February, Past and Present

Dear readers,
I feel I must apologize for not posting anything new here in so long. I actually had started an entry, come close to finishing it, and forgot about it. I had originally intended to finish it and post it the first weekend in February, which was an important weekend that I did not want to go unrecognized.
However, I quickly discovered how much I really had to say...and how difficult it has been to say it. I'm still trying to write it all. It's not finished.
But I figure something is better than nothing, and if I were to post it all it would probably be too long anyway.

Here is installment number one:

February 2

One year ago, at this very moment, I was at the hospital, either sitting in the morose waiting room with other friends and family, or standing over Mom's bed...praying...waiting...
....waiting for the death that was written on the face of every person in the room...the death that everyone else had already accepted for her.

It was a Thursday morning, Amanda's 14th birthday, and Dad told me that he had already been to the hospital, and they told him that Mom was going to before the day was over. They said that if any of the kids hadn't been up to see her yet, we would probably want to bring them now. I had been going up and spending most of every day at the hospital with her, and I had already planned on going today. Dad asked if anyone else wanted to go with us. Ricky and Jared wanted to come.

The ride to the hospital was surreal. I had been riding to the hospital nearly every day for the last 26 days. It was so familiar, so routine. Now, riding to the hospital in quiet...thinking about whether it might be the last time we made that trip....thinking we might go home without Mom again, this time without the hope of ever bringing her back....

But I didn't want to think that way. It wasn't going to happen. We had a word. So many people had come up to me with the specific word that God was going to heal my mom...that she was going to get better, even sooner than we thought. There was no way she could die. We had a word.

But here we were, with so many people, all of whom were expecting to see Mom die today.


*Fast forward one year.*


Amanda turned fifteen today. She had her ears pierced. (She's very happy with this.)
A group of us went to this fun little skating rink, called Interskate, which sits just off the freeway. We probably spent about four hours there.
The group in attendance:
Amanda, Bobby, Daniel, Amanda's friend Addy, myself, and David--a family friend. (Note to Ethan: this would be the same David who disrupted your "engagement". *grin*)

The boys who worked there are young and attractive and flirt like they breathe. Needless to say, the younger girls had a field day. ;-) The most talkative skaterboy, Eric, asked us to come back and skate next weekend. Amanda was happy to promise our quick return.
Actually, when they weren't busy flashing pretty grins at the girls, the skate guys weren't so bad. Perhaps surprisingly, they were right enjoyable company.

After the party of skaters went home, I drove Amanda and Addy to the mall, where Amanda got her ears pierced. Now, in order to understand why this is a deal, one must understand that *I* was made to wait until I was fully eighteen years old before I was permitted to pierce mine. It's funny, I begged and begged to have it done--for years I fussed that everyone else had their ears pierced and I was the only one, etc. Then I got older and I quit fussing about it. Then I was finally old enough....and I stalled for fear of the gun until I was nineteen. I just had them pierced about a month ago. I'm still wearing those little starter studs.
Anyway, Amanda had *desperately* wanted to have her own ears pierced for quite awhile. And she beggedandbeggedandbeeeegggggged to have them pierced now.
And Dad said yes.
He said yes! Now, this will be a marvelous exhibition of my petty immaturity: I was very not-so-happy to hear this news. As a matter of fact, I am quite unhappy. I don't think it's fair.
(see? brilliant maturity...)
But I still wound up taking her to get it done and signing all the wavers for her. (I might be mistaken, but I think our earrings match.)
While there, we stopped into Tango Scooters and tried a three-wheel that was very cool.
Actual conversation between us girls (and, later, scooter-salesman):


Amanda (standing outside store): This is where my "boyfriend" works. There's only one guy here now (Ashley thinks he's cuter), but usually there's another guy here too. He's reeeaaallly cute. I mean, like, "wow" cute. Every time we're here, we have to walk by Tango. *giggles* Sometimes I walk by it twice. But Ashley says I shouldn't waste my time watching him, because she thinks he looks like he might be gay. It would figure, too. Every cute guy I see turns out to be gay. *sighs*

Addy: Let's go in and try a scooter. I can't even think about buying one, but let's just test-drive it! Ashley, I'm shy...will you ask him?
*girls walk into store*

Ashley (to salesman): Hi. Can she try a scooter? I mean, she can't afford one today, but--

Salesman: Yeah, I know. I heard you girls outside.
*anxious look exchanged between girls*

Amanda: Were we that loud?

Salesman: No. It's just that quiet in here. And yeah. She can try one. Anyone else want a ride?

Ashley: Sure. I'll try! Those look like fun.

Salesman: Yeah. They are. And the cool thing is, they're also a great workout. *demonstrates by riding around the store* Like, see, it works out your inner and outer thighs, and your calves....and, ah, well, you guys are girls, so.....it works your--ah--butt too. *looks embarrassed*


....ha...perhaps it was part of the pitch.
All in all, we had fun. I think Amanda had a nice birthday.

..........

And that's all I've got for ya today. I still haven't been able to finish what I wrote for the third...but I want to. And I will. Look for it soon.

Until then,
~Ashley~