Last night....talkin' bout last night

What a day-slash-week this has been. It was so busy and crazy and slightly broken and I forgot sometimes how good I have things.

Well, my dad's birthday was yesterday. He turned the ripe old age of 71. And he doesn't look it or act it. It's pretty incredible. Most folks figure him in the 60-65 range. These days though he talks like he feels old as the hills. The hills are sooooooooooo much older than he is.

It's this time in his life. For the past few years people have been dying and it's depressing. I know it must be so depressing. He is healthy and strong but has felt this fear. He needs to escape for a bit and realize that he isn't there yet. He will have his time. But, you can tell when you look at an old person that they aren't here for long. And he is not THERE yet. I worry that he won't get happy again and that makes me sad. He's got so much to enjoy I want him to enjoy it. He probably has 15 good years and a couple crappy really unhealthy ones. But if stays down like this, that won't happen. Attitude is such a strong determining factor. Most of all, I want him around to meet the kids i have someday, selfish girl that I am.

Anyway, an excellent man and family friend died recently. The funeral was scheduled for, of course, Dad's BIRTHDAY. Argh! How ironic, right? So we had made some birthday plans before we heard about this but it kind of took the wind out of the celebration plans for him. Oh, they guy was 10 years older than dad and had lung cancer.

Anyway, he and mom decided we'd go to cirque de soleil in a couple of weeks instead of getting together for the actual birthday. I thought that sounded quite excellent, but also thought he still needed a bday fiesta of sorts. Cville Yoga Buddy had already planned to visit them that night and she decided to bring a giant and wonderful german chocolate cake. We collaborated on timing once I knew their schedule.

Then I called r'noke Gym Buddy early Friday morning with the absurd suggestion that she ride with me to c'ville, spend a few hours with my family, and then ride home again all in one night. Not only did she agree to come along: she agreed with a happy eagerness that touched my heart. And we had a great time. We talked and laughed the whole way there and back, deep and meaningful, shallow and silly and once again I realized how lucky I am. How many people have as many deep and powerful relationships as I have had in my lifetime. I am so freakin' rich with lovely strong intelligent women!

Anyway, when I started writing I wanted to get around to the craziness of my week: windstorm and canceled school festival, adding another school and changing my schedule, being given conflicting directions to enforce cancellation of a school program, principal observation with a schedule change and no planning, and a crazy crick in my neck creating pain for an entire week. Work has definitely been the low place in my life these days.

But then one night with friends who are willing to spend hours with my parents because it is important to me reminded me of what's really important. Thanks ladies.

YAY - it came out in my hand this morning!

good, b/c I wouldn'ta brushed 'em!

My cat has extra teeth

I think his baby fangs didn't fall out and now he has two sets of fangs in the space most cats have one set of fangs. I wonder if cat dental insurance is something I should invest in?

a fulbrighter in kenya touches my heart

so i've been reading this woman's blog for about 6 months now and she's just an incredible person doing what she can even when she knows it will never be enough. When I come home feeling tired and sad that I don't do enough, she reminds me that we must do what we can - not everything. If each of us just do that, it actually could be enough. And not to get discouraged when looking at the big picture.

She's got such a long story I can't possible relay it all to you - the summary is that she's been working with HIV+ kids in Kenya. There is an enormous problem there with the + children - some of this problem stems from the fact that everyone thought they'd die and they are living longer. Her most recent "project" is to bring 4 of the children from the camp where she spent the last year to America for a visit. She explains better than I ever could here.

If you know any wonderful, wealthy benefactor - or some one who has an extra 10 dollars, this is a project that will help 4 kids have a fun time in the short time they have on this planet. It's a chance to do something nice so I thought I'd share it with you (the 1 person who reads this I mean ;-)

last year at this time

I was thinking better thoughts.....someone liked them so much they added them to their blog. I'll let you read it over there.

I need to start thinking about bigger things again I think.