Patience is a Virtue

I went to a wedding this weekend that was so much fun. It was outside and the weather was gorgeous. The reception followed with a crawfish boil and a great DJ. My little brother was the best man. I knew most of the people there. We met the groom when I was maybe five and he and my brother were three, at day care. We've known the bride since at least junior high, if not longer.

What made this wedding extraordinary though is that the bride and groom had been dating since high school, a total of thirteen years! Thirteen freaking years, People! She waited patiently until he was ready. She was ready years ago, but he wasn't, so she kept waiting. (and waiting and waiting)

I will never know how she was so strong and had so much faith for that long, but Saturday was a true testament to the power of a woman's love. I was so proud for them and there were so many beautiful moments that we got to share with them. Her patience and strength gave me new hope. What an inspiration! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Stewart! I wish you many years of happiness.

I'm Just a Small Girl in a Big World

“I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am pretty, but not beautiful. I have friends, but I am not the peacemaker. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.” -Marilyn Monroe

I have a strange habit of searching for random quotations that mean something to me and saving them. I ran across this one the other night and I thought, "This fits me almost perfectly!". The only difference is I do try to be the peacemaker in my relationships. It spoke to me though. It was as if she knew exactly how I felt! I am most of those things and all I want is LOVE.

 

I was still thinking about this quote the next day on my drive to work and it dawned on me. Marilyn Monroe didn't think she was beautiful?!? How sad it would be to have people all over the world lusting after you and still not think you are beautiful! Did she ever feel beautiful or loved? 

 

I enjoy her movies, but I wouldn't say I am any kind of Marilyn Monroe scholar. I don't know about her childhood. But thinking about how empty she felt makes me think she didn't get the love she needed as a child if people all over the world talked of her beauty and she couldn't see it. 

 

I am blessed to have two very loving parents who always told me I was beautiful, intelligent, funny, and kind. They love me unconditionally. Until I find my great love I know I will always have the love of my family around me. I need a reminder sometimes that is enough.

Latest happenings

In the last week things have gone crazy. My grandfather passed away. The day after his funeral, my grandmother passed out and hit her head, so she was admitted to the hospital. The following day we were told my mother has an aggressive form breast cancer. When I let my cousins know, they said my little cousin was on his way into surgery and had been attacked by a dog and bitten in the face. Needless to say, our family was thinking enough already!!!

So far my grandmother is doing well in the hospital although it has been a week. My little cousin is going to need two more surgeries, but the doctor was able to keep the scar along his smile line and thinks it will heal nicely. The best news of all though is all of the doctors who are scheduling my mom's surgery, radiation, etc. are saying they caught her cancer as early as possible. They are all very positive about her prognosis. We have all been praying that everything continues to go well and that my mom beats this. If anyone can, I know she can! This ribbon is in honor of my mother, Jani.

On a lighter note, I'm finishing up my grad school application. I just have to do the essay. I should start in June if everything goes according to plan! I've also been talking to a really cool guy on the phone for a few weeks now and hoping we can meet soon.