2. Yesterday I cut Isaac's toenails and fingernails. All twenty. I said something about maybe calling the guy in charge of The Guinness Book of World Records because the toenails were longer than anyone's toenails should be. Earlier in the day I made a tater tot casserole. It's a dish I don't enjoy making or eating. It feels kind of like cutting toenails to me. It's a necessary evil that makes my skin crawl. Someday when I get to heaven, I hope I'm rewarded for these good deeds.
3. I'm genuinely very happy for people who are successful, whatever that means. I like to see good people doing good things and being recognized for their contributions.
4. Henry came home for lunch today. We were chatting. I had just come home from a long walk, and I said, "My hair is really gray. Kind of scary." He said, "Mom, you look fine. I mean, today is Halloween. You fit right in."
I'm going to miss this guy immensely when he goes off to college next year. I might have to call him once in a while just so he can keep me grounded. He makes me laugh. A lot. But like he told me, why would he ever want to leave home when he can live with me the rest of his life?
5. I visited an old friend in a care center a few days ago. I always try to be upbeat and happy and bring all of my positive energy and light. I had such a nice visit, which means I need to visit more often. If you know someone who needs a visitor, make plans to visit. Now.
6. I made a banana cake for Chris's birthday. It's a recipe his mom gave me years ago. It's a spice cake (make as directed on the box) with the addition of three mashed ripe bananas. Top with cream cheese frosting and put in the fridge. Chris loves it. This morning as he was packing up to go to work and wanted to take cake with him, Isaac was yelling, "Cake no!" It's such a special birthday greeting, right? When Isaac got home from work today, he took the cake out of the fridge to see if anybody had consumed a few more pieces. Henry and I were guilty as charged. Our evidence was found in the dishwasher. But you gotta find joy where you can, and if it's in a piece of cake, I have no regrets.
7. One of my very favorite things to do is to go for a long walk alone, come home, and hydrate on the deck while watching the birds. Is this a sign I'm getting old?
8. I have been thinking about apple pie because it feels like a fall flavor. I don't need to make a pie, and I don't need to eat one, but sometimes making one feels like therapy. And a good apple pie with tart apples is just about perfect in October.
9. Noah's busy with classes and choir and opera scenes and getting ready for a Christmas at Luther concert. I'm proud of him. He loves music. He likes being at school, for which I'm grateful. He works at a church, and he has an on-campus job in catering, and even though he's an adult, I worry about him. Will that ever change? Probably not, right?
10. Our house is loud and more chaotic than I ever dreamed it would be. I'm not a loud person. I need a lot of quiet. As I'm writing this, I hear country music and the sound of the Wii, but mostly what I hear is Isaac's colorful laughter. He's typically a very happy person, much happier than most people will ever be. He doesn't worry much about the future except when he sees something on the calendar that is a change. He lives very much in the present. So when I hear him belly laughing and shrieking with joy, I know it's what he's feeling right now. He can really celebrate the present. It's a tremendous gift.
11. I was at Aldi today with Isaac, and I was packing up groceries and laughing to myself about an interaction I experienced with a pet owner a few years ago. I have so many thoughts in my mind. Some of them are just hilarious. At least, I think so. I don't know if anyone saw me laughing and smiling, and I don't really care, but it sure is fun.
12. I've been sending Isaac text messages on his iPad and his speech device, requesting him to do certain things. Most of the time it works. It's a dream come true for this mom. Don't ever give up on people. They'll surprise you.
13. The McRib is back! I love them. I'm not sure why. I had planned to go to McDonald's today to buy a sandwich, but I changed my mind. But there's something about the McRib -- the combination of the tangy sauce, onions, and pickles -- that takes my breath away. And simultaneously gives me bad breath. It's all quite lovely. I guess there's always tomorrow.