Grandmommy’s Notes in the Margin

“Do not be afraid to ask dumb questions. They are easier to handle than dumb mistakes.”

- Unknown

Yesterday was staff meeting day. I asked a question at every turn. Some were just to clarify; some were for more explanation on a subject.

People got tired of it. They usually get tired of me asking questions. Even my supervisor was guilty of rolling her eyes. But….fact of the matter is I’m responsible for how well I perform my job. Unfortunately, there was no formal training. I am responsible for and evaluated on a standard that I was not given at the beginning.

At this particular staff meeting, we were presented with things that were totally foreign and new to me. Can I complain that I am being held responsible for not knowing? No, I’m also responsible for knowing.

How can this be? is the question I would like to ask. –>

Saturday morning we received a phone call that Granddaddy’s “big sister” had died. It was a strange feeling to receive that news.

Linda wasn’t known to me. I’m not sure she was really known to many. She was 61 when she died. For more than 50 years she had been in the care of the state of Texas, having lived in at least 2 state schools. She was at Richmond State School for over 20 years because that is where she lived when I married Granddaddy.

Joanne sent me this great picture of Linda with her mother. So sweet; so innocent. That same sweetness and innocence was there when she died. Linda suffered from cerebral palsy and as a result was severly retarded. No one ever believed she would live beyond 20. Yet, she was 61 when she died.

I know that it caused Florence a great deal of pain that Linda could not be at home with her. She wasn’t able to provide the care that Linda needed. Eventually she was in a wheelchair and visits home had to stop because the chair couldn’t be maneuvered through the house. But, Florence visited her little girl faithfully.

There was a great deal of rejoicing in heaven when Grandma welcomed her little girl “home”. –>

My sister and I both are members of a webgroup called SparkPeople (more on that in a later blog). We recently were asked to post 3 things we were thankful for. I immediately posted

1. My husband
2. My kids
3. My grandchildren

Well, Cathy, in perfect oneupmanship* stated

1.My perfect mate
2 My 4 beautiful daughters
3 My 5 precious grandsons

Now, I could NOT let her get away with that so, I posted right back

Her mate isn’t perfect (no man is perfect; only women are). But, he is perfect for her. It is my belief that she and I each have our own little quirks and God in His infinite wisdom has matched us with the perfect companion (and we actually listened to Him, for once). Hmmmm. That must mean that they have opposite quirks??? OOOH God must have a terrific sense of humor.

Food for thought, girls. Next time you get mad at your mate, think about that!!

*She didn’t really try to oneupme. I’m just teasing her.

–>