As I begin to write this it is Sunday evening in Michigan… and very early Monday morning in Sweden. My son has been awake for hours. Over excited for the World In Line Tournament to begin? Well, that and his roommate snores. This is also the time of year when the Midnight Sun is shinnng in Sweden. The light so bright in some regions, a person can actually get sun burn. The phenomenon happens between the end of May and the middle of July. In a few hours the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation), the host organization will begin what should be an action packed 1st day of competition.
Crews are polishing the floor of the rinks, refs are reviewing the rules. Ok maybe the ref thing is a bit much. Vendors are setting up booths; cameras are being put in place for action shots. Team USA travels with a fabulous support staff. Coaches, trainers and equipment guys are the backbone of this team’s potential success. The boys have amazing uniforms and state of the art equipment. This team even travels with their own washer and dryer! A huge stock of sticks and wheels made the journey along with a seemingly never ending allotment of tape. Almost anything you can imagine in the “patch them up and get them back out there” kit is also waiting on the bench.
The boys have also packed their superstitions. I assume other sports have players who have rituals and rites of passage that must be performed in order to ensure greatness, but I don’t have a big frame of reference. I’ve always been a very superstitious hockey mom. The details are too deep to go into but… I’ll admit I’m really bad about things being in certain places and if this happens than I do that… it’s bad. But most players have their own, very private tasks to complete, places they need to stand, sticks that need to be specifically taped and food that needs to be consumed at odd intervals. I’m hoping they are doing all of them before today’s game!
Well, happy to report we beat Team Canada, 7-2. Great game with the US coming out hard and fast right from the 1st drop of the puck. I did attempt to watch the webcast but was not able to sync up. I paid my $6.43 (50.00 in Sweden currency) but never saw a second of the game. The IIHF has a live score sheet on their website so I was glued to the refresh key for 2 hours. I actually had a meeting and I guess my colleagues know me better that they should… I was given a bit of slack to run back to my office to check the score every so often. Thanks guys! I spoke to my son and some of the boys later via Skype... very cool. They were tired but happy to have the 1st win under their belts. TNT did a fine job in net and the IIHF had great things to say about our boys. Keep it up and on to the next…
Will I attempt to watch Tuesday’s game on the web? Nope. I didn’t watch Monday and they won… If I watch Tuesday and we… aren’t successful... OMG! Ah... hockey superstitions… gotta love em!
USA! USA!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Boys are Back!
25 of the United States most elite In Line Hockey players descended on Lakewood Colorado this past weekend. After an intense 2 days of almost non-stop tryouts, 11 went home, sad, disappointed and dejected. 14 were selected to be the 2010 US Men’s National In Line Hockey Team.
I’ll admit it… I’m a hockey junkie! I love hockey, both Ice and In Line. I grew up in the Chicago area, but never saw a hockey game until I moved to Michigan in 1988. That year I had the privilege of attending a Wings playoff game, in the suites I might add. I remember calling my husband to tell him we had been offered the tickets. “Is this a cool thing to go to?” I asked. Being a devotee of the Wings and having lived away from what he called “real hockey” for a number of years, you can imagine his answer. Joe Louis was buzzing. Yzerman was back after a knee injury and the fans couldn’t wait. My knowledge of hockey only included details like, it is played on ice with sticks and skates. I had zero understanding of the game. Sadly, I can now admit, zero passion for it either. As I sat way up high in our appointed suite, our host for the evening asked me if I was a fan. I believe I said something to the effect of not knowing if I was a fan because I didn’t know the game. For the next 10 minutes he explained. Carefully filling my head with off sides, icing the puck, too many men, blue line, and red line definitions and inside information on the players. I was breathless with anticipation. As the puck was dropped I felt it. My heart raced, my mouth was both dry and salivating for more at the same time, my hands were sweaty and my head pounded. Over the course of the next 100 minutes or so… I was hooked, addicted to be sure. The high was so high, the low was devastating. I don’t remember the score or who we played but really it doesn’t matter. What mattered was I wanted that feeling again and again and again. I wanted more…hockey.
