V is for Victim

It was a Saturday evening in late September. My 13 year old daughter and I were at home alone. Our dog was in the fenced backyard and he was agitated--barking constantly and I just knew neighbors would be complaining with good reason! I went to the back door and called for him to get quiet.

No sooner had I sat down again to watch some television when I thought I heard a noise.  You know how your house will make certain sounds --well this faint noise that I heard was a new sound, so I got  up to investigate.

Just as I entered the entryway, the front door (which had been locked) burst open with a crash.  The wood frame around the door splintered and fell to the floor as five older teens/young 20-somethings came flying into the entryway one behind the other.  They were dressed in dark clothes and had ball caps on their heads. Bandanas were tied around the lower portion of their faces so I could only see the upper half. The first one seemed to the leader and he was screaming out some kind of order to me. "Get on the floor!" or something like that.

I had three simultaneous thoughts run through my head as I kept my eye on the knife he held towards me:

1. I can't believe this is happening, is it a movie?  
2. Oh my gosh they broke my door! 
3. I need to protect my daughter  
4. What should I do?    

All I can say is that the Lord had his angels encamped around us that evening.  When I think of what could have happened in that scenario and what did transpire in the minutes-that-seemed-like-hours when the punks were there, I know there was some supernatural protection going on.

At the end of the event, my daughter was safe and unharmed in any way, the police had been called, and the perpetrators left my home empty-handed. Although I had been physically hurt it was relatively minor.

Psychologically was another matter.  I made my home a fortress-- having at least 4 locks put on each door and making sure there was a working alarm system.  The system was always on - and the house  d was always locked up tight.  I didn't want to let my children out of the house.  [That did not fly so well with them.] My every thought was consumed with being safe, getting safe, staying safe.   It was crazy.

After a few months, I had worked through the incident and I got mad.  How dare someone invade my home - my safe haven.  I decided that I was NOT going to be a victim and live as a prisoner within my own home and mind.  I loosened up on the alarms and most locks, only using them after everyone was in for the evening. [Much to my children's relief.]  I forced myself to go out.

It was not easy at first.  I had to prove to myself that I was not a victim.  Why should I have to pay the consequences and for someone else's bad behavior.  As time went on it was easier and easier.

The physical wounds healed pretty quickly.   The psychological wounds took longer and may never go totally away.  They are buried deep within.  This happened nearly two decades ago and still my pulse has quickened from just recording it briefly here.

Today, I live  pretty safely. I stay aware of my surroundings.  Yes, I am a little anxious at times  especially when I hear an unknown noise. Bad things have happened to me and around me... but I am not a victim.

Disappearing Diamond

While taking a walk one afternoon with my younger children I happened to notice that the solitaire diamond was gone from my engagement/wedding ring set.  Upon closer examination I realized that the prongs had become worn or loose and therefore the diamond must have slipped out at some point whereabouts unknown.  You can imagine my distress!

But the distress of my children was even more surprising.  At first I thought it was a bit strange for children under the age of 7 to be so upset at a ring.  But then they asked a heart revealing question. "Does this mean you and Daddy will have to get divorced?"

In their child minds, the ring symbolized marriage.  If the ring was broken, then the marriage must be broken as well.   I assured them their daddy and I were not going to get divorced.  

Lesson of the day: Regularly inspect your rings for wear!   

Hospital Time

My sister spent time in the hospital last week.  She had pulmonary embolisms.  That is blood clots in her lungs.  This is potentially life threatening and it was a very emotional time for us.
Read her story here.   The thing is --- my sister is a healthy gal.  She is active, she eats healthy, she has no unhealthy habit that I can think of.  So to get the call that she was not well was a shock.

This week she is better-- healing- on medication, needing to make some modifications for awhile.  A new perspective perhaps. I know I have one.
We never know what may befall us.

In the same way....

Slice of Life #5 - #6

*Update*
 Looks like I missed the cutoff time for day 5, so I am going to submit this on day 6

I started a new exercise program recently.  So now everyday I prepare by gathering the proper equipment.  I wear loose-fitting clothes and tennis shoes.  I get a water bottle full of cool water and the resistance band the exercise program sent me with the DVD's.

