Distance--100 Words

Distance.

You would think that measuring distance would be easy.

If A to B is 100 miles, then B to A should equal the same 100 miles.

I’m not great at math, but that seems logical.

However, when it comes to relationships, distance isn’t measured with logic.

In many relationships one person seems tasked with the responsibility of keeping the relationship going.

They make the phone calls. The visits. Write the emails. Texts.

The other person seems to be on the receiving end, rarely giving in return.

In truth, one person can’t sustain a relationship alone. It does take two.

Birthdays--100 Words

Birthdays.

Funny thing about birthdays.

As children, it seems as if 4 or 5 years come and go before the next birthday.

As we reach 30, the birthdays come 4 or 5 at a time. Before we know it, age has slipped up on us, and we realize we have more birthdays behind us than we do in front of us.

I’ve never dreaded birthdays. At the same time, not sure I like birthdays.

It’s weird to only celebrate birth and life one day a year.

Seems to me every day should be a celebration day!

So, here’s happy-celebration-of-your-life day!

Dropping--100 Words

Dropping.

On New Year’s Eve they drop a crystal ball in New York City.

In Atlanta, they drop a peach.

A wide receiver drops a pass. Cell phones drop calls. The temperature drops (not in Alabama, but in other places it does).

Dropping things is a way of life. Dropping a bad habit is good. A drop in the Dow is bad.

I hate when I “drop the ball.”

I’m responsible for something, and I forget. I miss an appointment.

Drives me crazy when I do that!

The more stressed I get, the more I drop.

Can I drop stress?

Reward--100 Words

Reward.

The English language is quite humorous in how we use the same word to mean so many different things.

Take the word “reward” for example. A reward can be something given in return for what someone has done.

A reward can be money offered in return for information.

Or, a reward can be a benefit obtained as result of an action taken.

So, when someone says, “I hope you get the reward that is coming to you!” that can be a good thing. Or, a bad thing. Right?

Just checking. Not that anyone has said that to me, lately.

Disappointment--100 Words

Disappointment.

Do you ever struggle with disappointment?

I do.

I struggle most with disappointment when I’ve put too much trust in someone.

Someone will probably say, “That’s the problem. You shouldn’t put your trust in people. Put your trust in God.”

I do. But, wouldn’t it be a sad world if I also didn’t trust people?

While God never fails, people certainly do. And people fail regularly.

And, depending upon the level of trust I’ve put in them, that determines the amount of pain their failure causes.

I’m not alone in struggling with disappointment.

And, dear friend, neither are you.

Late--100 Words

Late.

Late can be positive or negative.

Ask a couple which is it when the wife announces “I’m late.”

Late is positive if your plane is late arriving when you are in traffic and can’t get to the airport on time.

Late can be negative. The hospital calls and tells you to come quickly. The traffic jam causes you to be late. For the death. Birth.

Some people are chronically late. Doesn’t seem to bother them. They function that way all the time.

Unfortunately, their lateness becomes your crisis as they rush to pull it together.

I scream: “Not fair!”

Organization--100 Words

Organization.

I’m an organization nut.

Everything has a place.

I’m that way with my tools. I like my wrenches and screw drivers to be lined up—smallest to largest.

I’m that way with my shirts—summer shirts go together, winter shirts go together—and never the twain shall meet.

I’m also that way with work.

I want my desk to be clean. I want to know where my files are, both on the computer and in the cabinet.

I’m a nut. Or, freak. Depends on how organized you are, I suppose.

And yes, unorganized people drive me over the edge.

Struggling--100 Words

Struggling.

I wonder, as I come to work each morning, if the person in the car beside me is struggling. Better yet, not if, but with what.

I wonder if the person sitting in the cubicle next to me has a medical issue, family crisis, spiritual question, or just is uncertain about the direction their life is going.

Then, there’s the person at the grocery store or the gas station.

Secret struggles. Secret hurts. Secret questions.

Embarrassed to express them.

Uncertain of what to do next.

As you look my way, know I am struggling too.

Should I admit that?

Flux--100 Words

Flux.

You can be in flux.

You can apply flux. For example, when a joint is being soldered.

The dictionary defines flux as “constant change.” Another definition is “instability.”

Heraclitus said that flux is the notion that change is the fundamental nature of reality.

I don’t dislike change. Actually, I find change good and exciting.

What I don’t like is the instability caused by other people.

You know what I mean. Right? You work on something for weeks only to have someone change everything at the last minute. Because they can.

That’s the part of flux that I don’t like.

Daddy--100 Words

Daddy.

On days like today, I struggle being Daddy.

Evan did great going to daycare. He was happy. He danced into the building.

Then, as I started to leave, the tears and the “I love you Daddy” started. Evan held on tight. He didn’t want me to leave.

I felt worse than scum. Even though I stayed and held him. For fifteen minutes.

It wasn’t enough. For him or me.

My heart hurts when this happens. I simply want to stay and hold him. Reassure him.

I called to check on him. He’s fine.

Why is it that I’m not?

Environmentalist--100 Words

Environmentalist.

In full disclosure, I’ve never been a radical environmentalist. I recycle at home and work. I believe the saying, “Waste not want not.”

At the age of 16, my summer job was working for the State of Alabama, picking up trash alongside the highway. (They now use prisoners for that!) It was surprising what people threw out their car window.

Last week at the beach, I was surprised how people trashed the beach. Cans. Toys. Paper. Wrappers. Broken chairs. You name it. People trashed the beach with it.

Folks. Didn’t your Momma teach you to pick up after yourself?