If you’ve ever gotten married, been in a wedding, attended a wedding, planned a wedding, dreamed about your future wedding, or even imagined planning a wedding, you absolutely must read this book!
Because it really delves into all of the emotions and the behind the scenes drama that almost always surfaces in families when weddings are being planned.
Of course, since it’s a novel there are a lot more instances of drama that unfold which would probably make any real life couple not only lose their minds, but even risk calling off the entire event! Or eloping and not telling anyone until after it’s done.
As a sometimes wedding planner, I always love stories about weddings…the actual planning, the excitement of wedding gown shopping, cake tastings, planning the guest list and seating to make sure people who don’t like each other aren’t next to each other (and what happens when they are!), the ups and downs of things going wrong, family and friends trying to tell the bride and groom what they should and shouldn’t do, etc., etc.
Then there’s always an unexpected twist…and in this book, there are quite a few! And for someone who can usually figure out how events are going to unfold, and even how a lot of books are going to end…let’s just say I never ever anticipated the ending of this one! Not even close!
The characters are totally believable, in fact some of them reminded me of people I’ve dealt with in my wedding planning semi-career.
Nothing ever goes smoothly in the planning, either in real life or in this book. But the important thing to remember is that the wedding is just one day. Your marriage is for a lifetime.
So whether you’re only dating, engaged, planning a wedding, married, or just looking for a lighthearted fun book that’ll make you laugh, as well as wonder what comes next, you can’t go wrong with this one!
Download it on your kindle or go out and buy it and enjoy! I know you will!
You say you’re too busy and don’t have time to call or even text a friend? When you promise you would?
Must not really be that good of a friend. Or you’re not that good of a friend. And I’ve sure found that out.
We make time for things we really want to do and for people we care for. We don’t make promises and forget about them.
Saying you can’t find the time to do something really means it’s not really that important to you. Sure, there are days we really are overwhelmed with a “to do” list that doesn’t seem to end, but we still can make time tomorrow to do what we really need to do.
Those of us of a certain age remember that song by Connie Francis, released back in 1959.
All I really remembered about the song were the chorus lyrics “Stupid Cupid, stop picking on me!”
Now this is a song about teenage love, of course. A lovesick girl carrying her boyfriend’s books to school and who can’t concentrate on her homework because she’s thinking about the guy and blames it on Cupid?! And she wants to clip his wings so he can’t fly?
Ok, this was the fifties/sixties. And it was a really long time ago. Songs like this made sense back then.
But let me ask you. How often have you actually wanted to say “Cupid you’re really stupid! Why’d you do that?!” Or change it around to say “Cupid is Stupid!”
What’d he do this time? Surely this little curly haired cherub who flies around this time of year wearing a diaper and shooting heart-shaped arrows at people wouldn’t do anything wrong!
At this time of year, if you’re one of those people without a significant other in your life, you really don’t want to hear about Cupid. You don’t want to be reminded how that obnoxious little pudgy cherub is missing you with his arrows again.
There were a lot of years I felt like that. Every time I saw a picture of that pink faced little guy with his arrows I wanted to scream. Every time I walked into a store with all the Valentine merchandise I wanted to run. I really didn’t want to be at the office that day either because I had no one to send me flowers or balloons. It really was an uncomfortable day.
Things have changed over the years, but I still remember those feelings. I felt left out, because it was only me, and no boyfriend or husband.
So I get it. And I have a suggestion.
This year, let’s show Cupid how it feels to be left out of the fun. No, we’re not going to hurt him, but we’re going to show him that not being included in the celebration isn’t exactly a good time.
This year we’re going to take those heart shaped arrows away from him. He’s going to have to actually go out and meet people, talk to people. And try to get a woman interested in HIM, without any help. And he’s certainly not going to be dressed up like himself (after all, if you were a woman and a guy came up to you dressed in a diaper carrying a bow and arrow, well, I don’t think the results would be too good!). He’ll have to wear regular clothes, and come up with a story about who he is, where he’s from, what he does, etc.
Keep in mind Cupid is shy. He only works about a few weeks or so every year, and doesn’t really understand what real people are like, how they feel, etc. So chances are he’s going to feel a bit uncomfortable trying to accomplish this. I can sort of imagine this whole thing as a Will Ferrell movie. How about you?
