Recognizing Ricardo

I was doing some Christmas shopping in Birmingham recently.  I stopped by a store and sitting in the doorway was a sign that read: "One life on this earth is all that we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be that at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can." The quote was one of author Frederick Buechner, who I had never heard of until I saw this sign. I snapped a photo of it, so that I could remember the quote and the author.  I later googled Buechner and ultimately ordered a book he wrote called "The Remarkable Ordinary".  I'm not one to read a lot - maybe 2 or 3 books a year.  I was excited when this one arrived, so I jumped right in.  One of the first chapters mentions kairos time.  Meaning time in a qualitative sense, as opposed to chronos, quantitative time. Buechner, who is a Presbyterian minister who uses writing as his ministry outreach, r...

I'm starting to go through a lot of "firsts" as a single mom.  Some things have been easier to handle than others, and some have given me the little boost that I need in order to keep going. I remember on moving weekend that I had to set up an account with our local internet provider.  Can I just tell you how much I hate doing things like that.  Who has time for it, anyway?  But who can survive without internet?  So, I visited the local provider, set up an account and walked away with a router? or modem?  or something like that - I still don't know the technical term.  Apparently the people at this business were expecting ME, yes me, to install it.  I took the thing home and let it sit on the kitchen island for a few days.  Finally, I got up enough courage to try it.  And you know what - I DID IT!!! Woo hoo!  It's a bit embarrassing that I was so excited over something as little as successfully installing that little black box and...

In addition to the massive emotional strain of my divorce, I had to wrap my head around my finances and moving forward on a single income.  Of course, there were changes to be made.  Thankfully, I will not be selling our home. I am currently trying to sell the Expedition that I purchased so that we could pull the camper.  (Shameless plug here - if you know of anyone in the market for a nice, used Ford Expedition, PLEASE send them my way!!) I made the stupid, stupid decision to sign the loan on the camper in my name, but thankfully I am no longer responsible for the monthly payments.  Wade had helped me do some research on a new car.  So after a few weeks of shopping, I settled on a Honda Accord.  Let me tell you - talk about fuel efficient!  I'm saving a ton of money in gas!  I called Wade a few days after I got the Honda and I was so proud to let him know that I had made the purchase.  In true "Wade fashion", when I tol...

As I mentioned in a previous post, there were a handful of people who knew the struggles that Larkin and I had been through.  But, there were still so many who had no idea. Backing up a bit from the last post - between the "Fidget Spinner Incident" and the day of the signatures, I tried to open up to those who didn't know.  I called Wade.  He initially knew of our troubles, but I had kept my distance from him for the last few months, because I was holding out hope that things would improve.  He would check on me through a text or a quick phone call every now and then, which I appreciated so much.  But I cringed every time I responded that things were okay when they weren't.  I called him one day and told him about my decision.  He was so supportive and still is. I wanted to tell my aunts and cousins next, so I tried to find a time where we would all be together and could talk.  Finally, after realizing that the opportunity wasn't just going to...

I went back to the house later that afternoon after I had been at Mom & Bruce's for an hour or so.  I walked in and without hesitation, I looked at Larkin and said "I'm getting a lawyer".  He asked for me to watch the boys while he went out for awhile.  When he returned, I remember folding laundry in the den and he approached me and asked if there was anything, anything at all that could be done to give our marriage another shot.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  He was so apologetic for his actions and begged for another chance.  I said no. I left the house again to go pick up Miller from his Sunday night church activities.  On the way there, I called Courtney.  I had text her during the football game the day before and mentioned that I thought Larkin was with Reagan.  We had sent a few texts back and forth that Sunday. When we talked, I told her my intentions and she fully understood.  We cried together and tried to...