Friday, May 6, 2011

The hero in my life


Mother’s Day is coming up, did you know that? I remembered this year and sent flowers to Grandma. I found a great present for Mom that won’t arrive in time but I know she’ll like it. There is one mom in my life, though, that is really special and I never know what to get her. If any of my readers has an idea please pass it along.

The mom I’m talking about is my hero, she brought two miracles into the world. She’s soft enough to cuddle them when they are sick or hurt, yet strong enough to deal with the worst life has to throw at her with her head held high. She can be goofy, singing and dancing on the front porch in her bathrobe while her kids head off to school with their friends. She’s a natural leader and people love to follow her. She’s got a tough side that she shows to the world, but there’s also an emotional and vulnerable side that I’ve seen when she didn’t realize anyone was watching.

She’s always there when I need her. She spent several hours on the phone with me about 20 years ago talking me through a tough decision, this was back in the days when we had to PAY for long distance and we were on opposite sides of the country. When I finally decided to chop my long hair off in the 90’s she was right there with her scissors. When my Dad died she at my side in moments even though I work on the opposite side of town from where she lives.  (Yeah, she’ll say that was just coincidence that she was out shopping on my end of town that day, but she was still there for me.) When I picked up a bully or two in Junior High school she was my defender, and NOBODY messed with her when she got mad. She taught me so many things, from curling my hair and putting on makeup, to how to handle eight energetic 8 year olds on a soccer team.

If you haven’t figured it out by now my hero is my sister, Beth. We may not be the storybook sisters who dress alike and stay up late giggling over boyfriends and discussing the latest movies, but she’s the best damn sister I could ever ask for. I don’t get to tell her how much she means to me very often. It seems like life always gets in the way and it’s never the right time. She’s the best at everything she does, including being a sister, and I love her. I hope she knows that.

With Mother’s Day coming up I got to thinking about all of the mother figures in my life and she’s right up there with the best of them. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Not So Obvious


First things first – I am NOT going to be blogging today about the obvious topic. For one thing, I think it has been covered from every angle, some that shouldn’t be covered. For another thing, I have been called many names today, from a misguided false Christian to a sadistic hater who can take joy in someone's death. I’m done arguing about how I should feel compared to how you feel. You have your thoughts and feelings and I have mine. End of discussion.

That being said – the topic today is what a wonderful place my hometown is!

It’s easy, when you live in a town for most of your life, to stop seeing the little things that make it what it is. Sometimes you need the help of a good friend from out of town to remind you of how lucky you are. I had that opportunity this last week when the other half of my brain visited from Seattle. Boise may not have the benefits of the big city, but we have a lot of things that are worthwhile. This isn’t really a “travel” blog so I’m not going to go into detail. If you want to see what makes this city a great place to live you’ll just have to come here and see. I’ll gladly play tour guide again to places like:

The Old Idaho State Penitentiary - http://history.idaho.gov/oldpen.html
The Idaho Botanical Gardens - http://www.idahobotanicalgarden.org/
The Record Exchange - http://therecordexchange.com/location
Bronco Stadium - http://www.broncosports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9900&ATCLID=530470
Idaho Statehouse - http://www.capitolcommission.idaho.gov/
Snake River Birds of Prey - http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/birds_of_prey_nca.html

And many, many more.

On a more personal note I am amazed at the ability for people to be blind to what is directly in front of them(myself included). How many times have we driven past something little, but amazing, without seeing it because it has always been there? Would we notice if it was gone? If we don’t notice it does that mean it’s really not that important? I guess these are questions that everyone asks themselves but no one really has an answer to.  I’d be interested in hearing what others think of this and how people take steps to open their eyes to the beauty around them.