This is one of the most amazing things to have happened to me in a long, long time.
I have been broke. I overspent on Dominick's wedding, then came Katie Hoyd's birthday where we spent the night away and went horseback riding, bills, kids school fees at a new school, etc. My friend K. sent me a check this week with a little more than I was owed, and that amount allowed me to get Halloween things for my kids. Seriously, that's how broke I am at the moment. Just that much kept me afloat for this pay period. But I am down to my last teardrop in the bank account, so I'm being extra frugal.
Anyway. That's just to set this story up.
Today was a terribly hard day at work. One of our kids was just violent, verbally abusive, and really off the chain. It took three adults to keep him contained in the classroom (he was trying to run away. I am proud that none of us put hands on him except to steer him away from the door and to deflect hits). It makes a woman weary.
Then, I came home to find out that someone I care about had a death in her family, and nobody was willing to help her get to the funeral (she doesn't have transportation right now).
That, added to a couple of other stressors and the money sitch was about all I could deal with today.
My mom called me during Greyson's swim lesson. I was telling her (without using names!) about our day at work, about Alice's aunt dying, etc. etc.
I asked her how HER day went. She told me that she did a two hour massage today.
"Two hours?" I said. "Who can afford to pay $120 for a two hour massage? Wow. I can't even scrape up the $40 I wanted for Bek's birthday gift." (Bek is my sister. Some of y'all knew that).
So, we chat a bit more, then I got off the phone, put my head on Delaney's shoulder and cried like ten seconds. I pulled myself together and went to retrieve Greyson from the pool deck.
A woman came behind me and touched me lightly on the shoulder. She said, "If I had the cash, I'd do this anonymously". She hands me a check for $50!
"Nononono" I say and try to hand it back.
Very kindly, she told me this. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you. But I couldn't help overhearing what you said. My husband bought me a $100 gift certificate for a massage a year ago. I haven't even used it. We're blessed with plenty. I admire what you do."
Now, the tears were running down my face. I said, "I didn't mean to make it sound like-" but she cut me off.
"Listen," she said, tears in her eyes too, "My brother died. I can't buy him a birthday gift. Buy something for your sister. Or spend this however you want. But it's yours. Please".
THAT is God in action! THAT is humanity at its best. I just thanked her and sobbed my way down to the locker room.
I hope this story cheered you.
Much love,
Kym
I love you, my brother!! Have a wonderful day! Enjoy your last year in the young, hip demographic!
XOXO
Your other sister,
Kym
My kids are on the phone with you right now!!
We all love you and miss you!
1. Across the Universe. See this movie. I love it. It makes me ache inside, that's the kind of love I have for this film. Cheesy and I couldn't care less.
2. I am upstairs, listening to my kids play the most fascinating game. I could turn it into a book. They are taking toys who have lost their story, and they have to find their way back into the pages of their rightful books. I can't explain it as well as they are playing it.
This weekend, my daughter and I went with her best friend and her mom to Deer Creek Resort. Katie, the friend, is turning ten in a few days. All she wanted for her birthday was to have a fun trip with her best friend Delaney. Which meant that I got to go, too! While we were there, we had an appointment to go horseback riding. Katie has been riding many times while there and on other outings. By many, I don't mean to say that she's a total cowgirl, but I bet she's been on a horse at least twenty times.
We got our horses based on experience. I got the fat and friendly horse named Ted. Delaney got an equally docile girl, Ted's sister Josie. Katie and her mom got some more experienced horses. About a half hour into trail, the guide asked if we'd all like to trot. We said "Sure!" She had instructed us on how to trot back at the stables, but she told us again. She gave the signal, and we all kicked and shouted "Git up!"
I was third in line of five. Katie was fifth. All of the sudden, I heard Katie yelling and saw her come up really fast on my left. At first, I thought that she was being silly and trying to lead. It took about two seconds to see that she was not in control of her horse. He was flying off-trail, and not stopping, despite Katie's pulling back on the reigns. The trail guide yelled "Pull harder" and Katie screamed "I'm trying!!" Then, the horse kind of whipped his head and almost pulled the reign from Katie's hand, and started heading away from us, fast. The guide cried, "I'll get her!" and just took the hell off, hitting her horse in the hind-end.
