Friends are like bras; a good one never lets you down
If you’ve been to Old Poway Park, you know exactly where this is. And if you don’t, let’s go on a treasure hunt the next time you’re in the area. Bet we could each unearth special treats that would surprise each other. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the park. I like to discover what’s hidden right under my nose.
There’s something so promising and joyful about these blooms. They’re great reminders that Spring will be here this weekend. Too soon we’ll be casting aside the sweaters for tank tops, the long pants for shorts, and bulky coats for the occasional windbreaker or hoodie. Are you ready?
* According to my research, they’re very likely of the Newport Plum variety.
It doesn’t look like there are any hard and fast rules week, other than including the following items in a poem or a story: a skein of red yarn, a comb and a bottle of water.
I can do that. You can, too. C’mon, play along! It’s FUN! (Yep, so much fun that it’s in all caps.)
Back when I was working in pediatrics (my first job out of nursing school), we admitted a newborn who was suffering from a severe case of jaundice (oddly enough, my own son had higher levels than this baby but was not admitted). Surrounded by bright lights, wrapped in UV blankets, and sporting protective baby goggles, this adorable little boy was progressing well. His mother was rather young, but she was very attentive and loving. I’d often have to go in and encourage her to take a break for the bathroom, food, a shower, or even a nap. Occasionally she would step out and get some fresh air, but only if she knew for certain there were no other patients (for most of the baby’s stay with us, there were no other patients on the unit) and I could stay with her little boy the whole time.
I have to admit that baby time was one of my favorite parts of my job. Nobody rushed through baby time unless there was an emergency. There’s something about holding an infant that just makes everything in the world “okay” again. For me, I knew more children were out of the question (what with having had a hysterectomy three years before), so I soaked up every precious moment I could get whenever a baby would come in.
The young mother, whenever she wasn’t dozing off, feeding the baby, or cradling him, spent a lot of time knitting. While in the hospital, she’d finished two beautiful blankets and a few little hats. Most of the items were in vibrant colors, with red featured predominantly. In fact, several skeins of red yarn were in the mom’s knitting bag. More than once, I’d come in to check the baby’s vitals and find a small swirl of red thread — one strand pulled from a bit of yarn — in the middle of his forehead. I’d carefully and gently remove it, comb the four hairs on his head with my fingers, and reposition him after I finished with vital signs and a bottle of mom’s breast milk. It was only after I’d done that several times that sweet young mom informed me that the thread was supposed to be there. Seems her abuela had always said a bit of red thread on a baby’s forehead would help ward off any true danger and she was bound and determined to do whatever she could to protect her tiny son. I apologized profusely for not knowing and she laughed and apologized for not telling me sooner!
I always think of that whenever I come across an errant thread or bit of yarn, much like I did last night on my pillow.
I miss nursing so much sometimes. Sigh. I miss the people I met — the patients and their families. I miss the wonderful things I’d learn from each of them. But, I think I miss the babies most of all, though. Holding a baby is like holding a bit of heaven in your arms.
I love love love those who think outside the box (or who forgo the box completely and take their ideas to a whole new level) and qualifies.
Oh, and now I’m going to tell you about a chance to win one of these frames! Simply go to iHeartFaces, leave a comment telling them which product you like, and then blog about it for an extra entry in the drawing. How simple is that?
A girlfriend and I were emailing all night. Sometimes you get into one of those long email sessions because one or both of you need some support. Turns out we both did and even though we were both feeling alone, vulnerable, and just all around fragile. By continuing the emails, we picked each other up and dusted ourselves and one another off.
Just before we said goodnight, she sent me this. All I can say is, “yep.”
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.
So as she was getting her things ‘in order,’ she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. ‘There’s one more thing,’ she said excitedly. ‘What’s that?’ came the Pastor’s reply. ‘This is very important,’ the young woman continued ‘I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.’ The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. ‘That surprises you, doesn’t it?’ the young woman asked. ‘Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,’ said the Pastor. The young woman explained. ‘My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming … like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. something wonderful, and with substance!’ So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’swith the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.’
The Pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman’s casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’ And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to ‘Keep your fork.’ Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. And keep your fork.
I’m ready for the next thing, folks. Bet you are, too.
is on Thursday this week — for me, anyway. I’ve been meaning to catch up and now, well, here it is.
They were so cute together on Sunday. Here it is, already Thursday and I’m still smiling over the way they acted with each other.
