And on the Other Hand, She Wore a Glove…

This quirky title comes to you thanks to my husband’s Grandpa Tony.

Grandpa Tony passed before my time, but in the fun stories of him, I’ve heard this saying repeatedly.

I’ve never quite understood it, yet I love it at the same time.

Some days we go and go and go…and then something makes us stop and think, “well?” (and this is where the saying comes in)…on the other hand, she wore a glove.

Now that I’ve put that in your head, you’ll never say “on the other hand” without thinking “she wore a glove”.

You’re welcome!

I thought of this saying this morning as I was looking at the post from yesterday and the lack of likes and responses.  I smiled to myself at the epic failure of the blog with only one respondent, however…then I realized…on the other hand, she wore a glove.

It wasn’t such a failure after all as my new friend Meg from Australia responded and we had quite a nice chat!  Meg writes a blog about her life as a stepmom raising 8 kids!

I may not have gotten other people to comment on where they were from, or a tidbit about themselves, or even some to like the blog, but I did get to know one person, Meg, a little better.

So there was no failure – epic or otherwise.

Life is all about following one path, but then realizing there may be another.

It’s all about options and decisions.

Do we want to live a life chasing after money?

Do we want to live a life of chasing after children?

Do we want to live a life of chasing after power?

Some people choose to go after all three and juggle other things in with it.

I’ve been there.

Heck I’m still chasing after the first two at times…on a much smaller scale that is.

The money is something we all chase after to a degree.  Hopefully not to the point of it turning into a matter of greed.

The children chasing has lessened for me with only one child at home full time now.  And she doesn’t require much chasing anymore, she is in 6th grade after all…

{insert 12 year old’s eye roll}

And the power…well I was young once, and wanted to be “in charge” of it all.  As I look back now I laugh!

It’s been a number of months now of doing some soul searching while on hiatus from work.

I’ve been praying for guidance – asking God what He wants me to do.  I’m not entirely sure what His plan is for my future, but I finally understand why I’ve been dealt the hand I have right now.

Over and over again in these months, He has led me to be of service to others.

I was raised to be a caregiver, with a history of being the one to take care of things with my parents.  (This being after all of the other 5 kids were older and out of the house).

This past, with a few rough memories attached, has turned out to be a blessing.

Time spent helping others is treasured time.

It makes one feel useful.

It takes one’s mind off it’s own troubles.

And it makes one feel blessed.

Blessed to have the opportunity to serve.

There but for the Grace of God I go.

Because we can plan all we want…but then “on the other hand, she wore a glove”.

Have a blessed day!

Patty O

ps…The photo of the beautiful flowers from my garden reminds me of the beauty that awaits after the storm (notice the raindrops on the petals).  Such is life.