I am a blessed woman. I know I say that a lot, but I have to, because it is true. God has given us, people, all different gifts that produce fruit...some encourage, some organize, some disciple...oh how the list goes on. I believe that God blessed my husband Nick with a very special and unique gift I like to call "the Andi interpreter" gift. Recently I feel as though I have been a little bit more "on edge" than usual. Now I certainly don't mean lashing out at random people in the street...hopefully I have more inner poise than that. I just mean, there are times when I know I could be taking the higher road than the one I am on. Perhaps it is the holiday craze and the vast excitement that stems from it. Perhaps it is my small business start up frustration (I am not a detailed person and starting a business requires details). Perhaps it's my tendency to cram way too much into an hour, a day, a weekend, a week...then suffer later. In any way, due to my "edginess" Nick always seems to get the brunt of it. Now cue the part about me being blessed because of God's given gift to Nick. When everyone else would start running for the hills, Nick stands strong by my side. He turns up the Andi interpreter and helps me through my freak outs. The challenging thing about me (and hopefully everyone else in the world, just so I can feel normal) is each freak out requires a different solution to get back to normalcy. This is the tough part, where most people could potentially have a failing record. Whether my need is to be alone for a while or have a hug or to talk it out with while receiving not an ounce of advice or talk it out with many solutions solicited by him or exercising or baking or laughing or not laughing...no matter what...he just knows what to do. Ok, now, please know that I am not wearing my rose colored glasses (OK, they may be a very, very light shade of pink...but I think that's alright, he is my HUSBAND after all...hello!!!! Life-Long commitment required). Believe me, we have had to work through our fair share of "difficult conversations" to put it lightly. But as time has passed and debriefing arguments has progressed, he has learned at an unfathomably high rate what to do the next time something happens. Nick having this gift has relieved me tremendously...and in a way given me so much freedom as a person. Sounds funny, but it's true. Bouncing back faster out of a funk, a hard day, a stressful situation, trying times, etc...could be one of the best gifts he could give me. It has also allowed me to open up and say some hard stuff so I can grow more as a person. God also gave him the gift of challenge. He practices on me all the time and for that I am thankful.
I'm not sure how you will interpret this blog, but I suppose this was my outward expression of my inner reflection for 2007. Discovering that because of our marriage, I have never been so happy in whole life. That I thank God for blessing me with a man whom I can laugh and play with...who actually "gets" me and who challenges me to be a better person. I could go on...but I think you get the point.
Life is so short...I choose to drink in life with a full glass. What about you?
Happy New Year to you all!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A life lesson taught by the Food Waste men
I experienced a great gift today and wanted to share.
Every other Wednesday morning, I walk with Nick to the garage, then split off to take the recycling, food waste and trash bins to the curb for pick up. We always seem to have a really full food bin, filled with leaves, grass clippings or in this case a whole bunch of Pizza Hut boxes that Nick brought home from work after a company lunch (they were going to throw away the boxes, and my Green husband was not about to have that! Little tip: You can put food-soiled paper/cardboard in the food bin). There was very little room left in the food bin, but I noticed that our storm water ditch was packed full of leaves. I decided to grab the rake and cram what little amount of leaves I could into the bin. After about 2 minutes of this (please note that I am in still in my pajama-esk clothes) I was breaking out in a mild sweat. Raking leaves out of a steep trench, on wet, uneven grass is no easy feat. I soon had some great piles of soggy, wet, worm infested leaves piling. It was so satisfying! To my great dismay, I heard a loud vehicle coming my way. Reluctantly, I looked up and saw the food bin recycle truck backing up towards me. Frantic mode set in. I scrambled to pick up the muddy leaves by the arms full...hoping it would all fit. Soggy water was dripping all over me, flinging onto my face, but I couldn't stop...I could see the two men approaching. Soon enough...they arrived. I greeted them with a warm, "I really am not THAT crazy" smile and hello! We exchanged a few kind words as they patiently waited for me to finish filling up my bin. I thanked them profusely, then they drove off. Knowing how busy trash/recycle people can get, I was honored that they took the time to wait for me and even chat a bit. I also praised the Lord for His excellent timing, since I had a whole other trench to clean out and now I had an empty bin! I went at my task vigorously...there were 5 times as many