Listening...

I did a lot of listening today. Some talking, but mostly listening. And what great conversations I had with four of my grandsons, who live in Portland, Oregon, and with my two stepsons, who live with me (and their Dad, of course).
My youngest stepson, Matthew, is on the freshman football team at Redlands High School. They had a game today and he didn't get to play one play, not one. He's played football since he was 7 years old (with Junior All American Football), where everyone gets a chance to play in every game. Last year, he was at the top of his game, and played almost every play. This year, it's kinda like starting at the bottom again, and he doesn't understand why he doesn't get to play more. He's at practice every day, and even went to the summer camp (although he missed 10 days for a vacation with his friends). But, this is High School football, and it's not about what's fair, it's all about winning, all the time... It was hard for him to stand on the sidelines... it was hard for me to watch him stand on the sidelines... He didn't want to talk about it much, so we tried to talk about other things going on at school, but the conversation always came around to football, and the game, and life isn't fair...
While my stepsons have been back at school for almost a month, up in Oregon where my grandkids live, they started just this week. So, I called them to see how the new school year was going.

Sweet and Romantic...

As of yesterday, November 1, Ron and I have been married four months. Other than the rent being due on the 1st of each month, having the 1st as your anniversary day is great. It's so easy to remember! And on the first day of each month, on our anniversary day, Ron brings home a card and a little surprise! It blows my mind ... when he did that on August 1, our one month anniversary, and told me his plan was to bring me a surprise every 1st, I wondered if he'd really remember and keep that romantic little tradition going - but as of month number 4, he has! The first month I got a card, and a cute little guardian angel. Month number 2, an azaela plant (as a symbol of our love, we can watch the plant grow as our love grows...oh, my...) Month number 3, he didn't want to be left out of the 'love' plant, so he bought another flower (a rose this time) so we can have his 'n hers flowers in the flower bed. Is this romantic guy my husband?! ... Yes, he has a very romantic side, he just gets a little embarassed if anyone knows. Anyway yesterday, month number 4, he comes home with a gift bag, inside is a beautiful 'angel couple' figurine. We discovered this little shop when we went to dinner last week, and he decided it was his new favorite store (and they don't even sell fishing or sports equipment!)... He discovered a whole collection of these angels and fell in love with them.