03 January 2006

2006, I expected better

We're not three days into this year, and already I'm wondering if it will be a repeat of 2005.

In 2005, we were all ill. My son broke his collarbone. My job was frustrating. We were stuck here.

So far in 2006: I'm sick. Youngest just got over ear infection. Son rebroke (sigh) his collarbone. My job is getting more frustrating to me. We're still stuck here with no sign of getting out.

And a good woman lost her fight with cancer today. One of my best friends ever is now an orphan, technically. Her dad died years ago.

Life is too short to dwell on the negative, so I'm trying to think of all the good things my friend's mom taught me:

Being a mom does not mean you have to be a jerk.

You can be quiet and still make a loud impact on life.

Wilton cake decorating/baking stuff is worth the money.

Wedding cakes can be constructed in an hour if you have to do it. (That's what she did for ours. She drove it three and a half hours to our reception, gladly, even though we told her it would be okay not to. She insisted on making our cake.)

Life is too short to not enjoy every moment, or at least try to.

Redheads are the best women ever. :)


I knew this was coming, but man, it still hurts.

5 comments:

Gina said...

I'm so sorry. I know how you feel. When my friend Naomi, Karen's mom, died of cancer last year, I spent a lot of time thinking about the things she taught me.

You're never really too busy to have coffee with a friend, even for just a few minutes.

Good cooking is rarely complicated or very pretty.

Life is for us to use, not watch.

Travel as much as you can. Read as much as you can. Listen and laugh as much as you can.


Call me if you need me, OK? (*hugs*)

Carmel said...

I'm very sorry. When someone dies, they always leave a little bit of them behind, and it sounds like your friends' mom left a lot of wisdom that will be passed on again and again.

2006 will be a good year -- we'll make it so.

abigail said...

I'm really sorry. I hope that things change for the better. Can't believe C broke the collarbone a second time... ouch.

Your xmas present is finally on its way this week.

Scott said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Scott said...

One of the things that I found helpful after my dad died of cancer was reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. It articulated most of the complicated feelings I was struggling with in those lonely, sad days.

And it is NOT going to be a repeat of 2005. Good things are going to happen for all of us. You just have to hang in there... (*hugs*)