B: birthdays, bologna, books

b

BIRTHDAYS

I have a small problem. Okay, small may not cover the truth of the disease. My husband would definitely send me to a support group if such a group existed. I am not physically capable of a mediocre birthday celebration. I want balloons and fanfare and music and a buffet style feast. There should be dozens of birthday-celebrating party-goers, a DJ, and a table piled high with gifts. Or maybe a special birthday vacation, the kind where you steal the birthday girl or boy away on a midnight mystery with nothing but a haphazardly packed bag and the road before you. Yes, birthdays should be special.

BOLOGNA

So here’s the sad truth. I love bologna and cheese sandwiches. I was practically raised on this strange meatesque substance so you can hardly blame me. If I had to tell you my favorite comfort food, this would top the list. Nothing beats a bologna and cheese sandwich slathered with mayo on white bread. There. The ugly truth is out. If only I had known that one day I was going remove bologna, American cheese, mayo AND white bread from my diet… I might have commemorated that last sandwich – made it an especially “big deal” and celebrated with a holiday each year – in honor of my beloved bologna and cheese sandwich.

BOOKS, FAVORITE

Whenever people ask, “What’s your favorite book?” I immediately think of my latest read, not my all-time-favorite.  Then I feel a little guilty, as if I’ve let down my real favorites. And no sooner than the book-questioner walks away, all my real favorites come swimming back into my memory. “Wait!” I want to yell, “I didn’t mean it! Let me tell you about these other books, instead!”

Ode to My Mama

Here are some things you need to know about my mom:

She took my sister and me to the library every week of our childhood. Seriously. What the United States Postal Service is for your mail? That's my mom and literacy. Girlfriend isn't playing around.

Every holiday, without fail, was made special by Mom. Yes, every one of them. We even had visits from The Great Pumpkin.

The woman can sing. I'm not talking about your run of the mill karaoke style jams. When mama sings, people listen. Partially, it's because they have no choice -- I mean, when a middle-aged woman is throwing down Joan Jett opera-style, you can't help but notice. As a teenager, this was the bain of my existence.  But on those days when I'm feeling bummed and have a ton of housework to do? Easy fix. Slip on some earbuds, turn on the iPod, and belt out some tunes. I'll never be asked to sing at weddings, as she once was, but I've got some pipes! I'm pretty sure I got those from her.

If you need a prayer warrior, call my mom. She has a direct line. She'll hook you up.

Growing up, my mom's goofy childlike antics were soo embarrassing. After all, I was 15 going on 50. I never quite knew how to be a kid. Apparently I age emotionally in reverse, because now? If you peek in my window around dinnertime, you'll see what I was growing up with. Every once in a while I pause, a little mortified -- I've become my mom! -- and then quickly go back to the dancing, singing, giggling antics of my own. I learned from the best. May as well use it.

She sends cards. Like, way more than the normal card-giving status quo. You could open up your mailbox one day and have a card for Groundhog's Day and a "Just Because I Love You" card waiting there for you at the same time. Who does this?? My mom, that's who. It's basically impossible to be around my mom and not feel unconditionally loved.

If you're dying for a good home-cooked meal, don't go to her. Mom, you know this is true, so don't even pretend to be offended! She will, however, stock her pantry with every one of your favorite ready made foods, drive 30 miles to find the perfect meal, and send you an insane amount of Christmas goodies for you to enjoy over the holidays. Oh, and if you're having a party? Yes, invite my mom. She makes THE best seven layer dip, chocolate eclair cake, and weird-yet-delicious blueberry cream cheese glob of dessertesque food you will ever taste. So, lesson here? My mom is more of a party girl than a wine and dine sort of chick. Go figure.

Oh, and you should know this. She is an amazingly talented writer. When I was a senior in high school, she took a writing class and shared her writing with me. It may have been one of the first times I realized we had some pretty important things in common.

There are many, many more things I could tell you about my mom. How she caught me hiding two baby birds when I was eight and called the Vet to help me put them back in their nest. Her unceasing praise and encouragement for every single thing I've ever told her I wanted to do. The countless surgeries and therapy sessions she shuttled me back and forth from when I was a kid. How she held my hand when I was in labor with my first son. How she's held my hand limitless times through the years when I have stumbled, fallen, and picked myself back up again.

My mom always tells me that I am all the things she always wanted to be. Strong. Independent. Brave. A go-getter! In fact, she told me all these things again just last week.

Here's the thing I need to tell my mom about herself: I am all those things because of who she is.

So thanks, Mom. A million words do not begin to describe the gifts you have given me, the lessons I have learned, the love I have gained.

Happy Birthday. Don't forget to make your wish when you blow out the candles tonight.

slice of life tuesday: 37 and counting...

A few minutes before lunch today, I noticed someone standing just outside our classroom door.
It was my husband. With a bright bouquet of flowers.

He came in, and after we settled the kids back down, joined in on all our classroom craziness for the rest of the day.

I love surprises, and although today is my birthday, I definitely hadn't expected to see him standing there!

An excellent way to spend the day. And honestly, right now I have an abundance of blessings in my life. So for today's slice, I thought I'd name one for each of the (manymany) years I've been alive:

1. My extremely compassionate husband
2. All my children are healthy
3. I have a great relationship with a sister I love dearly
4. I get to spend my days doing something I love
5. I have more than a few friends that will always have my back

Two Writing Teachers

6. My kids and I have strong relationships -- this make me crazy-happy!
7. I get to raise a little girl now! Well, help raise -- but still! A girl! Pink and purple and ribbons and lace!
8. I have a fabulous fairy classmother (my amazing mother-in-law!) that gifts our class all sorts of great things!
9. I laugh daily
10. I get to see my family all the time.
11. I have a little time to myself now and then to devote to my hobbies
12. I am healthy enough to enjoy pretty much everything life has to offer
13. I am smart enough to make wise decisions for myself (most of the time!)
14. The Husband and I have goals and plans in motion to meet them!
15. My work life is open enough to let my creative side show
16. I have people in my life that encourage the sides of me I love but am shy to share
17. I live in a place where safety is rarely, if ever, a concern
18. I'm figuring out, day by day, what it takes for me to be physically and mentally healthy and happy
19. I have a nice roof over my head, and don't have to worry from month to month how we'll pay the bills
20. I have one child ready to graduate from high school -- and each day I can tell more and more just how ready he is to take on the responsibilities of being an adult
21.  I have the means to be able to do kind things for others
22. I am more aware of what I need at work to be successful
23. I am developing a strong professional network of educators to lean on and learn from
24. I have watched my two oldest boys grow into mature, courageous individuals
25. I have more than a couple amazing mentors in my life
26. I know what it means to be loved unconditionally
27. I've learned the magical effect of letting go of the past
28. I can make a damn fine paleo-brownie!
29. I watch minds grow from unsure to confident -- every day
30. I have some really great shoes. No, really -- I do! And this has to be counted a blessing, right?
31. We have no credit card debt! We don't even carry credit cards.
32. I live in a country where blessings are easier to list than tragedies
33. I have a great ability to focus on the positive!
34. We have a steadily growing savings account
35. I am much stronger right now, this second, than I was at the same time last year
36. Each night I get to lie down next to my best friend to go to sleep
37. I can look forward to many years of future happiness!