Snow.

Snow, snow, snow...

...they're telling me that it's headed my way. I hear this promise all the time from the weathermen, forecasting their storms like a well suited group of wizards, whispering spells from behind their great crystal balls...but usually, it's more like one of those magic eightballs that says "outlook not good." We always manage to "dodge the bullet" in their words. How I have come to hate that phrase!

I think most of you that read this blog actually live in areas that have their fair share of snow...and then some. For me, it's a rarity and I love the stuff! I'm hoping that at midnight, it really does start falling like they say it's going to do. Cross your fingers for me!

Frailty and Perspective.

Henry Fuseli's The Nightmare 1781

This weekend has been rough. Saturday was just the type of day where whatever could go wrong, basically did. Sunday, well, the day was fine, pleasant actually . Church was good, I worked on my painting, and my mother and I went for a walk...for the first time in two years. Her back condition has kept us from that simple pleasure, but it has let up some recently, allowing her to do a bit more. Thank God.

Last night however, was one of those nights that you should be able to push a button and get a "redo." I ended up coming down with a tremendous migraine. After taking 800mg of ibuprofen and running my head under bitterly cold water, it finally subsided enough for me to stand up without feeling like the world was going in every direction but the one I was. After that, my subconscious apparently thought I should have a few nightmares...which gave me the joy of waking up at 3 AM crying uncontrollably and hating the phrase "you'll miss me for the rest of your life." Seriously, I want a do-over.

Of course, Monday reared it's ugly head and I get a call from my father telling me he and mom have taken my Nana to the hospital because she's fallen and fractured her back, cut her face and hand open, and is all bruised up and shaken. Now, my Nana is a hypochondriac who is afraid of everything from A to Z, but the thought of her legitimately hurt breaks my heart! I'm honestly just thankful she wasn't hurt any more than she was. She could have broken her pelvis or something even worse could have happened. I'm just glad that she will be OK. Headaches pass, nightmares fade, and little annoyances will always have their presence in life, but hopefully, today will be brighter and I can just give my Nana a hug and a kiss and tell her I love her.

The New Year...passings and beginnings

I don't know why some things happen. I'll never be able to understand the paths some people walk. I'm not sure I even want to write about this, but I think I need to. New Year's Eve, I received a phone call, during my lunch hour, informing me that a friend of mine had been found dead. I don't even know what to type or what to say. While it was unintentional, his own choices were the cause and while it's something I feared, it's something you never expect regardless of what you see. I will miss him. I will miss the person he was before he started down his destructive road. I will see pictures of us and our friends and think of good times, football games, and road trips. I will remember your sense of humor, your laugh, and your friendly nature. That's how I will remember you.

It's hard to put my thoughts into words. How do you draw good from tragedy? I guess...I'll just use this post as a plea. For anyone out there that feels at the end of their rope...for anyone who doesn't care about themselves anymore...someone cares about you. I'm proof of that, here I sit on the other side of someone who gave up on themselves. I know life can be utterly horrific and you might feel completely alone or hopeless...but you always have options! If you're convinced you don't have any friends or family that would care, then tell a pastor, a co-worker, make a phone call or web visit to one of the sites I've listed below. People care about your life! Accept the help when it's offered...it's offered because you are loved.

For those of us left behind...don't blame yourself. Don't question what more you could have done...none of the "what if you'd picked up the phone that one time?"...or if you'd called someone for them again. There is only so much help you can offer...in the end, it's always up to the person on the other end to take your hand. You just can't blame yourself.

Each life is precious...it's like the title of my blog...the subheading "each ordinary life is extraordinary." We were all fearfully and wonderfully made...God tells us so in His word. Every single person has value...you have value. Someone cares enough to help you...a friend, a family member, even a stranger...you'd be surprised.

There is help...
http://www.thehopeline.com/ 1-800-394-HOPE
http://www.hopeline.com/ 1-800-SUICIDE
http://teenchallengeusa.com/
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
http://www.na.org/index.htm
http://www.walking-wounded.net/html/christians___suicide__suicidal.html

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11