It's a conversation and little piece of wisdom I'll never forget. It goes something like this...
I sat at the edge of my bed, with the 5 ceiling fan bulbs directed over my face. I was holding a hand mirror as I examined the dozens of break outs on my face. I was skating towards a meltdown complete with tears and nasal wailing.
My mother entered the room ensconced in a midnight blue velvet zip up robe. Her short hair stood on its ends from having been reading in bed.
"Isn't it time for bed dear, dear, dearest darling?" she cajoled.
"No." I stated emphatically as I continued to zero in on the blemishes I'd been examining for the last 20 minutes.
"What are you doing?"
"I can't go on like this mom. Nothing is working. I have a date on Friday and look how ugly I look." I wailed as sobs began to choke out any future words that could be muttered.
"Oh dear. You're looking at yourself so closely. Remember it's your character that matters most and not what you look like. You want to be a woman after God's own heart right?" she pleaded.
I only began to sob harder. Her pleading wasn't feeling very helpful. I wanted nothing but clear skin that didn't require daily layers of foundation and concealer. At the time perfect skin seemed to be the answer to all life's problems.
"You don't understand mom! I'm tired of spackling layers of foundation and concealer onto my skin every morning. My skin is all bumpy and it's ruining the way I look". I continued to whine while sobbing.
She paused and looked at me quietly. She pursed her lips together and gazed at me fondly with a smile.
"Oh darling. I remember those days myself. One day, when you're older, you'll look back on these moments and laugh. You'll wonder why something so small could've bothered you so much. As you grow older you realize not to fret about things that will change in time or that you can't change but rather, you come to realize that this too shall pass away...I'd suggest heading to bed. Thankfully make-up is a blessed eraser."
She stroked my head and pulled the covers down from my bed. I obediently lay in bed. Her words were true. In time my skin would clear and looking back I realize I didn't look all that bad.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Quiet & Gentle Spirit
It was a mid-winter Saturday afternoon. Grey clouds streaked the near sunless milky blue sky. Her daughter's mood matched the afternoon sky. She sat mournful, dejected and hopeless.
"He said I always criticize him. That he cringes whenever I open my mouth because it's always a complaint about something he's done." She said as she looked into her tea cup.
"Do you always criticize him, Tessa?" her mother urged gently.
Her daughter's eyes shot up away from her tea cup and flashed with anger. They widened as she began to speak. It was as though lightening were shooting from her grey eyes. "I don't think so. No! Actually I know I do not! When he makes mistakes I'm just clear that he's made a mistake so he doesn't do it again. Also, sometimes the way he does things...while they aren't bad, they could be improved. So I give him some suggestions."
Her mother pursed her lips and put down her fork. It was clear that the question has made Tessa very angry. Perhaps the truth hurt. She hated wounding her daughter and began to pray as to how to respond. How should she tell her that a man doesn't like to be improved? That a quiet, gentle spirit is best? Perhaps she shouldn't.
Tessa began to pick at her food. They sat at their favorite tea room and were supposed to be enjoying an afternoon of mother-daughter bonding. This was far from it!
"Tessa" she started. "You must be careful who you choose to align yourself to in terms of choosing a mate. A woman must look for a godly man whom she can honor. It's her duty to be obedient to him and to be his help mate. If there are things in Tim that you don't admire now, you must allow yourself to realize that they may not change. While God can do a tremendous work, if things are causing you to be critical of him on a frequent basis than perhaps you are not with the right man."
"It's not that he's bad mom. It's just that he's never on time for dates and has often 'forgotten' to call. He made plans with me a week in advance only to cancel them 15 minutes before we were getting together. Things like that really irritate me." She stated in a serious tone.
"I just want him to stop acting like that. I've told him so a hundred times and he still won't listen to me. It's like he doesn't care about me at all. I tell him that he doesn't care about me and he responds that I'm always critical." Her tears began to pool up.
Her mother took a deep breath. "Tessa, men don't change. You must be able to love a man for who is and not who you hope he'll become if you 'improve' him."
Tessa didn't seem to be paying attention. "Also he works constantly, forgets to call me during the week and doesn't even apologize to me when he sees me".
"Tim is working very hard Tessa. His job is very stressful. If you choose to be with someone like Tim you're going to have to be flexible regarding his schedule. Right now you should be asking yourself if you can be with someone long term who works very long hours. If the answer if yes, than you will need to make allowances."
"But I want to see him more. He doesn't even if say if he wants to see me. It's as though he doesn't care. He don't think he wants to see me except once a week" Tessa complained loudly.
"Try not to be so loud dear. Others are trying to enjoy their day out as well." her mother said gently.
"Oh mom really!" Tessa said in aggravation.
"Tessa, I'm certain Tim misses you during the week. It's just that he's busy working and in his down time sleeping. Men aren't like woman. They're not always able to multi-task. He may be too tired to see you. If he thinks you're going to complain when he calls then he won't." she began.
"As a woman, you must choose a man you can honor and you must be able to overlook many of his mistakes. No one is perfect but not everyone is right for everyone either. Tim isn't the kind of man to shower you with attention constantly. While this isn't a bad thing, it could be for you. You must recognize the limitations in your dating partner and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself Is this something I can live with? After 30 years of marriage I can tell you one thing. Men never change. Once you're married your main priority will be to support your husband in all he does. If you are not able to be supportive in most things, your mate will begin to avoid you. A man will give only when he feels most appreciated and recognized for his efforts, not necessarily yours. So you must choose someone in whose efforts you're pleased with. You won't like all his efforts but you must like most. When you don't like something you must learn to be quiet and gentle with him. When you do like something, you must freely praise him."
Her daughter said nothing. She realized that what she had said was difficult to hear. She wanted her daughter to understand that God's place for her was to be obedient both to God and to the man she chose. The choosing was the hardest part. He must be a man honorable enough to be recognized for his efforts. Not all men were honorable and only time and prayer would tell. If only she help Tessa understand. It was the secret to happy men. The secret was in letting the man make her happy in the way that suited him best.
"He said I always criticize him. That he cringes whenever I open my mouth because it's always a complaint about something he's done." She said as she looked into her tea cup.
"Do you always criticize him, Tessa?" her mother urged gently.
Her daughter's eyes shot up away from her tea cup and flashed with anger. They widened as she began to speak. It was as though lightening were shooting from her grey eyes. "I don't think so. No! Actually I know I do not! When he makes mistakes I'm just clear that he's made a mistake so he doesn't do it again. Also, sometimes the way he does things...while they aren't bad, they could be improved. So I give him some suggestions."
Her mother pursed her lips and put down her fork. It was clear that the question has made Tessa very angry. Perhaps the truth hurt. She hated wounding her daughter and began to pray as to how to respond. How should she tell her that a man doesn't like to be improved? That a quiet, gentle spirit is best? Perhaps she shouldn't.
Tessa began to pick at her food. They sat at their favorite tea room and were supposed to be enjoying an afternoon of mother-daughter bonding. This was far from it!
"Tessa" she started. "You must be careful who you choose to align yourself to in terms of choosing a mate. A woman must look for a godly man whom she can honor. It's her duty to be obedient to him and to be his help mate. If there are things in Tim that you don't admire now, you must allow yourself to realize that they may not change. While God can do a tremendous work, if things are causing you to be critical of him on a frequent basis than perhaps you are not with the right man."
"It's not that he's bad mom. It's just that he's never on time for dates and has often 'forgotten' to call. He made plans with me a week in advance only to cancel them 15 minutes before we were getting together. Things like that really irritate me." She stated in a serious tone.
"I just want him to stop acting like that. I've told him so a hundred times and he still won't listen to me. It's like he doesn't care about me at all. I tell him that he doesn't care about me and he responds that I'm always critical." Her tears began to pool up.
Her mother took a deep breath. "Tessa, men don't change. You must be able to love a man for who is and not who you hope he'll become if you 'improve' him."
Tessa didn't seem to be paying attention. "Also he works constantly, forgets to call me during the week and doesn't even apologize to me when he sees me".
"Tim is working very hard Tessa. His job is very stressful. If you choose to be with someone like Tim you're going to have to be flexible regarding his schedule. Right now you should be asking yourself if you can be with someone long term who works very long hours. If the answer if yes, than you will need to make allowances."
"But I want to see him more. He doesn't even if say if he wants to see me. It's as though he doesn't care. He don't think he wants to see me except once a week" Tessa complained loudly.
"Try not to be so loud dear. Others are trying to enjoy their day out as well." her mother said gently.
"Oh mom really!" Tessa said in aggravation.
"Tessa, I'm certain Tim misses you during the week. It's just that he's busy working and in his down time sleeping. Men aren't like woman. They're not always able to multi-task. He may be too tired to see you. If he thinks you're going to complain when he calls then he won't." she began.
"As a woman, you must choose a man you can honor and you must be able to overlook many of his mistakes. No one is perfect but not everyone is right for everyone either. Tim isn't the kind of man to shower you with attention constantly. While this isn't a bad thing, it could be for you. You must recognize the limitations in your dating partner and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself Is this something I can live with? After 30 years of marriage I can tell you one thing. Men never change. Once you're married your main priority will be to support your husband in all he does. If you are not able to be supportive in most things, your mate will begin to avoid you. A man will give only when he feels most appreciated and recognized for his efforts, not necessarily yours. So you must choose someone in whose efforts you're pleased with. You won't like all his efforts but you must like most. When you don't like something you must learn to be quiet and gentle with him. When you do like something, you must freely praise him."
Her daughter said nothing. She realized that what she had said was difficult to hear. She wanted her daughter to understand that God's place for her was to be obedient both to God and to the man she chose. The choosing was the hardest part. He must be a man honorable enough to be recognized for his efforts. Not all men were honorable and only time and prayer would tell. If only she help Tessa understand. It was the secret to happy men. The secret was in letting the man make her happy in the way that suited him best.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Heart Of Life Is Good
It was the evening of my mother's memorial service. The morning before I awakened to an empty house. Dosed on Ambien I lay in bed on a cool March morning. The golden morning sun filtered through the blinds and focused it's rays in my eyes. Where was my dad? More importantly, why wasn't my mother here anymore?
I lumbered out of bed and timidly opened her bedroom door. While standing there torrents of tears began to cloud my vision. My heart began racing and the last thing I remember is screaming on top of my lungs that I was so alone while staring up at the light blazing through her bedroom skylight. The next thing I knew it was S and I in my bedroom and the memorial service was over.
There she was, my brown sister, sitting crossed legged on the air mattress. We had just endured the most emotional afternoon of my life. I had experienced my one true fear-losing my mother. S had taken a couple days off from law school to sleep on my bedroom floor as I mourned. Her doe black eyes gazed fondly at me. I wasn't sure what to say. We had returned from having dinner with a group of my friends at Fridays.
"Remember when we got lost in Delaware senior year?" she asked playfully.
"Oh my! Yes. Can you believe how naive we were?"
