This weekend we took a short jaunt to Oklahoma, my first visit to Sooner country. (I only know it is Sooner country because my soon to be son-in-law is determined to educate me in the art of OU football and believe me there was no shortage of Sooner fans there!).
We went to meet Jon's parents and brothers. In a recap...Jon is the middle child with an older brother and younger brother. Katie, my daughter and his soon to be blushing bride, is the baby with two older brothers. They were both raised as homeschoolers/private schoolers, have a lot in common, being raised very similarly. I found myself with a lot in common with Jon's parents.
He had filled me in so I knew a little before I got there. His dad had a stroke a few years back forcing his mom to become the family provider. He told me she was nervous meeting us. I was a little nervous too, but quickly got over that. I was a little hesitant spending an entire afternoon with people I did not know, but knew it was important. Jon was so excited about being home and getting to introduce Katie to his family as well as being able to show her around his turf.
Talking to his mom, I was struck by her strength. Here she is in her empty nesting years trying to deal with the hand life has dealt her. We never know what lies before us. In a moment life can turn in a direction we never dreamed possible. Sometimes I really stop and ask myself the "what if" questions. A dear friend of mine lost her husband at the age I am right now. What would I do if I was suddenly widowed? What would I do if my husband had a stroke and was no longer able to provide for us? I would like to think that I would have the same strength of character that these women I admire have.
We went to meet Jon's parents and brothers. In a recap...Jon is the middle child with an older brother and younger brother. Katie, my daughter and his soon to be blushing bride, is the baby with two older brothers. They were both raised as homeschoolers/private schoolers, have a lot in common, being raised very similarly. I found myself with a lot in common with Jon's parents.
He had filled me in so I knew a little before I got there. His dad had a stroke a few years back forcing his mom to become the family provider. He told me she was nervous meeting us. I was a little nervous too, but quickly got over that. I was a little hesitant spending an entire afternoon with people I did not know, but knew it was important. Jon was so excited about being home and getting to introduce Katie to his family as well as being able to show her around his turf.
Talking to his mom, I was struck by her strength. Here she is in her empty nesting years trying to deal with the hand life has dealt her. We never know what lies before us. In a moment life can turn in a direction we never dreamed possible. Sometimes I really stop and ask myself the "what if" questions. A dear friend of mine lost her husband at the age I am right now. What would I do if I was suddenly widowed? What would I do if my husband had a stroke and was no longer able to provide for us? I would like to think that I would have the same strength of character that these women I admire have.
This weekend was also my last Easter with my daughter at home. It was my last Easter basket adventure for my children [sigh]. I have loved doing Easter baskets all these years and look forward to sharing that with grandchildren. ( I did get to do one for my grandson and my sweet Caitlyn this year-but they are still too small to appreciate the fun in it!). My daughter told me I needed to go all out since it was my last one! LOL...don't know that I did that, but it was fun to do these for Kat and Jon. They wore their outfits home (I didn't do Easter outfits for either of them-they got sweats instead!).
We had a full weekend, and we are tired! I am lazing around today, having done nothing so far but watch Runaway Bride with my daughter [smile], check the laundry, and pick up a bit. I have to work today, and of course reconstruction calls, but somehow that doesn't seem all that important now! Gee, might be time to take stock, re-evaluate my priorities, and live. Live with a purpose that surpasses this temporal moment and takes in the big picture.
We had a full weekend, and we are tired! I am lazing around today, having done nothing so far but watch Runaway Bride with my daughter [smile], check the laundry, and pick up a bit. I have to work today, and of course reconstruction calls, but somehow that doesn't seem all that important now! Gee, might be time to take stock, re-evaluate my priorities, and live. Live with a purpose that surpasses this temporal moment and takes in the big picture.
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