and a few close friends. I will never forgot the complete joy and elation I felt knowing without a doubt that God had finally led me to my soul mate. I still feel that way today, only stronger. Mr K and I have had our share of ups and downs these past eleven years, but we have stuck together with our love to help get us through. God is and always has been in the middle of our relationship, and He has proved to us that love always does conquer.

Here is a poem Mr. K wrote for me before we married:

I stand still, eyes closed, and hear the wind and the waves.

I feel the roar of the wind on my cheeks and in my hair,

flinching as the waves grasp my feet.

I see the moon, smell the salt,

and feel the beating of another heart.

No words can describe this.

Happy anniversary, Mr. K! I love you!

Constitution Day

Daniel Carroll (July 22, 1730 – July 5, 1796) was a politician and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a prominent member of one of America's great colonial families that included his cousin Charles Carroll of Carrollton who signed the Declaration of Independence, and his brother John Carroll who was the first Catholic bishop in the United States. He was one of only five men to sign both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States.

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. I am so proud that my ancestors were a part of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Both Daniel and Charles Carroll of Carrollton played integral parts in the founding of our government that we use today. I have written on previous posts about how my great, great (etc.) grandfather Charles signed the Declaration of Independence, but I failed to mention that his cousin Daniel was also involved in putting the Constitution together. I wonder if they knew at the time what a huge part of American history they were creating?

In honor of Constitution Day, the kid's school wanted everyone to wear red, white and blue. Mr. K and I joined in on the patriotic gesture, too. A lot has changed in American politics, especially over the past several months. But one thing will always remain the same~ our freedom and independence, and the great document that paved the way for what America is today... at least that is what I hope for.

Starting Over
by Laurie Kolp

Each day is a fresh beginning
A chance to start over anew
No matter how bad the day before
Today you can have a different view

No longer do you have to carry
The burdens from yesterday
With every pristine sunrise
Comes promise for a new pathway

So let each day serenade you
With new thoughts and attitudes
Enjoy birds chirping, nature awakening
As the day creates your vicissitudes

These Are The Days

I am amazed at how much difference a day can make. When I compare today with yesterday, I can see a difference between...night and day! Yesterday was one of those crazy days. I had a docor's appointment at 10:20 and did not leave the office until 12:30. Then, the kids and I had dentist appointments for our six month cleaning and check-up at 3:00. Katie was supposed to have dance from 5:30-7:00, but she didn't feel well so I let her skip at the last minute. Plus it was open house at the school and she really wanted to go. They split up the times between the lower and upper grades due to the temporary site's parking. Nick's was from 5:00-6:00 and Drew and Katie's was 6:30-8:00. Everything worked out okay because we grabbed a bite to eat in-between, but I still felt like I hadn't had time to sit down and relax all day.

Today has been MUCH more relaxed. I had the opportunity to go and visit my good friend and my Godson and his brother. Just put me with babies and I'm alright! It was so nice to visit over coffee. I was brought back to my life not too long ago when I had babies and toddlers in the house. I could so easily relate to the constant interruptions and distractions that being a mom requires. I am so grateful for this friend who loves me regardless and doesn't put any "conditions" on our friendship. Friends like that are few and far between. When I got home I mowed the backyard. The weather is so beautiful today. There is even a hint of fall here in southeast Texas. I relish days like this, especially when I just had a busy day like yesterday. I hope you are having a great day, too!

Kids Say the Cutest Things

Kids say some of the funniest things. Here are a few cute things my children have said or done.

*The other day we were talking about washing hands and using hand sanitizer at school.
This is what Nicholas said, "But my teacher doesn't always give me tan handimitizer!"

*Last night when I was putting Nick to bed, he started into knock-knock jokes.
"Knock, knock," he said.
"Who's there?" I asked.
"Bing-bing."
"Bing-bing who?" I answered.
To which my youngest replied before bursting out laughing, "Bing-a-bing-a-ling-ling, chicka-chicka-poo!"

*Nicholas still calls Andrew "Add-rew."

