Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Thanks to Friends

At kind of a low point this evening . . . A friend called and wanted to know if I'd join her for dinner. It made me really happy.

And so, I'd like to thank my friends for being my friends. People always surprise and amaze me, especially my friends. Just yesterday, I went to church and saw that my friend Dallin was there. Well, I like Dallin, but I really wanted to talk to Michelle, Dallin's fiance. Where was she? She was playing the piano -- practicing for a spontaneous musical number. Who knew that she could just whip something out there like that?!?

I have another friend who always plays music on his guitar for me; a friend who talks about completely random things when he knows I can't handle talking about serious issues; a friend who makes me laugh when she impersonates people (to a tee, I might add); a friend who always tells me how great I am; and many, many others who share their talents and time with me when they know I need it.

I just love people. I love that I can have a terrible day, but it gets immediately better when people say something nice. I'm amazed at the love people have for each other and the positive effects they can make in the world . . . Oh, people are devinely wonderful!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Food or Sleep?

I went to bed last night thinking about what I would choose first: food or sleep. Yes, yes -- I know both are essential to life, but if I had to pick one, what would it be? To put it another way, if I was both extremely exhausted and extremely hungry, what would I choose to do first -- eat or sleep?

I think I'd choose to sleep. I can function on not a lot of either, but I start to get more irritated and irritating when I'm tired. Tired Sara equals cranky Sara. I can stand to be hungry, though; it's not too difficult for me to go without food for long stretches . . .

What about you? Do you value sleep over food, too?


Thing I'm thankful for: Being in the position to even write this kind of post. I hope it's not insensitive; I don't mean for it to be offensive. I know there are plenty of people in this world who don't get enough food or sleep. I do honestly wonder, though, which one is more important. Are they equally necessary to life; is one more important than the other; or is it different for different people?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

New Things


Two years ago, I bought some gray New Balance 992s. (Yes, they're a men's size 10 1/2, 2E. Ahhh . . .) The shoe store near my apartment was having a sale, so I got one pair of 992s and the second pair at half price.

Well, I put the second pair away, and forgot about it until this week. It was Monday night, and I thought, "I need a pick-me-up." For whatever reason, I remembered my new 992s that were stowed away in a Rubbermaid container in my closet. So I pulled them out and put them on. Brand new tennis shoes! I love them! They made me feel better immediately. I mean, I just love clean tennis shoes. When I was younger, I loved to get new Keds for school every year. I think it's the bright white of the rubber edge around the sole that makes me happy . . .

Anyway, tonight while I was walking, I started to think about other new things that I like. Well, who doesn't like new things, in general? I'm talking about new things that are especially special, though. So here's my list of favorite new things:
  • Tennis shoes
  • Crayola crayons
  • Soap
  • Notebooks and notebook paper
  • Erasers
  • Shower curtains
What about you? What new things do you especially like?


Thing I'm thankful for: late-night walks.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Why I Love Nieces: Reason No. 5,632


Lily drew this picture for me on Sunday. It now occupies a special place on the bulletin board in my room.

What a well-adjusted little six-year-old, huh? And such artistic ability! I mean, look! She recognizes and knows how to draw movement! Amazing. I love her.

This is the same niece who, when she was not yet two, said one of the most poignant statements I'm sure I'll ever hear. She and I were baking a cake. She wanted to stir the batter, but of course her fine motor skills were not fully developed. Consequently, she made somewhat of a mess, which did not please my inner OCD. So I took over and said, "Why don't you just let me do this, okay?" After realizing that what mattered was not the mess, but the joy of doing something fun together and teaching a two-year-old about baking, I said, "I'm sorry, Lily. Of course you can help me stir! I don't know what I was thinking; I wasn't thinking!"

Her response? "As long as you start to think . . ."

With those seven little words spoken in a high-pitched toddler voice, I witnessed brilliance. Children make life incredible.


Thing I'm thankful for: being busy.