Me And My Dad.

Cleaning up the dishes after dinner Thursday night on the 12th, my husband walks in the door late from work. His face is long and laced with worry. He sighs and says something along the lines of, “my flight takes off tomorrow. Friday the 13^th, and did you see how much the ticket cost?”

 I rinse the pan and turn around. “600 something, right?”

“Not just 600 something, but 600 and 66 dollars. That’s three sixes in a row.”

 I can hear the worry in his words. We talk for another few moments about it. I understand where he is coming from. A strange series of panicked thoughts fly through my own head, but in the moment I realize, none of them will help. I sigh and hide the worries, letting my gut kick in.

 I say, “It’s going to be ok. They are just numbers. Your flight will be fine. You will be fine and you’ll be back here Sunday, like you’re scheduled to.”

 Years ago, and I mean like all the way back to 1992, I remember my first Friday the 13^th that absolutely without a doubt didn’t go well. A freshman in High School, my favorite necklace broke, the stone slid right off the chain, probably lost somewhere outside in the grass around the building, and I’d been oblivious. Later on that day, I bombed a math quiz, and after school had ended, I found my locker wide open. It shouldn’t have been open like that and I had to make my first and last trip to the principal’s office to report the locker incident. I felt terrible that day. My mind was a negative cycle of thoughts for a good couple of hours. But something changed, and I don’t remember what. It might have been the sunshine on my face as I walked out of school. It might have been a change in the environment, arriving home, shutting myself in my room and writing, or flipping through magazines dreaming up characters in my stories. In any case, the day did get better. I went to sleep. I woke up the next day and it was a new day.

I’m writing about the power of our thoughts today because these certain images and predictions we have heard about will always fascinate us. We remember them. We’re terrified of them, and yet, some days, we survive them.

This week, I encourage us all to think the best, through the adversity, through all the odds no matter how high they seem stacked up against us. I believe, we never know how the end will turn out, not for sure. We may feel panic. We may be terrified, but at the same time, we can hold our hands over our hearts and believe. Better yet, we can pass a little of it to someone else, who might need it.

My dad told me once to always remember to think good things and do good things. He followed up with, Good things will eventually find their way back to us. I can’t promise when, and it may be a long long road, but I do believe in his words.

Hugs. Happy Monday, and don’t forget to check out the list of events below. I’ve got some exciting stuff going on this week. :0)

Monday, December 16
Aimee Lane, featuring Marissa Halvorsen

Tuesday, December 17
The Machenwood Chronicles and Other Tales

Wednesday, December 18
Tinasbookreviews

Thursday, December 19
Book Signing at Prosperos Parkside Books in Blue Springs. Check out the link to reserve your signed copy. :0)

Friday, December 20
Mywithershins, featuring J. Keller Ford
Marissa Halvorson will be here! And I just might say a few words about the short story writing contest I’ve been holding. Yeah! Fun things ahead. :0)