I’m sure Cupid won’t like being in this role. Not at all. But it will teach him that trying to play with people’s hearts, their emotions, isn’t cute. It isn’t fun. And it can hurt when you’re on the outside looking in.
Of course, if it were a movie, it would either end up with Cupid actually finding the right woman for him, or better yet, waking up and realizing he’d been dreaming it all, and promising himself that next year, things would be different! How, I don’t know yet. What do you think? How would you end it?
Now this may not have solved your problems with Cupid for this Valentine’s Day, but isn’t it nice to just think about it in a lighthearted way for once? And maybe poke a little fun at it all?
So go out and buy yourself some flowers, or balloons, or even a big box of candy. And write a card to yourself telling you how wonderful you are.
Because you are wonderful, and special, and one day you will find what you’re looking for.
While the flamingos were enjoying their coffee the other morning, they happened to be watching TV, and once again saw all the commotion about Punxsutawney Phil most likely seeing his shadow again, and how it meant six more weeks of winter. Which did not make them happy. For a number of reasons.
“Why should a groundhog get to predict the weather?” asked one of the flamingos. “What does he know about warm weather and sunshine? He lives in the ground and sleeps all winter. How can he have any idea what the weather is?”
“That’s right,” another Flamingo said. “Everyone knows groundhogs are notoriously unreliable. They say they’re going to do something, but they’re always forgetting because they’re too busy hibernating! They don’t even look at their calendar to see what appointments they have!”
“And did you see those groundhog shaped cookies someone was passing around? All brown….no color…not even a touch of pink! How boring!” (Naturally the main flamingo chef made that comment!)
“That groundhog couldn’t even carry on a good conversation ,” added Freddy Flamingo. “All those clicks and squeals…if he didn’t have an interpreter we’d have no idea what he was trying to say!”
“We went through this several years ago, and I thought we’d gotten it all settled!” said Frankie Flamingo. “What the heck??”
Yes, the flamingos were quite upset. And if you’ve ever seen a bunch of upset flamingos, you know it isn’t a pretty sight! When I left for work that morning, they were once again still squawking about Groundhog Day!
When I came back home that evening, they had all calmed down. Or so I thought. Little did I know….
You see, unbeknownst to me, they’d once again planned their own version of Groundhog Day, and were calling it, what else…Flamingo Day?!!
And since they didn’t want to share their day with any other animal, they once again chose February 6 for their big event! Why they didn’t make it an annual event that first time, I’ll never know…but I guess they will from now on. They still didn’t have a lot of time to plan, or send out press releases and invite the media, but I’m going to make sure next year they’ll make all their plans well in advance, and have just as much of a celebration as Punxsutawney Phil. In fact, probably more. After all, how often do flamingos get to be weather birds?
You may not have seen the event for yourself the first year they did it. But it was actually quite spectacular.
Since flamingos are quite flamboyant, as opposed to groundhogs, they wanted to create a splash on their day. There was no emerging from a hole in the ground, being half asleep, and certainly not looking your best. On the contrary, on Flamingo Day the chosen flamingo had to look her best when she emerged onto the stage, her pink feathers immaculately groomed, her makeup perfectly done, and her jewelry especially designed for the occasion. With the appropriate cocktail in hand, of course. After all, it’s always 5:00 somewhere, and no self respecting flamingo ever has an important event such as this without the appropriate cocktail!
As the flamingos explained to me, it doesn’t really matter where the sun is in relation to the star of the show, because on Flamingo Day the sun will find her, and she will definitely be able to make the determination whether or not she sees her shadow. And if we will be having an early spring or not.
So the time arrived. For some reason they picked 3:00 in the afternoon for the event to take place. By the pool, of course, even though it was definitely too cold to go swimming! And at exactly 3:00 Vincent von Flamingo, the host of the event, strutted out, appropriately dressed in top hat and tuxedo jacket, and proclaimed that Dazzling Dorothy, Flamingo Prognosticator Extraordinaire, and Weatherperson of Wonder, would in just a few minutes be presenting herself on stage to make her first major prediction about spring.
The crowd went wild! Actually it was a huge crowd of flamingos who had flown in for the event, some from as far away as Puerto Rico and Aruba. Dressed in an array of colorful hats, sparkling jewelry, and of course sipping from an array of pink cocktails garnished with hibiscus flowers and pineapple, they were more than ready to witness the inaugural event of Flamingo Day!