Katie's mom, Delaney and I just sat there. We decided that, given our total lack of experience, we should stay put for a bit and wait. Katie's mom was SOOO cool and collected. If that had been Delaney, I'd have been crying. I don't know what I would have done. We waited a good long time, and were talking about whether to head back at a walk to the trail we knew, or what. Meantime, our horses were getting kind of impatient. Ted decided to have lunch. We were told not to let the horses eat, but when I pulled back, Ted got all pissed at me, so I was like, "Enjoy your meal". I wasn't about to be the one flying around all crazy.
Soon enough, we saw two riders on the horizon. We didn't know if it was Katie and the guide, or some riders sent to get us. It ended up being the guide and Katie, who had been thrown off (more like she slipped off the back, the guide said), but she got back on to come and get us. Poor kid!! She was just sobbing. She didn't want to ride anymore, so we headed back at a walk. Ted was still all put out that he didn't get to his third course, but the guide helped me get him into a dirt and rock part of the trail with fewer grassy patches to distract him.
We got back and looked at Katie. She had a lot of scrapes on her back and neck. She said that her back and jaw hurt really bad. We made her gingerly move and bend. She seemed fine, considering what had happened. Her mom and I decided to watch her for a bit, and if she didn't perk up, head to the ER.
One hour and one motrin later, she was giggling with Delaney again.
Holy Horses! That was freakin' scary!
A long time ago, I started this poem that went kind of like this:
To my friend,
I am sorry that I have been bad to you.
I'll take care of you now.
It was an open letter to me from me. I want to rework that one. I feel like I've met this wonderful woman who I'd like as a friend. She's fun, smart, caring, confident, fascinating, sexy. And she's me. I keep fluctuating between loving and hating her. But I can recall a time when all I said was "I hate her".
Anyway.
Today I went to help move my sister. Man, I hate her new place. So does she. I'm really sad that she has to move into there!! REALLY SAD.
Came home and JJ had bought three little trees to plant!! I hope we can get them in tomorrow!! One is a weeping cherry!!! So excited!
JJ, Greyson and Quay are downstairs playing Spongebob Gamecube.
Delaney's up here in my room reading. We're listening to Afro Celt. Lovely!
I am feeling so relieved and settled just now.
Things at the little yellow house are moving right along. Still looks bad from outside, but I am learning that this is what "Under Construction" looks like. JJ actually does get things done.
The inside of the house looks just like me. For the first time in my life, my home looks like mine. Come see it. You'll love it, because we love it.
My kids start school at Carroll on Monday. I volunteered for a bit at Sanderson today. All I heard were wonderful things about my kids from all the teachers all around the building. Sorry that this is so incredibly braggy, but it feels good to a mama. I know that wherever they go, they'll be great. They will show their teachers their wonderful personalities and keep making the world a lovelier place. I can't wait to start our new and MUCHO improved schedule.
I wonder if I'm not just about where I'm supposed to be, getting ready to be used by the Universe to do something else really great. I still miss my girls Sarah and Katye something fierce, but I am coping better than I thought I could. I keep wondering what is supposed to be, and wondering why we couldn't all stay together, but perhaps there is some plan.
I do know that I am loved where I am. Loved and treated like a Queen (as opposed to a Princess, which means he knows I'm not a child). Read between the lines on that one.
I'm so happy today.
Talk to you all later! I almost wrote "alter". LOL. Typo with meaning.
Love all around!!
Yesterday, I went to Denise's shower, Denise being the adorable Brit who is about to marry my good friend Dominick. I was gone most of the day. When I got back, lo and behold-I had a porch! Tonight I got home from hip hop to discover that I have porch STEPS!
I was just telling a friend how JJ keeps making promises and keeping them. He told me so, he told me how this house would transform into a nice little home. And it has!
I am dog dead tired. And I have the working mom's blues. Hopefully, things will get better in a couple of weeks when I move the kids to school with me.
Yes, the kids will be going to Carroll. Things aren't working out as I had hoped at the other place. Nothing majorly wrong...just not as easy as I'd hoped. There are many things that I will miss about their old school. But the driving time and the money alone will be a HUGE help to me!!