Sunday, January 31, 2010

It's my anniversary today...

Six years. Time seems to have flown by, which I think is a pretty darn good indication that life is good. When a marriage struggles, the time tends to creep and sometimes even stall. But when things are rolling and a marriage is full of contented, secure, fun-filled days (and nights!), the time slips through your fingers before you have the chance to snatch it up. Then, you wake up one morning to find that its been six years. And if you're really lucky, you realize that you can hardly wait for the next six. And the next.

Too often folks take their marriages and each other for granted. They slip into a routine of simply going through the motions of marriage. They live in the same house, do the things that need to be done, and take care of the family's schedules and needs until the spouses finally lose track of their feelings for each other. They forget that a happy, fulfilling marriage requires attention and effort. That the partnership needs extra work and nourishment sometimes...and quite often that occurs when you least feel like providing it. Folks need to take the time to remember and recognize the power of a stolen kiss or a heartfelt hug, the impact of tender words or a simple "I love you" or "I need you." Husbands and wives need to take the time to remind each other and themselves just how important the marriage is and how dedicated they are to it.

This is not to say that marriage is always easy or that six years can fly by without disagreement or even a little angst. This is just to say that as long as the wonderful times far exceed the challenging times, then life is good and times are rolling. And you best try to keep up.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Devastation, heartbreak, and hope...

As we all have witnessed via the news reports, the earthquake in Haiti has caused heartbreaking devastation and ruin. There are injuries and death in numbers that are difficult to comprehend. The quake collapsed buildings, infrastructures, homes, and lives. The damage is astronimical, unfathomable, unthinkable. The profound sadness, loss, and desperation of the Haitian people are difficult to watch. I cry watching the clips of those who have lost loved ones and those who are desperately trying to find them. I weep uncontrollably at the stories of mothers losing children, because no matter how hard I try, I just can't imagine the anguish,the pain, and the heartbreak they are going through. I ache for the people who, through no fault or action of their own (and but by the Grace of God go we), have been dealt this cruel and vicious hand of fate.

And then there appears on the screen a shot of rescuers pulling a small, wimpering child from the rubble; and the story of a man who for 24 hours dug his wife out of the rubble with his own, now-bloody and bruised hands; and the joyful reunion of family members as they find each other or learn that a loved one is alive. And I watch the images of the brave men and women who are painstakenly working the recovery grids, the search teams meticulously hunting for life, and the miracle dogs who can sniff out or hear even the smallest signs of life in such a rotten, ugly, hell-hole. And I am enthused. Just a little. I watch the U.S. (and other countries') armed forces, medical personnel, and innumerable volunteers and missionaries who have traveled--at breakneck speed--to assist in any way they can. And I am proud. There is still such a long way to go...and much more heartache to suffer, but there are some good things happening there and around the world as we all, regardless of our heritage or beliefs, rally to assist this defenseless and humbled country.

So, don't just sit there, do something. Donate money to the Red Cross or another legitimate assistance organization. Send a care package via UPS (they are sending packages up to 30 lbs at no cost). Pray. And let's all hope that each day, regardless of what the day holds, brings Haiti closer and closer to recovery.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

I don't like really cold weather...

I don't. I really don't. And the older I get, the less I like it or feel the need to tolerate it.

Hubby and I are in Canada visiting friends and family. We're having a wonderful time, but it's cold up here. Very cold. Current temp is a bone-chilling, teeth-chattering, for-the-love-of-God-someone-get-me-some-longjohns 5 degrees (farenheit not celsius!) with a corrected wind chill temp of -14. And it's still dropping.

Have mercy. And these crazy Canucks are out skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and acting all normal about it. For heavens sake...it's cold outside, people. Take you butts inside, start a fire, cuddle up with someone!

Well....other than the freezing temps and frollicking warm-blooded (yet still ass-freezing)natives, Ontario Canada is a beautiful winter wonderland at the moment. Friends and family are doing well and we're having nothing but fun. Hubby and I are now all snuggled up, warm and cozy, inside looking out. The weather folks are predicting that tomorrow will be another cold, blistery day.

I can hardly wait.