Inadequate

An elderly woman sits next to me every Sunday in Relief Society. She is charming, eccentric and quirky. She cannot hear, and the other ladies accommodate this with louder mic volume during the lesson. She raises her hand and offers insight at random moments. She takes notes each week with Lesson name, date, teacher, and insights. There are bits of her personality that are absolutely lovely.

And yet, each Sunday I end up having a running nose, or big sneezes, or a cough that I can't shake. Not my fault. It's winter. And, each Sunday as I sit next to her she reaches into her bag and hands me something that I need. Today, I had the SLIGHTEST hint of a sniffle and she reached over and handed me a tissue. I know she is just being kind, but every time she offers me what I lack I feel terribly pathetic.

Popcorn

Today was pretty fantastic. All day long I popped popcorn for my students. It seems a little elementary, but they worked hard for me this week and I wanted to give them a taste of joy. The popcorn? Air-popped. The topping? Salt and real butter, melted with my candle warmer.

Students would walk in the room and comment on the delightful smell and their happiness was contagious. I used to serve popcorn more often, but this year I just haven't thought of it. Students were really fantastic about it too. They cleaned the floor at the end of each class. More of them said thank you than any students I have taught before. It caught me off guard, in a good way.

My popcorn popping and sharing gave me hope for the future.

The Art of Dancing

When they ask you to turn down the music
Say no

When they tell you not to dance in public, ask Why?
Then start the jitterbug

If they say You are embarrassing
Say Who? Me?

It's not that you don't value their opinion
You're trying to branch out,
Think clearly,
Own your independence.

When someone giggles at the way your hips sway, smile quickly
and waltz away

Saunter around feeling like a gangsta
Bust a move when you least expect it
Then decide who leads the happier life.

Snow

The snow is like a dancer, twirling
Across the front lawn
Flakes tip toe on the rooftop
Prance next door
Pirouette through the trees

There is a rhythm
A movement
That is both stunning
And startling

Difficult to grasp, to mimic

Beautiful in its grace and fury.

How To Choose Carpet

When they say Do you like it?
Say no

When they show you the samples
Stroke the soft fibers, smell the newness
Consider your options
Before answering

If they say Do we have a deal
Say not yet

It's not that you don't like the carpet
You're trying to build a home
It's too important to be hasty.
Shade. Softness on a baby's crawling knees.
It has to be perfect.

When someone asks if you have it yet
Nod briefly and smile.
You have a secret you're not ready to share.

Walk around feeling like a champion.
Know that you couldn't have made a better choice.
Then, begin to live.

It's Like a Facelift

Today in Relief Society our counselor announced an evening activity for next week. We are going to be taught how to bottle chicken. It is said to have a shelf life of 10 years, and serve as a nice replacement for the super pricey canned variety. Sounds great, right?

So, she announces the activity and then says something like this:

"You have to be careful with pressure cookers, though. I have a friend who was bottling green beans and she did something wrong. Everything exploded and she lost all the skin on her face. It was really painful, but her NEW skin was nice and firm and baby soft."

Yep. Awesome. Hope you can make it.