Oonagh

Here it is January, and most of us are looking to renew our commitment to low carb eating, losing weight, etc. Even if we didn't crash and burn over the holidays. For years I hated January because of the New Year's Resolutions, weight loss plans, quick diet news, fitness promises, and the endless sales of stuff to organize, lose weight, clean up, etc. etc. It seemed false to only worry about it in the beginning of the year, and I had so little success anyway-- why make a resolution to lose weight and end up gaining? That's what usually happened.

If you've read any of my posts or blog, you know that LIVING LIFE FULLY, RIGHT NOW, not matter what weight I am, or what else is going on, is a frequent topic. How many fun things did I miss because of waiting to "get it right" before I could let myself live?
Just a few: no shorts till my legs were thinner, no kid till I had enough money, no Country dancing till I looked better in tight jeans, no swimsuits ever, no short sleeve shirts in 110 degrees because my arms were fat, no decent clothes till I could look better in them..... the list is different for everyone, but it is usually there.

How many times do we also put our families off till we have "more time"? Songs like
"Cat's cradle" and that new country western song about getting your priorities straight tell it all, though they usually are aimed at workaholic men. Guess what? Women do it too. I am still amazed that my DH stuck with me during the childless years when I so often put my work before him. I didn't mean to, I SAID i thought he was more important, but FEAR of failure at work and lack of organizational skills due to ADHD meant I stuggled constantly just to keep my head above water. The principal used to buzz my room at 11:00 pm and make me go home to my husband. I tried to tell her she needed to do the same.

I have been better since my son was born. It was a real wake up call.

This week something happened to remind me again, just in case I started putting him off. It is so easy to say "Sure, honey, I'll go with you to ride your bike, just let Mommy fold the clothes, put another load in, cook the dinner, clean your bathroom, grade these papers, etc. etc. etc. " How many times have I done this and then dropped down into my bed, half dead, and realized that we never made it to the bike ride?

On Monday night my teaching assistant and her little girl were on the way home after school, when a teenaged girl ran a redlight and "t-boned" their car. The girl was texting, and speeding, and ran right out into the middle of the highway, with lots of traffic. Miraculously, only 3 cars were hit.

My assistant's little girl, had to be airlifted to a major city, 45 minutes away to the trauma center. She wasn't expected to make it. My friend was taken to another hospital, with no way to find out what was going on.

The short version is that the little girl survived the flight and the brain surgery, but is still in a medically induced coma. All they can do is keep her alive and comfortable, and hope she wakes naturally when she is ready. I was rushing my so to get home that day so I could do chores, I actually fussed at him about going back twice to give his friend Venice (the inujured girl) another hug goodbye. I am so glad he did, it might have been his last chance.

If you read this, please pray for Venice and Rosy and their family. Please don't text, talk, drink, or read the paper and drive, and please, please, please wear your shorts, dance, laugh, be IN the pictures, take the night class, go to the fair, give the hug, ride the ride, look silly, color your hair, or whatever else you wanted to do but didn't, and tell them all how much you love them as you spend time with your friends and family.