My Daughter Mary & the Little Old Woman I Hit

If the story of my day today had a title, that's what it would be.

I'm in a mood that is rare for me - I kinda just want someone to give me a hug or bring me a cup of tea or even a pat on the back would be nice. I'm not all victim-y or anything, but I'll be happy to go to sleep tonight and finish November 5th.

I started off great. Today was marathon-busy, and I had a little moment of self-talk this morning something like this: "It's going to be a stressful, non-stop day. I have some power here, and to some degree my attitude can make or break the whole thing for me as well as my children." Exercise, prayer and scripture reading, and attitude got me off on the right foot. Then, between seeing my children off to school after a month-long break and heading to a Moms' Group get-together, I hit an older woman with a walker in the library parking lot. The important part of this story is that she wasn't hurt. I had barely released the brake and I heard a loud noise (she later told me she shouted but in my mind it was more like a bang) and I stopped. I really am a little afraid of having some form of a nightmare tonight about that moment when I turned around from looking over my left shoulder to looking over my right and seeing someone standing behind my van and realizing I had just hit her. I realized later that I was fully expecting her to fall down, which shows that I was out of sorts since I wasn't going that fast - but somehow I also perceived really quickly that she was elderly. John was already crying loudly, I'm not sure why, and I jumped out of the car to go see if everything was okay. I was really scared at that point. I knew the woman was still standing, but that's all I knew. Immediately she smiled and looked at me and said, "I'm okay, I'm okay."

I'm so thankful. The "almosts" and "could haves" of this story are awful. But the saddest part was that she thanked me for coming to check on her. That brings tears. Every so often, I just get deeply sad about this world (not to sound all fake-philosophical or anything) but this is one of those times. I don't like oil spills; crime; hurt and disappointment; or an elderly woman I almost backed over thanking me for checking on her.



Fast forward to tonight. Our church is having a first annual Children's Christmas Pageant and the "tryouts" were this evening. Joe and Cayna heard about it at choir and both wanted to go. Over the last few days, I've heard them discussing the "show" and Joe mostly said he wanted to be a wise man. I alternated between just nodding and smiling and saying "cool." to almost whispering "there are only three" - "just remember that!" - (whispering so I'm not totally guilty of being the mom who quashes his dreams).

In the car on the way there, the two of them decided Joseph would be Joseph and Cayna would be Mary. They sounded very assured, though neither had any idea what a "tryout" is. We arrived and things were organized and children were being shuffled and sorted into different groups. It was announced that all girls ages 4 and 5 were automatically angels. They were to be seated in one section and there were other sections for older girls and for boys. Most of the children picked up on the director's instructions and began moving to their places. Cayna stood still and looked unsure. A friend nudged Cayna, said something about being an angel and isn't that great, and "I think you need to go over there." But Cayna stood still and looked at her and said quietly but confidently, "But I'm going to be Mary."

Over an hour later, tryouts were finished, roles announced, and we left the building. Cayna will be a sparkly angel with a dozen other little girls and I'm sure she will ADORE her part. Joseph won the role of Joseph. That kid amazes me. And my lesson for the day is that I might be able to control my attitude for the day, but never, NEVER the outcome.

Dear President Obama,

I'm writing to congratulate you even though I didn't vote for you. And to say that I am genuinely happy for you. And I'm proud of America for electing a Black President. I will pray for you throughout your Presidency, and for your family.

We just watched your speech in Chicago, and I liked what you had to say. Despite my cynical posture when it comes to politics, I can appreciate how you sound, what you say, and who you appear to be, except on the issue of abortion. Beneath all the joy and accomplishment, I'm aware of an underlying evil that darkens any hope for change. Many of my strongest Christian friends are willing to overlook your views on abortion because they believe the economy and foreign policy to be more important than basic...life. Somehow in this country on this day, justice is important for everyone except the unborn. So I'm curious to see how this all turns out. If so many are willing to compromise God's Word in search of "change" I'm afraid of the outcome. It's uncomfortable to be curious and afraid at the same time.

You said tonight you would listen to me, especially when we disagree. I hope that's true. I hope you'll listen when you hear during your term that not all of us think abortion should be legal through the ninth month. I pray you change your mind.

Meanwhile, I do hope you'll enjoy these days of celebration. Like you said, there is a rough road ahead.

Sincerely,
Teri Love

What are you doing?

I'm not watching TV. At the moment. I'll go back to it, but I needed a break.

I have a pretty early date with my running partner, so I can't stay up all night watching election returns. Or maybe I can.

Today was a big day. Tomorrow is another one.

Field Trip

I can't speak for Des Moines, Iowa, Saskatchewan, Chicago, or the Everglades - but in Henderson Nevada the weather was absolutely perfect today. We headed out to the Clark County Heritage Museum with jackets in hand but they were promptly tossed in the stroller (a.k.a. Mom's Pack Mule) and I was left wishing I'd applied sunblock all around.

This is a gem of a museum with a low-low admission price and really a LOT to see and tons of fun for the kids.

Here are some photos of my little museum-goers, squinting in the sunlight on this November day in the desert:

Joe, Cayna & Bethie on board a train


John, having missed his nap


My daughters in "jail". According to Joe, this was his favorite part of the whole museum. It is what he chose to illustrate to show Kevin later in the afternoon. But he never stepped foot inside. Maybe he just enjoyed locking up his sisters.


Cayna by the big red barn. Her favorite display was inside -- a waving cowboy.


Joe and his sunglasses

Post-holiday observation

I think if you gut a half a dozen pumpkins, rinse the seeds, douse them in canola oil, salt them, and toast them for 90 minutes then eat a handful they sorta get stuck in your intestine going around a bend and stay there all prickly and blockade-ish (which isn't something you want going on in your digestive tract) to where you feel kinda sick.

Is this a good reason to eat candy bars instead?

You Are Mine

Mass is crazy for our family these days. With John the age he is, we don't get to sit all together anymore. And today we were particularly divided. Kevin and John were in the cry room, where Bethanie eventually joined them. Joe and Cayna were in the choir, and I sat by myself. It was nice, though, to see Joe and Cayna sing in the choir. It was Cayna's first time singing with the children's choir during Mass. It was a special thing to watch her up there.

For reasons particular to my conversion from Protestantism, where we didn't enjoy communion of the saints, hearing the Litany of the Saints sung by anyone moves me to tears every time. Hearing my children sing it was amazing.

Second to the Litany was a hymn called "You Are Mine" and the words impacted me today:

You are Mine
By David Haas

I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name

I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live

My name in print!!!

Well, if I can't have my own newspaper column, I suppose the next best thing is being quoted and named in obscure articles here and there. (Although this writer probably wouldn't appreciate me calling his article "obscure".)

When we went to the dedication of the new Church in Yucaipa, I spent almost the entire service outside on the lawn with John "Squawker" Love and Bethanie "Squirmer" Love. This did not allow me to enjoy the dedication Mass, but it did put me in a prime place to be "interviewed" by a newspaper reporter. The reporter also interviewed our good friend Steve, who was on the same lawn with his children, Cheyenne "Squirmer" Cox and Sedona "Squawker" Cox. For whatever reason they did not quote Steve, and for this I am sad. Being quoted together in such an auspicious paper might have made up for a VERY long time spent on a VERY small patch of grass with four VERY active children.

Click here to see my name in an article written by someone other than me!

Please note the reporter's error. I do not have three children. I have FOUR. I made the trip with FOUR children. I have given birth to FOUR. No big deal, just lettin' ya know.