The Never-Ending Ramblings...

Blessed

Damn! She’s gonna be late again. How many detentions will this make? Four? Five? I don’t know, I’ve lost count. Forking out punishments left and right has not helped solve the problem either. Morning is not her best time of day. Did I spend THAT much time in front of the mirror when I was a teenager? Shoot. If I missed the bus, mom made sure housecleaning followed. And lots of it. Nothing phases her. She just moves slowly. Is it a bad thing to get your almost 16-year-old hooked on morning caffeine?

So, when we climb into the avalanche, everyone is pissed. Oh wait ‘scuzme, sorry, T.O’ed. gotta get my slang up to speed. Where was I, ah yes, Ticked off. All three of us – me, hubby, and laney. Bryan is driving so I grab the paper, scanning the headlines, my brain too pissed oh, I mean ticked to really read the articles. Then, I see it, a quote from a mother, Christe – whose family was separated during the aftermath of Katrina. Some of them made it to Georgia. For weeks she could not locate all of her children. (she has five) “I couldn’t sleep, or eat. I would not wish this on anybody. Not even my worst enemy.” The paper quoted her saying. A picture showed all members had finally made it to Georgia. All hugs and smiles.

My anger melts. How can I, after all, be soooo ticked, when I have never had to worry about the safety of my children, where they were or even if they were alive or dead? The possibility of the experience is inconceivable to me. I say a quick pray I never have to know.

I make small talk with her for the remainder of the ride to school. “Love you,” I tell her while she grabs her back pack and purse jumping out of the car. “See ya this afternoon.” She just smiles. Saying ‘I love you.’ In front of her friends, maybe that’s embarrassing to her.

Today, I know I’m lucky. Why can’t I always embrace this feeling?