It takes a village

I might be the only one who does it, but I suspect not. When I am doing something poorly, I tend to think of the myriad people in my life who could complete the task better than I. This usually doesn't bother me, or last very long. Usually the web of thoughts that follow keep me entertained until I finish my task to the best of my ability. I am writing this because it happened so many times this weekend I couldn't ignore it.

Friday night pruning trees, hedges, roses, etc., I thought of my cousin Liz who is amazing with plants, landscaping, and all things green. Then I thought of Mail Services, the job she got me, where we worked together for a semester and I worked for the rest of my college career. I also thought of a beautiful, ill-fated Tahitian bridal veil hanging plant Liz gave me and said I could not kill-- Ha! Proved you wrong! So thank you Liz, even though it has been too long since we talked and you live thousands of miles away, you helped me out pruning (read: butchering) my trees.

Saturday evening my new visiting teaching companion called, we were setting up appointments to meet our new sisters. I felt so awkward. The call was so awkward that even Gerald mentioned how painful it was to overhear. I thought of my Angel Grandmother, Saint Willa. I am sure that if Grandma were having that conversation it would have run smoothly, her partner would know that she cared about her and was grateful for her willingness to serve together, they both would have ended the conversation feeling happy, and knowing what they were going to do next. Willa makes everyone she meets feel comfortable and appreciated. So on Sunday when we made the actual visits I tried to channel my Grandma and be graceful, eloquent, and kind. I think I was okay at being kind... I might have aimed too high. I love you Grandma.

Sunday Morning I faced (again) the dilemma that I only like one dress I own. I have lots of nice clothes, I just don't like them on my body-- or, really, I just don't know how to put them together so they will look nice. I thought of my Aunt Charlene. Charlene is one of the best-dressed people of all time. She is stylish, and still has entirely her own style. I love the way she puts things on, puts them together, and accessorizes. She is wild, she is classy, she is beautiful. Someday I will work very hard to look as good as she does everyday. In the meantime, I decided to find an outfit that would match some really beautiful shoes she gave me once when I told her how much I liked them. I still wished I had more of a style to the outfit-- but every time I put on those shoes I feel pretty hot and a little more "Charlene-y". I love you Auntie Char.

I thought of a thousand other people as I went through my things to do. The "village" that raised me is never far from my mind. I wish I was better at thanking people for all they teach me, my sister Ruth is really good at that...