Tag: thoughts

Posted in Family, Faith and Fitness

1st World Problems? Here are mine

Posted on by Lucretia Cahill

Lenten Reflections #28

We all have them. These things we call problems. Many are so real and awful – depression or anxiety, bad hearts, poor mental health or God forbid, cancer. These are the things that give us pause and make us realize how irrational our little issues are.

These first-world problems creep in and hijack our days with “horrible” things like the the Wifi being too slow, or the gym is too busy. Maybe we have too many clothes and not enough hangers, or it’s way too hard to reach what’s in the back of the fridge because there’s so much food up front. The frustration is real, but so is the irrationality of it all.

I thought I’d share my latest 1st World problems with you:

1st World Problem #1 – I forgot to do Wordle

Midnight struck, and I sighed deeply. Darn it, Wordle. I missed you again.

I almost complained, but didn’t because, well, it’s Wordle.

1st World Problem #2 – My computer isn’t working

My computer had crazy, dizzying lines going up and down the screen a few days ago. After unsuccessfully troubleshooting, I adjusted my eyes and continued working. Today I opened it and a black screen stared back at me. It had had enough.

I almost complained, but then thought -I have a computer, and the means to fix it, what a luxury.

1st World Problem #3 – Woke up late

I woke up disappointed I didn’t get up earlier, and may or may not have blamed it on my dear husband, who was up early reading. Of course, it was my fault, but it’s so much easier to blame the ones we love the most.

I almost complained (more), but thought, gee whiz, I was lucky enough to wake up and I have a husband who understands me enough to know I’m a little nuts.

1st World Problem #4 – long security lines at the airport

I’ll be traveling soon to take care of my parents, and as we know, the lines for security are longer than those for Space Mountain, so I was planning my arrival time to be about four hours before the flight, which is a lot of time to wait.

I almost complained, but then I thought of all the TSA workers who are NOT getting paid, not one cent. YET they still show up. Also! Also, how lucky am I that my parents are still around to visit and care for?

1st World Problem #5 – I couldn’t find my water bottle at work

I love water. I’d rather drink water than anything else. So when I couldn’t find my water bottle, I got a little cranky, even though I passed three different water fountains as I searched.

I almost complained (out loud), but thought about how ridiculous I was being. I mean, there are people around the world who have no access to water, or who walk miles to fill a bucket and carry it home. Meanwhile, we have water filters and water bottles, and swimming pools with thousands of gallons of water.

1st World Problem #6 – We have diseased plants

We placed a few plants in the garage for the winter months. They looked unhappy with their burnt edges, root rot, and just looked bad.

I almost complained, but I thought about the luxury and benefits of having plants. Oxygen, joy, beauty.

What I learned:

Did we hear any complaining from Jesus when he was lugging that cross around, falling down, getting back up, and then I mean, the nails? The NAILS.

Bottom line: Count your blessings. Look around you, they are right in front of you, and their hearts are beating.

Thanks for joining me.

I’m so glad you’re here,

Lucretia

Posted in Family, Faith and Fitness

Words connect and carry us

Posted on by Lucretia Cahill

Lenten Reflections #27

As I get older, I’ve heard the line, “I’m becoming my mother” more and more from my friends. “Me too” I concur. The way she rolls her tortillas in just one direction, or nods off in her chair. The way she fights for her family above all and the way she pounds her chest in a mea culpa at mass.

Luckily I was blessed with a mom who nourished us with love and common sense. She measures her words like a baker uses a knife to smooth the flour across a measuring cup, precisely and without an ounce of overflow. If Mom says it, she means it. One of the many traits I’ve picked up from Mom is threading “dichos” or sayings in my conversations.

So on one of my recent visits home with my parents, I made a list of all the Spanish and some “Spanglish” sayings they use. The one new phrase that resonated with me was: “Son los años compadre.” This means: it’s the years, my friend. This is used to assuage their frustration when they can’t remember where they set their glasses or are disappointed because they are tired after doing a fraction of the yard work they used to do. So they sit on the patio exhausted and say “Son los años compadre” like a confession – an exhale – a declaration: we’re getting older, let’s have a seat in the shade, drink some Gatorade and rest.

Aging takes its toll on all of us. First thing in the morning my Dad will say, “Come on body! Join me!” My mom lovingly teases Dad about his arthritis in his hands as the tip of his index finger points south. “Watch Dad point,” she tells me chuckling…it’s always something on the ground he needs.”

Their routine continually changes, zipping around in the truck to run several errands, and detouring to yard sales just doesn’t happen anymore. They still spend much of the day working in the yard which they are so grateful for, yet the amount of work wanes with the years. “We feel like if the sun is out, we should be out,” says Dad. So they plant and prune, check on each other, feed the cranes, rearrange the woodpile, take apart anything that has metal and can be recycled, and breathe in the fresh air.

Once back inside, the aches and pains kick in, and through all the “Ay, yai, yai’s” I can hear Mom say, “Son los años compadre.”

Dad replies, “Yo se, pura ay, yai, yai.” (I know all I say is ay, yai, yai).

They have a good laugh, another glass of water, Pedialyte, or Boost, rest, and watch the hummingbirds buzz around like they used to and drink their fill of sweet water.

Quotes I love:

My father’s wit, and my mother’s tongue, assist me!

Shakespeare – Love’s Labour’s Lost

Thanks for joining me,

❤️Lucretia