November Thankful #10

In honor of Thanksgiving, I'm doing daily thankful posts. I'd love it if you'd join me by commenting here or on MichiGal's Facebook page.

November 10

Today I'm thankful for friends. I write about my friends all the time because they are awesome and I am blessed. Some of my friends I've had for a long time. Some I haven't known for that long. Some I've lost track of over the years and we just communicate via Facebook these days.

My friend Julie P. and I have been friends since the fourth grade. We lived two blocks away from each other for three years, both in corner houses, so our moms could watch us walking back and forth. Back in June I stood up in her wedding, and she is Connor's godmother. Julie and I don't see each other often, but she is the kind of friend I know will always be there, even if we don't talk for three or six months at a time.

Julie F. and I met in middle school choir in the seventh grade. We went away to college together and became moms just 6 months apart. She has three daughters, and they are all close in age to my kids. We get the kids together a couple times a year (we used to more often but now that they're older and involved with school, extracurricular activities, and their friends, it's not so easy anymore). We don't get out without kids too much anymore, but I wish we did. 

I met Shelly in high school. I can't remember which class or what the circumstances were. But we always had fun together. All these years later and we still see each other from time to time in real life. Again, I wish it was more often. 

Then I have some friends I met at the elementary school Bethany and Connor used to go to. We moved and switched schools a couple years ago, but I still see these ladies on a fairly regular basis. They've been a great support group for me as I stumble through the school years, wondering if I'm screwing my kids up with every single decision and judgement call. Our kids are friends, which makes get togethers easy and fun. We'll all meet up at a park or something and let the kids play while we mommies chit chat. And once in awhile we get some grown up time too, which is even more fun.

At the kids' new school I have a great friend, Chris. We are still getting to know each other and haven't really hung out without kids in tow. But it's great to have someone to talk school with who knows what I'm talking about. Plus I know our kids will be in school together for a long time, and I look forward to our friendship growing.

Each of my friends adds something special and unique to my life. We laugh together, we have someone to talk to in good times and bad. We Zumba together and walk together and hang out in Port Austin together and drink Starbucks together and take our kids to fun places together. We talk about kids and movies and books and school and everything else.

Just today I had breakfast with my friends Angela and Amy. We had a delicious meal (thanks again, Angela) and talked while our little ones, who aren't in school yet, played together. Then I left to pick Lucy up from school and my friend Tina came over for a little visit. Her son is starting floor hockey with Connor, and I can't wait to chat with her for a whole hour every week while the boys play. 

Sometimes, in our busy lives, it's hard to carve out friend time. But I'm a happier person when I spend time with my friends, so I'm going to continue to make it a priority. 

Snapshot of My Life: First Communion Sunday

As I mentioned previously, we celebrated Connor's First Communion this past weekend. Here are some highlights...

• One very, very late night spent in a tizzy of preparation
• Six outfits picked out, ironed, and argued over (ahem...pre-adolescent daughter...)
• Nine quiches and several dozen raspberry and blueberry muffins made 100% from scratch (thank you, mother-in-law), as well as several dozen brownies made from Ghiradelli box mixes (hey, better than from scratch!)
• Five people running to the van in the freezing cold rain (#6 was being carried) and then running from the van into church... on time! Remember when I said something about spring time in Michigan being worth the wait? Scratch that.
• One handsome little red-headed boy with the hugest, sweetest smile on his face
• One adorable little red-headed toddler who entertained (I can only hope) the half of the church who could hear her constant chatter
• One 9-year old daughter trying to sneak in some games on the iPod during the service...ummm no?!
• One 4-year old daughter trying to stretch out and take a nap during the service because, well, she was tired
• 41 friends and family members, including 17 kids, having brunch at our house and helping us celebrate Connor's special day
• One beyond-tired mama laying down on the couch at about 8:01 with the intention of watching a John Hughes documentary...and falling dead asleep about 10 minutes into it
• One full day of recovery (including 1 chiropractor visit, 1 Motrin 800, and about 1 hour in the hot tub)

It was a great day, and I feel incredibly blessed that so many people we love were able to share it with us.

