Most times when I write, I don’t get it posted until at
least a couple weeks later. So if you
are of the sensitive sort that can’t handle when some the statements I say
aren’t exactly true, like “yesterday I was talking to friends” actually it
wasn’t yesterday. By the time it gets
posted it was like weeks ago. It is the
way I roll.
Anyhow, for me to write about what I do day to day, is
really hard for me, I’m not sure why. It
just seems dull, like everybody will fall asleep while I explain my fixation
for my daily coffee.
But today, my friends I am writing in Real Time. Written and posted on the same day.
Should I tell people that I lost my camera? It’s true. I lose cameras. I buy a new one. I break it.
I buy another new one, and a child drops it into the bathtub. This is my third camera in a year’s time. This makes my husband very frustrated. Can you believe it?
Shall I tell people how first grade is kicking my butt? Right now I want my little preschooler back,
who is sweet and helpful. Why the snark?
Why the tears? Why the incessant whining for an ipod? This week we (me and Elena) are this close
(imagine my fingers are pinched together) to having a crying melt-down every
single day.
Can I tell you of the many mishaps my husband’s family has been having? In November my sister-in-law had a preemie
baby, born at 27 weeks. My SIL nearly lost
her life as she hemorrhaged. A tiny baby
boy was born, 2 lb 3oz, and finally this week little Jevon has finally come
home weighing a whopping five pounds. I’m
not even being sarcastic by saying “whopping” because that’s how it feels to
me. I can’t believe he has doubled his
birth weight! I can’t believe the
miracle of life, and how these tiny babies can survive and develop even if you
wished they would have stayed in utero longer.
The day he gets released from the hospital the phone rings, and we hear the
story of Gene’s nephew who was on a mission trip to Haiti, and after arriving,
was robbed, and then shot in the stomach.
So the last few days it feels like I’m on the computer searching for
updates, wishing there was something we could help with. And I am amazed that with the fallout of the
shooting, things “Just happened” that Chad’s life could be spared.
I will tell you that I am a person who lives and let’s live. If someone near and dear to me is having a
hardship I am not the first one
knocking on their door with a covered casserole. I value privacy, and am an introverted
loner. I have been realizing though,
that this is not the best way to live. I
felt like God calling several months ago, to do more reaching out to others
instead of shrinking back in fear. Do
the awkward thing, and invite people over, offer to bring meals, and stretch
myself. By golly, though I didn’t mean for everyone in my family to start
having super-stressful lives.
And right this instant its 5:00 pm and I should be making supper, but I decided
pancakes and eggs will be good enough for tonight, and that I can afford to
keep on writing. The kids are upstairs
running and yelling with their cousins who dropped by to play. I am ignoring them.
My life is good, but now I’m in a little bit of a winter. You
know when you list all the things you have going for you, and intellectually
you know you have it SO good? Yet, you still feel a little lost? That’s me right now. I’m looking forward to spring.
And now it is 7:00, the pancakes have been eaten, my husband is working late
tonight. I’m settling down with Elena to watch The
Biggest Loser. Clearly I am not so busy
feeding the hungry, needy people that I have no time to bond with my eldest
child over people’s “weight-loss journeys”. (most over-used phrase on the show)
And now it is 10:00 and the children are all soundly sleeping.
Good night.
And God bless.
Especially after you read this somewhat depressing play by play of my evening.
This real time post comforted me like no other… comfort is a strange choice of word but it’s what it did nonetheless. I a post in real time type blogger so maybe I should try the opposite once… write and then wait… But I have the feeling that I’d view my post as completely irrelevant and ridiculous by the time a few weeks had past. I think maybe you’re a deeper thinker so you stay relevant no matter how much time passes…
Love you! Another camera? You definitely should know what’s good on the market. Winter settled into me too (along with sick kids) so yesterday I projected and today the evidence is in the trashed house. So me and my iPad are plopped watching the Today Show (Matt! Lauer!). Guess it’s just not my season. Here’s to hoping things go better with Elena – first grade also bit Brielle’s butt. Let’s plan a girls night out with them!
I found this to be very interesting. Just so you know!
I really like your Real Time. Because, you see, the smart Andrea who waits for days to post her writing intimidates me just a bit. She never writes about boring stuff like lost cameras and it`s just good to see that side of her. I hope Gene`s nephew will be ok!! Talk about frightening. And sorry about Elena. First grade IS tough. It is SUCH a stretch for a little person. I think 2nd grade is better.
Whoa, your family, or in this case, Gene’s family, has gotten hit hard. I hope his nephew will heal physically and emotionally. What a nightmare to live through. And I’m sorry Elena is having such a tough time in first grade. I think transitions are tougher for girls than boys. BTW, I like hearing you in real time. It makes me feel like I know who you are in person. Ok, that came out sounding all weird. I love the discussion posts, but this makes me feel like I am hanging out in your kitchen. Um, was that any less weird? Maybe I should give up.
Wait. All the pancakes are gone??!!!!
i love that you eat pancakes for dinner! and ignore your kids and keep writing~ me too!! ;)i understand about writing and waiting. i do that alot too.sometimes in the moment is just too raw. to me it seems it needs to incubate awhile.you made me smile about feeling God’s been leading you to reach out, but by golly, why did everyone have to go and suddenly have stressed out lives. haha! 😉 thanks for keeping it real. i liked this post!
can I tell you that I just pretty much love your posts. The real time ones and the deep ones.I read them and I think, yes, she is one of my best friends. wow, you keep good company, Shannon. and I feel sorta proud about the whole thing. Love you.
Best blog I read all day. (it’s early yet) What is it with sending them off to 1st grade that brings on some attitude? I am so having this. And Mia loves to watch the biggest loser with me. ha ha.