And Dazzling Dorothy did not let anyone down, as she strutted to her place on the makeshift stage to stand under a floral canopy designed to shield her from the elements until it was time to see if she saw her shadow. What a sight! She was perfectly attired in her very own floppy hat, adorned with jeweled pink feathers and tropical flowers. Her jewelry, sparkling with colorful gems, pearls, and beautifully crafted silk flowers, wrapped gracefully around her neck. Perfectly completing her outfit was a stylish pair of sparkling shoes, with 4 inch heels, making her appear even more impressive!
The crowd went wild, taking pictures, videos, and squawking in delight! They knew this was going to be a day to remember!
Dorothy looked around, smiled at the crowd, and said, “Are you ready for spring? Me, too!” She raised her glass, downed the rest of her drink in one gulp, tossed the empty glass to Vincent, and stepped out from under her floral canopy. Taking a quick look around, she took off her hat, looked up at the sky and then back down, and happily announced, “The Groundhog was wrong! There’s no shadow! I proclaim an early spring! Now let the party begin!”
Cheers erupted throughout the crowd. Glasses clinked together in celebration. Pink feathers flew, and from the stage, Vincent announced, “The party’s inside! It’s time to celebrate!”
And the flamingos certainly celebrated! Shrimp of all kinds. Special Flamingo Day cocktails! And of course, instead of those unexciting groundhog cookies, bright pink flamingo cookies, all beautifully decorated for the occasion!
It was an awesome day to remember. And trust me, this year’s Flamingo Day celebration, will most definitely top that one! They’re even inviting Punxsutawney Phil himself to join in the fun and see how NOT seeing your shadow is done!
And you know what? I think this time he’s going to join them! I wonder if he’ll be wearing any flamingo attire? Wouldn’t he look good in a pink top hat? And maybe he’ll even bring some of those groundhog cookies decorated with pink icing and sparkly sprinkles!
Happy Spring! It’s definitely coming soon!
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Except when they take a gun to school and end up shooting their teacher. And it appears to be a deliberate act.
In this particular case, the child IS a child…age wise, at least. He’s 6 years old. A first grader.
I remember being in the first grade 65+ years ago. And I can tell you with certainty me or any of my classmates would have never thought about doing such a thing. My mother was a kindergarten teacher for some 25 years, and I doubt seriously any of her students would have thought of it either.
For those of you who haven’t heard about this, let me tell you about it.
January 6, 2023 started out as a regular school morning at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The day ended tragically early when a 26 year old first grade teacher had a gun pointed at her by one of her students. That student pulled the trigger of the 9 millimeter handgun and shot her, the bullet going through her hand and into her chest.
Her entire class witnessed this. How do you think they felt? Scared to death? Afraid they’d be next? Never wanting to go to school again?
The teacher was in critical condition for several days, and finally released 13 days later, still but faces a long stretch of physical therapy as well as psychological counseling. The bullet is still in her body, which may result in more surgery.
And the shooter? Because he’s so young, we don’t know much. What we do know is that he is said to have a severe disability (which can’t be named because of his age) and because of the IEP (individual educational plan) he is under, he is supposed to be accompanied daily to school with either his mother or father.
This particular week neither of his parents went with him.
His mother purchased the gun legally and has stated it was kept on a high shelf in the closet with a trigger lock. Maybe I’m a skeptical person, but I just can’t imagine how a 6 year old could’ve gotten a gun that was stored on a high shelf in a closet and then taken off the trigger lock. By himself. But then again, I guess anything is possible.
But things don’t add up for me. There has to be more to the story.
Then there’s the reaction of the school administration. Which is unconscionable.
In a news conference on Wednesday January 25 the teacher’s attorney stated that on that day the teacher told an administrator the child had “threatened to beat up another child.” Administration didn’t remove the child from class or call security. They ignored it.
An hour later another teacher told the administrator she believed the student had put a gun in his pocket and taken it out to recess. The administrator downplayed the possibility, saying the boy had “little pockets.” Again the threat was ignored.
Shortly thereafter another teacher told administrators another child described as “crying and fearful” had informed the teacher this 6 year old showed him the gun at recess and threatened to shoot him if he told anybody. Nothing was done.
The teacher also texted a loved one before the shooting that the boy in her class was armed and that school officials were failing to act.
Another employee asked administration for permission to search the boy and his backpack, but permission was denied. He was told to wait the situation out, because the school day was almost over.
