A Gift

Yesterday on the ride home from Binghamton I noticed that the snow was just about gone. Up here in the Great Northeast we sometimes don't see the bare ground from late November until early April. Stubborn, soiled, white spots might even hang on here and there until May.
In one way it felt good to see the bare ground again; in another way the earth was a bit too bare and the landscape looked colorless, dreary and depressing. So late last night when I stepped out the front door before heading up to bed I was moved by the beauty and stillness of the huge, fluffy snow flakes falling all around me. The ground was already sparkling white and I stayed for a moment and took in the slendor of this new creation. I thought about how this magnificant scene had just been created so easily and in no time at all. I also thought about the fact that no matter how much human beings tried they would never be able to make this happen. I felt like I had just been given a gift without the least bit of effort on my part.
Mary Beth

Some Things Are Just Too Heartbreaking

I would like to share certain things in my Blog because I believe they are the most meaningful and important things that we all share as human beings. But I can't because what I want to share is much too personal and too heartbreaking at the moment. Let's just say when someone you love is suffering and feeling lost, your heart cries for them. You want so much to make it better for them but nothing you say or do can make it better. Your hands are tied, it is out of your control, you feel powerless. You can only hope and pray and wait. My guess is that every parent has had this feeling at some point or another. You have a certain dream for your child and then that dream seems to be shattered and there is nothing- absolutely nothing - you can do about it. Your child - whatever his/her age- is suffering and in pain and you have to stand by and watch helplessly. Oh sure, you can offer advice and encouragement and even physical and financial support but no matter what you say or do, you cannot make it better.
One time I heard someone express this thought:
When we have a child, we are in essence consenting to allow our heart to walk around outside our body for the rest of our lives. Wow, isn't that the truth!
Mary Beth

Ana & Juan Pedro

How exciting! At 4:15 PM Bob went on his computer and noticed that Ana & JP were on Skype (Did I spell that correctly?) We had a wonderful conversation with them and could actually see their sweet little faces the entire time we talked. If I remember correctly they weren't even married the last time we saw them and they've been married for 10 years so you can understand why I was so excited to see them again. Since they live in Madrid and have 3 little children, traveling is a bit more challenging for them. We didn't get to see the kids tonight; it was 10:15PM in Spain and they were already in Dreamland. Ana & JP were enjoying a little down time together before retiring for the night and it felt like we were right there in the living room with them. Now that we have this Skype thing up and running (actually Bob has it up and running, I just pop in at the last minute) we hope to have many more visits together in the near future. It will be wonderful to meet their kids in person- so to speak- the next time we connect up. The weekends will probably work out best given the 6 hour difference between NY and Madrid.
We first met Ana when she was 15 years old and came over to the US as a summer exchange student. Right away we knew she was unique. She was wise beyond her years, so friendly and outgoing and fluent in several different languages. We connected immediately even though she wasn't even our exchange student and was actually staying with another host family.
We kept in touch over the years and on one visit to the US she brought along this great young man, Juan Pedro, aka JP. Ana is no dope, she found herself a good one! If I'm not mistaken I think she found JP on a basketball court. Anyway our whole family took to JP immediately and definitely approved of Ana's selection. Marriage was in the cards and in no time Ana & JP were wheeling a baby carriage. They are both wonderful people and make a great couple. It is a pleasure to know them and we are so excited about meeting the kids, albeit for the time being over Skype. Do you have any idea how many times I thank God we said "yes" to hosting a Spanish Exchange student? It has opened a wonderful world of love and friendship for us. Thank You, God.
Mary Beth

30 Seconds

It's almost 1AM and I am wide awake. I was in bed very - and I mean very - early tonight. I read from 7:30PM and turned off my light at 9 o'clock. Can you believe I was even too tired to write? Bob was already sleeping soundly. Boy, aren't we the exciting couple!
Today's trip to Manchester with cousin, Sharon, was lovely. It is amazing how much two women can talk -all the way there, all the way back, all through lunch. The only time we stopped even a little was when we were down to the serious business of shopping. Although all in all I would call the day a big success, on the way from Greenwich, NY to Manchester, Vermont I got us seriously lost. We drove on some pretty desolate roads, up and over a few minor mountains as the snow swirled around us, ever faster and faster. It was what you might call an adventure. Sharon had recommended we take the usual route from Greenwich to Manchester, a route she knew, but no, I had to go the faster route. With the help of a couple of local fellows at a Pizza joint in Salem, we eventually made it back to the Equinox Hotel. By the time we arrived, we were good and hungry. By the way, in case you are interested, the food was excellent. It is a great place to have lunch - cosy atmosphere, a roaring fire, and attentive Waite staff. If you are ever in the area, make a point to stop there.
At this point you may be asking yourself, what does all this have to do with the title,
30 Seconds ?
Basically, as I mentioned above, I am lying in bed wide awake, when visions of today's lead story start filling my head. How devastating! Sometimes words don't do justice to a situation and this is one such instance. Devastating doesn't begin to describe the horrors that occurred as a result of a mere 30 seconds. After watching the news report for awhile after dinner and seeing the extent of human suffering currently blanketing Haiti, I had to turn the TV off. This is one time when a pristine, crystal-clear, large screen TV can be a disadvantage. Everything is so vivid and real. This is a reality that I would much prefer to be an extravagant Hollywood production. Isn't dire poverty enough for one country to bear without throwing in an earthquake on top of it. And, did it have to occur in the densely populated capital of Port au Prince? Did it have to be a 7.0 on the Richter Scale? It does make one wonder and question the meaning of life. It brings to mind the age old inquiry, "Why God?" Like the rest of you, I am familiar with a lot of the answers that are typically given; I've read Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People, etc., etc., but tonight as vast human suffering stares me in the face, and fills my mind, I can't help but ask the question all over again,"Why God?" So far the only solace I feel is the fact that it appears the worldwide community is coming together to help with human suffering rather than for the purposes of war.
Mary Beth

