Birthday Girl at the Mall

During the twenty-two years I wrote the "An Extraordinary Life" feature, I heard hundreds of inspirational stories about the extraordinary way ordinary people lived their lives before they died.

And because I was listening to people who, in many cases, were still grieving, I allotted plenty of time for them to talk.

I remember once such instance when a very young man had died of cancer. His family sat around the conference room table with me, sharing photos and one story after another about the brave was he faced and tackled his cancer.

As the family prepared to leave, one member said, "This was better than the therapy we're paying for."

And yet, all I did was listen and take notes.

Even more years ago - when I was in college - I became a Big Sister to an eight-year-old, the youngest in a family of five children. 

This little girl had a habit of eating very slowly, not a bad habit, right? But if the family were eating at a fast food restaurant, they often either packed up the rest of her meal or divided it among her siblings so the food could get eaten and they could get going.

So for our first "sister" date," we had dinner at a sit-down, family-style restaurant, her first experience t such a venue. I let her order what she wanted and let her take all the time she needed to finish. She ate A LOT of food, which surprised her mother.

I share a July 15 birthday with my granddaughter Riley. Rebekah and I had made plans to take her to Fox Valley Mall for the day. I wasn't feeling very well. But that turned out to be a good thing.

If I had been feeling well, we would have spent the day honoring a triple set of interests: Riley's, Rebekah's, and mine. 

Instead, we let Riley follow hers for the, and I captured her experiences with my camera phone.

So what's the moral of this story today?

Many children can't enjoy an experience at their own pace.

Many adults never get a captive audience for their words.

Giving another person your undivided time and attention might really be the best gift of all.

A Whirlwind of a Wonderful Birthday

Good morning!

How could three days pass so quickly?

From Friday through Sunday evening, from start to finish, the three days were filled with activity with family and much, much love: for me, for Riley, and for Ron (and one small surprise party for WriteOn Joliet member Holly Coop).

We shopped, ate, swam, wrapped and unwrapped, gathered, and hugged.

And most importantly, I shared turning sixty-two with a granddaughter who shares a middle name with me and turned seven on the same day

Over the course of a few blogs, I'll share some of those most inspiring moments so you can be blessed, too.

Have a wonderful start to your week!

A New Old Doll

I have previously written about my great love for dolls, starting in childhood, so I won't repeat that information here.

Instead, I'd like to introduce you to the latest member of my current family of old dolls, which includes dolls from my childhood and dolls from my childhood I really wanted to own and never did.

Meet Winifred or Winnie.

I can't exactly recall if I owned this particular doll, since one very like her was given to me very early in my childhood.

I had lost her original dress very early into my ownership.

And I had done a pretty good chopping job on her hair, not understanding her hair would not grow back (I persuaded my sister to do the same with her dolls, too - whoops!)

But this Winnie is very close to the Winnie I owned, so I am content.

She arrived to my house in nearly new condition.

Now my kids will sometimes make comments about my growing collection of "creepy" dolls. This is Nancy, by the way.

But my granddaughter Riley, who shares a middle name and birthdate with me, loves to come to my room and see the latest addition.

In fact, on Old Calendar Christmas, Riley carried Winnie around all night.

Winne's hair is no longer impeccable, from all the love Riley bestowed on her.

But at least Winnie still has most of her hair.

Framed Original Artwork from Riley and Jessica

A few months ago, my son Joshua told me he was attending an art show at his kids' school.

The show featured framed artwork by the students. And the artwork was for sale.

I was super disappointed that I could not go. He mentioned the show at the last minute, and I was busy at work.

Well - guesss what I received for my birthday?

Yes, framed original artwork from two of my granddaughters: Jessica and Riley.

Scroll down to the second photo so you can see the second piece of art.

Nothing makes a home more special than great art - especially when the homeowner knows the artist.

A special gift indeed!

Good Shoes

In the current K-drama Rebekah and I are finishing up (She Was Pretty), one character gifts another with a pair of shoes that are both an upgrade and permission to move on with her life.

More than a few years ago, when I was figuring out Twitter, I read a blog an author had written about her mother. Years ago, the mother had won a magazine contest about women who do their own makeup.

The author's mother was Asian, a single mom, and took her time in front of the mirror each morning, looking at herself while she carefully put on her makeup. The author said it was a time of meditation for her mother, a centering, a time for herself, before venturing into the world to be her best self. And her mother became quite adept with makeup.

The world "mindfulness" is used a lot these days. But what a beautiful concept, to spend a few quiet moments each day carefully examining ourselves, carefully choosing what we will wear, and deciding how we will present ourselves to the world, so that we always present our very best selves.

A popular quote says, "Good shoes will take you to good places." But what shoes? And what places?

Perhaps it's a call to us step a little further outside of the familiar, to stretch ourselves a little further, so that we can continue becoming our very best selves.

Here is the full quote from She Was Pretty, along with a photo of my granddaughter Riley showing off her new shoes on National Pancake Day 2020, where we had a family pancake dinner at IHOP in Morris, a couple weeks before COVID shut everything down.

May you never put on a pair of shoes again without thinking about where they will take you.

"If you wear good shoes, they will take you to good places.Wear these shoes and go to good places. Don't think about other things, and don't worry aout anything. Go wherever you want to go, wherever you want to go. It's going to be uncomfortable at first. You pay a lot of attention when you walk. But they will be comfortable soon. They will, for sure, be comfortable enough that you won't notice them."

