I taught her how to drive a stick-shift – she caught on fast, much faster than my kids years later – and when her brother broke up with me, she wrote me poems to soothe my broken heart. She was barely a teenager back then, two years younger than me, and so in our split-high-school district, we never even attended the same school, so our lives went separate ways.

But score another one for Facebook! We recently reconnected. So when she came to Austin to visit her daughter this weekend, we made plans to meet up again for the first time in decades.

In a cool little restaurant within walking distance of her daughter's apartment (Fabi and Rosi) we sped through the years over wine and yummy food. The hours went way too fast. 


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It meant missing a writing contest deadline and getting up at 5 a.m. yesterday morning to get my part of my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower ready, but it was totally worth it. Those are the moments that make life sweet!, and you have to grab them while you can.

Here are a few more sweet! moments from the past week…

 

 

Monday: writing before work; realizing you can still work geometry problems; a roaring wind on a sunny day; getting hooked by a good book

Tuesday: soft birdsong on your morning walk; a friend calling you with a job tip; your son's wedding invitation waiting for you in the mail; playing your drums after work

Wednesday: a puppy waiting patiently and hopefully outside the door for you to step outside and cuddle with her; devoting time to your book two days in a row; a long overdue hair cut and re-blonding; quick hugs from your daughter; remembering to pay some bills before they're late

 

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Thursday: friends who make adorable favors for your future daughter-in-law's bridal shower; clearance racks; your husband still awake to help carry groceries into the house and help put them away at 10:30 pm

Friday: time to run before work; a refresher course in World Geography; starting the second book in the Hunger Games series, while getting paid; catching-up decades over dinner with an old boyfriend's little sister; experiencing another eclectic Austin restaurant

 

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Saturday: a bridal shower for your future daughter-in-law; a Saturday night at the Salt Lick with your kids and great friends

 
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Sunday: sleeping in and going to late Mass; the stories on CBS Sunday Morning

 

I don't watch much television, but CBS Sunday Morning is one show I try not to miss. This morning they featured the story of El Paso student Mitchell Marcus. Perhaps you've already heard it, but if you haven't, do yourself a favor and watch this video till the end. 

I hope you have a week filled with sweet! moments…and may we all be like this high school student and make life sweet! for someone else.


http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf

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20 responses to “A Little Sister, a Shower, and a Salt Lick”

  1. Scott Gray Avatar

    Awesome! Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Donโ€™t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Donโ€™t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (NLT)

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  2. Hilary Avatar

    Oh .. what fun to catch up with someone you’ve not seen for so long. I’m glad for you that you had this, among all of your other sweet moments.

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  3. lisleman Avatar

    A good connection from FB. My older brother just discovered FB. He is sorta funny on there because he forgets to wear his reading glasses and guesses at postings. Hey I found this silly skit with drums. You might like it if you have a minute.
    http://anothercircus.blogspot.com/2013/03/drums-where-you-want-them.html

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  4. Gail Dixon Avatar

    Barbara, y’all almost look like sisters! What fun to catch up with an old friend. Sounds like the shower was a big success. ๐Ÿ™‚

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Scott, you're so sweet and generous. I hope I made the wise decision, according to what the Lord wanted me to do, but pretty much I just had to decide what I would regret the most if I didn't do it. This is a great verse to keep in mind for those tough decisions, though!
     

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  6. lisa Avatar

    Oh my goodness, Barbara, how wonderful that you were able to get together after all those years. I am sure it was fantastic. Some friendships were meant to last a lifetime. It looks like your future daughter-in-law”s shower was a great time. I love those little favors. So pretty.
    I hope you have a wonderful week!

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much for sending that link! I love Mr. Bean, anyway, and this was classic… PLUS drums!
     

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you for that compliment! I think she's gorgeous! Yes, it was awesome. Still need to sort through the photos, of course. ๐Ÿ™‚
     

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  9. Nancy Avatar

    What a good sister you are! And those favors look almost too pretty to eat. ๐Ÿ™‚

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  10. Shrinky Avatar

    What a heart-warming read this is, Barbara, you have this habit of always uplifting me after a visit in here! Wow, how awesome to meet up with your dear friend after so long, I’ll bet you had much to catch up on. Sounds as though you’ve certainly crammed a lot into your week, dear lady, and all good!

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  11. Agnes Avatar

    Reconnecting with old friends… priceless ๐Ÿ™‚

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I am, too! It was such an unexpected treat!

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, she's technically not my sister although I acted like she was when we were younger for those few brief months when I went steady with her big brother. I agree with you on the favors! But we ate them anyway. ๐Ÿ™‚
     

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, I crammed way too much, but wouldn't have missed any of it for the world. I'll catch up on rest later!
     

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  15. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    your daughter-to-be is beautiful
    and i’m so excited for you in this new mom-space
    you’re filling (with such grace, i must say).
    and cheers to sisters being re-united
    after many years….fb is awesome that way:)
    hope the sweetness just blows your mind
    in the days to come,
    Jennifer

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It was one get-together I never really expected, and that made it even more special, I think! Yes, the shower was awesome. Whew! I hope you’re having a wonderful week, too, Lisa!

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  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    She is so beautiful, inside and out. I’m really lucky! And while Kari isn’t technically my sister, I did think of her like that for awhile, so it is very awesome to be reunited.

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  18. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Thanks for that video. I once intercepted a pass in a pickup game and then ran the wrong way. I’m glad Mitchell had the presence of mind to shoot for the right basket under those circumstances.

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  19. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I am, too! But, oh, the fact that the other boy cared more about Mitchell than the competition just makes my heart soar! There’s hope for the world, after all!

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