When we walked into the diner this morning there was a sign:
“I can do anything
with God’s help
… and coffee!”
It reminded me of a saying on a note pad I used to have
“I am Woman!.
I am Invincible!
… I am tired.”
That used to be me!
At the grocery store the other day I saw a woman rush in with her cart, her purse flying over her shoulder. She rushed up and down the aisles grabbing boxes of cereal and macaroni & cheese off the shelves and packaged dinners from the freezer, them hurried up to the cashier, tapping her toes impatiently as the clerk rang up each item, then quickly pushed the cart out the door to her car. And there she stood, leaning up against the car. Probably trying to catch her breath. A few moments later she threw the bags in the car and raced off.
Yes, that used to be me — but not now! Now I sit here enjoying a leisurely breakfast, before going to our little cabin on the lake where I will relax in the hammock or float on a raft in the sunshine on a lazy summer afternoon.
In 1985 it was very different. My husband had died and I had 6 kids to feed, clothe and chauffeur to and from school and basketball practices. We’d had a freelance advertising business which I tried to continue running from the kitchen table in our rental home — and I was $50,000 in debt.
Yes I ran up and down aisles in grocery stores, and served the kids frozen dinners, and paused only momentarily to try to catch my breath. But now I can look back on those hectic years and smile.
I guess it’s a feeling of accomplishment — certainly not triumph. More like survival. And now, as I recall those days, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for all those who helped me along the way. So today I am taking a few minutes to thank just a few of those who helped:
Jess Weiner and the Weiner family at Best Plumbing Supply who offered me a regular job with good pay and flexible hours so I could take care of the kids.
The financial advisor who helped me through the money crisis in spite of the fact that my “assets” were only the 6 kids, a dog and 2 broken down cars.
John Sullivan, the counselor who kept me sane through it all.
Special friends like Jan, Kathy, Lanier and others who also helped me stay sane and showed me that I could still have fun.
My Dad and my Sister and the rest of our family who were always there for me.
The Town and Village of Cornwall, including the churches and hospital, for being a real “community” in the best sense of the word.
Very special thanks to Jim Allan who taught me to relax, filled me with a sense of peace — and showed me that I could still feel passion and love again! (We just celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
And thanks to each of my children — 6 kids who were anything but perfect, but who always respected me. Though all of our struggles they helped me and each other physically, emotionally and sometimes even financially, each in their own way, with their own unique personalities, talents and abilities. And they continue to love and respect me for who I am with all my faults and limitations.
How could I not be grateful, and thank God everyday for each day of my life!
