Favorite flowers of spring, a monster truck, cupcakes, and more (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

What is your favorite spring flower? I struggle to answer this question because I love all the colors and varieties. I’ve decided it’s whatever is blooming right now—especially in my yard.

For me, azaleas evoke memories of the Easters of my childhood. I grew up on the sunny side of the street, and we always posed in front of the blooming azaleas for Easter pictures. We live on the shady side of the street, so we rarely have azaleas blooming in time for Easter, unless Easter is late. But we still enjoy the azaleas.

Azaleas also remind me of my sister Maureen and brother-in-law Eric’s wedding since the bridesmaid dresses were azalea-colored. We dyed our shoes “azalea” to match, and the dye ran in the rain that day. That was a phenomenal wedding, and not just because of the mint chocolate chip ice cream.

~2~

At the start of Sunday Mass, the cantor invited us to turn to the people around us and tell them our names. I turned to the lady behind me and said, “I’m Rita,” just as she said, “I’m Rita.”

We were both so surprised and excited, as Ritas always are.

~3~

My minivan was in the shop for a week for repairs, and when I received the keys to my rental car for the week, I found they had matched me with a Ford Enterprise. It felt like a pick-up truck but with lots of seating. I could not get over the size! It felt like a monster truck. I had no idea how I would drive safely, never mind park it. My family was much more enthusiastic.

Getting dropped off at school in a sleek black truck is so much cooler than arriving in a red minivan.

Like with all things, I adjusted to the truck—though it wasn’t my favorite.

Still, it was an interesting experience, especially since I found that people on the roads treated me very differently. I never got cut off, and people often waved for me to go ahead of them. That doesn’t happen as much when I’m in our minivan.

It made me wonder whether people were reacting in fear or respect or something else. Maybe we are more deferential when we see a truck.

~4~

Because we had a truck for a few days, we ran some errands that you can do more easily with a truck. We visited three Home Depots and IKEA. I often jokingly tell people that I’m glad we have a minivan just in case I see a piece of furniture we just have to bring home. Mostly I just bring groceries.

This week, though, we brought home a gaming desk from IKEA that we could probably have fit in our minivan, but since we had the truck…why not?

At the end of the week when I went to turn the truck in, I slid into our minivan and breathed a sigh of relief. It felt like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes. But it was a fun adventure.

~5~

Our younger son who hasn’t played baseball in four years is back on the diamond this spring. I don’t typically love activities that cut into family time, but after losing baseball due to the pandemic and not finding the way back until now, I am so happy to be here.

You can’t step away from a sport for four years without some catching up to do, but our baseball player is full of determination.

I’m proud of him for being willing to get out there and struggle a little.

~6~

On my way home from work Friday night, I stopped to pick up sandwiches for dinner and threw some cupcakes into my basket. At the register, the cashier smiled and said, “What’s the occasion?” I was caught off-guard for a minute and then realized he was looking at the cupcakes.

“Oh! Making it to Friday,” I said. And I meant it.

April and May are a marathon around here. It’s a beautiful marathon full of many wonderful sights and memories along the way. But wow, it’s busy, and I’m so thankful to make it home to my family at the end of the day.

~7~

Last weekend a couple we love lost their baby girl unexpectedly just weeks before she was due to be born. It’s heartbreaking.

Years ago, after my sister and brother-in-law lost their son, Georgie, my sister helped me create this list of 20 ways to support loved ones as they grieve the loss of a child. I was looking at the list this week and thinking that even with all these ideas, I still feel helpless. That’s when I know I need to hand it over to God in prayer. So, that’s what I’m doing.

Would you join me in praying for this couple and for their older daughter, who was so excited to be a big sister? Thank you for praying with me.

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