*When Andrew was little there was this incident that occurred while I was blow-drying my hair. I had bent over so that my long hair was reaching towards the ground and was blowing it dry that way. All of the sudden, I saw two eyes on me. Andrew was bending over mimicking me and peaking through my hair to see what his mommy was doing. I still laugh thinking about it.

*Once when Katie was around two (she was very verbal at an early age) we were playing a game. I would say "I'm ___," and she would say "I'm ___." What she said would be the opposite of what I said. So I was very tired from staying up with baby Andrew. We had been going back and forth for awhile when I finally said, "I'm pooped." Katie looked at me kind of funny and quickly replied, "I'm pee-pee!"

Do you have any funny sayings or cute things to share that a child you know has done? Please share.

A Conversation With a Friend

No offense by another person could possibly equal our guilt before God, yet He has forgiven us; are we not obligated to show the same mercy to others?
~Dr. James Dobson

Forgiveness is difficult. I am mad at someone for being mad at me for a reason I am oblivious to. Sounds pretty confusing, huh? Well it is, and it has been eating me up.

When someone wrongs me, I tend to dwell on what they did, rather than to look at my part in the situation. After all, I am responsible for my part only. But sometimes we don't know our part, or we did nothing wrong that we know of. This is a conversation I had with someone I really look up to.

"It's not our problem what others may think of us," she said.

"But I want everyone to like me," I answered.

"You have got to get over that," she replied.

I looked at her quizzically.

"Remember, when someone points a finger at you, they have three fingers pointing back at them. So you can't worry or obsess over what they may or may not say or think," she said.
"As long as you are graciously following your moral compass, you have nothing to lose."

"Okay. I see what you're saying," I uttered.

"All we have to worry about is what God thinks of us anyway. He is the only one we will have to answer to in the end."

Touche.

I can reach the point of forgiveness by praying for that person without worrying if they forgive me. What a relief. (I'm still waiting for it to work, though).

Truly Grateful

I am truly grateful for my friends. Good friends are hard to find. Many friends come into our lives for brief periods and then leave, but true friends are always there~ through good times and bad. In fact, when we are going through difficult or challenging times in our lives we can easily discover who our true friends really are, for they will be by our side to love unconditionallyand support us even when we don't have much to give back. Having just gone through a very difficult time recently, I was amazed at the outpouring of support I received from my friends. Yet at the same time, I was deeply hurt by the rejection of someone I thought was a friend. I felt like I had been discarded like stale bread and I was deeply hurt. Since then, I have discovered that this person who I thought was a friend is so self-absorbed that she will do anything to get her way. Looking back, I can easily see that everything was all about her. Honestly, I do not someone like that as a friend. I need friends who will listen, not talk about themselves constantly or brag about everything materialistic they have. I want real friends, not superficial ones. So I lost one friend. But guess what? I gained a dozen more and for that I am truly grateful. And to my #1 best friend, my husband~ I love you and thank you for everything!

A Horrible Date
by Laurie Kolp

September 11, what a horrible date
In 2001 sealed America’s fate
Twas the day eight years ago
Terrorists raped our nation so
Four airplanes hijacked unaware
Turmoil and fear rang out in the air
Innocent lives lost and smothered
Survivors' guilt maddening others
Forever changed, soldiers went to war
Lives still lost today and evermore.

Remembering 9/11

What were you doing on September 11, 2001? I remember that day vividly. It was Katie's first day at mother's day out. Pete was taking her to school as I sat at home with two-week-old Andrew, nursing and trying to placate him. Pete and Katie had been gone for mere seconds when I heard the phone ring.

"Turn on the news," Pete said. "I just heard a bizarre report on the radio that a plane flew into the World Trade Center. I want to know if this is true, or another War of the Worlds."

I quickly turned on the news to find Paula Zahn reporting live what was happening in New York City.

"Oh my God. It's true, Pete."

