Surprises are everywhere. Some of them are "jack-in-the-box" make you jump in fear surprises, some are sigh inducing, some of them take your breath away and some just make you marvel at life in general.
When I was 15 I had a surprise that to this day makes me smile. My family and I spent most days of summer at Lake Nanuet, a man made lake and club. I swam there, played there, caught tadpoles there, strung love beads there and grew up around the water. The lifeguards were nice and as a pre-teen the object of puppy love. As I got older and could converse somewhat more maturely with them I became friends with them. One young man and I talked everyday. I thought he liked a girl we both knew which was fine with me since I saw him as only a friend. Lo and behold one day we were talking about the weekend and he asked me out!! I was floored! A surprise I will never forget!
The surprise in the salt box must have been one that made my cousin wonder. Blythe was given a salt box that was in her mom's kitchen, an old one from somewhere with a story we don't know. Inside the box was a rosary! Now, really, why keep salt in a salt box if you can keep rosary beads in there? But, if you think about it, "salt is life" and faith helps us deal with life.
I surprised some people this week myself. On Wednesday night I spoke to a few hundred people at a community meeting concerning the cuts being made in our school budget that are requiring personnel cuts. One of the jobs potentially on the chopping block is mine. My speech was short and it had a prop. When you find out your time and position are considered as having "the least impact on students" you pull out all the stops. My folder was filled with cards and letters from students going back over a decade and a half. My son, using his marketing skills, switched out my plain manila folder for one of bright yellow! That way it would surely be noticed. My last surprise was how heavy it was. This marketing genius had snuck in a pile of plain paper to make it look bigger! It worked. I got applause and recognition from the newspaper and the TV station(my picture was not in the paper but I had a snippet on the local 11:00 news).
What are the surprises to come?? Well, if I knew that they wouldn't be surprises. I do know that I have everything I need right now: support from friends, family that I can lean on, faith that I will weather this storm, and salt.
did you go out with the boy?
ReplyDeleteyes I did...for a little while, my first real boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteWhich one was it? I dated a lifeguard or 2 from there too. Life was simple and happy then. I remember hanging out in the lifeguard shack and getting raspberry ripple ice cream from the snack bar.Do you remember how intensely cold the water was on the shallow end and the freezing cold water coming out of that water pipe?
ReplyDeleteAs for your speech although I only saw a snippet that is not what caught me. It was that something deep inside brought such emotion from you that you my very selfless sister, stood up for yourself and made your world notice that you have value and importance to so many. I was so proud and impressed by the courage I am sure it took you at that time.
As far as the salt goes, we all need a little spice in our lives and I am sure that salt box has a story to tell and the rosary beads too.
His name was Ched...cute kid from Nyack.
ReplyDeleteI dont have trouble speaking in front of crowds, do it on a regular basis. This time I was passionate cause if I dont speak up I will kick myself forever.
I am rooting for "Team Twomley". All of this hurts like hell.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Diane. As you can imagine - you are in my thoughts on this road through hell. Would that I had had the opportunity to cart a yellow folder to a meeting -any meeting. I am hoping some parents at least wave my blog post under the noses of those who made their decision without a thought for the kids. I am here for you....anytime you want to get together, just let me know. I will have lots of time on my hands soon! :/
ReplyDeleteLove the lifeguard story. I'm a sucker for romance :)