The Tension of Opposites

I was thinking about this excerpt from Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie on my drive to work this morning. I haven't thought about it in a long time, but it's as true for me as it first was when I read it so many years ago.

"'Have I told you about the tension of opposites?' he says. The tension of opposites?' Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.'A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle.'Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.'A wrestling match.' He laughs. 'Yes, you could describe life that way.'So which side wins, I ask?'Which side wins?'He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.'Love wins. Love always wins.'"

Saturday's ah ha moment

I am enough.
I do enough.
I have enough.

The new, reprogrammed dialogue I will choose to play in my head. Perfect for the perfectionist, I think.

As it goes....

Life here is good.

My new job is fabulous. I absolutely love what I am doing. Yesterday was the first large-group training that I facilitated and I'm happy to report I did a darn good job. I worked hard and it showed.

My new job is also exhausting. I typically go to the office just twice a week and I am thankful to get to stay home the other days. Like today. Ah, I hear the dishwasher running and I am still in fleece pants and a hoodie. The joys of not having to put on makeup or decide what to wear....

Jim's parents were here for a week recently and we had a great time with them. They're as easy going as they come. I enjoyed many a home-cooked meals and didn't do dishes for an entire week. Oh, the small blessings in life.

I am looking forward to my trip to Minnesota where I'll get to meet my 3-week old niece Holly. I'm all over actually doing things for people and I know that my cooking and other contributions will be welcomed.

Life doesn't always look that different from day to day and week to week around here. The weather is nice and cool and I'm glad to be in the midst of my favorite time of year.

So, that's the scoop from here.

Only 8 days until I meet her....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL!

Kate said that she can't believe her baby is five years old because she sometimes she still has to remind herself that she is a mother! I too have a tough time grasping that the little baby girl I rushed to the hospital to see is so grown up. I told Kate that before we know it Kate will be 77 years old and April will be 50!

We're glad that there are a few years and milestones inbetween to enjoy, however.

Here's to you April: wishing you a great day full of ponies, babies and everything else you love!

Here she is....

Miss Holly Elizabeth Johnson makes her photo debut on my blog. I think it's safe to say that she will adorn this site many times to come!

"Cute as a button"

That is how my brother Justin described his new daughter to me last night. My niece, Holly Elizabeth, arrived weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces and being 20 1/2 inches long. Apparently she has lots of dark hair! Mom, Baby and Dad are all doing well.

Welcome to this world, Holly girl. I can hardly wait to fall in love with you!