Skip to main content

In the midst of craziness

While my life just feels like my life, I am constantly reminded that others don't view it as "normal."

In the past couple of weeks, I've had not one, not two, but three friends who know me well explain the exact same thing to me. I start complaining about not being able to find a job. Each one of them - at different times and settings - said, "Elise, you have had a horrible two years. So much loss! God just wants you to rest."

I'm slow. It took three times. Ok, I promise: I'm trying to rest. Relax. Read. Pray. And not get TOO hung up on the job hunting.

We had a family get-together a few weeks ago for a nephew's 40th birthday. Lotsa fun, food and little kids running around on a perfect summer day. One of my nieces, whom I don't get to see very often, asked where my hubby was. He had a soccer tournament that day. She asked how he was. I told him that he was busy - being an engineer by day and soccer coach at night.

I also told her that he'd been embroiled in this weird situation at work, that had essentially turned him into a detective and eventually a sort of whistleblower. Her response, "Oh my gosh! You and Uncle Ed just seem to have one thing after the other - you can't catch a break!"

I laughed and said, "You know, on the Hilton Scale of Catastrophe, this work situation didn't even register!" We both laughed, and she agreed this was likely the case.

People, over the years, have told Hubby and me how "brave" we are, how "saintly" we are, yada, yada, yada, to have taken on 5 special needs kids. Oh, no. It don't work that way!

When God asked us, we said "yes." That is it. In all the craziness we've dealt with, we just kept saying "yes." And there has been a lot of craziness. Knowing county sheriffs by their first names, endless meetings with schools to figure out the best way to teach a kid, learning the EXACT right words to say in order to get a kid hospitalized on a psych hold.

We are not any braver, holier or more special than any other parents. I am bull-headed and that has helped. But honestly, the only thing we have done that others have not is said, "yes."

Sometimes our voices shook. Often, we wondered if we doing the right thing. We've had our hearts broken a time or two. But we've just held each other's hands and kept right on saying "yes." Even when it made our stomachs hurt.

And yes, we have a Hilton Scale of Catastrophes. Most parents have never found the need for such a scale, but we have. And we still use it occasionally. But in the midst of chaos and craziness, there is always that "yes." It is beacon, a light that leads us to God. So we'll just keep on saying it.

In this crazy beautiful life 
In this crazy beautiful life 
Something's make sense and you don't know why 
It's this crazy beautiful life 
Wherever you are, whatever you do 
Whatever wishes might come true 
Whatever you got, whatever you give 
You make it a beautiful life to live 
It's a crazy beautiful life It's a crazy beautiful life 
Something's make sense and you don't know why 
It's a crazy beautiful life
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

I love comments, even if you don't agree, but please don't leave anonymous posts. A well-mannered reader leaves a name!

Popular posts from this blog

Trying to "end run" God

If you're a football fan, you know what an end run is. From Merriam-Webster:
a football play in which the ballcarrier attempts to run wide around the end of the line We try to "end run" God a lot. I do. I figure I know better. I've got this - no need to worry the Big Guy about such a trivial thing.

Of course, it never works.

Like the puppy above, when we try and evade the tough obstacle (even though we KNOW we will eventually have to do it), we end up - well, off in the bushes.

But oh! How I wished my way worked. I'd love to take a flying leap and land smoothly and gracefully. People would be in awe, as if watching Simone Biles nail a balance beam routine that no one else would even attempt. I would shyly look down and blush - just lightly - and acknowledge (But humbly! Oh so humbly!) my achievement.

But no: I am the one pulling myself out of the bushes, scratches all over my legs and twigs in my hair. I'd hear that gentle but loving voice of God saying, &quo…
Post a Comment
Read more

Be Transfigured

From today's readings: 

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the and his clothes became white as light.

...we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

 Today we celebrate the Transfiguration. For whatever reason, Jesus brought three of His disciples to Mount Tabor to witness this miracle. They weren't sure what they were seeing, but they knew enough to throw themselves to the ground in the presence of Almighty God. St. Peter (who never did anything halfway) excitedly declares that he will erect tents on the mountain as a way of memorializing the event. But Jesus tells him and the others that they are not to tell people what they witnessed - at least not yet.

In the second reading, the requirement to be quiet has bee…
Post a Comment
Read more

Be Brave

A few years ago, it came to my attention that a young family member was struggling with anxiety and depression. I was able to share with her a bit of my own struggles, and let her know she wasn't alone.

A few weeks after our talk, I saw the movie, "Brave." It struck me that the young protagonist, Merida, modeled a great quality. She was indeed brave.

Being brave is not about recklessness. It is not about confidence. It's not about being foolish, or looking for glory in the eyes of others.

Bravery is about doing what is right, even when you are a quivering mess. It's about knowing that things may not turn out the way you expected, but forging ahead anyway. Being brave is standing by the hospital bed while a loved one is dying, and all you really want to do is turn back time. Bravery is standing up to a bully, when your legs are screaming for you to run. Brave is doing what needs to be done even when you're scared and tired and feeling helpless and hopeless.

I …
Post a Comment
Read more