Is This Thing On?

The last few weeks were filled with preparing my youngest daughter Avery for a semester abroad in England. There were many things to take into account. Allergy medicine, prescriptions needed for four months worth and inhalers for the same amount of time. Warm clothes, rain boats, cool clothes for the warm days, shoes, underwear, socks, makeup, computer, camera and anything else you can think of that will be enough for four months, fit into one checked bag, a carry on and a back pack. My job was making sure that every little detail was covered without my daughter raising her hand in annoyance and yelling “MOM STOP!”

Many times I would throw in my 15 cents worth of advice. Let’s face it, moms know stuff, we have lived longer, packed more and have radar for what is needed in any given situation. Just ask any one of us and we will mother you up, we’ve got this! So when a mom voices a concern perhaps a few moments should be devoted to her point. The following story is why…

Two days ago I received a text from my daughter in England and it said “The ATM, just ate my debit card. I was withdrawing money to pay my rent” My heart sank and my adrenaline started vibrating like jet fuel was filling in for blood. All I could think of was CRAP!

Back story: 

 a few weeks ago I had suggest to my daughter and husband that perhaps we should get my daughter a credit card in addition to her debit card in case of an emergency. I’m not a credit card kind of gal, but I do think that there are times when a little back up is necessary. ANYWAY…my husband and daughter felt like that would not be necessary, so OKAY, whatever.

In addition to this my husband is on my daughters account as a backup. Since my husband often travels for work, I suggested that perhaps I should be on her account in case something came up while my husband is gone. So I asked at the credit union when I was there with my daughter and the clerk said “Your husband is on there it should be fine” Apparently I look suspicious or something, who knows. Anyway, I mentioned it a couple more times since I am a royal pain and no one seemed concerned so I just let it go. Convincing myself I was worrying too much.

Story continues:

My girl is now stuck in England with no Debit card and no way to pay rent or even buy food once her cash runs out and my husband, YEP, you guessed it, was out of town for work! AWESOME…Before my daughter left I had told her that when something happens rather than getting upset or panicking you should say to yourself, “how can I fix this” it is way more productive and you tend to come up with a workable plan. But in the moment all I wanted to do was bang my head on the table because I had been talking and no one had listened! GAH!!

Once I snapped out of it we were able to start a plan through texts and I was able to piece together a somewhat plausible plan. Of course My husband was in a meeting (which I learned after texting him a zillion times) and I could not get a hold of him and the credit union was not about to let me poke in my daughters business because I was not on her account (GAH! Palm to face…).

So the last few days have been back and forth tweaking of a plan that we hope will get the rent paid and keep our daughter from mooching or standing on a corner with a cardboard sign.  We are going to wire money to the landlord and if he agrees a few extra dollars so that our daughter can make it until we receive a new debit card for her. Then we will have to send it on to her which will probably be at least another seven to ten days. 

 All told this will be a good two weeks of nonsense because everyone thought I was over thinking and overly cautious. Okay, maybe not everybody, I know I am being dramatic, but come on I realize that Mom’s can be worry warts but once again I have to remind you, WE KNOW STUFF!!

So, skip the “MOM STOP” comments and put your stop sign arm away and when Mom taps the mike and says “Is This Thing ON?”

LISTEN!

Aging Eyes

I had this weird moment a few weeks ago. I was laughing and talking and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. That single moment has been in the fore front of my mind ever since.

Every day I get up and do any number of things that include working out, showering, caring for my home, working, shopping, eating and spending time with family and friends. I don’t know about you, but I don’t really spend that much time looking at myself. That quick glance in the mirror caught me off guard because I saw this older lady looking back at me. Not elderly but definitely older.

I tend to forget that I am beyond what is generally regarded the life half way point. I carry myself like I feel which is just like I have always felt. I don’t walk slower or avoid activities. Being active and busy is who I am. But I keep thinking back to that shocking glimpse and wondering if the jig is up. Should I stop kidding myself and “act my age?”

That saying that “the eyes are the mirror to the soul” keeps replaying in my mind. Do these eyes reflect the person that I am? Are they full of life and vibrant or are they lying eyes? I think back to my Grandaddy’s sisters my Great Aunts and cannot help but remember how they would all laugh together and tell jokes and stories. There exterior showed signs of aging but their hearts and minds were filled with youthful exuberance. This makes me think that perhaps aging is the badge we begin to wear to show the world that life is to be lived. Our eyes can still sparkle even with a wrinkle or two hugging them. Our hearts still thrill at good news and break with bad and our eyes soldier on carrying the message of our souls. Perhaps those little lines are actually from the weight of all we learn as we walk through each day of our life.

I am well aware that aging is not something you can stop unless you’re dead, so I am happy to have the opportunity to have these lines of life and experience to share. The next time I catch an unexpected glimpse of myself in the mirror I will be grateful for those lines and the chance to see myself as I really am.