Seasons

A good friend of mine who used to work at IT recently passed away from cancer. Sharon was my date for the IT Holiday party for years, and was like a grandmother to me. Another friend described her best by saying "she was the kindest, most loving bitch you've ever met, and I want to be just like her when I grow up." Sharon used to cuss and swear up a blue streak. She told you she loved you and you damned sure knew if she was unhappy with you.

Needless to say, her death hit me pretty hard. Especially since I'd been asking friends about her the night before she passed. I'm a big advocate of reaching out to friends and family before it's too late, and yet even I can't be perfect about it. (This would be a good chance for you to call or email loved ones. I'll wait for you... Done? Great!) It didn't help that later that night we got a call that Jesse's grandmother was back in the hospital and wasn't doing well, to the extent we started warning boss-types and puppy-sitters that we might have to take off in short order. (She took a turn for the better and is doing well now.)

Add stress over money, trying to get the house in order, preparing for the holidays, and it adds up to a crappy series of events that could have me/us pulling out hair. Thanks to having good friends (and each other) to lean on, we're doing okay.

Today's lesson could be my one of my favorites, making certain you tell people you care about them, but it's not. Today's lesson is that even when the odds are overwhelming and you're feeling down in the dumps, there's always hope. We humans are incredibly strong and resilient, even when we forget or don't believe it. Lean on others when necessary, but have faith in yourself...and the Universe. Just for good measure, though, spend some time before the holidays reaching out to loved ones.

Happy Birthday

Today is a day full of birthdays for me. My nephew Alex is one today. Yes, I'm bitter that I'm not there to celebrate with him. It's also the birthday of our very own Squee-piddly! She's been an incredible friend over the years. At times I'm her "Mama Gay," and help advise, support, and care for her. At times, she does the same for me. She's 22 today, and I'm so glad she's been in my life for the last batch of birthdays. Run on over to her blog, wish her a happy and a merry, and guilt her into posting something. ;)