Last Sunday evening there was a birthday party for my cousin, who just turned 60. She and I were raised close by each other, born within two months of one another, and our moms were sisters. She was the nice one. I wasn’t. She was the skinny one. I wasn’t. She looked like her dad. So did I. So different, but cousins are cousins and we were different enough that we were very compatible. Same with our mothers.
As we grew up, there she and her brother and sister and me and my brother, our parents, and grandparents always had our family holidays. We did a lot of things together and we kids always had fun.
Sunday it was Ronda and I, her three kids and their kids, myself and one of my kids and her new kid. My aunt, and Ronda’s brother and sister, their spouses, and two children. Everywhere I looked was family. Even more than we had back when we were growing up.
It’s amazing. Looking at all those kids and seeing ourselves at 60. Who would have ever imagined? They were all talking and laughing. The room was full of life’s blessings.
Things change. Hair gets gray. Butts get bigger. There are more stories to tell. And, hopefully, we learn lots.
Recently, I read something that my mind goes to when I think about how Ronda and I have changed.
I started succeeding when I started leaving small fights for small fighters.
I stopped fighting those who gossiped about me.
I stopped fighting with my in – laws.
I stopped fighting for attention.
I stopped fighting to meet people’s expectation of me.
I stopped fighting for my rights with inconsiderate people.
I stopped fighting to please everyone.
I stopped fighting to prove they were wrong about me.
I left such fights for those who have nothing else to fight.
And I started fighting for
My vision;
My dreams;
My ideas; and
My destiny.
The day I gave up on small fights is the day I started becoming successful and so much more content.
For me, the day I realized those people in the room, my family, is more important than anything.
And remember, it’s ok to go to an antique auction and have people start bidding on you. It’s good to have someone want you.
I need to tell my kids this: At my funeral, take the bouquet off my coffin and throw it into the crowd to see who is next.
And know this, being cremated is my last hope for a smoking hot body.
Some dates and events you might want to put on your calendar:
Chamber Draw Down at the Arena Hospitality Building, $50 per person, Nov. 2.
Benefit Craft Bazaar, High School, Nov. 2.
Pumpkin Patch Craft Show, Activity Center, Nov. 2-3.
Guymon Community Theater production, Nov. 2,3,9,10.
Shop and Dine, 4:00 – 6:00, Nov. 7.
Panhandle Services for Children Blue Jean Ball, Pickle Creek, Nov. 9.
Thanksgiving, Nov. 28.
See you on the bricks.