 

Feet Firmly Planted In The Here And Now

Sometimes I feel like I live for summertime. It's like the whole year is just divided into waiting for summer to get here, and summer itself. Maybe if you've read any of my other posts, you might have gotten the idea that I'm not such a big fan of the cold. Cold weather depresses me, fills me with lethargy, makes me want to never leave the house. But that is not the only reason I so look forward to summertime. I crave the freedom to do whatever I want with my kids day after day after wonderful day. Sleeping in late, meeting friends at the park, trips Up North, going swimming...I love every second of it. This is sort of a problem for me and I'm working on it. I mean, I need to spend more time embracing the "now" instead of anticipating summer. I'm improving, but just right now, at the moment, I'm really looking forward to the break. Probably just because we've been having such a great Spring Break, and I'm getting sad about the kids going back to school on Monday. Deep breath. Live in the moment. Carry on. 

Yesterday we met friends at McDonald's to play and have ice cream sundaes. The best part was (well other than seeing my friends...) watching my big kids playing with Mathilda and taking her into the play structure with them, and boy Mathilda was having a crazy good time. Then Connor and Bethany went off to sleepovers and I tried to convince Lucy to have movie time with me and watch Tangled but that little stinker was not interested.

This morning Lucy had a field trip at a local Chinese restaurant where the preschoolers got to learn how to count in Chinese, make wontons, and eat chicken tenders and fries (???) while the parents sat at separate tables, had adult conversation and actually ate Chinese food (at a Chinese restaurant? go figure!). Bethany and Connor went on the same field trip when they were in 4-year old preschool. I think the best part for the kids was running around the restaurant as much as they wanted because it was not yet opened for business for the day.  When it was over I picked Bethany & Connor up from their friends' houses and we went to my mother-in-law's (where Mathilda was during the field trip) and all of the kids got to see their grandpa who has been out of town working for the past couple months. It was a happy, tickly, giggle-ish reunion. Yes I'm making up words here, but please just go with it.

Then Connor got invited to another sleepover, and I had to say yes because he has been the best sport about spending pretty much every minute of his Spring Break surrounded by girls. And then Lucy and Bethany were invited to play at a friends' house, so Chris and I dropped them off and went to dinner with Mathilda at Achatz Burgers, where we ate greasy but yummy burgers and fries and laughed at Mathilda's silliness without any other kids around to distract us from paying her our full attention. We went for a drive and looked at beautiful old houses in Mt. Clemens, the kind of houses I dream of living in someday because I love big old houses full of unique little quirks and nooks and crannies. I dropped Chris off at home and went to pick the girls up, and ended up staying there forever chatting with my friend while the kids played for "just one more minute" and it was really a lovely evening. We got home and the girls and I decided to pile into Connor's room (I think because he has bunk beds...although all 4 of us ended up on the bottom bunk) and watch Tangled together. Bethany was asleep within 5 minutes, and Lucy followed suit about 5 minutes later. Mathilda, however, stayed awake and watched the entire thing with me. I love that movie! 

The best part of the whole day was a late night text from my friend with some really fabulous news that she had been hoping and praying to hear but didn't think she would for quite awhile. I am so happy for her and her family. Good things do happen to good people.  Perfect ending to a perfect day.

Book Review, Nutella Winner, And Odds & Ends

I have another book review posted at Luxury Reading for a kids book, Cows Can't Jump. It's a cute picture book and you should go over there and see what I have to say about it.

Tricia is the winner of the Nutella goody bag giveaway! Congratulations Tricia! Enjoy your Nutella swag! 

When Lucy got up this morning, she came in bed with me for a cuddle. She told me that I'm probably going to have another baby. I said no, I'm definitely not having another baby. She said, "are you forcing yourself not to?" and I said yes. So then she said, "probably you'll forget and then you will have another baby." Probably not a good idea to explain the science of vasectomies to a 4-year old? My kids all want another baby, and the truth is I feel ridiculously guilty for not giving Connor a brother. But that door is closed for good. Sorry Connor, just one more way we are scarring you for life.

Other cute things my kids do...Lucy gave me Eskimo kisses while she was laying in bed with me this morning. Then she pinched my nose and said it was an Eskimo hug. 

When we were in Toledo and using the GPS to find our way around, every time the voice told us which way to go, Mathilda said "thank you." She thanks everyone all the time. At least she has good manners while she is being a stink pot. 

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at The Henry Ford Museum with some friends. We had 7 kids with us, which sounds crazy but actually it was not terribly nuts. The place is huge and it wasn't very crowded, so they were able to run around pretty much to their hearts content. My friend and I discussed how places like that make us think that homeschooling would be fun and rewarding, but that the dedication required to successfully homeschool sounds insurmountably daunting. My poor son was once again stuck with all girls. Some day his friends will be jealous, right???