I sat glued to the television for hours watching the truth unfold before my eyes on how terrorists in airplanes had attacked the twin towers, the Pentagon and crashed in Pennsylvania. Pete came home to watch this horrific event with me. We witnessed the towers crumbling and falling, the smoke and debris that filled the air and the interviews played over and over of witnesses to the attacks. We saw replays of the plane crashing into the towers, the people running and screaming in total shock and terror. Pete and I talked about how our world had changed because of this terrorist attack and would never be the same. We were both saddened and fearful at the lost of America's innocence. Being the post-birth hormonal momma I was at the time, I cried and cried. A huge depression came over me in the weeks that followed as I watched again and again too much of the coverage aired on the news channels. My delivery of Andrew had been especially tough and the poor baby was extremely fussy because of acid reflux we had yet to discover. I soon found myself deep in the throttle of postpartum depression. Luckily, I have a wonderful OB/GYN who recognized my ailment and helped set me back on track, but the journey was long and hard. My body was reacting negatively to the shock it had undergone during Andrew's delivery and the wheels were set in motion for what would eventually lead up to my hysterectomy after Nicholas was born.

Today marks the eight-year anniversary of this tragic event that foreplayed months of darkness for me. I am mixed with bittersweet emotions; happy that I am no longer going through the depression and physical problems I endured, sad remembering the victims and families of 9/11 and the helplessness I felt during that time.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.
~2 Chronicles 20:12

Number Sense
by Laurie Kolp

Some say age is just a number
But to a ninety-four-year-old
Age is the harsh, true reality that
Death is near and frighteningly cold

“Don’t worry what the scale says,”
The nurse tells the patient
But to an anorexic or bulimic
Weight can create great lament

The hurried housewife enters forty
When she actually spent four hundred
And wonders why checks start bouncing
Facing her angry husband with dread

A teacher instructs her students
“Open your book to page sixty-nine”
But to the struggling dyslexic
Ninety-six would be just fine

Numbers are all around us
Important in every way
But remember these scenarios
Before ruining someone’s day.

My Collage of Cardinals

Many of you have asked about my cardinals, and the answer is YES~ I still see them all the time. In fact, I just looked out the window and spotted my beautiful red friend, sitting in the soft drizzle of rain coming down. My heart always skips a beat when I see a cardinal because the majestic crimson bird reminds me of God. And Mary. Funny that not minutes before I saw the cardinal today, I was going through some poems about Mary I had created a chapbook out of. This is no coincidence, and it not only happens to me, but to Jeni, Mary's sister, as well. Here is a list of just a few of the experiences I have had with cardinals:
1. Not long after Mary's death a cardinal skipped in front of my car at the church where we used to meet together. I had been sad and praying to God for a sign that Mary was okay. When I left, I saw the cardinal.
2. A cardinal chirped outside my window one morning after I had prayed to God and for some reason I knew to check on Ms. Angelle, who was bleeding to death and might not have made it had I not gone to visit her.
3. I gave Jeni a "Sisterhood" award for her blog. Soon after, my backyard was swarming with cardinals.
4. Jeni and I have spotted cardinals on numerous occasions as we were talking on the phone~ right in front of us.
5. I went on a retreat and got up to share about my pain since Mary's suicide, and everyone spotted a cardinal outside the window behind me as I spoke.
6. After praying on several occasions I have heard the beautiful song of the cardinal which led me outside to take a peek. A cardinal was always right there in front of me, no matter where I looked.
7. Last Monday was a VERY SPECIAL day for me and I saw a cardinal right outside my kitchen window as I poured myself some coffee that morning~ a sure reassurance that what I was about to do was good.
8. I saw a cardinal at the zoo last year just flitting around the path I was walking on; reaasurance that being there with Nicholas' class was a good thing (and something Mary would have done).
There are many more examples of how the cardinal has worked in my life, and I have written about them on this blog. The good news is that I view the cardinal as a positive, good thing. I have reached acceptance of what happened. Now I can look back with happy, fond memories and thank God for the time, although short, I had with my dear friend Mary.

Update On Chocolate Lab Puppies

On Saturday, we went to visit the puppies again. They have grown since we last saw them. At three weeks old, their eyes are open and they are walking. A few of them have discovered their voices and can make some very unusual noises that, instead of sounding like barks, sound like little squeaks and grunts.

