Heaven

Heaven

1. Having the CHRISTMAS CARDS ordered and paid for by 10am, on the First Day of School. They will appear in your grubby little paws by September 5. The Christmas circular can be written by Yom Kippur.

2. Knowing that your high-school-aged-daughter is a FULL-ON-HIGH-SCHOOL-PERSON... Understanding that she is going to like adults (teachers) that you dislike, that you're going to have to hear about how spectacular that said adult is AND all the adorable things the adult said--squinch nose-- AND how the adult is going to impact her life for the betterment of society.

The Heaven part is--you are able to channel your inner mother and keep your lips closed and smile, while squinching your eyes and nodding.

3. Is a college student in Lubbock, Texas, that LOVED on your tiniest Podling, during the summer at Kamp Kanakuk, continues to be invested in her as the school year begins. Thank you, Lord.

4. That you have been able to STEP OVER YOUR enormous brightly neon yellow, still packed duffel bag from the beach, on the floor, in your bedroom and not twitch or unpack it because there are other more pressing things to do.

5. Heaven is you read a book in August--and discovered 2 words: VODKA GIMLET. You went to Kroger and Harris Teeter to purchase all the equipment necessary to procure said beverage and it is the tastiest, cold refreshment that you can think of to add to your 5pm arsenal of downer stimulants.

6. That God is a gracious God. That he has been steadfastly walking beside you. That you are able to articulate (in private of course) that you are scared of Him. That you are hopeful that he will continue to do a mighty work in your heart and acknowledge that it will be good.

7. That your Youngest Podling is in the first ALL-GIRL class at Trinity School. That Estrogen City was formed and that when you review the class roster...it is really a dandy bunch of tinies. If ever there was a WOMAN capable of handling the millions of words that those 17 little girls are going to come up with, each and every day, it is Mrs. Tyndall.

8. You are being brought to a better place regarding the Middle Podling. You are able to endure pain and suffering with a parent's eye--not that of a fellow injured adolescent eye. You are willing to pat said pod on the shoulder during a good sob AND not want to bleed for him. You are optimistic about what God is going to accomplish with that one AND you concede that perhaps HE knows better.

9. That Strip Steak, Baked Potatoes, and Big Green Salads exist and can be the "comfort meal" of your heart. Add Red Merlot and Angels with harps will be playing during the meal.

10a. God has provided precious, loving friends--Women that reach your soul, love your heart--the black parts--pray for you--in the midst of your continuing to grow-up at 42 years of age.

10b. This is the begrudgingly written one-- Heaven is you married the most perfect person God could have created for you. AND even though you haven't appreciated or LIKED him this week--You've just come off of 4 splendid weeks and YOU so appreciate that you are not swimming alone around your island of life without said spouse.

Heaven