I counted to 60

Today I took over a colleague's job after she left the College for greener pastures elsewhere. I got to keep my old job too, making it twice the fun! And twice the stress.

I stumbled in the house around 7:45pm tonight, after my first full day with both titles. I was feeling grouchy, grumpy and slightly out of sorts, which did not go un-noticed by my youngest son, Luke. He is empathic always, telepathic on most days, and down right insightful on others. Tonight he noticed that jolly Mommy did not come home -  she apparently stayed in Newberry. Thus, he began implementing his various strategies to chill me out.

At first I resisted. I knew I had at least 2 more hours of email to handle, and he had at least 2 hours of school work to do, and then there was dinner, and the laundry and the ... Well you know the mantra. 

He is quite persistent, however, and finally around 10:30pm he came over to my chair, kneeled down beside me (he is over 6 feet tall so this was necessary) and lifted my chin so I had to look at him not my laptop .... then declared that I needed a hug.

He was right. He was genuine.... And I didn't want him to let go!

So I counted to 60. I prayed that he would continue the hug all the way to 60, and he did. For the first time in about 48 hours I relaxed and breathed deeply, and all it took was 60 seconds of someone caring enough to save me from myself!

Who gets your 60 seconds today? Someone needs it, I promise! Make the hug last!

October Birthdays

October has always been a special month in my family because of the birthdays. It all started with Mama, the Scorpio, who at times lived up to that moniker. Her birthday was always about more than just her birthday - it was about making sure others were aware that it was her birthday. October 23rd marked the day of her arrival on this planet, and it marked the anniversary of that day for 66 years; but, I am not sure if Daddy ever remembered it on his own. It became a contest to see if he would remember, and how long she would make him suffer if he did not. I, however, NEVER forgot... for obvious reasons.

Her last birthday was spent in a hospital...... Her last year was spent in pain. Dad remembered it that year, and every year after she died.

My sisters-in-law, Mary Kay and Laura both have October birthdays. Mary's is the 13th and Laura's the 15th. I have been celebrating these milestones with them since I was eight (8)  years old. (They were quite young when they decided to fall in love with my two (2)  brothers, Tony and Mike.)  They have always been sisters, not in-laws, and it is with joy that I wish them Happy Birthday again this year.

These three women taught me how to be a woman. They taught me how to be a wife, how to be a mother and how to face the mirror as time marches on, with grace and style. Happy birthday, ladies. I will love you always! Jane