The kids enjoyed petting the Labrador Retriever puppies and observing how much they had grown and changed in the two weeks since they saw them last.

We can't wait to go back and see how much the pure-bred chocolate labs have grown and changed since the last time we saw them. I will keep you posted.

Labor Day
by Laurie Kolp

End of summer
Start of school
Long weekend
Barbecue
Jerry Lewis
Telethon
Pledge money
Work none
American flag
Patriotism
Beach party
Eroticism
Too much fun
On Labor Day
One last time
To frolic and play

I hope all of you have a great Labor Day weekend!

Ms. Angelle
~by Laurie Kolp

I know a lady who is ninety-four-years-old
Spunky and spry, she is an independent soul
Living in a house big enough for eight
She keeps up with passion her lovely estate
Two cars sit in this lady’s garage
Hardly driven they are just like a mirage
One she calls her sedan, the other her zoom-zoom
And she keeps them updated with plenty of room
My dear old friend, not a worry she has
Her life she’s lived simply without much pizzazz
Simple thing entertain her like fixing things up
And she always has a project inside of her cup
This sweet aged lady is a healthy old catch
Fresh fruit and vegetables, all meals by scratch
Although she seldom imbibes in red wine
“Liquor is the only answer” says her sign
Each night she chooses a bed for sleeping
Even her storage room has a pallet for resting
Inhibitions my dear friend has not
She says what’s on her mind with all she’s got
We have fun together going shopping or to lunch
But her legs are swollen; she’s losing her punch
So I will cherish our friendship each day
And show her I love her in my own special way

Search me, o God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
~Psalm 139:23-24

I simply love this little prayer. It reminds me that I can't, God can and I'll let Him. I no longer am the director in my play of life- God is. I have turned my will and my life over to the care of God and everyday I ask to know His will for me and to be given the power to carry it out. How, you may ask, does one do that? To me, the answer is simple, for God is within all of us. He is our conscience that tells us right from wrong. He is the good moral fiber of our innermost being, and He has been there (within us) since we were born. So I take time each day to be still and quiet in peaceful prayer and meditation so I can have a conversation with God. If I stumble upon a roadblock, I step back and take a look at the situation. If the solution comes easily, then that is most likely God's will for me. If I have to struggle with indecision, it is probably my will. Only God can rid me of anxious thoughts or offensive actions and I am now trying my best to follow His will for me.

Though you may ask God to do something for you, He generally wants to do something in you.
~Unknown

