I May Be Super, But I’m Not Superwoman

After spending the past two days at work taking care of a lot of stuff, I have made an amazing discovery….I am NOT superwoman.  And that kind of makes me a little bit sad.  It shouldn’t, but, somehow, it does.

When my girls were little, they always thought that Mom could do anything.  Even when she couldn’t, they thought she could.  And that was not too hard to ive up to then.  But that was then, and ths is now.  they are grown, and I am older.

Funny how even though you look in the mirror and see the lines, and wrinkles, and gray hair, you still think of yourself as being young and looking like you did then.  And you WANT to think that you can still do the same things you could do then, even when common sense (and your body) tells you differently.

I can still do most of the things I did when I was younger, but, there are a few things that are better left alone now.  For instance, I have tried Zumba in the comfort of my living room, where I can rest wehn I need to…yes, I said NEED to. I can’t go constantly for an hour without stopping to rest.  So, if I am going to do Zumba, it will have to be at home.  I can also shop with the best of them, but now I prefer to have an idea of what I am looking for BEFORE I leave the house, instead of wandering around in stores, aimlessly, trying to figure out what to buy for a gift.

I guess that I am beginning to learn that it is okay to be a little bit slower, and to just say no to things that I can’t do, or simply don’t have the time to do.  I used to think that I could do it all.  And I tried to prove that to my family and friends on a daily basis.  But I now realize that I can choose to be involved in things that interest me, instead of getting involved in everything that cones along, because someone suggests that I should.

I still feel like there are times when I am expected to be Superwoman.  Sometimes at work, I get that impression, because I do so many different things.  And, honestly, I try to do whatever is asked of me because in this day and age, jobs are hard to come by, and I need mine.  I do enjoy what I do, but, like any job, it gets hectic and frustrating at times.   Still, there are times when I need to learn to ask for help, or to just say, no, I can’t do that.  but I doubt that I will do that.  Sometimes, you have to just keep going, and doing whatever it is you need to do

I used to think that my house had to always be spotless, even with two kids, and working a full time job all day.  And I tried to keep it that way.  Didn’t succeed, and all it did was make me tired and on edge.  Now, I pick up the clutter in the house, and keep the dishes done.  I dust it once or twice a week, and do the laundry when I get a load.  If  we read the paper, and it gets laid on the couch, it may lay there for a day.  I now know that the world won’t end if I don’t put the paper in the trash as soon as I put it down.  And we built the house to LIVE in, and enjoy.  So, we live in it.  Yes, I want it to look nice, but, it is clean, and comfortable, and cozy.   and if it is not clean enough for you, then, don’t come and visit me.

I used to think I had to be Superwoman, but I know now that all I have to be is myself.  I do what I can do, and when I get tired, I quit.  the biggest lesson I have learned over the years is this….whatever doesn’t get done today, will still be waiting tomorrow….or the next day.  It will get done, but maybe just not today.  And you know what?  that is perfectly all right with me. 

No, I’m not Superwoman.  But, I have a husband and children that think I am super, and that is enough for me!

That’s One Down, and ????? to Go….

Last night,  just before bedtime, the news came that after nearly ten long years of searching, we finally got Usama bin Laden….news that the whole world, but especially America, have long waited to hear.

I watched as  the story started being pieced together.  I watched until the President made the official announcement, and then went to bed.  Today, as more and more details came out, I could not be any prouder of our military, and special ops teams. (This particular one being Navy Seal 6).  The precision with which they carried out their mission shows just how far superior our military is, and the certainty of the inteligence gathering that led up to the final battle  makes me even prouder.

Since September 11, 2001, when we were attacked by the followers of this madman, we have been tracking and hunting for this butcher.  And this does not count the countless others who have been murdered by his followers. (Remember Daniel Pearl?)  So, I feel a certain sense of satisfaction that he knew, at the end, who it was that carried out his  “‘sentence.”  The fact that it was one of our Navy Seals that put a bullet through his head is somehow fitting.

I heard someone comment on the television today that they were glad he was dead, and  in Hell.  Well, while I am glad that he is no longer alive to plan and try to carry out even more attacks of terror, I am also sad for the fact that, even though he was a terrorist, and hated the United States simply because of who we are and what we represent, Jesus died for him, just like He did for me.  And just like He did for every person in the world.

While, I can’t be sad that he has been brought to justice,  I can pray that God will be able to use this to reach some people that would never listen before.  And I am not just talking about his followers.  But, people in our own country who have turned their backs on God.

For the families of those who were murdered in the World Trade Center, The Pentegon, and the heroes onFlight 93 in Shanksville, PA, my prayers go out to you.  I know you have relived that dreadful day many times, and that many of you have done it again in the past 24 hours, as word has come out about this victory.  The death of Bin Laden will do nothing to bring back your loved ones.  It will do nothing to make the heartache go away, nor lessen the empty place in your hearts and homes for those who are gone.  But maybe it will serve to give you some long overdue closure to a decade long nightmare, and that it will help you have some peace, even at this late date.  Your loved ones were murdered.  They were killed because they were Americans, and that is the only reason.  Today, as he looked into the eyes of  the United States Navy Seals who tracked him down and killed him, he saw the emotion of  an entire nation, and maybe finally realized that he picked on the wrong people.

My hope is that those who lost loved ones on September 11 can, at last, lay to rest those who were the first casualties of this war.  And maybe begin, finally, to start the healing process.  No, Bin Laden’s death will not bring them back.  But, now, he will have to look them in the face at judgement, and he WILL answer to Almighty God.

I applaud the actions of President Obama, Secretary Panetta, the intelligence teams, and the national security team who planned and carried out the mission.  I think they did the right thing.  This outcome was inevitable.  Because we are not afraid of a fight, and we win. 

And so, the most wanted man in the world is dead.  But that does not mean the war is over.  Yesterday, we won a major battle, and a great victory.  But the fight goes on.