Sitting in the Rosa Parks bus

Rosa Parks bus...I think they are sitting in her actual seat

He managed to have fun with 6 little girls

Thrown in jail for supporting women's rights

Passionate about the cause

Practicing their duck and cover

Mathilda got a nap in

It was a long, super fun day, which also included some playing at our friends' house and a trip to TCBY for waffle cone Wednesday ($1 waffle cones - how did I not know about this before yesterday???). I am so grateful to my friend for including my family in the day's activities. Our Spring Break continues to be awesome...

Piece of Heaven

Crazy busy, that's where I've been. Play dates, a school concert, shopping, cleaning, laundry, driving, a preschool meeting, coffee dates, reading, planning, cooking, learning to crochet, birthday parties...the list goes on.

This past weekend we had some special guests - 3 little girls who stayed with us while their parents and older sister went on an exciting star-studded trip to Toronto. I should have taken some pictures, but I was too busy with several of the items from the above list. We had a fantastic weekend, and I'm pretty sure all 6 girls were thrilled to have unlimited time together for two whole days and nights. Notice I didn't mention Connor, who spent most of the time he was home (I kindly arranged a sleepover for him Saturday night, plus he had a birthday party Sunday afternoon) hiding out in his bedroom, only coming out to eat and use the bathroom. I maintain that someday he will be overjoyed to have our home overtaken by pretty girls, but for now...sorry son. We do love you.

One of our guests just happens to be a talented (10-year old) crocheter, and she kindly and patiently walked me through crocheting a flower. 

I have since done a few more, and I think I'm getting the hang of it. I am perhaps unreasonably excited by this slight accomplishment, but there you have it. What I will do with these flowers I'm crocheting remains a mystery, but I know one person who might like some to put on hats for cancer patients for her charitable organization she is just getting up and running, Creating Smiles For Hope.

Spring Break is upon us next week, however much it does not feel like Spring. Last year we spent a few days during the break at Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, which was seriously one of the most magical places we have ever visited. We thought about returning this year, but then remembered the dangerously lacking safety standards and the fact that we now have a very feisty and high energy almost-2-year old who would not take kindly to being toted around in a Baby Bjorn. Nor would my back take kindly to it. So Hocking Hills will have to wait for another year. The kids and I will be taking a short trip with my mother-in-law, and hoping for some kinda almost decent weather so we can at least be outside some of the time.


What I'm really daydreaming about is another of my most favorite places in the whole wide world, Captiva Island, Florida. We haven't been there in a few years, and oh how I miss it. I would like to be lying on its beach right now, reading a book and watching dolphins frolic in the waves. You can walk from the boat docks on one side of the island, where manatees are almost within arm's reach, to the beach side of the island, which is literally covered in beautiful sea shells, in about 5-10 minutes. Sea urchins, starfish, sand dollars, crabs...all right there.

Lucy sitting on thousands of shells

Back when we had 3 kids

One of our many beach finds

I would love to share more pictures of Captiva Island, but naturally I can't seem to find anymore at the moment. It's a miracle, really, that I found a disc with these few on it (at 2 o'clock in the morning). I love that there are no McDonald's or any other fast food, no Walmart or any other big chain store. I love having breakfast outside at the Key Lime Bistro, I love the Christmas tree on the beach at The Mucky Duck and I love ordering 5 kinds of cake from The Bubble Room and having a little taste of each. You know how some vacations don't really seem like vacations at all, and after a few days you're more than ready to go home? Well after 2 weeks on Captiva Island, I am ready to stay for 2 more weeks. At least. I think I could live there, even though it's a 45 minute drive to the mainland (and groceries that don't cost an arm and a leg). I could just alternate between pool and beach, take turns at all the wonderful restaurants, browse the little shops, stare at the sea life, take a boat ride every now and again...for a very long time. Someday, Captiva Island, I'll be back.  


***Don't forget to enter my Nutella giveaway!! The deadline is March 31st!***

It's All Good

Last weekend, I was able to spend some time with a few of my awesome friends.  A couple of the ladies have March birthdays, so we went out to celebrate Friday night. We were not actually asked to leave, but boy let me tell ya, it was coming. Saturday I got to see some of the very same ladies again for a different kind of birthday party...one for a 3-year old. As you can imagine, it was fun in a completely different way. For example, no one was trying to hide anyone's credit card so they couldn't buy anymore drinks. Nor was anyone shamelessly singing karaoke. Or picking up (literally...picking UP, off the ground) random strangers. Just sayin'. Not that any of those things happened Friday night. This is purely hypothetical. I swear.


