Kevin's Watch

Seareach wrote:Back from my excursion to where I grew up as a child. The old cottage we lived in is still there...the chookshed (which was run down when we were kids) still stands. Many, many memories. It was wonderful...oh I miss the hills and the beautiful stands of eucalypt forests. Son of Seareach had a ball running around like a mad thing.

But I've come back to receive an email from a dear friend whose life isn't as it should be right now, and I've been so profoundly affected by this news I feel numb. I know life isn't always as we want it to be, but I always wish it were sunshine and roses for those who I love. <sigh>

one man who affected me the most profoundly in my life, and he was simply a customer who came in periodically for some lunch or coffee who sat at the counter section in the restaurant where I was a cook, once told me, in the form of a card, maybe a Hallmark, that simply said:

After the rain goes; Rainbows!

His name was Clay, and I miss him dearly to this day. Our relationship consisted mainly of the normal idle chatter, and beyond some casual conversations and exchanges of quick witticisms it was no different than any other situation you might find in any restaurant between any cook and any regular elderly customer, but you see, I had never mentioned what had been troubling me so, and he had never asked, nor was I aware that my inner despair could possibly be obvious to anyone but the one I loved who had caused it to be so, but he knew. Without a word he gave me that card, without a word he put his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye, smiled that way you smile when you feel bad for a friend, and without a word he turned and shuffled out the door cane in hand. No words were spoken between us, and I never saw him again. I learned he died a short time after that. He was the finest man I never really knew, and no-one on earth or heaven has a place in my life or my heart that he has claimed as his, and his alone.

I miss you Clay, and thank you.

I'm just hoping his gesture to me can in some way make it thru to you, Seareach.

That is beautiful, Esmer. And Sea, though your friend's life is not all that it should be right now, your friend is most certainly blessed to have YOU around. I'm sure that your friendship is a welcome comfort and support in this difficult time.

Seareach wrote:...
But I've come back to receive an email from a dear friend whose life isn't as it should be right now, and I've been so profoundly affected by this news I feel numb. I know life isn't always as we want it to be, but I always wish it were sunshine and roses for those who I love. <sigh>

I'm so sorry ... sending thoughts and vibes of caring and support.

It sound like SoS had a grand time on your trip, Sea. I learned something today. I had no idea what a chook shed was, had to google it. Your friend, you can only assist in what ever way you can.

Great story, Esmer! The power of a kind gesture!

Today is a busy day for me. Dear friends of mine are getting married today. I've got about 10 errands to do in the next 5 hours, from picking up the dry cleaning to washing the car so that it no longer looks like a rolling salt lick. But it will be fun tonight.

Weddings are sooo much fun. . . and you'll think I'm a nutcase, but my favorite cake is wedding cake. Nothing compares to good wedding cake! Must be psychological. Heh.

As for me, I feel a little relieved, and a little anxious. I found out that my friend will be renting the house afterall. That means that I will be moving in before March 1st--probably the last week of February. I've got to get packing as soon as I can, but first I want to get rid of a lot of *things* that I feel are holding me down. Quick--call the Clean Sweep show! Actually, I just need a friend to come and help me--mostly to say, "do you really need 6 denim skirts?" and similar things like that.

In further news, I found a job possibility. It's a case manager job with a private agency that does foster care placement (Boys and Girls Town, if you've ever heard of it). They are looking for a case manager for their emergency shelter (houses kids birth-17). The job description sounds exactly like what I am doing now, so even though I don't have exactly the degree they prefer (i.e. BSW, or psychology, etc), I think I can get their attention based upon my work experience. Also, my best friend and new roommate-to-be is the new Admissions Coordinator for them. I am hoping that between my qualifications, experience, and connections I will get the job. Especially since it's the most promising thing I've seen so far. Only thing is, I have until the end of the week to submit my resume and cover letter. I haven't SEEN my resume in 2 years, much less updated it! I know, bad Lyr. . . Anyway, the resume will be my project this week until I get it done to my satisfaction.

And that's the news for me!

Normally, I'm a lizard & don't feel the heat much. We have had 3 days straight of temperatures over 40 degrees C, and last night a cracker of a thunderstorm which has left me sleep deprived today. Hell, I can't resist a good storm-watching session!

