This blog is the result of a request. Not a request because my writing is so brilliant, but because a friend stated that whenever she checks to see if I have posted a new blog what always comes up is "We Are All Bastards." She is tired of seeing that. I will interject here that she is always kind and complimentary about my blogs, so it was not a serious complaint. Thus, this post is being birthed as I write.
Saturday was a great day. I spent it with my friend, Nancy, shopping, eating, and seeing a wonderful production of "Steel Magnolias," in which a friend played Ouiser. She was excellent, as was the rest of the cast. The set was so wonderfully pleasing to my eye. I enjoyed the whole day.
As we were leaving the restaurant where we had lunch, I heard, "Marilyn!" It was a relatively new friend having lunch. I went to introduce her to Nancy, and just drew a complete blank on her name. She laughed, introduced herself, and made a funny comment about how she was my "reaaaaaaaaally" good friend. I was mortified, but not really, because I knew I had not offended her. She is just not a woman who walks around looking to be slighted and offended. After a lesson on generosity at church yesterday, I sought out "Miss" Betty to tell her how much I appreciate her generosity of spirit. You know what she said to me? "You could not offend me, I love you too much." And, there you have it.
Later, Nancy and I ran into other friends of mine, one of whom I had not seen in a long time. I introduced everyone. The younger one said, "wow, you remembered my whole name." I proceeded to tell them about the encounter with "Miss Betty." I referred to Betty as a very good friend, to which one of them said, "as opposed to us, who are not your really good friends?" She was teasing, but what I wish I had said to her was, "you are not just friends. I love "Miss Betty," and she would do anything for me if I asked, but you, you people I have known for years, and you have done so much for me without my having ever asked." That's what I wish I had said.
Last week, my precious, adult lifelong friends (as opposed to Nancy who has been my friend since we were 5 years old - that's a looooooooooooooong time) Betsy, Dele and I had a small dinner party. We invited some of the younger women at church who had expressed a bit of angst over getting to know people and finding their place. It was a lovely evening. There were precious young women here. Betsy, Dele, and I simply tried to make some introductions, get to know some younger women ourselves, for they so enrich our lives, and possibly plant some seeds for future friendships. Dele texted me yesterday, that two of those women, along with their families, were having lunch together. Seed planted, and the watering has begun.
Speaking of seeds (I warned this would be random), Simeon, Max, and I planted some jonquil bulbs yesterday. Well, I dug the holes, they threw the bulbs in, I set them up straight so that they will actually grow, and I covered the holes with dirt and mulch while they played in the leaves with their Fizzy. Hopefully, they will remember their "help" when spring comes and we have lovely flowers blooming. If not, I will remind them. Playing with Fizzy was the highlight of their day.
It is amazing to watch my adult children parent their children. One set of parents is a bit stricter about diet than the other as they try to be sure that their son does not eat many sweets. He did not go trick or treating, for he would not wear his costume, and they do not want him to eat the candy. What would have been the point? Besides, it was freezing!! The other grandson is allowed to eat candy on special occasions or as a special reward. He did go trick or treating and loved wearing his costume, as well as his cousin's costume. Everyone came to our house for dinner. When the grandson who had been trick or treating arrived, he brought in his candy bucket, empty. That did not go unnoticed. His parents, in an effort to prevent causing his cousin sadness, encouraged him to leave his candy in the car. There is so much right about that to me. They certainly could have said, "just because he can't have candy doesn't mean you can't," or any number of "okay" things, but, instead they embraced a generosity of spirit, and put the other person first. That is a life lesson far more valuable than most.
The other grandson has a bear that he takes with him everywhere. Big Brown Bear, is his name. He loves that bear. It is his special toy and friend. He is encouraged, and often made to share toys, but Big Brown Bear is a special exception. However, when his cousin becomes upset, I watch him walk over and hand him Big Brown Bear saying, "here, Big Brown Bear will make you feel better." You can see the difficulty it causes him to hand the bear over to his cousin, but his sweet spirit of generosity longs to console. He is watching that, and learning that from his parents. I relish those very special moments.
So, random thoughts. Nothing deep here. Just thoughts from a wandering mind. Now, off to work on Advent calendars for the little boys. I love a good project.
For today, I wish you spirits of generosity, and I wish you
blessings
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