Mornings

Do you ever have those mornings where you wake up late, but today it doesn't matter. That happened to me this morning. I think my job is a great fit for me because I don't have to be to work until 9. So that means I set my alarm for 7 in the morning. I love that hour because it feels late enough that I am not such a zombie trying to wake up, but it is early enough for me to get all the national news from Good Morning America.

This morning found me waking at 8 without the alarm ever going off...guess I forgot to set it last night. Normally, I would panic. But, not today. I leisurely got out of bed, made coffee, turned on Good Morning America (halfway over), and sat in my rocking chair with my puppy. What a great morning!

I spoke with my neighbor last night. Her name is Gigi (pronounced giggy). She is the grandmother of one of my best friends. I was cleaning out the carport, and she stepped out to say hi. We ended up talking about her life for a bit. I asked her about when she moved to Celina. I learned she is a native Californian too. She is adorable!

I think about how diverse everyone is, but at the same time, we are so similar. We journey different paths in life, and our paths criss-cross each other's. Sometimes out treks are side-by-side, other times we are that wayfaring stranger that never see each other again. But, we are put together for seasons of life for specific reasons. Gigi and I would not be the "normal" profile for friends, but I am so glad that she is my neighbor and friend. We have broke that mold. ha ha ha

She told me some about her husband. She has been widowed for some time now, I think. She told me about this young man who asked how she felt after her husband had died, and I was touched by her description.

She explains it as an amputation. Say a leg.... After the wounds of the operation are healed, and after the initial shock has passed and the funeral is over; there is still the expectation that a leg/spouse should be there. It/he had been there for years, it isn't just over and done with...there are days, months and years of coping with the lack of existence of a leg/spouse.

As painful as that sounds to lose someone like that, I am not sure if I would want to live without it either.

So, I said all that, to say this. Gigi taught me a lesson last night. Time, to be exact: right now, is all we have. There is no need to fret about waking up late, forgetting to iron clothes the night before, forgetting to run the dishwasher, etc. I was aware this morning that life is precious. And that a great attitude is a choice. I wanted today to be the best Friday I have had in a long time. And guess what...that was all within my power. It's a choice to be happy...I am making it!

And On to Politics

I am not pretending to be the most intelligent person when talking about politics. I am just stating that one should use common sense when dealing with politics. A person should never paint some "what if..." questions for politicians to answer in a debate. As a nation, I think we have leaned in the last 7 years that nothing can be absolute. I find that the nation's circumstances have changed so much.

I do think that Hillary has the more experience than Barack. I also believe that the democratic party is more realistic than Republicans. I was raised Republican. I still agree with a lot of what Republicans believe. But, I also have to look at the big picture in life...and right now, I believe the Republican party and its leaders have been living in a Fairy Tale "bubble."

I want our troops home...very soon. I want health coverage for everyone. I want jobs to stay here in America. I want us to spend more time on correcting our own problems than trying to correct others. We need a pride in ourselves again...when will that arrive.

March 4th is the primary election date. Go vote. Even if you don't agree with me, go vote. We have an obligation as citizens to help create and plan the government. There are plenty of immigrants that would love the instilled opportunities that we as Americans are granted by birth. Take pride in that...go vote.

And, for those who are in Celina...I have a great candidate for city council. That would be my boss, Todd McCally. He embodies the heritage that Celina owns, but also the contemporary spirit of the fresh face of Celina. Our town is changing, and who better to help preserve what we have and reach for what we can be, than a man driven by integrity like Todd? Go Vote!

And that is my soapbox for the day!

New home..new life

Ok...here's the deal. I hate moving. Never have liked it, and I would consider myself a moving pro with all the practice I have had in the last 20 years. But, I have a new home and am so glad that I have moved once more.

I love that feeling when I walk in the door and see all the items I have saved and collected in my life. Each item has a story...most I know the stories, some I wonder where "life" took these items.

I guess that is kinda how we are in our lives. We all live hectic busy lives, but after all is said and done, we will make it to heaven one day. We will all have stories that are completely different from one another. Some of us will be garage sale bargains while others might be the family heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Can you imagine how wonderful that time will actually be! God will take us, and use us to "decorate" or fill His heaven. And it will be perfect! Perfect...imagine, me being part of perfection. It will be happening one day...soon.

So, the sun is shining and we have loads to be grateful for. Step outside, take a breathe, and realize: 1 - God made you, 2 - God made this day, 3 - God totally wants us to enjoy every aspect of this day He created for us to enjoy. Isn't that the nicest gift you've ever received. A whole day...God gave us this day...go get the stink blown off ya and enjoy it!