The Greatest Gift

Three years ago today daughter-in-law Amber had her third Cesarean section. She had told me the previous Christmas Eve that her due date was near my birthday and, if possible, she would schedule the birth for that day.

In addition to sharing a birthday, Riley and I also share a middle name: Marie, the name of my maternal grandmother and her cousin, my godmother.

It's a gift that grows more precious with every passing year.

"I Have a Thing For You"

This is what Timothy's girl friend Jasmine called out to me as I was on my hands and knees last night after work cleaning the downstairs bathroom.

Side note: My mother hates that I wash floors from a "hands and knees" position. She thinks it's demeaning. I think it's the best way not to miss anything. But whatever.

A "thing for me?"

"Does Timothy know?" I called back.

I should say here that Jasmine is pretty awesome. Two nights ago, she was in the ER after getting smacked in the nose with a softball (yes, it's slightly broken), but she was up early the next day, ready for work.

Yesterday, she spent the day babysitting my granddaughters because Joshua as at work, and Amber had to accompany Ezekiel on a field trip.

She sent me photos of the fun they were having. I should add here that Jasmine's specialty is cakes, and her dream goal is to open her own bakery one day.

The girls did some baking...

Some waiting...

And sharing...

Yes, this was the "thing" Jasmine had waiting for me at the other end of the door.

What's really sweet about this, more than Jasmine engaging the girls in the kitchen, is Jasmine teaching Jessica and Riley how to be thoughtful and kind.

Wouldn't you agree?

Stranger Than Fiction

Today I got to play dolls with my two granddaughters today: Jessica, 4 and Riley, almost 2.

Are you following me?

So Jessica put her new doll in the high chair and said the doll was hungry.

I, the gallant and generous grandmother, offered to make the doll something to eat. 

And so I went to the refrigerator.

Um...not what I expected to see. Cue the horror music...

Or, at least, The Addams Family theme song.

July 15: Sharing a Birthday with a Granddaughter

When I was a child, I used to check the list of "famous birthdays" in a magazine that came inside The Herald-News, but (at least back in the day), no one of importance was ever listed for July 15.

That changed last year with the birth of my second granddaughter, partly by God's design, partly by my daughter-in-law Amber's decision. You see, when Amber learned her due date was near my birth date, she let her doctor know her goal was to schedule her third C-section on that day.

Everything worked out according to plan. One year later, family and friends gathered at a Morris park to commemorate the two "Maries:" Riley Marie, named after her grandmother; and Denise Marie, named after her grandmother.

It was a great day.

The birthday girl Riley Marie telling the world she's No.1!

(Top and below): Riley's big brother Ezekiel and her big sister Jessica enjoy the balloons.

Riley's cousin and my grandson Micah.

Another cousin and grandson: Micah's little brother Zechariah.

My youngest son "Uncle Daniel" pushes Ezekiel on the merry-go-round.

Soon the others want to ride, too. My oldest son Christopher does the honors. In the background is Riley's dad (my son Joshua) and my sister and only sibling Karen.

Ezekiel "helps" Riley blow out her candle.

Jessica patiently waits for more cake.

Riley thoroughly enjoys her birthday cake.

Riley opens her presents with the help of her sister Jessica and her mother Amber.

Riley's dad tries out one of her new toys.

Riley has fun with her Aunt Rebekah (my youngest daughter).

Three Good Reasons to Take a Three-Day Break: Ezekiel, Jessica, and Riley

The downside to working many hours as a newspaper features editor and writer, as well as having a solitary hobby I love (writing fiction), coupled with the current inability to afford a car poses a distinct challenge when it comes to spending time with family that doesn't live nearby.

So with some leftover vacation time that needs using up before the end of 2016, I decided to spend some of it with family.

I spent the last three days about an hour away from home at my son Joshua's and his wife Amber's home being mother and mother-in-law and as well as grandmother to Ezekiel (4), Jessica (2) and Riley (4 months and born this year on my birthday).

Timothy hung out with me on Friday and played uncle. Rebekah hung out with me on Saturday and Sunday and played aunt.

And what did we do?

I colored and played with stickers and sticker book with Jessica, browsed through Spiderman comic books with Ezekiel, danced to Colby's Missing Memory with Jessica and Riley, played Candyland (Joshua, Rebekah, Ezekiel, and Jessica, with Amber and Riley looking on), watched bad stand-up comedians with Timothy, introduced Joshua to Galavant, and watched Koran dramas with Rebekah.

I ate pizza from Aurelios twice, compliments of Joshua managing the local venue. I taught my monthly writer's workshop (and I have a new student) on Friday night, hardly missed a beat on exercise, read some, and slept full night's sleep on Friday and Saturday , luxury in and of itself. 

On Sunday, we all attended the church of Amber's choice. This brought the double blessing into running into an old friend (guitar player in the worship band) and a great message of dying to self.

I changed plenty of diapers and even mixed up two batches of formula, a first for this former nursing mom (Amber's breast pump broke).

In short, I had a fantastic weekend!

Today it's back to work for just three days, a marathon feat since five days will have to be crammed into these three.  But first, a few photos of some of the most important people in my life.