The Christmas season wrapped up at midnight, December 25, and I must say, it was the fastest season on record. Thanksgiving was a bit later this year, but Christmas itself seemed to zoom by.
This Christmas was the first Christmas without my mother. My husband's beloved uncle in New Jersey also passed away just a few weeks ago. All of us were sort of dreading this holiday - we weren't sure what to expect. My son put it very well today - Christmas came and went before we even noticed it. Macy's kept me so busy that I didn't have time to do much decorating. There's a wreath on the door and that's about it. I sent out Christmas cards - but the list was very short. I, somehow, managed to bake cookies for people at work My daughter was busy working at the movie theater or out with her friends. My husband had a host of health issues that demanded much of our attention. Even Christmas dinner wasn't a big deal - pork roast and vegetables in cheese sauce. Cherry pie for dessert.
I'm not sure if we are out of the woods just yet. On Christmas Eve morning, I received a call from a member of my uncle's family - my only living aunt (Mom's older sister) was in the hospital. Dehydration and bad nutrition led to her being rushed to the emergency room. All I could think of was, "Here we go again."
Maybe the lesson here is that life goes on in spite of ourselves. I feel like my mom nudged me a bit on Thanksgiving Day and gave me permission to enjoy the holiday. While I was so busy my head was spinning, I didn't feel depressed. My daughter, however, told me she missed her grandma and was sad. I guess it was a good thing she was busy with work.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Life, Death and the Holidays
Somehow the holidays always seem to sneak up on me. I know I'm not alone in this observation. However, for our family, this holiday season is drastically different.
Last August, we lost my mother. After almost 91 years, her heart, mind and body finally decided enough was enough and she joined her brother, parents and my father in Heaven. While I know she is in a better place, I and my family miss her dearly. Someone posted on Facebook a few days ago a little sentiment, "I wish there were visiting hours in Heaven." Today, I wished that more than anything. Today wasn't anything special. It was just another day with Thanksgiving looming in the almost immediate future. I'm not cooking this year. Neither is my aunt - my mother's older sister. We have chosen to eat out this Thanksgiving. Any other Thanksgiving, I would have regarded this as sacrilege. My aunt was concerned that we would be insulted by the idea. Not this year.
Shortly after Mom's passing, we acquired a stray cat. The plan was to find her owners or turn her over to the Humane Society. After two months, no one came forward to claim her and we had become attached. We named her Rosie. Nosie Rosie would be a better fit. She is in everything. She's no longer a kitten; the vet put her at about a year old. Rosie has a personality that is all diva, and Rocky, our older male cat, isn't so sure he likes the idea. However, they have learned to like each other and sometimes sleep together on Big Jack's recliner or my lap. I wish Mom were alive to see them. Rosie would have had Mom laughing until she cried.
Big Jack's mental and physical health issues are taking their toll on all of us. We've made adjustments in his medicines for his psychiatric problems and now his kidneys are rebelling against him. Since last spring, he has had a total of 7 kidney stones. This latest one had to be surgically removed through his back. The thing was the size of a golf ball and the doctor believes there may still be more. Needless to say, Jack is in agony and I'm exhausted.
The pressure of the holidays is always the same. However, this year, we will be absent from a lot of the holiday traditions. We haven't really decided if we want to decorate for Christmas. I don't think I'll be baking cookies or anything else. Maybe we'll try being normal next year.
Last August, we lost my mother. After almost 91 years, her heart, mind and body finally decided enough was enough and she joined her brother, parents and my father in Heaven. While I know she is in a better place, I and my family miss her dearly. Someone posted on Facebook a few days ago a little sentiment, "I wish there were visiting hours in Heaven." Today, I wished that more than anything. Today wasn't anything special. It was just another day with Thanksgiving looming in the almost immediate future. I'm not cooking this year. Neither is my aunt - my mother's older sister. We have chosen to eat out this Thanksgiving. Any other Thanksgiving, I would have regarded this as sacrilege. My aunt was concerned that we would be insulted by the idea. Not this year.
