My life is rich.
I mean, look at him.
We went on a date tonight. I agreed to drive since he’s underage and all and when I picked him up he had a lovely yellow sparkly card for me. Yellow. Of course. And inside the card, he thanked me for taking him on a date and told me that he loves me.
Like I said, my life is rich.
He also informed me that he wanted to get me flowers, but unfortunately ran out of time. Understandable. He had a very busy day of slip and slides and play-making, from what I heard over dinner tonight. And really, it’s the thought that counts. Well, at least in this case, anyway.
We went to Ollie’s favorite restaurant and had some amazing Vietnamese food. And then had some ice cream at Friendly’s, which is always perfect, if you ask me. We also saw a baby bunny eating some grass outside and how hilarious this sentence would be if I swopped out eating for smoking.
But hugs, not drugs, baby bunny!
It was an altogether adorable night and I think I might love one-on-one time with people I love more than anything else.
And yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with a man named Larry on the phone about buying a certain bedroom set that I never do want to see again. We were talking about addresses and what his ETA might be to pick it up when all of the sudden he started talking me through it. What? I know, that’s how I felt too. He was telling me that he had been divorced, too. TOO. You know, me and Larry. So much in common. And that he had gotten through it. And then he told me that he’d pray for me and that’s real nice, it really is, but it’s bad enough getting random Larrys out and about buying your bed, but when they start praying for you too…Well, let’s just say that’s when you’re like, yep. this is my life. take a nice inhalation because this is what it smells like–larry praying for you.
And nope, I am not an ounce above Larry’s prayers.
But seven months ago my life didn’t look quite so much like it was in such obvious need of prayer by total strangers who are buying my bed. Not a complaint, though; just an observation. And I am not crying or anything; I actually think it’s kind of funny.
Oh, and tonight I got home to a quiet and dark house. This might sound creepy, but I kind of like it. Because there was the piano, all begging to be played and it was like, you spend all day with kids and they make you necklaces out of gimp and you wear them! and yet you’re gonna just walk on by…?
So I was like, You’re right, piano. And if you made me a necklace out of gimp, I’d wear it too.
So I sat down and played and then I decided to play a ballad that I wrote for the play my brother wrote that he asked me to turn into a musical by way of adding tunes. And if you are an editor, please, have yourself a field day with that terrible sentence.
And there was one song in particular that strikes a chord with me. Jason emailed me, asking me if I would have a very hard time writing a sad song for Esther to sing; that this song should be something about how Xerxes (which happens to be Drew’s screen name for just about everything, ironically enough) falls very short of his role as husband and how Esther is a woman of worth, despite how she is treated by him.
Do you think you could handle writing something like that? he asked, more than a little tongue in cheek.
So I sat down and wrote it in just a few minutes, it felt. Bam. Here’s a little bit of what’s happened to me, a little bit of my childhood, and a little bit of hope anyway.
It’s called You’ll Know Him. And my niece Charis sure did knock it out of the park when she sang it on stage, by the way.
What an adorable date! And how cute that he made that card for you – how special. I’m sure he had a wonderful time. Did you eat the meatballs wrapped in rice paper? Good times! I miss that little guy being 3k miles away right now, so it was nice to see that picture.
And I’m glad Larry worked out all right. I always get nervous about Craigslist transactions, so whenever the buyer doesn’t turn out to be a serial killer I count it as a win in my book. And if he can pray your through your divorce? Gravy.
And that song was probably my favorite among many great songs in the musical. Just excellent!!!
he really is so special–and that card! so very thoughtful.
And yes, Larry worked just fine. And I can certainly use any prayers said on my behalf that anyone wants to throw my way!
and thanks! I am glad you liked the song:)
Jess..i love that you and Ollie went on a date!:) and i love that song so much. the piano in it is so beautiful and the words are so beautiful and you and Charis both sound great singing it!!!!!
thanks so much, Sarah! Char really did sound so great singing it, huh? My piano needs to be tuned, though–it’s been moved twice now without a tuning…yikes…!
how hilarious this sentence would be if I swopped out eating for smoking
It would be especially hilarious because I have no idea what swopping is.
hardy har har.
I wonder why spellcheck didn’t make a fuss about that one??
I just really love this song, Jessica. When Charis sang it, it just gripped me, moved me, touched me. And Char did an amazing, moving job of singing it! But I realized at that moment of her singing how hard this song must have been for you to write. Oh, Jess. Such sadness yet willingness to stand for your own honor. And Char captured all of it so well! Listening to this song was an experience for me.
thanks mom:) it actually wasn’t really hard to write it–what was really hard was living through what made it so easy to write it, if that makes any sense.
video/song is so good (:
BREATHTAKING. It’s just shocking how I think you can’t possibly can get better and every time, you are. Incredible. You are incredible.
thanks so much, michael and mandy (haha that makes it sound like you guys are some kind of dynamic duo, when in face, you’ve never even met each other!)–but you guys are so very kind and encouraging!
What a sweet, thoughtful nephew you have there, Jess!
Beautiful song! I wish I could have seen the play but I had to work both days. I am sure those kids were amazing (they always are).