Ordinary Miracles of Life: February 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

I loved this book. I fell in love with most of the characters but especially the two main characters:

Hazel Grace ~ a 16 year old girl who has been diagnosed with stage IV terminal thyroid cancer along with Metastatic tumors in the lungs. And after being accepted into a drug trial, she is given an extended death sentence. But how long will that be? Days, months, a year? She, nor anyone else knows. But she does know she will die and she wants to limit those who will be hurt by her death, so she keeps to herself mostly. Hazel even says, "I'm a grenade and at some point I'm going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?"

And, there is:

Augustus Waters ~ a 17 year old boy Hazel meets at a cancer support group. He is in remission from osteosarcoma, of which he lost a leg. Augustus is a boy who wants to leave some sort of mark on the world and be remembered for something.
He states: "If you don't live a life in service of a greater good, you've gotta at least die a death in service of a greater good, you know? And I fear that I won't get either a life or a death that means anything.”

The two of them begin to hang out together ~ talking on the phone, texting and watching movies. Soon their friendship evolves into more, and as much as Hazel Grace tries to keep her distance to "minimize casualties" the love they feel for each other wins.

Augustus tells her, "I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.”

What happens to Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters? I won't say, but I do urge you to read this book. It is definitely one I will be reading again......

Oh, and this book is coming out in movie form the beginning of June ~ and while I am a firm believer that the books are ALWAYS better than the movies, here is a clip of the trailer for you to enjoy:

I've decided that I will probably have to wait for it to come out on dvd. I'm pretty sure I will be having myself an ugly cry during it, and I think I would rather do that in the pleasure of my own home.

Oh, and if you read this book and you find yourself amongst the reviewers who disbelieve that a child dying of cancer could find a way to choose to live as Augustus puts it ~ “I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend.” I invite you to read this info about an amazing young man, Zach Sobiech (google him ~ there is so much about him out there). He was only 18 when he died from complications of osteosarcoma. He seemed to have a beautiful outlook on living and dying. He was a musician and wrote music to help himself and his family cope with his disease. One of his most popular songs is titled "Clouds"
A few of the lyrics say:

And we'll go up, up, up
But I'll fly a little higher
We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer
Up here my dear
It won't be long now, it won't be long now

The thing is, is we all are going to die, I will die ~ Eventually. Maybe I will be "young" or "old". Maybe disease will take over my body and stop my heart. Maybe a car accident or another type of accident will lead to my death. I truly don't know ~ none of us do.

What I do know, like the characters in this book. I can choose to live my life every day. I can smile, I can give and accept love. Like Augustus tells his friend Isaac following Isaac's surgery to remove his only visual eye (due to cancer) leaving him blind: "You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!”

That is true for all of us ~ good and bad, we live. And that is exactly the point ~ remember to live in the present ~ everyday.

Want to discuss this book more or see what others think? Check out the Book Club discussion at A Beautiful Mess

Monday, February 24, 2014

Ordinary Miracles (6)

Happy Monday! I've been thinking back on the past week and reflecting on the beauty in my daily happenings. Don't get me wrong, not every day is a good day, like when you get 7 inches of snow, the 6th school closing since the beginning of January comes around and the kids are pulling out all their tricks to bug each other :) Or say, filling bowls with cereal only to discover you have no milk.

These are minor frustrations ~ I get it. I have friends whose marriages are in shambles, friends with children that have injuries and others that are undergoing medical tests searching for the unknown. And we have friends with job losses and money stresses. Believe me, I understand that every day has its challenges and some days are definitely better than others, but it is so important to find the beautiful in the mundane. The ordinary miracles!

Here is what I have found this past week:

Traveling (sort of): I was able to spend another fun day with my favorite preschooler. Smiley's class went on a field trip to a place called the "Raptor Center". Basically it is a facility that takes in sick and injured raptors ~ you know, bald eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and vultures. They really are amazing creatures. God knew what he was doing when he created these animals. Thankfully they control the rodent and small animal population (personally, I'm not a fan of mice and snakes) and give us beautiful things to watch for in the skies.
Smiley's favorite part..... watching an owl devour an entire mouse in about 2 seconds.

Running: I may not be fast or go very far, but I love to run. For me, besides the obvious health benefits of exercise, running is a stress reliever, a time to pray and a time for release. Ever since I injured my foot last August (read that story), I haven't been able to run. Last week I ran 2.5 miles ~ twice. I can't really even say I ran them. It was definitely more of a jog, but it was the closest I've come to running in 5 1/2 months, and for that I am thankful!

Reading: I finished reading two books last week. Both of them dared me to look around at all I do or don't have, and thank God for everything. The books also reminded me of a quote from Maya Angelou:

Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up.

These books reminded me that when life gets hard, and crappy things happen (they always do!) you can find the strength inside yourself to persevere. The strength to be optimistic. The strength to be loving and considerate of others, and the strength to choose happiness. The books were, "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys (not to be confused with the 50 shades!) and "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green (this one really got to me and I'll have more on it for you in the next few days).

Shoveling: We were just lucky enough to have another 7+ inches of snow fall on us last Friday. I believe it was a miracle that Hubby was actually home to move that snow out of the driveway and off the sidewalks (the last big snow of 6" a couple of weeks ago came while he was traveling for work).

