January has been a big month for me. I moved out of my parents' house and I now have my very own apartment. This means that I am now solely responsible for supporting myself-paying bills, buying groceries, taking out the trash, unloading the dishwasher, and making sure I don't run out of toilet paper. HOWEVER (notice the all caps there?), this also means that I have re-discovered so many awesome things about living BY MYSELF. And I'm slightly enjoying it....ok, flippin' loving it.
I love watching whatever I want to on TV.
I love showering with the bathroom door open so the mirror doesn't get all fogged up.
I love being in control of the food that comes into my home.
I love being able to do homework alongside my boyfriend without having to be concerned about anyone else.
I love picking out my own laundry detergent and fabric softener.
I love having my treadmill in the same room as the cable tv.
I love being able to walk around stark naked if I want to.
I love not having to be considerate about telling anyone when I'll be home and if I'll be eating dinner with them.
I love burning as many scented candles as I want to.
I love coming home and getting to chill out without having to be polite to anyone.
I love banging my thumb with the hammer while trying to hang pictures by myself.
I love having a guaranteed, covered parking spot every night.
But honestly, I wouldn't have the opportunity to love all these things as joyfully as I am without parents who have supported, loved, encouraged, and taught me how to be independent. So, I have to add to that list that I love that I have wise parents who have selflessly guided me to be stable financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They're pretty dang cool, and I am one blessed girl.
So, cheers to new chapters. I'm likin' this story.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
An Honor
There are some people who are seemingly very far removed from your life, yet manage to have a big impact on you. In the last year and (almost) a half, I have encountered one such lady. Now, this is one bizarre connection in the world of degrees of separation. But, rarely have I met a woman of such grace, faith, warmth, and openneess as the mother of one of my boyfriend's ex-girlfriends. In fact, my boyfriend loves this woman (Mrs. D) so much that he has stayed in touch with her since he broke up with her daughter years ago. I now fully understand why.
This past Monday, Mrs. D's husband passed away as a result of ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. For the entire 2 years he battled the disease, this woman took care of him, her faith in God's strength to carry them through it never wavering. Two days before Christmas, my boyfriend and I stopped by to see them, and honestly, I was nervous, because this was an ex's parents (whom I'd met only once before), and we were going to their house. Awkward. But from the moment we stepped through the door, she was nothing but gracious, inviting, and warm. How many women would so graciously welcome their daughter's ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend into her house while her husband was, essentially, on his last few days on earth? I was floored.
Today, we went to her husband's memorial service. While sharing about their life together, this woman of God said something that had me nearly sobbing, though I hardly know this family at all. She said, "It was a privilege to fulfill my wedding vows so completely."
The "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health" parts became real in their lives, and she lived them out with honor and grace. I have spent probably a grand total of 2-3 hours in this woman's presence ever in my life, but it only takes a couple of minutes for her strength and warmth to become contagious to those around her. She and her family are much beloved, because she (and they) loves. Selflessly. I consider it an honor to know this woman even a little bit. It was definitely a "wow" kind of day.
This past Monday, Mrs. D's husband passed away as a result of ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. For the entire 2 years he battled the disease, this woman took care of him, her faith in God's strength to carry them through it never wavering. Two days before Christmas, my boyfriend and I stopped by to see them, and honestly, I was nervous, because this was an ex's parents (whom I'd met only once before), and we were going to their house. Awkward. But from the moment we stepped through the door, she was nothing but gracious, inviting, and warm. How many women would so graciously welcome their daughter's ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend into her house while her husband was, essentially, on his last few days on earth? I was floored.
Today, we went to her husband's memorial service. While sharing about their life together, this woman of God said something that had me nearly sobbing, though I hardly know this family at all. She said, "It was a privilege to fulfill my wedding vows so completely."
The "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health" parts became real in their lives, and she lived them out with honor and grace. I have spent probably a grand total of 2-3 hours in this woman's presence ever in my life, but it only takes a couple of minutes for her strength and warmth to become contagious to those around her. She and her family are much beloved, because she (and they) loves. Selflessly. I consider it an honor to know this woman even a little bit. It was definitely a "wow" kind of day.
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