Once ready I can begin!  I push play on the remote and the fun commences.  (Although not always fun, it is important to have the right attitude. It helps with motivation. ) For the next 30 minutes or so I am stretched. twisted, and put my muscles to the test. The nice trainer on the DVD encourages me to keep at it and I'll get stronger the more I repeat this.   Many days I really don't want to perform this new routine of mine and it is hard to get started.  But I always feel good after I am finished and I am glad that I did it. 

In the same way........

I started a new writing challenge recently.  So now everyday I prepare by gathering the proper equipment.  Sometimes I get my notebook and pen first, but usually I just need my trusty computer.  I fill my coffee mug and get comfortable.

Once ready I can begin!  I login to my blogger account and the fun commences.  ( Although not always fun, it is important to have the right attitude. It helps with motivation.)  For the next 30 minutes or so I am stretched as a writer, twisting and wringing my hands as my writing muscles are put to the test.   The nice readers, by way of comments, encourage me.  I know that I wll get stronger the more  I keep at it. Many days I really don't want to perforn this new routine of writing daily, but I persevere and I always feel good after I am finished and I am glad that I did it.

Determine that the thing can and shall be done,

and then we shall find the way.

-Abraham Lincoln

Fishing Boy

 Slice of Life # 4

"Grandma, I went fishin' !"   The little voice came across the phone and I could hear how excited  my gransdon still was from his expedition yesterday. 

"Did you catch any fish? "  
 "Two"
"How did you catch them?"
"With a pole."
"Are you going to eat them?"
"No!!!  We are going to eat other fish."
 "Well, I'm gonna call you the 'Fishing Boy' "


I love and am amazed as I watch my grandson grow.  He is a country boy just like his father, my son-in-law.   My heart just swells when I hear him call my name.  He is my heart.  There is no love like a grandmother's love.  Especially for her Fishing Boy.   

Date with my Daughter

Slice of Life #3











Standing there so lovely
in a flowing gown.
Gazing at the mirror
looking up and down.

A tuck here and a tuck there
the seamstress pins it all around.
We're here for the first fitting
It's the most beautiful dress to be found!

Hair up, hair down
The decision not yet made.
Twirl around once, and then again
She imagines their promenade.

It all began quite innocently
The day my daughter met a boy.
They fell in love, he asked for her hand.
Now this mother is full of joy.

There is much to be done, our lists are full
Flowers, dress, cake; nothing can we miss
But today we smile, the time comes quickly 
The day my daughter enters wedded bliss.


Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Slice of Life Challenge #2

A few years ago on this day I was up early preparing a special treat for the 4th grade class at school.  My grade level colleagues and I took on this project to serve our kids scrambled eggs and slices of ham for a breakfast celebration.  I should mention that the eggs were green.  That's right, we were giving our students "Green Eggs and Ham."  This was to celebrate both the birthday of Dr. Seuss and a reading/writing project they had finished. 

Fast forward three years.....

Today I watched my four month old granddaughter so that my daughter could take my three year old grandson to the newly released movie The Lorax.  This movie is based on the Dr. Seuss book by the same name.   Of course, I said I would. 

What do you do with a four month old?   Besides the necessities of eating drinking, sleeping, and diaper changing; we stretched our arms & wiggles our toes, we cooed at each other, and we played with the Cat in the Hat!  It doesn't take much to entertain a baby! 

I am glad that both my grandchildren interacted with the Dr. Seuss today - the day of his birth. I hope they will come to love his books as they grow. 

Some favorite Dr. Seuss quotes:

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

"The more you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

"Be who you are and say what you mean.  Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

And a Dr. Seuss quote especially fitting for this Slice of Life Challenge:

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."   

 

A Challenge!

Two Writing Teachers are hosting their annual Slice of Life Writing Challenge.   For the month of March we are encouraged to write daily a "slice from our life." 

This year I have decided to take up the challenge and write.  I plan to write daily and hope that I can pull it off.  I know from teaching children to write that it is not easy to pull out your notebook and joy down snippets of life.  It takes practice, determination, and perseverance.   I hope to be diligent enough. 

...and somewhere down deep, I am a little afraid that this might be too big of a step and I might be a failure...  But then my teacher-self steps in to tell me that even if I don't get everyday accomplished, any writing is better than no writing and I will have learned and be better off for doing whatever it is that I do get done...    

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can carry through till the end of the month!