"Sheesh. There we were talking and talking that night and totally got on the wrong Route 95. I remember rambling on and on about Marty while you remarked here and there that it was for the best." she said with a hushed giggle.
"Oh yea. That was some night. I remember freaking because I had my 8:00 a.m. upper management class that I refused to ever miss. Why the heck wouldn't I miss that stupid class anyways?" I responded exacerbated.
"I don't know. I kept trying to get you to cut class so we could go do something but you were so dutiful. You never ever missed a class" she said.
"We were always getting so lost. We were completely clueless about everything, especially boys. Did we even know what sex was?" I responded.
She pursed her lips for a moment. Suddenly her giggling turned to absolute laughter. "I really can't believe us. Remember when Brian told you all guys want sex from you?...You were so upset. You came back to school that weekend completely mortified."
"Oh yes" I laughed completely and couldn't stop.
"Didn't he say that after driving you home from a prayer meeting?"
I nodded, lauging too hard to respond.
"Of course I was mortified too because I thought guys were just saying hello to me because they wanted to get to know me. Imagine my shock!" she continued while laughing.
"How bout the time you came home from the Asian American Club dance declaring you had finally kissed a boy and you didn't even know him!" I said in hysterics.
"Oh my. How embarrassing was that! I freaked for days because you asked me immediately why I kissed someone I didn't know."
We began to laugh uncontrollably. There we were, sprawled out on her air mattress laughing over all our naive college thoughts. It was amazing how naive and utterly clueless two women could be. There we were, top students with no life experience. That was when we were 21. There we were at 24 burying my mother. Life experience was coming in the form of buying a cemetary plot and picking a casket. I'll never forget that moment, as we lay there, releasing the horrors of the afternoon into our laughter and into the chill of that March night. Our laughter knit us together into a bond closer than sisterhood. We had lived through pain and would see more before the year was out. Two months later she would call me to say her bobba (father) had passed away of a sudden heart attack. That evening, we once again had the laugh of a lifetime.
Thank you S for always laughing; for reminding me to keep my chin up. You are my first true friend. The first to notice me for me. To look beyond the blunt, opinionated girl and see something beautiful and then remind me of it time and again. Best wishes for your health and happiness always.
"But then the circle of your firends will defend the silver lining" - John Mayer taken from his song "The Heart of Life is Good".
I lumbered out of bed and timidly opened her bedroom door. While standing there torrents of tears began to cloud my vision. My heart began racing and the last thing I remember is screaming on top of my lungs that I was so alone while staring up at the light blazing through her bedroom skylight. The next thing I knew it was S and I in my bedroom and the memorial service was over.
There she was, my brown sister, sitting crossed legged on the air mattress. We had just endured the most emotional afternoon of my life. I had experienced my one true fear-losing my mother. S had taken a couple days off from law school to sleep on my bedroom floor as I mourned. Her doe black eyes gazed fondly at me. I wasn't sure what to say. We had returned from having dinner with a group of my friends at Fridays.
"Remember when we got lost in Delaware senior year?" she asked playfully.
"Oh my! Yes. Can you believe how naive we were?"
"Sheesh. There we were talking and talking that night and totally got on the wrong Route 95. I remember rambling on and on about Marty while you remarked here and there that it was for the best." she said with a hushed giggle.
"Oh yea. That was some night. I remember freaking because I had my 8:00 a.m. upper management class that I refused to ever miss. Why the heck wouldn't I miss that stupid class anyways?" I responded exacerbated.
"I don't know. I kept trying to get you to cut class so we could go do something but you were so dutiful. You never ever missed a class" she said.
"We were always getting so lost. We were completely clueless about everything, especially boys. Did we even know what sex was?" I responded.
She pursed her lips for a moment. Suddenly her giggling turned to absolute laughter. "I really can't believe us. Remember when Brian told you all guys want sex from you?...You were so upset. You came back to school that weekend completely mortified."
"Oh yes" I laughed completely and couldn't stop.
"Didn't he say that after driving you home from a prayer meeting?"
I nodded, lauging too hard to respond.
"Of course I was mortified too because I thought guys were just saying hello to me because they wanted to get to know me. Imagine my shock!" she continued while laughing.
"How bout the time you came home from the Asian American Club dance declaring you had finally kissed a boy and you didn't even know him!" I said in hysterics.
"Oh my. How embarrassing was that! I freaked for days because you asked me immediately why I kissed someone I didn't know."
We began to laugh uncontrollably. There we were, sprawled out on her air mattress laughing over all our naive college thoughts. It was amazing how naive and utterly clueless two women could be. There we were, top students with no life experience. That was when we were 21. There we were at 24 burying my mother. Life experience was coming in the form of buying a cemetary plot and picking a casket. I'll never forget that moment, as we lay there, releasing the horrors of the afternoon into our laughter and into the chill of that March night. Our laughter knit us together into a bond closer than sisterhood. We had lived through pain and would see more before the year was out. Two months later she would call me to say her bobba (father) had passed away of a sudden heart attack. That evening, we once again had the laugh of a lifetime.
Thank you S for always laughing; for reminding me to keep my chin up. You are my first true friend. The first to notice me for me. To look beyond the blunt, opinionated girl and see something beautiful and then remind me of it time and again. Best wishes for your health and happiness always.
"But then the circle of your firends will defend the silver lining" - John Mayer taken from his song "The Heart of Life is Good".
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The Rules of Contentment
If we wished to gain contentment we might try such rules as these :
1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing (not even of the weather), knowing that everything is ordained or overruled by God.
2. Never picture thyself to thyself in any circumstances in which thou art not.
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that were otherwise than it was or is.
5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heavier part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. ' The Lord will provide.'
Taken from E.B. Pusey. Click here to go to the source document.
1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing (not even of the weather), knowing that everything is ordained or overruled by God.
2. Never picture thyself to thyself in any circumstances in which thou art not.
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that were otherwise than it was or is.
5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heavier part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. ' The Lord will provide.'
Taken from E.B. Pusey. Click here to go to the source document.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Valleys
Psalm 23:4
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 84:6 (New International Reader's Version)
6 As they pass through the dry Valley of Baca, they make it a place where water flows. The rain in the fall covers it with pools.
I keep reading Psalm 84 over and over. “As they pass through the dry valley”. Is your life feeling dry? Do the conditions seem too extreme for a mere mortal to bare? Try to remember you’re just passing through. It’s a part of your pilgrimage. The thing is, as you pass through God is working it so things are passing out of you. Soon we find ourselves crying. As our tears of suffering begin to flow so does the Holy Spirit. His spirit begins to flow through us and enable us to gain strength in the midst of our trembling. What we leave behind are pearls of wisdom in the form of pools for others.
“For you are with me…you comfort me”. The Lord will never leave you crying. But he will let you cry long enough to wet the dry, desert floor. You have to cry. If you hadn’t cried, how would you have known the comfort of the Lord? Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mourning is just a place to start; it’s where your greatest fellowship with Christ will be. This intimate fellowship will bring about rejoicing and a resilient faith characterized by patience.
Matthew 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (New King James Version)
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 84:6 (New International Reader's Version)
6 As they pass through the dry Valley of Baca, they make it a place where water flows. The rain in the fall covers it with pools.
I keep reading Psalm 84 over and over. “As they pass through the dry valley”. Is your life feeling dry? Do the conditions seem too extreme for a mere mortal to bare? Try to remember you’re just passing through. It’s a part of your pilgrimage. The thing is, as you pass through God is working it so things are passing out of you. Soon we find ourselves crying. As our tears of suffering begin to flow so does the Holy Spirit. His spirit begins to flow through us and enable us to gain strength in the midst of our trembling. What we leave behind are pearls of wisdom in the form of pools for others.
“For you are with me…you comfort me”. The Lord will never leave you crying. But he will let you cry long enough to wet the dry, desert floor. You have to cry. If you hadn’t cried, how would you have known the comfort of the Lord? Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mourning is just a place to start; it’s where your greatest fellowship with Christ will be. This intimate fellowship will bring about rejoicing and a resilient faith characterized by patience.
Matthew 5:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (New King James Version)
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Friday, September 25, 2009
About Me
My blog came about as a self expression tool. My writings are a labor of love and a tribute to all those who've journeyed through my endless ponderings and musings about life, love, God and everything in between. I'm blessed with how amazing and transparent my closest friends are. They've been willing to expose so much of themselves to help me gain insight into Christ and myself.
Here we go...I'm compassionate and feel pain from miles away. I always want to help people. I'm a prayer warrior and woman who tries earnestly to be guided by the love and direction of the Holy Spirit. I've made my share of mistakes and have learned I'm God's painting in progress. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice. I'm dedicated to His will, even when I fight it with all that I have. I believe in practicing what I preach. I want the people around me to be as glorious as I envision them to be. I want them to be all that Christ is and has for them.
Who do I hope to become? I hope to be the kind of woman that strives for goodness and mercy. I hope to learn my duty. I'd like to be a woman marked by kindness. Most importantly, I hope to become a woman of strong virtue who God can be proud of. My goal is to be what David was to Him. "A man (oops need to change that, lol) after His own heart." I couldn't want for anything more.
Here we go...I'm compassionate and feel pain from miles away. I always want to help people. I'm a prayer warrior and woman who tries earnestly to be guided by the love and direction of the Holy Spirit. I've made my share of mistakes and have learned I'm God's painting in progress. Obedience to God is better than sacrifice. I'm dedicated to His will, even when I fight it with all that I have. I believe in practicing what I preach. I want the people around me to be as glorious as I envision them to be. I want them to be all that Christ is and has for them.
Who do I hope to become? I hope to be the kind of woman that strives for goodness and mercy. I hope to learn my duty. I'd like to be a woman marked by kindness. Most importantly, I hope to become a woman of strong virtue who God can be proud of. My goal is to be what David was to Him. "A man (oops need to change that, lol) after His own heart." I couldn't want for anything more.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The first round of about me...
