OK

My oldest was in a wreck today.

He's ok.

His car, not so ok.

But, he's ok.

And that is all that matters.

Imagine

I can only imagine what it will be like. When we start loving each other - with no thought to who you belong to - who you are.

It's so easy to shoot holes in the dreams of dreamers. And I challenge those with the guns... what are you dreaming of? What are you working for?

When did you last hold a baby? When did you last stop and listen to what you are hearing?

I'm not the only one...

Surrounded

Sometimes, I realize I have surrounded myself with people I love.

My Famous Love

Growing up I was sure I was going to be famous. I envisioned myself as either a star of the stage or music scene. I worked toward my goals by taking dance, acting, voice and piano lessons. I auditioned for numerous plays (and got a lot of parts), played in different bands and worked hard on perfecting my "craft".

When I met my husband, my biological clock started clicking so loudly, it totally derailed my vision of my future. I abandoned my dreams of super stardom and set my sights on having a family with this man.

I really didn't have any idea how to make a family or marriage work. My own parents were divorced and while they were married they were very unhappy. My grandparents had had a happy marriage but having viewed this relationship as a child, I wasn't sure I had made things look better than they actually were.

Twenty years later, this man and I are married. Still. My marriage has lasted longer than my parents marriage by 4 years. We have three wonderful sons that were very much wished for, and hoped for and prayed for. Our marriage has gone through some very difficult times ~ try raising three sons while your husband works full time, goes to college full time all while you work full time. But mostly, our marriage has been full of wonderful times.

Tonight, when I sat down to write about my upcoming anniversary, I realized that I am famous. I might not be a famous actress or rock star, but I am famous. I am loved, adored and appreciated by my husband 0f 20 years and our three beautiful sons. And that, that, is better than any fame I could have imagined for myself all those years ago.

Every Day

Writers write every day.

I guess I'm not a writer.

What Do You Say?

What do you say when a friend shares what is going on in their life? What do you say?

I know what to say (I know surprise surprise) when it is a happy topic. I'm good with happy. I'm even ok with some kind of problem solving/plan making.

But when a friend tells you their life is falling apart, and I mean a-p-a-r-t, what do you say?

I have no words and I need some.

Letters

The first letter I would like to write is to the bankers that are upset that the public/taxpayers want their money back.

Dear Cheaterpants:

I won't pretend to understand what you've done that makes you deserving of a $700,000 bonus. You see, I'm only a teacher and therefore not smart enough to understand what a great risk you've taken this past year making money for your bank. I don't understand how you used my money, my friend's money and my mom's money to make more money. And now, you are going to get a bonus for making all that money WITH MY MONEY - and your bonus is more money than I will ever make teaching kids to read.

What I am smart enough to understand is that you used my money and now, you don't want to pay me back. You instead want to pay yourself more money - which is really my money and my friend's money and my mom's money.

So, shut your face and stop whining about being a big risk taker and deserving of that money. The only thing you really deserve is a time out for being a cheater.

Sincerely, Rebecca

Make It Up

After 2 snow days, I feel rested and ready to go back to school.

Go ahead and tell me (again) how we have to make those days up.

I. Don't. Care.

Ahhh

Snow day. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Getting Off the Camel

Sometimes, I'm blessed to hear something that speaks so deeply to me - makes me think about my life, where I'm going, where I've come from.

Getting off the camel has a new meaning for me. The Wise Men got off their camels to worship and offer gifts to the newborn King. They then rejoiced with exceeding great joy! Great joy!

Knowing what I know about camels, the Wise Men were probably very relieved just to get off the camel. Camels are smelly, very stubborn and are not especially "nice" animals. Yet they've been used as transportation for many many years. They simply get people to where they need to be. Did the Wise Men enjoy the journey? Was their great joy in simply getting off the camel? Now, I believe it was a little of enjoying the journey and getting off the camel and a lot of rejoicing the newborn King.

I can look at things with exceeding great joy when I choose to enjoy the ride and the journey. I have many camels in my life right now. Some of my choosing, some not. Can I get rid of the camels that are not my choice? That's what I'm going to work through.

I don't like to do resolutions for a new year. Instead, I like to think of things I will change to enrich my life. Looking for camels, and getting off them when I can is something I am going to do this year. And those camels that are necessary... I will use them with exceeding great joy!