Family Resemblance: Part 2

Welcome to the Cabin on Ruby Drive. We hope you'll find everything in order. Except for the salt shaker. We hope you never find that. In an attempt to keep the house tidy and comfortable during your stay, we ask that you leave your shoes, purses, diaper bags, keys, joint pain, hot flashes, umbrellas, and worries by the door.

Warning: this building and the furnishings therein may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause nostalgia and reverting to childhood behavior. Side effects may include teasing, giggling, whispering while cuddled on couches, pranks, singing, whistling, throwing small objects, intense board game competition, and across-the-room silent conversations. Such behavior may be confusing or alarming to grandchildren.

We regret that you may not stay here permanently. Please make sure to exchange pieces of yourselves before you leave.

Sincerely, the Management

...and many more

It didn't matter that he couldn't open his eyes because of a painful infection.
It didn't matter that he was there as part of a ministry that involves hard work and continual self-sacrifice.

It only mattered that he had been rubbing in the fact that he lives in Hawaii. And I had to strike while the iron was hot.

"Tonight's sunset is beautiful."
"How would you know? You can't see it."
"Because I've seen a lot of sunsets here. And they're always beautiful."

Invincible. Darn it. God beats everything in Rock, Paper, Scissors, Infinity.

I pray for a heart like his. That, when I have sight, my eyes will be focused on what is glorious. That, when I am blinded, I will have confidence because I have seen the goodness of the Lord. That, when others question, I will declare what I know is true.

Voracious

"Help yourself to anything," she insisted."There's cottage cheese and milk. And edimame in the freezer."

So I did.
I ate two pickles and some of the mystery casserole she left on the refrigerator shelf.
I munched on cereal and popcorn and frozen cookie dough.
I sampled her dishes and her cookware, her jewelry and her wardrobe.
I savored singleness as I drank in the details of this place where they are beginning life together.
I tasted the tiniest morsel of the love letters scattered about the house - just enough to appreciate their rich, sweet flavor, and still remain guilt-free.

Tonight I found the smorgasbord. It had been in front of my eyes for three days, but I failed to notice. A vast array of tantalizing entrees and mouth-watering delicacies. Old friends and strangers and legends all crowded together, and those possessing the most charisma given a place of honor.

I think my eyes are bigger than my stomach.

While she feasts on lobster and the midnight buffet, I fill my plate with chapters from her bookshelves. I think I'll start with dessert first. Mmm... O'Henry.

Oriented x3

On my lunch break, I went to Farmer Boys.

After staring at the menu for at least 5 minutes, I step forward to order. "Your name, please?" "Megan," and I move to stand by the door while I check my voicemail.

I like my new/old job. A familiar setting. People I admire and enjoy working with. There's just the small problem of my office. That is, I like my office, but I don't get to use it for the first few weeks. I'm in office purgatory, using a temporary phone extension while I wait to unpack my pencil holders and post-it note collection. What to put on my business cards? At least I know my name. And my degree. I have a paper that backs me up on that one.

"Dan?" The man wearing a t-shirt and baseball cap grabs one of the bags being held out over the counter.

"Club sandwich?" I nod, and put my phone back in my purse. Lunch in hand, I push open the door and mutter "MSW."