Provocative

Resonating with me.

This. Yes.

(Via Chuck Klosterman, Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story)

We all have the potential to fall in love a thousand times in our lifetime. It's easy. The first girl I ever loved was someone I knew in sixth grade. Her name was Missy; we talked about horses. The last girl I love will be someone I haven't even met yet, probably.

They all count. But there are certain people you love who do something else; they define how you classify what love is supposed to feel like. These are the most important people in your life, and you’ll meet maybe four or five of these people over the span of 80 years.

But there’s still one more tier to all this; there is always one person you love who becomes that definition. It usually happens retrospectively, but it happens eventually. This is the person who unknowingly sets the template for what you will always love about other people, even if some of these loveable qualities are self-destructive and unreasonable. The person who defines your understanding of love is not inherently different than anyone else, and they’re often just the person you happen to meet the first time you really, really, want to love someone. But that person still wins. They win, and you lose. Because for the rest of your life, they will control how you feel about everyone else.

I received a real treat today.


No, it wasn't the two people who told me I was beginning to look a little like Kate Winslet (who knew that healthy living and losing weight could thrust me into the embryonic stage of being a celebrity doppelgänger? I don't see it, but damm if that wasn't nice to hear.) Nor was it the two different people who told me they dug my writing and are you writing a book because you really should... (did I win the compliment lottery today?)

My treat was the fact that I got to see love and affection. In their truest forms.

Will had a seizure at school this afternoon -- not a major one with all the twitches and whistles, thank goodness. 'Twas a petit mal version which didn't last long. A by-product either of his ongoing, dammed ear infection or of his recent growth spurt which may have rendered his current anti-convulsant dosage slightly ineffective.

His teacher called to give me the news while I was in the shower and I raced to school, still dripping wet from a hasty dry-off and dressing. Never underestimate a stressed mama's ability to get out the door in a (barely) presentable fashion in the speed of light. Thank goodness I wasn't pulled over. Shhhh... As I raced through the school office -- the admins know to let me go on by just based on the look on my face -- and back to Will's class, I mentally ticked off all the things I needed to do in case a trip to the ER was required. When I got to the classroom, I opened the door, not sure what I was going to encounter.

It was there that I got my treat.

Will's teacher was getting him settled in a wagon to go out to the car -- after a seizure, he is exhausted and what is know as postictal -- and she wasn't sure whether he'd be up to walking. Her helpers included two of Will's classmates, his pal Corshawna, who was holding his hand and his buddy CJ who was talking to him in a garbled tone that I couldn't decipher completely but instantly understood the tone. CJ was telling Will, in his own way, that he was going to be OK.

And then I felt two little arms, barely touching me, with a curly blonde head tucked in just so -- in hug position. It was Justin, he of the sensory issues, he who doesn't like to be touched, he who is just learning social cues. Justin was giving me a hug to let *me* know that it was going to be OK. "Hi Will's mom!" he said as he pulled away.

If that's not love -- genuine love in its purest form -- then I don't know what is.

During our little time of crisis, we were ministered to by Will's friends. Kiddos who don't have it easy, thanks to delays and health issues. Kiddos who themselves know all too well the nuances of crises. They didn't think. They just did. Their friend was sick and they wanted to help. Plain and simple.

Balm for my soul. Comfort for Will's.

It was beautiful.

Not been an easy time 'round here lately for us at Casa de Janey. The Mister's been on the road more than usual and Will's at a point when he really misses his papa. Then there's the ongoing effing ear infection, which has triggered three seizures in three weeks (that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.) Plus I'm nursing a cold which has settled in my chest and throat, making me sound like Harvey Fierstien's younger shiksa sister. I'm tired, with coping skills that are a little on the weak side, and a support system that, while strong, isn't local. Got some hugs over the phone tonight, which helped, but still...

It ain't easy being me sometimes, y'all and right now is one of those times.

But I was buoyed up from the depths by love and affection and friendship today, thanks to the tender hearts and giving spirits of Will's pals. My boy is loved. He has friends. Who could ask for more?

And even though today was tough, as all carpe diem days are, my heart is not as heavy as it might be.

Thanks to the TLC of some kiddos who took care of their pal (and his mommy) when he was in trouble.


If you're ever in a jam, here I am.
If you're ever in a mess, S.O.S.
If you're so happy, you land in jail -- I'm your bail.
It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
When other friendships are soon forgot, ours will still be hot.
Da da da da da da dig dig dig

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