Promises, promises

This is to third year I have given up meat for Lent. It is a personal promise. I do not ask anyone to sacrifice with me. The 46 days give me a chance to pay greater attention to what I am eating, be more grateful for my blessings and it makes me try new things.



This year I was surprised when my husband and all of my children announced to me that they would make the promise too.

It hasn't been easy for them. I have given several of my pep talks. They go by familiar titles such as, "Quitters never win, winners never quit" and "We keep our promises." To me it is important that all of them follow through on what they set out to do.

This is how I am teaching consistency and responsibility in my home.

I am excited that this year they all know how many days it is until Easter comes. And it is not because of a bunny.


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Love at First Flight - Part III

Six months after I had moved. I sent him an email. He sent one back. We talked on the phone. He said he was traveling to Arkansas for business and he would come and visit me. I didn't believe him.

I wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to visit me two thousand miles away because we went out on two great dates.

But he did. I remember being so nervous going to the airport to pick him up. To this day I can tell you exactly what I wore, what he did and how he smiled. We had a great weekend.

Two weeks later he came to visit again. And two weeks after that I flew to his home. And met his family.

He asked me to marry me three times. I remember walking out of the church and wondering how I had gotten there. It was as if time had passed in a dream. I threw my flowers to my friends from the church steps.

Love at First Flight - Part II

Fast forward to four weeks later. I'm walking through the airport again. I was flying out for a second interview. Truly torn about what direction my life was taking me. As I approached my gate, I heard my name. I turned. It was him. And he remembered my name. Wow. I couldn't believe it.

We went to the airport bar and had a beer. This was hysterical to me because not only do I drink very little but it was 10:30 in the morning. It was an absolute excuse to get to talk with him. He walked me to the gate. I asked him for his phone number this time. And I got on the plane and took off.

When I returned from the interview I went out with him twice. Two crazy dates. The first was in downtown Boston at Legal Seafood. Lunch. It was pouring rain. We walked for hours. It was marvelous. The second was in downtown Providence and then in Newport. We laughed and joked and I didn't want it to end. I still remember sitting next to him in the bar in Newport. Not wanting to be anywhere else. I know it is a cliche but it was magic.

Then the ultimate twist. I moved. To Oklahoma. Two thousand miles away. My life was waiting for me. The job I wanted. Nice office. Nice people. Good money. Good benefits. It was everything I had been hoping for flying all over the country looking for the perfect job.