This Too Shall Pass

At this point in my life I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing childbirth and all the pains and joys that that brings. But I did have the opportunity this week to feel something that is quite comparible in pain but with little in comparison to a 7lb baby boy or girl.

Over the last week I've had some pangs in my lower back and thought it was a result of my over exertion to painting and not taking breaks. But, no, the extreme pain that caused me to feel nauseated, cry like a grown woman has never cried before, crawl on the floor to try to get comfortable or pound a wall to try to relieve the torture was caused by a 3mm size stone travelling through my kidney. Never, have I ever had such pain run through me like that before and never do I EVER want to experience that again!

Some women who have had the pleasure of experiencing both have said that a kidney stone is far worse than having a child. I couldn't even imagine. What I do know is, morphine and narcotics work miracles when you really need it!!

I've also had some other exciting news as of late and that is that I've started dating a very special man. To which, I hope that part of my life doesn't pass but he did experience seeing me at my finest when (little did I know at the time) I was having a stone scratching my inside's. This past weekend I was visiting him and went through one of my painful episodes and had to go to the emergency in Lethbridge in the middle of the night. Talk about first impressions!!

Thankfully the little, tiny cause of grief has left my body but has given me memories for a lifetime. I'm also SO thankful for good friends like Hope that helped me get through the difficult ordeal. She had the wonderful enjoyment of seeing me beside myself with pain and advised me in the hospital to 'ham-it-up' for the nurses so I would get in faster. No 'hamming-it-up' in this corner. It was 'ode d' natural' for me!! What you saw was what you got! Crying, crawling, banging and begging for drugs.

I'm glad I could entertain her but she helped entertain me by reading me people's facebook messages that made me LAUGH and kept commenting on the cute doctor's passing by or helping me. At that point I could care less about doctor's and anyway, I'm still focused on the one that makes me smile. ;-)

It's always good to have friends around when you need them the most!!

Dogs

I've come to a conclusion tonight. I'm really not a fan of dogs. Gasp! Trust me, I've tried. Well, I shouldn't say I don't like all of them because there is one dog that I truly love but I also think he's part human. I think that technically excuses him but aside from that....I really cannot get into them.

I don't like it when dogs sniff your crotch or pee on the floor when you enter a house. I'm not a crazy fan of them jumping up on me either. I know the Bible says we should greet one another with a holy kiss but I think this is getting a little out of hand! I definitely don't like it when they slobber on me. And I don't just mean a little saliva but stuff that looks like snot that was just wiped across your pants. Gross!! I just had that happen to me tonight and I almost puked.

I've also had a dog attack me when I was a kid. It was hallowe'en and he was so excited that all these kids kept coming to the door ringing the door bell and screaming. I just happen to be the lucky one that was attacked (seriously - no exaggeration) on my way back to the sidewalk to join my friends. He got loose, ran out and was scratching at my back and such. No stitches necessary but the owners did see to my wounds. I've had a few dogs chew my shoes to the point where they were unsalvigable (?), chew bags, computer wires and earphones. They've even made me cry. I'll share the crying story when I share another house sitting experience I had last summer.

Now, I would really like to like them....honestly....but am I the ONLY one that has had these experiences? I'm sure I haven't but it blows me away that people actually want to invest in these creatures that do these sorts of things to us. I guess I haven't had the experience to truly say he's man's best friend.

One thing I do need to add to all you dog lovers or dog owners especially. My one request for the sake of those that don't have good luck with them.... If someone like myself visits your residence ...could I please request that you help them from jumping on people?! If you know they do that then it would help people like myself that really don't know how to act around dogs to keep me from crying or something. I had an experience tonight where the owner held the dog by the collar to keep him from jumping but then he persisted. It only makes sense to me that if he keeps doing it and isn't listening then your words mean nothing. Then I was walking up a flight of stairs and he ran in front of me to be a few steps ahead to jump on me again. Now he was in my face and I felt like he was going to head butt me or jump over me. Again, for people like myself that dont have the best of luck with dogs or dont know what to do with them it can cause some anxiety. Seriously! It would be like someone being around a child and not knowing what to do when they are crying uncontrollably. You just dont know what to do.

So, this is my vent for the day and I'm sure I could go on but I might've offended dog lovers around.

The Check-out Line!

I thought I would write this out before the details fade. Last night I had a dream that I've never had before but stands out so vividly. I think its also answered some questions I had been recently challenging myself on. At least I hope so. I hope I can give this dream the justice it deserves too. Here goes...

I was standing in a grocery store and I remember the sun shining in the store front windows because it was quite bright in there. Only two self check-out lanes were open but they were situated on either end of the store. There was a long line of people in both lanes and no other lanes were open with no cashiers standing to block my view. My turn was about to come up but all I could do was keep my eyes on the person that was checking out the same time as myself. The only other person that wasn't in line was the security guard that was pacing the floor at the end of the other check-out line and not having a clue as to what was going to happen next. After having this dream, I'm not sure of the significance of the character of the security guard but maybe that's the point, there just wasn't one.

I guess before I get ahead of myself I need to explain how the dream was playing in my head. It was like a movie playing in slow motion and I knew who the people were around me because they were all significant characters to what was going to happen at the scene.

