Finally Friday!

Martin went to work today, and thank goodness, no one harrassed him. On Friday's, he goes in in the morning, and comes home in the afternoon, instead of going in during the afternoon and coming home at night. We were not sure when he returned from winter break if he would still have a job, but another week has passed and he is still there! That has been the story for over a year now, as threats have been made to terminate him since he became ill and used all his sick leave. At first, I was sick with worry, and had no idea how we were going to get by. More than anything, we need his benefits, especially medical, for me and certainly now for him. Many tears have been shed in fear of the unknown future, but I should have known that Heavenly Father will have his way, and his way is to keep us going. Last January, my son Aaron, who holds the priesthood, gave me a blessing. It was quite beautiful, but the thing that stands out in my mind is" Mama, this trial will be long and difficult. It will not turn out the way you think, but it will be better. Have faith in Heavenly Father, and all will be well". Indeed, as soon as we arrived home from our trip to see Aaron and his family, another dear family came to check on us, knowing that we were very worried about Martin's job and health. When they left, the gave me a little "something" so that Martin and I could go out on Valentines Day, (a month in the future). That something was a 100 dollar bill. It was the start of many blessings to come, most of them not monetary, but essential for sure. I used that money to stock up canned goods and ot her food to prepare for the unknown. A year later, we are doing fine, still employed, and continuing to be able to have Martin with us. I am pretty sure that he will eventually be terminated, but I have thought so on numerous occasions this year. So, when I say Finally Friday, I mean it to mark another week that we will get paid. Friday's are wonderful too, because, as much as I love my grandkids, when they go home on Friday, I know that I can sleep in on Saturday and not have to get up to the tune of baby formula, toaster strudels and waiting outside for the bus. There is a little window of time, when I just flop in bed on Friday evening, and listen to the quiet. I can only stand a little bit of that, because soon, I begin to miss the noise.

On Fridays too, Martin brings surprises of produce. Today, when Martin came home, he had a bushel of navel oranges, those great big juicy without seeds kind, the kind that are super easy to peel, and when you take a bite of the peeled section, the juice runs down your chin. He works close to a huge farmers market, and when the oranges are in season, will bring home the occasional box to surprise me. I could eat them all, but I usually share them with friends and family because I want them to be a pleased as I am. He is so sweet to do stuff like that for me. In the summer, he brings cherries, squash, tomatoes, and whatever he knows I love. It is much cheaper at the market, so I feel good about the extra purchase. Sometimes it is strawberries, meaning that he wants strawberry shortcake. I can sure take a hint like that! Sometimes it is watermelon or cantaloup, big and juicy, and perfect served ice cold. I have to watch Martin, because if I am not on my toes, I can open the fridge to find a ripe, red, cold and juicy half of a watermelon with the very center carved out of it. The center is the sweetest part of the watermelon. In the south, we call that "eating the heart" of the watermelon. After 40 years, that stinker will still get to the heart if I am not watching. After all, I want to get the heart first! So, tonight, on Friday night, I am feeling quite content. Martin is wearing his nitro patch, and his arm has not hurt all day. He still has a job, he brought me some oranges, the kids don't come tomorrow, at least not at 7 in the morning, and I can wallow in bed as late as I like. Usually the plan is to get up on Saturday, go get some hot donuts, find a few garage sales, and then do whatever. Tomorrow is the funeral of my friend, so I will have to get ready for that. We are trying not to do the donut thing anymore, but that is a hard habit to break! Once again, it occurs to me that my life is wonderful in spite of everything. I am very thankful for much more than it just being Finally Friday!