Well, my friends…I’m tuckered.
Last night we completed the last of three events for our school fundraiser. What have I learned? I’m learning how to balance life through all of this. Outside of this little job and blog of mine life is happening. That life is full of so many people that are juggling things that are exciting and painful. A wife and mother is dying, a couple is struggling, another friend is celebrating success, a baby is on the way, a good grade was made, a test was failed and on and on. Life, it doesn’t pause for us when we’re in the midst of too much.
The last two weeks have been such a whirl wind and my laundry didn’t have the decency to stop. My Mom did swoop in and do ten loads for me while she was here…if I could just get her trained to put it away. I love you Mom
My house is a wreck. My farm is a disaster.
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is this week, I sure hope I can get in a festive mood quick.
I only cried twice through out this whole intense week and saying that I don’t cry very easily seems a little funny now that I’ve posted twice about crying about the turkey and these two instances in this last week. My emotions were definitely closer to the surface. Anyway, I cried once when my Dad got up to speak at one of the events and referred to me, which I didn’t know was coming and I was so deep in “Event Planner” mode that it caught me off guard and I melted into a blubbering puddle. The second time was yesterday morning, we had hosted the huge auction/dinner the night before with over 400 people attending and I was so stinkin’ tired, I drug my huge butt out of bed and was dreading the preparations for the next party when I read an email about an acquaintance that was in the hospital suffering from cancer, so near death. I wish I could call her a friend, but she’s been ill ever since I moved here and I’ve never had the chance to get to know her. I cried for her young children and her sweet husband who is such a good and faithful man. It’s too much pain and suffering for her and them. I prayed for God’s mercies. My little party planning seemed so ridiculous in comparison. I’m thankful for those reality checks. Life isn’t always a party and I’m thankful for that too.
Last night I went out with Clay and three friends that have worked so hard along side me doing the grunt work and saying yes to all my requests. We drank beer, ate steaks, listened to some horrible karaoke and laughed. It was a great way to end our work week.
Now, I’m going to rest this weary body and eventually try to find the house that’s been buried under the piles of rubble.
Line up your friends today from tall to short and give them a big hug and kiss for me. Life is precious.
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This week seemed stressful to me too. I found myself crying more than I have in a while. then again my favorite uncle is having problems and I’m worried I may not see him alive again. I agree cherish your friends and family. I know what I have to be thankful for this holiday and if I can’t find the house for the rubble at least I know it is there. and since you are probabaly one of the tallest here is a hug from me.
I do not understand the mystery of grace… only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us. Ann Lamott.
I wish you grace.
Life around here is actually calm…. well calm for us. Not that it hasn’t had it’s bumps but I’ve learned a few things over the years 1 – to stand up for myself and my family.. one of the most important things to learn when you have a diagnosis in our case Autism.. in other families it may be cancer etc. and 2 – to not sweat the small stuff nor the coulda, woulda, shoulda list…. ok, still working on that one… but it’s better than it has been.
Hugs to you and yours. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving… ours was over a mth ago.
Awwww, April, I hope you get some rest. Life is just so darn hard sometimes; I’m sorry to hear of the young mother too. You’re right, we need to grab and hold on to those we love and extend graciousness to those we don’t.
Keep your chin up and do the best you can. There is no rule that says your house has to be spotless. As I am sure your acquaintance would tell you, living life is far more important!
You are precious, April. Rest today. Enjoy your family. It’s a good day to count blessings.
I’m so glad you posted that. Sometimes balance is fleeting but God always seems to bring us back around and put things in perspective.
Thanks again and I’m happy that your missions have been accomplished – now on to the turkey!
Gobble, gobble! :-]
And now you made me cry!
Thanks for the reminder. I’m off to hug my children!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
What a reality check. Thanks for this.
I just found you from Ree’s site. I, too, rarely cry…unless I’m watching Elf or The Parent Trap. I’m tough that way. Looking forward to reading more from you!
I am praying that you would know how high and wide and deep and long is God’s love for you today.
If I could count the number of stressful events/banquets that I have broken down and blubbered my way through, it would be in the hundreds for sure. The exhaustion gets the best of us.
Then again, I can cry at a Budweiser commercial. (Hey! The “horse-drawn sleigh on a snowy night to the home in the woods at Christmas time” was my dad’s favorite commercial! He loved horses. See? Now I’m teary, darn it!)
April, I wish I could come help unbury your house for you and put away all the laundry. Sounds like you’ve been through the wringer (pun intended!), and you could use a little Wrinkle Release spray! Thanks for the reminder of the most precious things in life, and call in sick on Wednesday…
Yeah! You’re done – for now! I always feel the same way after a big event- I actually go into mourning a little bit once it’s over. Allow yourself time to recoup- don’t be too hard on yourself- and thanks again for the reminder that you need to take stock and hug the ones you love.
Happy Thanksgiving!
You and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
My heart goes out your friend the young mother. I could cry from just the thought of it. Get rest and have a good week. A spotless, organized house is overated. I think they only exist on tv and magazines!
From tall to short? Where’s the love for us short people?
YOU DID IT!! As crazy and stressful as homeschooling can be, it’s so hard to have to go out and…….you know wear real clothes (that aren’t pajamas)and just show up every day…..IN PUBLIC. But, you’re doing it and contributing to the family income and still homeschooling the baby AND still getting to be in your older kids life. You sound like a real Proverbs 31 woman, April!!You can even laugh at the days to come!!
I read about your friend from Mrs. Mamas link and we prayed for her and her family all the way out here on Maui – God is big and knows so much more than we can fathom. It will work out all according to His plan. Thanks for your uplifting blog.
(((April)))
I’m glad all of your planning went off without a glitch. And I’m really glad it is over, for your, for your family, for your sanity. I’m sorry to hear about your friend. ((Big hug from me to you))
A wonderful perspective. Sounds like you’ll have a lot to be thankful for this Thursday. Hope your holiday is wonderful and full of hugs.
I wish I had the words to make everything better. I’ll say a prayer instead, He always knows what to do. Have a great Thanksgiving! And remember to wear pants with an elastic waist!
I know you’re exhausted, but I want to know. Did your fundraising go as well as you needed it to? I feel like we’ve been plugging along with you, so how’d we do?
Amen, April.
Hugs and kisses being distributed.
I wish strength, grace, and peace for you and yours.
http://dialinghome.blogspot.com/2009/11/state-of-grace.html
Great post April! Thanks for the reminder.
I know the kind of exhaustion you’re talking about. I was the director of a huge VBS a few years ago (250 plus kiddos) and had to deal with missing craft supplies, peanut allergies, parents not picking up kids and teachers who canceled at the last minute, plus I was PTA president that year. On the last day of VBS we had all the kids and their parents in the sanctuary for closing ceremonies and as I was thanking the parents for bringing their children to us I suddenly burst into tears (while holding a mic). I’m not a crier either and I was mortified, but it just happens sometimes when you get that tired and emotional.
A friend just returned from her first mission to ElSalvador. It was a very lifechanging experience for her and she had lots to share. What really sticks in my mind is her saying”We have no idea how blessed we are. These poor indigent people had nothing and yet what little they had they offered to others. They were upbeat and happy; material things are so insignificant. We should all learn to appreciate life like they do.”