The Big Game

It was the perfect fall day for football, and today, I was among the crowd (thanks Mike & Shari) in East Lansing, at what I considered to be my first "real" college football game. The sky was blue, with big white fluffy clouds. There was definitely a chill in the air, but I was bundled up, and the cold made the hot chocolate taste even better. It was a good game, Michigan State won, I had a great time, and I made a few discoveries.


I was amazed that 71,000 people can converge upon a single destination, and fit into such a relatively small space.


I was amazed that with 71,000 people in such a small space, nearly everyone I came in contact with was polite, friendly and helpful.


I was amazed at how 71,000 people can cooperate to form a wave that goes completely around the stadium--twice.


I was amazed by the skill of the athletes and the musicians.


And, sadly, I was amazed by the police carrying a young woman out of the bathroom who drank too much alcohol. I work at a hospital, and I've seen some scary things over the years--car accidents, burn victims, a man hit by a train. But I've never seen a young person in such poor condition from drinking. I've never seen a human being that peculiar shade of green before.


Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. Google "college drinking", and you get about 6 million entries. Most research suggests that drinking, particularly binge drinking, is quite common among college students. MY teenager will be going off to college in less than 2 years. I am scared.


I just heard about talk of new legislation in Michigan, that would protect minors who call 911 for medical help when they or their friends drink too much alcohol, in order to save lives. This says to me that we think our children will watch someone die because they are afraid of getting a ticket for minor in possesion. WHAT? Is this how we are raising our children? God help us. But it's a start, a baby step. Admitting there is a problem is the first step, right? As a parent, though, I'd like to see more. Let's work harder to eliminate the drinking in the first place. Let's educate ourselves and our kids. Let's work together to find where the problem starts, and stop it before it starts. So there's no need to be afraid to call 911. So I don't have to be scared to send my daughter off to college.



God help us.

Old Friends

Several years ago, my husband underwent some back surgery. Two surgeries actually, a month apart. While he recuperated, we couldn't really leave our small apartment much , and television basically became our entertainment. In particular, we became great fans of a show called "7th Heaven" which we continued to follow through many seasons.
I'm not a huge tv watcher myself. Before the hubby & I were married, the only tv I owned was used for my daughter to watch her favorite childhood videos. (Again, to protect ME, I won't specify which videos. She does occasionally read my blog.) I do follow "American Idol" and maybe a couple of other programs, but I prefer listening to music, or even peace & quiet. The hubby, on the other hand, enjoys tv a lot. He'll watch cars drive around in a circle all day long. In any case, we all enjoyed "7th Heaven", and we enjoyed watching it. Together. As my daughter grew in to the teenager, we were able to have a few of those delicate mother-daughter discussions with the help of certain episodes. Sometimes, if we were really fortunate, ABC Family would hold a "7th Heaven" marathon on Saturday!
I'm going to put myself out there now and risk being hauled away to the nice, quiet padded room where I get 3 meals prepared & delivered each day, and don't have to clean house, but I came to feel as if I really know these people. The story lines evoked real emotions in us. The hubby, the teenager and I talked (and sometimes still do) as if the characters were real people. While the series officially ended a couple years ago, there are reruns here & there, and you can sometimes find the dvd's online quite reasonable priced.
Recently our family has encountered some new struggles. We'll manage, with a little help from family & friends, and alot of help from God. But we, like a whole lot of families these days, are feeling pretty stressed. So today, we popped in some "7th Heaven" dvd's. After the first episode, I began to feel more relaxed. It felt familiar and comfortable, like old friends we haven't seen in awhile. And it brought us together, something that's been missing lately. So while endless hours front of the tv isn't good for anyone, an occasional family program or movie can have it's benefits.

Introduction

Since I've decided to work on this more regularly, I thought maybe a little introduction is in order. I realize it's overdue, but better late than never, right?

I'm a wife, working mom of a teenage daughter, and have 2 cats and 2 dogs. The cats & dogs are almost as spoiled as the teenage daughter. I like to garden and read, and have discovered that I REALLY like to write! So that's why I'm doing this--because I like it--and I hope that maybe you will like it too. If you do, I'd appreciate it if you would tell your friends. I love to read any comments you may care to leave. If there is a topic you'd like to read about, let me know and I'll see what I can do. My purpose is just to entertain, share my thoughts, and maybe get you thinking as well. My only request is that you keep it clean.

Happy reading!

What can you do?

