Turns Out I Just Needed to be Inspired

There are two blogs I read regularly; RomaniHeart and Dirty Floors & Filthy Jokes.

Today, reading DF&FJ inspired me. I haven't posted since December. Over three months of self-censorship have me doing exactly the opposite of what I intended to do when I set out to blog, which was to feed my soul by "letting it all hang out."

I don't want to go into any details, but we'll just settle on the phrase "there are decisions to be made." I recognize an issue and am hiding from the solution. No one's being abused, don't get yer chonies in a wad. No one's life is at stake. Stuff just isn't where it ought to be.

Onward ...

So DF&FJ (whose "handle" is Closet Metro, by the way ... 'makes me laugh) blogged about several things. One was visiting a part of his city that he'd never been to. This is something I always think I'm going to do, then look around my little rut and somehow decide I'm safe there. There are some really great pics over on his site; not necesarrily for the technical aspects one might associate with exceptional photography, but that's not what I go for. I like photos that give you a feeling for the moment.

Anyway, there is also a photo of his dog, Jack, doing a full-frontal assault on a jar of peanut butter. Something about that shot speaks to me. I haven't figured it out yet ... maybe it's the idea of letting go and letting the dog make a mess and even run the risk of cleaning up puppy yark later; all because the dog really, really likes it.

Most of all, it was his thoughts on taking his young daughter out to dinner with a group of his friends. I don't know if y'all know this or not, but when Sparkycus was a wee lad, I was a single Mom. He has been an integral part of my social life for over a decade. I oft wondered what "they" would think about my taking him out to dinner with friends more often than not. This thought was always followed up with, "who cares?"

Sparkycus' company has gotten better and better with each year. He's thirteen now - and while prone to knowing just about everything and being pretty studious about being a snot from time to time, he's also really great company. I had a get-together with some work friends here at the house. His entry into the discussion was welcome, timely and usually H-I-larious. The kid is funny and smart (something to be said for this age, let me tell you; most of the time they're complete dumb-asses ... but that's another entry.) The pride I feel at having a child who is comfortable expressing himself in a group of adults is huge.

Of all of the regrets I carry with me, I know I will not look back and regret having the boy child with me as much as possible while he's still interested. While I look forward to one day having a life of my own (albeit doing it "backwards" in the timeline of life) I steel myself for the day when Sparkycus is not around every day. He's all I've ever known in my adult life. In a way, we've grown up together. It may sound trite, but I understand the idea of having been given a precious gift. Mine is my son.

So continue to take your daughter out, Closet Metro ... you'll never regret it.