Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The worst and the best of life:

Example One:  One of the Family
I am now, officially, a member of my husband’s family.  His crazy sister-in-law sent me a heart felt letter letting me know how much she missed me and was looking forward to seeing me in the future.  This from the woman, who at my bridal shower said, “I am not responsible for my children, so if they mess anything up it isn’t my fault, giggle giggle giggle”
Fun!
Hubby said to expect more letters in the future…

Example Two: The transient nature of life
People are constantly coming in out of my life.  Some through work, some through various activities that I participate in, some through birth and others through death.  I’ve noticed how little this really affects me, at least on a grand scale.  I might miss those that leave for a little while, but then I soon seem to forget that they were even around.  I think about all the people I have known, the 200 or so that I knew at a previous job.  I knew them all, their names, where they came from and little bit about each of them.  I’ve known at least that many at my current job.  And yet…it seems as though I have no attachment to them. 
It is the same when people die. They are gone and that is that.  It’s another passing, another life that is no longer part of mine.  It’s incredibly sad, but the sadness doesn’t overwhelm me.  I sometimes feel bad about that, perhaps I am not as touched as I should be…
I know that I feel differently when the person that passes is close to me, a family member or very close friend.  I know that these people, the ones that are gone forever, have people who will mourn their passing for a long time.  I tend to focus on those that need the help to stay living when that pillar in their life is no more.  Still, it is strange how little those who are gone are really mentioned.  Not that we mean to forget them, just that they are no longer here in physical form…
That may be too deep for a Wednesday morning.

Example Three: Cake
My group put together a cook book to raise money for charity.  I purchased one.  I’m not usually a big cooker, and had to give up on a lot of cooking at my last apartment because the oven wouldn’t come up to temperature.  (I put a meatloaf in once, left it in for 45 minutes, the outside was nice and brown, the inside completely raw.)
Not so with this place!  The oven works nicely, cooking everything evenly.  Brilliant!
I decided to try out one of the recipes in the cook book and settle on the Coca-cola cake with Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting.  Oh yeah – I hit the jackpot with this one folks!  It is YUMMY.  Of course, what cake wouldn’t be yummy with sugar, buttermilk, marshmallows, coca-cola and more?  It’s a true Southern recipe.  The frosting is the best part, and I know I will be using it on many baked goodies going forward. 
I have decided to bake another cake for my group at work.  Everyone is VERY excited to try it. All I have to say:  Let them eat cake, cause it’s good!