Like I said before, my eyes were glued to the other line but my senses about me were quite alert. I was waiting for the person ahead of me to bag their groceries while the person behind me was fidgeting and seemed a little nervous. Then the man behind me sort of whispered in this deep, nervous voice asking me if I knew who the man was in the other check-out line. I didn't say anything to him because I did in fact know who it was. It was the risen Christ. Yes, he was standing at the check-out the line the same time as me and there was also another 'villain' standing behind him! Both villains had guns or I just knew they did and what their intent was. I don't remember too many details about what Jesus was wearing but I do remember the guy behind him had on a blue shirt and had a scruffy beard and some hair that needed serious attention.

So, as the person in front of me left it was my turn to check-out (yet somehow in all of this I don't remember groceries but maybe that's not the point *wink*). I had some cards I needed to swipe across the scanner and one of them was, I guess you could call, my 'identity'. Not my identity of a grocery member but the identity of a Christian. While I was scanning another card, the guy behind me grabbed the 'identity' card out of my left hand and scanned it himself. I was hesitant to scan it not for my sake but for the sake of Christ who's identity would've been revealed once I swiped it across. Anyway, after the guy behind me scanned the CIC - Christian Identity Card (lets call it), I let out this huge scream yelling, 'Nnnnnooooooo'!!! Here I was trying to protect Him from getting hurt when all along its suppose to be that he is protecting me.

After I let out the scream, the two guys rush to reach for their weapons and then the scene cuts!! Christ was gone from the scene. It was like he went up to heaven in a flash and is now watching what my reaction would be if I was really put to the test. All the people in the lines are watching this, the two villains are being arrested and I'm pacing slowly in front of the windows professing my faith. I had a huge lump in my throat and was using all my might to hold back my tears then I shouted to the people, 'I don't wish to die today but if I have to I must'! After that I let out this long, deep, hot breath that reminded me of the big black guy in 'The Green Mile' when he exhaled all the bad venim in his body. I felt like I was showing Christ that if I had to, I would lay down my life. All the pressure of wondering what I would do was revealed.

I pretty much woke up after that and my thoughts were racing about me trying to figure out all the meaning behind it. It also reminded me of a thought I had the other day while driving. If I was really put to the test would my answer be 'yes, I am a child of God.' Many martyrs have died in much worse situations than a fast gun shot wound and persecution isn't as in your face as it is elsewhere or during this time. But at the end of the day, where do you stand?

I won't go into explaining what I think all the details mean. I will leave that up to the reader's interpretation but after thinking about some of the details I think the analogy is bang on.

The characters: Villains, me and Christ.
The setting: The check-out line.

Where do you stand?

May 3rd Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday mom!! Today you will be turning 74 and I know you will never set your eyes on this blog but I plan to say what is on my heart. You have been such an inspiration to me in more ways that anyone will know. Probably more than you or I will know because our personalities are so much alike its scary. Most people say I look exactly like you (but with less wrinkles) and I would have to agree. If that is the case, I have no quawms (sp??) about it. You are a spunky lady with lots of gumption and love to make people laugh.

I'll always remember you at our family reunions joking around with people and just making everyone feel comfortable. Maybe you were just letting them know that they weren't the craziest person at the party but you will always be remembered at those family functions.

On top of having so much fun I admire your dedication to the Lord and what an a-m-a-z-i-n-g example you have been to me. Although the terrible disease of Alzheimer's is taking over your memory your faith is strong and also love for the Lord. How wonderful is that?! The disease can get to you but it can't take the Lord away. I also admire your perserverance when you had to take care of dad and his health issues. You had to pick up the pieces and work to raise a family with 4 kids. You've been there for me when I've needed encouragement and I wish I could've recorded all our phone conversations over the last 10yrs since moving out west.

I feel my words or grammar cannot express the depth of love I have for a woman like you and the level of dedication, drive and love you've shown to our family. You have been so faithful to God and your family through all the years. I'm sure there were harder days than others but you pressed on. If Hebrews 11 could extend to today I know your name would be on that list. You are an amazing mother and I'm so thankful you are still around for me to share precious moments with.

May we always have our Sunday phone calls. Love you dearly Joyce!

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday mornings. I could even say this love started way back when I was a kid watching cartoons or when my sisters and I would go roller skating. When we were about 10 yrs old (or so) guaranteed you would find us at Wheels Roller rink from 9 - 12. Then we would come home for lunch and watch Dance Fever. Oh what fun! But since I've moved out west and have been on my own, I relish in Sat mornings for my time. As much as most of my evenings are spent in what would be considered 'my time', somehow, Sat mornings just seem different.

This morning I was able to sleep in which, at this point in my career (or lack there of), technically I could sleep in every day but Sat's I allow myself that luxury. I purposefully like to lounge around in my pj's and make breakfast (most likely blueberry pancakes). Today I took some time to walk along 17th Ave which is also referred to as the Red Mile. To those who don't what the Red Mile is, it stems from when the Flames were in the Stanley Cup finals in 2004 and everyone was on 17th with their red jersey's and committed complete mayhem.

Anyhoo, today has been a beautiful day so far. The sun is shining and few clouds are in the sky. I stopped off at a used book store, read a brief chapter about mistresses who have changed history. I know, geeky and crazy but I'm getting into history more and more. I think I'm attracted to the stories where things seem impossible but in the end have changed history and who we are today. Sort of like Ruth in the Bible. Then I stopped off at some furniture and accessory shops to get ideas for this new business endeavor I plan to embark on. Eeeek!

All in all, it was quite fun. I talked to a few retailers and soaked in the culture, the smells, the sun and conversations swirling about me. Today's been a good day.

Now off to visit some friends and play some cards. Life is good.