Lean On Me

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, I'll be your friend. I'll help you carry on."

Remember that Bill Withers tune? It's always been one of my favorite songs. Such a wonderful, powerful message he conveys.

You know what? It's even more meaningful when you are going through a rough time, and your friends all band together to help you out.

I typically am the one helping out - I like to help people. I help my family, I like to help my friends, I like to volunteer and help those less fortunate than me.

Because of my separation, I have taken a huge cut in income. I have cut back on a lot of things, and have started painting houses for my friends.

And word has gotten out, and I have a lot of painting work lined up. Yeah! Thank you friends.

A friend last week filled my car tank up with gas just for giving her a ride home from work. Thank you Friend!

Friends give me things I need - like food, dog food, cat food. I don't mind cutting back on expenses, but I can't do that for my pets. Thank you Cousin!

And thank you to all of those who believe in me, and tell me so. Your kind words of encouragement have brightened my days, helped me see through the dark clouds that cloud my thoughts and remind me that this trying time is only temporary.

And thank you for reassuring me that I am doing the right thing, that I need to build a bridge from my old life into my new one, and cross the bridge and leave all of the hurt behind me. Even blow that bridge up once I am over it. Thank you Friend for that bit of advice.

Soon, I will be caught up, back on my feet, going out, and have my skip in my step restored once again.

All work and no play does make Christina a somewhat dull gal. But I know that it is only temporary, plus I do love the work I am doing, and I am becoming one heck of a house painter.

So, thank you to all my friends and family who are so supportive. You know who you are ... and I love you all.

What I am Thinking About the Most

Sitting here, drinking my coffee on this second day of 2012, there is one thought that keeps swirling around my head. It is aways there, and makes me really excited about this year.

The thought is: My Big House.

I have this house that is under renovation. And I love this Big House. I also have a Carriage House, and I currently live in the apartment on the second floor of the Carriage House. It, in the day of horses and carriages, used to be the hay mow for the stable that was on the ground floor.

But I long to live in the Big House. I think it longs for somebody to live in it too.

In November 2011, I hosted a neighborhood party in the Big House - even in it's unfinished slpendor. It has no functioning bathroom, and the only sink that works is a utility sink in my rather creepy basement (think 1865 era house basement. Yes - that is creepy).

At any rate, I was the third stop on a progressive dinner tour, so I provided coffee and desserts to about 35 guests. I spiffed up the house as much as possible, set up chairs and makeshift tables on the first floor, blocked off the steps so that guests did not go upstairs, set up a fire pit and chairs in the backyard, invited some friends before hand to help set up the desserts in a nice presentation.

Then the guests came.

My house did something neat. It took on the aroma of those desserts and coffee. That sweet smell of desserts filled the entire house as the voices and laughter of my guests filled the house too. Even in its unfinished state, people raved about what a great house it was, and how it had so much potential and how lucky I was to have such a great house.

Me, lucky, to have this house.

I am lucky to have such a nice house. I think the Big House enjoyed having a party in it too, after so many years of being empty. I think houses get lonely, because they are built to house people, and fun occasions, and create beautiful memories.

A couple weeks went by and it still had the aroma of sweets and coffee in it.

This year will be the year that I finish the house, move into it permanently and create fun times and memories for the house, for my family and friends and for me.

As my good friend always tells me:

"Onward and upward, Christina."

He is right.

Let's do this.