seven

Today’s small thing: 7 Quick Takes Friday

I’ve been reading this blog, conversiondiary.com for about a year now, and every Friday she does 7 quick thoughts. Sometimes it is a recounting of the week, other times it is just her random thoughts at that moment. I’ve been wanting to do it for a while, but somehow time gets away! Well I’m trying to today since hopefully this will be George’s long nap of the day!

–1–

It looks like we’re back to a little more predictable sleep routine! (Well, for the past few days anyway, who knows about tonight!) This makes for a much happier me in the morning. I even got up before him one day and did a little reading from In Conversation With God. That hasn’t happened in a while. The morning quiet was quite amazing!

–2–

Well, Dad only has a few more radiation treatments to go. I can’t believe it! It seems like only a few days ago when I went to his first appointment. He has been so strong throughout this whole process, and incredibly positive. It is amazing how contagious his attitude is, and how many people are so willing to be his cheerleaders. Grandpa had his first radiation treatment yesterday and it seems that it went well. He’ll be doing the same treatment as Dad, so hopefully he will respond just as well. Keep up those prayers, we most definitely need them.

–3–

Last Friday I had the opportunity to go to the Holy Cross House, where the retired Holy Cross priests live, to perform with my church choir. We sang a lot of our Christmas pieces, including a simplified version of The Hallelujah Chorus.  We received many compliments from the priests and even had a chance to chat with some of them. I told one priest, who had a heavy Boston accent, about my family’s fight with cancer. He reminded me that we are not alone in the battle. When Jesus left earth he gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us always. He said we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and that we have to be open to the blessings that gives us, and we have to bless others too. His words struck so deep within me because that is exactly what I see happening with my family.

–4–

Oh, and I met Father Hesburgh, the President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. He was walking into Holy Cross House as my choir was leaving after our concert, so I walked up to him and said hello and shook his hand. He is 95 years old and has met many influential people in his days, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That’s right, by shaking Fr. Hesburgh’s hand I shook his too. Yes, I have washed my hands since. Oh, and the Touchdown Jesus building? That is Hesburgh library. Anyway, that was a very special moment for sure.

–5–

So Jonathan has basically been working everyday since the 14th. The past two weekends he has worked both days, full days, doing mice experiments. So that means he and I have been working full-time for a LONG time. Because when he works, I work. As much as I love being with my little bambino all hours of the day, it definitely is hard work. And like with any job, its important to take a break. So we are looking forward to this weekend being our first real weekend in a long time. What is on the menu you ask? Doing laundry, vacuuming, and maybe watching a movie. YES.

–6–

Speaking of staying at home, I’m loving it. I definitely have my moments of struggle, and tears, but for the most part it is a great job for me. I think what helps me keep my sanity is that 3 evenings a week I leave for at least an hour. Two days it is tutoring and one day it is choir practice. Sometimes on Mondays, or on the weekends, Jonathan hangs out with George while I steal away for some alone time. That makes all the difference. I find myself on the drive back home ready to see my baby again and tackle the tasks at home that I didn’t have energy to do earlier that day.

–7–

I started to miss teaching something bad earlier this week. I visited my old coworkers at the school’s  open house on Sunday and my heart was leaping out of my chest, wanting to be in my old room, with those teachers and students again. I went home and looked through my yearbooks from all my years of teaching and it brought back many fond memories. Of course I started wondering what those kiddos were up to now, so I started stalking my students from my old school in KC. They range from Freshman to Seniors in high school now! It was neat to see some of their names on the high school’s webpage for their athletic and academic achievements. It truly is amazing the love a teacher has for their students. Pretty sure it will never go away. I hope to see some of them someday.

There you have it, my first Quick Takes. They weren’t as quick as I had imagined, but I think it did the job well. Thank you to those who responded to my last post. I can’t tell you how much I love reading and responding to your comments!

Please share a “quick take” from your week!

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