Most of the photos here at Rabbit Run Cottage
can be enlarged just by clicking on each one!
There you go...see? Easy!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

It's Good To Be Me?

...hmmm...yes. I still have to do my "Why It's Good To Be Me" tag. Sweet Sandi will expect it and I know I have missed doing others about which I feel so ashamed. So, that said, let me try this.... I KNOW I am lucky in so many ways. I KNOW I have wonderful things in my life. I did so want to do this list differently, and yes, knowing me, you would expect something rawther silly as well. The differently part escaped me but it is hard for me to turn off the silly meter for too long. Now, the picture alone is silly enough right? Why it is good to be me. Hmmm....okay. I am overweight, 51, be-speckled, have 2 flaky hands and 2 very bad knees due to injuries in my 40s. And these are good? Well, I can walk and, on a very good day, I can even dance. You should see me. Or not. I can chase my dog when I need to. Like today. These legs ache all too often and their beauty is definitely not insured for $1,000,000,000, or $1.98 even, but they work. Most of the time. My arms are on the old flabby side but they can give a hug, lug laundry downstairs, carry groceries into the house and flip a mattress. I am a champion mattress flipper baby. These hands are starting to show their age but they can still offer a mean foot rub, pet the cats, write a letter, make a sandwich, create a drawing or scrapbook page, plant Spring flowers and braid my daughter's hair, albeit, not well. Ask her. Oh will she tell you. The be-speckled eyes have never seen distances well and are now finding it harder to see up close but heck. They can still gaze upon my loved one's faces, revel in a beautiful sunset, delight in seeing Brian Dennehy in a few stage productions and read a spellbinding novel. Yep, I am overweight but, if I can put the best spin on it, it means I have never wanted for food and am able to delight in many delicious dining out experiences. Leave it to silly old me to try and make something good out of being tubby! It is good to be me because I have never fully left my childhood behind. Huh? You see, I may be 51 chronologically but, in my heart and spirit, I am 8. 6 on a bad day. I still believe in Santa Claus, fairies, angels, good triumphing over evil, Disney movies and tea parties. I still have that bit of childhood whimsy that loves teddy bears, blowing fluffy milkweed seeds into the wind, naming every living creature that I see (Just query old Clancy the Spider who currently resides just below one of our garage lanterns) and thinks that cartoons are sometimes the best thing on television. I doubt that any childhood is ever *perfect* but I sure had a great one. I had parents that loved me, kept me safe and gave me everything they could. I took a few vacations every year, some that included Disneyland and Disney World, New York City & many of our country's large cities and every National Park in the USA. I spent Summers on the family farm in Tennessee playing with my cousins and knew every single family in our Ohio neighborhood. I rode my bicycle till dark, caught lightening bugs and fed every mosquito within a 40 mile radius. I had very doting Grandparents, pets, a sweet bedroom filled with things I loved and joy filled holidays to remember. I went to the same school from Kindergarten through 8th grade and am still close to many of the kids with whom I shared those years. In fact, several of them are my life long bosom buddies, the ones I know would offer up a kidney if I needed it. I was 10 when my brother was born and I was tickled to death by his arrival. He sometimes drove me crazy, still does, but I adore him. Heck, I drive him crazy too, right Jim? We have have yelled and fumed and fussed. But I would do ANYTHING for him and I know he is there for me. I am not at all delusional. Well, about this subject at least. We will not talk about those OTHER subjects about which I *AM* delusional...ahem. The *picture perfect childhood* it was not. President Kennedy was shot and killed, as was Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. My Dad was injured in the line of duty as a fire fighter. Both of my Grandfathers passed away during my later childhood years. I suffered from the same childish angst that most kids do. My parents were not perfect. They argued and lost their patience with us occasionally. Not that I did not deserve that don'tcha know. But the bottom line is this: they loved each other and loved their children. I had everything I needed and most of what I wanted. In other words, I was a happy kid. A Captain Kangaroo watching, Bobby Sherman loving, Barbie Dream House playing, Pixy Sticks and wax lips eating, white cotton KEDs wearing, Mickey Mouse Club watching happy kid. I never intended to marry at 21. I planned to graduate from college, spend the Summer in England and then find a job in New York City. Well, what is it they say about God and life and plans? I also never thought I would fall so deeply in love with a long haired Anthropology major in torn blue jeans. But fall I did. It is good to be me because, after almost 30 years together, I still keep falling. I never did work in NYC or spend a whole Summer in England but I have been to both places and it was better because I was with HIM. I have lived all over the US, loved the military, hated the military & moved 10 more times after it quit being exciting. I have cried myself to sleep after he deployed for months on end, after a major argument and with joy when he returned from the Gulf War. There were days I thought I hated him, days I loved him so much I ached. Our life together has been filled with the wonderful, the horrible and the crazy. In other words, it has been quite normal! Over all, it has been a sweet life, a happy marriage and a true friendship. I would not trade any of the good, or the bad, or even the crazy for 100 Summers in England or that perfect job in New York City... It is good to be me because I have two wonderful children. Nope, we did not have biological kids but I would not love my *family through adoption* any more if they had been. I can not swap tales of labor and delivery and the precious new born baby snuggled in my arms but I do have sweet stories about how our children came into our lives. I have no doubt that these 2 human beings were supposed to be MY children. And they ARE my children in every sense of the word.
They can be silly, obstinate, loud, messy, self absorbed, giving, cute, fun, annoying and doting. In short, they are just like any child born into a family. They just arrived via airplane rather than on the back of a stork....and I have!
It is also good to be me because I have been blessed time and time again by my treasured blogging friends. Just today I received a precious award from Penny, one of the loveliest ladies in the world, which humbled me. All of you mean so very much to me and you have given me far more joy and love than I deserve. With you I have laughed and cried, from you I have found inspiration and enlightenment. God Bless You All.
And it is good to be YOU because this list has finally come to an end! Yippee! Love and Hugs, Susie Q

