Taking a Deep Breath

I am obviously still trying to get a handle on this whole blog thing. I read on one of the blogs that Debi reads regularly (I can't find it now to link to) that I should be posting something three times weekly or thereabouts. Yeah, I wish! So let me try one of Debi's tricks of quickly listing some things. Of course, as is often remarked, I am a verbal person, and very few things I express come quickly.

A couple of things I have been grateful for in the past two weeks:

That I reconnected with my cousin Rich and got to know his wife Debi and their wonderful kids, Annie, Gray, and Max. It's been more than three decades since Rich and I have actually been in the same room together, and I've never met the others, but we're hoping to remedy that before three more decades pass.

Modern medical science and doctors who don't mess around. I had a torn meniscus repaired Tuesday much less invasively than would have been the case a few years ago. My post-op instructions included to go to the gym the very next day and ride an exercise cycle (no resistance) for 30 minutes. It wasn't easy, but I did it, and have kept doing it. Today, the only thing that hurts is going down the stairs. As long as I don't move too quickly, I can walk just fine.

More modern medical science and different docs. For several months, my dad has been in treatment for multiple myeloma, something that can't be cured but can be treated. His treatments are working so far, and the docs hope to rearrange them a bit to give him a bit more energy.

Teenagers! Yes, teenagers, especially the ones I do Myo Sim kendo with, who don't treat me like the old lady I may seem to them to be. I earned my brown belt last week testing with a partner who is one-third of my age and who is off to the Air Force Academy next year. Teenagers are fun people, one of the reasons I still try help with things at the high school when I can.

My own kids, one of whom is no longer a teenager. They make me laugh more than they make me cry. They are good kids of whom I am proud. Right now, I am proud that my older son is a finalist in a local short story contest, which means his story has been or is being read by the contest judge, John Grisham. I am proud that my younger son chose as his Eagle Scout project to re-do the nature trail at the elementary school he attended, something that he will not personally benefit from (other than getting his Eagle) but that will have a positive impact on so many other kids.

My husband, who puts up with my light-bulb nature and who helps me keep it all in perspective by encouraging me, usually with a straight face, to "laugh at yourself, and make it unanimous."