Tag Archive | friendship

Day 6

Feb22

Today I slept in until almost noon.  It’s Saturday.  I sleep in on Saturdays.  My room stays dark like night so unless I look at the clock I have no idea how late it is.  That’s okay because on Saturday I have permission to sleep in….permission from myself.

I started cleaning the shelves in the laundry room when my friend from college called me.  We haven’t talked in a very long time.  But she is the kind of friend where we pick up where we left off.  We talked for almost 2 hours when I had to get going but we still have some catch up to do so I think another call is needed.

Tonight Dan and Isaiah and I went to see River City Improv in Grand Rapids.  It’s been a long time since we’ve done anything of that nature.  It was nice to get out during the evening and actually do something.  MidNight did well with the folks and settled down nicely after her evening snack of pop corn and time spent chewing her bone.

Mom is planning on going to church with me and Isaiah in the morning.  She will be glad that she did because she really likes to go…it’s just the getting up and getting out that’s hard.

I think if there is a word I need to explore and think about for the next few weeks it would be “intentional”.  The past couple days I have just gone along with the rhythm of the day. I didn’t really set out to accomplish much. I didn’t really make time to be active. I didn’t track what I was eating.  I think part of what I need to learn to do is be more intentional about my day. When will I do “X” and what will I eat.  How will I spend my time?  Where will I compromise and go with the flow and where will I be structured and determined to follow an intentional guideline?

My goal for tomorrow:  Be intentional about taking a walk with Isaiah and MidNight.  Be intentional about tracking what I eat.

My goal for the week:  Go to planet fitness one to two times for 1/2 hour each time.

This week

  • I have decided to be intentional on how I spend my day and to resist letting it slip by .I have decided to take better care of myself. 
  • I have decided that I need to pay attention to how I treat others when I feel devalued.
  • I have decided to count my blessings on very normal, ordinary days and recognize each day is a gift.
  • I have decided: to ask God to help me more often and to recognize when I need the help.
  • I have decided that: it just isn’t worth getting all upset about stuff…God is good…and He’s got this.

Kathy

February 16, 2015 Day 1

Feb17

I did something a bit risky last night around the same time as I am writing now.  I wrote on FB about my need to change the way I take care of myself.  I identified myself as a caregiver, which I am, both at home ( caring for my parents and family) and professionally ( caring for the elderly).  It took me a long time to embrace the title of caregiver.  But I know that’s what I have been called to do and I know that’s what my passion is.

I shared how I do not take care of myself like I should and simply asked for a bit of prayer and encouragement.  I was overwhelmed with the response I received.  I had no idea that many people would pray for me or express their belief in me and their love for me.  It brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart and face.

Today I began this journey.  I stayed faithful in tracking what I ate.  I walked the dog with Isaiah after school and I kept busy.  I resisted the urge to give into that wave of sleepiness and desire to just sit and watch t.v…watch really, the day go by.  I did good today.

But the biggest thing I learned today, is that I am loved by a lot of people.  There are a lot of people who have decided too, to pray for me, to lift me up with their words of encouragement and that feels really good.  So…if you are reading this…thank you.  You have no idea how good it feels to have been a result of your choice to respond to my request.  I feel tonight, very blessed.

I plan to journal daily, right here, so feel free to join me.

Kathy

20 Years

May16

June, 1992I remember coming home from the wedding rehearsal for Tim and Rachel Rector. I was one of Rachel’s bride’s maids. I had been resistant to going because I didn’t have a date. He caught my eye, the good looking guy with the camera. I had met him once before when I went to Rachel’s apartment, but that had been a long time ago. His name was Dan. His family called him Danny. After seeing him there, going to the wedding without a date didn’t seem so bad.
The next day was the wedding and I made the trip up to Cedar Springs, MI to support my friend in her marriage. The wedding was nice and then it was time for the reception. It was during this time, that I met Dan and we talked the whole time. I liked him immediately, he knew how to have a conversation…a real conversation about things that really mattered.
I left for home feeling happy that I had gone. I was hoping that he would call me. And then I waited.
July 18, 1992
Well, we finally talked a month later. He asked me out to dinner at Jose Babuska’s. I told him I would meet him there. After being stood up one time too many, I had too much pride to allow that to happen again. Especially, since I was living at home. I didn’t want my parents to see me disappointed when he didn’t show up.
I drove by the restaurant. We were to meet at 6:00 p.m. I didn’t want to be early….that would look too desperate and I didn’t want to show up late so I aimed to be there at exactly 6 p.m. When I walked in the door he was there waiting for me. It felt good to see that he actually showed up. He suggested we order the Ribs. I had never had ribs before and tried to eat them neatly with a fork. It was hard to do, but I managed. We ended up staying until the place closed for the evening. He was so easy to talk to. I had never been one for small talk, and apparently he hadn’t either. I returned home feeling good about our date. I wanted to see him again.
October 29, 1992
We went out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Pietro’s, a local Italian Restaurant. It was here on this night that Dan asked me to marry him. He had chosen a ring, unique like none other. I said yes, and he put the ring on my finger. He had told me that he had tried to find a card to tell me how he felt, he said he thought he found a way and pulled out the ring and asked me to be his wife. We had the booth at the back of the restaurant. It is “our” table.
Previously, we had gone to Mackinaw Island. It was cold there but we had so much fun. We spent the day walking around the whole Island. We had dinner at the Grand Stand. We didn’t eat at the Grand Hotel it was too fancy for us. The Grand Stand had been just the place. Candlelight dinner with the sounds of the piano in the background playing jazz and other easy to listen to music. We entertained the thought of getting married at the little Stone Church there. But decided to marry closer to home.

We spent time at Mackinaw Island

May 15, 1993
I married my best friend.

Tonight we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

We went back to Pietro’s. We sat at “our” table. Dan called ahead and it was set up ready for us, complete with a white tablecloth, and yellow napkins. He had a dozen purple roses, two of which were yellow representing our two boys. We ordered our favorite Lasagna and had fun recalling those early days.
I am blessed. I am thankful for the past 20 years. They have gone by fast. We have grown as individuals and as a couple. We have learned from each other and from our kids things only marriage and parenting can teach.
He has been my friend, lover, listener and companion. I am thankful that he chose me and still chooses me.
Love you Daniel.

Your Lady Kathryn.