Today is the half-way mark for 2008…. makes me sit and wonder how I’m doing in 2008… and WHAT I’m doing…. and what I’m NOT doing.
A song came on the car radio this morning that talked about “It’s not who you are. It’s not what you’ve done. It’s how you lived.” After a moment of contemplation, I pronounced, “I don’t agree with that.” My daughter, always up for a good debate, said, “I do.” We went back and forth about if what you are doing IS how you are living. Does how YOU live only include yourself? Does what you’re doing include others? We both tried on each other’s side of the argument for size… we never came to a conclusion, but I still don’t agree with the lyrics.
I was anticipating 2008 like I’ve never anticipated any year previously. That being said, I was never pregnant over a New Years…. that I was aware of. So babies don’t count here. I always anticipated new children with great joy. But this year began with a bang as my parents celebrated 50 years of matrimonial bliss and took me and my siblings (and spouses) on an eight day cruise. We have never gone anywhere for more than four hours together without our nine children. It was fabulous. Words don’t describe how relaxed we were.
Next, my first solo writing project was published. Wow. I still can’t believe it sometimes. I survived my first book signings…. but not without nightmares. (For graphic nightmare details, please see: https://mysistersjar.wordpress.com/2008/05/03/pre-book-signing-nightmare/ ) Which reminds me, I need to send the next proposal for Laughing in the Midst of Marriage. Truck loads of material for this book are stored in my memory banks. You may have read several of the stories on this blog already…. so you know what I mean. (golf carts, acupuncture, photo radar tickets….)
And our adoption of Zaza…. is still pending. We started the journey in Nov. 2006 and so I’ve passed through two new years with the anticipation of gathering our new girl in our arms. But it seemed closer as 2008 arrived. We pray every night that God’s will be done in the timing of bringing her home, but I always add…. “and please make it soon!”
Never would I have imagined sewing bags and bags and bags to help bring Zaza home. Thanks again, Jennie, for this amazing idea as well as the fortitude to execute it brilliantly! I’m rather enjoying the sewing journey. With every bag I make, I have a new favorite. Tonight’s bag almost didn’t hit the auction block. I love it. But I can always make another like it… or different to become my new favorite. Here it is “Ten Thousand Charms”: (the green is lime… not sage.)
Five new bags go up for auction each Monday… for five days at www.bagsforzaza.blogspot.com. Please help bring Zaza home and check it out. Tell others. Link the site. Make posters and put them up at work. Buy one and show it to every stranger you meet. :o) Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.
And not to forget blogging. I didn’t know what it was in 2007, so I’ve come a long way, baby.
My Sister's Jar 