The Dolls are Alright

I think he said those words twice.

He must have realized I didn’t really hear him as I watched him gently fold my medical file, roll over to my side and point to those two words on the results of my pap smear.

Yes, there they were ~ cancerous cells.

As I took a deep breath, letting these word in, warm tears filled my eyes.

I knew the process quite well. Feet in stirrups, tush pushed as close to the edge of the table as possible.

A large picture was put on the ceiling to make an uncomfortable position more … what … comfortable? It was a desert night sky, filled with stars. I began to call on the Angels, Spirit Guides, my Ancestors, God and Goddess as I kept telling myself to breath deeply, everything was going to be alright.

He reminded me that it would hurt. I didn’t feel pain, just discomfort. I wondered if I was in my body ~ so I took another deep breath, told myself to relax and kept looking at the desert night sky that seemed to begin to fill the room.

Dr. G kept apologizing for hurting me. He’s a kind, compassionate man. The only time I felt pain was after he said, “Now this won’t hurt as much as the other.” That’s my body ~ no toothache, just straight to root canal. No basic headache, but migraines.

After he took samples of my uterus, my cervix and my fallopian tubes, I was asked to gently sit up. I asked Dr. G to tell me the very best diagnosis and the very worst, which he did. He will call me on Monday with the results.

As I started dressing, I began to cry ~ the kind of crying that comes from deep within.

And now I wait.

Common Courtesies ~ Like Please and Thank You

I know you’ve probably heard already. I think everyone has.

Well, it’s true ~ I was grounded this week.

I know, I know ~ I’m a smart girl ~ I should know better. But I just had to know if I was nominated Prom Queen this year.

Tricia is grounded!

Wanna know how it all started?

You see, we have a rule that at dinnertime, there is no television, no radio, no cell phones and definitely no texting. Dinnertime is family time ~ it’s when we talk about our day, what’s on our minds and connect as a family.

I not only get that, I actually enjoy it. I do have a lot to say.

But this time it just seemed way too important not to bring my cell phone to the table. I wasn’t going to text ~ I was just going to receive a text. Ole Eagle Eyes caught me looking down one too many times and … well, the rest is history. My cell phone was taken away, I was grounded for a week and … yes … more … I had to write about common courtesies.

Actually, writing about common courtesies was the easiest part. It’s something that is just, well, common in our house. We have this posted on our refrigerator:

Life is short,
but there is always time enough for courtesy.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We were taught to always appreciate each other, that no one is better than anyone else and the way we wanted to be treated is how we are to treat others. That makes sense.

A really long time ago (I think the late 1950s) an author named Emily Post started writing about proper etiquette and manners. She was the go to person. Here’s how common courtesies are described on her website:

Common courtesies are the little gestures that we perform out of respect for others.
They can be as simple as holding open a door or
letting someone go ahead in a long line,
to something as grand as sharing a homemade meal.
Most importantly, they are characterized by a specific awareness of our surroundings
and how our behaviors may affect those around us.
~ Emily Post

When I was really little, I was taught how to use the words “please” and “thank you.” These words are very important. At first, I wasn’t sure why, but as I got older, I realized that by saying them, I’m showing respect and appreciation.

I know I want to be respected and appreciated, so showing respect and appreciation to others just makes the world a better place.

If you light a lamp for someone else,
it will also brighten your path.
~ Buddha

Being grounded isn't too bad from the sun porch

Here’s what I know about common courtesies:

Be respectful;
Appreciate those around you;
Do something without being asked;
Say “please” and “thank you”;
Don’t forget to also say “you’re welcome”;
Hold the door for the person behind you; and
Don’t text when you are with someone.

Sometimes, being kind takes practice. We have to practice other things like the piano or gymnastics. Well, we have to practice common courtesies as well. And, sometimes, we need reminders ~ like getting grounded ~ that respect for the ones you are with is very important.

Please be kind so we can make this world a better place!
Thank you.

Courtesies of a small and trivial character
are the ones which strike deepest
in the grateful and appreciating heart.
~ Henry Clay