Woe! It’s Wednesday

Coffee Cup Wisdom

I bought myself this mug a little over a year ago.

Its meaning is twofold.

Yes, I enjoy wine and a bottle is always a welcome gift.

But the bigger sentiment is about who we connect with. Some of the most meaningful gifts are the simplest. It’s the bag of Cabernet taffy from the friend who knows you enjoy wine. It’s a gently used purse from someone who knows your taste. It’s a decorative tree with leaves made from the cover of your newest book. It’s memories preserved as jewelry or framed photographs.

The dearest gifts declare that you were thought about and you are loved.

Gifts have been a challenge in our marriage. Whether because of being raised with different parenting styles or gift-giving philosophies, we’ve had a few tense conversations. I finally told my dear husband not to give me a gift if he wasn’t going to put at least a little thought into it and I’d rather have a card and a kiss than something I was going to have to return because he didn’t pay attention. That talk came after he gave me some handheld dumb-bell weights when I’d specifically said I wanted wrist weights. I opened the dumb-bells and graciously said thank you even though I was sighing and thinking about when I could exchange them. He then said, with perfect sincerity, “I was going to get you wrist weights because I thought it made more sense for walking, but you said you wanted dumb-bells.”

That was the last thoughtless gift I received and we’re all the happier for it.

We just celebrated our 35th anniversary and he got me the perfect gift. He listened and thought about it.

I have a story idea set in Portland, even though I’ve never been to Portland. I’ve tried to move the story to somewhere I’m familiar with but it won’t leave. I’ve mentioned several times that I want to go to Portland. I periodically look at airfares. I’m saving miles on a credit card. But wasn’t getting any closer. For our anniversary, he gave me a gift certificate that said a week in February, which was a bit cryptic. And a gift bag of Portland guidebooks.

As much as I love the thought of going to Portland, the real gift is he listened to me.

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Woe! It’s Wednesday: Coffee Cup Wisdom

 

Some of the greatest moments in life are unscripted and complete surprises.

 

We were in Napa with good friends Wally and Debbie. We visited the Jack London State park. After a picnic lunch, we wandered the grounds. Wally was in front, Deb and I in the middle and Dave in the rear. Wally walked over to a barn that had old farming equipment in it. Deb and I heard a rattle. Wally jumped backward and squawked. The three of us made a wide path around the barn. Dave grabbed a stick and hurried to poke the snake. Deb and Wally gave us the mug above to commemorate the occasion.

It’s our granddaughter Evelyn’s very favorite mug. She loves to serve Grampy hot chocolate then giggle when he’s surprised.

Life is like a coffee mug. Full of surprises.

Woe It’s Wednesday: Coffee Cup Wisdom

I picked this one up at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. last fall.

 

 

Read on the surface, it says, “I’m Telling You, Nothing Happened.” But some letters are a different color and the highlighted letters say “I’m Lying.”

How many times have we listened to someone (frequently one of our children) vehemently insist that they’re telling the truth when all the while we know they are lying?

We see it in the news. Politicians point fingers at others while doing the same thing. Celebrities spin their drunk driving and drug rehab stints as “exhaustion.” Writers “edit” the facts to make a story more compelling.

It’s all different words for the same thing.

Lies.

Sometimes I wonder who we’re trying to fool with all the spin. Others? or ourselves?

Woe! It’s Wednesday: Coffee Cup Wisdom

 

Coffee Cup Wisdom

I love coffee cups. Their succinct wit captures me every time. One of my favorites was a Christmas gift last year from my daughter. I bought a shirt at Disneyland with the same sentiment a few months earlier so she added to my collection.

 

If you haven’t seen Finding Nemo, grab a kid and watch it ASAP.

The seagulls fight over food scraps while squawking, “MINE! MINE! MINE!”

They are so busy worrying about what’s theirs and not letting it get away that they miss the story unfolding around them.

It’s what I have a tendency to do also.

I think about what I’m owed. 

I mull over what I did.

I wonder if anyone will thank me.

I’m concerned with how I look.

Hmmm … I’m noticing a pattern here.

It’s all about me and what’s mine and making sure that I get what’s mine and what’s coming to me.

How sad. I don’t want my life to be summed up as It’s all about me. I want to be remembered as someone who put others above herself. Who loved unconditionally. Who wasn’t worried about getting what she deserved.

I’m a Christian. I’ve already gotten what I don’t deserve. Grace. Forgiveness. Mercy.

May I pass on those things and quit squawking about what’s mine. 

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