Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Phone Calls

Okay, so I don’t really like to talk on the phone. I think sometimes I get talked out at work and when I come home, I really don’t want to sit on the phone with anyone. I want to relax, talk with Pat and the boys about their day. Help with homework. Hide in my craft room. Create. Watch the Reds game. Kiss all my boys. Tease them all. Give them piggy back rides to bed. Read blogs. Read books to the boys. All of these items come before talking on the phone in my list of want to do when I get home from work.

But, you know with that lead in that I have something else to say. I’ve received two precious phone calls in the last couple of weeks. My college roommate, Michelle called me two weeks ago. Let me preface this by saying that Michelle is more than just my college roommate. In a way, we are twins. We both married our high school sweethearts, had the same major, were in the same sorority, have four boys and like Pat, her husband, Pete stays home with her four boys. We laugh about so much and share our hearts with one another. Even if we haven’t talked for a while, we pick up right where we left off. She wanted to call me because “you are one of the few people that would really understand how excited I am.” Michelle took a big risk last year. She took a new job after being with the same company for 17 years. She moved her family four hours away and started fresh. And the new start is paying off. Her boys are adjusting well and she got a promotion. She knew I would get her excitement and pride. She is a lead IT executive at a huge company. And she was right, I am thrilled for her. She genuinely made my heart happy that she wanted to share her news with me.

And then, yesterday morning as I’m driving to work my cell phone rings at 7:13. Honestly, it scared me a bit that maybe something was wrong. Generally, I don’t get calls early in the morning. It was my friend, Leah. Leah and I worked together for many years and were more than co-workers. Leah and I never worked in the same location and have only met a few times in person. Even though we didn’t sit next to each other, we shared our hearts and our families. And, we challenged each other to always improve. She called to say, “I was thinking of you Lynn and thanking God for you and then I thought, I need to call you and tell you.” What a way to start my day. Life doesn’t get much better than that. Like Michelle, Leah has taken a next step in her career and has started her own business. And it is going well. She wanted to share that with me. How awesome to be able to share with those that we love?

So, that got me thinking? Who haven’t I called in a while that I should call? Who haven’t you called that you should call? There is nothing better than dear friends and family that really know you. I’m going to call my Auntie Joan. We haven’t talked in a really long time.

Even when I don’t want to, I’ll start thinking about my phone calls, being intentional to stay in touch and reach out to those I love.

And...for those of you that have stayed with me...here is a fun little card for this week's Stampin' 411 Challenge!
Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz; Whisper White Paper; The Twinery; So Happy For You Stamps; Stampin' Up DSP

15 comments:

Jen W. said...

Thanks for sharing those thoughts and stories and for the reminder to put in a bit more effort. I'm not a phone fan either but you're right about how wonderful a conversation with a good friend can be.
Beautiful CAS card. Love the polka dots!

Kerin said...

Your card is super sweet, love the polka dots & main image!! Thanks for sharing your story as well, I'm SO not a fan of the phone, but you're right, catching up with an old friend is always worth it!!

Anonymous said...

This post warmed my heart! You inspire me! I have been meaning to make a tiny memory book for one of my aunts and "just haven't gotten around to it".
Love the cards (as always!)!!

Judy said...

Oh Lynn, your story gave me tears. Thank you for reminding me to take time and touch the lives of the people we love. I know who I'm going to call...
Hugs,
Judy
Oh the card is great too.

gbarron56 said...

Lynn, thanks so much for reminding us all of the importance of keeping in touch! Your card this week is darling! Great job with this week's sketch! Thanks so much for playing along at Stamping 411! blessings, Gretchen

Barb said...

It's so true, isn't it? We really all need to slow down and appreciate those we care most about! I have a very close friend who moved far away recently and we try hard to keep in touch! Thanks for the lovely post today, Lynn and look at that. . .you made a pretty card, using my fave colors! Love it! :)

Karen B. said...

I love to read your blog and your stories, in a way it is like talking on the phone with someone who understands, the mother of boys, a working hard kind of person, a creator and a great crafter. Thank you!
Fun card by the way, I did stay until the end. :}

Maureen said...

boy, you sure know how to get me all teary eyed! Those are such sweet stories and phone calls :) That's what it's all about, eh? Connections :) How wonderful :) And what a sweet card...love the stamped flowers and the notepaper :) The subtle embossed background is the perfect amount of texture :) hugs to you!

Connie Babbert said...

Love your story...so true how we can let our busy lives get in the way of keeping touch with people matter to us. Thanks for the wake up call! Beautiful card...love how you did the grid on the focal element!

~Tammy~ said...

I am not one who likes to talk on the phone at all either. In fact, my husband ask if I have phone phobia, but there are times that a special voice really can make a difference! I love your colors! Love the embossed background! TFS! You have encouraged me to pick that phone up tomorrow!

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

Cute-cute-cute!

Emily Leiphart said...

How sweet that two of your friends called with such great news! Isn't it funny how different we are now compared to when we were teenagers? I really don't like the phone now but I remember being on it 24/7 in my teens and 20s!

I love your sweet card. The sentiment looks wonderful stamped on the ledger and the pink blooms match the twine perfectly!

Tiffany Ervin said...

Aw...what touching stories!! It does make you think about getting in touch with folks! I am not much of a talker on the phone either unless it's someone I really, really know well, other than that, I'm so much more of a letter writer. Love your sweet card!

Patti Chesky said...

What a great message! Like you, I dread the phone. I love the use of the ledger. What a great background for your card!

Patrice said...

I'm not a phone fan either, however, you've reminded me that I need to make a few calls to some special people in my life.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really enjoy reading stories about the boys and your day to day comings and goings.