The last few days, maybe even longer, it seems there's an abundance of bad news in the world. The world has lost some entertainment icons--Ed, Farrah, Michael. Not that I was a huge fan, but they were talented individuals that played a particular role in our society's history, and their loss will be felt by many. But on a different level, the bad news is piling up all around me. Friends dealing with job loss, serious illness, divorce, addictions, and so many other issues I could go on and on. I don't believe I've ever known a time like this before, with so much going on with so many. A high tide of sorrows, if you will. It makes me feel helpless. I'm not sure what to do for people I care about, who are struggling with BIG issues.
I can pray.
OK so maybe I sound like a refrigerator magnet, but prayer changes things. I don't want to get in to discussions or arguments over religion and God. That's not my point here at this time. My point is, we're all here to help each other. To do whatever good we can, where we can. But I wonder if I take enough time to let the people around me know that I care? That while it may not appear on the outside that I'm doing much, I'm there somewhere in the background, praying for you and your situation. It may be while I'm doing dishes, or folding towels, or waiting in line at the grocery store. It may be in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, which seems to be often lately. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with a strong need to pray for someone. Sometimes I find out later they really needed it. Sometimes I don't.
Maybe prayer isn't your thing, and while I highly recommend it, that's ok if it isn't. Maybe you can make a meal for someone. Maybe you can do their dishes or mow their lawn. Maybe you can drive them to a doctor apointment. Maybe you can just sit with them, BE with them, so they're not alone.
I just saw a news report on tv about a rescued elephant and a stray dog that became best friends. The dog became ill and the elephant stood outside the building where the dog was being treated, until the dog was well enough to be brought to her friend. I thought to myself, "That's what it's all about." The elephant did what good she could.
Be the elephant.

The End of an Era

Some memories are so deeply etched into our brains that we know we will never, ever forget them. Some are joyous--the moment my baby was handed to me and I set eyes on my daughter. Others painful--when each of my parents passed away, or the moment I heard about the attack on September 11.

I'm not sure yet into which category this falls.

The hubby picked up the teeneager from school. I thought she would do her usual routine of snack & rest (secret teenage code for texting and IM'ing with friends, I believe), but instead she plopped down in the recliner. "I need to tell you something," she announced, "and I need you to NOT freak out." Even though the pause here lasted only a second or two, hundreds of scenarios raced through my brain, NONE of them in any way good; got into a fight at school, started a fire (she does enjoy a good fire, like her mom), talked back to a teacher (sometimes I think she would be justified), drugs, pregnancy. How can the brain manufacture THAT many thoughts in such a small amount of time? I'm sure every drop of blood in my body has drained to my big toes at this point. "Get on with it!" I'm screaming in my head, but I'm almost certain (???) I said "Yes, ok honey. What is it?"

"A boy asked me to prom, " she FINALLY speaks. I think I involuntarily breathed a small sigh of relief. Again, some details have been changed in order to protect ME.

My questions:
"Who is he?"
"How old is he?"
"Where does he live?"
"How do you know him?"
"Who are his parents?"
"What is his blood type?"

Hubby's question (notice singular--not plural):
"Do you want to go with him?"

Her answer? "Yes."

It sunk in then and there--she no longer believes that boys have cooties.

When Did I Get Old?

That's what I'm wondering right now--when did I get old? Last night, the teenager went ice skating with friends (the worry over her falling and breaking a bone is a story for another time). Afterwards, she called, wondering if it was ok to bring her friends back to the house to watch a movie. (The names have been changed to protect ME.)

Me: "Sure. Who's coming?"
Teenager: "Cindy, Katie and Brian"
Me: "Ok. See you soon." (very calmly)

Inside my head, red lights are flashing and alarms going off. I think I heard the robot from "Lost in Space" saying "Danger! Danger!" You see, the teenager has never brought a male home before. So hubby and I decided we would retreat to our room, just a few feet away, and turn the living room over to them. Actually, it went more like, hubby saying, "I'll hook up the DVD player down here because a boy is NOT going up to her room!"

I should insert here that the teenager IS a REALLY good kid, straight A's, no trouble at all, and as far as I know, this boy is just friend. But teenagers will be teenagers, with minds of their own and hormones and all that, so the hubby and I just want to play it safe.

So the teenager and friends, including the boy, roll in, and as the boy is walking in the door, he's saying, "I think my zipper is broke. It won't go back up." Immediately the chest pain starts.

Me: "ROBERT, GET THE BASEBALL BAT!" (Use your own imagination for the decibel level.)
Hubby: "Baseball bat Hell, I need a shotgun!"

Turns out the boy was referring to his sweatshirt. Poor kid. Had no idea what all the ruckus was for. Luckily we're old and don't move too quickly. Hubby and I retreated to our room and gave them some space, with a few periodic visits to check in. As I pretended to watch SNL while trying to listen for any unusual sounds or movements, it sank in. I am old.

Getting Started

There's a strange, bright light shining through the living room window, creating a glare as I try to type. Strange, at least, for this part of the country in early February. I believe it's sunshine, although that's a very faint memory. If you close your eyes and take a very deep breath, you might even notice the tiniest little hint of a warmer season waiting in the wings. Until then, it's kleenex and thermometers and chicken noodle soup. My daughter has been in bed since Thursday, and while I thought she was making the turn toward recovery earlier this morning, her fever is going back up now. Like I told the pharmacist yesterday, I'd rather be sick myself than see my child this way. While we can have a little device in our cars to tell us "Turn right in 200 yards," and can share our thoughts with friends half a world away with a single click, we can't instantly cure illness. And as a mom, that makes me feel helpless. I know it's probably some sort of virus, and it will just take lots of rest, and fluids, and time, but I can't help thinking of parents who face more serious illnesses in their children. How their hearts must break, wishing they could trade places with their babies. They must wonder why? Why their child? Why there is no cure? So for now, I will be thankful that it's not that serious, and take advantage of our quiet time at home together.