thefouramigosblog

Many years ago I met a man. We had conversation and he was very nice. He was well spoken and smart.

One day I ran into him at my daughter’s school. She was 11. I said hi to him and making small talk, I asked “do you have a child in this school.”

His response was, “I have children in the memorial school, central school, middle school and high school.”

I said, “Wow! How many children do you have?”

His response, “five!”

My response, “nice seeing you.”

However, he pursued me and I took a risk. We have been married over 30 years and have built a wonderful life together. And all our children are grown and we now have 9 grandchildren.

Life is good!

I’m not sure how to address this since often I took action and regretted it. Often I needed to pause before I responded. But mostly this is with words.

But let me think back. Last year my dear sister died. She hadn’t looked well and had lost a lot of weight. Of course, she wasn’t much for doctors and it took my cajoling to get her there. Her doctor ordered a chest scan but it came back fine. No cancer. He told her he would see her in six months. She died two weeks later.

A part of me wished I had taken her in my car to an emergency room. Instead, we did nothing. She died on her couch sitting next to her husband.

So should I have taken action? I’m not sure. She died peacefully without tubes and tests or being a guinea pig for the doctors. It was peaceful! But I miss her and wish she had stuck around a little longer.

Nervous? Sometimes everything. Sometimes nothing.

When I’m getting ready to go on a roller coaster at Universal Studios I can feel my stomach do a little flip flop. But I actually love the thrill!

When I was a kid and knew I had to present an oral book report in school, I would get so nervous I missed school. I still get nervous doing public speaking but have done it quite a bit during my life. I always feel nervous. Nobody can tell or at least that’s what they told me!

I used to get out and out frightened when I saw a worm. Yes, a teeny weeny worm. I could wrap a boa constrictor around my neck but a worm would send me into a panic attack. If it rained, I wouldn’t leave my house because all the gushy worms were all over the sidewalks.

But then one day later in life, my mother and I were talking about it. She said when I was little, about 2, my brother and his friend put me in a hole in the backyard that had lots of worms in it. Alas, the answer to the worm problem. Today I still don’t like worms but I can leave my house and walk on the sidewalks. Just don’t ask me to touch one!

Demanding days are far and between since I have been retired. But even in retirement, it can be trying at times. So what do I do? Well, I now live in sunny Florida so walking is always good. I like to go to this wetlands area where I get to see lots of wildlife.

I will call a friend and share about my day. Usually, a friend who will make me laugh because laughter always lightens the day.

And if things were really trying, I take a hot shower and let the day wash down the drain. Afterward, I listen to meditation music and center myself. Usually, by this time, all the demands of the day have finally disappeared.

My favorite thing in the world to do is to travel and see new places. I like to share these moments with family and friends because I know they won’t go to many of the places I travel to.

Finding something to write about isn’t always easy. Especially when you want to write something profound, interesting and current.

Today is one of those days. I’m battling a sinus infection and I’m on my second round of antibiotics and a longer course of steroids. Which also causes less sleep—which also compromises the immune system. So that’s my battle today.

But the sun is shining – which of course I can’t be out in due to antibiotics – but it looks lovely shining in my windows.

I’m growing avocado trees in my window and hope they will make it once I plant them outside.

Once I start writing and just free-write, my thoughts move gradually from subject to subject. Sometimes this is all I need to unblock my mind. So sit down and write whatever comes to mind without worry or condemnation. And see what happens!