Friday's Favorite Five

I'm so incredibly tired tonight.  Mentally tired.  Spiritually tired.  Completely spent.  It's hard, with so much evil in the world to keep moving forward.  The Penn State scandal just sickens me, literally.  I do not understand any of it.  I will not waste my time trying to figure out how a man sexually assaults little boys, I know that is inexplicable, but I do not understand how so many men ignored it and failed those boys.  How do they look in the mirror every day?  Seriously?  How do you witness a 10 year old boy being raped and leave?  Not call the police?  How?  How do you hear about that and not call the police?  How do you not punch the guys lights out?  I do not understand.

A woman in our neighborhood had a close "friend" with stage 4 cancer.  Months to live.  She "generously" organized a fund raiser and a fund to help the family with medical expenses.  Then, she helped herself to $11,000 of the fund.  How do you do that?  I do not understand.  I am so sorry for the woman with cancer and the money that may have made things that much easier for her family, but I'm also terribly sorry for the woman who took the money's 4 children.  What will kids be like to them at school?  The story is all over the local news.

So many things I do not understand.

But, because I can not stay in bed all my days with my blankets pulled up over my head, no matter how tempting it may seem some days, I'm forcing myself to find 5 Favorite Things.  I need to focus on the positive, it's really the only choice we have, isn't it?

1. Jason & Lori close by.  It's hard to put into words what a blessing this is.  How it feels like you've done something really right when your child, and your child's wife, would willingly choose to live literally around the corner.  Jacob and Julianna walk to school almost every day with Matthew.  I was driving home from conferences tonight, saw Jason outside, and was able to stop and chat for a bit.  Such. a. blessing.
2. Speaking of conferences, I had 4 today.  Four times I got to hear how well my children are doing, what a delight they are, how well things are going in every way.  They're smart, they get along well with others, they have good work ethics, they're polite and respectful.  I am so lucky.
3. Thanksgiving.  It's coming fast.  We're hosting and everyone's coming.  We are so blessed.  I spend lots of time almost every day perusing recipes, making lists, planning.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love cooking it, I love having family here, I love how much my kids look forward to it, I love that Rebekah will be home for it, and I love the Thanksgiving Day parade.  I love that dinner will cook all day, with people popping in and out of the kitchen, nibbling, helping.  I love that after dinner there will be a huge mess and everyone will jump in and help and talk and share.  It will be wonderful.
4. My washer and dryer.  Can you imagine not owning a washer and dryer?  I realize there's an inherent arrogance in even asking the question.  I am so lucky.  I do so much laundry every week.  Crazy amounts of laundry.  My life is infinitely easier that my laundry room is steps away and doesn't involve getting in a car, or worse, walking long distances.  I love the brand-name laundry detergents I use in way too generous quantities.  I love Downy fabric softener that I use in every load.  I love dressing my family in clean, soft, sweet smelling clothes that help make them feel good about themselves and sends a message to the world that someone cares about them.  
5. Falling back.  I love this time change.  I even love that it gets dark early, though I'll admit on dance nights I wish it wasn't quite so dark, quite so early.  I love that my kids go to bed earlier, happily, and that everyone finds it easier to get up in the morning.  It won't last long, we will adjust, but for now, it's wonderful.

Well, I do feel somewhat better.  It's always good to stop and look at the bright side.  Check out Susanne's at Living to Tell the Story for more Friday Favorite Five's.