Blah-Blah-Blog, Interrupted

I had started a new blog post Sunday evening but quit because of my new self-imposed computer curfew (more below). Then the phone rang, and both my computer curfew and my blogging urge blew away like crinkled leaves in an autumn gust. Dad was in the ER with shortness of breath and other signs of cardiac distress. My own heart lurched as I learned, 3 long hours later, that Dad needed bypass surgery. I took comfort in the fact that he was in stable condition, resting comfortably in a highly reputable hospital. Nevertheless, the past 3 days have felt more like 3 weeks as we have “watched and waited,” hoped and prayed, reminisced and worried that this precious person might leave us too soon. He hasn’t. He came through surgery like the strong, quarter-century-plus runner that he is. “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!” Speedy recovery, Dad- Dad- Daddy-o!

Back to my mundane blogging bits:

Computer Curfew (written before the crisis—hopefully the tranquility will resume this eve)

A few days ago, I started a new “program” (I know, I know—another one) in which I am restricting my computer hours to 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. This is something I have felt convicted to try in the past but haven’t done it because an array of excuses came to my aid. This time, I decided to go for it. In 3 days’ time, it has transformed the atmosphere of our evenings, especially. Without blogging and Facebook to distract me from the kids’ needs, I am reading to them more, getting them to bed earlier, and freed from the temptation to log on “just because.” That’s the beauty of boundaries, I think. They paralyze whatever amoebic habit threatens to take over one’s life. (Now if only I could stick to my “cookie curfew”… How does that go? “I think I can, I think I can…”—especially if I quit baking!)

Christmas Catalog Comparison (or maybe make that “No Comparison”)

Another part of my triune Pre-Advent Lent observance involves postponing my Christmas shopping until the week after Thanksgiving. I know this is some (or most?) people’s normal practice, but I prefer to shop ahead of Season. I have debated with myself, over the years, about whether early shopping costs more or less money, stress, etc. But I haven’t been able to stop myself. I just feel compelled to buy and wrap gifts—for all kinds of occasions, but especially for the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” However, the holidays will not be the ‘most wonderful time’ if we can’t pay our mortgage thereafter, and these days money is tighter than I ever remember. So this year I am giving myself the treasures of time and space to honestly assess our financial situation so that I can give—or not give—with integrity.

Having made this decision, I am almost immediately recycling the array of gift catalogs that began blowing (some barreling) into our mailbox along with autumn equinox. A few days ago, however, I was taken with one of them, Food for the Poor. The online version does not do justice to the print version of the catalog. The photographs and descriptions of needy people who can be helped with the price of a dozen dollars or more are compelling and convicting. I compared that catalog to another—one of my favorites, actually: Wireless, which features lots of fun, quirky stuff. But can we afford fun and quirky when kids are starving? This ridiculous “Hungry Alien Sculpture” struck me as exceedingly ironic. For $69.95, you can buy a zany metal figurine to collect dust in your kitchen, or, for about half that cost, you can feed a child for a full year. Hmmmmm….. I’m a patron of the arts, but not of mass-produced kitsch.

It’s almost 7, and my time is up…or maybe I should say my time is “un”—time to unplug, unwind and understand the blessing of another evening with Dad alive and well, and 3 of his grandkids nestled snug in their beds, with visions of fed children, content, in their heads.