Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Perfect Blendship

There's a song that goes "Friendship, friendship...such a perfect blend-ship;
When other friendships' are done forgot? Ours will still be hot"...hot as in cookin', okay?

Lyrics continue..."If you're ever in a jam, here I am. If you're ever up a tree, call on me."

And so it goes...in other words, friendship is wonderful...reliability no matter what...hmmm!

I'm sure you've jumped to aid a friend more than once. Your friends have rescued you, right? Of course they have and you've done the same for them...numerous times and no one keeps score. Friends do that...and it warms your bod from head to toe. 'Cause you feel very loved; friends are like that.

Have you ever in your life let a good friend down? Be truthful now...I have and I've never been able to forget it...it's stuck in my heart like a thorn. Why in the world did I do it? I was very selfish and just didn't want to put myself out...now that is worse than awful of me!


The other instance is one where a very wonderful, longtime friend decided she no longer wanted me as a friend because a problem developed in her life; and I didn't have the same one! Confession is good for the soul? Yep, but it hurts...most painful. What I should've done, what I could've done...I didn't. Time passes quickly and the opportunities are gone but believe me when I write that they taught me a valuable lesson. Pride/stubbornness...whatever tag you put on it...shouldn't be in my heart, not at all...ever. I let it muddle my thinking and I believe I enjoyed being 'a martyr'...that's an ouch deluxe!!!


Have you ever done anything like that...surely not? However...I rather imagine I'm not the Lone Ranger here.

Growing up, I hadn't many friends. It's difficult making friends when you're moving sometimes every few weeks, months...tad easier when you're in a place at least one year. I moved 58 times from little baby until finally settling down. My dad was in the oil business (roughnecking on up) and that meant moving where the rigs were drilling. Bit of history here...he helped drill the wells on the grounds of the Oklahoma state capitol. Oh wow, I have felt soooo sorry for poor little me too many times...no wonder I didn't have many friends. I was a sad sack.

Well, that was then...this is now when I can honestly say to my friends: 'You are my friend and you are very cherished. I will never intentionally hurt or disappoint you; I will do all I can to keep our friendship on an even keel'.

From an unknown source here's a quote to think about: "Some people carry their hearts in their hands; very many carry their heads in their hearts. The difficulty is to keep them apart, and yet both actually work together".

You know, I've always had tender feelings and at times been hurt. I can wear my heart on my sleeve, be hurt and shed tears...I can wipe the tears away but you know, it takes more effort to erase the hurt from my heart...practicing, practicing to stay 'balanced and unafraid'.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Walking in Happiness

Okay, so now you know I'm a Fiasco...but know this, I definitely am a happy one. I went from insecure to a somewhat blissful status when I was blest in marriage to my #1 man...that would be Michael. We've been together a very long time now...and tell you the truth, it's a God Work.

I suppose you could say Michael was 'swept off his feet'. How so? Well, goes like this. He and I dated for awhile, even after he told his friends that I was one girl who would 'never' set foot in his car. Big mistake, sweet one. I ended up owning half of everything he has...taught him, huh?

Like I said, we dated until he was whisked off to Korea...his Oklahoma National Guard unit was mobilized for the Korean conflict. He came to say good-bye but alas, I had moved to California, lived with my aunt and got a job...you know, the one at Forest Lawn (the cemetary)...how romantic...not. The warrior left and we proceeded to correspond...he soldiered and I dated (sort of shopping). Things progressed and we fell more in love...those things happen...you know?

I told him I had a check-list for what I wanted in a life partner...he never believed that, but that's the truth...trust me. I knew exactly what I wanted and that's exactly what I got...perfect choice...he got all the right check marks.

A year passed and soon enough he had an exit date and would be home. In the meantime, I planned our wedding. Set the date, bought my dress and had the invitations printed. One thing though...he'd never actually proposed...I just planned it and that was that.

Someone asked me what would I have done if he hadn't 'accepted' and gone along with it? Well, you know...I don't know because I never once considered that. I do know that God Work takes care of those things and just look what happened...you certainly can't argue with the results, can you?

We've four fantastic sons...geniuses, I promise you. We are so proud of them; four wonderful daughter-in-laws and ten just as wonderful grandchildren.

My best laid plans? Thank God, Michael came along for the walk...walking in happiness is the walk of a lifetime.

And that's a plus...it enables me, at times, to be 'balanced and unafraid'.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

One Heart plus Two Hands

“To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give” Taisen Deshimaru

In China, it's customary when you give someone something you use both hands. I liked that and still try to practice it. I extend it w/both hands and I also do it with my heart wide open...a two fold thing...that's the way I'm thinking. Keeps me balanced and trust me, I do need balance!

Why's that? Well, because I am a 1st class KLUTZ...I wasn't tagged Fiasco for nothing. When we re-located to Norman Oklahoma I met a man who became a very close friend. But, as it happens w/most people, he couldn't get my name right (who ever met a Vasca) so he announced, "I'll just call you Fiasco"...and it stuck. Michael informed him that he was right on target 'cause I truly was a 'Fiasco'. I'm a disaster in so many respects...M doesn't really want to hurt my feelings but he's much more comfortable when I keep my distance from his projects.

Offsetting my disastrous side would be my love for sharing and giving. I caught that from my sweet dad...he loved to give, and give...oh wow, he was a giver and then some. Lots of times he would bring something to our house and say that he thought I needed it and so it was mine. Oops, he didn't consult mother about it so I would quietly take it back. Birds, dogs, tools...nothing was sacred.

I've known those who said when their ship came in, they'd do this and that; something big that would make an impact...a big difference. If I waited for 'my ship' to come in, what if it never made it? Oops...sorry 'bout that.

M and I live in a comfortably small house...we call it our charming cottage. We have a very old Dodge Ram truck...we call him Henry...we are a friendly couple...we call us Michael and Vasca. We've everything we could possibly need or want and we're happy, contented and totally abandoned...to God.

We've emptied ourselves for Him and have not once regretted it ~ we consider it a blessing that we could and would do that. And what did He do? For starters He is steering us through this Amyloidosis storm...an incurable, rare disease...we're sailing in calm seas, no matter what comes. Each morning we greet each other with smiling kisses, joy in our hearts...and a day full of love...some start, huh?

You see, everything counts, whether big or small...whenever opportunities pop up like popcorn, we can do something. Simple enough, just open our eyes, our ears and most importantly...keep our hearts open. I'm staying alert...world needs more 'lerts anyway! Balanced and unafraid...I'm trying.