Perceptions

Perceptions are funny things. I was out tonight with a group of people that I grew up with. It was a fundraiser for ALS. My sister and her husband were there, as were some girls I grew up with. When I was asked to go, I couldn't place they guy that had organized this, but thought-he lived in the same neighborhood, I'll go with the girls I used to play softball with and it will be fun. It was all of those things. His older brother came over to our table. When I saw him I recognized him. Here is what I would have told you at any point in the past: He was big and tall and had dark hair. He was angry and I think I may have been afraid of him. Why? I have no idea. Here is who I spoke to tonight. A really nice guy, who is not big, tall, dark or angry. It is curious how wrong I am and how often. My perceptions of the world and of people have kept me from taking chances and from embracing new paths. I usually make these decisions based on no information. Even with a history of this not working, I still try to make it work. I would like to think that maturity has given me some ability to give someone a chance before deciding the content of their character, but that could be my perception....

Friday Night

Today is the end of a very long week. I haven't written in a while, but have had a busy brain. When my brain is busy thinking, I tend to not do as well in the most important aspects in my life, like my relationships. This week has been very busy starting with a trip the the Emergency Room with my daughter. She is fine, minor injury and all. It turned out to be a bit of a blessing for me, because she has been sidelined for 2 weeks. We have been short staffed at work, and I feel short staffed on patience. Mike left this morning for Korea. It is always a hard trip for him-he is there and back in a week. When he is gone, I realize how much effort it takes for both of us to make this whole operation function. By myself, it is like a 3 legged stool. It can work, but it is liable to tip over at any time. I am grateful for the family that I have. Today I was thinking that my children only know a two parent home with no strife. There is no yelling or fighting. There is laughter and some tears over life. There is grounding over bad grades. There is cheering for the successes. There is run of the mill...going to the grocery store and cooking dinner when you don't feel like it. There is laundry and homework and work. There is joy and there is laughter and there is peace. There is my life.