And now it's Spring! Finally! Spring! But wait, I just looked outside and Spring just happens to look quite a bit like Winter at the moment. Hmm. Abracadabra! I choose a different state! A warm one! Please?!


I paid off my library fines last week, so now I am free to check out tons of books again. One of my favorite things to do! Yay! 

I got some new jeans at Target for $6...and I didn't try them on in the store and they fit me perfectly. Yay!  

I went to Joann's and bought some yarn and crochet hooks and a book about how to crochet which turned out to be totally useless. But YouTube! There are videos for everything on YouTube, including crochet lessons. Yay! Plus childrens' books about crocheting from the library, which are right about my speed. I've been practicing my stitches. They look pretty but I can't yet get my rows uniform. When I figure that out perhaps I can actually make something.

Things, in general, have been going really well. But I have this mental problem. Happiness scares me.  I know, I know, I know...how stupid, right? Do I think I don't deserve it for some reason? Am I really a pessimist posing as an optimist? There is this nagging fear in the back of my mind that it can't last, that I've filled my quotient. I'm trying to combat that fear with rosy thoughts of rainbows and unicorns. Because, elusive happiness, I do deserve you. So there.

**P.S. Don't forget to enter my Nutella giveaway! The deadline is March 31!**

Breakfast With Nutella Plus A Giveaway!

I'm not quite sure how this happened, but somehow I made it past my 36th birthday before trying Nutella (pronounced new-tella) for the first time. If you've never had Nutella before, it is a hazelnut spread, generally sold near the peanut butter at the grocery store, that tastes like the insides of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Well heck, if I had known that, I would have tried it a long time ago! When MommyParties contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in hosting a Nutella breakfast, I thought it would be a great excuse to have some friends over and try something new. They sent me some fun gift bags of goodies to share with my guests, and a large jar of Nutella for sampling.

Here are some facts about Nutella that I will refer to when I want to convince myself it's fine that I've had maybe one (or three) tablespoons too many:

• Nutella does not contain hydrogenated oil or trans fat
• Nutella is very low in sodium
• Nutella contains no artificial colors or preservatives
• Nutella does not contain ingredients derived from gluten cereal; wheat, barley rye, oats, or triticale
• Nutella is Kosher
• Nutella does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients, nor does it come in contact with peanuts during manufacturing

Turns out, most of my guests were already fans of Nutella. Where have I been?? I had pretzel rods and French bread to pair with the Nutella, plus fresh fruit, scones, shamrock cookies (the leprechauns left them) and an egg dish. I was going to make waffles as well, but let's just say my darling daughter is going to get a little lecture after school and my waffle maker is outside in the trash.

Since a few people were unable to make it to the party, I'm offering up the chance to win one of my leftover goody bags. This is what's inside: 

• Nutella sample pack and coupon
• Nutella recipe cards
• Nutella tumbler mug
• Nutella spreader

All you need to do is "Like" Michigal on Facebook (link on the right side) and leave a comment below about Nutella by March 31. On April 1st a random winner will be chosen. Sorry, but United States residents only.

**P.S. Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win!**

In the meantime, visit Nutella's website for a $1.00 coupon. 


Note: I was not paid for this review. I was sent samples and goody bags as described above.

To My Japanese Friend: Wish You Were Here

Mariko, where are you now? The last time I saw you, I was 8 years old. Your family was so good to me, and we had some fun times together. I remember when you guys took me to a water park, my first time. Surf City. I can clearly picture the fake beach and the tidal waves coming from a far off wall. I'm pretty sure I was thinking, in my 8 year old way, "Oh boy! My mom would freak out if she saw this place! Drowning danger!!!" Of course she knew I was there, but I couldn't help but feel a little like I was doing something I shouldn't be doing.

You and your family took such joy in all things American. All of you smiled a lot. I used to eat at your apartment often, or you would bring me out to a Japanese restaurant with you. What I remember eating is white rice, lots of white rice. You had special little bowls for rice.