I enjoy New York. I love the seaport and downtown. I worked near Battery Park for a bit and love sitting in the park watching the yellow water taxis zoom through the water. The cobbled streets and old world feel of SoHo is always grand. My favorite thing in NY though? The MET’s rooftop cocktail hour on Friday night over the summer. My obsession with sunsets will have me perched on their ledge shooting panoramic pics of the city at sunset. Love it. I adore central park and absolutely love Central Park zoo. I have a thing for zoos. I get a huge kick out of the animals. I’ve yet to be on the paddle boats in Central Park but hope to head there someday. They have that sport package where they give you a Frisbee and such to use in Central park…haven’t yet done that either. Perhaps it’s the writer in me but I choose these “outings” that set a stage for a scene in my mind. I plan all the details and then the day-of, experience them. My best friend is fabulous b/c she’s always been “up” for my “plans” and willing to go with the flow when I start scheming and outlining the scenes to my next big experience. NY gives a lot of experiences. Imagine when the scenario doesn’t quite live up to what I’ve expected in my head. Then her and I will laugh and laugh about how silly I can get sometimes. Oh - I absolutely must take tons of pictures on these "experiences" so I can write and scrapbook about them later. For some reason I’m a catalyst for others. Perhaps it’s b/c I believe in Christ and his ability to fix broken hearts. That belief has helped me over the years watch so many people bloom into exactly what I thought they’d be. It’s truly a blessing. I could talk about it for hours. Watching my ladies in small group arrive on day 1 battered and ashamed and not able to answer this question is often tough. Then you labor with them in scripture and prayer; only to one day see them for who Christ always knew they’d be. It’s beautiful. I’m honest to a flaw, opinionated about everything, a fighter, a thinker, compassionate, caring and lively. I absolutely must really know the people I know. I don’t have acquaintances. I give my all to everyone I know and try hard to forgive and understand the view points of others. I value those who can make me think in ways I don’t usually. I believe in “living” Christianity and try to show my faith through actions.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
So Long Daddy's Little Girl
Glasses clinked together, silverware twanged and shards of conversations from adjacent tables jutted into their conversation. He sat across from her. Her blonde hair floated past her shoulders and down her back. The ceiling fans caused golden strands to flutter across her face. He had chosen her favorite tavern restaurant as way of apology for his constant absenteeism.
“Oh what to order! I love everything on the menu.” She gushed.
He gave her a closed mouth smile as he carefully read through the menu options. He was half way down the appetizer page when she interrupted his thoughts.
“I don’t know…do I want the lamb chop, filet mignon or the sirloin?” she pondered.
He was about to remind her that she had stated earlier that she wanted the steak but she continued.
“I don’t know, I just don’t know. The filet mignon is $5.00 more than the sirloin. Is it worth paying $5.oo more?” she looked genuinely concerned about the price discrepancy.
“Tess, I’d get what you like and not worry about the price difference.” He said as he placed his menu on the table. It was obvious that he’d have to assist her with her selection prior to being able to read through the rest of the menu to make his selection. He wanted to explain that he was paying anyway so she didn’t have any worries.
Her lips puckered while her eyebrows squeezed together. “Well, the lamb looks good and I like the potatoes that come with that meal better than what they offer with the filet” she stated in obvious happy frustration. Tess always loved a great meal and seemed happiest when there were many appealing choices.
“Since the bill is on me, why don’t you select what you like? You mentioned your strong urge towards steak this evening, hence here we are.” He stated calmly as he gesticulated with the menu.
“mmm…yes. I guess I’ll go with the filet because I know I love it. But it’s not the point that you’re paying. In fact, since you’re paying…well, when someone else is paying, that’s when I like to order something less expensive. I don’t want anyone spending a huge fortune on me. I wouldn’t order the filet except for a special treat if I were paying for myself.” She spoke softly.
“Oh what to order! I love everything on the menu.” She gushed.
He gave her a closed mouth smile as he carefully read through the menu options. He was half way down the appetizer page when she interrupted his thoughts.
“I don’t know…do I want the lamb chop, filet mignon or the sirloin?” she pondered.
He was about to remind her that she had stated earlier that she wanted the steak but she continued.
“I don’t know, I just don’t know. The filet mignon is $5.00 more than the sirloin. Is it worth paying $5.oo more?” she looked genuinely concerned about the price discrepancy.
“Tess, I’d get what you like and not worry about the price difference.” He said as he placed his menu on the table. It was obvious that he’d have to assist her with her selection prior to being able to read through the rest of the menu to make his selection. He wanted to explain that he was paying anyway so she didn’t have any worries.
Her lips puckered while her eyebrows squeezed together. “Well, the lamb looks good and I like the potatoes that come with that meal better than what they offer with the filet” she stated in obvious happy frustration. Tess always loved a great meal and seemed happiest when there were many appealing choices.
“Since the bill is on me, why don’t you select what you like? You mentioned your strong urge towards steak this evening, hence here we are.” He stated calmly as he gesticulated with the menu.
“mmm…yes. I guess I’ll go with the filet because I know I love it. But it’s not the point that you’re paying. In fact, since you’re paying…well, when someone else is paying, that’s when I like to order something less expensive. I don’t want anyone spending a huge fortune on me. I wouldn’t order the filet except for a special treat if I were paying for myself.” She spoke softly.
While she emphasized not wanting him to pay for something so expensive her blue eyes darkened from their usual sky blue to a deep grey oceanic haze. He appreciated her concern for his finances more than he let on. She was a horse of different color for certain. Just sitting across from her gave him pride. He hadn’t met a woman before who was so modest and frugal with others.
“It’s really nothing. Why don’t we start with the mussels?” he said casually.
“Oooh” she exclaimed. “That’d be great. What if I don’t have room for the filet though?” Her eyes sparkled while she spoke.
“Just box half the steak if you must”. He found her usage of the word “filet” as opposed to steak amusing. He guessed that the term filet made the meal seem more special to her than if it were simply a steak. Tess didn’t like to make anything simple. She complicated just about everything and celebrated life with big splash of bold exclamations and statements of affection and never tired of contemplating the meaning of life. He wondered when she’d begin mulling over the week’s thoughts that cyclone through her head. She’d wrestle with a thought for days and tirelessly research the answer. By the time she was ready for a discussion on the thought or topic, she would’ve arrived at her position. Then she wouldn’t budge on it.ever.
Half her filet lay on the plate. She picked at miniscule pieces of potato gratin and sipped slowly at her wine. She closed her eyes while she sipped. It kept him smiling through dinner to watch her eating. She never spoke of deep things while eating. She needed to concentrate on every flavor without distraction. As she lay her fork down she began to muse.
“So I’ve been thinking lately” she started.
“I’m sure you have,” he thought kindly. This was the best part about Tess, her deepness. Whatever she was about to say, he was sure it would keep him thinking for days.
“I’m really disappointed that I’ll never be ‘daddy’s little girl’” she said. Her eyes began to look foggy and wet.
He waited for her to continue.
“My father is such a disappointment. He’s not father of the year. It really hurt me when he said I came between him and my mother when I was born. Then recently he told his girlfriend that I’m like a roommate. But I’m not a roommate, I’m his daughter!” her face flushed and her tone of voice darkened.
“I don’t like him. I can’t respect him and feel he’s useless. How do I get over it Matt?” she said slowly and with sadness.
He worried she’d burst out crying at any minute. He looked up at the ceiling and began to pray. He wasn’t precisely sure what he should say. Tess had a tumultuous relationship with her father. He wanted to say something that’d help her.
“I don’t even know if there are men out there capable of taking care of me. My father was willing for me head to a ghetto train station rather than pick me up. Remember when he left me at the airport and I had to take a bus, subway and then a train home?” she said with pools of tears beginning to wash down her face. Her makeup began smearing. Suddenly she broke into sobs.
He sighed. “Tess. I think the best way to recover from hurt and be fully healed is to ask God to help you obliterate your expectations. You’re expecting your father to act in a compassionate and caring manner towards you. The problem is that unless Christ changes his heart, he won’t be able to act like the father you’re wistfully yearning for. “
She placed her fork on her plate and slowly sipped some water. The volcano of sobs and streaming tears had leveled off.
“I know you dream of a father who will treat you like ‘daddy’s little girl’. But I think you realize that isn’t going to happen. Each time you realize that your expectations aren’t met, you’re heartbroken. While you may never be daddy’s little girl, you can be God’s daughter. He says he’s a father to the fatherless. He’ll protect you and provide for you the physical help and spiritual strength you need.” He continued.
“In terms of what’s happened in the past, I think you need to rely on the scripture that says ‘forgetting those things which are behind, we press on towards the high calling’. I think if you start forgetting the past and start depending on Christ to take care of you, you’ll find that your expectations are met through Him and dependency on an earthly father. When he starts letting you down you can remember you have a heavenly Father that will supply all of your needs.”
When he finished she resumed excising the small layer of fat around the steak. The restaurant’s noise had become a hushed lull.
He worried he’d said too much and had upset her.
“Why is it that men always treat me like that. Are all men like that?” she wondered out loud.
“They aren’t all the same. I think you are so used to the way your father is that you’ve come to fear other men are like that. You’re gravitating towards that normalcy. You need to ask God to heal your heart. Once you’re healed of broken expectations and disappointments you’ll be able to turn down men that disappoint you rather than hoping that by dating them they’ll change.” She nodded while he spoke.
“Keep in mind you must love someone for who they are today, not what you hope they’ll be tomorrow.” He stated.
“How am I supposed to get along with my dad though?” she asked with a frown.
“You have the duties of a daughter to perform.”
“Meaning?” she asked.
“You are to obey your father and give him the honor due him. Mind his wishes and be respectful. There is nothing more for you to do.”
“It’s really nothing. Why don’t we start with the mussels?” he said casually.
“Oooh” she exclaimed. “That’d be great. What if I don’t have room for the filet though?” Her eyes sparkled while she spoke.
“Just box half the steak if you must”. He found her usage of the word “filet” as opposed to steak amusing. He guessed that the term filet made the meal seem more special to her than if it were simply a steak. Tess didn’t like to make anything simple. She complicated just about everything and celebrated life with big splash of bold exclamations and statements of affection and never tired of contemplating the meaning of life. He wondered when she’d begin mulling over the week’s thoughts that cyclone through her head. She’d wrestle with a thought for days and tirelessly research the answer. By the time she was ready for a discussion on the thought or topic, she would’ve arrived at her position. Then she wouldn’t budge on it.ever.
Half her filet lay on the plate. She picked at miniscule pieces of potato gratin and sipped slowly at her wine. She closed her eyes while she sipped. It kept him smiling through dinner to watch her eating. She never spoke of deep things while eating. She needed to concentrate on every flavor without distraction. As she lay her fork down she began to muse.
“So I’ve been thinking lately” she started.
“I’m sure you have,” he thought kindly. This was the best part about Tess, her deepness. Whatever she was about to say, he was sure it would keep him thinking for days.
“I’m really disappointed that I’ll never be ‘daddy’s little girl’” she said. Her eyes began to look foggy and wet.
He waited for her to continue.
“My father is such a disappointment. He’s not father of the year. It really hurt me when he said I came between him and my mother when I was born. Then recently he told his girlfriend that I’m like a roommate. But I’m not a roommate, I’m his daughter!” her face flushed and her tone of voice darkened.
“I don’t like him. I can’t respect him and feel he’s useless. How do I get over it Matt?” she said slowly and with sadness.
He worried she’d burst out crying at any minute. He looked up at the ceiling and began to pray. He wasn’t precisely sure what he should say. Tess had a tumultuous relationship with her father. He wanted to say something that’d help her.
“I don’t even know if there are men out there capable of taking care of me. My father was willing for me head to a ghetto train station rather than pick me up. Remember when he left me at the airport and I had to take a bus, subway and then a train home?” she said with pools of tears beginning to wash down her face. Her makeup began smearing. Suddenly she broke into sobs.