My son began playing ice hockey when he was 5 years old. Like most parents I believe he is great, both off and on the ice. He has played all over the world. Youth leagues, Jr. A, College and professional, he’s played and loved it all. I have too. I love to watch almost any level at any time. When he was in high school, he discovered In Line hockey. If you have never experienced In Line, it’s a faster game with some modification to the rules. It’s also a smellier game! I’m not sure why but I’m sure it has to do with the no ice, warmer setting issue. PJ, my son loves In Line hockey. He has played at most levels and again all over the world.
With the many teams, camps, travel and tournaments there has been a constant stream of players flowing through my life for the past 21 years. I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with some of the teams and interacting with the players. To be at a rink and have a player seek you out to be sure to say hello and give you a hug is a great experience. To cook for a player who you have opened your home to and have that player, years later ask you to cook for them again is so gratifying. I love the relationship I have with so many of the boys. I’ve been nurse, mom, friend, banker, confidant and cheerleader for sons of others. It’s been an honor. When my husband and PJ’s dad died last year, at first I was blown away by the support of the hockey community. But then as time went on and I began to reflect, I wasn’t surprised at all. Players called not only my son, but me as well. Players I had heard about and cheered on from afar but had not ever met, showed up for the services. But, frankly… all of this is in a word… hockey. I cannot speak for other sports but hockey boys may fight to the finish on the ice or court, but outside of the game, their friendships run deep. The passion they have for their sport flows freely through their lives. As easy as it seems to drop the gloves during a game, when the chips are down for someone or something they care about, the gloves are dropped or the sleeves rolled up without hesitation.
In 2002 PJ made his first appearance as a member of the US Men’s National In Line Hockey team. Every year there was the anticipation of the invitation to “camp”. Camp is lingo for the grueling process of tryouts and team selection. Today the 2010 team was announced. Boys from California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Michigan will represent the USA at the In Line Worlds in Karlstad Sweden. Our 1st game is on Monday v. Canada. In 2009 the US won the Silver after suffering their first tournament loss to Sweden in the Gold medal game. This year we are in their house and would like nothing better than to participate in a rematch. The Gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, July 4th.
The boys will be sending me pictures and updates. Updates are also available at www.usahockey.com. Please look for updated blogs here and let’s get some serious support behind this great team.
Boys, lace up the blades, get your game-head on and have a great time. Represent us proudly as we are all so proud of you.
USA! USA! USA!
I welcome your comments! maxmom16@yahoo.com
I’ll admit it… I’m a hockey junkie! I love hockey, both Ice and In Line. I grew up in the Chicago area, but never saw a hockey game until I moved to Michigan in 1988. That year I had the privilege of attending a Wings playoff game, in the suites I might add. I remember calling my husband to tell him we had been offered the tickets. “Is this a cool thing to go to?” I asked. Being a devotee of the Wings and having lived away from what he called “real hockey” for a number of years, you can imagine his answer. Joe Louis was buzzing. Yzerman was back after a knee injury and the fans couldn’t wait. My knowledge of hockey only included details like, it is played on ice with sticks and skates. I had zero understanding of the game. Sadly, I can now admit, zero passion for it either. As I sat way up high in our appointed suite, our host for the evening asked me if I was a fan. I believe I said something to the effect of not knowing if I was a fan because I didn’t know the game. For the next 10 minutes he explained. Carefully filling my head with off sides, icing the puck, too many men, blue line, and red line definitions and inside information on the players. I was breathless with anticipation. As the puck was dropped I felt it. My heart raced, my mouth was both dry and salivating for more at the same time, my hands were sweaty and my head pounded. Over the course of the next 100 minutes or so… I was hooked, addicted to be sure. The high was so high, the low was devastating. I don’t remember the score or who we played but really it doesn’t matter. What mattered was I wanted that feeling again and again and again. I wanted more…hockey.
My son began playing ice hockey when he was 5 years old. Like most parents I believe he is great, both off and on the ice. He has played all over the world. Youth leagues, Jr. A, College and professional, he’s played and loved it all. I have too. I love to watch almost any level at any time. When he was in high school, he discovered In Line hockey. If you have never experienced In Line, it’s a faster game with some modification to the rules. It’s also a smellier game! I’m not sure why but I’m sure it has to do with the no ice, warmer setting issue. PJ, my son loves In Line hockey. He has played at most levels and again all over the world.