Shortly after Mom's passing, we acquired a stray cat. The plan was to find her owners or turn her over to the Humane Society. After two months, no one came forward to claim her and we had become attached. We named her Rosie. Nosie Rosie would be a better fit. She is in everything. She's no longer a kitten; the vet put her at about a year old. Rosie has a personality that is all diva, and Rocky, our older male cat, isn't so sure he likes the idea. However, they have learned to like each other and sometimes sleep together on Big Jack's recliner or my lap. I wish Mom were alive to see them. Rosie would have had Mom laughing until she cried.
Big Jack's mental and physical health issues are taking their toll on all of us. We've made adjustments in his medicines for his psychiatric problems and now his kidneys are rebelling against him. Since last spring, he has had a total of 7 kidney stones. This latest one had to be surgically removed through his back. The thing was the size of a golf ball and the doctor believes there may still be more. Needless to say, Jack is in agony and I'm exhausted.
The pressure of the holidays is always the same. However, this year, we will be absent from a lot of the holiday traditions. We haven't really decided if we want to decorate for Christmas. I don't think I'll be baking cookies or anything else. Maybe we'll try being normal next year.
Thursday, July 04, 2013
4th of July Reflections
Today we celebrate the anniversary of our country's Declaration of Independence from a tyrannical monarchy. The fireworks, parades, and fairs are always the highlight of an American summer.
On this day, my son and I went for a two-hour drive (each way) to Hannibal, Missouri - nicknamed America's Hometown. Hannibal, as most people know, is the hometown of Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. This historic river town is home to Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly and a host of iconic characters that draw us back to a time when riverboats ruled and life moved at a slower pace.
Sadly, Hannibal today isn't the quaint river town that most of us imagine. Many historic buildings have fallen into terrible disrepair. The Becky Thatcher House just reopened after a four-year renovation, but the Grant Drugstore is so bad, it's too dangerous to allow people to do any more than look in a window. An employee of an art gallery we met told us that renovations have been going on in the last ten years, but much more work needs to be done. I shake my head and wonder what Mark Twain would think about his home town if he saw it today.
In spite of my melancholy over Hannibal's deterioration, my son and I had a good time while there. The craft show was lovely, the carnival was fun, and while the fence painting contest wasn't quite what we were expecting, we enjoyed the visit. We finished our day with dinner at the local diner - Mark Twain Dinette and Family Restaurant. The diner celebrated 70 years last year and is clearly a popular eatery. The food was great and atmosphere very friendly.
We didn't stay for the fireworks in Hannibal. My son was tired and wanted to go home, so we made the drive home in time to see the fireworks in our own neighborhood. For the first time, my husband and I were able to watch the show from five different locations around our house from the comfort of our front porch. The "official" show was two miles away and not really visible from our house, but the neighbors put on a really good show. Noisy, but wonderful all the same.
I'm so thankful for a lovely day to celebrate our nation's birth, our Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, and spend time with one of my very favorite guys.
On this day, my son and I went for a two-hour drive (each way) to Hannibal, Missouri - nicknamed America's Hometown. Hannibal, as most people know, is the hometown of Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. This historic river town is home to Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly and a host of iconic characters that draw us back to a time when riverboats ruled and life moved at a slower pace.
Sadly, Hannibal today isn't the quaint river town that most of us imagine. Many historic buildings have fallen into terrible disrepair. The Becky Thatcher House just reopened after a four-year renovation, but the Grant Drugstore is so bad, it's too dangerous to allow people to do any more than look in a window. An employee of an art gallery we met told us that renovations have been going on in the last ten years, but much more work needs to be done. I shake my head and wonder what Mark Twain would think about his home town if he saw it today.
In spite of my melancholy over Hannibal's deterioration, my son and I had a good time while there. The craft show was lovely, the carnival was fun, and while the fence painting contest wasn't quite what we were expecting, we enjoyed the visit. We finished our day with dinner at the local diner - Mark Twain Dinette and Family Restaurant. The diner celebrated 70 years last year and is clearly a popular eatery. The food was great and atmosphere very friendly.