He sighed. “Tess. I think the best way to recover from hurt and be fully healed is to ask God to help you obliterate your expectations. You’re expecting your father to act in a compassionate and caring manner towards you. The problem is that unless Christ changes his heart, he won’t be able to act like the father you’re wistfully yearning for. “
She placed her fork on her plate and slowly sipped some water. The volcano of sobs and streaming tears had leveled off.
“I know you dream of a father who will treat you like ‘daddy’s little girl’. But I think you realize that isn’t going to happen. Each time you realize that your expectations aren’t met, you’re heartbroken. While you may never be daddy’s little girl, you can be God’s daughter. He says he’s a father to the fatherless. He’ll protect you and provide for you the physical help and spiritual strength you need.” He continued.
“In terms of what’s happened in the past, I think you need to rely on the scripture that says ‘forgetting those things which are behind, we press on towards the high calling’. I think if you start forgetting the past and start depending on Christ to take care of you, you’ll find that your expectations are met through Him and dependency on an earthly father. When he starts letting you down you can remember you have a heavenly Father that will supply all of your needs.”
When he finished she resumed excising the small layer of fat around the steak. The restaurant’s noise had become a hushed lull.
He worried he’d said too much and had upset her.
“Why is it that men always treat me like that. Are all men like that?” she wondered out loud.
“They aren’t all the same. I think you are so used to the way your father is that you’ve come to fear other men are like that. You’re gravitating towards that normalcy. You need to ask God to heal your heart. Once you’re healed of broken expectations and disappointments you’ll be able to turn down men that disappoint you rather than hoping that by dating them they’ll change.” She nodded while he spoke.
“Keep in mind you must love someone for who they are today, not what you hope they’ll be tomorrow.” He stated.
“How am I supposed to get along with my dad though?” she asked with a frown.
“You have the duties of a daughter to perform.”
“Meaning?” she asked.
“You are to obey your father and give him the honor due him. Mind his wishes and be respectful. There is nothing more for you to do.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (New King James Version)
Pressing Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:1-3 (New International Version)
Ephesians 6:1-3 (New International Version)
Children and Parents 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a]
Colossians 3:19-21 (New International Version)
Colossians 3:19-21 (New International Version)
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Lord's Favor
Yesterday a co-worker told me a highly ranked Officer of our company complimented my work to my boss's boss. Her comment reminded me of the gracious, will of God. Even those we fear are under His auspice. Throughout the Bible there are accounts of men and women who gain favor with fearful men and dreaded enemies. When Paul tells us that we "wrestle not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:11-13) our own life experiences makes that clear. I'm not remarkable. In fact, I recently exploded in a meeting and told my boss I hated a project I was working on. Oops. After that meeting my boss stated that she'd never let me fail. I was then, of course, scolded for my reaction during the meeting. The point is, I'm nothing and no one special. My sudden exposure to many different departments has generated a stirring up of compliments towards me. It's tempting to become immodest and say I'm a fabulous, genius employee. While I work hard and try to be flawless in all I do, I'm just like anyone else.
What I've found is that wherever we are and with whomever we are with, God tilts the heart of that person. Their favor begins to shine upon us because He tells them to. When a life is consecrated to Christ, because He favors us, he sometimes make our enemies to as well. Take a look at some scriptures below that enumerate this point exactly. There are so many others ...
Psalm 30:4-6 (New King James Version)
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[a] 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. 6 Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 (New King James Version)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.
4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.[a] 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. 6 Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 (New King James Version)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.
Genesis 39:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field
Genesis 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.
Daniel 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.
Daniel 39:20-22 (New King James Version)
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
Monday, September 14, 2009
What Would it be Like?
The most memorable thing about her is her laugh. You can hear the giggling chuckle of her laugh from down the hall. She seems to give way to the 1/2 giggle, 1/2 chuckle regularly throughout the day. Her eyes are the grey of a New England morning stretching across the Atlantic. Her features are angled but not severe. Her age is unknown. She has one of those creaseless faces; yet she isn't terribly young. She's middle aged but in what decade, one really couldn't tell.
I stood at the entry of her window office. The sun sat low in the sky, a goldenrod in early fall afternoon. The trees cast midday shadows that tapped against the grass as the breeze swept by. I had a work question but suddenly it began leading us away into a topic far deeper and more interesting than attrition data.
"You know I'm going on vacation soon?" she squealed as she raised herself up and down in her seat.
"Really? Where are you headed?" I asked
"To an artist's colony for 2 whole weeks...it's grand isn't it?" her eyes began reflect the light of excitement.
"I'm headed there to do these a bit better" she said with raised eyebrows. With a flourish of the hand, she dug into her briefcase and produced a sketch book with multiple portraits. They were brilliant, life like and enviable.
"Wow," I said breathlessly. "Are you going with anyone?" I immediately assumed she'd be going there with a sister, friend, husband, child etc.
"No! That's the beauty of it. I'm going all alone!!!" she practically leapt off her chair as she wildly clapped her hands in excitement.
I nodded my head and began to run different admirable thoughts through my head. She sensed my paused reservation. I noticed she seemed to take my reflection as a hesitation. I assumed she didn’t like pauses or breaks in conversation.
“I can’t wait to head there alone. It’ll be such a reprieve from everything.”
“Really?” I answered quizzically. I was questioning how anyone could relish two weeks alone but didn’t want to state that.
“Oh yes. I remember the time I kept telling my husband I wanted to see a particular play. He kept promising he’d take me and well…he never got around to. So I decided to make a date for it. I told a close friend at work that I was going on a date. ‘with your husband’, she asked. ‘No!’ ‘With a lover then?’ ‘Nope! With myself’. So I purchased my one ticket, informed my husband of my being out for evening and went. I never enjoyed a play so much. Not because the play was fantastic but because it was the first time I could sit through something and not worry if my companion had enjoyed it. I could just enjoy it or hate it without anyone. It was fabulous”. She triumphantly declared.
“I think that’s great. I wish I didn’t feel so alone when I’m doing things like that,” I said wistfully.
With squinted eyes and pursed lips pursed, she began thinking. “What would being alone look like if everything was ok?” she asked not looking at me but just into the room.
I widened my eyes and began to think. It wasn’t something I could imagine…yet. Our conversation was brought to a halting stop by a passerby. I headed to my desk and continued to think. She lit a concept of self awareness I hadn’t anticipated. What would life be like if I didn’t feel lonely? Perhaps I was concentrating too much of my efforts on making new friends rather than focusing on befriending myself.
What did I like to do when others weren’t around? Not having the answer to that question was cause for concern and also cause for growth.
I stood at the entry of her window office. The sun sat low in the sky, a goldenrod in early fall afternoon. The trees cast midday shadows that tapped against the grass as the breeze swept by. I had a work question but suddenly it began leading us away into a topic far deeper and more interesting than attrition data.
"You know I'm going on vacation soon?" she squealed as she raised herself up and down in her seat.
"Really? Where are you headed?" I asked
"To an artist's colony for 2 whole weeks...it's grand isn't it?" her eyes began reflect the light of excitement.
"I'm headed there to do these a bit better" she said with raised eyebrows. With a flourish of the hand, she dug into her briefcase and produced a sketch book with multiple portraits. They were brilliant, life like and enviable.
"Wow," I said breathlessly. "Are you going with anyone?" I immediately assumed she'd be going there with a sister, friend, husband, child etc.
"No! That's the beauty of it. I'm going all alone!!!" she practically leapt off her chair as she wildly clapped her hands in excitement.
I nodded my head and began to run different admirable thoughts through my head. She sensed my paused reservation. I noticed she seemed to take my reflection as a hesitation. I assumed she didn’t like pauses or breaks in conversation.
“I can’t wait to head there alone. It’ll be such a reprieve from everything.”
“Really?” I answered quizzically. I was questioning how anyone could relish two weeks alone but didn’t want to state that.
“Oh yes. I remember the time I kept telling my husband I wanted to see a particular play. He kept promising he’d take me and well…he never got around to. So I decided to make a date for it. I told a close friend at work that I was going on a date. ‘with your husband’, she asked. ‘No!’ ‘With a lover then?’ ‘Nope! With myself’. So I purchased my one ticket, informed my husband of my being out for evening and went. I never enjoyed a play so much. Not because the play was fantastic but because it was the first time I could sit through something and not worry if my companion had enjoyed it. I could just enjoy it or hate it without anyone. It was fabulous”. She triumphantly declared.
“I think that’s great. I wish I didn’t feel so alone when I’m doing things like that,” I said wistfully.
With squinted eyes and pursed lips pursed, she began thinking. “What would being alone look like if everything was ok?” she asked not looking at me but just into the room.
I widened my eyes and began to think. It wasn’t something I could imagine…yet. Our conversation was brought to a halting stop by a passerby. I headed to my desk and continued to think. She lit a concept of self awareness I hadn’t anticipated. What would life be like if I didn’t feel lonely? Perhaps I was concentrating too much of my efforts on making new friends rather than focusing on befriending myself.
What did I like to do when others weren’t around? Not having the answer to that question was cause for concern and also cause for growth.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Surviving When All Seems Lost
It seems so silly now. Last night the sky was sooty and filled with trickles of rain that dripped much like a leaking faucet. I had set out on my journey home to discover the trickling rain had caused an epidemic of car accidents. I crept through back streets after a desperately long day that had nearly reduced me to tears.
I sat at the computer, after dinner with friends, desperate and dying to write but unable to because my hands had grown numb from editing a soon to launch intranet site at work. I attempted to read My Life In France but was unable to due to the hand situation. My cat, Button, eventually curled into my lap and peacefully hummed each time I stroked her.
So there I was on the couch with numb fingers, a humming cat and nothing to do but watch tv. My mother passed away 3 1/2 years ago and I still suffer from her loss with acute pain. The shock has worn off; what remains is a desperate need for normalcy. My family disintegrated into separate, disingenuous units. My father became exactly what I always perceived him to be. He’s a man only interested in his own endeavors and who considers yours when he’s bored, depressed or lonely. Father of the year he is not. The worst of it is, he thinks he’s a terrific father. He was superbly fatherly when he left me to fend for myself in Hoboken when I missed the last call for the parking garage and learned that it was closed for the night. The gentlemen at the gate told me I was three minutes late and I’d have to return in the morning. I was late because my friend was crying over dinner, worried her husband was having an affair and asking me if all men cheat. I hesitated to glance at my watch, afraid she’d feel conscience of the time.
At a loss, I called my father who happily stated he was on the couch watching tv. The thought of picking me up never occurred to him. He suggested I take a train to Newark and then Rahway where he’d either pick me up or I could get a cab home from the Rahway station since it’d be after 2:00 A.M. He stated it was getting late. My friend startled and stated, “You can’t do that as a woman at this hour! Newark isn’t safe during the day! Stay with us.” So I did. And the winner of the father of the year award isn’t mine.