But i do wish I had aircon now... It's tempting to stay at work longer to stay cool!

I hope you enjoyed the storm, Elfgirl.

Not as much as I could have, Mr Darcy...

Elfgirl wrote:Not as much as I could have, Mr Darcy...

Is that a glass of wine in your hand or are you just happy to see me?

Elfgirl wrote:Is that a glass of wine in your hand or are you just happy to see me?

Both.

After a few "bumpy" days I'm feeling a bit better...which is always good.

And Damelon, I now remember a conversation with other watchers at some stage who didn't know what a "chook" was. A chook, ya all, is a chicken. Chook shed = chicken coup/barnesque thingo...something like that. Now all I need is a chook emoticon and I'd feel like this post was complete!

chooks...heh!

I AM FEELING FANTASTIC!!!

I auditioned last week to be in the small chorus for our first big concert this year....AND I'VE BEEN CHOSEN!!!

pity they ain't paying us, but meh. I get the exposure at least, AND we will perform this work in Melbourne as well! hence the Aussie Elohimfest preps!

I just had a very amusing and fun interaction with a five year old. My customer Donna came in to pick up her car and she had her son Matthew with her. They came in the office and Donna says to him, "Say hi to Jennifer." He comes around the counter right up to me, puts his hand out to shake and while shaking my hand he says, "Hello, my name is Matthew. It's nice to meet you." I replied with, "Hi Matthew, my name is Jennifer, nice to meet you too." Then he looks around at Moose's lounge area and says, "Where is your dog?" and I say, "He stayed home today with my roommate but I have pictures, would you like to see some?" and he says, "Yes Please." so I show him some pics and he says, "What is his name?" so I say "Moose." Donna laughs and says, "Does he look like a Moose?" and Matthew giggles and says, "No, he's little." The car wasn't quite ready so they took off to the shopping plaza to kill a little time. When they came back, Matthew walks into the office and comes up to me and says, "I have strawberry Jamba Juice would you like to taste it?" I tell him, "Thanks for your kind offer but I don't want to spoil my dinner." He says, "Ok." Donna was doing her best not to laugh at this point. Then he turns to her and says, "Mommy, should I go thank the mechanic?" and she smiles and says, "That's very thoughtful Matthew but I don't think we should disturb them, you can thank Jennifer though." He turns to me and very seriously says, "Thank you for fixing our car Jennifer." I say, "You are very welcome, Matthew." Then we exchanged goodbyes and thus concluded my meeting with the world's most polite and well spoken five year old I have ever encountered.

Aww. . . sounds adorable! What a nice change from behavior I commonly see in public. Kudos to the parents!

Awwww, what an adorable little kid, Jenn!

Speaking of kids, my gorgeous 4 year old nephew almost made me cry I was so proud of him the other day...we were playing scrabble & he's just learning to sound out words. My sis & I made short words for him to read & he DID!! When he figured out the word "ring" we were gobsmacked...

he hasn't started kindy yet, but I'm thinking they'd better be on their toes!
If ya wanna see a pic of him, check out "People we Love" thread...

Elfgirl wrote:chooks...heh!

I AM FEELING FANTASTIC!!!

I auditioned last week to be in the small chorus for our first big concert this year....AND I'VE BEEN CHOSEN!!!

pity they ain't paying us, but meh. I get the exposure at least, AND we will perform this work in Melbourne as well! hence the Aussie Elohimfest preps!

Well done!

Thanks Lore!

Elfgirl wrote:chooks...heh!

I AM FEELING FANTASTIC!!!

I auditioned last week to be in the small chorus for our first big concert this year....AND I'VE BEEN CHOSEN!!!

pity they ain't paying us, but meh. I get the exposure at least, AND we will perform this work in Melbourne as well! hence the Aussie Elohimfest preps!

Great job, Elfie! Take some time to reflect back on your work, and be proud!

CammJenn... I have got to telly you, Matthew sounds just like my kids a 5-6. We always impressed upon them the need to be polite, inquisitive (but not too much so) amd to be respectful. You never get a second chance to make a grat impression right up front! I love stories like that!

I owe my kids' behavior to the fact that my Kimmy stayed home with the kids. It was hard not to pull another income, but man does it help with the development of social and school skills!