I Must Be Deaf

Hot and humid. Air conditioner is on. Washer and dryer are both going. My grandson is banging his toys on the big aluminum bowl I gave him to play with. I'm at the kitchen sink with the water running trying to clean up the mess my daughter made when she cooked dinner. There's a fan blowing the cool air from the front room to the kitchen just so I don't melt while doing dishes. Other family members are doing what they normally do. The tv is on; time for Shepard Smith on Fox News. It's louder than usual so we can hear it over the air conditioning. Household noise. Just can't get away from it especially in a small house.

Dad walks through the kitchen talking, trying to tell me something he just heard on the news. I can't hear him. He repeats what he said, coming back through the kitchen. If he would just stand still and near me I just might be able to hear him. I still can't hear all of what he said. He gets frustrated and says "nevermind." He thinks I have a hearing problem. He talks softly. Sometimes he's moving from one room to another while talking. This has happened so many times before. I have tried to get through to him that I can't hear him through the running water, washer, dryer, tv, fan, air conditioning, etc.

I guess I must be deaf.

Where's Criss Angel When You Need Him?

A few nights ago, I dreamed that I was in dire need of a vacation. I just needed to get away. In fact, I wanted to just disappear. I'm really feeling this in reality so I can understand why those feelings came out in a dream.

The funny thing about the dream is that Criss Angel was there. (If you don't know who Criss Angel is then you need to look him up.... He's the ultimate illusionist!) Anyway, I wanted so much to disappear and Criss Angel was happy to oblige. He directed me to a very large, refrigerator-sized cardboard box. He helped me climb inside and closed the box. I heard some mumbo-jumbo and then it was completely silent. It felt as though I was floating. I felt no fear, no pain, no aggravation, no anxiety whatsoever. I was at peace. I was happy and calm. I had no worries.

Then I woke up. Those warm, calm feelings were gone. It was time to get up and face another day filled with stress and worry.

Now when I'm feeling like I want to just disappear, I ask myself (and sometimes aloud) "Where's Criss Angel when you need him?"

Finding The Words.....

This post is a long time coming. It's been months since I was able to find the words to describe the feelings of hurt, dissapointment, fear, anger and frustration that I have been feeling.

S.R. made some bad choices and is paying the price. She has learned the hard way that making the absolute wrong choice will lead to not only personal consequence but also to more stress and more financial worries. I hope this is the beginning of the end of her problems and not the beginning of more. This I say because she has not realized what I had been hoping she would realize. She is still in love with J. and will stand by him no matter what. He will be in prison until next month and when he is released, S.R. will go with him and take my beautiful grandson with them.

For right now, S.R. and my grandson D.M. are staying with me. I am loving every second of it, even through the constant messes and disasters S.R. leaves everywhere she goes! Yes, it's her who makes the messes, not the baby! D.M. is 7 months old now and he is the most beautiful child! He has the brightest, happiest smile and the bluest dark blue eyes! I feel the tears coming as I type because I know soon I won't see him when I awake in the mornings. He won't be there to brighten my day. I won't be able to make him smile or giggle or kick his little Fred Flintsone feet in absolute joy! I won't see many of his firsts.....

On the bright side, I have witnessed many of D.M.'s firsts! The first time he started walking in his walker, his first visit to a pet store, his first day at the park, his first jar of baby food are just a few. I bought him his first swimming pool which he loves sitting in on a hot day and splashing himself. His first sippy cup.....which he's still trying to master!

I feel so blessed to have him in my life but why must he go away? It's just life I guess. Children grow up and have children of their own. They move away. It happens every day. That doesn't make it any easier. I will have my memories and I will pray that not too much time passes between visits.