As an only child with a father like mine, I’m always tempted to wish for something more. To dream of someone who’d have rescued me in Hoboken, ask me how my day was and plan things together. At the loss of my mother, I decided the best thing for me was to find a nice man who wanted a nice, capable woman and a great home life. That hasn’t happened. I spend holidays with my mother’s best friend, thankfully, and always feel like the orphaned girl who everyone secretly feels sorry for. I’m never at a loss for invites over the holidays. Last night the normalcy need was magically brought to life but I didn't realize how far I've come.
I get angry at myself quite easily for forgetting to clean the cat box, refusing to fold my laundry or "red" up my room. I've learned I'm much happier in an organized life but disdain the "getting organized" part so much that I avoid it all together. Then I start to cry, literally, and wish for my mother and hate my life...blah.blah. My mother was my normalcy. Together we’d head to brunch each Saturday, she’d remind me to wash my clothes and head to bed early. Dinner was always made. We talked three times a day and lived together. Every experience and thought I had was hashed out with my mom. We loved each other with a devotion so deep that even death hasn’t cut it. In fact, the loss has made me understand her even more.
At first I missed the physical things like dinner, watching movies etc. Lately I miss the spiritual. I want to ask her questions like “Why does God allow suffering?”, “Am I meant to be alone forever?”, “What if you give birth to a child you aren’t fond of?” My mother, if she didn’t have an answer, would ponder and pray over it before discussing it further. Then she always would.
I’ve worked at creating my own life’s rhythm. For some reason it’s an insanely difficult thing to do. It’s easy to arrive on time for work each day but quite challenging for me to plan out a week’s worth of menus and cook them after work for my father when I’m exhausted. The fact that he’s never thankful for my efforts only worsens my resolve not to cook. I dread hearing about his day endlessly over dinner. I awaken early in the morning to read scripture and meditate on it. I did that before my mother passed and continued until I met a boyfriend who didn’t believe. I started this up last month and found it to be a key ingredient in my contentment.
Yet, a wand seems to wave, dust disperses into the air and suddenly a lonely fit of tears begins to travel northward from my heart to my eyes. I have a broken heart that seems to refuse to be fixed.
I’ve learned of late to let the tears come and start praying immediately. I pray for help and strength from God and a relief from the feelings. While it doesn’t usually fade of its own accord, my mother’s advice is true. Eat, pray and sleep for relief. I went to bed last night and awakened fully restored. The questions remain but the answer came in the most unusual place. It came from a blog. Here’s the article. Penelope Trunk's 9/11 blog. I agree with her last statement: “And I wonder: Did the World Trade Center cause me to become completely unstable for a time? Or did the World Trade Center give me a framework for creating a different stability that grows better every year?”
The loss of my mother wrecked my life for a time. In fact, that life has completely died. There are no more family gatherings or dinners. With it some hoped faded away too. I’m not going to be daddy’s little girl. Perhaps it's time for me to become my own normalcy, to set the metronome to my own rhythm instead of hers. Her death has forced me to adapt and stabilize myself. I've found stability comes from God. I’ve lost her shelter but His has only widened. The key to your survival is finding your Savior. Perhaps a loss causes the deepest kind of growth. When you lose something or suffer greatly, you’re forced to rebuild and heal. The starting over process creates flexibility, character, compassion towards others and appreciation for what you have. While I may never have the father I hoped for, I’ve been given a career I love, friends who care and a faith that grows stronger each day. I’ve learned that life is a lot about doing what you don’t love to do. Each day you have to do the tasks assigned to you, whether you feel like doing them or not. To avoid the lonely feelings, make a list of things you can do alone. Don’t think of it as being alone while doing them, just do them to keep busy. Find your outlets, read scripture and realize that all of us must spend times alone. Being alone makes makes the company of others that much sweeter.
I can’t be certain of what life holds next but I am certain of one thing. God’s compassion will never fail to help you through it. When all seems lost perhaps it really is. Loss gives way to gain though. You have to be broken to be rebuilt. Perhaps the new thing that’s starting is better than the old ever could’ve been.
Lam. 3:22.
I sat at the computer, after dinner with friends, desperate and dying to write but unable to because my hands had grown numb from editing a soon to launch intranet site at work. I attempted to read My Life In France but was unable to due to the hand situation. My cat, Button, eventually curled into my lap and peacefully hummed each time I stroked her.
So there I was on the couch with numb fingers, a humming cat and nothing to do but watch tv. My mother passed away 3 1/2 years ago and I still suffer from her loss with acute pain. The shock has worn off; what remains is a desperate need for normalcy. My family disintegrated into separate, disingenuous units. My father became exactly what I always perceived him to be. He’s a man only interested in his own endeavors and who considers yours when he’s bored, depressed or lonely. Father of the year he is not. The worst of it is, he thinks he’s a terrific father. He was superbly fatherly when he left me to fend for myself in Hoboken when I missed the last call for the parking garage and learned that it was closed for the night. The gentlemen at the gate told me I was three minutes late and I’d have to return in the morning. I was late because my friend was crying over dinner, worried her husband was having an affair and asking me if all men cheat. I hesitated to glance at my watch, afraid she’d feel conscience of the time.
At a loss, I called my father who happily stated he was on the couch watching tv. The thought of picking me up never occurred to him. He suggested I take a train to Newark and then Rahway where he’d either pick me up or I could get a cab home from the Rahway station since it’d be after 2:00 A.M. He stated it was getting late. My friend startled and stated, “You can’t do that as a woman at this hour! Newark isn’t safe during the day! Stay with us.” So I did. And the winner of the father of the year award isn’t mine.
As an only child with a father like mine, I’m always tempted to wish for something more. To dream of someone who’d have rescued me in Hoboken, ask me how my day was and plan things together. At the loss of my mother, I decided the best thing for me was to find a nice man who wanted a nice, capable woman and a great home life. That hasn’t happened. I spend holidays with my mother’s best friend, thankfully, and always feel like the orphaned girl who everyone secretly feels sorry for. I’m never at a loss for invites over the holidays. Last night the normalcy need was magically brought to life but I didn't realize how far I've come.
I get angry at myself quite easily for forgetting to clean the cat box, refusing to fold my laundry or "red" up my room. I've learned I'm much happier in an organized life but disdain the "getting organized" part so much that I avoid it all together. Then I start to cry, literally, and wish for my mother and hate my life...blah.blah. My mother was my normalcy. Together we’d head to brunch each Saturday, she’d remind me to wash my clothes and head to bed early. Dinner was always made. We talked three times a day and lived together. Every experience and thought I had was hashed out with my mom. We loved each other with a devotion so deep that even death hasn’t cut it. In fact, the loss has made me understand her even more.
At first I missed the physical things like dinner, watching movies etc. Lately I miss the spiritual. I want to ask her questions like “Why does God allow suffering?”, “Am I meant to be alone forever?”, “What if you give birth to a child you aren’t fond of?” My mother, if she didn’t have an answer, would ponder and pray over it before discussing it further. Then she always would.
I’ve worked at creating my own life’s rhythm. For some reason it’s an insanely difficult thing to do. It’s easy to arrive on time for work each day but quite challenging for me to plan out a week’s worth of menus and cook them after work for my father when I’m exhausted. The fact that he’s never thankful for my efforts only worsens my resolve not to cook. I dread hearing about his day endlessly over dinner. I awaken early in the morning to read scripture and meditate on it. I did that before my mother passed and continued until I met a boyfriend who didn’t believe. I started this up last month and found it to be a key ingredient in my contentment.
Yet, a wand seems to wave, dust disperses into the air and suddenly a lonely fit of tears begins to travel northward from my heart to my eyes. I have a broken heart that seems to refuse to be fixed.
I’ve learned of late to let the tears come and start praying immediately. I pray for help and strength from God and a relief from the feelings. While it doesn’t usually fade of its own accord, my mother’s advice is true. Eat, pray and sleep for relief. I went to bed last night and awakened fully restored. The questions remain but the answer came in the most unusual place. It came from a blog. Here’s the article. Penelope Trunk's 9/11 blog. I agree with her last statement: “And I wonder: Did the World Trade Center cause me to become completely unstable for a time? Or did the World Trade Center give me a framework for creating a different stability that grows better every year?”
The loss of my mother wrecked my life for a time. In fact, that life has completely died. There are no more family gatherings or dinners. With it some hoped faded away too. I’m not going to be daddy’s little girl. Perhaps it's time for me to become my own normalcy, to set the metronome to my own rhythm instead of hers. Her death has forced me to adapt and stabilize myself. I've found stability comes from God. I’ve lost her shelter but His has only widened. The key to your survival is finding your Savior. Perhaps a loss causes the deepest kind of growth. When you lose something or suffer greatly, you’re forced to rebuild and heal. The starting over process creates flexibility, character, compassion towards others and appreciation for what you have. While I may never have the father I hoped for, I’ve been given a career I love, friends who care and a faith that grows stronger each day. I’ve learned that life is a lot about doing what you don’t love to do. Each day you have to do the tasks assigned to you, whether you feel like doing them or not. To avoid the lonely feelings, make a list of things you can do alone. Don’t think of it as being alone while doing them, just do them to keep busy. Find your outlets, read scripture and realize that all of us must spend times alone. Being alone makes makes the company of others that much sweeter.
I can’t be certain of what life holds next but I am certain of one thing. God’s compassion will never fail to help you through it. When all seems lost perhaps it really is. Loss gives way to gain though. You have to be broken to be rebuilt. Perhaps the new thing that’s starting is better than the old ever could’ve been.
Lam. 3:22.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Mother's Best Advice
Jessica lay sprawled across the bed. Her mother was placidly propped against several pillows, reading her Bible, which was her habit each night between the hours of nine and ten. Her daughter's leg draped across her own legs and her arm tightly gripped her waist. Tell tail signs showed her daughter had been crying. Dripping mascara had formed rings of black around her lower lashes and her makeup had the dewy look of having recently been wet. The scene was not an uncommon one. She turned the page and continued reading. Years of knowing her daughter had taught her that eventually she'd begin to spill the details of what had spurred the tears.
Jessica had a way of feeling most things with a deep acuteness. It often worried her about how sensitive Jessica was and how easily she slid between buoyant happiness and utter despair. When she reached the lower parts of despair only prayer and a quiet comfort helped. She began to stroke her hair and swallowed her own tears. Just seeing the anxiety across Jessica's face caused her head to begin aching and her stomach to squeeze in pain. She was tired from a long day where she had spent most of it by herself. The highlight was seeing Jessica almost dance through the back door that evening after work. Her presence always brought joy and light into the house. She kept reading and waiting.
"Mom I feel so alone. I got another wedding invitation and it'll be another wedding to attend alone. I hate going! Why is it that God hasn't sent me someone?" Jessica began as rivers of tears began working their way down her face.
She closed her Bible and began rubbing her daughter's head.
"I wish I had an answer darling but the one I have you aren't fond of". She replied quietly.