When your dad finished college and you left Arizona to return to Japan, your parents invited me to go to Hawaii with you, where you were stopping for a vacation on your way home. I thought long and hard about this invitation, and declined for two reasons. One, I knew my mom would miss me. Two, I was afraid of flying and I knew I'd have to fly home alone. Actually I don't really think I was afraid of flying, I had just heard my mom talk about how much she hated flying and figured it was the thing to do. But the idea of flying solo on the return trip, that did make my tummy do sickening flip flops. The funniest thing is that for years I thought about how I had missed out on a trip to Hawaii. Recently I realized, who am I kidding? My mom would have never let me go on an airplane to Hawaii without her. My mom would never have let me get on an airplane to Hawaii with her for that matter. Not to mention we were totally poor. But somehow I thought that possibility existed and I had blown it.

You gave me your hamster when you moved back to Japan. Poky was a good little guy, and he moved cross country to Michigan with me less than a year later. He rode in the backseat of our crowded car, having more space than any of us in his very own cage.

We kept in touch for years, Mariko, but somehow we eventually lost contact. I wish we hadn't. I wish I knew right now that you are safe and your family is safe. I hope you are.

That's What Friends Are For

I am having a crazy busy but fun week. But wait, that could probably describe every week of my life. Because with 4 kids, how can life not be crazy busy and fun every single day?

I had coffee with a friend one day, which was fun because I got to talk to a grown up, but also because I got to chase Mathilda around Starbucks while half the people in there gave me dirty looks and the other half thought it was cute that she was running from me while looking over her shoulder and laughing at me. Another day I had lunch with a friend, which was fun because I got to eat a meal and talk to a grown up without any of my children present. I also had a fantastic hour and a half long walk and talk with yet another friend, which was fantastic until my hand and arm started going numb and then my chiropractor told me the next day I shouldn't do that anymore. I worked in Lucy's preschool class, which is always fun because I get to hang out with my kid and a whole bunch of other sweet preschoolers. I hosted a preschool board meeting at my house, which involved lots of cleaning and shuffling children around, but was also fun because I enjoy spending time with the preschool ladies. I went to parent teacher conferences for Bethany and Connor, which were both great. I read a good book, The Atlas of Love by Laurie Frankel, which I also wrote a review on that will soon be published on luxuryreading.com. Mathilda and I did some more shopping at Macy's, where I bought $138 worth of clothes for $23. For myself! Tomorrow night Chris and I are going out, just the two of us. Overnight!

Those are the highlights I can think of at the moment. Well there are lots of others too. Like rainy Wednesday, when Lucy walked outside and said, "boy this sure is a lovely day" without one ounce of sarcasm. And Mathilda falling asleep last night while I read to her and Lucy - a first! (the falling asleep part, not the reading part) Like getting an email from Connor's teacher letting me know that several of the grades on his report card were wrong - the real grades are better. Like Bethany and Connor making their own lunches Thursday morning, without being asked, even though it was a half day (they had forgotten, but they had lunches ready to eat when they got home from school). Like convincing Chris we should go to IKEA soon because I think we finally figured out where I can have a sewing area but we need some stuff to facilitate our plans (might not seem like a big deal, but IKEA is Chris's nemesis. seriously).

So back to that book, The Atlas of Love. I won't give away too much, but it's a story about friendship that has really had me thinking about friends this week. I am blessed to have some wonderful friends who are supportive and generous and fun and loyal. Making friends is not easy for me. It just isn't . I'm not an open book. I'm quiet, very quiet, around people I don't know well. Not everyone is patient enough to get to know me. It's hard for me to be comfortable enough to open up and let down my guard. I'm doing slightly better nowadays, but I missed out on lots of opportunity for friendship in college, which is when the book takes place. I don't think I made a single friend in college. Not one. So reading about college friends who made a commitment to raise a child together made me nostalgic for a time that never existed for me. Not that I didn't have any good times in college...I just never met anyone during that period of my life who would have happily and lovingly stepped up to help me raise my baby, had I become pregnant during that time, which of course I didn't. I didn't let anyone get to know me well enough to care enough about me to be willing to make sacrifices for me. I was on lock down for a long time, and I'm not sure why. Sometimes I feel like the lone introvert in a world of extroverts. Spending time with friends does makes life richer and fuller and generally more worthwhile all the way around. For awhile I kind of forgot that, but I'm glad I've remembered now. Maybe this is just a super long-winded way of saying I love my friends. Thank you for all the wonderful ways you complement my life.

Don't Wait

Last week my friend's mom passed away. She won't see her daughter walk down the aisle this June, except in spirit. What I've been thinking about is staying up all night talking to her at sleepovers after my friend zonked out. And also promising we'd get together soon every time we bumped into each other at Target or whatever...and never doing it. Life gets crazy...obligations pile up. But I wish I'd had that lunch with her, I really do.

