Life is an adventure. . .

. . .and I'm taking it on the road with four, life long,  girlfriends.  I'm so blessed to have friends that I've known since childhood.  So long about last winter, sitting around a table in the Ark, we hatched a plan to take a road trip to Upstate NY to visit another long time friend (who claims to live in God's country), and then on to Montreal.  Five women who have known each other, at the very least, since high school some 10 years ago, no wait - 20, well, whatever!!!  I've known Diana since 6th grade.  6th grade!!  How many people get to stay friends that long?  That alone would be enough fun, but the fact that we are leaving on such an oppressively hot weekend and traveling North to a cooler climate is just evidence to me that this was meant to be a perfect opportunity; to rest and to explore and to maybe even sit and enjoy some

Peace.

4th of July, 2011

Where have I been?  It doesn't matter because I am back.  Another forced rest for a week.  I came down with the nasty virus known as Herpes Zoster....a/k/a/ Shingles.  Could be I was exposed to someone with Chicken Pox.........could be stress related.  Could be?  The doctor asked if I am under any unusual stress. . .does sitting in your waiting room for an hour and ten minutes count?  Does working two Municipal Courts simultaneously as Administrator count?  Does being "on-call" for two and a half years straight with no relief count?  Does being awakened 4 nights out of 7 for my "on-call" responsibilities count?  Does marrying off two daughters in 364 days count?  Does not seeing my beautiful grandchildren or hearing their sweet voices for over six months count?  Does burying my beautiful Dominic count?  Does marriage count?  Oh, I see, says the doctor. . .I could have ripped up her medical license with my bare hands.  Doesn't everyone have stress? 

But what the matter?  It is my choice how I use this time.  So I've read two novels, started on the third, grateful that the seemingly secondary infection in my eyes still allows me to see words on a page.  Grateful that I have a support staff that I can trust and be confident that upon my return to the office all will be well.  Grateful that I have a job.  Grateful that I have my two brilliant, hard-working, beautiful inside and out daughters.  Grateful that I have grandchildren, here and beyond.  Grateful that my marriage provides other avenues of grace.  So maybe I can just relax, wait for the virus to pass and find some

Peace.