Batteries Recharged in Muddling Through As Best I Can
- July 12, 2015, 10:23 p.m.
- |
- Public
After the last two months, I decided to take the weekend and allow myself time to compose myself and rest. I spent Saturday in downtown Houston, in Hermann Park at a birthday party for Isabel, my eldest granddaughter (she is the child of one of my former foster children). It was very nice to see her. My 1st wife Judy was there with her 12 year old daughter Sommer, who is always a delight to be around. Judy and I have been the best of friends for years, so it was a good opportunity to spend time catching up.
After the birthday party, I spent the rest of the afternoon with Brian, my youngest. We just “hung out” with a longtime neighbor, Rube (short for Rubio). Rube is from the Bronx in New York, and although he’s been in Texas for many years, he is still a hoot to be around. We tend to spend a lot of time making fun of each other’s accents. And pizza. Sorry, it’s a matter of taste I know, but NY pizza does not compare to ours. The south is known for it’s ridiculously good cuisine, and that includes our pizza. Sorry yankee folk, just deal with it.
Today, I took Reese, my oldest grandson, to church with me, then spent the rest of the afternoon at home, finishing laundry for work tomorrow and just enjoying time with family.
Tomorrow I step back into the trenches. We finally have court on Thursday concerning custody of Raina. I cannot fathom that it will not be in our favor with all that has gone on since Pam stole the grandchildren from our home.
I told the kids, the old saying is wrong, RIGHT makes MIGHT, not the other way around. Liars only prosper for a season, the truth wants to be told. We will win her back by simply being who we are, not by underhanded means.
I have been working on forgiveness for Pamala because I know that she is also grieving the loss of a child. Something I have too much experience with, and is operating on emotion. I am trying to find a place of forgiveness for the man who killed my children, which is much harder, and the lifelong friend of my son who stole money out of his wallet while my daughter in law’s body was still inside the wrecked vehicle on the highway. The last two are much harder, but I am striving for progress in that area. Not that I won’t see justice done in both cases, but I want it to be for the right reasons, and not just out of anger.
If the last years have taught me nothing else, it’s that our corporeal life is fleeting and can be cut short at any moment. Value what is valuable; family, friends, love and your faith. Release your anger, it gains you nothing.
As I said, intellectually I know these things to be true. Emotionally, I still have work to do on myself, but I know I will get there given time.
Meanwhile, I will tell each and every one of my loved ones each day, that I love them. Far back in my posts, you will find the story behind that.
So, before I go to bed, I encourage you; tell your loved ones how much you love them every day. One day it will be the last time, never lose that opportunity. I have awakened twice in my life only to close the day with one less son to hold. I have grieved the loss of a daughter in law and watched two babies orphaned. I have buried a wife.
Yet throughout all this I tell you; God is good, and he will bring something posititve out of all of this, like ripples in a pond.
From this, perhaps there will be one less drunk driver on the road and one life saved.
From this, perhaps one person will remember to say, “I love you” that one last time.
From this, I sincerely hope that anyone reading this will hold tight to their loved ones, and value each and every moment you have with them, thanking God for the gift he gave you, for whatever time you have it.
Good night my friends. Thank you for listening.
Last updated July 12, 2015
I need tea. ⋅ July 12, 2015
Xxxxx