Year Three, Day 280: Healing the Wounded

It is late Friday night. Baby Gracie is sleeping soundly in her crib. Honey Dog is curled up in her doggie bed. My daughter and her husband have gone to bed.

I am sitting in a recliner listening to the rain bounce off the roof of the trailer. It seems to fit perfectly with the saxophone lullaby DVD that Gracie listens to at bedtime.

Usually I feel comforted by the rain. But tonight I am feeling restless. There is a forecast of possible snow tomorrow. And low temperatures in the 20's through Tuesday evening.

I am still processing this latest shooting. My daughter told me not to dwell on it; not to let the darkness consume me.

It has partially consumed me. I ache, not only for the victims, but for the shooter. It seems to me he was crying for help. But no one responded. And now it is too late. How many people feel isolated, lonely and misunderstood. People that are outcasts and misfits? Thankfully most of them do not resort to violence. But is it possible to reach them? To make them feel loved?

I look at my beautiful sleeping grandchild. How will we keep her safe?

On Thursday, after teaching one of my middle school students, his grandma pulled me aside. She thanked me for continuing to teach him, even though he did not always practice.

"I can't believe how he just sat and talked to you about his rough day at school", she said.

I told her I determined a long time ago that the bond that was created between my students and I was more important than even the music lessons.

"He truly loves music because of you", she said grabbing my arm. "Even when he doesn't practice".

I felt tears well up behind my eyes as I left.

If only all the troubled kids of the world had an adult that would come sit by their side once a week, ask them about their day and they ask them to put their feelings into music.

Would that heal the wounded? I'd like to think so.

I have no more words tonight. Except for words I whisper later on in my prayers. Perhaps I will imagine Jesus sitting by my side, asking me about my day.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 240.

Comments

Year Four, Day 31: Sleep Business

I did it! I survived my sleep study.
It was quite intense. I think my expectations were a bit skewed. I was envisioning more like a mini retreat.
It was all business. Sleep business.
And the minute the lights went out and the door shut behind the sleep technician as she whispered, "good night", I went into full panic mode.
Luckily I was really tired. She had asked if I wanted to watch a bit of television before I fell asleep. But I declined. I knew to take advantage of the heavy lidded, dull brained feeling I had when I was really sleepy. Television might wake up my brain.
As she was attaching my electrodes, I watched a show on Animal Planet called "Lone Star Law", about Texas game wardens. I was hooked! It was fascinating. I rarely watch tv, and we don't have cable at home, thankfully. But this show drew me in. In retrospect, I should have continued to watch it until I fell asleep.
Something about being hooked up, tucked in, lights off, door closing, fel…

Year Three, Day 265: Simple Solutions to Life's Little Dilemmas

This will be a short post. It is late and I am most exhausted!

I had a wonderful day. I spent the morning through early afternoon with Baby Gracie, my mother and my daughter. Much female bonding.

Gracie and I have quite the connection. My daughter cannot even nurse her when I am in the room because she pauses every few seconds to turn her head and look for her Zma! It fills my heart with joy to see her eyes light up to see me.

My mother, who had not been feeling well for several weeks came and visited for a few hours. Her doctor has adjusted her blood pressure meds. She has returned to her upbeat, positive, spunky self. Thank goodness. I was beginning to worry!

I did many activities with Gracie after her mom left for work. But it is my mother who has the magic touch when it comes to rocking Baby Gracie to sleep for her morning nap.

I even took my mother's advice today. I am one of those stubborn daughters that usually does not take their parents advice. But today when I co…

Year Four, Day 41: The ER

This morning about 4 a.m. I woke up with severe stabbing pains in my jaw. My whole head, face and neck felt like someone had it in a vice. And was turning the lever.

I had already taken a dose of Thera-Flu before bed. Since Wednesday morning is my time with Gracie, I wanted to make sure I was well rested. I didn't want to be groggy on Gracie duty.
But with the pain I was experiencing, I was questioning how effective I would be at all.
I was wide awake, holding my jaw as everything throbbed. I made a decision to take another dose of Thera-Flu. The package said I could take one dose every 4 hours.
So I boiled some water and sat hunched over the kitchen table. I poured the hot water over the powder. As I waited for it to cool, I put my face close to the cup. The hot steam gave my poor face a bit of relief.
I was wondering if I had a sinus infection. My throat was sore and raw. I was congested. Had a bit of a cough. The jaw pain was troubling. Last week when my allergies we…

Soul Runnings

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