Abundance and Gratitude

I'm updating on my son, Utopian Boy's 19th birthday. Seemed a good idea. I see it's been a longer 'bit of time' than I thought!

So, I'm still getting the hang of living under a roof I fell out of love with years ago but recently began to appreciate much more than I have. It's a journey in itself, daily life, and I was making it harder on myself and likely on my Utopian family, too.

Progress is being made with Utopian Boy. He took the SAT this week (!!!) and has built a schedule for himself that he is following regarding school, school work and tending to chores. His anxiety has been off the charts, which makes his typical behaviors more challenging.

Utopian Girl is turning 24 next month.  In the last year she, too, was diagnosed as being on the spectrum, which has brought relief, dismay, and an explanation for lots of things that somehow Mr. Utopian and I missed being forms of autism over the years. She was also deemed to have a genius IQ, something she struggles with as much as her severe anxiety issues.

Utopian Dad has been quite perplexed with so many changes the last few years but I will say he's a solid rock when I need him to be. There are days, as all wives have, where I wonder why he does what he does, what was I thinking, etc., but there's no denying he is the love of my life. He and I are swiftly approaching retirement age and we've not planned things quite as well as I'd hoped but, as happens in life, there are things that are out of our control and can only be watched to progress along with a prayer now and again.

As I wait for spring to truly arrive for good, I have thought about beginnings and endings. I've lost some friends and family from my life the last few years, who are sorely missed, but who are also part of the fabric of my life and whom I carry with me always.

This is when I realize the abundance of blessings I've seen, heard, been part of and have received.  My gratitude is palpable and runs deep for all who have been part of my life so far.

There are lots of unopened doors to knock on and paths to try and I'm so glad you're along for the ride.

I'm back. Are you?

I do stuff around the house.  Some of this stuff is fun, some necessary, and some are just what I do because no one else will.

To that end, I have an understanding with all our critters; I am the spoiler and they get spoiled.

For example, yesterday I was massaging Frisky, our 13-year-old turtle.  I do this about once a week to aid her well-being and develop my communication skills.  Typically, we chat.  Rather, I talk while she hisses and flails, though there are days she just rests and listens intently.

This was a hiss and flail type day.  While rinsing her shell, the loose pieces flaked off in every direction, and Frisky became more frantic than usual, so we took a break.  Her breathing sounded labored, kind of like Darth Vader.  She really seemed upset.  I remembered she had a spot on her belly that bothered her but she'd calmed down as I smoothed her shell.

Then, as I reached past her to fetch errant pieces of shell, that cantankerous creature stood up on her stubby hind legs and BIT ME on the abdomen.  MY belly!  Through a towel and two shirts, no less, and the bite broke the skin!  It still smarts.

What smarts more?  I haven't a clue why she felt the need to do it, nor will she ever apologize for it, and she will still expect to be spoiled.  Yes, THAT kind of understanding, like a typical teenager.

She can't explain, I can't reason with her, and it's easy to forgive her.  Funny the lessons we learn from our non-human family.  

Coming to you from my Freaking Utopia!

Have you got any funny critter stories to share?  I'd love to hear them!