"I know I should depend on God and I do but still...is it wrong to want someone? It doesn't feel fair to be left alone. Marta has known this guy for only 6 months." Jessica answered a bit angrily.
"But would you want Marta's fiancé? Anyone can get married, Jessica, but do you want just anyone?" she replied. She had repeated this question many times over the past few months as wedding invitations for Jessica's friends poured in. She had prayed earnestly that God would send someone to Jessica but for the moment things remained as they were. In all honesty, she was relieved. She wasn't sure how she'd live without her only child.
"Well I don't want just anyone! Yet I don't want no one!” she said as she looked desperately up at her mother.
"We'll keep praying. You know God puts the solitary in families. He promises that. For the time being you have your father and mother who love you very much. Isn't that enough?" She said pleadingly.
Jessica continued to sob. There wasn't much else she could say. She was sure that once the right man arrived all these anxious moments and tears would be soon forgotten. Jessica was so young.
"You're so young Jessica" she said, trying to comfort her.
"You were married by this time mom" she stated with passion.
"It didn't mean I was happy. You should never get married just because everyone else is or because you think you'll never find someone else. I made a mistake marrying so young. Waiting means God will bring you someone better." she said earnestly.
"I think you're just tired dear. Why don't you have a light snack, cast all your cares on God in prayer and head to bed early. I promise you that by tomorrow morning you'll feel much better about all this." She said.
In time Jessica left her bedroom and disappeared downstairs into the kitchen. She began to pray that God would begin to comfort her daughter. Her thoughts began racing through all the day’s events and wondering what else she could’ve said or down to make her feel better. She didn't have an answer to Jessica's anxiety. Her only answer was prayer. A little after 10:30, much later than her usual bed time, she turned off the light. She hoped her daughter would do the same.
The following morning Jessica joyfully arrived in the kitchen. Her makeup was perfect, her hair straightened and her smile wide. She wanted to ask Jessica if she felt better but feared that asking would only remind her of last night's troubles. Her daughter sat down to breakfast and chattered happily about the soon to be workday, her weekend and their next mother daughter brunch. All seemed to be forgotten. She was thankful for answered prayers. She had always found that a little food, an earnest prayer and a good night’s rest was the start to feeling better. Everything always looked brighter in the morning after you’d given God time to work.
Jessica had a way of feeling most things with a deep acuteness. It often worried her about how sensitive Jessica was and how easily she slid between buoyant happiness and utter despair. When she reached the lower parts of despair only prayer and a quiet comfort helped. She began to stroke her hair and swallowed her own tears. Just seeing the anxiety across Jessica's face caused her head to begin aching and her stomach to squeeze in pain. She was tired from a long day where she had spent most of it by herself. The highlight was seeing Jessica almost dance through the back door that evening after work. Her presence always brought joy and light into the house. She kept reading and waiting.
"Mom I feel so alone. I got another wedding invitation and it'll be another wedding to attend alone. I hate going! Why is it that God hasn't sent me someone?" Jessica began as rivers of tears began working their way down her face.
She closed her Bible and began rubbing her daughter's head.
"I wish I had an answer darling but the one I have you aren't fond of". She replied quietly.
"I know I should depend on God and I do but still...is it wrong to want someone? It doesn't feel fair to be left alone. Marta has known this guy for only 6 months." Jessica answered a bit angrily.
"But would you want Marta's fiancé? Anyone can get married, Jessica, but do you want just anyone?" she replied. She had repeated this question many times over the past few months as wedding invitations for Jessica's friends poured in. She had prayed earnestly that God would send someone to Jessica but for the moment things remained as they were. In all honesty, she was relieved. She wasn't sure how she'd live without her only child.
"Well I don't want just anyone! Yet I don't want no one!” she said as she looked desperately up at her mother.
"We'll keep praying. You know God puts the solitary in families. He promises that. For the time being you have your father and mother who love you very much. Isn't that enough?" She said pleadingly.
Jessica continued to sob. There wasn't much else she could say. She was sure that once the right man arrived all these anxious moments and tears would be soon forgotten. Jessica was so young.
"You're so young Jessica" she said, trying to comfort her.
"You were married by this time mom" she stated with passion.
"It didn't mean I was happy. You should never get married just because everyone else is or because you think you'll never find someone else. I made a mistake marrying so young. Waiting means God will bring you someone better." she said earnestly.
"I think you're just tired dear. Why don't you have a light snack, cast all your cares on God in prayer and head to bed early. I promise you that by tomorrow morning you'll feel much better about all this." She said.
In time Jessica left her bedroom and disappeared downstairs into the kitchen. She began to pray that God would begin to comfort her daughter. Her thoughts began racing through all the day’s events and wondering what else she could’ve said or down to make her feel better. She didn't have an answer to Jessica's anxiety. Her only answer was prayer. A little after 10:30, much later than her usual bed time, she turned off the light. She hoped her daughter would do the same.
The following morning Jessica joyfully arrived in the kitchen. Her makeup was perfect, her hair straightened and her smile wide. She wanted to ask Jessica if she felt better but feared that asking would only remind her of last night's troubles. Her daughter sat down to breakfast and chattered happily about the soon to be workday, her weekend and their next mother daughter brunch. All seemed to be forgotten. She was thankful for answered prayers. She had always found that a little food, an earnest prayer and a good night’s rest was the start to feeling better. Everything always looked brighter in the morning after you’d given God time to work.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
A Cute Button Story
So last night I worked late. I came home, heated a lean cuisine and set to reading "The Painted Veil" for Tuesday's book club discussion. While on the sofa reading, I hear the scratching of Button in her litter pan. She steps out from the bathroom and makes a kind of cooing noise which caused me to look up from my book. There she stood blinking up at me. We made eye contact, she gave three meows and walked away in disgust.
It wasn't until this morning that I realized what the meows were for. I haven't cleaned her box in a while! Shame on me.
Can You Tell a Book by Its Cover?
The most memorable aspect to his face was his eyes; the color of a cloudless sky on a warm summer's day. His dress was nothing spectacular. It was obvious that first impressions mattered little to him or that he didn't realize they mattered at all. He was an attorney who never seemed to take a vacation and who once stated to her, "I love the practice of law". Through conversations with lawyers at three different law firms at which she worked, no one had made such a statement. He was a mystery. Their relationship, if you could call it that, began in early fall the prior year. She was readying the department for the arrival of the fall associates. Sick, tired and utterly desperate to go home, she was in a conference room preparing the endless fall arrival orientation packets. He had come in and started conversation. It wasn't a memorable conversation and she didn't remember all that much about him. As the year progressed, he'd come by her desk and converse. He'd tell her little things about himself and she'd offer up some entertaining stories. Nothing progressed beyond the casual "ice breaking" conversation. Several partners had stated he was "obsessed" with her and it seemed no secret of his interest. Yet, he never made the interest known.
One summer morning, following a cocktail reception she'd attended the prior evening, an anonymous e-mail arrived in her inbox. She instantly wondered if it was from her "obsessed" attorney acquaintance. In the subject heading was "Hello" followed by her name. The contents simply stated that she was pretty and that seeing her was the highlight of his day. It was left unsigned and had no name indicating who it was from. Panic had swept over her.
Was it another stalker? It obviously was from someone at work since it came to her work e-mail account and called her by name. Little by little the screen name was decoded, by her co-worker, to be from the mysterious attorney. Yet, during that cocktail reception he seemed to do everything to avoid her. She shrugged and had decided most men were just abnormal.
Why not sign his name? She thought.
A year had come round to another and soon they were talking more freely. It was discovered during conversation that each had an interest in reading and literature. He suggested she read his favorite book; eagerly she agreed. It wasn't common for her to meet a fellow reader eager to offer up book suggestions. When he offered her his book to read she accepted with gratitude. She expected to read something she fell instantly in love with. Instead, she was instantly not in love. The book was satirical, cynical and made obvious statements against war, American life and believing in anything. While well written, it wasn't something she'd choose. Then the questions began:
If you love a book does it mean you agree with its standpoint?
One summer morning, following a cocktail reception she'd attended the prior evening, an anonymous e-mail arrived in her inbox. She instantly wondered if it was from her "obsessed" attorney acquaintance. In the subject heading was "Hello" followed by her name. The contents simply stated that she was pretty and that seeing her was the highlight of his day. It was left unsigned and had no name indicating who it was from. Panic had swept over her.
Was it another stalker? It obviously was from someone at work since it came to her work e-mail account and called her by name. Little by little the screen name was decoded, by her co-worker, to be from the mysterious attorney. Yet, during that cocktail reception he seemed to do everything to avoid her. She shrugged and had decided most men were just abnormal.
Why not sign his name? She thought.
A year had come round to another and soon they were talking more freely. It was discovered during conversation that each had an interest in reading and literature. He suggested she read his favorite book; eagerly she agreed. It wasn't common for her to meet a fellow reader eager to offer up book suggestions. When he offered her his book to read she accepted with gratitude. She expected to read something she fell instantly in love with. Instead, she was instantly not in love. The book was satirical, cynical and made obvious statements against war, American life and believing in anything. While well written, it wasn't something she'd choose. Then the questions began:
If you love a book does it mean you agree with its standpoint?
If a cover does tell you about the book does it also tell you about the readers who love it?
There wasn't an easy answer. She'd only gotten a 1/4 of the way through and already she wondered at the character of who had suggested it. What did his liking this book say about him? Was he an irreverent sort of person? Did he question authority, governments and simply believing in something?
She's couldn't be sure. Perhaps she'd just have to get to know him to find out...that is, if he'd allow her to get to know him.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Give up, it's ok to.
The bony hands of loneliness began to clasp around her neck. It had been three days since the dark, elusive lover had attempted any kind of contact. She began to wonder if he would ever fear something was wrong with her. Love began to feel like a 20 ton vice being placed upon her head. It seemed as though everyone and everything was bound to be a dissapointment.
The rain beat steadily upon the window. The spongey, humidity could be cut with a fork. The night was clothed in ebony. She lay shaking upon the bed, tears spilling forth from her eyes. The hands of loneliness had begun the task of slaying her by clasping gnarled hands around her neck. All seemed hopeless. A cyclone of thoughts wrecked havoc through her heart.
It's been three years. I still miss you. You promised that all would be o.k. because I had my father and mother who loved me very much. Now what? You are no longer here and Dad is not exactly father of the year.
She had a boyfriend of three years who rarely called or even wondered how she was. He had recently told her that marriage wasn't a priority. He continued the conversation by saying that, that was what he had always told her. She wondered if that was truthfully the case. She had asked him his intentions many times but each time he had said "I'm not sure if you're the one but I can say I wouldn't be dating you if I didn't see myself marrying you". She had made some whole hearted attempts to get to know other men. There was the attorney at work who conversed with her every few weeks. There was the 25 year old from her paralegal class and several very disappointing dates from various online sites. In fact, one date asked her to come into New York but once there, didn't even pay for her dinner. There was the priest who called every few months or so and seemed to think they were casually dating or were they? She wasn't sure.
