What Day Is This?

I’m sure everyone has asked themselves that question during the last ten days. I’ve been a day ahead of myself all week for some reason. It’s perfect to have it during vacation, with the holidays themselves on Saturday. Recuperate on Sunday, back to work on Monday? Maybe. Some folks will have designated holidays on Monday, and schools won’t go back until Tuesday or Wednesday.

This is Thursday, I had some office work at the Post to help the Babe; he had two funerals at the Omaha National Cemetery for the VFW Post 2503 Honor Guard. The Commander’s wife was decorating for New Year’s Eve; it will be beautiful. A lot of progress is evident at the Post; a year ago, we met to begin planning the great remodel of the facilities. It’s coming along nicely. The bar area is the last and will be most expensive, as it includes the rest rooms. The 90th Anniversary Party is in April, 2022, and it will be wonderful.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with saying:

“The hero is no braver than the ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.”

All of us are capable of heroic acts. My dad was a hero in WWII and Korea. He was also a hero to me. He was a great example of working (perhaps too hard), and staying the course. He was unwavering in anything having to do with providing for his family. Shows of affection were a bit more difficult for him. His mother told me once, “he took after his father in that department.” Grandpa finished growing up in an orphanage, one of ten children, hugs weren’t given away freely in that era.

Heroes we refer to who save a regiment of soldiers solo are much more glamorous than everyday, working class heroes. Consistency is what matters. Integrity is what matters. Above and beyond often means taking care of yourself so you can care for others. It’s not news-worthy but it is necessary in life. Staying the course, being consistent, and honesty are critical. We are all capable of doing small but heroic deeds in our daily lives. Keeping on our workout routine and eating healthy makes you a hero to your child, who needs you to be there for him or her as they grow up. Be your child’s hero. Those of us who achieve hero status just have worked at it a little longer than others. But we all can do it. Let’s join each other in being each other’s heroes next year. Help each other along.

Try and list all the things that turned out well this year. Concentrate on the positive. Despite everything, I’m thrilled with how 2021 played out for me. I became not only a published blogger online, but also in print; in Nebraska Writer’s Guild Anthology #5. I’m nearly there. What have you accomplished despite the odds? Be your own hero. You know you were braver than you ever thought for even five more minutes. Be safe out there. See you tomorrow, as we say goodbye to 2021.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Today is a doubly wonderful Wednesday. It signifies two milestones in my life. And I celebrate them both today.

First, it is my oldest son’s birthday; Frankie, how is it you are 50 years old? And you were born on a Wednesday, too. Fifty years of learning (both of us), fifty years of enjoying watching you grow into the good man you are. For losing your hero when you were 17, you have stayed on the good path. Grandpa Jewell was your buddy. I’ll never forget how he kept your photo from turning two years old on his dresser. It was his favorite picture of you. It’s a good one. I hope you have a great day today. I will, with my memories of your life. You have always been a gift to me. We’ll celebrate next week, when I’m off quarantine.

The second way this day is wonderful, is it’s the 12th anniversary of my becoming cancer-free. I was told you could pick your date, or event, that signified the most to you during your journey. October 20th was the first day the surgeon had free. I reasoned it was a monumental day in my life; I knew it wouldn’t creep my son out being his birthday. That’s just the kind of man he is.

Onward! The lump couldn’t be felt, but showed on the imaging. The surgeon took a baseball-sized mound of tissue to make sure the margins were good. I opted to not have reconstruction; after all, I’m just a little lopsided. Who but the Babe and I will see it? Well, everyone who examines you forever. The radiation was rough; I blistered so badly, right in the worst spot, where the band of the bra fits close to your body. No bras for a very long time. I wore sports bras, mostly. Now, I have Ruby Ribbon camis; they adjust to lopsided breasts, and I wish I’d known about them earlier. I highly recommend them. I have a whole drawer of them. They help me feel like a girl again.

From this vantage point, it’s hard to believe all the roads traveled in the last 50 years with my son. He is everything good about life, along with his brother and sister. I feel so fortunate to have them. Reminders of the good I’ve done in life. And love to see the good they do for others. Life has been good to me, and to them. And it’s not over yet. We’ll get busy back at that novel soon. After the COVIC cough clears, I’ll be able to do a Zoom meeting with an illustrator to see if we’re a good fit or not. These are exciting times to be alive. Yes, you need to look for the good some days, and most days it’s easy to find.

Before the afternoon nap/reading session, I need to do a little cleaning up around here. We’re dividing the dog toys into two bins; one for upstairs, one for downstairs. It is time to clear the way to the fireplace and get ready to hunker in. I will move dog bed and toys. They’ll survive! They love their routine everything: feeding time, places, wake-ups, all of it. The companionship surely adds to the day, especially being quarantined. Furry friends are the best. Give yours a little extra love today, just because.

Be careful out there; you never know what’s around the corner. We have the ability to make every day a good one. I hope yours is! See you tomorrow.