The littlest things make me sad. I can talk for an hour with a reporter about all things Menkes without even missing a beat, but little tiny moments can really hit me hard.
My friend Tawnya dropped off some of her famous bean soup a few weeks ago. She stayed and hung out for a while, which was great, we love Tawnya. Then we got to talking about school, we used to teach together. I started explaining to her how hard that first week back to work had been. Two drop-offs and two pickups in different parts of the city. I was like, man, I don’t know how I’m going to get the hang of it when I go back to work. Silence. That was it. In that tiny statement I had unearthed what none of us has wanted to accept. I will never have a double drop-off again. I will never get to participate in that beautiful chaos again. I will never get to complain to the other parents about my two kids pulling me in different directions. It hits you hard, doesn’t it?
Those who know me know I love thrift stores. I can’t get a few free hours without my car steering me to the nearest Salvation Army. So, that would explain why my kids have boxes of clothes in their closets in sizes they will not soon reach. Those dinosaur rain boots called my name. I saw TJ splashing in puddles, roaring like a dinosaur in them. Those boots and the other boxes of future dreams, now they are all only reminders of what will never be. It hits you hard, doesn’t it?
But, you want to know what? There are also so many more things that bring Tom, Kendall, TJ and me happiness. Let me tell you about some of those.
The incredible amount of real time we have spent with our friends and family over the past month and a half, that brings us happiness. We were at a table at Kevin’s wedding a few weeks ago, and you should have been a fly on the wall. We all talked about real things, our families, our ideas, our love for each other. Friends have flown in from around the country to spend just a few hours with us; we laugh, catch up, hug and sometimes cry. Meals have been delivered, warm delicious, carefully prepared meals and these meals have been enjoyed around our dining room table with whoever happens to be over at the moment. Not a day goes by that we are not embraced with the support and company of loved ones. Happiness.
The kindness of strangers has also struck us and made us feel so special. We've greeted the mailman a few times and opened a package for TJ or a card for Kendall that is sent from someone we have never met. Tom and I will both ask, do you know so and so? No. People, they are lifting our family up. Strangers are bringing happiness to our doorstep.
The little social interactions we get from TJ fill us up with the most happiness we could ever imagine. We are blessed with one thing, knowing that this time matters. We know that every bit that he gives us is worth celebrating, and we do, we celebrate it. We wake each other up at one in the morning if TJ’s feeling silly. We turn up the music and dance if he’s smiling. TJ brings us enough happiness for a lifetime.
Yes, I can be happy too. On my run this morning, I found myself smiling the whole time. It was raining, the air was fresh and crisp, and my family was home, safe, warm and together. Yes, I do have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
I love you little guy! Let your faith be bigger than your fears.
Happy Thanksgiving, safe travels and enjoy your Cousin Eddie this holiday season!
My friend Tawnya dropped off some of her famous bean soup a few weeks ago. She stayed and hung out for a while, which was great, we love Tawnya. Then we got to talking about school, we used to teach together. I started explaining to her how hard that first week back to work had been. Two drop-offs and two pickups in different parts of the city. I was like, man, I don’t know how I’m going to get the hang of it when I go back to work. Silence. That was it. In that tiny statement I had unearthed what none of us has wanted to accept. I will never have a double drop-off again. I will never get to participate in that beautiful chaos again. I will never get to complain to the other parents about my two kids pulling me in different directions. It hits you hard, doesn’t it?
Those who know me know I love thrift stores. I can’t get a few free hours without my car steering me to the nearest Salvation Army. So, that would explain why my kids have boxes of clothes in their closets in sizes they will not soon reach. Those dinosaur rain boots called my name. I saw TJ splashing in puddles, roaring like a dinosaur in them. Those boots and the other boxes of future dreams, now they are all only reminders of what will never be. It hits you hard, doesn’t it?
But, you want to know what? There are also so many more things that bring Tom, Kendall, TJ and me happiness. Let me tell you about some of those.
The incredible amount of real time we have spent with our friends and family over the past month and a half, that brings us happiness. We were at a table at Kevin’s wedding a few weeks ago, and you should have been a fly on the wall. We all talked about real things, our families, our ideas, our love for each other. Friends have flown in from around the country to spend just a few hours with us; we laugh, catch up, hug and sometimes cry. Meals have been delivered, warm delicious, carefully prepared meals and these meals have been enjoyed around our dining room table with whoever happens to be over at the moment. Not a day goes by that we are not embraced with the support and company of loved ones. Happiness.
The kindness of strangers has also struck us and made us feel so special. We've greeted the mailman a few times and opened a package for TJ or a card for Kendall that is sent from someone we have never met. Tom and I will both ask, do you know so and so? No. People, they are lifting our family up. Strangers are bringing happiness to our doorstep.
The little social interactions we get from TJ fill us up with the most happiness we could ever imagine. We are blessed with one thing, knowing that this time matters. We know that every bit that he gives us is worth celebrating, and we do, we celebrate it. We wake each other up at one in the morning if TJ’s feeling silly. We turn up the music and dance if he’s smiling. TJ brings us enough happiness for a lifetime.
Yes, I can be happy too. On my run this morning, I found myself smiling the whole time. It was raining, the air was fresh and crisp, and my family was home, safe, warm and together. Yes, I do have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
I love you little guy! Let your faith be bigger than your fears.
Happy Thanksgiving, safe travels and enjoy your Cousin Eddie this holiday season!