With the many teams, camps, travel and tournaments there has been a constant stream of players flowing through my life for the past 21 years. I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with some of the teams and interacting with the players. To be at a rink and have a player seek you out to be sure to say hello and give you a hug is a great experience. To cook for a player who you have opened your home to and have that player, years later ask you to cook for them again is so gratifying. I love the relationship I have with so many of the boys. I’ve been nurse, mom, friend, banker, confidant and cheerleader for sons of others. It’s been an honor. When my husband and PJ’s dad died last year, at first I was blown away by the support of the hockey community. But then as time went on and I began to reflect, I wasn’t surprised at all. Players called not only my son, but me as well. Players I had heard about and cheered on from afar but had not ever met, showed up for the services. But, frankly… all of this is in a word… hockey. I cannot speak for other sports but hockey boys may fight to the finish on the ice or court, but outside of the game, their friendships run deep. The passion they have for their sport flows freely through their lives. As easy as it seems to drop the gloves during a game, when the chips are down for someone or something they care about, the gloves are dropped or the sleeves rolled up without hesitation.
In 2002 PJ made his first appearance as a member of the US Men’s National In Line Hockey team. Every year there was the anticipation of the invitation to “camp”. Camp is lingo for the grueling process of tryouts and team selection. Today the 2010 team was announced. Boys from California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Michigan will represent the USA at the In Line Worlds in Karlstad Sweden. Our 1st game is on Monday v. Canada. In 2009 the US won the Silver after suffering their first tournament loss to Sweden in the Gold medal game. This year we are in their house and would like nothing better than to participate in a rematch. The Gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, July 4th.
The boys will be sending me pictures and updates. Updates are also available at www.usahockey.com. Please look for updated blogs here and let’s get some serious support behind this great team.
Boys, lace up the blades, get your game-head on and have a great time. Represent us proudly as we are all so proud of you.
USA! USA! USA!
I welcome your comments! maxmom16@yahoo.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Marriage
This is a re-posting of a blog from October 2009. The News Herald is asking what advise you would give newlyweds. This is what I would give…
I was married for just under 29 years. I learned a thing or two. If I had to impart wisdom on staying married for the long haul and enjoying it, it might look something like this:
TALK
Talking is key. The person you are with should want to share everything with you. You should be able to talk about your hopes, fears, joys and passions. I’m a talker… shocking to many of you I know. It took a long time to get my husband to open up about many aspects of his life. I remember before we were even married we started having “tell all” nights. Truth be told they did involve some amount of risk but it really laid the groundwork for what was an amazing journey of conversations over the next 29 years. We would sit facing each other, no TV, music or anything…. you were allowed to ask a question, any question and the other person had to give you an honest answer. Ok some of you are thinking that this is garbage and you would just say anything, but we really did attempt to be as honest as possible. Over the next years we would have versions of the “tell all” nights when we would find ourselves losing our connection. We had rules about what could and couldn’t be repeated or re-questioned. Some of my best memories of my husband are lying in bed next to him talking about our day, our hopes and our future. It’s not a matter of needing a solution from your partner. When you talk to your beloved about a problem or concern, you are basically giving half of it way. I loved when he would share a problem or concern with me. It made me feel valued. We talked all day, all the time. We texted, e-mailed and even faxed. I miss our talks and I still will reach for the phone to share something from my day with him. While we talked about the important stuff of life we also took the time to say the little things. I was told I was beautiful more often than I actually felt it. I told him how handsome I thought him to be. If we were going out to someplace special and I would ask how I looked he always responded… well what he said leads me to the next section…
SEX/MAKING LOVE
First and foremost understand the difference between sex and making love. Also know that need and want are two very different things. Frankly sometimes you just need sex. There is a stronger word but I’ll let you figure it out. Sex is a physical need being fulfilled… Making love is both emotional and physical. If you’re grown up enough to be sexually active, be grown up enough to tell your partner what you want and/or need. If one of you is a morning person and the other is fond of the night time, work it out. Feel free enough to get what you need but be generous enough to give what is wanted or needed. Don’t be afraid to shake things up. Do something unexpected, but nice. Ladies, there is no rule that says your partner is the only one who can initiate a rendezvous. I’ve been told it’s a welcome change for some guys. Now for you men, please…change up the repertoire every so often. Your partner shouldn’t be able to tell time by where you are on her body or what you are doing to her. If you’re doing it right she shouldn’t be able to think at all. Never be afraid to ask questions. But be careful what you ask for, you may get it or some variation of it. Always remember that passion makes almost everything better. I’ve always been a fan of the slow burn, flirty passion that can take hours to reach its peak. But a quick passion filled moment can be just as satisfying. Never, ever fake it. It will come back to bite you in the butt, someday.
