Yesterday, I went to a luncheon with my mom and some of her co-workers. Her boss and his wife were big donors for the event to honor child advocates and benefit a facility that works with child abuse victims. So, we sat at the "head table" next to the speaker and "Master of Ceremonies". The speaker actually came and introduced herself to our table before her talk. The child abuse statistics, particularly the sexual abuse statistics were tough to swallow. The speaker travels all around the country sharing her story of surviving sexual abuse. While her story was awful on so many levels, the "worst" part is that her mother died at age 88 not believing that the abuse ever occurred. Since we were at a "donor table", we got autographed copies of her book. It looks like something I should read...and from her presentation, it sounded like it could benefit everyone to know how to help victims, and protect people from becoming victims... I am glad my mom invited me to go with her because it definitely was a good talk to hear.
After the luncheon, I picked up shamrock shakes for my sister and me. It was a nice day, so I helped her get the boys bundled up and we went for a short walk. I stayed for a while and visited with them (her nephew is kind of a fuss bucket...I feel kinda bad for her to deal with that every day!) I went to Curves and then actually cooked dinner :o)
This morning, I led my last meeting as chair of the unit committee...yay! It wasn't NEARLY as stressful today knowing we had an extra hour. After two years of fighting against the clock to get stuff accomplished, our manager decided to make the meetings three hours instead of two. Gee, thanks for nothing! We probably could have gotten done in 2 hours and 15 minutes this morning, but had ordered pizza and spent a bit of extra time discussion topics that wouldn't have necessarily needed that much time. I'll still get to "stop by" the meetings to give my report from the other committee I am a member of, but won't have to stay the whole time. That will be nice (except for the slight decrease in pay since I won't have those extra meetings!)
After the meeting, I talked to my manager for a little while. Then, I went to the grocery store (with a ton of coupons from coupons
I went to the eye doctor (and had to get a new contact...boo!) Then, I had a "decision" to make. My choir practice was canceled because the school kids were doing "The Wizard of Oz". I thought that would be cute/fun since I know so many of those kids and their parents (and the music teacher was MY music teacher!) However, I also got an invitation to attend a Catholic young adult gathering at a local restaurant.
I decided I should go be social with people my own age...and so I went.
I think many of the people in this group get together regularly. I have done a couple things, but it has probably been five years (there was this guy that I think liked me and I not-so-much felt the same way, so I pretty much avoided gatherings with that group). I decided to give it a whirl because I actually had forgotten about him and wasn't exactly sure WHO would be at this gathering. I walked in with another girl who obviously was alone. I said something to that effect and sat across from her. The speaker was a "younger" Young Adult who discovered she had been called to the religious life and will begin her training later this spring. Afterwords, we had "discussion questions" for the little small groups at our tables. Awkward?! Well, a little bit, but I'm a talker and I had some things to add to the discussion. There ended up being three girls and two guys in our "group" and I guess I would call it "interesting"...because I try to be a person accepting of ALL types of people, and respect those who are not like me. [One of the guys was really nice, the other guy seemed pretty shy. One of the girls seemed a little "socially awkward" and the other seemed a little judgmental. And me, when, you know I'm "perfect"...ha ha ha!] One of the girls asked if I was on facebook...okay, no harm in becoming fb friends. I did end up talking to an OB/Gyn who just happened to be across from me and one seat over...only unfortunately in a different "group". She and I did chat for a little bit since she knows one of the pediatricians I know. As I was leaving, I ran into "the guy" and I was "friendly". He mentioned something about wanting to call me and I was like "oh, I'm pretty busy these days, but maybe I'll see you at a future event or something..." I also talked to the speaker and she asked for my email so I could come pray with her and some other women some time...
As I was driving home, I wondered why this "spiritual time" was so much of an awkward, not especially enjoyable time, even when it was a "social event". I usually enjoy going to those kinds of things alone (eg. I went to a couple Natalie Grant concerts alone and to the Selah concert alone and on Thanksgiving retreats and fund raising events...) I am feeling bad because the thought that keeps running through my mind is "you're not better than them!" as if I'm trying to convince myself, but I know that everyone is special and no one is quite like me ;o)
I stopped at my mom and dad's on the way home so my dad could mail a package for me. Also, they were baby-sitting my nephew who learned how to crawl today!! It was adorable to see him crawling, especially since he WASN'T crawling when I saw him yesterday!!
I'm sure if I had chosen to go to the musical, I would have had a GREAT time. However, I had to give this social gathering a try. I'm not sure I will be super excited about another event with them, but another day, another experience, so who knows!
After three days "off", back to work tomorrow.
Good night :o)
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