The latest round of men were not thrilling either. There was the civil engineer who never asked any questions about her, the investment banker who said he'd leave the city to come to visit her; only he never wrote back and a 25 year old who seemed nice but not old enough for being upgraded to a life partner status.
She began to wonder, has love passed me by? Will I ever be a part of something that feels loving? Will there ever be a day when I can share with and in someone else's dreams? Will I one day hold up the little stick that says "you're pregnant" with some kind of symbol like a plus sign?
She wasn't sure. All her friends were married or engaged. Most were starting families. Ladies much younger were planning their weddings. What was she to do? How was she to cope? Sometimes the only way out is through. It's a saying she had read on a blog several years earlier. The topic discussed was how to overcome a break-up.
When death transports a loved one home and a boyfriend's attention begins to wane, or perhaps it was never there to begin with, there remains only one thing to do. You start to pray. You start to pray for everything and anything you need. You don't stop until you're sure He's heard. You fight him, you gather the army of prayer warriors and you storm the throne until the King has heard. You never give up. You believe with all your might, which might not be much, that "the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". You lay hold on the promises of God and remind Him of them. You remind yourself of them too. Then you start to plan. You lay out your life before God and you ask Him for mercy. Mercy while you patiently wait for the answer. He always brings it.
Never give up dear Saint. He hasn't lost sight of you. You aren't as far away from Him as you think. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Don't stop rejoicing just b/c you can't find something to rejoice in. Thank Him for you know He'll do. He will provide, He will not forsake you and He will answer you. You can thank Him for that and start building.
Remember daughter, that Jacob wrestled with God all through the night. At daybreak, God let Him go. He renamed him and gave him something new. When God wants something of you, to make you something, He'll force you to wrestle with Him. There's no other way. He must overcome you. You must give up in yourself and your ability. You must stop believing you can do it. Then you learn the precious lesson of faith and unveil a great mystery: "when I am weak, then You are strong". God cannot work if we will not let Him.
Give up. tell Him you do. Then ask Him what the next step is. Keep praying, keep persisting. I promise you the answer will come. "If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask of God".
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The changing of the Guard
She sat feet planted on the orange carpet facing her boss. The puff of heat caused the blinds to dance and clang like symbols as he spoke. The warp speed of his voice droned and made it’s way into the debts of her thoughts. His response wasn’t what she had expected. He began by saying the firm wasn’t doing well and with the upcoming move there was little money left to award her the compensation she was seeking. While the other women did make substantially more money than she, they had been with the firm for many years and their experience couldn’t be compared to hers. She was told she didn’t work as hard as they. He then began to explain that while her billable hours were impressive, they were outside her job description and therefore not expected by the firm. He neglected to mention it was he who had asked her to bill for her time. He summed up by saying he would like to give her more but the senior partner felt her accomplishments were merely a part of the necessary functions of her job description. He neglected to admit promises had been made from the beginning with respect to a bump up in salary. The explanation given at hiring was that she was new, inexperienced in the field and within 6 months of satisfactory performance, a raise would be expected. Six months had led to two years of endless, unkept promises. The culmination of those promises led to the discussion unfolding before her.
Buckets of frigid water splashing her from overhead would’ve been less shocking than the unfolding conversation. She sat motionless, stunned and angry. He was unappreciative of her efforts, unnoticing of her talent and naïve in his promises. He wanted her to stay. He felt her performance was exemplary but a raise was not coming. He didn’t make a promise it would come someday. He only explained what a wonderful position she was in and how much growth potential would be supplied. He ended by saying not all decisions were financial.
She arrived home bewildered and entered the dark space of her room. It smelled of dawn musk and fresh paint. The hum of the computer droned in the distance. The cat rubbed against her legs. Throughout the car ride home she replayed his conversation. She rewound his jittery composure, quick paced words and blinking eyes. He had lied to her. She tapped the mouse, awakened her tired computer and began to type. Her resume unfolded in flawless bulleted lines. She hit the print button and went downstairs to prepare dinner for her dad. With a purr and pleading eyes the cat looked towards her food bowl. She poured the kibble into the bowl and effortlessly began chopping and sautéing. With clenched jaw she finished supper, reviewed her resume and began subscribing to jobsites. Within minutes her resume was blasted into the abyss of cyberspace and came to rest in the mailbox of someone that would change her life forever.
The call came the next afternoon shortly after lunch. It hit voicemail and was returned the following morning. An interview was arranged on her day off and life as she knew it was about to change. She found herself on President’s Day sitting across from an attractive, slim woman with sympathetic gaze. With little assessment she purred, “You are a talent, that is obvious and yes very underpaid. I’m going to get you into the best firms in the state. They recruit the best and you are the best. I’ll have you in a new position in a matter of weeks. We’ll be in touch”. In touch they were. The following weeks presented her with the opportunity to meet and greet the best. Offers began to come in but one firm held a promise unparalleled to them all. They offered an exploitation of her talent. They were prominent, smart and deliriously friendly. They sought to hire and retain the best. They felt they had found it in her. They would hire her but there was no opening. The waiting began. After 5 interviews and countless questions her life changing call rang through one late afternoon. An offer was made and accepted. It wasn’t what she had interviewed for, it was for a dream burried in a coffin and left to deteriorate into dust.
Monday morning found her typing her goodbye letter in the form of official resignation. She tapped the door and entered his office silently. “I’m giving my official two weeks notice today,” she stated nervously.
“Notice for what?” was his response as he continued reviewing the open file on his desk.
“I’m beginning a new position in two weeks”, she stated dryly.
With that he looked up. The pen gave a clink on the desk. Reggae music faintly drifted into the air from behind his desk. He sat back into the hollows of his chair. “Wow, I didn’t know you were unhappy. I didn’t know you were leaving.”
She made no response. What was she to say? It seemed obvious to her.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
She responded with the name of the largest area firm.
“Where are they located? Are they nice?”
“Yes.” She stated with little expression.
“I have to get someone immediately. I’m so overwhelmed with work. Wow, I can’t believe this. We’re moving soon too.” He began in panicked tone.
“I know, I’m sorry for the timing. I wish you the best.” she stated with sincerity.
“Thanks.”
She walked out with head held high and returned to the work before her. At the close of the day her phone began to sing the tune of her best friend.
“Did you tell him?” she questioned eagerly.
“I did. I’m so relieved. I can’t believe I allowed someone to hood wink me into working for practically nothing. How stupid am I?” she responded.
“It isn’t your fault. He seemed sincere and I believe he was sincere.” She said in comfort.
“I know. He’s not a bad person, he’s just naïve. You know what he said?”
“What?”
“That not all decisions are financial!”
“You have to be kidding me!” she nearly choked in laughter. “What do we work for, for free?” she continued.
“I know, that’s why they call it work and not ‘I’m going to my hobby,’” she continued.
“I’m proud of you. You did what you had to do and you’ve found your dream. You’re doing something you’re better at anyway.” She said.
“I know. I’m so excited!” she squeaked. “One thing though…” she said with hushed hesitation.
“What’s that?”
“I think I’m going to leave the other him.” She began.
“Your boyfriend.” She stated, knowing the answer already .
“This experience has taught me something. I’m don’t want to be employed by an employer who doesn’t realize my talent and potential and I don’t want to date or be connected with someone who doesn’t appreciate what he has. I’d rather be alone. I think I can find a lot of men that are better.” she stated with resolve.
“Umm, yeah. Anyone is better. I’m sorry he’s not good. He’s not good to you. I can’t tell you what I want for you…you know I’m not good with words but he isn’t what I want for you.” She said quietly, with reservation.
“He isn’t what I want for me either. I’d rather be alone.” She said sadly.
“You won’t be alone. I promise you within 6 months of looking you’ll find someone. Again, anyone is better than him.”
“You’re right. It’s time to say goodbye to two chapters of my life. My job and my man.” She stated firmly.
"It’s only the beginning. The best is yet to come.”
Her friend bid goodbye.
She thought back to her trip with her man. They had watched the guards in London march in perfect sequence. One set to their new post and the other to exit theirs. In flawless lines the change had occurred. It was orderly and effortless. By watching you knew it was meant to happen at certain times and during certain occasions. It happened as a matter of course at scheduled intervals. Her life was following suit. With change often comes the hardest set of goodbyes. The saying of those sets often gives way to another greeting, that of hello. Hello to something altogether new and often more refreshing.
Buckets of frigid water splashing her from overhead would’ve been less shocking than the unfolding conversation. She sat motionless, stunned and angry. He was unappreciative of her efforts, unnoticing of her talent and naïve in his promises. He wanted her to stay. He felt her performance was exemplary but a raise was not coming. He didn’t make a promise it would come someday. He only explained what a wonderful position she was in and how much growth potential would be supplied. He ended by saying not all decisions were financial.
She arrived home bewildered and entered the dark space of her room. It smelled of dawn musk and fresh paint. The hum of the computer droned in the distance. The cat rubbed against her legs. Throughout the car ride home she replayed his conversation. She rewound his jittery composure, quick paced words and blinking eyes. He had lied to her. She tapped the mouse, awakened her tired computer and began to type. Her resume unfolded in flawless bulleted lines. She hit the print button and went downstairs to prepare dinner for her dad. With a purr and pleading eyes the cat looked towards her food bowl. She poured the kibble into the bowl and effortlessly began chopping and sautéing. With clenched jaw she finished supper, reviewed her resume and began subscribing to jobsites. Within minutes her resume was blasted into the abyss of cyberspace and came to rest in the mailbox of someone that would change her life forever.
The call came the next afternoon shortly after lunch. It hit voicemail and was returned the following morning. An interview was arranged on her day off and life as she knew it was about to change. She found herself on President’s Day sitting across from an attractive, slim woman with sympathetic gaze. With little assessment she purred, “You are a talent, that is obvious and yes very underpaid. I’m going to get you into the best firms in the state. They recruit the best and you are the best. I’ll have you in a new position in a matter of weeks. We’ll be in touch”. In touch they were. The following weeks presented her with the opportunity to meet and greet the best. Offers began to come in but one firm held a promise unparalleled to them all. They offered an exploitation of her talent. They were prominent, smart and deliriously friendly. They sought to hire and retain the best. They felt they had found it in her. They would hire her but there was no opening. The waiting began. After 5 interviews and countless questions her life changing call rang through one late afternoon. An offer was made and accepted. It wasn’t what she had interviewed for, it was for a dream burried in a coffin and left to deteriorate into dust.
Monday morning found her typing her goodbye letter in the form of official resignation. She tapped the door and entered his office silently. “I’m giving my official two weeks notice today,” she stated nervously.
“Notice for what?” was his response as he continued reviewing the open file on his desk.
“I’m beginning a new position in two weeks”, she stated dryly.
