As I read the last post I wrote, I regretted that I said that 2015 brought a "new Lily." That is simply not true. It's the same Lily. It is a progressive Lily. It is an 'improving Lily.' It is the 'slightly intolerant' Lily. I've been working hard... on a lot of things. What's wrong with that? Chief is good with it. He is honest enough to tell me when he thinks I am wrong about something. He tells me when my stress is affecting others. I so appreciate that. I swear, there is nothing better than someone who will shoot you straight, and he does it diplomatically.
I consider myself middle-aged, well okay, probably passed all the way through middle-age, but elderly, uhm, no, -- I have a lot of life left to live. And my belief is that you are supposed to live your life to the fullest. My life choices haven't left much to be desired. I went to college at 17 and finished as fast as I could. Luckily, I had two kids before my body said, "you're done." And then I was fortunate enough to stay home with them until they went to school all day. Even when they went to school, my work allowed me to have flexible hours. At that time, I had two jobs. Both flexible.
Even at the age I am, I still feel like I am much younger. FEEL. I didn't say "look" younger. I always wondered what it would be like when the kids were gone. Not only are they out of the house and out of school, they're both married, and the older pair have made us grandparents! Life is pretty darn good. Chief likes to work. I mean, he really loves what he does. Not the young retirement I was hoping for, but at least he is straight-forward enough to tell me, "no, I don't see myself ever retiring, and no, I don't see myself slowing down." Alrighty then. I always wondered what I would be when I grew up. Still wondering, but I am closing in on it. Stay tuned.
The intolerant part of Lily is the hardest to deal with... I consider myself very good at forgiveness. I believe you have to be a pro at it if you expect to ever get it from anyone else. Really, the only intolerance I have is for rude treatment of others. That, and people who lie. Little white lies are the worst. I'm not going deep here, those are the biggies. I think I have to be tolerant of others whose beliefs don't line up with mine. I need to be tolerant of the people who have recently arrived in this country and don't know the regular rules of driving a car. I contend that I am no better than any other human being, and I should treat everyone I meet in the same way I would like to be treated.
I am lucky to have a wonderful family, and this Christmas was the first time in many, many years that we were all together. Every single person was here. It was terrific! Another reminder of what is important and what is not.
