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Thanks For Unexpected Visits

Monday, February 9th, 2009 by Alyice

On Saturday evening, around 9 p.m., I received a call from one of my closest friend’s—now adult—son. I still cannot believe we’re old enough to have “adult” sons! Honestly, it’s not normal for him to call me. I usually talk to him when he’s visiting his mom and we happen to be on the phone or when I visit his mom. And on occasions, he’s tagged along for a visit down here.

So my first reaction was, “I hope my friend is okay!” My second reaction was, “Maybe he’s calling about a surprise for his mom’s up-and-coming wedding.” And my final reaction was more of hopeful wishing, “Maybe they’re on their way into town and are going to surprise me.” Of course, I calmed myself down enough to answer the phone coherently and intelligently.

He said, “Alyice, do you know who this is?”
I replied, “Of course, it’s D.M.”
He said, “Okay, just checking. Will you be up later tonight?”
I said, “Yes, until around 11 p.m.”
He said, “Well, can you stay up until around 1 a.m. I wanted to surprise you but it’s getting late and I want to make sure I don’t freak you out. I’m returning home from a visit with my uncle and thought I could stay with you for a day or so.”

Talk about unexpected surprises and wishful thinking coming true. Could he stay? Of course he could stay! I was ecstatic.

I had spent the entire day feeling really bummed out—missing friends and family who now all reside in different states. I quickly jumped up, brushed my hair, and cleaned the house. Then I woke up my husband—who had just fallen asleep, having gotten up at three in the morning for work—and said, “Guess who is coming to town? You’ve got to get up.”

His reply, “Wake me when he gets here.”

Then I told the kids. My son’s reply, “Guess I better take a shower. However, my room is off limits. I am not cleaning it this late at night.”

When D.M. got here, I was so excited to see him that I hugged him tightly. When we lived in Wisconsin, his family and mine were pretty close—like family. And I’ve often told them how much I miss them and all the things we used to do together—family barbecues, rides on bike trails, board game nights, movie nights, and hanging out at the local lake. It’s probably one of my biggest regrets in life—moving away from them and that area. But when your husband needs a job and moving is the only option, you do what you’ve got to do.

We stayed up until four in the morning, talking and watching videos—as he tried to unwind from a twelve hour drive. The next day, my husband and I made a huge breakfast, then we left him to hang out with my son while we ran a “can’t wait errand”. When we returned, my husband and I made a feast of a dinner while the kids played Wii. Then we sat down together and played a board game while we caught up with life.

This morning, he returned home. I’ll miss him. But with an open-invitation to visit again, I know he’ll be back.

I know that there are some people in life who cannot handle unexpected visitors. They like their lives neat and orderly. They need plenty of time to prepare for visitors—to change schedules, to clean house, to make room. I also know people who cannot handle others staying in their homes and request all visitors to stay in a nearby hotel/motel. I, on the other hand, cherish the idea of hosting infrequent visitors. I like to play hostess—as long as it’s not on a daily basis.

I got my hospitality from my mom. She was always good at being a proper hostess. Anyone was invited in her home—any time, day or night. She thrived on people stopping by on their way through town. She’d roll out the sleeping bags and make up the sofa sleeper. The next morning, there was always a big breakfast waiting to welcome the guests into a new day. Then she’d hang out—chatting about life and catching up. As for the rest of the meals, there were three choices: eating out, fending for yourself, or helping in the kitchen. I definitely miss that about her—she passed away two years ago—but am so honored to have the privilege of carrying on a tradition that she was very proud of.

Give thanks…

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Thanks For New Opportunities

Monday, February 2nd, 2009 by Alyice

It’s been hard to think of the positives when we’re finding our lives affected so strongly by the recession—lost contracts, lost hours, lost insurance benefits, loss of income, higher cost of living. After having gone through a stock market crash, 2 lay-offs and 3 job relocations over the past 9 years, we’ve depleted our savings. Coming to South Dakota, we had hoped things would get better. And for awhile, they did.

This past year, however, has proven to be difficult and the past month really difficult. But therein lies the irony. Though we’ve had to make some cut-backs in our budget and get more creative with bringing in an income, we’ve also learned to do with less, to finally let go of the “some day” things, to seek the companionship of each other versus electronic devices, to find time for the no-cost/low-cost hobbies we’ve been putting off, and to learn to say no to things we never really wanted in the first place (the distractions) and yes to the things that we really want—the things that bring us contentment and joy and peace-of-mind.

Give thanks…

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Thanks For My Home

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 by Alyice

You know that feeling you get when you return home from vacation—the one that tells you it feels good to be home? I love that feeling. I love returning from a vacation, plopping my bags on the floor, and heading straight to my bedroom where I drop down into the bed, take a deep breath, close my eyes, and say, “Ah! Home, Sweet, Home”.

Vacations are always wonderful. There’s nothing more exciting than exploring the world around you, but home—home is a magical place filled with love and friendships and memories. Home is the place where dreams are built. Home is the place where families are made. Home is the place where one can take off her shoes and be herself. Home is a complete and absolute refuge.

May this card remind you to celebrate the home in which you live—regardless of its joys or hardships—and the people with whom you reside.

Give thanks…

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I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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