WAITING

Asked to name one of the things that I detest the most, I would not wait a moment before shouting at the top of my lungs, WAITING! Ironically, that has been my life's paradigm these past three weeks. Women are instinctual waiters...we have waited for men to return home from the sea, from the wild, from the wars. We have waited months in pregnancy for our bodies to prepare for birth. Sometimes, we find that we have waited years for someone to change who never will. Is patience possible without surrendered waiting? Surely, patience can be active and not only passive?!

John and our two cats have arrived safely in Cape May, NJ this afternoon!!! While I am delighted at their speedy progress, I wish that we all could have been aboard as the Vindhler pulled in to that beautiful town. My parents are driving us there on Friday...we will take a few days to readjust to family survival in a living space the size of my sister's deck. Hmmmmm.

The kids got the H1N1 vaccine today. Very bizarre four hour affair. With only 400 doses, many were turned away. The whole thing was very Twilight Zone...complete with a groggy 7:00 arrival. In the front of an already long line stood a nondescript man in a nondescript suit who we were told was giving out the "numbers". He wrote down our names, how many children were with us, and told us we were number 86. Shortly before the clinic was set to open, he moved down the line bossing people about, making us all move back, checking the order of our names. A few minutes later, a mousy woman with a megaphone told us to remain calm...we would all be given a number as someone moved down the line. "WAIT A MINUTE", shouted one irate parent and then another...what about the man with the list..."WE HAVE OUR NUMBERS!" The guy with the "list" had disappeared and the clinic staff knew nothing about him. See what I mean? Very weird. If you go to any clinics look out for those bossy nondescript types with spiral notebooks asking for your name.

My next post will be from our boat...FINALLY! My sister, brother-in law, and their two beautiful girls have helped me deal with "The Great Wait"  with much patience and laughter.  The boys and I feel so loved by their kindness...My parents also have been remarkable during this time of waiting.  I love my family... Miss my friends so much...please send me an e-mail or comment.

Rebecca