Patience is a Major Virtue

Interesting phrase I saw today. A good reminder (if I'd listen) for being patient when it comes to God answering our prayers. 

It was another day of praying for some loved ones who can't seem to catch a break. We're impatient. We want more than survival. We want to see improvement. And of course we want that now.

But we'll wait. And patience to our prayer list!

In the mean time, I just distract myself with taking pictures. Went to a dance recital today that a handful of friends' daughters were in. It was a great distraction. From the littles on up to high schoolers, they were all so talented. It was fun to watch – even without my favorite dancer who aged out/graduated last year!  

Managed to get a few decent photos but lighting is a nightmare. It's dark and then there are so many colors of spotlights. Every picture looks like it could have been taken in a different place. Oh well, that's just me being picky. It was good to get out of the house and see some friends.

Now it's back to watching golf – and football – and I guess trying to uncover some virtues. #patience

Can't Seem to Pardon the Interruption

When the temps rose just past the single digits today, it was a perfect excuse to stay in tonight. I mean we could have watched basketball in person, gone to dinner with the kids in person, or they could have gone out on the town in person.

But nope. We stayed in our bunker on Blue Jay Drive. In person.

And watched guys in Hawaii just to stay out of the bunkers on the golf course. 

For the record, we also watched the Assumption basketball game on TV since it was live streaming. And we had a nice dinner together. High recommended the fish fry from The Chatrbox. The 4 of us gave it 8 thumbs up!

So why we are we interested in prime time golf? A couple reasons beside staying in from the cold.

First this tournament is sponsored by my employer. And secondly, I wrote the script for this video that was televised right before the Golf Channel's interview with our CEO. So I was jazzed about that. I had Carter watch it just so he knows his mom is famous. Behind the scenes famous. But still famous. Ha.

And the third reason was that we needed the distraction. This has been the world's longest week – and I'm not quite ready to pardon the interruption of our lives. Interruption and disruption.

The Hedberg Hotline to Heaven (that what we're calling our family's prayer efforts this week) was busy again today as the two people we love and were praying hard for on Monday needed our attention. One was readmitted to the hospital and the other is undergoing another surgery (not 16 hours this time). So we're praying hard again that God helps the doctors use their skills to the best of their abilities to help these guys with their serious conditions.

 

I feel like the joy of Christmas was months ago already. We'll find joy again. And peace to go along with our hope.

And we'll guiltlessly use golf, basketball, or deep-fried food as a distraction.

Not all Super Heroes Wear Capes

Super heroes come in all shapes and sizes – and ages. Today, our personal super heroes were wearing winter coats instead of capes.

While hubby and I worked, Carter and Mamie braved the single digits for us and removed our snow. And the neighbors' too.  I knew there was a reason God gave us kids! Well, slave labor and many other reasons. We were very grateful.

But the real super hero of the day is a little boy named Malcolm, who has touched thousands of lives from Wisconsin Rapids to across the globe. It's amazing how even the smallest of humans can open hearts in the biggest way. And today marked the end of his earthly journey.

Read his story here: I definitely couldn't tell his story better than they do.

Just hug your kids while you have them – whether they shovel your driveway or not.

Rest in peace, little hero. 

The Road Home

We never stop worrying about our kids, do we? So when it was snowing and blowing all day and we knew our boy and his girlfriend were coming up from southwest Wisconsin, we urged him to text when he was hitting the road this afternoon. 

Just so I knew when I could officially start worrying, of course.

We probably only got 4 inches tops here in Wisconsin Rapids and lesser amounts south. But "the kids" still encountered slippery, crappy road conditions (the pink ones above) once they got off the interstate. They made it by 8 p.m. Late dinner, but they made it safely so that's all the matters.

Now it's just plain cold and windy. But we have a strapping young snow shoveler in the house!

I had to run to town after work to buy a Powerball ticket. (So if you never hear from me again, you'll know why.) It was actually only the first or second time this winter I wore my winter coat. I mean I have it in car if I'm driving somewhere at night – just in case – but a vest or just sweatshirt is usually sufficient for running in and out of gymnasiums or the store.

I feel like one of those Midwestern memes where it has to be below zero to wear a coat. And yep. That's what's coming. 

Like it does every winter in Wisconsin. Duh. 

Since our companywide return-to-office date has been delayed again (thanks, omicron), I guess long underwear and layers will be the "business casual" attire in my office the rest of the week. 

Be careful out there. Even tough Midwesterners should probably wear layers. Or at least throw your jacket in the back seat. Then no one has to know you caved.

When Miracles Happen

Pardon my language, but 2022 is starting off to be quite the shit show.  I'm emotionally exhausted and it's only January 4th. And I'm only experiencing the roller coaster ride virtually. People we care about have front row seats and are just trying to hold on.

