Swine Flu

There are plenty of things that raise their voices begging for my attention - all of which I choose to ignore today. I don't have the energy, and even if I felt I did, it would not be wise to use it up on "things" when it is critical that I take care of myself and my daughter.

She was diagnosed yesterday with H1N1 and she is not doing so well. She's running a fever (over 100 for a couple of days), her body is sore from coughing, tired, headache. The doctor prescribed an inhaler for the cough, lots of rest, Tylenol for fever and no school for a week. We were told to watch for "trouble breathing" - at which point we need to go to the hospital to be monitored.

After spending 2 hours in the freezing doctor's office yesterday to have her checked out, I went downhill pretty fast - feeling exhausted, weak, headache, fever (which broke in the middle of the night) and head congestion. For me, it seems like it was a "one-night-stand" with whatever virus it was. My daughter, on the other hand, is still slogging through with all symptoms present.

I am thankful for the Lord's angels. I had set my alarm for 11:00pm to check on her - I went to bed around 7:00pm. When the alarm went off, I couldn't move, I was so weak. I prayed a desperate prayer asking the Lord to protect her. I know that He did - there was no emergency. I am well aware of the swiftness with which some cases of the flu can take a turn into critical, so I am humbly grateful for His protection and presence while both our bodies battled through the night.

A Mother's Heartache

It is so hard for a mom to watch her children go through their own trials. Mom knows what it feels like to face disappointment again and again and again. The toughest part is feeling their pain in her heart and knowing that it's not in their best interest if she tried to change the situation. There's not much she can "do" except to try to understand what they're feeling and give empathy when possible.
Adolescents and young adults are living life - learning the decision making process and living with the consequences of their choices. The time for mom fixing the problems is over. Her efforts are channeled toward praying for them and hoping they are becoming stronger in their sense of responsibility, accountability and self control.
I don't like seeing my kids lose their privileges; fall short of their goal; or face disappointment in relationships. All of these things are important tutors at this stage of their lives, whose instruction is invaluable for the bigger choices in life, yet to come. It's very hard to look into the face of the kid you love and hear their plea for one more chance, knowing that if you give in, they would be ecstatic - but, they wouldn't have gained the priceless reward of better judgment and stronger fortitude for the bigger decisions in the future.
As a mom, I haven't done this perfectly, but I am learning that "tough love" is real love. And, believe me, it's tough to love this way.
To all my kids, right now - know that I am and always will cheer you on to the highest you can possibly achieve. Life stinks right now. I know you don't like what you are dealing with - anymore than I did at your age, or do even now. I would change things if I thought it would help, but I know that changing things right now, won't help in the long run. I'm here to listen and love you, with the firm belief that you'll come through this difficult time well.

I give you...
raindrops....

(iPhone photos - 10/31/09)

Autumn

Autumn

Lingers close like an old gray, woolen sweater

Silent, damp and dreary weather

How it chills me to the bone...

Autumn

Triggers meloncholy feelings, restless, loss of ease

Lull me fast to sleep, as you do the trees

So I won't feel - winter...

Cyber Harassment - Is there a line to be drawn?

Electronic communication - texting, IM, and email, etc.
Electronic social networking - facebook, twitter, and myspace, etc.


In the last couple of months, I've been barraged by aggressive, disturbing messages in various forms. Harassment, whether intended to be negative or positive is still harassment and is disconcerting just the same.
It is interesting how things "come my way." At this time, when I am dealing with these unpleasant communications, I was given a couple of articles to study in my English 101 course. This first link will take you to an article having to do with the etiquette of respecting the privacy of people. In days gone by, gossip was passed from person to person, and though it was damaging, it is no match for the speed at which a "Reply all" button can fire out information to vast numbers of people at one time. And, just as fast are the public posts made on sites like "facebook" or "myspace" or even a blog!
Think! - before your spread your news (especially about someone else), whether good or bad, publicly. http://tinyurl.com/ykv5xvx

This second article has to do with the lengths to which some people can or may need to go when faced with dealing with unwanted communication. I've often said that it is very easy to click "send" but it's impossible to click "send back!"
We often let down our guard when it comes to propriety because we feel a false sense of safety "behind the screen." Thus, we feel we can vent things that we would never say face to face or even in a hand written letter - and not think twice about sending it off. People are getting tired and quite sensitive to the this kind of treatment. I know I am! They are beginning to draw a line, set boundaries, in order to protect themselves and ones they love. I feel we will be seeing more and more cases in court having to do with issuing a "cease and desist" order (a restraining order) to individuals who won't respect a person's "No!".
http://abcnews.go.com/m/screen?id=8807685

A Whisper and a Promise

This morning I read this quote on Twitter:

"God whispers to us in our pleasures.

God speaks to us in our conscience.

God shouts to us in our pain."

C.S. Lewis

It caught my attention because it was a C.S. Lewis quote, and I enjoy him thoroughly.

Later today, I was in a "chocolate mood." I hardly ever buy the stuff - but, today it just felt like the thing to do. I bought Dove's Dark Chocolate Promises - you know...the ones that are individually wrapped in foil with little messages inside?

When I got home, I was in the midst of putting things away, and I opened the bag of Promises and took one. Don't ask me why, but I enjoy the anticipation of the secret message written inside - kind of like a fortune cookie ;) But, I was a little disappointed...

"Simply be and not do for the moment."

Ho hum...nothing special about that one. I continued to do what I'd been doing, which was putting groceries away.

After everything was cleared and the grocery bags knotted and stashed, I indulged in a second Promise, hoping the message would be more "special" this time. I couldn't believe my eyes!

"Simply be and not do for the moment."

Then, coincidentially, I remembered the quote from this morning - the part that says,

"God whispers in our pleasures..."

I was experiencing pleasure in eating this chocolate, that's for sure, but these little messages weren't making my day. I kept moving - put water on to boil for my ear of corn, checked email, fed Mr. Kitty, etc. etc. etc.

When my corn was ready, I sat down at the table and turned on my iPhone. When I'm alone, I enjoy reading Twitter while I am eating. I'm scrolling down, down, down, and...STOP! A lady tweeted,

"Just b yourself & be present."

OK, so you think I'm supposed to "hear" something this evening? I'm beginning to get the message that I need to "stop doing" for a few moments and "just BE!" Heavens! So, I'm going to finish this post, grab a glass of water and one more chocolate Promise, and sit in my blue chair for a while and "just be."

(Incidentally, how many times do YOU have to read this to get the message? :) )

Finding Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

Subtitle:
What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently
The premise of this book seems to be that "...'having it all' means drawing enough strength from life to feel fulfilled, loved, successful, and in control" and that "...it is something every single one of us should aim for and every single one of us can attain." (Marcus Buckingham)
Normally, I would be excited about a book with a message that helps women find out who they truly are and how to build on their strengths for a fulfilling and satisfying life; but I was frustrated by the lack of depth and connectivity which seems to characterize media for the masses today. I haven't read any of Marcus' previous books, but on the basis of this read, I don't see myself looking for them.
Though, there is some good information within the 263 pages - enough to be published in a pamphlet format, basically, I found the book to be a long-winded lead-on. I was very disappointed in the repetition, the excess number of testimonies and the over all feeling that I was reading an infomercial on the snake oil that will cure all your ills.
If you are really curious about "What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently", I suggest you go to the library - this book, in my opinion, is not worth its weight in gold or the US dollar, for that matter.