myladybug3: thoughts of the day.

THOUGHT #1: being pregnant makes me a little sensitive. i know this. sometimes i want to laugh, then the next minute i want to cry. today provided me with several examples:

1. This morning Ella asked me what is in her legs and arms. Not knowing quite what to say, I answered with truth, "there are muscles and bones and blood in your legs and arms." Ella quickly replied, "do we feed the bones to the doggies at dinner time?" {Trying not to laugh} I answered, "oh no sweetie, those are different kinds of bones. There are bones in our bodies that help us move and stay strong. Doggies eat little bones or biscuits to keep their teeth clean." Ella's reply: "I don't think so mommy..."

2. {This comment came from a 52 year old male patient, who should know better!} "Wow, how many are in there?" he said, pointing to my belly.

3. {These comments came from a middle-aged woman who was taking my insurance information for my ultrasound at the hospital today.} After telling her my husband's first name, she replied, "Is he from Africa?" After telling her the name of the street that I live on, she questioned, "What a cutesy name. Is that a real street?" Then, my favorite question: "how many more are you going to have?" {To me, this is a personal question. Why would I share my innermost desires with someone I DO NOT KNOW? just wondering}.

4. While viewing the ultrasound with my dear husband and two lovely daughters, Ms. Ella had no problem talking non-stop. i mean non-stop. while trying to view the images and ask somewhat intelligent questions of the technician, i could hear the following statements in the background: "looks like lots of snakes in there daddy" and "do we have dry panties in the bus?" and "sleeping beauty likes pink dresses, not blue" and "no, no so-so...this is my chair" and "my birthday is before the baby comes out..."

THOUGHT #2: one thing is for sure -- people say and do the most interesting things and i need to remain objective. i really need to stop reading into things as much as i do. for instance, why do we say one thing and then do another? does this play into our "not really knowing what or who we are" side? it drives me crazy when i am told one thing, only to learn that this person has done the exact opposite. what is that about?

sometimes i do not want to be judged by what i do because it doesn't really seem like something i would do/or the real ME. in my own little head i have this version of ME and i am really trying to keep it consistent. but sometimes it is hard. so i need to remember this and be a little more forgiving of others. we all make mistakes. new favorite quote: the most consistent part of life is the inconsistency of it all.

THOUGHT #3: i love those who are humble and thankful. truly my two favorite qualities. okay, simplicity is probably my third favorite quality. it is difficult to live up to these standards, but it can be done. as we learn about rising prices of fuel, food, clothing, basically EVERYTHING, it seems ever more important to focus on living a quiet life, filled with meaning and service. a life full of "THANK YOU'S" and "YES, I CAN's." i love those who can go unnoticed. they do without recognition. they give without fan-fare. they live by what is most important.

today i met a married couple who have been married for 60+ years. they live in a simple, but comfortable home. they have spent most of their 80 years giving to others through education and later, volunteering with troubled youth. both are good christian people with mighty faith in god. they measure their success by their two children. they sent both of their children to school and encouraged service through professional careers and daily deeds. these two individuals have been the most thankful patients i have ever seen. they not only said "thank you" several times, but their mannerisms and questions implied true thankfulness in their hearts. a treasured conversation, for sure! my hope for them is that they will allow others to give a little back to them in quiet, simple, and thankful ways. i wish them well with hospice.