Annual GYN visit

Today I had the appointment that every woman just loves, the annual GYN exam. I am sure all the women out there know exactly what I mean. Anyway it is over - hopefully - for another year. The reason I even mention it at all is because the Doctor said to me: "My goodness, you don't look 64". I wanted to kiss her! It made my day. I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy nowadays. My previous GYN doctor was an older Korean man; he was an interesting character and I went to him for years. It is a little awkward getting re-established with someone new especially when this someone new has to relate to such a delicate and initimate area of one's life. Next week comes the bone density test and the mammography. The latter is something else that us women anticipate with baited breath. Well enough of this nonsense.
Tomorrow should be alot more fun. I will be having a great adventure with my "oldest" friend, cousin, Sharon. We will be celebrating her 65th birthday with a trip to Manchester Vermont and lunch at the Equinox Hotel. I am sure we will also fit in a little shopping during our outing. I have known Sharon since I was born and we are related so she can't loose me. I absolutely love to tease her about being older than me - a whopping 2 months older. Actually Sharon was born on New Year's Day. I never envied the date of her birthday. Imagine this -everyone is exhausted from the holidays and hung over from New Year's Eve and then it is your birthday. What a jip, to have your birthday lost in the confusion of the night before. Anyway, back to the all important point that Sharon is older than me - during the years that we were growing up together in Brooklyn she liked to brag about the fact that she was older than me but she doesn't say a word about it now. All kidding aside, I am grateful that these two couples (her father & mother and my mother & father) made love around the same time, conceived two female offspring which in turn allowed us to share a lifetime of friendship and love. Thanks Mom & Dad, Uncle Joe & Aunt Marie
Mary Beth

H1N1

I'd like to write something profound and exciting but once again it is almost midnight and I am getting tired. Besides, the day was rather mundane. Full but mundane nevertheless. Then again at my age, mundane can be OK.
Yesterday Bob and I went to the local High School to get H1N1 flu shots. I guess they can't get rid of the stuff now so they're giving it away for free. How could we resist, we love free stuff! Just ask my brothers-in-law, they'll tell you how much we like free stuff. Anyway, we weren't the only ones who were interested in free shots. The line wrapped around the entire gymnasium and out the front door. It seems everyone in the town of Colonie wanted something for free. In truth, it appeared to be very well organized and we were in and out of the place in about an hour.
Both my daughter and my father were signed up for the vaccination also but they decided that they didn't want to go. Honestly, I understood how they felt as I was on the fence myself given all the publicity the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccination has gotten. Being a nurse, I don't really trust medical interventions especially prophylactic type interventions. Why ask for trouble? Why inject some foreign substance into your body when you are feeling fine? But then again I have had the flu. Actually I had the flu twice in my life and I don't want to feel that sick again anytime soon. So I overcame my fear and stepped forward when they called my name. I hope I made the right decision. Tonight there is a mild soreness in my upper left arm but otherwise so far so good. Good Night, and may all your decisions be good ones. Mary Beth

Paper Heart

We rented a movie tonight called, "Paper Heart". Bob wasn't too crazy about it but I found it interesting and thought provoking. It was a documentary about one of my favorite subjects - love. I am still baffled by love, even at 64. Since I believe love is the most important thing in life, I am continuing my quest for understanding.
I question things all the time; it's just the way my mind operates. For example, my friend met her husband in the 7th grade and pretty much loved him from the start. They dated all through high school and married when she was 18. They are married for 47 years and are still in love with each other. So much for the advise not to marry too young. Why is one person ready to marry at such a young age whereas the thought of marriage scares the hell out of someone else? How does this happen? Why does this happen?
And what exactly is love anyway?
What about the people you love who die? Where does the love for them go after they are gone? Unconditional love, now that's a topic. I think the closest thing to unconditional love is the love between a parent and a child. Unconditional love is a rare and priceless gift. There are so many things I took for granted when I was young, gifts like unconditional love. As I get older I realize I should have treasured them more. I try to treasure them now. In general though I have always loved people even when I don't always like them. People are generally wonderful even though most of us are "wackier than hell" ( Grandpa TJ O'Donnell's terminology). Throughout my entire life my favorite activity, by far, has been visiting with people. I never needed or wanted fancy nightclubs or entertainment, I just wanted to be with people.
Some of you must have ideas to share about love or will I have to continue to search for understanding on my own.
Love Makes the World Go Round, Love Makes the World Go Round.
Mary Beth