An Oasis In The Midst Of Life's Little Annoyances

There have been a multitude of nondescript, unrelenting challenges going on around our household lately. Nothing huge. Nothing worth tears. Nothing that's so easy to pinpoint to a concerned listener, but a number of areas that just seemed destined for us to learn through failure, rather than triumph through perseverance. The perseverance is there. We, and especially our kids, are giving it our all. We can be very proud of them lately, and yet they are being challenged by unfairness and in other cases a real lack of grace and compassion over and over again. I hate to admit it, but these are the phases in life that I have the hardest time knowing how to deal with, even more than the big tragic events. Somehow, despite my knowledge of the simplicity of the Gospel, I still want to believe that if I or my husband or my kids have tried our hardest, then by golly our intentions should be rewarded with understanding from others. Of course I am sure I probably don't always extend the same understanding, especially when I perceive that someone's "hardest" isn't very impressive by my own standards - or when I'm particularly cranky and tired. Ha ha ha ha. God's probably having a good laugh at that one! Like my standards in any way compare to His capabilities! And then I'm reminded that this is just what life is. Growth through trials. And it is rather nice that they are minor for a while.

On a better note, for two glorious days (three if you count driving - and even that was pleasurable enough that I might as well), I got to finally go on a condensed version of the honeymoon we had planned almost 13 years ago, before my husband's father/best friend passed away 2 weeks before our wedding.

I could write a whole post just about the drive there. I haven't been back that close to where I spent my younger childhood since I was 16. And I never expected the rush of nostalgia that washed over me from the mere sight of palm trees and H-E-B grocery stores. We were traveling through the tropical night, listening to the best of the 70's on satellite radio (playlist is a sampling of what we heard) and it's like I was transported back in time to an era when my naivete was still wondrously intact. I could practically hear my brother and our neighborhood friends giggling as we filled up trash bags with water to sit in during the unrelenting heat of summer - 10 months out of the year. My head played movies of days at the beach and backyard parties with tan-skinned friends and bar-b-ques in our tight knit cul-de-sac, when gas was first outrageously priced, patriotism was at an all-time high and political correctness was almost nonexistent because mean people could say whatever they wanted and the rest of society was free to ostracize them for it. My anticipation for our trip was high, but only because I remembered the amenities of this beautiful city and knew they'd be perfect for a husband and wife all alone on an extended date. But the flood of recollections that came rushing back was a sweet surprise. What I found instead was an improved, more modern version of what had always been there, memories and all. I think my hubby might have even enjoyed seeing the "kid in me" that he's never known since we met later in adulthood.

San Antonio impressed my husband as much as I thought it might 13 years ago. I couldn't quite pinpoint exact hotels or areas where my parents had taken me when we visited there three decades ago. But things looked very familiar. And for two days, I had my husband's full undistracted attention. That NEVER happens! It was wonderful!!!

A part of me wants to post all the details, but I am contemplating right now how to proceed with this blog. It is, first and foremost for me, a journal for my kids to pass on the traditions and stories of their heritage for future generations. I honestly believe the art of family story telling is too close to dying in our fast paced society. And the computer aspect of it is what works for me. I could have kept a journal all those years before, but I didn't. And I do love the communication that takes place between myself and other bloggers. I've met a small but sincere group of people online that I honestly consider friends. However, my little site meter at the bottom has also provided me information that there is at least one lurker with some peculiar habits concerning their viewing here. Of course it only takes one bad citizen (not the word I'm actually thinking of) to spoil all the fun, but that's just how some people wanna play. So I'll not be quite as descriptive from henceforth on and so and so, but that will all get recorded as "Drafts" for my kiddos.

December will be a slow month for writing any way. Unfortunately the little "Problem Fairy" forgot to make a showing at our house to wisk away all those pesky annoyances we were able to fully escape for 30 fantastic hours. Hmmmmmm. That's funny. I know another Fairy who messed up her duties a couple of weeks ago and forgot for two nights to take that tooth away from under the pillow. Pathetic. It's a good thing my kids know all about Santa Clause. (But probably not so good that yesterday, my dear sweet daughter, in all innocence let it slip to her little friend that didn't.) What are you gonna do? That's just life, isn't it. Nothing a good palm tree can't fix. If I can make it back before a decade or two goes by. :0)