Sunday, November 26, 2006

Old Friends- Short Life

Yesterday, I had the occasion...okay, I got off my fat lazy ass and made it a point to call an old friend and get together with her. It just blows my mind to think that we met 33 years ago!! There were five of us who all started work at the same place, IRS (ugh, I know, but they paid a lot for those days). We were 19, single and up to a lot of mischief back then. It's been at least a couple of years since Janice and I got together and we did a lot of catching up. She is still with her hubby and she has four kids (yikes). The oldest is a nurse, 23, and the youngest is 15 and has inherited her talent and interest in photography. She was a cheerleader type in high school (the type I always despised), but what won me over was her artsy side and her big, kind heart and goofy sense of humor. Then there was Robin, the glowing nature girl with no make-up and long flowing blond hair, dimples. You know the kind, the girl who would walk into the room and all the guys looked at...well, back then anyway. I considered myself a hippy back then, in deed and thought, but I wouldn't go anywhere without my mascara, and I wouldn't give up meat. Robin was a vegitarian and always got the best, hmmmm, how shall I put this...as they called it in a recent That 70s Show, "film." If you don't know what I'm talking about, then forget it. :) Jan, Robin and I were all 19 and they were the ones I felt the closest to. Robin had the most interesting story. She followed her boyfriend, Cat (how perfect for the hippie goddess), to Idaho. Ended up marrying him for all the wrong reasons, divorced, became a telephone linewoman, met and married a multi-millionaire for the RIGHT reasons, and became the antithesis to a hippy. Go figure. We kept in touch for a very long time, but things got very superficial and eventually dwindled away.
There was Deb, the die-hard hearty party-er, always with a beer in her hand, kind of a tomboy. Never really opened up to anyone, but always there to back you up. But we were never really close and I never stayed in touch.
And Trina, very cool, sweet, and special. I also stayed in touch with Trina after she moved down south through one husband and one boy friend (both mine), but we seemed to lose touch somehow. I often wonder what she is doing with herself. Last I heard from her, she had one son.

So, Janice. She is such a doll and we always have such a great time talking. Every time I see her, I wonder why the heck we don't do this more often. So my early New Year's Resolution (or, how about "rest of my life resolution") is to make sure I don't waste any more time NOT seeing my good friends who I dont' see more often. Life is too damn short.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Thankful?

Okay, looking at today as simply a day that we take stock of what we are thankful for, I thought I'd see if I could do just that. The first thing that comes to mind is I am VERY thankful for a husband who not only cooks, but is creative about it and enjoys it. He;s been cooking and baking for the last couple of days and I can't wait to dig in!
I am thankful that my son is happy with his little family and has a girlfriend (soon to be a wife, I hope) who I adore, and who seems to be turning out to be a truly wonderful mom. When I text messaged Devin this morning, he called me back right away. I was surprised because it was pretty early in AZ. The three of them were out delivering meals on wheels to homebound old folks. How cool a tradition is that for them to create for their son?! Later this afternoon they are going to her aunt's house for a big family dinner. This Christmas , they aren't flying here, but staying home to have their first family Christmas in their own home. That's as it should be, but I will miss them alot.
I am also thankful that my Dad has a companion for holidays down in Florida. That's too darn far away, but that's where he wants to be.
I am thankful that the worst thing that happened to us this year was my broken foot.
Other things I feel thankful for:
  • my beloved kids, Devin and Marisa
  • Zeppelin, my adorable, brilliant and multi-talented (but of course) grandson and his beautiful and brilliant mom, Rachel
  • my cat, Jack (he's my baby) and a giant dog, King, to protect me
  • my friends (they are the best)
  • that husband I mentioned earlier (he's the bestest)
  • the extra pumpkin pie stuff he baked in a dish and I'm eating right now (yum!)
  • that I have a home and enough to eat
  • that I can start listening to Christmas songs soon!! (they put me in such a good mood)
  • my (basically good) health
  • getting to work on the Teeny Awards
  • that I have a working vehicle
  • music, theatre, art, books, films
  • being able to walk, talk, see, hear, feel, smell, taste...I don't often think about these things, but it kind of just hit me now, trying to think of things. Life would be so hard without these things. Oh, and my hands, too.
  • my childhood
  • my family
  • did I say my friends?
    I'm sure there are more things, but I think I've listed the most important ones. So, have you given any thought today to what you are most thankful for?

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Musings on the "Forbidden Topic"

Nancy's (Back at the Ranch) mention of a memorial service/party she attended today inspired this post. People are so odd. The only thing we can be sure of in this life is that we will eventually die (forget taxes, rich folks can evade 'em), and it's the one thing most people refuse to talk or think about. But the more you talk/think about something, even when you cannot come to any conclusive determination, the easier it is to face, because after all that thinking and talking, one usually has come to a kind of acceptance, I think. At least, I have.
I think it's important that, when someone you love is dying and if they are willing, you talk to them about it. Believe me, I've been there and it does help. I hope that if I am blessed with the gift of dying in my bed with some notice, that my loved ones won't tip toe around and ignore the fact that I am dying.
Faith is a comfort in these times, too. I may not believe in the more accepted Western religions, but I do believe that our spirits or souls live beyond our bodies. I don't know how I could survive without believing that. I know people who think that once you die, that's it...done...nothing...no more. Yikes! I'd be terrified of death! I don't know how anyone can look around at the wonders of nature and space and even our own human bodies and not believe that we have to be a part of a plan, of something bigger. What that plan is may be beyond our understanding, but that doesn't mean its not there.
I myself believe in reincarnation. I know, that may go against a lot of people's beliefs, but all I can say is I know I've been here before. It's my truth. It's not a belief. I've known it since I was little. I have no idea if I will be back, but I sure hope not. But, according to the religion that is nearest to own my beliefs, Buddhism, there is no way that I have achieved enlightenment, so I guess I will be back to continue to learn what I need to learn until I have, and can finally become one with all, or God, or the Universal Mind, or whatever you want to call it/him/her. I got a long way to go and lots to learn.
Well, the blogs I read regularly here have really gotten into politics lately. I wonder where it would go if we got into faith/religion/science? I read a few years ago that quantum physicists say they are getting very close to proving the existence of a god - meaning the existence of an architect of the reality we know. I find all that fascinating. You?