Well, it was almost over.
Because an hour later the student pointed his gun and shot his teacher. Police have described the shooting as intentional. The teacher somehow was able to evacuate her classroom while another teacher restrained the 6 year old shooter. She and the other teacher are the heroes of this story.
The student is currently still in a local hospital undergoing treatment.
This is without a doubt one of the most tragic shooting events I’ve heard about. I cannot begin to even imagine how these events unfolded. How the school administration time and again failed not only the teacher who was almost killed, but the other students, as well as a student who clearly was in need of help. Our teachers do not get paid enough as it is, and certainly not enough to have to deal with situations such as this.
This is an example not only of total lack of common sense, as well as lack of concern for others, but a huge failure on the part of this school system to take precautions to ensure the safety not only of their students, but their teachers as well. I’ve heard that metal detectors have now been ordered for the schools in this district. It’s like the old saying of “closing the barn door after the horses escape.”
Why does it take such a tragedy in order to do what should have been done before? Are our schools more concerned about budgets and grades than they are about keeping their students safe? Are they more concerned about upsetting one student and their parents that the remainder of their students are put at risk?
Public outcry in this situation is resulting in change. Administrators are being terminated or resigning, hopefully to be replaced by others who will make better decisions in the future.
But this is not enough. It’s a start, but we need to learn from it and do things differently. I am a huge supporter of metal detectors in our schools, as well as armed security guards. It’s sad that it’s come to this, but we cannot ever afford to put a price tag on the value of our children and grandchildren. It’s time to make our voices heard over and over again until we get results.
Parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens, please speak up for what is right. For protection of our young ones who are the future of this country. They deserve the right to learn without fear, and the right to be in a classroom where they don’t have to worry about someone harming them, whether it be another student, or heaven forbid, someone from the outside.
This could happen in any school, in any district, and in any state.
Let’s all do what we can to stop this senseless violence against our most precious and defenseless population, our children. We must leave them a world that’s better than we’re seeing now. And we’re the only ones who can do it.
** Note: The details in this post were taken from news sources readily available online from WAVY-TV, CNN, CBS, and NBC. Please feel free to read the stories for yourself.
A few months after the flamingos tried their wings (unsuccessfully) at baking, they had another brainstorm.
When they walked into the kitchen with magazines and pictures of restaurants in their wings, I knew we were in for another adventure. One that most likely called for advice from my husband.
And I wasn’t wrong.
The flamingos gathered around our breakfast table and spread out a bunch of pictures of tropical restaurants, menus, and flamingo- friendly foods and drinks. Then they started chattering all at the same time, flapping their wings in their excitement!
“Ok, guys, calm down,” we said. “One at a time. What’s going on here?” Ben asked.
Frankie had obviously been designated to be the spokesbird for the group. So he proudly explained what they’d been secretly investigating for the last several months, which actually explained their unfortunately unsuccessful interest in baking.
They’d come across a beachside cafe location for rent at a good price, and had been putting plans together to open their own cafe featuring flamingo friendly food as well as items we’d enjoy as well.
And they really seemed to have their plans in order. We were both impressed.
They’d found several locations, but the place they really liked was right off the boardwalk with an ocean view. They’d planned some remodeling to include lots of palm trees, tropical flowers, and a sandy floor to go along with the beach just outside. With a colorful salt water fish tank at the entrance.
The bar would have tiny colored lights all around, with, of course, a tiki bar theme. And they knew it would be quite popular with their clientele.
They’d also planned a little gift shop for t-shirts and other flamingo gift items. “And eventually we’ll even have our own cookbook to sell,” added Frankie.
Their own cookbook? Now that was certainly something that would take time to put together! And it certainly wouldn’t include any cakes and cookies after their last kitchen experience!
“Plans look great,” Ben told them. “Reminds me of one of our favorite places in Ocean City, Maryland. Only smaller and easier to manage.”
Frankie continued his presentation, showing us their carefully planned table decor of casual mismatched dishes in flamingo designs and coordinating plain colors. And of course, a huge selection of acrylic as well as hand painted flamingo glassware. With tropical flowers and tea light candles as centerpieces.
Flamingos obviously have a good sense for decorating. We approved their designs fortunately, since they’d already started buying pieces online and at discount stores. They were obviously very serious!
