as yet, untitled

It was pointed out to me, by some very devoted blog followers of mine that I have been a slacker in the blog department. I have indeed. I could go on for many sentences and give this excuse or another -- or I could just leave it at "I've been uninspired". Technically, that's not the case, but sometimes it's best if I process BEFORE I purge. Believe me, you don't wanna read these things before I've had a chance to mull it over in my mind for several hours, minutes, days, weeks -- however long it takes.

As the holidays roll around once again, I'm reminded that life isn't all roses and rainbows. There's a fair share of dysfunction that comes with this time of year. And anyone who tells you their family is a "pure joy to be around" is lying to you. Families are full of flawed, imperfect, sometimes emotionally and physically draining people. People not unlike myself. I tend to be stubborn. I tend to "dread" this time of year. I tend to cry a lot -- and laugh even more. Newsflash: I am not perfect, and I don't claim to be. Although there are a few things I'm quite good at. I can sing a little tune. I am apparently very good at chemistry (who knew?) and I can clean mirrors with the best of them. That's the short list.

So as we embark upon this season of thanks giving, I am reminded that there are a lot of people in this world a lot worse off than me. At least my sense of humor is intact, if not somewhat cynical in nature. I do love to laugh, and I have a lot of people in my life who help me with that daily. I also have a family full of people who actually enjoy cooking. I like to bake. I love to cook, but being a full-time student with homework (what WAS I thinking????) has taken its toll on our family's dinner planning schedule. Luckily, there are 4 of us, and all of us like to cook so we spread the love around and everyone is happy.

I have a laundry god (but don't let that get around). I have two wacky dogs who greet me at the gate each time I pull in the driveway (sometimes on the right side of the fence, other times at the car door). I have a husband who thinks I hung the moon (we don't have to tell him otherwise) and two daughters who while at times can be "typical teenagers" -- they also have a wit that can match any other on this planet. We laugh a lot! I have great friends, who build me up -- even on the days when I'm tearing myself down. Those days tend to be the days I don't feel smart enough or pretty enough, or...

I guess all that is to say, no one is perfect. No life is perfect. Least of all mine. But I'm okay with my imperfection. It fits me like a glove, and I am well-suited to the way it feels. That doesn't mean that I can't be constantly striving for a greater sense of me -- but I've lived with me for 37 years. Some of those years rocked, and others fizzled. I am beautiful, funny, smart -- the right amount of talented to make me always want to be better. I'm a great friend, an even better listener, and if I'm on your side -- you will always take the seat in front of me. I'm a Scorpio -- and everything that goes with that. And I'm very thankful that there isn't another me in this world. Not only would that be emotionally draining for the folks who know me, but likely there would be competition.

So in the coming days, I challenge you -- tell the people in your life how important they are to you. You might think they already know (and they just might) but take the time to say it anyway. You might not ever have a second chance at making someone's day. And those people that you struggle with, and we all have those people in our lives, don't waste your time and energy trying to get even -- let it go and learn to love. Learn to forgive. Learn to be your best self. Trust me, it's contagious. ~sheri