37 comments:

Hope said...

Wow! What a post, Sue! You have such a great outlook on life.

I'm trying to catch up with everybody's blogs and wanted to stop by and say hello. Also I want to thank you for your prayers for DH and for your sweet comment on my home. It's not fancy but it is home and I love this old place.
DH was released today by the doctor to go back to work so all the prayers really did help. We have been comforted knowing that so many people care.

I so want you to have one of Brian's shirts, or better still, that he would bring you one in person!! :)

Hugs,
Hope

Anonymous said...

It is good to be you :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hey Susie Q! It is wonderful to be you! And wonderful to be me, because I have the chance to have you in my life!
Hugs,
Penny

Janet said...

Sue,
That was a superlative post and well worth the wait. You are so in touch with your life; the good, the not as good, the unpredictable, the whatever. You have made me think about what is good in my life and for that I thank you and most of all I thank you for being my friend.

PS. I still have the daisies and 4 mums, can you believe it?

Justabeachkat said...

You do have a way with words sweet Susie Q! It is truly good to be you! You mean so much to so many of us. Thanks for being YOU!

Hugs!
Kat

Gretchen said...

It is good to be me--cause I'm getting to know you. :)

Lovely post by a lovely woman.
xxxooogretchen

Jolene George said...

You are one amazing lady. You are so positive and very inspiring. I sure love you to pieces! You better blog forever. We need YOU! You know...our little Susie Q fix.
Our cub scout pack meeting is on Chinese New year this month. You sure have some great pictures. Our gathering will not be anything as wonderful as that.

Wendster said...

Dear Sue,
I loved this post. I wanted to read ALL of your posts ... and I don't wish to complain ... no no no ... only to explain ... to inform ... that my computer has a HUGE problem with Project Playlist. Any blog that has Project Playlist on it freezes my computer. So ... what happens is I open your page ... it freezes ... I read to the bottom of the viewing window, shut down, re open, go to your blog SCROLL DOWN LIKE LIGHTNING before the page freezes again ... read to the bottom of the viewing window and repeat ... ad infinatum. I mean ... if you don't LOVE your project playlist being on your blog ... and if you FELT it was something you had been going to do anyway ... I mean ... feel FREE to remove it from your blog page because you just felt like you wanted to ... but don't do it for me ... because that would be rude of me to ask ... but OH HOW I MISS READING YOUR BLOG FROM TOP TO BOTTOM! You are probably my favorite blogger on the whole internet for writing styles ... followed closely behind by Pamela and Kari ...
OK.... I am rambling.
I just wanted you to know that NOTHING BUT NOTHING would keep me away from your blog other than technical difficulties ... which project playlist offers in abundance. For some reason my computer just can't load it, although it USED to before the crash of '07. Lol.

Sigh.

I miss you.

Thanks for coming to my blog and commenting.

Oh ... and I am dying to know if you got Brian Dennehy's shirt? And have you seen Tommy Boy? Brian Dennehy is IN that movie as Chris Farley's dad ... he marries Bo Derek. And I watched it on Sunday and thought of YOU. I'm all ... there's Sue's boyfriend! And the Chinese New Year party for all of the adopted kids and their REAL parents: YOU looked way fun and so nicely done. See? I soldiered on reading and reading through shut down after shut down after shut down. I am HANKERING for a Susie Q fix.
Hey ... I think we played with the same toys and ate the same stuff as kids ... but did you eat lemon heads? They were my FAV ... that and the tootsie rolls and the pixie sticks. Oh ... and the dots on paper from Disneyland. Man I loved those things.
OK. I know I'm using all of the comment space, but I was just .... missing you. I hope your week is great!
Love love love!

Wendy

Wendster said...

p.s. I LOVE YOUR BANNER!

Kathleen Grace said...

Well Sue, It sounds like you have a wonderful life. I can relate to many of the things you talk about and the key to life and happiness is to find a reason to be happy for whatever life throws at you. Every life has it's heartaches and trials, but the joy is what I want to remember! Thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with all of us. It IS good to be you:>)

angelsamoungus said...

Well, my dear friend, I love this post. You and I have been friends for umm- over 35 years. Dang were are old!! Nah- like you said we are 51 and we do not feel that way at all. Gracie and Tyler and Kayla will keep us young. But then I will always be Young-I know I know that is a tiring quote-since my last name is Young.

