Monday's Making a Difference

Today’s “Making a Difference” person is actually two people.

I met “R” almost four years ago when we moved to the Atlanta area. I picked her name off of the internet to be my scrapbook supplies consultant simply because she offered so many crops every month. It was just plain luck that I found her at all. She was so welcoming and friendly, it didn’t take long to get to know her.



"A" is on the left, "R" is in the middle.
May 2010

Six to nine months later, she invited me to join her and “A” at a sandwich shop for lunch. I remember thinking it was sort of out of the blue since we weren’t really “lunching” friends at that point. She said I had met “A” at crops (where a bunch of women get together and scrapbook together), but I did not remember her. It didn’t take me long to get to know “A” either. They invited me to join them for lunch the next week and Thursdays at the sandwich shop became our “usual thing”.

A year later, when I decided to homeschool Brielle, I asked if it was OK if I still met them for Thursday lunches even though I would now have Brielle in tow. “Of course she can come, too!” they practically said in harmony.

“R” and “A” were so welcoming to Brielle. “A” always greets Brielle with a hug. “R” always gives her special praises when Brielle wears a shirt with a “special mouse” (“R’s” favorite place on earth!). Talking about “the mouse” is sort of “their thing” and Brielle usually wants to wear one of her mouse shirts on Thursdays just for “R”.  

Through most of lunch, Brielle just silently munches on her ham and cheese sandwich. Nevertheless, I know “R” and “A” do not think of her as just being an appendage of me. I know they hold her in a special place. They demonstrate that at every meal.



"A" is on the left, "R" is standing next to me.
Ausut 2011

I have had Brielle tag along with me to lunches with friends many times now that we homeschool. What is so special is that they both speak directly to Brielle. They don’t look to me to interpret unless Brielle wants to tell a story. And Brielle usually wants to tell them a story at some point! They speak to her in age appropriate ways. They ask her questions and laugh at her silly ways. They have come to know Brielle and I know they truly love her.

Over sandwiches and chatter on those Thursdays, the four of us have developed a special bond. We share, laugh and sometimes cry. We have held one another up through our teenagers’ rebellions, illnesses, broken bones, medical procedures, and successes. We have supported one another as we complained about our husbands’ idiosyncrasies, their job losses, job changes, and moments of thoughtfulness to their wives and families. We have been there for each other through the life changes that three years of Thursdays sees. Their Christian love and support gives me strength and my time with them is usually the highlight of my week.

In recent months, for a variety of reasons, we have fallen out of the habit of getting together for Thursday lunches. I know it is temporary and I look forward to when our lunches together can continue.

“R” and “A” are huge blessings to my life and to Brielle’s in very special ways. I know that God made our paths cross for a reason.

Love Infinitely

A special wooden statue has sat on our living room mantle over the fireplace since we got more than five years ago. The name of the statue is “The Infinity Flame”. It has always intrigued me.

Almost since we got it, I have been thinking of getting it as a tattoo. It is completely out of character for me to want even want a tattoo, but somehow I still wanted it. Fear of the pain has kept me from getting it as a tattoo, until now....

Ashley turned 18 a month ago and had been thinking of getting a tattoo of the world’s continents on her foot. She has a passion for travel and will be studying Hospitality Management at college next fall. How fitting that she wanted “the world at her feet”.

So, we both mustered up the courage and got our tattoos today!

Ashley went first. I held her hand tightly and she winced for 45 minutes as the tattoo artist did his work.

I was so proud of her for being so brave! Then it was my turn...

Yes, it hurt... a lot.

Once the tattoo artist got the outline done on my back, I asked for a break. Within a matter of moments, I felt queasy. I laid my head to the side on the back of the chair... and then I passed out. Ugh.

It felt like I was out for 30 minutes, but Ashley said it was only for about 20 second. I felt so badly for scaring her like that. She was such a help putting a wet paper towel on my forehead and holding my hands. I drank some water and slowly ate a few crackers and felt much better within 15 minutes.

I was able to lie on my stomach to get the rest of it filled it. Less than three hours after we walked in, Ashley and I walked out with our new tattoos.

With the sign for “I love you” in the middle of the Infinity Flame, my tattoo has special meaning for me. I think of it as being titled “Love Infinitely”.  

It will always be part of me and a reminder of how to live my life.

It means respect, acceptance and show love always. How fitting is that!

Monday's Making a Difference

Many people make a difference in Brielle’s life in small ways that deserve a little recognition. Therefore, Mondays’ posts will be “Making a Difference” dedicated to highlighting some of those people. Although it is way for me to let each of them know how I appreciate their kindnesses, I hope that others will learn how little things do truly make a difference.

“A” has been our stylist for the last three and a half years (almost since our move to the Atlanta area). “A” does so many little things for Brielle other than just cut her hair every eight weeks. (And “A” does a fantastic job of doing cute, age appropriate styles for Brielle that still keeps her hair away from her face.)

First of all, “A” is incredibly patient with Brielle. Although Brielle is fairly cooperative when “A” cuts her hair, she can also be a little toot. However, “A” knows when Brielle tips her head down so she can snip the bottom, back of her hair, she has to move quickly and carefully.

“A” speaks directly to Brielle. “A” asks her about things she knows Brielle does and never speaks to her as though Brielle were four years old. Brielle still needs me to interpret for her or help elaborate on a story, but “A” is always genuinely interested.

“A” is Brielle’s friend on a social media website. Whenever Brielle sees that “A” is on-line, she sends her a “hi” message and “A” is always quick to chat with her for a little while.

Most of all, “A” has become a friend to us both. She is never shy about asking me direct questions about Brielle. Although “A” might not truly know what our day-to-day lives are like with Brielle, she is kind, understanding, and more than just our stylist.

Thank you, “A”! You are a treasure to us both!