We didn't stay for the fireworks in Hannibal. My son was tired and wanted to go home, so we made the drive home in time to see the fireworks in our own neighborhood. For the first time, my husband and I were able to watch the show from five different locations around our house from the comfort of our front porch. The "official" show was two miles away and not really visible from our house, but the neighbors put on a really good show. Noisy, but wonderful all the same.
I'm so thankful for a lovely day to celebrate our nation's birth, our Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, and spend time with one of my very favorite guys.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Work Life at Macy's
The last couple of weeks at Macy's have been, well, strange. Its also been interesting. If I wrote a book about my experiences at Macy's, I wonder if it would be a best seller. Or Macy's may sue me. Time enough to figure that out later.
In any event, here we go.
As you all know, I love to play with the babies and children that come into the store. It's the high point of my day. One day I was doing just that - a little boy in his stroller was flirting with me and I was playing back. Mama and Grandma were nearby and approved. Somehow, another customer standing nearby thought she would get in on the fun and asked the baby if he could say Grandma. She asked this several times. Mama and I looked at the woman wondering what she was thinking. Then the woman looked up at me, surprised, and said to me, "Oh, you work here!" Needless to say, Mama and (the real) Grandma were irked at the woman. I simply stated, "No, ma'am, he's not mine."
The next day, while I was at Walgreens, a woman came up to me and commented on my smile. She said she thought my teeth were beautiful and wanted to know if they were my own.
Last week, at Macy's, a woman literally left her 3-month old baby in his carrier at my feet while she went to the dressing room to try on some bras. Macy's requires all its employees to take care of the customer, however, I don't think babysitting is part of the job description. After speaking to management and our security department about it, neither one gave me a good answer on the best way to handle that situation. Great. Oh, and the woman came back to claim her child after about ten minutes.
This week, I have had a customer go into a narcoleptic seizure at my register, and another customer almost pass out from Heaven only knows what.
As you can imagine, I started my shift yesterday with a quick prayer to God asking for just a "normal" day. No weirdness, please. He answered me.
Yesterday I met half the world. My customers included a woman from Turkey, another woman from Columbia, South America, a couple from Belgium on a business trip, an American woman now living in Switzerland, a business woman from Nigeria (her name would sprain my tongue if I tried to pronounce it), and an American couple celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary by traveling from Ohio to St. Louis for the first time. Okay, that last one was domestic - don't get so picky.
I have written about international customers before. It's truly amazing how global we are. I've met people from Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, most of Asia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Ghana, South America, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.
Happy Memorial Day readers!
In any event, here we go.
As you all know, I love to play with the babies and children that come into the store. It's the high point of my day. One day I was doing just that - a little boy in his stroller was flirting with me and I was playing back. Mama and Grandma were nearby and approved. Somehow, another customer standing nearby thought she would get in on the fun and asked the baby if he could say Grandma. She asked this several times. Mama and I looked at the woman wondering what she was thinking. Then the woman looked up at me, surprised, and said to me, "Oh, you work here!" Needless to say, Mama and (the real) Grandma were irked at the woman. I simply stated, "No, ma'am, he's not mine."
The next day, while I was at Walgreens, a woman came up to me and commented on my smile. She said she thought my teeth were beautiful and wanted to know if they were my own.
Last week, at Macy's, a woman literally left her 3-month old baby in his carrier at my feet while she went to the dressing room to try on some bras. Macy's requires all its employees to take care of the customer, however, I don't think babysitting is part of the job description. After speaking to management and our security department about it, neither one gave me a good answer on the best way to handle that situation. Great. Oh, and the woman came back to claim her child after about ten minutes.
This week, I have had a customer go into a narcoleptic seizure at my register, and another customer almost pass out from Heaven only knows what.
As you can imagine, I started my shift yesterday with a quick prayer to God asking for just a "normal" day. No weirdness, please. He answered me.
Yesterday I met half the world. My customers included a woman from Turkey, another woman from Columbia, South America, a couple from Belgium on a business trip, an American woman now living in Switzerland, a business woman from Nigeria (her name would sprain my tongue if I tried to pronounce it), and an American couple celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary by traveling from Ohio to St. Louis for the first time. Okay, that last one was domestic - don't get so picky.