leaves on that side and they were heavy. These leaves seemed even more caked in mud and grime and I thought perhaps this time I will run into the garage and get some gloves. Just as that thought happened, another loud vehicle approaching. Must be the plastic recycle truck I thought. I continued on my work and with a quick glance I discovered the same two men walking towards me again. "It's a slow day and we thought we would whip around the block one more time to take more of your leaves." Due to the shock and deep appreciation of these men, I aggressively dove into the slimy leave pile once again and started throwing them into the bin. Again...mud was flying all over; sogging my arms and sleeves, but I couldn't slow down...I wanted them to see how grateful I was by working quickly. One of the men helped me by grabbing the rake and re-piling the leaves as I grabbed them. I kept on thanking them and saying random things, like how great team work is, and sunny days make it easier to work and who knows what else. I kept on wishing that I had baked something yesterday so I could show my gratitude...but alas, they only got one hundred thank yous and "a have a nice day!" Once they left I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I was suddenly overcome by an overwhelming feeling of joy. Then my daily lesson hit me: Slowing down in life can make such a big difference...especially if it is for other people. It helped me mentally re balance this busy time of year, filled with errands to run and gifts to buy and events to go to. I realized that perhaps the best gift I have to give is my time and attention, and by slowing down.
Every other Wednesday morning, I walk with Nick to the garage, then split off to take the recycling, food waste and trash bins to the curb for pick up. We always seem to have a really full food bin, filled with leaves, grass clippings or in this case a whole bunch of Pizza Hut boxes that Nick brought home from work after a company lunch (they were going to throw away the boxes, and my Green husband was not about to have that! Little tip: You can put food-soiled paper/cardboard in the food bin). There was very little room left in the food bin, but I noticed that our storm water ditch was packed full of leaves. I decided to grab the rake and cram what little amount of leaves I could into the bin. After about 2 minutes of this (please note that I am in still in my pajama-esk clothes) I was breaking out in a mild sweat. Raking leaves out of a steep trench, on wet, uneven grass is no easy feat. I soon had some great piles of soggy, wet, worm infested leaves piling. It was so satisfying! To my great dismay, I heard a loud vehicle coming my way. Reluctantly, I looked up and saw the food bin recycle truck backing up towards me. Frantic mode set in. I scrambled to pick up the muddy leaves by the arms full...hoping it would all fit. Soggy water was dripping all over me, flinging onto my face, but I couldn't stop...I could see the two men approaching. Soon enough...they arrived. I greeted them with a warm, "I really am not THAT crazy" smile and hello! We exchanged a few kind words as they patiently waited for me to finish filling up my bin. I thanked them profusely, then they drove off. Knowing how busy trash/recycle people can get, I was honored that they took the time to wait for me and even chat a bit. I also praised the Lord for His excellent timing, since I had a whole other trench to clean out and now I had an empty bin! I went at my task vigorously...there were 5 times as many leaves on that side and they were heavy. These leaves seemed even more caked in mud and grime and I thought perhaps this time I will run into the garage and get some gloves. Just as that thought happened, another loud vehicle approaching. Must be the plastic recycle truck I thought. I continued on my work and with a quick glance I discovered the same two men walking towards me again. "It's a slow day and we thought we would whip around the block one more time to take more of your leaves." Due to the shock and deep appreciation of these men, I aggressively dove into the slimy leave pile once again and started throwing them into the bin. Again...mud was flying all over; sogging my arms and sleeves, but I couldn't slow down...I wanted them to see how grateful I was by working quickly. One of the men helped me by grabbing the rake and re-piling the leaves as I grabbed them. I kept on thanking them and saying random things, like how great team work is, and sunny days make it easier to work and who knows what else. I kept on wishing that I had baked something yesterday so I could show my gratitude...but alas, they only got one hundred thank yous and "a have a nice day!" Once they left I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. I was suddenly overcome by an overwhelming feeling of joy. Then my daily lesson hit me: Slowing down in life can make such a big difference...especially if it is for other people. It helped me mentally re balance this busy time of year, filled with errands to run and gifts to buy and events to go to. I realized that perhaps the best gift I have to give is my time and attention, and by slowing down.
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