It’s an
early summer Sunday, Guys!
And you
know that always means at least one of two things: 1) I’m working on the weekly
edition of this Happy Happens series. 2) We’re probably on the road, again,
destined for some athletic event.
For the
second time in two days, I’m on my way to Syracuse.
Yesterday
had me buzzing down Interstate 81 to attend my good friend’s college
graduation.
She did it,
Journeyers!
She and the
rest of these adults followed their dreams and didn’t let life or work anything
else come between them and that desire to be a college graduate.
One of the
speakers spoke about how these people, students and professors and staff are
forever united as the class of 2014.
Afterward,
we stopped at this amazing restaurant for a bite to eat.
If you’re
ever in the Syracuse area, check out Kitty Hoynes, a quaint Irish pub, where
the food and ambience are sure to please!
This
Cranberry Turkey couldn’t have been any more tender nor any tastier!
As I write
this, I can’t help but fondly recall our Philadelphia trip and our time at ThePlough…
Today we’re
making the two-hour trip for another soccer game.
I returned home
yesterday, just in time to host this team’s year-end gathering.
“You’ve got
thirty people coming to your house tonight and you’re out of town?” several
people asked me during the day. “However do you manage that?”
It was a
unified effort, I must say. We divided up the chore list and Warren and Big Guy
and Beauty and I each tackled our assigned tasks.
That,
coupled with the fact that each of the attendees brought a contribution, made
for an easy and enjoyable event, before and after!
We’ve
hosted a number of these boys many times, from one team or another, and I’ve
said repeatedly that we’d “welcome them every day of the week and twice on
Sundays.”
United in
more ways than one, they are a truly remarkable group of well-rounded and
delightful young men, so much so that several of them gave me hugs when they
left.
Today marks
that last game of the season for Big Guy as he’ll be away at a Boys’ State
conference during the last two events.
After the
partygoers left last night, my boy came to me with this jersey.
“Mom, can you
get these stains out?”
I’ve never
seen anything quite like it, Journeyers!
We finally
determined that the stains had to be
from dried on sweat that’d been let go for who knows how long…
You
parents of athletes know that saga all too well, don’t you?
Thank you
WorldWide Web and Google and all you posters who write about things like simple
household remedies.
I tried the
simplest first, dousing the stains with hydrogen peroxide.
Unfortunately,
I fell asleep and didn’t remember the shirt until I discovered the still-soiled
shirt a mere forty minutes before we were supposed to leave this morning.
If you ever
find yourself in that predicament, don’t worry, Journeyers!
It took all
three remedies: hydrogen peroxide, then a cream of tartar/warm water/crushed
aspirin concoction, a good scrubbing with an OxyClean paste to get it
clean, and then a quick wash cycle. But I did it!!
Now, I know
what you’re thinking, you can’t wash and dry anything in under an hour.
Sure you
can, if you’re willing to be a little creative.
All you
need is an open car window, a good grip, and a great sense of humor.
So, working
backwards through the week, I attended a TEDxSalon event with a friend.
One hour. Four
TEDTalk videos. Endless inspiration.
“Which was
your favorite?” the event organizer asked.
My first
thought was that Shane Koyczan’s
big and bold presentation about bullying was the most moving.
But
then, pausing before speaking, I realized that the fireman, Mark Bezos, who was
sent into a burning building to retrieve a woman’s shoes, moved me even more.
Though
his speech was small and quiet, his message that any of our actions, even those
that are seemingly simple, can make a lasting impact on another’s life.
That,
Journeyers, is the very foundation of this Happy Happens series.
Every
single day, our lives are filled with subtle moments that carry as much value
as those loud and in-your-face events.
Maybe
those harder to see instances carry even more value, because we aren’t
expecting them, because we don’t take them for granted…
Take
four minutes out of your day and watch Mark's talk. You’ll
be glad you did. Promise.
You’ll
also want to spend twelve minutes of your work break and watch Shane’s ever-so
powerful performance. You’ll likely not know what hit you most.
And
my new friend? I enjoyed getting to know a little more about her and her life
at a cozy table for two at this supermarket that never fails to deliver.