Little Dude commented yesterday that he likes his sister and that she’s a good big sister. He doesn’t always say that, but I think they’re getting to the ages where they’re actually able to be friendly and not just interact like siblings. It’s really quite nice to see that friendliness in action.
Sometimes I look at photos of them and they take my breath away. Or I see one or both of them and my heart beats a little faster at how perfectly THEM they are. It’s what every parent hopes for and what some of us are lucky enough to witness.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m far more blessed than I ever believed I would be. When I look at my children, yes, I see the proof of God’s great love and His infinite wisdom in bringing Mojo and LD into not just my life, but into my whole family’s lives. They really have given us all something special that no one else on earth will experience in the exact same way, but that many mothers and fathers will understand.
Thank you, Lord. You were right. You always are. I should never doubt You, never question. The lessons are always there, hidden in plain sight. Thank you.
I wish I had a better photo of the two kids together, but I don’t. Perhaps this weekend…
Here’s one of my favorite images from Sunday — modified. I used Painter 4 from Corel with a couple of Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate composites and tweaks.
* As a noun: The act of resting or the state of being at rest. Freedom from worry; peace of mind. Calmness; tranquillity.
Of the many exciting workshops available to photographers, there’s one that stands out for those who are interested in more than just learning how to take better photos. The WakeUp Call tour will certainly be enriching and help attendees improve their photography, but the best part of this particular workshop is the fact that there’s a focus on the business of photography.
David Ziser will be in San Diego on May 21, 2009, with his tour and I want to be there.
Are you a photographer? Do you want to improve your photography? Do you want to hone your business skills? Then sign up! David comes highly recommended. Yep, the same Syl Arena I mentioned in another post gives David a big thumbs up.
Even if you’re not in San Diego, you can still get in on the action. This tour is hitting 58 cities across the country.
Cost: $79 ($59 if you use one of the super special codes — or maybe even FREE*)
Where: A city near you!
When: Check the listings
What’s Covered:
PROGRAM BONUS – value $350:
Tour Handbook includes: program notes, photography, marketing and more
2 Hour DVD with extended program content
$100 Rebate from American Color Imaging
1 year membership to WPPI and Rangefinder magazine, a $99 value
FREE 3 month membership to DigitalProTalkPlus.com, a $45 value
FREE 3 month subscription to PPA Magazine, a $15 value
FREE PPA Indemnification (no-fault) insurance for all new PPA members, a $50 value
There are also prizes galore!
Over $3,500 in door prizes awarded each evening
And a chance to win 1 of 4 Grand Prizes worth nearly $6,000
What are you waiting for? Go check the tour itinerary and sign up for the Digital WakeUp Call Tour now!
*Free seminar? Possibly. Check out the DWC website and Pixsylate.com for details.
Early spring in Southern California — there’s nothing like it. The trees bloom and flowers turn up everywhere. Everything is fresh and beautiful, lush and promising. It doesn’t surprise me at all that this is when birds begin courting and laying eggs. It’s all about newness. I love it!
Yesterday was a fantastic day! One of the blues society’s Blues in the School bands performed down at the Children’s Museum and I went to shoot. Not only did my friend Patty come along, but Little Dude was there, and so was Mojo!
LD was as excited as I was about Mojo being a part of our day and he could hardly wait to get out the door.
Mojo’s pretty much back to her old self again, which is a huge relief. She looked gorgeous as she usually does. I’m always surprised when I see her because it’s hard for me to believe I could have created such a beautiful young lady.
Anyhow, we went, we had fun, we had food, and that was about it.
There was something weird that happened though. Now, I hadn’t talked with Mojo in the morning. LD had called to over to talk with her while I was getting ready. So, it was rather curious that when we went to pick her up that she and I both had on pink tops and had both chosen yellow sweaters/sweatshirts. Odd.
Also kind of strange was LD. He kept drifting off, away from either his sister or from the group as a whole. (While Patty and I were shooting, the kids went off to create and play and hang out.) When we were all back in a group, LD just couldn’t seem to focus. And I also realized that I was nervous whenever I didn’t have everyone all grouped up. I had to see everyone to feel “right”, as if out of sight was a moment away from disaster. I’m not usually like this. What’s up with that?
In the end, it was a great day and I loved having both kids with me, just hanging out. I got to listen to them talk with each other and I got to talk with them both at the same time. It gave me the warm fuzzies and I have to admit, I like my kids!
Photos at some point. Still working on Phoenix pics at this point. And now I’m fighting a sinus thing at the same time. (Pool may be out for the day, depending on how I feel when I wake up…again.)
