.. for however long it lasts… Maybe just today. I like being able to share photos with people and hear about what people are doing. There are other things not-so-fun.

I signed out of Facebook on my iPhone. I have to say, things have been a bunch quieter.

Did I mention that I have a new iPhone? It’s company provided, so it’s free while I’m employed, which is nice. It’s interesting watching it correct things (to the wrong words) or not correct things. Also, it’s fun dealing with intermittent slowness of updates, thanks to cell phone technology and availability.

I’ll catch up on photos later.

I think sometimes it just takes some time to flip out a bit in the face of adversity, and return to your former self. The hazard of feeling “flipped out a bit” is that you worry if you’re permanently flipped out a bit, or if it is just a temporary thing.

It takes awhile, sometimes, to find strength, like it’s a lost thing in your handbag or in your luggage (if you’re a guy). Sometimes, it takes a bit of time to find perspective.

Sometimes, high blood pressure pills are needed.

In any event, life is interesting, isn’t it? I guess most of my life has been moving along on an even keel, but likely, the more horrid things have just become less horrid over time, or have faded into “that wasn’t really as important as it seemed at the time” oblivion. I thought life would be easier as it went along… lessons learned, and all that, but notsomuch. Mid-life seems to be about how to figure out how to deal with what life throws you, and realizing that no matter what, you can find a way to get through it.

I am blessed, really, and lucky, to have the friends and family that I have, who are such a joy to have in my life.

I’m not overtly religious, but I do believe in God. I’ve spent many, many years in the Catholic church. Once I was all grown up, I decided that I still believed, but was a bit worried about some of the things happening in the church. So, although I do occasionally stop by a church, most of my belief is in my head, recharged at times by some reading, like this passage I had in my head for some reason:

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

To me, among other things, this means, “Enjoy this day. It’s only here once.”

Today, I went to talk to a friend who helped me put a few things into perspective. She said, “There is something you should think about when you think about all of your recent struggles. This is going to be hard for you to hear. Are you ready? THIS is the best time in your life!”

It was *how* she said it that turned the light on. The relief it brought lasted all afternoon; the feeling of “You know? You’re absolutely right. I have my husband (and daughter) and you’re exactly right.”

It only took me 15 tissues to get there.

by the amazing Whitney Houston. Rest in Peace, and thank you for the music <3

So, in a very stressful situation, not only did something helpful happen more quickly, but the thing that happened also gave us some helpful direction. Most of the stress is gone right now and we are just in a holding pattern.

And someone important said, “This is crap and you shouldn’t have to do it.” Let’s figure a better way out (I know I’m being vague, but imagine yourself in a helpless situation, and that’s what I’m talking about).

Every day for the last week, I said prayers and people were saying prayers for us (please don’t stop), and things came together enough for us and started making a little sense before we went insane, or decided to live on wine alone, or take up smoking, and I have to say: That’s a good thing.

My prayer had to do with helping someone to figure a different way out of something difficult so that they could stop coming after me about it. It was a good prayer, I think.. one that was focused on helping more than just me.

The fat lady has not sung, but at least we have a bit of peace for now.