It’s November. The time for pumpkins, apples, books by the fireplaces, scarves, cute boots, and preparing for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. It’s also the month to be mindful of that in which we are thankful for. For me, 2019 has been a year that has been beyond exhausting and troublesome. I’ll spare you the reasons as to why and instead share with you the few tidbits that I’ve come to know for certain in these past eleven, overwhelming and unrelenting months.
I know I rarely get it wrong when I make a decision trusting my gut. I know I always get it wrong when I make a decision based on what I think will gain the approval of others.
I know moisturizer and sunscreen are my most complimentary friends.
I know friends should always be quality over quantity.
I know violins, rain on a metal roof, genuine leather, my children’s laughs, and a cork out of a bottle of Mumm Napa Brut are my favorite sounds.
I know it’s not all about me. I know it’s not all about you either.
I know that money spent on experiences rather than possessions always bring me more joy and memories than my Louis Vuitton handbag.
I know tequila out of a turkey baster is just a bad idea.
I know that God protects stupid.
I know that most days life is a blessing. Somedays life is a lesson. And a few days out of the year life is just taking a hot shower, washing the day down the drain, and starting fresh the next day.
I know that everything tastes better when its made by mom.
I know teaching is the most undervalued profession in America.
I know that I will never learn to not buy a weeks worth of veggies on a Sunday only to throw them out the following Sunday while unpacking another weeks worth of veggies from the grocery store. I know I just eat the “family size” bag of chips instead.
I know that if it’s a “hell yes”, then I should probably say… no, I should definitely say no… but, I know those are the times I’ll remember most.
I know I’ve done all I can to undo me and God still won’t let me go.
I know when I handle myself, I need to use my head more. I know when I handle others, I need to use my heart more.
I know that I miss my daddy every single day and wish so badly he were still on this earth sitting with me on the back porch.
I know that life in black and white is a lie … life is very, very, very gray.
I know that there is not one relationship in my life more important than my relationship with Jesus Christ. He saved my life. No one will ever love me like Him.
I know not to trust anyone who is rude to wait staff.
I know that I use the “somehow this got in my spam folder” excuse way too often when I realize I’ve waited way too long to respond to an email.
I know that age only matters when it comes to wine, cheese, or needing a fake id.
I know that “laughter thru tears is my favorite emotion”.
I know that my husband is lovely. My girlfriends are priceless.
I know. I always know. So do you. Don’t waste time playing Monday morning quarterback.
I know that I love to secretly diagnose everyone in the doctors waiting room while waiting for my appointment.
I know I need to stop creating God in my image and let Him create me in His.
I know I need to cut my spouse some slack. Same goes for him. Living with the same person day in, day out, and with all our little idiosyncrasies is hard. Kindness and understanding to each other shouldn’t be.
I know my greatest place of joy will always be my greatest place of service.
I know that if I had the energy and drive of my twenties, the guts of my thirties, and the brains of my today, I could conquer the world. But, I really like to sleep.
I know I want to make my kids crazy when I’m old. I want to call the eighteen times per day while they’re at work. I want to ask them the dumbest questions, hang up the phone, call them again and say “what did you say?” I want them to freak out when they call me at 10pm and I don’t answer the phone. I want them to get in their car, drive to my home, be scared they’re going to find me on the floor dead, and then find me on the back porch laughing hysterically with four other eighty year old nut jobs. I want them to experience the joys they have brought to my life. I want them know that I will never be a little old lady and neither should they. I want them to know life is too short.
I know I’m not truly gambling in life unless I buy an egg salad sandwich from a vending machine.
I know life is too short to be anyone but myself. It’s the easy path to be like everybody else and mediocre. Being authentic and forging my own path is grinding. It takes balls. Texas bull size ones.
I know Satan wins in two ways: discouraging me and convincing me to be afraid to the point I doubt myself.
I know that “life is still worthwhile if you just smile”.
I know that my perception of myself is Snoop Dogg meets Martha Stewart. My children’s perception of me is Beverly Goldberg meets Dorothy Zbornak.
Finally, I know this above all. As much as I THINK I know, I still have much to know. Except that fried chicken and chocolate pie is always a good idea. That, I most definitely know.
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