Speaking
of friends, I’m proud to say that Warren and I just passed a milestone.
A
silver wedding anniversary.
Twenty-five
years, Journeyer.
Twenty-five years…
Warren selected a blue diamond engagment ring because he wanted something
that would differ from the rings his divorced friends were purchasing for their future spouses
We
have been friends for more than half of my life.
That
relationship is the foundation that has seen us through some very difficult
times, even this most recent one.
Another
of my trusted comrades suggested that I take down my HOLY
MATRIMONY! post, fearing that it puts me in a negative light and that
it is contradictory to my
book’s message of hope and healing and inspiration.
After
much consideration and a conversation with a new blog follower who doesn’t have
the personal attachment to the situation and feels the post reflects a nice
balance between struggling and determination to overcome, I’ve decided to leave
an edited version of the post.
As
she says, “you can’t have light without darkness.”
You
see, just like life, marriage—rapports of any kind, really—isn’t always predictable
and pretty.
It
can actually be messy and quite contradictory.
We
are all human afterall…
We
all have weak moments and we all misinterpret communication and action.
We
all face frustration and fatigue and at some time or another we let fear guide
us.
Those
who are close to me know that I don’t quit until I’ve exhausted all hope and
resource.
For
them, “I’m done” means I’m moving on and not looking back.
What
I didn’t know when I made that statement was that Warren and I didn’t
understand, or remembered differently, the way in which we were going to move
forward with regard to counseling.
Miscommunication.
Misunderstanding.
Neither
of us can say for certain where that confusion lies.
So
I choose to retract my words and replace them with I’m not done.
Anyone
can admit defeat, but the strongest don’t give up when Hope is placed on the
proverbial table.
In
lieu of gifts, Warren and I had planned to take an anniversary trip, but have
been waiting to decide when and where until after his rehabbed house sold.
Not
being able to decide between two cards, I decided to purchase both for him and
then a little brainstorm hit me, a spin-off of the fiftieth
birthday gift my mother gave me.
I
bought blank greeting cards and wrote simple little messages in twenty-five of
them, some reminders of humorous stories from our years together, some simple
notes of gratitude, and other inspirational tidbits.
The
sentiments moved Warren to tears.
We’re
making progress, Journeyers, moving forward, making amends, and striving for
continued success, despite the adversities that have threatened to divide us…
In other news,
I couldn’t be happier for the gals over at The
Indie Chicks! Jewels and Chiara were one of the first online magazines to
publish my pieces.
And speaking
of unity, these girls and their new cohorts are on fire! In two short years
they have fearlessly defined themselves, their audience, their goals, and have
just released their second PRINT EDITION, which can be found on your local
Barnes and Nobles shelves!!!
And a
little off the beaten subject, my work took me to two places close to my heart
this week.
First up
was the nature center where we donated our ball python. I was elated to learn
that they take Fluffy (yes, Fluffy the snake!) for all of their education
programs, and that they use her for birthday parties!
She is
receiving so much love and attention and they just adore her. It really warmed
my heart when the woman told me it was obvious that she was treated like a part
of our family while she was with us.
Secondly, I
accompanied a group of students to a local cemetery for a research project. And
it just happened to be in the place where Gavin is buried.
The day
couldn’t have been any balmier or the breezes any more beautiful as I walked
down the road and climbed the grassy knoll to his gravesite.
Now for one
bit of joyous reflection, something I overlooked while reviewing the previous
week’s moments.
Our school
district recently connected academics with their athletic program when they
established a highest GPA accolades.
In addition
to MVP for field events, my hardworking genius received this fresh award for
all three sports he plays and then one for the highest grade point average for
all males across all sports.
And, then,
unbeknownst to us, last week he was awarded several other academic
recognitions and a sizeable scholarship to R.I.T.
That sort
of stuff definitely warms a mother’s heart…
What about
you? What Moment(s) made you smile or filled you with a sense of joy?
Until
next we meet again, yours in healing and hope and happiness…
~AE
OH! I almost forgot!!! I also signed up for a Hay House writing workshop in Denver! I leave this Friday!! I'm SUPER EXCITED!!
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