HUMOR
I don’t have any idea where I would be today if I wasn’t blessed with both a quirky sense of humor and a partner who both appreciated and encouraged my craziness. Life has thrown way too many punches in my direction to not appreciate the humor that is always in every situation. It’s important to find what makes your partner’s giggle. There is definite value in a well timed full body laugh shared by two people who genuinely care for each other. Inside jokes are a must. I will always treasure the time my late husband made me burst out laughing at a funeral for his uncle. He turned to me and whispered something about his cousin’s striking resemblance to a duck. Of course I looked over and yep… she looked exactly like a duck. I let out a laugh so loud it was embarrassing. On the other hand it was so satisfying and a huge tension release. To complete the image you have to know that my husband never even cracked a smile… his lips didn’t curl. Nothing. I think I may never live down that moment with that side of the family. I purposely made sure to have humor in his eulogy, because it was such a part of our lives together. When out with friends we could look at each other and know that something we had heard was wildly funny, even when it wasn’t intended to be funny and would actually have to turn away for fear we might offend someone by laughing. Find a person you…get and who gets you. Find and hold on to the person who can know when to laugh with you and of course know when to and how to cry with you.
FAITH
Ok, this gets tricky. While faith in a higher being is a wonderful thing and I’m all for it, I’m not talking about that kind of faith. I’m talking about believing in someone when there is no earthly reason to believe in them. Blind faith is dangerous. But a deep faith is a must. Have faith that you chose the right partner. Have faith in yourself. Make decisions together, the big ones and the little ones. Ask each other’s advice and opinions. Have each other’s very best interests in mind at all times. Always trust that the decisions your partner makes are from the heart. Assume best intentions. Remember just because someone is louder, doesn’t make them right-er.
LOVE/LIKE and LUST
You need all three of these to keep it all together. I believe you should always love the person you’re married to, but in all honesty you will probably not always like each other. Believe it or not, it’s ok. You should never marry someone you just love but do not like or lust after. You should never marry a person you just like, but do not love or feel lust for. My guess is that you know lust alone is a tough sad state. Danger zone! All three of these are fluid. We feel them coming in and going out of our hearts, minds and spirits at speeds that can make you dizzy. To me love either is or isn’t there… Like and lust can and should be cultivated and cared for tenderly and consistently.
I will never claim to have all the answers or to have had the perfect marriage. But I know some things to be true. I know what my heart told me at the time was right. Given how I feel now that the love of my life is gone, I know this all to be true in my head as well. So my parting thought is to lead with your head, but listen with your heart.