They did ask our opinion on the menu, since they wanted people like us dining there as well as other flamingos. They’d selected shrimp and other seafood dishes (oysters Rockefeller, calamari, escargot)…appetizers as well as salads, sandwiches and wraps. Charcuterie boards. Dinner selections with seafood and pasta. It all sounded quite good.
Then there would be tropical desserts starting with key lime pie and lemon meringue. Citrus soufflés. Fruit and sherbet. And chilled crème brûlée.
Of course they were going to offer a variety of tropical signature drinks, the “Pink Flamingo”, “Hibiscus Margarita”, and “Twisted Pink Lemonade”, to name a few, along with wine and champagne, of course.
What they hadn’t thought about were employees. Of course they wanted to hire mostly flamingos, but we suggested they needed to have a combination of both people as well as flamingos. After all, we reminded them, not all flamingos are that great at cooking. (Remember their baking experience?)
Plus they had to remember to train the flamingo servers not to grab any shrimp off the plates they were serving! And to not sample the drinks they were bringing out. Their customers would most likely not appreciate sharing!
But our biggest question…could they afford it? “After all,” Ben explained, “there aren’t a lot of banks out there who’ll loan money to flamingos!” He was just waiting for them to ask us for a loan!
“That’s not a problem,” Frankie replied. “We already have an investor. And he loves flamingos as much as you two do! In fact, we have to go meet with him next.” And they packed up their papers and headed out, still chattering among themselves about their plans.
Well…this should be interesting.
What they’ll end up doing, who knows!? It all sounds great, but actually running a restaurant? It’s a lot of work, and flamingos do like to party, as well as to be flexible and take off whenever they feel like it. I guess they could always find an experienced manager to run it for them. And since it’s going to be at the beach, they’ll have several months to work on the renovations and get everything in order before it’s time to open for the spring season.
Will they go through with it or not?
They’re flamingos; so who knows? It’s a great idea, and one that could certainly work with the right location, menu, and staffing. Time will tell.
The first thing I read in the news the other morning was about ANOTHER mass shooting. Another in California. California’s THIRD in as many days.
But this isn’t about California. It isn’t about all the recent mass shootings at Walmart.
It isn’t about school shootings.
It’s about our country’s refusal to realize that something has to be done to stop this madness.
And that doesn’t mean we need to license more people for concealed or open carry.
It doesn’t mean we need to arm our teachers in their classrooms. They’re there to teach, not stop a gunman from shooting their students. Or a student shooting other students.
We need to make changes in our gun laws. And we need to change our attitudes about guns, as well as our attitudes about mental health.
Yes. Mental health. Because these people who are committing these horrendous acts of cowardly terrorism are most definitely in need of intervention.
In the aftermath of these horrific incidents it’s very often discovered that a majority of the perpetrators have exhibited signs of serious and disturbing emotional and psychological problems. Which unfortunately are very often being largely ignored by friends, family, or coworkers.
Could some of these massacres have been prevented if people had spoken up instead of turning away and ignoring what they saw? Possibly. But we’ll never know, will we? Because so many people just don’t want to get involved.
But maybe at least some more massacres could be prevented if people took more careful note of others around them doing or saying things, posting things, that possibly could be an indication of a problem, and letting someone know. But then again, too many people like to ignore such things, afraid of retaliation or retribution from others. So they stay silent, and when something happens, that’s when they speak up.
After it’s too late.
But this does not negate the need for stricter gun laws. AND the need to enforce those laws rather than oftentimes look the other way when someone wants to purchase a firearm who doesn’t meet the criteria under the law.
And by all means, we need to pass a ban on assault weapons. No one needs them for hunting. They are weapons for war, for quick kills. Why does Joe Public need one? And don’t tell me it’s to defend his family, because there are other ways. Yes, the Constitution allows us to keep and bear arms, but laws are designed to regulate how that is done.
And yes, I understand that there will always be an element of society that will find ways to acquire weapons no matter what. And in that case, when they’re caught, we need the laws to be strictly enforced, with no plea bargains. And all rights to gun ownership resulting in a lifetime ban on future gun ownership or possession with harsher penalties for violation.
And what about educating gun owners on the proper and safe methods of securing their firearms? Perhaps even requiring those who legally own a firearm being required to take a safety course every so often in order to keep that license to own a gun? Don’t we have to have our drivers licenses renewed on a regular basis? What’s the difference?
