Conflicted and Complicated

We're counting down the days (pretty soon it'll be the minutes) until The Husband is "free! free! free!"  He's  a bit more light-hearted and smiley these days.

Third Box!

Opened the door on Saturday afternoon to a friend delivering another (yes, another!) box of Crumbl Cookies.  I subbed for him on the organ last week and this was his kind thank you.  We ate one cookie.  The others went in the freezer.  I've quite a supply there now, and so fun to have a cookie (that tastes almost like homemade, especially when warm) to look forward to whenever I want.

Received a birthday card.  (And here's where the conflict and complication come into the mix).  Most of the words were very pointed chastisement to me that I hadn't kept in touch with her as she thinks I ought.

Saucer-size cookies

Years ago, a well-intentioned though terribly misguided Bishop called me to his office and assigned me to be her friend.  Which turned into some obligations of time and energy on my part.  She's a lovely woman, I just never really "clicked" with her.  (And frankly, I don't respond well to demand friendships.) I'm trying to be concise here, it was way more involved.

Then she moved away.  I ran into her at the last funeral I did at Christmas time and she wanted to do lunch.  So we did lunch.  And I thought I was ok with letting things go for a bit. (And though I know I am an obedient soul, there is definitely a time and place for obedience.  I don't think I have to justify my choices to any peer.)

I didn't realize it was ok to be unkind in a birthday card. I must be missing something, I thought the purpose of those was to wish someone well, and really: let them know you care.

Now I'm all conflicted / in a quandary about what to do.  I never want to hurt anyone's feelings.  Never.  But I'm feeling like I'm in one of those you're-in-trouble-no-matter-what-you-do situations; whether I respond to the card or not, I'm the bad guy - whoops - woman.

Sigh......

On the upside, we had a lovely evening with our friends on Saturday. Saw a movie that was short on car chases and explosions and long on a message (though a tad heavy-handed) of hope.  Stopped in a local shop for a frozen custard afterward and was rewarded with what looked like happy welcome on the face of our grandson who was working there.  There is something immeasurably heartwarming about a happy welcome from pretty much anyone who greets you that way.  That moment is printed in my mind, I'm so grateful for that memory.

I'm grateful for kind souls who said a sincere "happy birthday" without recriminations.  I'm grateful to have a freezer for saving my cookies for when I want one.  I'm grateful for fresh tomatoes. and I'm grateful that so far our beach trip might be safe from the hurricanes.  (That's the risk you take when you go at the cheap time which is smack in the middle of hurricane season.)

p.s. That hope for teaching R.S. on rare occasions?  Gone.  I'm now in the regular teaching rotation, every third Sunday. I should'a kept my hopes to myself.  :^)