I'm preparing myself for the week with the in-laws. I'm an extra in this event. I'm on the sidelines. I'm filler in the crowd scene. I'm required to smile appropriately. Be comforting. Clean up after myself and my family. Lend a hand when necessary. Stay out of the way. And say nothing.
I'm up for it. I'm ready. I can do this.
I'm looking forward to this time with my family. We will be driving to Indiana, so we will be a captive audience to each other. I haven't spent 15 consecutive hours with my son in a long time. I hope he doesn't jump out of the car on the Interstate. I'm looking forward to a bit of down time. I'm bringing my laptop, but I don't think there is convenient wifi available. Posting on my phone is tedious, so I don't plan on doing that. I'm sure if I trip any landmines in the area I'll hightail it for the closest Starbucks and unload on my faithful readership. *thanks for "being there" for me.
I'm going to bring my kindle and read. I'm bringing my phone and EARPHONES (I forgot to bring these on vacation) and listen to music. I'm going to use this time to feed myself and quietly help out wherever needed. I think I'll bring some rubber gloves, just in case this helping out = washing dishes. I've heard a rumor of the guest list totaling 36 people. This number can result in large quantities of dirty dishes. I know my way around a dishpan. Maybe this will be my offering?
Thank you all for walking through this time of grief, soul searching and revelation with me. I hope I'm not the only one who learned something this week. One of the comments I received spoke of learning this concept in therapy. I'll bet this cost $100 an hour to learn. And here I am dropping pearls of wisdom for free. :)
I'm not joking about my comments or commentors. I appreciate comments VERY MUCH. Thank you all for the advice, encouragement, prayers and well wishes during this week. I appreciate it more than I can say. Thank you.
And now for an oldie, but goody.
I'm up for it. I'm ready. I can do this.
I'm looking forward to this time with my family. We will be driving to Indiana, so we will be a captive audience to each other. I haven't spent 15 consecutive hours with my son in a long time. I hope he doesn't jump out of the car on the Interstate. I'm looking forward to a bit of down time. I'm bringing my laptop, but I don't think there is convenient wifi available. Posting on my phone is tedious, so I don't plan on doing that. I'm sure if I trip any landmines in the area I'll hightail it for the closest Starbucks and unload on my faithful readership. *thanks for "being there" for me.
I'm going to bring my kindle and read. I'm bringing my phone and EARPHONES (I forgot to bring these on vacation) and listen to music. I'm going to use this time to feed myself and quietly help out wherever needed. I think I'll bring some rubber gloves, just in case this helping out = washing dishes. I've heard a rumor of the guest list totaling 36 people. This number can result in large quantities of dirty dishes. I know my way around a dishpan. Maybe this will be my offering?
Thank you all for walking through this time of grief, soul searching and revelation with me. I hope I'm not the only one who learned something this week. One of the comments I received spoke of learning this concept in therapy. I'll bet this cost $100 an hour to learn. And here I am dropping pearls of wisdom for free. :)
I'm not joking about my comments or commentors. I appreciate comments VERY MUCH. Thank you all for the advice, encouragement, prayers and well wishes during this week. I appreciate it more than I can say. Thank you.
And now for an oldie, but goody.
That was me - yes, I paid a lot of money to learn that you essentially just have to get over things. :) He swore by two books - Born to Win by Muriel James and The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. Both helped me enormously.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip and definitely vent if you need to!
I appreciate you sharing your experience in therapy. It encouraged me to believe I was on the right track in this searching. I guess we don't all learn what we need from our parents. Thanks for the books, too.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are going into this week with the right attitude HG! I will pray that you can maintain it and keep things in the proper perspective. What a great lesson for us all as we deal with those people (not always loved ones) who are sometimes hard to deal with. (And yes, I'm sure that sometimes 'those people' are me to those in my life!) Have some good family time in the car & out this week! May you be a comfort to all!! :)
ReplyDeletei hope that the travels go well...make the most of it...have fun when you can...help out...and retreat to the kindle as needed...smiles.
ReplyDeleteyou've got this, my sweet girl. i hope that you find quiet pockets of joy, times to connect with a few who are dear to you. and i hope that perhaps for just a small bit, you will be SEEN and APPRECIATED for the leading lady you are.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you've got this. Smile, nod, Kindle.
ReplyDeletePraying for your trip. Don't you love earphones? They are great "I need to retreat" devices. I have used mine. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your 'vacation' goes as well as it can...and that your son does NOT jump out of the car! I hear that teenages open up best in a car...and though he's older...it just might work on him too!?!? ;) The laptop, kindle and music sound very nice...I think I would just get away to Starbucks just because, if I was you! See you on the flip side! :D
ReplyDeleteHomemaker Design
Sounds like you have all the tools to make the trip go well!
ReplyDeletePraying all goes better than you expect!
ReplyDeletePraying for you friend!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and glad you brought along earphones. :) Take care!
ReplyDeleteyou've been on my mind and in my prayers this week. Asking for peace and healing, in all the ways it's needed.
ReplyDelete