I actually wrote this in a notebook a while back, and wasn't sure if I wanted to post it. Obviously, I decided to.
I hits you when you least expect it. Before you can brace yourself a wave filled with past moments, happy and sad, crashes over you. Suddenly the void in your life becomes so pronounced that for a few moments it totally engulfs you. The only thought in your mind is, "I miss my grandma." But just as quickly you place the cover back on the void and move forward. You'll get used to it eventually. You have to, because Grandma is not coming back.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Lilly the Duck
Before working at a local museum I did not realize it was possible for a duck to possess a stinkeye that rivals my own. It was there that I met Lilly. This snow white fowl is the terror of many other volunteers, and strives to make our lives as difficult as possible.
The first time I took care of the animals by myself I determined that I was not going to let a duck scare me. I mean it's a duck! How vicious can she be? I pulled on my fake confidence and began cleaning her pen. As a talked sweetly to her I hoped that the noises she was making back were happy. Unfortunately, the somewhat threatening tone and the way she was glaring made me fairly certain that they weren't. She intensely watched my every move, eagerly awaiting the moment my hand came into biting range and she could lunge for attack.
I spent as much time as possible cleaning the litter in the pen, dreading the next step. Changing the water in her tub. The only way to clean and refill her 'pond' is to empty it with a bucket, and then replace the water with a hose. Of course Lilly has to be removed before any of that can happen. Knowing that she was not going to be happy with me picking her up, (and somewhat fearful of what damage she might inflict), I instead gave cheerful hints concerning her waddling out of her pen. They all went like this, "Now Miss Lilly, don't you want to walk around the room some? I have a ramp set up for you, and all you have to do if walk a few feet." Miss Lilly did not want to walk around the room; at least not without making a fuss before hand.
Seeing that the bird was not going to move, I took a deep breath and grabbed her. The extent of her quacking and struggling was more appropriate for if she were headed to the dinner table than for a daily ritual. With her removed and possessing a few less feathers, and me feeling rather proud I provided her with a clean water.
Fortunately I'm beginning to gain knowledge of Lilly's ways, and am getting better at dodging her nips. Maybe someday we'll even get along. But I wouldn't count on it.
The first time I took care of the animals by myself I determined that I was not going to let a duck scare me. I mean it's a duck! How vicious can she be? I pulled on my fake confidence and began cleaning her pen. As a talked sweetly to her I hoped that the noises she was making back were happy. Unfortunately, the somewhat threatening tone and the way she was glaring made me fairly certain that they weren't. She intensely watched my every move, eagerly awaiting the moment my hand came into biting range and she could lunge for attack.
I spent as much time as possible cleaning the litter in the pen, dreading the next step. Changing the water in her tub. The only way to clean and refill her 'pond' is to empty it with a bucket, and then replace the water with a hose. Of course Lilly has to be removed before any of that can happen. Knowing that she was not going to be happy with me picking her up, (and somewhat fearful of what damage she might inflict), I instead gave cheerful hints concerning her waddling out of her pen. They all went like this, "Now Miss Lilly, don't you want to walk around the room some? I have a ramp set up for you, and all you have to do if walk a few feet." Miss Lilly did not want to walk around the room; at least not without making a fuss before hand.
Seeing that the bird was not going to move, I took a deep breath and grabbed her. The extent of her quacking and struggling was more appropriate for if she were headed to the dinner table than for a daily ritual. With her removed and possessing a few less feathers, and me feeling rather proud I provided her with a clean water.
Fortunately I'm beginning to gain knowledge of Lilly's ways, and am getting better at dodging her nips. Maybe someday we'll even get along. But I wouldn't count on it.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Clouds Are Breaking
The weather yesterday was perfectly dreary. I was greeted by fog and a coating of grey clouds in the morning, and the greyness continued to persist throughout the day. However, as the day begin to end, the clouds started to break. Wind separated them so that bits of blue sky and rays of sun peeped out. In some places the setting sun transformed the clouds a gorgeous shade of pink and covered the land below with a golden glow.
That change of weather is very much like the change that is occurring in my family's life. We've made it through the difficult, rainy time, and now the clouds are beginning to blow away. It hasn't quite sorted itself out, but it's getting there. This is still a beautiful time of life though, and I need to remember to appreciate every moment of it.
That change of weather is very much like the change that is occurring in my family's life. We've made it through the difficult, rainy time, and now the clouds are beginning to blow away. It hasn't quite sorted itself out, but it's getting there. This is still a beautiful time of life though, and I need to remember to appreciate every moment of it.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Changes
Life is full of changes. They can either come slowly or crash into your world with the impact of a runaway rhinoceros. Some changes are happy, such as graduating, or can be heartbreaking, like a death. It is the latter change that my family and I experienced this Christmas season. Grandma passed away on Christmas Eve, after battling Alzheimer's disease for many years, and having suffered infections during the last month. We knew her passing was imminent, but that doesn't soften the edges of sadness as much as I thought it would. The thing about change is that you eventually adjust to it, and this is not the exception. Time slows down for nothing, so we pick ourselves up and keep going. However, that does not mean that we will forget her or the good times we had together. Grandma was too important to us and had too much personality to be forgotten.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Hallelujah!!!!
It only took six stores and trying on about twenty pairs for me to find shoes! This was Mom's reaction to this triumph. It's kind of my reaction to the fact that this is post number 100!!!
Actually the first link is Mom's reaction, the second one is mine. She was really going to sing the Hallelujah Chorus right there in the mall. Dad and I intervened. It just isn't as impressive without music and more people.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Facts Of an Amazing Christmas Play
1-(not pertinent to the said Christmas Play) I really like listing all these facts about my life, from my perspective. It's nice to see everything in a nice numbered list. Makes me feel better about life.
2- Jason and Jonas were kind of the stars of the play, and being loving family members, Mom, Dad, Rachel, Lilly, Lucy, and me went to see it.
3-Jason and Jonas's starring parts were as Joseph and Baby Jesus. They made a great Joseph and the cutest Baby Jesus. I might be a bit biased, though.
4-It was the most amazing church Christmas play I've ever seen. All the plays I've been in have looked at plays like that for guidance. Sadly, we never reached the awesomeness of last nights play.
5-(once again, not pertinent to the Christmas play) I'm getting ready to go church shoe shopping. Wish me luck, and that my mission may be completed.
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