What a delight it is to have things to look forward to!!!!!
Hubby and I just returned from a month and a half of traveling, and the anticipation of the getaway was almost as delightful as the actual get away itself!
For our 29th anniversary we decided to cruise Canada's St Lawrence Seaway in search of fall colors. We left our home in the land of balmy palm trees and sandy beaches and headed towards what we don't normally get to enjoy in the comforts of our own home.
The cruise was DELIGHTFUL!!!! Our ship left Manhattan and we sailed north.... I got the biggest kick out of sitting on our boat deck and watching our ship's pool and curly yellow slide pass under the Varazanno bridge. I was thrilled to watch as Lady Liberty wished us a bon-voyage.
As we returned to the ship at the first port we visited, I noticed the ship's crew at the welcome center all using their electronic devices.... "Hmmm... free wi-fi?" I wondered.
I put my phone into wi-fi mode and was pleased to see messages trickle in. It was there that I got the next RAD punch in the gut. Oh this really seems to be a life-long journey. A concerned individual sent me the ultrasound our 3years estranged RAD had posted. We're going to be grandparents.
I am the kind of person that is always happy to hear about babies. Abounding joy was not my first reaction.
I've heard "Baby-Daddy" has three other kids by other women. This is his fourth... her first.
I know people from my generation who have been "tied" to their child's "other parent" in much less than joyous scenarios.
I know the heartache of raising children whose "first parents" were not there for them.
I have no idea what this generation's multiple "baby-mommas/baby-daddies" is like.
Well... that's not true... my sister-in-law at 15 met a 40 year old man at the teenage hang out who had a very successful line "In my country you are considered a woman, not a child!" It worked on about six different 13-16 year old girls who also carried his children. (God knows how many never conceived!!!!)
I know my nephew is a very broken individual. He grew up in a town full of his half-siblings. We saw him go through the "where is my daddy, why does he hate me?" He's spent the first decade and a half of his adult life floating between jail and rehab. His mother has always used men for all they could give her then thrown them to the curb. My heart breaks for my nephews over the more than subliminal message that my sister-in-law keeps showing her sons of what men are good for.
Broken people... having broken people... having broken people... Hubby's sisters are all half-sisters... their bio dad died of cirrhosis of the liver mid 40's. They each have their major issues.
ugh... I was so much happier focusing on the positive... thinking about our beautiful trip, and all the loving family and friends we got to see!!!!
We spent the full month after the cruise visiting family... so very wonderful!!!
Many of those we visited will be visiting our home very soon.... I not only have to unpack... I have to get ready for their arrival.
I'm smiling again with anticipation!!!! I think I'm going to make some countdown calendars for our various visitors arrival...
God please help me to focus on the positive!!!!
Hubby and I just returned from a month and a half of traveling, and the anticipation of the getaway was almost as delightful as the actual get away itself!
For our 29th anniversary we decided to cruise Canada's St Lawrence Seaway in search of fall colors. We left our home in the land of balmy palm trees and sandy beaches and headed towards what we don't normally get to enjoy in the comforts of our own home.
The cruise was DELIGHTFUL!!!! Our ship left Manhattan and we sailed north.... I got the biggest kick out of sitting on our boat deck and watching our ship's pool and curly yellow slide pass under the Varazanno bridge. I was thrilled to watch as Lady Liberty wished us a bon-voyage.
As we returned to the ship at the first port we visited, I noticed the ship's crew at the welcome center all using their electronic devices.... "Hmmm... free wi-fi?" I wondered.
I put my phone into wi-fi mode and was pleased to see messages trickle in. It was there that I got the next RAD punch in the gut. Oh this really seems to be a life-long journey. A concerned individual sent me the ultrasound our 3years estranged RAD had posted. We're going to be grandparents.
I am the kind of person that is always happy to hear about babies. Abounding joy was not my first reaction.
I've heard "Baby-Daddy" has three other kids by other women. This is his fourth... her first.
I know people from my generation who have been "tied" to their child's "other parent" in much less than joyous scenarios.
I know the heartache of raising children whose "first parents" were not there for them.
I have no idea what this generation's multiple "baby-mommas/baby-daddies" is like.
Well... that's not true... my sister-in-law at 15 met a 40 year old man at the teenage hang out who had a very successful line "In my country you are considered a woman, not a child!" It worked on about six different 13-16 year old girls who also carried his children. (God knows how many never conceived!!!!)
I know my nephew is a very broken individual. He grew up in a town full of his half-siblings. We saw him go through the "where is my daddy, why does he hate me?" He's spent the first decade and a half of his adult life floating between jail and rehab. His mother has always used men for all they could give her then thrown them to the curb. My heart breaks for my nephews over the more than subliminal message that my sister-in-law keeps showing her sons of what men are good for.
Broken people... having broken people... having broken people... Hubby's sisters are all half-sisters... their bio dad died of cirrhosis of the liver mid 40's. They each have their major issues.
ugh... I was so much happier focusing on the positive... thinking about our beautiful trip, and all the loving family and friends we got to see!!!!
We spent the full month after the cruise visiting family... so very wonderful!!!
Many of those we visited will be visiting our home very soon.... I not only have to unpack... I have to get ready for their arrival.
I'm smiling again with anticipation!!!! I think I'm going to make some countdown calendars for our various visitors arrival...
God please help me to focus on the positive!!!!
Philippians 4:8
Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
