Monday, December 26, 2022

Change Your Mind

Thousands of people had to change their holiday plans... maybe millions worldwide. We were supposed to go to the Buffalo area. We were going to leave on Friday morning but by Wednesday, family was urging me NOT to come. The expected storm would be dangerous and would hit right while we would be driving. I considered leaving a day early. The boy would have to miss his holiday party at school though, and I hated to do that to him. So with all the craziness of tree decorating, present wrapping and last minute shopping I moved "packing" to the bottom of the priority list. It looked like we would have to wait until AFTER Christmas to travel.

It was a bitter pill to swallow and I tried to console myself by remembering to be grateful. We would be safe and warm, while many would not be so lucky. I thought of a story a friend once told me. She had been complaining about a hopeless situation until the listener said quietly, "Are you done?" (She was.) Then he told her, "Change your mind." 

I knew I had to change my mind. I had to tell myself it was best NOT to travel for Christmas this year. Then came a series of events leading to an emotional rollercoaster.

First, on Thursday evening, school was cancelled for Friday but we had not planned to leave early. We were not packed and it was unlikely we would be able to get it together without the danger of being up all night and falling asleep at the wheel. It would be chaos and we would still run the risk of getting stuck along the route with road closures. The pill got more bitter. If I had only packed as planned, we could've made it. It was so disappointing. "Change your mind" echoed in my head. I had to try harder.

The next plot twist occurred Friday night. The hot water went out. We had just done the dishes and run the washing machine, but it still seemed odd. I waited to let the hot water replenish. It never did. "Something is wrong" I said to Russ. Then the furnace started blowing cool air and the temperature inside the house started to drop. It was only 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside. The boy was asleep.

A sort of frenzy ensued as we tried to understand what was happening. With calls in to emergency technicians, faucets trickling, and a relative degree of confidence that we could stay warm enough with alternate heat sources, we finally called it a night. 

We woke up on Christmas Eve day with a mission to stay warm and safe, while fixing the problem (after figuring out what the problem even WAS) and proceed with Christmas and Hanukkah plans. After over 24 hours of trying and countless calls and technicians, we thought the immediate problem was fixed, but then the technician left and the heat went out again. Russ said something I will never forget: "If we were not here, we would've come back to find burst pipes."

There it was. I knew I had to change my mind about the disappointment of canceling Christmas with family, but this made things crystal clear. I KNEW it was best that we did not travel. 



We got through Christmas and by the end of the night we had heat and hot water. It appears a pin sized hole in a casing was to blame for letting air into lines, disrupting the whole system. Had we not been here, it is likely pipes would have frozen and possibly ruptured.



There is so much to be grateful for. We are safe. Our friends and family in Buffalo are safe. I was given a gift in receiving a rare glimpse of proof, where faith alone would usually have to suffice. Also, from a place of safety, I was shown what it is like to lose heat. I'm reminded of all those (especially in Ukraine right now) without a warm place to live. We have so much work to do. No one should suffer in the cold. Circumstances can change very quickly, and we have to be better at helping each other.

Click here for: neighbortoneighborfund.org

Click HerÄ™ for a foundation helping in Ukraine who accepts PayPal: hliniszcze.wordpress.com/help-for-ukraine/

Heartfelt condolences to all who have suffered loss due to this terrible storm and through the many horrors of war.

May we all remember how Blessed we are to be here.

Wishing you peace, safety and warmth this holiday season.



Love,

T

Monday, December 19, 2022

What They Said

Why do we listen to everybody else when we know better? Who is "they" and when did they become so powerful? 



I lost my voice. People have all kinds of ideas about what might help. "They" say you should... (insert advice here). I had a moment where I just closed my eyes and went internal. It helps to tune everyone else out. I know what I need to do (and my doctor appointment is coming up). 

The idea of peer pressure and following others is all over the place. There are social media "influencers" and everyone wants "followers." We need to listen to ourselves. 


Click here for: "Speaking of Psychology: The good and bad of peer pressure" by The American Psychological Association


Sometimes we forget.



Wishing us all peace this holiday season...

Love,

T

Monday, December 12, 2022

Tuesday Mom

Whelp. It's Tuesday.



In my defense, I have a sick kid. 

Monday blogs will resume next week. In the meantime, I have a show to get ready for, two major holidays, more things to do than I can even remember and not nearly enough time to do them all. I will also get interrupted every 2 minutes by a small child in need of my attention.

Falalalala...lala...lala!



Happy Holidays everyone!

Love,

T


Monday, December 5, 2022

Clear the Mind

It's more of an instruction to myself than a blog title.

Everyone has a LOT going on at this time of year already - and now we're making up for lost time too! It was our first trip back to the children's museum since the pandemic. I traveled back in time to the dinosaur age.


There was a whole bunch of family fun - and the coordinating fuss that goes along with a busy weekend of trying to do too much in too little time. 



I thought about it on my run. I appreciate that quiet time. Usually, that quiet time is when good ideas come. It's when peace comes. It's not easy to make that time, but life is harder if you don't.

Here's wishing you some beautiful moments of quiet and peace this holiday season. 

Goodnight all.




Love you,

T