March 18 – “At the end of the day”

Chris left me alone pretty much all day yesterday.  Could have been dangerous, I know.  But she has always been one to take chances.  After all, she married me, right?  She drove to Victoria to have lunch with her two brothers and to go see her Dad in the nursing home there.  This would be the Dad who raised her, the one who adopted her when she was a baby.  He can’t live alone any more, but she said he seemed to be doing pretty well.  He recognized her and even introduced her around to the therapists.  I know the trip was probably stressful for Chris, so I’m glad it went well.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch … (where did that one come from?  Some old TV show, maybe? Anybody know?).  I stayed at my computer most of the time she was gone, working on the first of the three Bible studies I have to lead this week.  I think I’m pretty much ready for it, although I do have one more thing to complete this morning before I move on.  I almost forgot to eat lunch.  Chris texted about 1:00 to let me know she was heading to Dairy Queen with her brothers, and that reminded me to get something as well.  Glad we had some of the leftovers from dinner on the grounds Sunday.  Some kind of lasagna-type dish with sausage in it and a lot of cheese on top.  Good stuff, so kudos to whoever made it. 

Chris did get a phone call while she was away.  Cailyn was looking for her hang-out buddy to try to finagle a spring break overnight stay.  So of course that meant we entertained a special little guest last night.  And by “entertained” I mean it was beauty specialist night at the Vaughan’s.  And by “we” I mean “me.”  That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I received a glittery, albeit it abbreviated manicure and pedicure.  Actually she just put fingernail polish on my fingers and toes, but to her credit, most of it stayed on the nails.  That part was easy.  Not so sure about phase two, though.  Now I’m not saying I didn’t need the beauty treatment.  But makeup?  On my face?  I dint think I have had that much attention makeup-wise since I played Tigger in our high school drama.  At one point she asked my choice of colors: brown, gray, green, or light brown.  I told her I had the whole gray thing pretty much down pat.  I went for green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.  I did look at it before washing it off.  Honestly I couldn’t really tell that there was that much on there.  Guess that’s a testament to the skill of the applier, right?  Sure did dirty up the washcloth, though.  So much for subtle foundation work.  At the end of the day, I’m back to my wrinkled, gray, leathery self again.  Sigh.  Maybe I should look into dyeing my hair and beard.  Red, maybe?

Psalms 4:7-8 says, “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Father, thank you for making me who I am, gray hair, wrinkles and all.  And more importantly, thank you for loving me anyway.  Amen.