Some Days Are Just Like That

Yesterday I had the opportunity to say the Serenity Prayer a lot. The first time was in the doctor's office with Katie and Andrew for their annual well check-ups. Their doctor no longer will see more than two kids from the same family at the same time, so I was already a little perturbed that Nicholas had to go the next day (Pete's taking him this time). Our appointment time was 8:30 and by 9:20 we were still in the room waiting for the doctor to come in. I was growing angrier by the minute because I did not want the kids to be counted absent from school and they have to be there at 10:00 or they will be. Katie and Andrew brought things to keep them busy, but they started complaining about the wait, too. I said the Serenity Prayer several times until the doctor finally showed up and the whole check-up for both kids only took fifteen minutes. They arrived at school around 9:55, just in the knick of time.
The next challenge of the day occured while I was in the carpool line waiting for the kids to get out of school. Most of the time I am first in line (sometimes second). I would much rather wait in the heat than have the kids stand around after school for a long time waiting for me, so I take my crossword puzzle and book to help pass the time, or make phone calls to friends. Well, I was first in line until ten minutes before dismissal when a mom in a big suburban drove up and weaseled her way into the small space in front of me. Oh, how I wanted to get out of my car, march up to her window and give her a piece of my mind. How dare she cut in front of me when I had been waiting nearly an hour sweating like a pig! But, again I said the Serenity Prayer and was able to refrain from my urge to act out.
When we got home from school and the kids started on their homework (which they have to do right after school in our house), Nicholas did NOT want to do his. Personally I can't believe how much homework he has as a first grader. Things have changed since Andrew was in the same class. I'm talking two or three worksheets a day, spelling homework, reading vocabulary and memorizing a poem to recite to his teacher! That alone is cause for the Serenity Prayer. Anyway, poor Nicholas had had it with the whole homework thing yesterday and he burst into tears of frustration and wouldn't let up. Nothing rips a mother's heart apart more than an upset, sobbing child. I consoled him enough to get his homework done, but Nicholas had several more meltdowns that evening. The whole thing was exhausting.
So exhausting, in fact, that I didn't have the time or energy to cook dinner, which leads to the next challenge of my day. We went to the drive-through at Dairy Queen to order our dinner. After I had placed our order, I was driving up to the window when a guy in a brand new red sports car zoomed right in front of me and cut. 'What's with all the cutting today?' I thought, when I really wanted to get out of my car and give him a piece of my mind. The kids went ballistic as they complained about the gall of that young, selfish kid. I said the Serenity Prayer again, but by this time I was spent. I could not refrain myself from honking at him (at least I didn't get out of my car and go to his window to chew him out like I wanted to do). Anyway, when I honked, he flipped me off. Luckily the kids didn't see, but I couldn't believe it. When I got up to the window I asked the girl why he had cut (he drove off without getting anything). She said he claimed he had given her a hundred dollar bill, but she had given him change for a ten. She also said that wasn't true and we both agreed he should have gotten out of his car and gone in, the selfish, lazy...AHEM, never mind.
After all of these challenges yesterday, I was exhausted and climbed into bed at 9:00, wanting to end the disastrous day. Some days are just like that. How are you today?

Let's Do Lunch

I feel like I have gone from one extreme to the other these past couple of days, and, indeed, I have. Yesterday I had lunch with a bunch of loud, energetic noisy first graders, and today I had lunch with a quiet, aching lady~ Ms. Angelle. Looking back on these two very different luncheon experiences, I must admit that my usual peaceful and quiet lunch is something I take for granted.

First, let me share with you how my lunch with Nicholas went. When I met up with Nicholas's class (they were already on their way to lunch), I heard several remarks from the other kids, like "Wow- Nicholas's mom sure is tall," and "Where did she come from?" I got in line with Nicholas and gave him a hug as we proceeded to the cafeteria. Remember that the kids are in a portable school? Well, they have several "dining halls" (portables) and use one per grade level. So when you get @150 six-year-olds together in a small space, the noise level is amplified a hundred times over (or so it seems). A little boy and girl sitting across from Nicholas and I were little chatterboxes and I could barely hear what they were saying, but they kept on talking to me anyway. I had to laugh when the girl said, "I'm supposed to learn to act like I do at school when I'm home." Then, of course, when lunch was over Nicholas pulled the 'wanting to come home' act on me. I reluctantly left anyway and my ears hurt for quite a long time.

My lunch with Ms. Angelle today was completely different than yesterday's lunch at the elementary school. Ms. Angelle loves to go to the Golden Corral. She sat down and waited while I went to fix her a plate. Ms. Angelle asked me to get five corn on the cobs on a separate plate and she ate every last one~in silence, hunched over her plate. I went back and forth five times to get us our various items. The last time was to get six more ears of corn so she could take them home and have them with her chicken tonight. I got some strange looks from the patrons of the restaurant as I hauled all that corn back and forth. She had brought her own tupperware container to put the leftovers in. After lunch, we had to stop by Walgreens so Ms. Angelle could get some razors. "Funny how when you get old, the only place hair grows is on your face," she said. I had to hold up several different kinds of razors before she found what she wanted and then she had the clerk open it for her, so she could check it out. Right there, in the drugstore, Ms. Angelle started shaving her whiskers! Liking the results, she bought two of them. Unlike when I left Nicholas, I must say I was ready to drop Ms. Angelle back at her house. It was an exhausting and humiliating lunch.

Even though the two lunches were different, there is one thing they had in common: I thoroughly enjoyed each one and am so grateful I have the chance to spend time with loved ones.