We have talked many times of how lucky we are to have the loves in our lives. You are the best mom to the 2 best kids I know.

Heh- were those angels posted for me? Tee Hee

Take care,
LOve,
Terri

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, you have such a wonderful attitude! I love when people due the meme because it really causes you to think and be thankful for what you do have. I like to dwell in the positive I guess :-) You're a sweet amazing woman!

Manuela

Mockingbird Hill said...

Amazing words direct from your heart...and how lucky we are to be able to be a part of it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Cassie

Sandi McBride said...

Now that was a ground moving experience, Sue...so wonderful to hear about why it's good to be you. About the military, ain't it the truth! About life being good...ain't it the truth! We are blessed beyond words, even when the going gets rough, aren't we?
Loved this post...
hugs
Sandi

Rosemary said...

Hi Susie,
I'm so glad you like your pretties from Jennifer's site. Thank you so much.
Your post cracked me up. I am a big kid too. We could start a club.
I still love Bobby Sherman, even though he is 60. Isn' that weird?
Thanks for the entertainment.
I love it!
Rosemary

Greenie Gardens said...

Somehow I think I fouled up my comment. I just wanted to say that it sounds like you've had a wonderful life with a special family. Lives are never absolutely perfect but yours is pretty darn close!

Heather said...

Sounds like it is good to be you too!
Heather

Cheryl Wray said...

This is such a BEAUTIFUL post!!! You have such a wonderful spirit and zest for life! I think we should all learn a little something from you!!

And I also love this tag.I may have to try it too....cause it's good to be me too!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

PAT said...

Fabulous post, Sue. I enjoyed every bit of it!

Pat

Sugar Bear said...

This is a wonderful post. You always have such a wonderful way with words.
Karla

smilnsigh said...

Very sweet entry, Hon...

Mari-Nanci

Gill said...

Disney movies? Me too.
I have flaky hands too. Dry winter hands.
But we need to count our blessings like you have. I love your attitude.
xo
Gillian

Andi said...

Oh Sue...I'd say it's "way good" to be you!!! But it's even better to be your blog buddy!!! Love and hugs to you my friend, Andi

Alice said...

Yep, it sure is good to be you! And it is good to be your friend.

I'm still giggling about Bobby Sherman because I haven't thought of him in about, oh, 40 years. My bedroom walls were plastered with his pictures. Hey, and what about the Monkees--didn't you like them? :)

Anonymous said...

That is so beautifully written.I do think you just about have a perfect life. A loving husband and family. Who really can ask for more. I always enjoy reading your blog and this is my first time to comment. What you said just really touched my heart. You are a very special person, Susie! All the best to you and your family.
Chris

Anonymous said...

Susie Q, I have raed so many of these BUT there have never been and will never be one like yours. This post was awsome and it is good to be you. It is also good to find a friend like you!
Hugs,Brenda

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

What I wanted to do after reading this was jump up, applaud, whistle(well not really as I've never mastered it), yell BRAVO and maybe flick a lighter and sway back and forth. THEN I wanted to jump on the blue Schwin I used to have and go bike riding with you.
You crack me up!
It's good to be me because I've been connected to YOU through this crazy and wonderful medium called blogs!
XOXOXO
Love and hugs,
Lisa

Cottage Contessa said...

Fabulous post sweetie, I loved reading every word. You're a great story teller!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Terri said...

Oh Susie!
I like you very much! LOL You are so wonderful! No wonder it's good to be you!!!
God bless....

Esther Sunday said...

Susie - this was fabulous! Wonderfully written, I really enjoyed this. What a great gal you are! Love, Esther

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Hello Dear Sue!
Of course it's good to be you! Just look at your family who loves you, a crooked braiding, bespeckled loving woman who loves them like nobody else ever could! That's the beauty isn't it? We are so unique. Ugh, if we were all alike.
Have a Great Weekend!
Donna

Brown English Muffin said...

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers.

Kissing of the Frogs said...

oooo THANK YOU for your sweet comments on my blog, I truly appreciate them. And my goodness of course you can add me to your blog...as I will you if it's alright. Thanks again.
Hugs,
Rose

Strawberry Lane said...

What an interesting ... YOU!

Loved your line: I have never fully left my childhood behind.

That is why you keep your joy of life that jumps off the pages of your blog!

misskp said...

Beautiful post, beautiful blog, beautiful woman....thanks for sharing all of it with us! It sounds GREAT to be you!

Mom2fur said...

I love this. I'm a child at heart, too, Susie! My back problem kept me up half the night last night, and I hate looking too closely in the mirror. I get down about my debt and health problems, but tell me a silly joke and I'll crack up out loud. I love dolls and stuffed animals. I'll watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "Spongebob Squarepants" even if there isn't a kid in sight!
Immature...not at all. Child-like...you bet!
Good to be me? If the only thing I could point to was 36 great years with the same guy and four amazingly wonderful children, then hell yes, it's good to be me!

Rowan Willow said...

YOU are an angel among us...thank you for making me smile!