I was married for just under 29 years. I learned a thing or two. If I had to impart wisdom on staying married for the long haul and enjoying it, it might look something like this:
TALK
Talking is key. The person you are with should want to share everything with you. You should be able to talk about your hopes, fears, joys and passions. I’m a talker… shocking to many of you I know. It took a long time to get my husband to open up about many aspects of his life. I remember before we were even married we started having “tell all” nights. Truth be told they did involve some amount of risk but it really laid the groundwork for what was an amazing journey of conversations over the next 29 years. We would sit facing each other, no TV, music or anything…. you were allowed to ask a question, any question and the other person had to give you an honest answer. Ok some of you are thinking that this is garbage and you would just say anything, but we really did attempt to be as honest as possible. Over the next years we would have versions of the “tell all” nights when we would find ourselves losing our connection. We had rules about what could and couldn’t be repeated or re-questioned. Some of my best memories of my husband are lying in bed next to him talking about our day, our hopes and our future. It’s not a matter of needing a solution from your partner. When you talk to your beloved about a problem or concern, you are basically giving half of it way. I loved when he would share a problem or concern with me. It made me feel valued. We talked all day, all the time. We texted, e-mailed and even faxed. I miss our talks and I still will reach for the phone to share something from my day with him. While we talked about the important stuff of life we also took the time to say the little things. I was told I was beautiful more often than I actually felt it. I told him how handsome I thought him to be. If we were going out to someplace special and I would ask how I looked he always responded… well what he said leads me to the next section…
SEX/MAKING LOVE
First and foremost understand the difference between sex and making love. Also know that need and want are two very different things. Frankly sometimes you just need sex. There is a stronger word but I’ll let you figure it out. Sex is a physical need being fulfilled… Making love is both emotional and physical. If you’re grown up enough to be sexually active, be grown up enough to tell your partner what you want and/or need. If one of you is a morning person and the other is fond of the night time, work it out. Feel free enough to get what you need but be generous enough to give what is wanted or needed. Don’t be afraid to shake things up. Do something unexpected, but nice. Ladies, there is no rule that says your partner is the only one who can initiate a rendezvous. I’ve been told it’s a welcome change for some guys. Now for you men, please…change up the repertoire every so often. Your partner shouldn’t be able to tell time by where you are on her body or what you are doing to her. If you’re doing it right she shouldn’t be able to think at all. Never be afraid to ask questions. But be careful what you ask for, you may get it or some variation of it. Always remember that passion makes almost everything better. I’ve always been a fan of the slow burn, flirty passion that can take hours to reach its peak. But a quick passion filled moment can be just as satisfying. Never, ever fake it. It will come back to bite you in the butt, someday.
HUMOR
I don’t have any idea where I would be today if I wasn’t blessed with both a quirky sense of humor and a partner who both appreciated and encouraged my craziness. Life has thrown way too many punches in my direction to not appreciate the humor that is always in every situation. It’s important to find what makes your partner’s giggle. There is definite value in a well timed full body laugh shared by two people who genuinely care for each other. Inside jokes are a must. I will always treasure the time my late husband made me burst out laughing at a funeral for his uncle. He turned to me and whispered something about his cousin’s striking resemblance to a duck. Of course I looked over and yep… she looked exactly like a duck. I let out a laugh so loud it was embarrassing. On the other hand it was so satisfying and a huge tension release. To complete the image you have to know that my husband never even cracked a smile… his lips didn’t curl. Nothing. I think I may never live down that moment with that side of the family. I purposely made sure to have humor in his eulogy, because it was such a part of our lives together. When out with friends we could look at each other and know that something we had heard was wildly funny, even when it wasn’t intended to be funny and would actually have to turn away for fear we might offend someone by laughing. Find a person you…get and who gets you. Find and hold on to the person who can know when to laugh with you and of course know when to and how to cry with you.
FAITH
Ok, this gets tricky. While faith in a higher being is a wonderful thing and I’m all for it, I’m not talking about that kind of faith. I’m talking about believing in someone when there is no earthly reason to believe in them. Blind faith is dangerous. But a deep faith is a must. Have faith that you chose the right partner. Have faith in yourself. Make decisions together, the big ones and the little ones. Ask each other’s advice and opinions. Have each other’s very best interests in mind at all times. Always trust that the decisions your partner makes are from the heart. Assume best intentions. Remember just because someone is louder, doesn’t make them right-er.
LOVE/LIKE and LUST
You need all three of these to keep it all together. I believe you should always love the person you’re married to, but in all honesty you will probably not always like each other. Believe it or not, it’s ok. You should never marry someone you just love but do not like or lust after. You should never marry a person you just like, but do not love or feel lust for. My guess is that you know lust alone is a tough sad state. Danger zone! All three of these are fluid. We feel them coming in and going out of our hearts, minds and spirits at speeds that can make you dizzy. To me love either is or isn’t there… Like and lust can and should be cultivated and cared for tenderly and consistently.
I will never claim to have all the answers or to have had the perfect marriage. But I know some things to be true. I know what my heart told me at the time was right. Given how I feel now that the love of my life is gone, I know this all to be true in my head as well. So my parting thought is to lead with your head, but listen with your heart.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
With this ring...