Just two days after my friend's mom died, an old friend of my family also passed away. Frank and his family lived next door to my grandparents when my mom was growing up. His son (who is my godfather) still lives in the house, and my uncle still lives next door in my grandparents' old house. Frank and his wife were dear friends of my grandparents. Now all four of them are gone, which makes me sad. 

I can't imagine what it would have been like to live in that house where my mom grew up back in the 50's and 60's and 70's, when the block was chock full of friends, for the grown ups and the kids. When the neighbors took turns hosting card parties and the ladies met on each others porches on summer mornings for toast and coffee. At the funeral home last night my mom was treated to a story my Grandma never shared, of how my Grandma and a couple other neighbor ladies helped deliver one of Frank's babies when they couldn't get his wife to the hospital in time. People die and their stories die with them. I'm glad someone shared this one. As much as my Grandma and I talked, and as many stories as she told me, I wish there were more. So when I hear one like this, that I've never heard before, it's like finding a little treasure.


Make those phone calls and lunch dates while you can. Share your stories. Someone wants to know. Really. If your kids act bored now, they'll be glad later.

*****

Don't worry, it hasn't been all dark clouds of doom around here. 

Chris has been working on the play room in our basement. He painted, put up some drywall, and put a rug down. Tomorrow we are going to pick up some shelving, then we can really start to put the room together. This is a major project we've been talking about since we moved in, so it is kind of exciting to see it nearing completion. 

A few nights ago some friends and I went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday and my friend Angela's birthday. I haven't laughed so much in a long time, especially when we almost got kicked out for being too loud, even though there were no other diners in the room with us. Also we were at the restaurant in the middle of a snow storm. YES! Another snow storm. After all our snow melted with the Easter weather last week, we are once again living in a winter wonderland. 

Spring is near. Spring is near. Spring is near. Spring is near. Spring is near.

I Can Practically Taste It

We've been having more of that Easter like weather. The snow is melting. I actually enjoy leaving my house because I'm not freezing my butt off. I'm thinking Spring, but it is my goal to enjoy the here and now, and not try to rush into the next season. Anticipation takes away from the beauty of the moment.

(Note:  The current moment for me consists of listening to Mathilda alternating between pathetic whimpering and full on sobs in her crib as I decide whether it is going to be necessary to go get her, and a throbbing headache. Searching for the beauty in the moment.)

Mathilda and I did some Macy's clearance shopping while Lucy was at preschool this morning. She is my little shopping buddy and is generally quite happy as long as I keep a constant flow of snacks going to the stroller tray. She likes saying "hi" and "bye" to everyone we pass. It makes me happy when people respond to her, because she loves it, but sometimes she won't stop and it gets awkward because I don't want strangers to feel obligated to answer her greetings and salutations 50 million times. I got some really great deals, and could have done some damage with that Macy's card, but I restrained myself and limited my purchases to a few things my mom got me for my birthday. Thanks Mom, I love picking out my own birthday gifts.

After Mattie and I picked Lucy up from school, the three of us went to meet a few of my friends for lunch at a new Mexican restaurant nearby. The food was good but the company was better. I have the best friends. 

(Note: I brought Mattie downstairs, thinking maybe the other kids would enjoy getting some sleep. Toddler hugs, kisses, cuddles, hand holding, giggling, and tickles...beautiful. Toddler exhausted out of her mind yet not falling asleep until after midnight...not quite. Is this the living definition of ying and yang?)

One of my best friends called to tell me her mom is in the hospital and she doesn't think she's going to make it. Friends losing parents seems surreal. Is there anyway to put into words that even though I'm a grown up, I sometimes don't think I feel any different than I felt 20 years ago? My heart is aching for my friend today, who is getting married this year and her mom might not be there to see it. I am praying for peace for her mom, who I have known and loved since I was in the 4th grade. She always seemed like she would live forever. But doesn't everybody? 

We are mere mortals, yet convince ourselves otherwise just to get through the day. There is an invisible clock ticking away the minutes of our lives. How many minutes are left? No one knows. Each one counts. Each one is precious and irreplaceable. Some get wasted. Lots get wasted. Is there a giant dump somewhere full of wasted minutes, sort of like the great plastic island floating in an ocean somewhere that I've heard about? I don't want my minutes to end up there. 

I can smell Spring and it smells like life and newness. And at the same time my friend's mom is dying.  I want to say it's not fair, but it just is what it is.