Dear Diary,
An early start to Diary Day. Somehow last night I knocked my phone off of the nightstand. It’s my alarm and my wife is a light sleeper. I was concerned it would go off in the morning and wake her if I didn’t find it. However, it’s black and my groping yielded nothing. I didn’t want to turn on the light to wake her, or go get a flashlight and really wake up, so I drifted back to sleep. I woke to my wife shaking me when the phone did go off. Not the start I had hoped for.
One of the things I like about Diary Day is it causes me to reflect and not just cruise on autopilot. While not just about today I realized I made a mistake in making too many commitments this week. All good but every night is filled. Monday had a church meeting at 7:00 and got home about 9:45. Making it worse my wife picked up grandkids and I barely saw them. Tuesday, I had a board meeting at 5:15, stayed downtown and visited another friend’s church, and got home after 9:00. My wife had a headache and was alone with the grandkids. I rubbed her feet, but she could have used more help. Tonight, I help with youth group at our church. Hope to take our oldest grandkids, twins going into the 7th grade, along. If so, I will get to spend some time with them, and my wife is down two whom she has to watch. Thursday, we drive the grandkids back home to Fort Wayne and have supper with friends. Friday I will go to a friend’s camp meeting. All good things but too much. I won’t make this mistake again.
I was out the door early to attend Muncie on the Move. A Chamber of Commerce bimonthly networking event. The doors open at 6:45 and ends about 8:00. Dale Basham is the emcee and makes it lighthearted and fun. There are typically three major sponsors who give announcements about their company and/or upcoming events. When I moved to Muncie, I didn’t know anyone. Even though the program has always been upbeat it’s a lot more fun to attend now and see many whom I do know and also meet new people. It’s not unusual for me to find out about events which will take place in our community, things which don’t make it into the newspaper. Today I won a door prize. A nice basket with grilling tools and a few spices, not too bad. There was an announcement concerning a film to celebrate June being Gay Pride month. The social acceptance of homosexuality has shifted dramatically during my life. I wonder what differences there will be 50 years from now? If morals and values are just what the majority of society approves the shifting sands of public opinion are a scary foundation for morality to be grounded.
Being over the age of 50 and not tech savvy I had to make a trip to the BMV to renew our car plates. The BMV sends an email with a link where you can renew without going to the BMV. However, I couldn’t figure it out. I feel like Fred Flintstone with technology. A client with a number in the 130s was being served when I walked in and I got number 149. How long will I be here I wondered? To the BMV’s credit, they served people quickly and I was out in maybe half an hour. The person who helped with pleasant and prompt.
Interacting with people is a significant part of my job. Many times, it’s the best part of the job, it can also be the hardest. Sadly, it was the latter today. One family member is “lawyering up” against another. There has been friction points in the past but I was surprised at this escalation. Once this hits the fan and the other family member gets the letter from the attorney I am concerned that a wound between the two might emerge which will not be healed.
In the afternoon I had an appointment with a new friend. He is also lawyered up against a family member. I have only heard my friend’s side of the story but if it is true the other family member behaved horribly. In two weeks, my friend is hopeful that a judge’s ruling will lead to mediation and the resolution of the matter. While the relationship is broken beyond healing when the litigation ends this chapter will be over and my friend’s healing can begin. On a happier note, he announced he plans to go to law school. His current employer is aware and will pay part of the costs of law school. He is in for an intense time working, having a family and the stress of law school.
Home for supper and enjoyed a short time with the grandkids. The oldest are going into 7th grade next year. They are no longer the little tykes I recall but young adults. Surprised when I look at them how grown up they have become. Blessed to have grandkids and a daughter who generously allows them to come to our house to spend time with us.
Final event of the day was helping with our church youth group. I am proud of the young men. They attend regularly, try to live up to Christian principals and have become friends who hold each other accountable. It was a beautiful night. We took chairs out into the parking lot and enjoyed the mild weather and the setting of the sun as we talked.
Home to do a few chores, putting dishes away from the dishwasher and happily off to bed. And that Dear Diary, was my day.