With that he looked up. The pen gave a clink on the desk. Reggae music faintly drifted into the air from behind his desk. He sat back into the hollows of his chair. “Wow, I didn’t know you were unhappy. I didn’t know you were leaving.”
She made no response. What was she to say? It seemed obvious to her.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
She responded with the name of the largest area firm.
“Where are they located? Are they nice?”
“Yes.” She stated with little expression.
“I have to get someone immediately. I’m so overwhelmed with work. Wow, I can’t believe this. We’re moving soon too.” He began in panicked tone.
“I know, I’m sorry for the timing. I wish you the best.” she stated with sincerity.
“Thanks.”
She walked out with head held high and returned to the work before her. At the close of the day her phone began to sing the tune of her best friend.
“Did you tell him?” she questioned eagerly.
“I did. I’m so relieved. I can’t believe I allowed someone to hood wink me into working for practically nothing. How stupid am I?” she responded.
“It isn’t your fault. He seemed sincere and I believe he was sincere.” She said in comfort.
“I know. He’s not a bad person, he’s just naïve. You know what he said?”
“What?”
“That not all decisions are financial!”
“You have to be kidding me!” she nearly choked in laughter. “What do we work for, for free?” she continued.
“I know, that’s why they call it work and not ‘I’m going to my hobby,’” she continued.
“I’m proud of you. You did what you had to do and you’ve found your dream. You’re doing something you’re better at anyway.” She said.
“I know. I’m so excited!” she squeaked. “One thing though…” she said with hushed hesitation.
“What’s that?”
“I think I’m going to leave the other him.” She began.
“Your boyfriend.” She stated, knowing the answer already .
“This experience has taught me something. I’m don’t want to be employed by an employer who doesn’t realize my talent and potential and I don’t want to date or be connected with someone who doesn’t appreciate what he has. I’d rather be alone. I think I can find a lot of men that are better.” she stated with resolve.
“Umm, yeah. Anyone is better. I’m sorry he’s not good. He’s not good to you. I can’t tell you what I want for you…you know I’m not good with words but he isn’t what I want for you.” She said quietly, with reservation.
“He isn’t what I want for me either. I’d rather be alone.” She said sadly.
“You won’t be alone. I promise you within 6 months of looking you’ll find someone. Again, anyone is better than him.”
“You’re right. It’s time to say goodbye to two chapters of my life. My job and my man.” She stated firmly.
"It’s only the beginning. The best is yet to come.”
Her friend bid goodbye.
She thought back to her trip with her man. They had watched the guards in London march in perfect sequence. One set to their new post and the other to exit theirs. In flawless lines the change had occurred. It was orderly and effortless. By watching you knew it was meant to happen at certain times and during certain occasions. It happened as a matter of course at scheduled intervals. Her life was following suit. With change often comes the hardest set of goodbyes. The saying of those sets often gives way to another greeting, that of hello. Hello to something altogether new and often more refreshing.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Some Male Hints.
I can’t begin to expound on the amount of angst the male species has brought upon me at times. Try as I could in times past to understand them, they remained a species so unlike my own as to leave me in complete bewilderment. As bewildering as they may be, I want one, a man I mean. We all do don’t we? Their’s was a mystery of method and thinking I couldn’t quite grasp.
I had all but given up understanding the male mind and their world until I was by involuntary means forced to live in a man’s world. My mother passed away leaving me to co-exist with my father the stranger. During the same year I got a boyfriend and male friends seemed to proliferate. The quest to understanding men began.
I’ve come to learn a few things about love and men along the way. The love part we’ll hold for another tale. I’ve learned how to “just get along” with the men in my life. It wasn’t an easy lesson for a girlie girl who never could “get” the male mind. The inspiration came from unexpected sources. It didn’t come from my boyfriend of 1 ½ years but rather from male friends, my father, my boss and my clients. The way you “work” with a man is different than the way you work with a woman. Your marriage, your relationships and the success of your job will in some part hinge on your understanding of the sexes. Here’s a few tips I picked up along the way to elucidate my point:
1. Feel free to make specific requests when dealing with a male. Don’t fear being a b-tch. Men aren’t like women, meaning they value direct, concise requests. Please keep in mind the more “winded” you are in making a request the less you’ll get in return. Brief is best. Ex: I prefer small baking potatoes of uniform size. This is so they cook at the same time. If they are different sizes when cooking one is undercooked, the other overderdone. This is too much information for my dad. Best bet. State the obvious “please buy me 2 small baking potatoes that are about the same size”. If you’ve ever noticed why your male boss doesn’t explain but just tells it’s b/c he’s male and values conciseness.
2. Always recognize when a man does something for you. No matter how small it is call attention to it!! Appreciation is key when the men in your life do something you like. Make sure they know you like what they’re doing. This applies even at work. Trust me it does. My boss often files paperwork I give him even though it’s my job. Of late I’ve made it a point to recognize how great it was that I didn’t have to do that. He does it more now.
3. It’s ok to feel attractive. It’s ok to admit it when in the presence of men. They assume you already know it. Unlike woman, they won’t think you’re awful for stating what they think is obvious.
4. As a woman it’s ok to sit back and be happy with what the man does for you. Really, it’s ok. You can just be happy he’s being nice to you and thank him for his efforts. You don’t have to go nuts writing letters, texting him, calling him, sending gifts etc. Just be happy that he makes you happy and make it obvious that he does. I.e. state-“I had a great time tonight or thanks for setting up my computer…I’m so happy!”
5. Listen to what matters to him and be interested in it. I’d suggested a good “fake” if you have to. I’ve always hated “faking” it but found that when my dad talks about work being interested in his day buys me about 5-10 minutes more of “me” talk. So I see it as creating a “win-win” situation. My boss loves to talk of the cases he just won. Frankly I don’t care, as I wasn’t the person who won the case. However, a gesture of good will is to listen and at the end of the story say “Wow, I’m impressed”. He walks away happy and doesn’t page me for the next 15 minutes. Mission accomplished!
I’m not saying the above it true for every guy but in the last year it’s helped me go from being the last girl a man thinks about to being the first. Daddy bought me a Valentine, the boyfriend took me on an overnight trip complete with champagne in the room (can we imagine how “thrilled” I became over this?) and Jilly’s had more dates or at least appears more datable this year than in times past! So why wasn’t I told this before? It isn’t obvious to all of us.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
The End of Chapter 26
Chapter 26 is nearing an almost definite end. Chapter 27 is about to begin. She began Chapter 26 in bewilderment. She was a little girl desperately clutching onto the hope that someone in this world cared enough to take care of her. Throughout Chapter 26 she clung to a man who didn't and wouldn't take care of her. Through the year he poked, stabbed and crushed the romantic dreams of the strawberry blond who believed that one day her prince would come. They'd date, fall in love and start a beautiful family. Only the lonely, dark introvert had no thoughts or dreams of making hers a reality. So, at the onset of the closing of Chapter 26 she has closed the door to happily ever after with the boyish, dark introvert. As said in Pride and Prejudice "that chapter is definitely closed". With those words she says "good, I deserved better".
Chapter 26 was an interesting one. It was the birthing process from girl to woman. It didn't happen over night but rather in small almost undetectable stages. She almost didn't see it happening. Suddenly one day her tastes became defined, her dreams became attainable and her faith became the work of her own autobiography as opposed to living another's biography.
She watched as family's prepared for Easter. Mom would prepare the meal, dad would cut the meat and children would arrive and "assist" the process. The strawberry blond hunted through cooking magazines, online recipe sites and sought the advice of her mother's friend as to how to prepare her first ham. She chopped, minced and simmered all day Saturday and had everyone come on Sunday. The ham was a success and her life was moving successfully in a new direction.
Chapter 26 was an interesting one. It was the birthing process from girl to woman. It didn't happen over night but rather in small almost undetectable stages. She almost didn't see it happening. Suddenly one day her tastes became defined, her dreams became attainable and her faith became the work of her own autobiography as opposed to living another's biography.
She watched as family's prepared for Easter. Mom would prepare the meal, dad would cut the meat and children would arrive and "assist" the process. The strawberry blond hunted through cooking magazines, online recipe sites and sought the advice of her mother's friend as to how to prepare her first ham. She chopped, minced and simmered all day Saturday and had everyone come on Sunday. The ham was a success and her life was moving successfully in a new direction.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
An Epiphany
As I drove to church this morning I felt a strong urge from the Holy Spirit, an urge to email a friend who has come and gone into my life. Pools of tears welled into my eyes. It was as if the tears were the symbol for a friend drowning in grief. And so as I tensely drove to church the only thing I could think of was leaving. I wanted to leave so I could email her.
Along that drive I also came to an epiphany. In literature there is a defining moment within the pages of the book where the character does an "about face". You can clearly identify when the change began. Is change that definable? Do we open and close our eyes like the "blinking" eyes of a baby doll and suddenly our lives are transformed? The Bible talks about being renewed in our minds-the word for transformed is the Latin word, metamorphis.
The definition of metamorphis: A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a maggot into an adult fly and a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog.
So it would seem that the change can be gradual (it takes time for the new creature to emerge) but the result is unrecognizable. A maggot doesn't look anything like a fly nor does a caterpillar appear to be the workings of a butterfly.
"What is this epiphany she is speaking about?” you ask. For the first time in all the pages of my journal I am able to write and even say, "I am content." I am happy to be single, appreciative of my job and even thankful for my struggles. I do not need to get married, have a lot of money or give birth to feel content. When God choreographs your life, you may not understand the steps that complete the move but when you look back you realize they were all necessary. At the end of this moment, I am able to say "Lord, I let you lead and I will follow, even if I feel like I'm living my life in reverse." After all, isn't that what dancing is all about? You feel your partner and move with him, he'll squeeze your right hand to remind you to step back w/your right foot etc.
Along that drive I also came to an epiphany. In literature there is a defining moment within the pages of the book where the character does an "about face". You can clearly identify when the change began. Is change that definable? Do we open and close our eyes like the "blinking" eyes of a baby doll and suddenly our lives are transformed? The Bible talks about being renewed in our minds-the word for transformed is the Latin word, metamorphis.
The definition of metamorphis: A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a maggot into an adult fly and a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog.
So it would seem that the change can be gradual (it takes time for the new creature to emerge) but the result is unrecognizable. A maggot doesn't look anything like a fly nor does a caterpillar appear to be the workings of a butterfly.
"What is this epiphany she is speaking about?” you ask. For the first time in all the pages of my journal I am able to write and even say, "I am content." I am happy to be single, appreciative of my job and even thankful for my struggles. I do not need to get married, have a lot of money or give birth to feel content. When God choreographs your life, you may not understand the steps that complete the move but when you look back you realize they were all necessary. At the end of this moment, I am able to say "Lord, I let you lead and I will follow, even if I feel like I'm living my life in reverse." After all, isn't that what dancing is all about? You feel your partner and move with him, he'll squeeze your right hand to remind you to step back w/your right foot etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
