Imponderables

We survived the holidays, sort of. At present we are savoring every moment with Allie. Her family leaves this weekend for Washington. We are going to miss that little angel terribly. We have warned her grandparents that little Miss Allie will no longer have any "sugar" left for them as we fully intend to "smooch" it all away. They just laugh. We have been blessed to spend time with this sweet little girl.
Last week Mama asked if I wanted to read the paper. The funny thing is that it is OUR paper, she just makes it to the paper box before we do. She likes to do the crossword puzzle. I don’t mind at all. That is the only reason I take the paper at this point in time. When I told her "No, that’s alright" she told me to reconsider. Then she informed me that Lauren, my daughter, had made the Dean’s List!!! Lauren didn’t even know. I am so proud of her because she really works hard. 
Rick is going to have surgery again in early February. The poor kid has been dealing with the pain of that knee for several years now. He realizes that he is facing a future where that pain will a constant companion of sorts. He is only 26, much too young for this. I suppose it is just one of those things that will continue to shape him into the person he will eventually become. Pain is a fickle thing. It can turn the softest heart into a bitter twisted wreck. It can also enlarge one’s capacity for compassion and empathy. There are certain decisions that are being made that concern me. I have expressed that in the most non-judgmental way that I could. That is all I can do. I am and always will be his mother. I want him to be taken care of and loved. If it is not done in exactly the way that "I" would prefer then that is their choice. I refuse to be a meddler or a source of contention. My desire is to be a willing ear, a shoulder, a warm hug and a refuge if needed. That is all I can do. Rick did phone yesterday while he was driving to Lubbock for his pre-surgery testing. He had to make the trip alone and was in desperate need of conversation. I’m glad he still wants to talk to me. It was a day of "hurry up and wait". He was beyond bored. Three more phone calls to help pass the time spent in endless waiting rooms and another before he left for home. All the paperwork was completed. Surgery is scheduled for February 9. I would dearly love to be there with him.
I noticed that by the day after Christmas all of the ornaments, wrapping paper and trees were placed on the back shelf of the stores. That is understandable. The holiday was over. What I don’t understand is why on that particular day the stores were filled with cupids and red and pink EVERYTHING. Seriously, do the powers that be think that the general public is unaware of the date? Or that we have no clue what the next major holiday is? I know that there is a method to their madness, kind of. They want to create a sense of urgency in consumers. They want us to feel like we have to buy it now or it might not be there when we need it. Even worse, God forbid, someone ELSE might actually buy it before we get the chance. How awful would that be? That was blatant sarcasm in case you didn’t recognize it. I want to enjoy Christmas AFTER Thanksgiving up until January 1. Then that’s it. I don’t want to be bombarded with Halloween junk in July. It has gotten to the point that I just focus on what I need and do my best to ignore everything else. I seriously doubt that Cupid has me in his sights. I know that Santa doesn’t give a fig if I salivate over his cardboard likeness in May. I just thank the good Lord that the advertising giants have not come up with anything major for Bad Hair Day or Grandma’s got a Bunion Day. Heaven help us all.