Dear Sheep,
How many of you must I count before I fall asleep? Who am I kidding - I quickly lose patience with counting and get lost in how fluffy ya'll seem.
#13 - When did you get a mo-hawk? How does our mom feel about it?
#44 - I thought you were looking for a new job - is that process not working for you? Why don't you become one of those Serta matress sheep?
#26 - Are you still dating #62?
#71 - Perhaps you need to slow down, it looks as though you have lost too much eiaght - does roaming my imagination keep you that busy?
Perhaps you guys could be a little more boring and then I could sleep...or maybe not.
Looking forward to seeing ya'll tonight -
Mel P
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Sixteenth
Dear Teri,
I originally wrote this last fall when preparing for your birthday. I never had it printed the way I wanted to and there never seemed to be the right time to give it to you. With that being said, though it has been about 9 months since I wrote it, the sentiment still rings true. I love you and am grateful for all you do for me on an oh so regular basis.
Teri Taught
As I was driving my rounds this morning, I had time to think of my time with Teri. It was about 4 years ago when she first invited the kids and I over for a play date. I remember being so nervous not only because no one had ever individually invited us over but also because I had recently made the decision that my husband and I needed to separate. I was scared, confused, and somewhat lost, and yet here I was driving to a stranger’s home, little did I know that stranger was to become one of my closest allies, confidants and friends.
Four years later I now have time to think of the many lessons Teri has taught me. Of all I have learned, two lessons have shone through. To be honest, and to give Teri her dues, she is humble enough to not even realize the impact she has had on my life nor the lessons she has taught me and has surely taught others.
Going back to four years ago, I hadn’t told anyone nearby that my husband and I were separating, after being essentially a stay at home mom for five years, I was having to go to work full time and was also moving out of our home. I didn’t know what I was going to do, as I had no money and no real friends in the area. At that first play date, Teri asked if I would like to schedule another one, perhaps at my home. At that point I explained my situation, she asked me who was going to watch my kids when I went back to work and I explained they would probably have to stay with my family in GA for a little while until I made sufficient money to provide child care. She told me that was not good enough and that she would watch my children while I worked, and she did. Through out the course of four years, Teri has watched my children, driven all over Mecklenburg county with a gas tank in hand for when I ran out of gas and battery cables in stock for when I left my lights on, listen to me pour my heart and tears out on her kitchen table, loaned me her vacuum, heck she has even loaned me her house. In short Teri taught me a lesson of love and friendship. A friend is not someone who will occasionally call and say Hi, a friend is not someone who just wants to sit around and chat while the kids play, or even one who goes out to the movies and dinner with you, a friend is not just someone who comes up to you on Sunday to see how you are doing. A friend is Teri, someone who lets you know she loves you and is there for you regardless of where you are in life. Never judging, always loving.
I can recall at one point, pondering Teri and how she did everything she does. How does she do it? She is a great wife, mother, sister, friend, primary teacher, PTA president, and so the list goes on. At one point, I thought I would try to be like her by just signing up to do everything I possibly could. Well, I quickly became overwhelmed and soon gave up. Not one to ever really give up I would continue to try to be like Teri. I would watch her and evaluate her life, her family, her home, her demeanor and soon realized that she knew how to prioritize. That was the key to being reliable which is the key to being a good friend. Teri knew that coming to my aid when I was stranded on the side of Fairview, late one winter night was more important than watching a movie after she got the kids in bed. She knows that the pile of dirty dishes is something that can be put off until later when her daughter wants to spend time with her. She is aware that though she may really want to just focus on organizing a craft room, it was far more important to sit at the table with a frustrated friend as she moans and whines about her life. Yes, Teri knows how to prioritize, she knows what is important, once again, a very important lesson.
I must confess my undying love and adoration for Teri. It is obvious that I admire and respect her greatly. She had become more than a friend as I view her like family. Through her powerful example I have learned important lessons that allowed me to piece my life together even though I once believed it to be unrepairable. For this I say thank you. We would all do good to observe because for me, Teri Taught.
One day I hope to be able to do for you as much you have done for me.
Mel P
I originally wrote this last fall when preparing for your birthday. I never had it printed the way I wanted to and there never seemed to be the right time to give it to you. With that being said, though it has been about 9 months since I wrote it, the sentiment still rings true. I love you and am grateful for all you do for me on an oh so regular basis.
Teri Taught
As I was driving my rounds this morning, I had time to think of my time with Teri. It was about 4 years ago when she first invited the kids and I over for a play date. I remember being so nervous not only because no one had ever individually invited us over but also because I had recently made the decision that my husband and I needed to separate. I was scared, confused, and somewhat lost, and yet here I was driving to a stranger’s home, little did I know that stranger was to become one of my closest allies, confidants and friends.
Four years later I now have time to think of the many lessons Teri has taught me. Of all I have learned, two lessons have shone through. To be honest, and to give Teri her dues, she is humble enough to not even realize the impact she has had on my life nor the lessons she has taught me and has surely taught others.
Going back to four years ago, I hadn’t told anyone nearby that my husband and I were separating, after being essentially a stay at home mom for five years, I was having to go to work full time and was also moving out of our home. I didn’t know what I was going to do, as I had no money and no real friends in the area. At that first play date, Teri asked if I would like to schedule another one, perhaps at my home. At that point I explained my situation, she asked me who was going to watch my kids when I went back to work and I explained they would probably have to stay with my family in GA for a little while until I made sufficient money to provide child care. She told me that was not good enough and that she would watch my children while I worked, and she did. Through out the course of four years, Teri has watched my children, driven all over Mecklenburg county with a gas tank in hand for when I ran out of gas and battery cables in stock for when I left my lights on, listen to me pour my heart and tears out on her kitchen table, loaned me her vacuum, heck she has even loaned me her house. In short Teri taught me a lesson of love and friendship. A friend is not someone who will occasionally call and say Hi, a friend is not someone who just wants to sit around and chat while the kids play, or even one who goes out to the movies and dinner with you, a friend is not just someone who comes up to you on Sunday to see how you are doing. A friend is Teri, someone who lets you know she loves you and is there for you regardless of where you are in life. Never judging, always loving.
I can recall at one point, pondering Teri and how she did everything she does. How does she do it? She is a great wife, mother, sister, friend, primary teacher, PTA president, and so the list goes on. At one point, I thought I would try to be like her by just signing up to do everything I possibly could. Well, I quickly became overwhelmed and soon gave up. Not one to ever really give up I would continue to try to be like Teri. I would watch her and evaluate her life, her family, her home, her demeanor and soon realized that she knew how to prioritize. That was the key to being reliable which is the key to being a good friend. Teri knew that coming to my aid when I was stranded on the side of Fairview, late one winter night was more important than watching a movie after she got the kids in bed. She knows that the pile of dirty dishes is something that can be put off until later when her daughter wants to spend time with her. She is aware that though she may really want to just focus on organizing a craft room, it was far more important to sit at the table with a frustrated friend as she moans and whines about her life. Yes, Teri knows how to prioritize, she knows what is important, once again, a very important lesson.
I must confess my undying love and adoration for Teri. It is obvious that I admire and respect her greatly. She had become more than a friend as I view her like family. Through her powerful example I have learned important lessons that allowed me to piece my life together even though I once believed it to be unrepairable. For this I say thank you. We would all do good to observe because for me, Teri Taught.
One day I hope to be able to do for you as much you have done for me.
Mel P
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