Oct 7, 2016

ONE YEAR

After a restless night, we awoke to a pretty Fall day, the realization that my mom would have turned 86 today, and a lovely surprise on the front porch.

(Bosco left me a surprise on the dining room floor, but much less lovely.)

One year ago today, Miss Charlene Her Very Self invited me to dinner and asked me if I might like to come back to the guilds, so today she delivered a perfect little Happy Anniversary bouquet of flowers to me.

It's an interesting history with me and Miss Charlene and the guilds.

The first time I joined, it was as one of the Rich Sisters.  My sister and I started attending guild meetings as a way to meet other stitchers in the aea and to learn new things.  I loved it, and was very happy to sit quietly and melt into the wallpaper, but then life got in the way and we stopped going.  And, as per my usual modus operandi, I completely retreated from the world in general, stayed inside my house, and just tried to get on with it.

It's no secret that I made a complete hash of it....first with working for the hyena and then by falling into the well of sister drama again, but through it all, Miss Charlene was there....reading my blog and waiting for the bat signal to appear.

She gently noodged me several times to come back to guild, and several times I said "Nope, don't wanna".  But then something magically clicked inside my brain and I heard my mom say "Coni Jo, you've been out here in this icy cold choppy dark dangerous water for a while, and now a big beautiful life boat has pulled up with these wonderful women on it and they are inviting you to get on board.  Get out of the damn water, kid, and get it that boat!"

And so I did.

I've always been a bit of a daft cow, and fully admit that it takes me a little longer to get to a proper conclusion than most other folks, but can I just tell you that one of my greatest feelings of pride is that I was finally smart enough to stop saying "No" and that I put my shoes and socks on and decided to re-engage with the world by means of these guilds?

You know me...I exaggerate for effect.  In spades.  But saying that Miss Charlene and the other passengers on board have saved my life doesn't come close to capturing how much I appreciate them.

It's been a wonderful year, despite some crazy developments with my stupid sister, my health, my Stewey little, and life in general, but I can promise you that the view from up here in the boat is better than I could ever have imagined.

Cocktails and stitching on the Lido deck for everybody!


18 comments:

  1. Happy one year of hopping on the cruise ship to wonderful friendships and adventure

    ReplyDelete
  2. Family are the people who are with you in thick and thin...blood doesn't make family. Congratulations having a life boat full of family!

    Happy birthday to your dear mother. She would be proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your sense of humor, guild stories, stitching & Stewey antidotes have enriched and entertained so many of us.. I know your Mom would be proud of you! Stay in that boat & keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad I'm not the only one that hears her mother in her ear. I'm so glad you finally climbed out of the water and into the lifeboat. Having stitchy "sisters" around can be quite a comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are such an inspiration to others. I just love your strength, your wit, and your perseverance!

    ReplyDelete
  6. There isn't much better than a some stitchy time with your stitchy friends :) And that was sweet of Bosco to leave you a little gift :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Courageous...despite what you say....is what you are..
    loving too.... and your Mom must be so proud of the soul
    child she gave to the world. We are grateful for your voice....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this post... good friends are such a blessing! Happy 1-Year Anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Darn! I missed the cocktails! LOL Happy Anniversary Coni, glad you climbed in the boat. We all need that boat. :) Hugs & prayers, Cathryn

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely post. You are so lucky to have those "lifeboat" friends! I hear my mother in my ear too - all day long because she lives with me. Grateful that she's still around, 83 and still going.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely post. You are so lucky to have those "lifeboat" friends! I hear my mother in my ear too - all day long because she lives with me. Grateful that she's still around, 83 and still going.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I always feel that there is a reason why things happen when they do and that the timing is always perfect even though we may not agree or feel like it is true.

    ReplyDelete
  13. you are brave for stepping out of your comfort zone. Glad you have made some amazing new friends.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good for you on climbing out of the water and back into the guild, Coni!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you Coni! Happy sailing! Luv MaryO

    ReplyDelete
  16. Quá tuyệt, thanks bạn nhiều nha. Kết bạn với tui nhé, xin tự giới thiệu tớ tên là Deadra, hiện đang công tác tại một công ty vận tải yên bái, chuyên cung cấp các dịch vụ hải quan tại đồng nai, dich vu xuat nhap khau hai phong về thang may cho hang, gia thang may gia dinh domuslift, thiết kế giàn phơi quần áo, gian phoi quan ao co dieu khien, hinh anh bai giu xe thong minh, bên cạnh đó tôi cũng chi phi san xuat tvcbook quảng cáo truyền hình.

    Add skype tôi nhé zone.Elmer1264, rất vui khi được làm quen với bạn.

    ReplyDelete