A Sweet Poem

Dear Mom,
I was cleaning out paperwork and doing some filing the other day, and I came across a poem I had cut out of the newspaper several years ago. It was worth saving.

KIDS WHO ARE DIFFERENT

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids who don't always get A's,

The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers,

And noses that go on for days...

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids they call crazy or dumb,

The kids who don't fit, with the guts and the grit,

Who dance to a different drum...

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids with the mischievous streak,

For when they have grown, as history's shown,

It's their difference that makes them unique.

Copyright 1982 by Digby Wolfe

I like that poem.

Love, Bonnie Jo

I surprise myself sometimes

Dear Mom,

It shocks and shames me to admit that last week, as I stood in the long line at the grocery store, I caught myself perusing the latest issue of Country Music Weekly magazine. It was a slow moving line. I could try and blame it on GinaWhoCanParallelPark, but she wasn't there to put the issue into my hands. Because I did take a swift glance, I was able to give her the scoop on Toby Keith's new clothing line. GinaWhoCan ParallelPark has her finger on the pulse of celebrity gossip, so scooping her is a significant achievement.

As if that admission isn't bad enough, later that day, in an effort to put myself in Time Out so as not to "lose it" while dealing with the kids, dinner and homework after school, I found myself in my bedroom with the door closed and the tv tuned into QVC. (for the record, I didn't intentionally tune into QVC, I just somehow landed there) I was weak. Other than the one time I ordered the "Miracle Mop" when the kids were really little, I have never ordered anything from QVC.

I was vulnerable. There he was, telling me that I was worth it, that I could do whatever I needed to do. All I needed was to believe in myself, and that he believed in me. And it was the QVC deal of the day. I caved.

I ordered the entire library of Richard Simmons' "Sweatin' to the Oldies" DVD's.

I have "Sweatin' to the Oldies" 1, 2, 3, and 4. I have "Party off the Pounds", Richard Simmons SuperSweatin' Aerobic Workout and finally, I have "Boogie Down the Pounds", Richard Simmons SuperSweatin' Disco Workout. The QVC special included the bonus disc "Richard Simmons Love Yourself and Win, Six Steps to Self-Esteem and Permanent Weight Loss" which I suppose next time I put myself in Time Out I should watch rather that flip through the channels and land on QVC again.

Love,

Kim

Audrey Kay

Dear Mom,

I would like to tell you about my beautiful friend, Audrey Kay. She is a librarian at my local library. She sits right there at the front desk. She is the first person we see. Always smiling; always helpful. Not just to us--to everyone. A welcome sight. Take a deep breath and get drunk on Audrey Kay's kindness.

Audrey is also a cancer survivor. I didn't know her when she was battling her cancer but I think she fought with grace and humor. I'm also sure she dug her heels in and fought with anger, too. She was NOT going to let cancer win!!

She is a mother of 2 very beautiful children. Sarah is very much like her mother, humble. Will has a wicked sense of humor, also like his mother.

Audrey knits and crochets. She is involved in several ministries at her church; she knits or crochets prayer shawls AND comfort afghans. If she isn't knitting them herself, she is sewing squares for comfort afghans that people have given to her. I don't know that she has ever knit anything for herself. She is always giving afghans away. I was even the very privileged recipient of a poncho handknit by her for my birthday!!

Are you getting that Audrey Kay is some kind of wonderful?!?!

Sadly, Audrey Kay's husband suddenly and unexpectedly passed away last Thursday. The memorial service for her true love was yesterday. A cold, rainy April day. The kind of weather that puts an exclamation point to a memorial service. The service was full. To honor her husband, but also to honor Audrey Kay. Hopefully we banded together and got to show Audrey Kay what a difference her life is making in our lives. I think, though, that Audrey Kay was more of a comfort to us. She is strength. Grace. Beauty.

Today is her birthday. And while it is marked with sadness, my birthday wish for Audrey Kay is that she will know. KNOW. that she is loved. Deeply loved. Appreciated.

Kim blogged once about channeling her inner Audrey Hepburn. My hope is that I will be able to tap into my inner Audrey Kay.

Happy birthday, dear sweet Audrey Kay!

Love, Wendy