Midnight Musings

I hope my blogspot will become more social. I cannot figure out how to make that happen. I remember Julie in the movie Julie and Julia typing, "Is anybody out there?" Or something to that effect. I'm just glad I don't have to cook Julia Child's French recipes before each blog.

My mom, who is dealing with memory loss, asked Dad and me many times today, "Where are we going?" We were on our way to the Rose Hill Restaurant for lunch. I said, "Mom, you tell me where we are going." She replied, "To the Rose Hill Restaurant."

I said, "I know why you are always asking 'Where are we going?'...because your mama's name was Annie-Go. Annie-Go Cornelia Hawes James." We all laughed and started in on some older, more accessible memories for Mom.

For the record, my grandmother's name was not Annie-Go. That is what we nicknamed her because she was always eager to go somewhere--shopping, visiting, antiquing, church, Hardees. She lived to be 93, just shy of 94. I was blessed to have been brought up in a three-generation household. I watched my parents care for Grandma throughout her life. Their example was stellar. Their presence in our lives today is a blessing.

On another line of thought (considering it's Memorial Day weekend), my dad and my husband's dad both served our country during WWII. It's a wonder they did not cross paths. And it's a wonder my husband and I are here. Our dads both said that had Truman not used the atomic bomb in Japan, as horrible as it was, they would both have perished in the next effort of the war in Japan. Thank you to the veterans and active military who serve(d) our country. Thanks, "greatest generation," for the freedoms we enjoy.

One more thought and then I will call it a night. Has anyone read Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything? Neither have I. But! I have read the first few pages. In the introduction he says, "Welcome. And congratulations. I am delighted that you could make it. Getting here wasn't easy, I know. I suspect it was a little toughter than you realize." He continues explaining what an amazing series of events had to occur at the atomic level for you to make it to this "state known as existence." His description of this scientific process makes the reader appreciate his or her success at being. Just being. Something, he says, is "generally underappreciated."

So considering that our dads might have died during WWII but didn't , and considering that we made it through all the life struggles just to get born, and considering that we are decades down the road of life, I am downright grateful. Hope you are too.