I have written about international customers before. It's truly amazing how global we are. I've met people from Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, most of Asia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Ghana, South America, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.
Happy Memorial Day readers!
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Cultural Crossroads
The world is an amazing place. Really. Most of us think that the world revolves around us or that the rest of the world lives, thinks, eats, and breathes just like we do. Some people may never meet a person from a foreign country or someone who has traveled outside the United States. Some, like me, get the privilege of having the world come to them.
Allow me to explain. For the last two years, I've been working part time as a sales associate for Macy's in the St. Louis Galleria. The Galleria is a busy place and wanderers will come through Macy's looking for something that they can't live without. It's no surprise that customers come in all shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. I won't get into the frustrations of dealing with the public here. I'll simply describe the customers who have passed through my line. Ready? Here we go . . .
I had a woman visiting St. Louis on business who lives in Switzerland. She had a delicious accent and was a delight to help. Another woman was from Italy and described her hometown (can't remember it now). She also had a yummy accent and comes to St. Louis frequently on business.
Countless Middle Eastern women, some accompanied with their overbearing husbands. Don't get me started on that subject. Some were easy to get along with, others seemed to think they were in a Pakistani street market and could argue the prices of everything they were buying. Wait, didn't I say I wasn't going to get into the frustrations here? Sorry. Not sure which countries these folks were from, but I would guess Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq/Iran, Saudi Arabia, and a few from India.
About equal in number to the Middle Eastern ladies would be the Asian ladies. Once again, I couldn't begin to guess where they were from, but China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan sound pretty good to me. Sometimes, I found it interesting that the older ladies were accompanied by the younger "Americanized" family members and they act as the translators. Language barrier is a real issue on my job.
An American woman came through and told me she was heading home to France. I asked her if I could go with her and she laughed. Turns out she is a missionary and living in France. I tried my hand at French and failed miserably. She was very gracious about it and I told her to have a safe trip "home."
If the customers weren't colorful enough, our employees easily add to the pallet. Two employees hail from South Africa, another from Spain, a manager from the UK, another employee from Bulgaria and another from Croatia. The gal from Croatia really sounds like she's from Brooklyn, but who am I to judge?
Maybe I should get a job at the United Nations.
Nah.
Allow me to explain. For the last two years, I've been working part time as a sales associate for Macy's in the St. Louis Galleria. The Galleria is a busy place and wanderers will come through Macy's looking for something that they can't live without. It's no surprise that customers come in all shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. I won't get into the frustrations of dealing with the public here. I'll simply describe the customers who have passed through my line. Ready? Here we go . . .
I had a woman visiting St. Louis on business who lives in Switzerland. She had a delicious accent and was a delight to help. Another woman was from Italy and described her hometown (can't remember it now). She also had a yummy accent and comes to St. Louis frequently on business.
Countless Middle Eastern women, some accompanied with their overbearing husbands. Don't get me started on that subject. Some were easy to get along with, others seemed to think they were in a Pakistani street market and could argue the prices of everything they were buying. Wait, didn't I say I wasn't going to get into the frustrations here? Sorry. Not sure which countries these folks were from, but I would guess Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq/Iran, Saudi Arabia, and a few from India.
About equal in number to the Middle Eastern ladies would be the Asian ladies. Once again, I couldn't begin to guess where they were from, but China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan sound pretty good to me. Sometimes, I found it interesting that the older ladies were accompanied by the younger "Americanized" family members and they act as the translators. Language barrier is a real issue on my job.
An American woman came through and told me she was heading home to France. I asked her if I could go with her and she laughed. Turns out she is a missionary and living in France. I tried my hand at French and failed miserably. She was very gracious about it and I told her to have a safe trip "home."
If the customers weren't colorful enough, our employees easily add to the pallet. Two employees hail from South Africa, another from Spain, a manager from the UK, another employee from Bulgaria and another from Croatia. The gal from Croatia really sounds like she's from Brooklyn, but who am I to judge?
Maybe I should get a job at the United Nations.
Nah.
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