You really never know why 2 people fall in love. The same can be said for why people get married. We all have friends who cause us to stop and think… why are they together? What makes them tick? Some couples are so very obvious in their pairing. Is she the Ying to his Yang or vice versa? Maybe he is loud and irrational, she calm, cool and collected. We, as outsiders can very rarely put our finger on a couple’s exact... magic. Successful couples are often asked what makes them work and many times can only give singular answers. The answers don’t translate in to steps others can take to move down the road to success. They are bits and pieces of why the couple works, but not really what makes them work. Think of it this way, you can have all the ingredients to make a cake, but that does not mean you will make a great cake or frankly that you will take the time and effort to make the cake at all.
Ah, but when a couple in your circle decides to un-couple, everyone seems to have an opinion. He was this, she was that. She let herself go, he has issues. We all make these statements and think we have the answer. But do we? The announcement of the splitting up of Al and Tipper Gore after 40 years of marriage has many people talking. Assumptions were made immediately about infidelity. Who had stepped out of the marriage or who had strayed? Was it another effect of global warming? Sorry... But 40 years is an incredibly long time to be married and then end it. I’ve been reading whatever I could find about these two and wonder if they may have actually come upon an ideal solution. They are friends, great friends by all accounts. Obviously they were and I believe still are, committed to each other. But they have grown and their lives have changed over the course of 4 decades. I would believe they decided to take the joy of their friendship, their union and allow each other to explore the next phase of their lives, unattached. Keep in mind; these 2 have been together since high school. How refreshing and unselfish would it be to step back from the marriage while you are each still intact? Imagine having the strength to not have had an affair or begin a relationship and hurt your partner. Novel idea right? Suppose the Gore’s decided that their love had moved to a new level and they both needed something or someone different. I wish more people could make these types of decisions before they hurt each other, their families and their kids. On the other hand, I find it amazing that they could have this incredible open communication to feel so safe that they could actually ask for what they needed. I’d like to think they will remain the friends and confidants that I believe them to be as they enter this new chapter of their lives.
The news also brought out another story of love and marriage. Two young people from a small town in Pennsylvania have announced they will marry on June 12th. Not normally newsworthy. But this time, unique. Amy and Steve, the bride and groom were both born on April 17th, both in 1986. Their mom’s both delivered their bundles of joy at St. Luke’s hospital. Ironically, they shared a room in that very hospital. As luck or fate or divine intervention would have it, the families attended the same church. Steve asked Amy out on a date while in high school. And now, they will be married. I for one love this story. I for one wish them all the joy, love, peace, happiness and passion their hearts, heads and hands can hold.
In 1980, there was a boy and girl who married. No one understood their connection. Almost no one thought they would last long as a couple. He had never dated anyone like her. She was so young. He was nothing like the image she had in her head of who she would fall in love with. He was 5 years older. They hadn’t known each other very long. But none of that mattered. They worked hard at their marriage and at keeping the sparks alive. They loved and laughed, cried and cared. As the years went on, friends and family would say they were perfect for each other. They were. When the time came for one to say good bye to the other, there was an all consuming sense of loss but an overwhelming pride, joy and appreciation that came over her. She knew she had been loved deeply, passionately and fully. She knew he felt he had been loved in just the same way. As he left her, they had a feeling that while their time together was shorter than they had hoped, it was time to be proud of and to celebrate. As she looks to next week and the 30th anniversary of their wedding, it is both sad and immensely happy. Sad because he is no longer here to celebrate, to hold her... happy because she knows she has had what most people can only dream of.
So to the Gore’s, Amy and Steve and all those just entering what can be the greatest days of your lives; may you find your heart’s desire and a love that lasts longer than you could ever wish for.
