I went to visit a family yesterday. They lived in a ragged apartment, with concrete floors. They had a loveseat, kitchen table and chairs, and a computer. Sheets and towels on the windows. That was it. The baby was crawling around with his onesie around his waist because he had grown out of it. I was company for them, so they made me sit at the best seat at the table, drink from their best cup, and offered the first piece of chicken straight from the pan. I was visiting a family that has so little... yet they were willing to give me the very best of what they have. It was a humbling experience. It was a reminder about being grateful for what I have, and for me to be generous in giving it away. Hospitality is something we could really practice more in our home. Everyone that comes to our home is family or really close friends, so we really expect them to serve themselves. We need to step back into our southern hospitality.

I really like talking to families- they tell you so much about themselves. I am honored to be trusted with their struggles, worst fears, best triumphs. I love my job today.

Full moon?

Is there a full moon out? Something strange is in the air right now, as there has been a crisis of some sort everyday for the last several work days. I am worn out. So far this week we have had guns, hospitals, seizures on site, homeless from the hospital, and hotlines. To top it all off, three staff were in a car accident today. Everyone was fine, except for me, because I had three times the paperwork. (I really am glad that they are ok). I am realizing today that I am getting more and more reactive. I need to practice my 'slow down' skills. Today, I have to resort to the wine drinking.

Adoration

I love watching President Obama and the first lady. He adores her. You can see it every time he looks at her. He is always reaching for her hand. He has said that she is his best friend. I like the way that she keeps him real, pokes fun at him, and doesn't follow him around like a meek lost puppy. When she stands at his side, you can see that she does so because she chooses to. I love a sharp, educated,and humorous black woman and I cannot wait to see what she will be working on during the next four years. I am sure that everything is not perfect in their marriage. The perfect marriage does not exist. However, love and affection like this keeps a 16year old marriage rock solid. Praise God!

Fortunately, I do experience this mutual adoration in my marriage. We are not as gorgeous as Michelle and Barack. However, we do look in each others eyes like this when no one else is looking, and we are best friends. I am so grateful for my sweetie-pie husband.

My heart is so full!

I am so excited for today. My entire family has taken the day off. We are at home together, making brunch, and treating today like the holiday that it is. I love Barack. He might be the first president whose picture I will hang in my home like he is one of my family (remember when people used to do that?). From the days of slavery and lynching, being turned away from restaurants and refused service,and being dismissed as real people to being the most powerful leader in the world!!! I honestly never believed it would happen. I am making sure that my children are paying attention. They really can be whatever they want to be.
I am really enjoying the news today. I am missing something.... a cup of coffee. Gotta go!

truck

P.S. He got the truck fixed. For the price of a new truck. It better run for several more years, is all I have to say.

Fear

One of my closest friends is going through a rough time. We have all been taken captive by a coward. On Thursday night a man came to her home, cut the phone lines, and attempted to break in to her home. Thankfully, he could not gain entrance the way that he tried. When she got up and flipped on lights he moved a few yards away from the home and continued to watch her. She picked up the phone to call 911 and the phone was dead. Went to use her cell and it was dead. Thank goodness she was able to plug in the cell and get help. She is trying to be brave. But a man that comes to a single woman's home, cuts her phone line, and is carrying a tote bag is not looking to steal possessions. He wats something much more valuable. We are sure that he has been watching her. If it had not been for her dog, we are sure that he would have gotten to her.

So, I went to her home to spend the night, and help her retain some semblance of normalcy (to decrease the terrorism effect). So we had a few glasses of wine, talked, checked the gun, and went to bed. She slept well knowing that I was with her, but I was up all night long listening to the creeking of her home and petting her dog. I am so thankful for her dog. I was scared to death. I am still so scared for her. She is going to sell her home, which is sad. She worked hard to rehab it, and it is her first home. At least it is a buyer's market. She will get a great new home.

Last night, George went to spend the night. Someone was prowling outside again. This is ridiculous.

We are going to the shooting range. Ladies night is free. No one should do this to another person. Pray for her.

Smiles are fantastic. Someone turned to me today and gave me the full on, showing all of their teeth smile. It was beautiful. It made me smile and feel happy. Have you noticed how much light shines in the eyes of happy people? It's wierd that the people that I know who have lost so much in 2008- pets, homes, family members, babies- they have the courage to smile full on in 2009. How could I not join in?

quiet winter

This is not my pic. I got it from another blog that I follow Ivan. I follow a lot of photographers blogs and I love, love, love them. Looking at the world from so many perspectives is so fun.

Quiet winter. I hope we have one.

Mind blowing decisions

My head hurts. I was blessed with a burst of energy this morning to take down Christmas decorations. I ended up rifling through boxes in the basement and organizing some of those things. Which, of course, led to complete overwhelm. Whose crap is that anyway!!! My husband's 1999 Ford Explorer is dead. Or might as well be. Something about timing chain... something, something $4000. Like I said. Dead. But of course, my husband wants to fix it and keep it. It is paid for, after all. Crazy!! We are not in the mood for car shopping. I think that is what it boils down to. Car shopping is draining. You have to pay full attention at all times to keep from getting completely screwed. Tomorrow is a new day. With one car working.