I keep thinking about the killings at Virginia Tech – about the Holocaust survivor who unselfishly gave his life to protect his students – about the young lady who text messaged her mother and brother while hiding under a desk (she survived), and especially about the parents of the young man who did the shootings. My heart goes out to them because I imagine that like most parents we want to think our child isn’t capable of anything so heinous – nor that our child could suffer from serious mental problems (or whatever is was – you can’t be totally sane and kill 32 people in cold blood) and still appear to be somewhat “normal” – although anymore I’m not sure what normal looks like.
I consider it more a stroke of luck than any indication of my parenting skills that my two daughters turned out so well (yes, I’m a very proud mom – and for good reason, thank you!). They did learn personal responsibility from a young age as well as independence but I think a large part of their success comes from attending a small private school, being in classes with kids of similar backgrounds as far as values go, and most of all being accepted by their peers during those tough teen years. I’m blessed and I know it. But I still keep Cho’s parents in my prayers for what they are going through.
It’s Thursday night and now that Mulligan and I have cruised the neighborhood and he has watered every available lamp post and mailbox, it’s time to pick up things around the house so the cleaning lady can do her thing tomorrow. She doesn’t know it but I don’t go around and inspect with white gloves after she’s been here – but I sure do notice that she takes the paper next to the toilet and folds it into a point just like they do in hotels! Obviously I’m easily amused but that one little gesture defines Friday after work for me.
My thanks to friend Vickie who sent me an email today telling me she reads my drivel – what a neat friend she is and I appreciate her letting me know she keeps coming back for more of my ordinary life experiences. She and I need to do lunch again soon after I get through my big project at work – wait, we are having lunch together on Monday – along with about 15 of our friends!!! Maybe we need Happy Hour – how about it Vickie?