By now I’m sure many of you will have tuned out and think I’m crazy to suggest any such limitations in gun ownership. After all, it’s their right!
Well let me close by asking this question? How would you feel if your loved one was killed or hurt in a mass shooting? What if there were a shooting at your child’s school? Would you still think there’s no need for stronger gun control laws? Picture yourself getting that phone call or seeing it on the news.
My friends, it’s time to make our voices heard and come up with a solution to these problems. Before there are more mass murders.
“I was being bullied because someone said something that I don’t agree with and I didn’t like it. They’re making me feel like they hate me.”
“He told me I’m fat and ugly and don’t deserve to have anything nice.”
“Everyone picks on me. No one understands what I’m going through. They don’t get it. I’m always being picked on.”
“He/she deserted me for someone else and now nothing’s going right. It’s not fair.”
“Whatever I do or say, someone always tells me I don’t know what I’m talking about and makes me feel bad about myself. They’re always picking on me.”
Do these statements sound familiar?
Does someone you know say such things all the time? Or do you find yourself saying them?
What do these statements all have in common?
They’re what you use to make yourself the victim in everything that goes wrong in your life. Because it’s easier to blame someone else for everything than looking at yourself and asking why all this seems to be happening.
Maybe you’re the type of person who just can’t be happy unless there’s something to complain about.
Maybe it’s easier to explain away all your unhappiness because it’s someone else’s fault.
But when you keep repeating the same reasons over and over in every unhappy situation there’s a problem.
It’s your victim mentality. Because it’s easier to blame someone else rather than look inside yourself and try to figure out why this same situation happens time after time.
Maybe you don’t know any other way to be. And maybe keeping that victim mentality in its strange way makes you happy. Because it’s easier to keep complaining than move out of your comfort zone.
There’s always an excuse. But what you don’t realize is, you’re the excuse, because you’re always playing the victim.
And if you don’t stop, you’ll never be the conqueror.
And isn’t it time for you to be a conqueror rather than a victim?
…when I first saw you, my beautiful baby daughter, when I first held you, where life would take you. I had no idea where your life would take you. All of the adventures ahead. All of the exciting times. The special times in your life. Your first boyfriend. Graduating from high school. Meeting Chris, the young man who quickly stole your heart. Your 21st birthday. Graduating from college. Getting engaged. Your wedding day. You and Chris announcing your first pregnancy.
Little could I imagine where your lives were going next….
I couldn’t take my eyes off your own first daughter Rachel when I first saw her. I cried. I couldn’t help it, because I saw my own mother’s eyes in her. She looked just like you when I held you in my arms the first time. And you looked exactly like me when I was a baby. There’s no doubt we’re all related. Your grandmother even used to call you by my name when you were younger.
I watched as you adjusted to being a mother, watching your grow into a new level of adulthood. You and Chris both changed your lives, as you learned how to be parents. And that’s not an easy thing to learn. (I think your dad and I are still learning.)
I watched Rachel grow from a little baby into a toddler, running around and keeping you both on your toes. Then there came the day you sent us a picture of Rachel looking at a “big sister” book and I couldn’t call you quick enough! What a double blessing you’d given us!
Little did I know what you had in store with those two little girls…sisters who I know will end up being best friends forever. Even though right now they alternate between loving each other to yelling and screaming at each other. Sometimes in the same hour. I do often wonder what would’ve happen if you’d had a little sister like that. Most likely the same things you’re seeing them go though now. And since you’d have been the oldest, I can imagine you’d be acting a lot like Rachel!
And I kept telling you you’d have a boy next time, which you and Chris both wanted. I just felt it. And you didn’t believe me. And little did you know, but I was right. I knew it when you sent us a picture of your two girls both wearing “big sister” shirts. And once again I couldn’t call you quickly enough!
Little did you know this time it WAS a boy, even though Rachel kept telling you it was, even before any of us were able to confirm it. And I knew he’d look just like his daddy.
We did know you’d probably have the same problems with daily morning, afternoon and evening sickness you’d had with your other pregnancies, although we were hoping for an easier time.
But little did we imagine you’d develop a rare pregnancy-induced liver condition that would endanger both you and our grandson. Fortunately you had excellent medical care and a prayer team who never stopped praying for you and baby Ryan. And he was born just five days before Christmas. Five weeks early. You said he’d be early, and you were right!
