#tbt Best Buds

#tbt  Circa September 2004 & July 2008.  These two have been buds since Mia was 2 and Sidney 6 months old.  Yesterday Mia graduated from eighth grade, and next year the girls will roam the halls of the same school once again.  It's amazing to watch them mature into confident young ladies.  Congrats Miss Mia!

Managing Chaos

Yesterday at work I was deep in thought, typing out a correspondence regarding a marketing campaign.  Out of the corner of my eye a flicker distracted my attention enough that I turned and saw a good friend, client, and business partner standing right next to me.  It is very rare that someone who is not one of our employees approaches me in the office area.

After the split second it took me to register his face, I mused on how reminiscent it was to when  B was in veterinary school and friends would just meander in and out of dorm rooms without knocking.  It was so comfortable, so easy,  just community.   Unfortunately, due to extraordinarily busy lives, we don't see him or his wife often enough, mostly on business related things.  He had come in to purchase some medications for his pets and we spent a few minutes catching up.

The last five years have been a challenge for many and we reflected together on the good and bad, how to cope, make it through, and do it with your sanity and some semblance of peace intact.  He then said something that put three short words to the flood of feelings that I have felt over the last five years.  Feelings that have built to a fevered pitch over the last 18 months.  He said, while laughing:  "All we can do is manage the chaos!"  Truer words have never been spoken.

Our world if full of unease.  Some chaos you have no control over, and some you can work at managing to make it more balanced.  B and I are beginning a new chapter that after many false starts, I think may actually take this time.  As we enter this memorial day weekend, the traditional start to summer and the growing season here in Wisconsin, we have cultivated and put all of our plants in the warm ground to grow and produce this years farm bags.  We are also looking to the longer brighter days of this new season to shed a fresh light on an aspect of our lives that has been wanting.  In the process we hope to recapture some of that ease of friendship (mentioned above) that has gotten lost in the chaos.

Today I'm leaving you with a little song, wishing you a warm holiday weekend full of hope for managing the chaos!

Sunday Supper On The Porch

A long awaited gentle, soaking rain could never put a damper on a Sunday supper on the porch.

 Gentle breezes, grey skies and muted hues that suggest fall sneaking in.  The house was filled with the sounds of multiple conversations happening in unison coupled with the intricate tango that was the children's laughter, at times halted by animated discussion as they each negotiate their way, and then laughter again. 

Slow food; fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, cheesy grits, pepper pot, wine and conversation flowing freely. 

While enjoying the soft, meditative sounds of rain, that drew pause in the conversation, I reflected upon how lucky we truly are.  These are the moments that bring life back into perspective.

Since the Last Time......RIP

 This weekend has been one full of events, and full of unexpected emotion.  A dear friend of B's from veterinary school passed away on Friday.  He and his wife were part of this small group of fantastic friends that came together by living through the mutual rigor of professional school, yet were able to also do a fair amount of playing at the same time. 

Though I became a part of this group toward the end of their schooling, my memories are no less vivid and now closing in on twenty years later, our periodic and intense meetings are always a joy.   Forty-three was far too young for an end.  Sudden ends out of despair make you re-evaluate all of those things that you find so important,  yet take for granted.  Those types of friendships for one,  even though being thrown back together like no time has passed is the result, why should there be a precipitating event?  A wedding.  A funeral.  Do not let the excuse that 'life happens' create an excuse for drifting apart.  Hug your kids, your spouse, your dear kindred friends, appreciate them to their fullest.  Do not take anything for granted.   Don't allow the funeral be the event where you are "seeing all those people I ain't seen since the last time somebody died" (Lyle Lovett)

Rest in Peace Bob

My love and heart are with you Sue

~Amy