Friday, February 12, 2010

Taking a little blog break

'Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed, where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, laid dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, “How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” he accused. “The second family had little but was willing to share everything and you let their cow die.”

“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied. “When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I told him to take the cow instead.

Things aren’t always what they seem.” '

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are many things that have broken in my house recently. Tools that I use daily like my printer; which will not load paper, for no reason. Or my bathroom sink and bath tub; that whole bathroom needs to be re plumbed and is out of commission except for the toilet. My cabinet doors are all falling off; we have lost 3 already and 3 more are breaking. Even my blessed espresso machine (which I now only use to froth milk), has broken in the last week. I have been having a really hard time with this. This week has been very hard on me and I kinda felt like the whole world was crashing down. My house is my solace.... I spend all my time here. When I get stressed, I clean and organize my space and it makes that little part of the world feel better. Even if it is just beautifully printed things in my notebooks or a newly organized closet. It gives me peace... and you can't get that same type of peace if the tools you use to get it are broken. So I have been having a very hard time.

But then, the other night, my husband was in a shooting. His car got shot... his car, which he was standing in front of... and he did not. They took the shooter down without issue and all of them went home safe. With the track record recently, that seems like an almost unimaginable blessing. None of the officers involved were harmed in any way.

My house is falling down around my ears. But my husband is here and safe.

"Things are not always what they seem."

Take the house, sweet angels. Take the house.

I'll be back... but now, I need to take a little break.

Hug your husbands.

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27 comments

Sunshine Alternative Mama said...

Aw Val, you deserve every kind of break. I am so glad he is safe! I suspect that you both need emotional healing even if the bullet did no physical damage. You'll be in my thoughts ....

Sarah said...

I can't imagine how you must be feeling! I would be a mess...I'll be thinking of you

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Thanks for the dose of perspective. Life is short, and it is easy to lose sight of what matters! Enjoy a peaceful break.

Maiden Jane said...

I'm so sorry. You cherish every moment with your family.

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

Val, I have been lurking on your blog for awhile.

I am so glad your husband is OK.

I also understand how frustrating it can be to have the things you are relying on falling down around you.

Enjoy your break. We will be here when you get back.

Anna said...

So glad he is safe. I cannot imagine how you deal with all of it but I wish you strength and peace. Take all the time you need!

Judy said...

I am so sorry for what you must be going through. I'll be thinking of you. Take care.

Shirley said...

GIANT HUGS!

erika~ the inspired mama said...

wow, scary!! take care, mama! enjoy your blogging break :: enjoy your family!

~xoxo~
erika

Jenny said...

Val- enjoy your break. You deserve it. Wish I was closer- I'd send my husband over to help with your plumbing. Thanks for sharing the angel story.

Julia said...

((HUGS)) to you Val. Take care of yourself.

simply patti said...

Val... if anyone understands needing break... I understand. Now the whole shooting thing? I can't even imagine. My son is in pre-law enforement and although I am proud of him, I am secretly terrified. I will hug my husband and my son tonight.

And hugs to you...

Rachel said...

Thanks for sharing this--what a good reminder that God is in control.

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

Val,

Hugs to you and yours as well. Take as long as you need and we'll be here when you're ready to come back. Thank you for sharing such a good story.

xoxo MaryLea

E. Mahoney said...

Hello there,

You know how the blogosphere works. I know you (sort of) and you don't know me. But even though we don't know each other, I wanted to tell you that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I've been reading your blog pretty regularly and it's been so informative, inspiring, and comforting to me. Mom of 1 year old, just starting to figure out that this, as in home, is what makes me happy in life, and figuring out how to make that happen. It's been a blessing to me to find your blog.

So when I read your post to day, also as someone living in the area, it really took my breath away. Thanks to your husband for changing his life to help keep our world safer and more peaceful. Thanks to you for your bravery in being by his side. And thanks for sharing your experience with all of us. I hope this break is restorative for you, and that you can get that broken feeling out from inside yourself, and find the joy in your beautiful nest again. In some ways, I know just how that feels. So I'd like to share some words with you that lift me up in those moments, along the lines with your angel tale.

Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in.

-Leonard Cohen

Wishing you peace and light.

Ellen

Frannie said...

you made me cry...Prayers going out to your family and the officers around you all.

Simple Mama said...

Oh Val! What a terrifying experience. Your post made me catch my breath. Take time, love your little ones and your husband. Spend time in the solace of your home. Blessings and light,

Danita

M.E. Greene said...

Thank you for this precious reminder, Val. I'm going to go hug my hubby right now!

Jen said...

You are in my thoughts. I am glad that you're what-ifs were not realized.

LeLo said...

Val, I'm delurking to say wow. My partner is a police officer too, and I've dreaded moments like this. Big hugs to you and your family now, and thank you for reminding me how precious the moments are with the loves of our lives.

Unknown said...

((((Val)))) You and your family are in our thoughts.

Nessa said...

It's such a blessing that your husband is ok. I am so glad to hear he's ok. You are a special gem indeed to be thankful everyday, something we should all remember to cherish and take time to reflect and enjoy. Sorry about the house, but you are right, those material things can be replaced and with time, they will be. I hope that you can get your items replaced so that you can get back in track and I'm again happy your man is home safe.

ColorSlut said...

Goodness that is scary. I'm happy to hear he is okay. When the world is falling down around you - sometimes it feels really good to just put on some disco and dance. Dance dance dance :)

Warm thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Val, I just commented on your memorial video post, but it seems to have dissapeared.
Hopefully this one goes through.
My husband is a Lakewood Police officer. It was his crew that was at Forza. The only reason he wasn't there was because of a previous incident that morning. Normally, he would have been.
I heard about your tires getting slashed. I'm sure you probably heard about us too. It was our POV that was fire bombed at the end of July. Gangsters also tagged my husband's Patrol car and our driveway.
We completely left the State for a month after the Lakewood incident only to hear about officer Mundell (our neighbor) while trying to forget all this mess. My father is also a Sgt. with Pierce County.
I just want to let you know that I feel your pain and let you know that we are all family. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
There have been several LE spouse meetings in the are over the last few months. If you don't have information about them, please contact me. They are very very healing.
((hugs)) to you sister in blue. All my love.
Be well,
Jenn

Kelly said...

I enjoyed your story about the angels. I have heard it before but I needed to hear it again. I found your blog through oneprettything and I have added it to my favorites. I will say a prayer for you.

Amy said...

I think I needed to read this tonight.

Ricki said...

(((hugs))) to you and your family. I can't even imagine. My words seem so insignificant at this point, but I wanted you to know one more person reads this and is touched by your life.

A million times, thank you to you and your husband.

As far as the cupboards ~ take the doors off and go with open cupboards, they can be very pretty :) We have open utility shelving and I actually love the way it looks now!

Our espresso machine still brews but the frother broke...we're switching over to regular coffee, save money on milk too. Have you tried a french press?

again (((hugs)))

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