And little did I expect to have the reaction I had when he was born. I’d been so nervous with this one, especially knowing how early he was, and sitting in the waiting area pacing back and forth waiting for news.
I wasn’t prepared for a nurse coming out to get me and telling me there was someone who wanted to meet me, and I should come with her. I’d been so nervous that it took a minute to register what she was telling me. “He’s really anxious to meet you,” she said, “but you can’t touch him yet!”
At that point it registered, and I almost ran back to see our son-in-law standing by the isolette with their new son, all 6 pounds of him, his little head covered by a red and white crocheted cap for Christmas. “He’s perfectly healthy,” Chris said proudly.
And I couldn’t do anything but cry my tears of happiness, and relief that our miracle child was here. He was beautiful!
But little did we know he’d be back in the hospital on his one week birthday because he wasn’t holding his body temperature. Fortunately once again our prayers were answered and he was back home within three days, just in time for the new year!
Little do we know what lies ahead for all of you with your family now complete. Three beautiful children. And now celebrating 15 years since your first date and almost 8 years married! And look at where life has already taken the two – now five – of you. And it’s hard to believe little Ryan is already one month old.
Life is always interesting and certainly never boring, and your lives will definitely remain interesting, to say the least. We love you all so much.
You just want to be you. Because that’s who you are. There’s only one you.
Only one person in the world exactly like you. Others may look a bit like you, like a lot of the same things you do, even dress similarly. But there are still differences.
Even identical twins have slight differences. And sometimes only they can know the differences. But they’re still there.
You’re unique. You are wonderfully and perfectly made to be exactly who you are.
So instead of wanting to be like someone else, cherish your uniqueness.
Because there’s someone out there who wants to be like you!
Why? Because relationships involve two people, and no two people are alike.
So how can any relationship be anything like another?
You have to write your own manual. And that manual is one you add to every day. There’s no end to it.
Relationships are complicated. What works in one relationship won’t work in another. They’re the hardest things in the world to get right because they involve people, and you can’t control other people. You can’t make decisions without them, and you should never make decisions without consulting them.
You think there are perfect relationships? I have to tell you. There is no such thing. If you find someone who says they’ve never argued with their partner, they’re not telling the truth.
In every successful relationship there are always times one or both partners feel like they want to give up. Start over with someone else. But that’s not how it works.
Sure there are situations in which there are totally irreconcilable differences…abuse, cheating, untreated drug or alcohol abuse, to name a few.
But more relationships fail because of lack of communication and a true lack of commitment than the reasons I mentioned above. Without each person being able to communicate to the other, being able to express their feelings, and being ready, willing and able to truly listen to what the other has to say, it’s much harder to make the relationship successful.
Trust is also vital. If you can’t trust someone with your feelings, how do you expect them to trust you with theirs?
Where is your relationship right now? If it needs some work, there no time like now to get started on repairs.
And if it’s going along beautifully, you’re truly blessed. Because in each relationship there’s always a little something that can be improved.
It’s a mistake to turn your back on a problem. Or run away from it.
Because it’s going to follow you. It’s going to keep right on your heels until you turn around and face it.
It won’t ever go away on its own. You may think it has. But it’s still there, hiding, and biding its time til it’s ready to return and remind you it’s still there.
And it’ll return when you least expect it.
So my advice to you: turn around and deal with it now. Because each time it returns, it’s bigger than before.
While the flamingos were enjoying their coffee the other morning, they happened to be watching TV, and once again saw all the commotion about Punxsutawney Phil most likely seeing his shadow again, and how it meant six more weeks of winter. Which did not make them happy. For a number of reasons.
Yes, the flamingos were quite upset. And if you’ve ever seen a bunch of upset flamingos, you know it isn’t a pretty sight! When I left for work that morning, they were once again still squawking about Groundhog Day!
So the time arrived. For some reason they picked 3:00 in the afternoon for the event to take place. By the pool, of course, even though it was definitely too cold to go swimming! And at exactly 3:00 Vincent von Flamingo, the host of the event, strutted out, appropriately dressed in top hat and tuxedo jacket, and proclaimed that Dazzling Dorothy, Flamingo Prognosticator Extraordinaire, and Weatherperson of Wonder, would in just a few minutes be presenting herself on stage to make her first major prediction about spring.
The crowd went wild, taking pictures, videos, and squawking in delight! They knew this was going to be a day to remember!
