I wrote this a few years ago. Granny Jo became a grandma to me years ago when her son, Gary, married my mom. She took us all in as family and she has touched so many people's lives. At 93 years old, she isn't doing as well as we would like. I thought I would re-post this old blog in honor of a wonderful woman.
At what point in our lives do we decide to stop working toward some major goal such as a wedding, children, our first home, or continuing education and just allow life to happen. As I watch my Grandma Josephine (Granny Jo) I wonder what she must have been like at my age as she played ball, bought her first house, started a family, etc. She has so much energy now at age 89, and I wish I could have known her as a younger woman. I am sure she was equally as amazing. I watch her now as she just enjoys the smallest things in life and I can only hope to get to that point some day. There comes a time when the little things become really important again, and the big things do not matter as much. I could honestly sit for hours and listen to her stories and just when I think I have heard them all, she seems to remember a new one. On Monday of this week, we went with her to Cracker Barrel and she hadn't even looked at the menu when she asked the waitress, "Do you have hot chocolate?" The waitress said that they did and she brought Granny Jo the biggest mug of hot chocolate with tons of whipped cream. Granny Jo stuck a straw in the hot chocolate, took a huge drink, and then shoveled a huge spoon of whipped cream in her mouth. She looked so content with her hot chocolate and asked if she could pass her drink around the table so that everyone could have a sip. She's loving and caring and would give up anything for the people she loves. It would take me the rest of my life to be half the woman she is. I hope that everyone has a chance to have someone like Granny Jo in their life. I challenge everyone reading this to pick up the phone and call someone you care about OR get in the car and pay them a visit. It will mean a lot to them and it will probably end up meaning even more to you.
We love you, Granny Jo! Thank you for all you have taught us.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Three day weekend!
I requested a vacation day today. I wasn't going on vacation, nor did I have any plans. For the past several months, I have only requested vacation or sick days to do something I didn't want to do or to take care of someone else. I have taken time off for doctor's appointments and to help Drew and my dad after surgery. I believe the only other day I requested off was to clean my house. How sad is that? We are so busy that I actually had to take a vacation day from work to clean my dirty house.
One of my co-workers knew I was going camping this past weekend and suggested that I take off on Monday. My immediate thought was that there was no way I was taking off for absolutely no reason. Then, as the day progressed, I realize I needed to recharge my batteries. I realized that I had been walking around like a flashlight with low batteries. There was maybe a little light coming through, but not enough to really do the trick. Sometimes I needed to be shaken up a little to really start doing what I needed to do. I needed to be recharged.
So, against my better judgement, I turned in the request for time off and felt completely guilty the entire time. After all, what was I going to do on Monday if I wasn't at work? I knew that my house was clean. The laundry was done. The checkbook was balanced. The errands have all been run. Why couldn't I just go to work?
Well, now it is Monday and I am thanking God for my co-worker who pushed me to take the day off. After 8 hours of sleep (yes, you heard me!!) I am feeling relaxed and happy. I have big plans to visit my grandma, get a manicure and pedicure, and finish a book I started this weekend.
I absolutely love my job and the people at my job. But, I am a hard worker. I work all day, take work home at night, and work on the weekends to stay caught up. I think I have earned this day and I am allowing the guilty feelings to pass. After all, I know that I will accomplish more in a 4-day week with charged batteries than I would in a 5-day week with no energy.
One of my co-workers knew I was going camping this past weekend and suggested that I take off on Monday. My immediate thought was that there was no way I was taking off for absolutely no reason. Then, as the day progressed, I realize I needed to recharge my batteries. I realized that I had been walking around like a flashlight with low batteries. There was maybe a little light coming through, but not enough to really do the trick. Sometimes I needed to be shaken up a little to really start doing what I needed to do. I needed to be recharged.
So, against my better judgement, I turned in the request for time off and felt completely guilty the entire time. After all, what was I going to do on Monday if I wasn't at work? I knew that my house was clean. The laundry was done. The checkbook was balanced. The errands have all been run. Why couldn't I just go to work?
Well, now it is Monday and I am thanking God for my co-worker who pushed me to take the day off. After 8 hours of sleep (yes, you heard me!!) I am feeling relaxed and happy. I have big plans to visit my grandma, get a manicure and pedicure, and finish a book I started this weekend.
I absolutely love my job and the people at my job. But, I am a hard worker. I work all day, take work home at night, and work on the weekends to stay caught up. I think I have earned this day and I am allowing the guilty feelings to pass. After all, I know that I will accomplish more in a 4-day week with charged batteries than I would in a 5-day week with no energy.
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