Coffee Talk Mom

Eye Opener in Vegas from Part Time Pat

Many of you who know me know that my son had his truck stolen in Vegas during Christmas break. This was no ordinary truck. He was given this 74 Chevy pickup by my Dad for Christmas when he was 14. Let's just say that many a weekend, paycheck, and sweat equity was put into this vehicle: a kind of "male bonding" between father and son. It wasn't until his second year at UNLV that Dave and Thomas decided it was time to drive the truck to Vegas and for Thomas to actually use and enjoy the truck as his own first vehicle. It lasted about 5 months…the same amount of time it took for us to receive a check from insurance for a fraction of its value.

Last week we made plans to purchase one ways tickets to Vegas, find and purchase another vehicle for Thomas, and drive the Durango home. Since Dave was trying to work, Thomas had school and work, and William was "busy", I took it upon myself to do some errands for Thomas. One of the main things he needed was a "pool key" for his condo…a nice gated community located about 15 minutes from school. I went into the office and was immediately approached by "Part Time Pat". Now PTP was a round lady, straight shooter, and nice in her own kind of "what do ya want" way. I told her why I was there and she looked at me in a critical way…"Now I'm not supposed to do this you know…I will have to ask you a few questions" she said. I had no problem with this since she didn't know me from Adam. Here is just a sampling of some of the questions:

How long have you lived here?

Do you know any phone numbers on the account?

What is the street address?

What is the parking spot number?

What is the make/model/and year of the owner's vehicle?

Now THAT one got us talking. I explained to PTP that his vehicle was stolen in January from the community. I must admit that I did say under my breath "so much for the gated community"… which led to PTP explaining and educating me. You see, according to her, there is a big difference between a "secure" community and a "gated" community. A secure community has guards. Apparently, this is not a secure community! She even went so far to say that every day "I just walk outside my office and pray that my car is still there"…HUH?? That led us to the pool key…now the pool key has MAJOR rules. You may NEVER share the pool key ($100 fine), you may NEVER separate the giant red plastic thingy from the key ($100 fine), and further more if someone asks you to be let into the pool area, you are to report the person as they may not have paid their bill. Which all led me back to the question: why in the heck is the pool like Fort Knox but cars are stolen on a weekly basis? Sometimes God puts in a situation to laugh amidst the tears! This was THAT situation… As I left, I asked for her name to which she replied "I'm Pat and I'm part time"….Thanks Part Time Pat! And may God protect my boy and his car for one more year in Las Vegas!!

Going …going……

My oldest son turned 21 last Spring and came home for a quick weekend at Easter. When you have spent his entire life as a stay-home-mom, there is always a bit of denial that YES he is growing up and he may actually leave and not live with you when he is 30. This is a GOOD thing! You raise your kids to be strong independent people, capable of going out into the world and earning a living, maintaining their values, and hopefully raising a family of their own. Then…like a Colorado summer afternoon thunderstorm, it hits you! The time is now. I had that moment during his trip home. You see, when you know he is "staying at school and working" for the summer, you try to cram in as many appointments as possible in their 1.5 days at home. Like any good mom, I made a dentist appointment. This is important because their teeth CANNOT fall out until they have their first real job with insurance. Stay diligent moms!!

I think I took him to sign paperwork and thought "what the heck" I might as well stick around in the waiting room reading "Family Circle" and "Parents" magazine for 45 minutes. As I sat partially engrained in an article about organic baby food, I looked up to see the waiting room decked out with video games and toys. Ahh…the days when my boys would walk into the dentist and rush over to the "toy area". I sulked my way through until I was "called back" for the post-appointment time with the doctor. As I rounded the corner, I saw my son (about 6'3") lounging back in the chair, his feet dangling off the end. He had headphones on and was watching a Disney movie. There were little kids in all of the other chairs with their concerned parents holding their hands as the nurse taught them how to brush. OMgoodness! I don't even remember what the doctor said beyond something about a small cavity. I realized at that very moment…I have a 21 year old sitting in a pediatric dentist! We said our goodbyes, paid the bill, and walked out together. As we did, I said to T. "Guess it's time to switch to an adult dentist (I may have used the word "real")". Off we went to the next appointment, but not without a little nudge in my heart. He's going…..

Everyone needs a Brother Billy!

What the heck?? Last Christmas the boys and I were shocked when Dave surprised us all with new "smart" phones….The best part was that he was so proud of the "sale" he got them on and that they were Microsoft phones which he was happy with since that is the company who pays the bills!! You may be thinking "Ya…we sure DO need a Bill Gates in our life!!"…wrong Billy!

Dave explained that the phones had not been changed to our "old" numbers yet so we all had strange cell #'s for a couple of days in the meantime. When I first realized I had a message it was a combination of excitement and puzzlement! Who had this number anyway??? When I played the message back I couldn't exactly place the southern male African American accent…After all, I come from a white toast kind of family…From the moment I heard it, I knew I had to share it!

"Hello…This is Brother Billy. Calling to see how you are doing. Merry Christmas to ya. I just wanna call u brother and encourage you and let you know I love ya brother…Be encouraged…Keep on looking up to Jesus…will come all your help.

Wanna have a short prayer with you.."Father in the name of Jesus…lift my brother "O" today God..Gift him what he needs God… he can't make it without you God…Lord we need a closer walk with you a closer talk with ya.. You say we all need prayer and I am prayin'!

You say look to the hills will come all thy help and all thy help come from you…let your will be done in my brother's life, God…Bless his family…bless his wife…bless his son in the name of Jesus we give you all of the praise and all of the glory in Jesus name…Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus! Let Thy will be done!

In Jesus name

Amen and Amen

I love you brother "O"

Be encouraged…

Keep on looking up brother!

Have a blessed holiday"

 

Call me crazy, but it is mid June and I have saved that phone call since Christmas day! After all…there are days when we all need a message from "Brother Billy" and I can't imagine saying it any better! Thanks Dave…and thanks Brother Billy wherever you are!

 

Who is COFFEE TALK MOM??

I am a stay-at-home 40 something mom of 2 boys (16 and 21) who finds life not only interesting and heartbreaking, but also hilarious! We all have our "days" and after my Mom telling me for years "you should write that down" that is exactly what I am doing. Sometimes, you need to see the joy in the pain, and take the circumstances and turn them for good. Have you ever volunteered for something and after about an hour thought "God bless these people…this is excruciating!"…I am that person. I am a Mom and a Chronic Volunteer! I have gifts…not Michele Bachmann kind of gifts (Congress, State Senator, Wife of 33 years, Mother of 5, Lawyer, Foster mom to 23 kids) but my own kind of gifts….Like I can throw a party for 100 and make all of the food, I can change a poopy diaper one handed, I can talk to teenagers and love every minute (I was a high school teacher before I was a mom), I can sort clothes for the needy, sing in the choir, find a cashmere sweater for under 20 bucks, and juggle friends like a pro. You see, my family and my friends are my priority and I am BEYOND privileged to have a husband who supports me every step of the way. I have been married for 25 years to an amazing, good looking and even tempered nerd of the first degree. Because of being surrounded by boys most of the time, I know all about rugby, football, cars, drums and computers. I cherish time spent with my girlfriends for obvious reasons and even "borrow" some of my friend's girls on occasion. I am not an expert on anything, but know a little about everything…and this is my blog. WELCOME TO COFFEE TALK MOM.

P.S. I'll have a grande soy one splenda latte please!