Catching Up and Going Forward

Spring was here, as Katy and Dad look great for Easter service.
Seems like I've been busy since I last wrote, but I haven't really accomplished much of worth. We had a nice Easter with my folks and Katy and Rob. The usual leg of lamb, but no egg hunt, since our egg hunter is back in Africa.

On the political front, my great friend, Charmaine and I went to two, count them, two TEA PARTIES. Yes, we are those far right racists radicals that the real radicals in the White House are constantly complaining about. First we met the Tea Party Express buses (3), led by the Freedom Riders (very loud motorcycles), in Rockford, Illinois. It was a long drive, but well worth it. We came loaded down with our signs and lawn chairs, and met some great other Americans who fear that our country is loosing its way from what our founding Fathers had intended. They had many great speakers and singers that travelled on the bus. There were three African Americans, who said they just wanted to be considered Americans. They had a Hispanic hip hopper who was great! So, so much for it being only old white rednecks, as MSNBC would have you believe. The Chicago Tribune had a picture of three nuns there, clapping and singing to a black preacher who spoke from Palatine.
On April 15th, the actual tax day, Charmaine and I were joined with Steve and my friend Kitty, as we all went to a Tea Party in Naperville. We had really wanted to go to the one in Chicago, but since Charmaine , Steve and I all had to go to the theatre that night, we thought the long trip by train might wear us out.
Again, we saw great signs and met other concerned people, and we all got a great tan in the sun! An aside, we saw "Ragtime" that night at Drury Lane and it was almost as good as the production we had seen in NYC a few years back. It was thought provoking after being at the rally that day. An interesting look to see how far we've come since the turn of the other(1900) century.
The next day, Friday, I left with another U of I Mom, for Mom's Day weekend with our best girls! It was such a fun and relaxing weekend. Friday, Katy took Rich and I out for dinner, and then she and I went shopping. Saturday we attended the craft show, saw the U of I's production of "Guys and Dolls", went to Dos with 20 others, and then had a great party at the girls' apartment. However, the best part was just lying in bed till 4 am talking with Katy about her life and dreams. What a great bonding moment. The fact that two firetrucks were outside the apartment flashing their lights, did help us stay up after all the margaritas. Another great talk Sunday, more grocery shopping, and then sadly we had to leave so the girls could study for the busy week ahead. Katy had 3 tests to study for, and I felt guilty that I kept her up, but I will cherish that talk for a long time, so I hope she got sleep after I left.
So that is a brief summary of some of the things I've been doing besides working, taking Dipity to the doggie park, visiting my folks, and doing errands.

Dip loves swimming and retrieving. She'd do it all day if you let her!

As I had written before I knew Roxi was coming home to have Evy last fall, I was feeling like time was slipping away, and I wasn't really doing anything productive with my life. Then they came home, and we were all busy with the excitement of Evy's birth, and the care of my Mom who had fallen. Well, now they are back in Africa, and besides mailing two boxes off, I'm not much needed there. My Mom is mobile again, so she too, doesn't need me as much as before. So I have been praying that God would show me a way to be of service to Him. Well, tonight, I think I might have understood the purpose He has for me. A very nice lady, Vicky, from my church, invited me to a fundraiser banquet for the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream. Now, when she first called, I just thought,"Hummmm, a nice dinner out with a friend." Vicky and I grew close when we did Alpha years ago, because she has had MS for many years, and when she found out that my husband did too, we would join the same discussion groups. We talk at Sunday services, but that is usually the only time our paths cross, so when she called, I thought it would be nice to go. I had heard of the center, but really didn't know anything about it.
As the various speakers spoke about the children and senior citizens they service there, I kept thinking what could I do to help besides write a check tonight, and then walk away. The children's choir performed for us, and the keynote speaker was Dr. Tony Campolo. As he spoke, and told his story of faith intertwined with jokes, I kept thinking.......I could help start some kind of drama class. Creative dramatics or pantomime for the little kids, speech for their college bound kids, even eventually plays that the senior citizens could help make costumes or sets for, etc. My mind was racing. Then I thought, I could even give tours at the animal hospital, or bring animals for the people to pet and care for. Now I know I can't do all of these things at one time, but I do have gifts that I can offer them.
When everything was over, I asked Vicky what she thought, and she was thrilled. Then as I was about to leave the building I ran into the newly hired director of the entire center. Without a hesitation, I introduced myself, and told him I had experience in many of the things that were rushing through my head, and that if he was interested, maybe, slowly at first, I could introduce something to do with drama or animals, whatever he wanted or thought they needed. He was very receptive, and said he would have someone, I forgot her name, call me soon. So, I think for now, I've found the answer to my prayers. I may regret it later, but right now, I felt moved by God to make this jump. This entire outreach program is based on Christ helping us help others. I feel like Christ just hit me over the head and said,"Duh, what have you been waiting for?" I know that whenever I have worked with my drama activities, I have felt rewarded by the people I have worked with, more than I have felt used. The creative juices keep my brain sparking, and the energy I get is refreshing. So many days lately, I just seem to be walking through the motions of life, without any purpose, feeling like I'm not accomplishing anything. Right now I feel empowered to do something worthwhile, and I like that feeling. I must proceed with caution, so I don't burn myself out. After all, I'm 61, not 21 like I was when I first started teaching theatre and speech. So now I wait to see where the path He has shown me leads me. Wish me luck!