Ah, but when a couple in your circle decides to un-couple, everyone seems to have an opinion. He was this, she was that. She let herself go, he has issues. We all make these statements and think we have the answer. But do we? The announcement of the splitting up of Al and Tipper Gore after 40 years of marriage has many people talking. Assumptions were made immediately about infidelity. Who had stepped out of the marriage or who had strayed? Was it another effect of global warming? Sorry... But 40 years is an incredibly long time to be married and then end it. I’ve been reading whatever I could find about these two and wonder if they may have actually come upon an ideal solution. They are friends, great friends by all accounts. Obviously they were and I believe still are, committed to each other. But they have grown and their lives have changed over the course of 4 decades. I would believe they decided to take the joy of their friendship, their union and allow each other to explore the next phase of their lives, unattached. Keep in mind; these 2 have been together since high school. How refreshing and unselfish would it be to step back from the marriage while you are each still intact? Imagine having the strength to not have had an affair or begin a relationship and hurt your partner. Novel idea right? Suppose the Gore’s decided that their love had moved to a new level and they both needed something or someone different. I wish more people could make these types of decisions before they hurt each other, their families and their kids. On the other hand, I find it amazing that they could have this incredible open communication to feel so safe that they could actually ask for what they needed. I’d like to think they will remain the friends and confidants that I believe them to be as they enter this new chapter of their lives.
The news also brought out another story of love and marriage. Two young people from a small town in Pennsylvania have announced they will marry on June 12th. Not normally newsworthy. But this time, unique. Amy and Steve, the bride and groom were both born on April 17th, both in 1986. Their mom’s both delivered their bundles of joy at St. Luke’s hospital. Ironically, they shared a room in that very hospital. As luck or fate or divine intervention would have it, the families attended the same church. Steve asked Amy out on a date while in high school. And now, they will be married. I for one love this story. I for one wish them all the joy, love, peace, happiness and passion their hearts, heads and hands can hold.
In 1980, there was a boy and girl who married. No one understood their connection. Almost no one thought they would last long as a couple. He had never dated anyone like her. She was so young. He was nothing like the image she had in her head of who she would fall in love with. He was 5 years older. They hadn’t known each other very long. But none of that mattered. They worked hard at their marriage and at keeping the sparks alive. They loved and laughed, cried and cared. As the years went on, friends and family would say they were perfect for each other. They were. When the time came for one to say good bye to the other, there was an all consuming sense of loss but an overwhelming pride, joy and appreciation that came over her. She knew she had been loved deeply, passionately and fully. She knew he felt he had been loved in just the same way. As he left her, they had a feeling that while their time together was shorter than they had hoped, it was time to be proud of and to celebrate. As she looks to next week and the 30th anniversary of their wedding, it is both sad and immensely happy. Sad because he is no longer here to celebrate, to hold her... happy because she knows she has had what most people can only dream of.
So to the Gore’s, Amy and Steve and all those just entering what can be the greatest days of your lives; may you find your heart’s desire and a love that lasts longer than you could ever wish for.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Stuff that just isn’t right
Nuns in line at Starbuck’s
A nun in line at Starbuck’s wearing those new shoes from Reebok that are supposed to firm your butt.
Wigs and woman who have hair short platinum blond today and long flowing brown tomorrow
Kids over the age of 3 walking around with a pacifier in their mouth
Every so often while you’re eating raw baby carrots, one tastes like soap
People who don’t clean up after their pets
Not using your turn signal
Falling asleep while you’re watching a G or PG rated movie at home… and waking up to an X rated one
Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals (ok, I’m an Illinois girl I’m a little happy for them)
Women who lose more weight after giving birth than they gained while ptrgnant, before they even leave the hospital
Budget cuts that cause police and fire fighters to lose their jobs and then citizens loose protection and safety
People who don’t vote
Hello Kitty
Cashiers who cannot figure out how much change they owe you, in their head…
Plastic flowers stuck in outdoor flower beds
Mean people who temper their mean comments by saying “Oh come on… I was only joking”
The value some put on outer beauty when the real value is inner beauty
My puppy eats only the ends if a rawhide bone, leaving the middles all over for me to step on
Guests coming to your house and eating all the best chocolate from the candy bin
The fact that my family room is maybe 14 X 18 and I have a remote control for the, fan. Not a ceiling fan, the fan on the stand across the room
My race makes it inappropriate for me to say some things but a woman my age, with my background, but a different race can say what I am thinking and there would be no ramifications.
The way my mind sometimes works
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