Witnessing: I witnessed many beautiful things this past week, but this one really left a mark on my heart: I was going around the house cleaning and picking up a bit. When I walked into the living room, I saw Sassy propped up in the corner with her nose in a book. Very typical behavior for her. When I looked closer, I noticed she was reading The Bible. I asked her if she was working on some homework for church. Her reply, "No, I just felt like reading." Wow....my 12 year old picked up The Bible because she "just felt like reading".

Anyway, I hope you'll look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted. Tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Friday, February 21, 2014

Ordinary Miracles (5)

I apologize, this post should have posted last Monday (like the Mondays before it), but it was not written. It was a busy weekend, no school on Monday and before I had time to blink (aka type) Friday (today) arrived. So here I sit, indulging in a beverage, with the Olympics playing in the background while I am remembering the ordinary miracles of the previous week.

1. I was asked to help out at Smiley's Valentine Party at school. It was very fun to watch her interact with all of her preschool friends.

(us, being goofy, just before going to her party)

2. February is "I love to read month". Sassy volunteered to read stories to children who called in to a phone number given out to children in our school district. She read continually for 2 hours and said she can not wait to do it again next year. Makes me proud to see her wanting to volunteer and contribute to her community.

3. Valentines day ~ the kids had the day off of school. I pulled a quick birthday party together for Action and his friends (planned it the day before). I took Action, 3 of his friends, Sassy and Smiley to the Lego Movie. We basically had the theatre to ourselves, except for one older couple (60ish). Then we came back to our house for pizza and cupcakes ~ not to mention fort making and Nerf gun fights.

4. My mom came for a visit. While she was here only a short time, it was great to see her!

5. Sassy had a big volleyball tournament ~ we spent about 15 hours watching or waiting to watch volleyball (in Sassy's case she was either playing, refereeing, or waiting to play volleyball). Her team ended up 5 th out of 64 teams.

Oh, and I must mention, Action had a blast hanging out watching volleyball ~ ☺

So these are a few of the Ordinary Miracles of my life and I ask you to look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted, but if you think about it are miracles in and of themselves ~ snuggle time with one of your kids, a minute to yourself to do something you enjoy, a package in the mail.....

Think about it, how would our perspective change if we chose to see our ordinary days as miracles that we should find wonder in and be thankful for.

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Leave a comment and tell me, What Ordinary Miracles have you witnessed lately?

Monday, February 10, 2014

Ordinary Miracles (4)

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Well, today is Monday, the start of a new week and the day I ask you to look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted, but if you think about it are miracles in and of themselves ~ snuggle time with one of your kids, a minute to yourself to do something you enjoy, a package in the mail.....

Me?

1. I was able to have dinner with a princess last week.

and as cute as she is, she was unable to convince me that "princesses don't eat chicken."

2. That same little princess came with me to Action's school to volunteer at their book fair on Friday morning. I was a little worried my active little Smiley would have a hard time hanging out for 3 hours. But she proved me wrong and did phenomenal! She straightened books, helped bag purchases and wrote up her one "book wish list" and was a very good helper!

3. Saturday night Hubby and I were able to attend a marriage prayer service, dinner and dance with about 8 other couples (and MANY more that we didn't know) at our parish. We had a great time and once the dance was over, we continued the fun at a little, local bar. It was a great night praying for and celebrating our marriages together with friends (unfortunately no one pulled out a camera!).

4. The sun is shining! It may be cold..... -12 when I hit the gym this morning at 5am, but there is a warm up in sight (it is going to hit the mid 20's ~ whoo hoo) and THE SUN IS SHINING!

Think about it, how would our perspective change if we chose to see our ordinary days as miracles that we should find wonder in and be thankful for.

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Leave a comment and tell me, What Ordinary Miracles have you witnessed lately?

Monday, February 3, 2014

Ordinary Miracles (3)

Monday.... the day I ask you to look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted, but if you think about it are miracles in and of themselves ~ snuggle time with one of your kids, a minute to yourself to do something you enjoy, a package in the mail.....

Last week, I was the recipient of a kind neighbor who helped me shovel out our driveway. Hubby was away on a business trip and of course, mother nature decided it would be a good time to drop 6" of lovely white goodness down upon our city. Unfortunately, those inches needed to be shoveled away from our wide, 3 car driveway and front sidewalk. Well, I shoveled the sidewalk, front entry and 2 of the 3 lanes of the driveway and called it a day. When I looked out a couple of hours later the snow plows had driven by and had pushed the snow from the street to the end of our driveway. Meaning... a 4 foot high, 3 foot wide swath of hard, icy, driven on snow needed to be removed. With my body fighting a full blown cold, I began to shovel.....again. When I was about 1/2 way done a neighbor, whom I've never spoken to brought his snowblower over and finished it for me. He then proceeded to finish the rest of the driveway after I told him it was fine to leave it. I could have cried right there on the spot. This man absolutely made my day! An ordinary man, just being a good neighbor.... but it was a miracle in my eyes!

Another ordinary miracle....

I tried a new recipe I found on Pinterest (which I do A LOT!) And it was a HIT with the entire family (they actually requested I make it again)! SCORE! It is a soup, called "Ski Soup" which sounded perfect for the cold, snowy days we had (and still are) been experiencing.

Finally,

We were able to escape for a weekend at an indoor water park with some family. It was fun floating in a tube, pretending we were somewhere warm.......