I need to remind myself that where there is hope – even the smallest amount, there is faith. And where there is faith, miracles happen. 

It sounds trite, but I believe this to be true. I must. Or why would I spend so much time praying?

As we transition from one year to the next, our hearts are hurting for those who are hurting even more. We have a friend who lost his father, a friend who lost his son, and a whole community who lost a beloved soccer coach. And that's just the tip of the 2022 iceberg.

But in this same time frame, we've also seen miracles – after endless hours of praying, that is. 

A neighbor adjusted wonderfully to a critically needed kidney transplant. A friend survived a freak stroke and was home within 2 days. Our close friends heard the news today their college-age son is cancer-free! Someone we love survived 30 days in the hospital over the holidays and is home. Another someone we love survived 15 hours of emergency surgery yesterday and into the wee hours of this morning.

To all of these, we say thanks be to God. The road to recovery will be long for all of them. But they're still here among us. And we'll still keep praying for them.

You and I know we don't always get the answers to our prayers that we want. People die expectedly and unexpectedly. But God sends human angels to give us hugs of comfort. We don't understand the "why" of most of the tragedies in our lives. And we probably never will.

It's frustrating. It's devastating. And it's out of our control.

That's especially challenging. Somehow, we need to find the strength to keep hope and faith alive. And look for miracles – big and small – in our everyday lives.

They're there. We may have to wipe away tears to see them, but they're there. 

I pray they'll keep coming. For all of us.

The 12th Man

Well that was a quick vacation! Figures the night before I need to awaken to an alarm, the Vikings play late. Well, the Packers, too. 

I mean Robyn late. Like finishing after 10 p.m.! 

Oh I'm sure I'll watch most of the game until it gets too ugly to watch. I'm not sure of our chances since we've been mediocre at best and the Vikings will start our unknown QB Sean Mannion in place of Kirk Cousins, who is on the COVID list. Fun. 

If we lose, no playoffs for us – and possibly no coach for us. We'll see what they do about Zimmer in the next days and weeks. We're always in a "rebuilding year," dang it!

Oh well. I am too relaxed to care. It was a nice 10 days off. Not stressful at any point and I'm not feeling guilty for my lack of productivity. Based on today's single-digit temperatures, I've got a lot of winter left to stay indoors and organize, declutter, and all that unrealistic stuff!

For now, I'll get set for the past-bedtime border battle, knowing the 12th man on the field will be the Sand Man.

SKOL Vikings!

New Year = New Possibilities

Since I wrote the January column for our church newsletter, I figured I'd share it here since, you know, it kind of has to do with New Year's!

New Year = New Possibilities

There’s something refreshing – especially in the midst of a global pandemic – about turning the calendar page to a new year. The simple action simultaneously closes the door on another challenging year (for many) while opening the door to hope and possibilities.

If you were naïve like me and thought 2020 was unique and that 2021 would be completely different, you know where I’m coming from. Can we realistically have hope in 2022? I’m going to go out on a limb and say yes, I think we can. And I’ll tell you why.

First of all, if you’re reading this, you’re still here! Pretty sure I took my health for granted one too many times back in the pre-pandemic days. Now each day that I breathe easy, can taste and smell, and have energy, I’m especially grateful. 

My prayers go out to those of you who’ve either suffered through COVID or watched someone you love experience it or worse, die from it. I don’t think it’s going to go away completely during this next calendar year or maybe ever, but I have hopes that the more the smarter-than-me people know, the more they can figure out a way we can all live with it.

Another reason I have better expectations for 2022 is that life is still going on. With “normal” things. On my new calendar, I already have 3 weddings and 2 due dates marked. Friends and family are still embracing love and life. Shouldn’t we do the same? 

I’ve also discovered another way to see the possibilities in the new year: Don’t set New Year’s resolutions!

Hey, if you don’t set them, you can’t break them. Can’t suck the joy out of your life by trying to follow them. Can’t be disappointed in your lack of dedication to achieve them.

Sounds like the easy way out. And it sort of is. I just know that I’ve probably had the same “lose weight” resolution on my list for 30 straight New Year’s. I think it’s time I change my mindset to, “Learn to love and accept myself the way God does – while  taking care of my body to the best of my ability.”

Why yes, it is sad that it can take so long to figure out what’s important in life. Maybe a once-in-a-century pandemic had something to do with it. I for one am thankful it opened my eyes to better see the blessings in my life.

May this new year do the same for you. Each square on your calendar brings new possibilities – and new opportunities to thank God for our blessings. 

Bring it on, 2022. We got this!