Good times

[theatokos]

Last night Adam and I went on a date. We went to eat a new-ish Italian place in downtown Berkeley, a sort of local chain sit down place. I was hesitant because I tend to hate chains and "midscale" dining places, but the food was really good! Finally, a good Italian place in the East Bay that doesn't cost a fortune.

Then we went and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Sweet, not entirely formulaic for a formulaic genre film and completely laugh out loud funny, which was just what we needed.

In some ways it was the day that should be tomorrow: tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. I don't normally celebrate my birthday and don't really care much, but this year..... it's really gonna be a drag. I'll go in for my normal day shift at the hospital, then come home and then I'm going in for a night shift - the attending physician suggested it. I still don't completely understand why, but hell - a doctor suggested I spend more time with Benn, so what am I going to say? No?

Still, hope springs eternal. I have begun breaking my own theological "rules" - I've begun praying for specific outcomes. Always a dangerous game and theologically unwise. I am not yet free from the lust of results.

Comments

[miss-malloreee.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about your situation yesterday & I know that you want nothing more than to have your baby come home with you. It sounds like you are staying positive, which is great! I can't imagine having a baby but not really having him. However, you have time to get all the things done that you wanted to do before he arrived & you also get to adjust to being a mother before you get thrown full blown into it. When you finally bring him home it'll be extra special since you've waited so long!

& Happy Birthday :)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are some positives. I'm trying to stay balanced and take care of myself. It would be too easy to get obsessive and run down - and that's no good for anyone. But it's hard.

And- I was reading about prematurity and the possible causes. In 40% of premature babies the cause is unknown and I don't fall into any of the risk factors! However, having one preterm baby ups the chances for another. Eep!

[said-by-me.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking about you sweetie

[snowcalla.livejournal.com]

I pray for specific outcomes. I can't imagine any outcome that you could be praying for that could be considered "bad".

I know I'm praying for some good outcomes for you and Benn.

[seagull42.livejournal.com]

...and there is always the standard prayer escape clause that tries to balance letting you envision the outcome that you desire, tries to deal with unknowns you can't take into account, and (in some cases) maybe even recognizes that your prayer may be in conflict with the prayer of another - "I pray for this, or whatever would be for the/my greatest good".

I still like the prayer Diana (I think she was the one who knew all the words, though I think it came from Cora). Particularly the ending:

"Keep me away from evil, though it be the very thing I pray for, and bring me to the good, even though, out of ignorance, I don't know enough to ask for it"

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I've been using the 12 Step serenity prayer (somewhat modified) a lot: Grant me the grace/serenity/patience to accept the things I cannot change, the courage/strength/energy to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

But I will start adding Diana's prayer in there too.

[makeda55.livejournal.com]

I use it frequently. In its full form, it is:

I believe that we are three souls in one body, and that you [God Soul] are the highest, best, and most perfect part of me.

Give me each day that which I need.

Keep me from evil, though it be the very thing I pray for.

And lead me to the good, even though through ignorance I don't know enough to ask for it.

"give me each day that which I need" also being a key phrase.

Love to you.

Happy Birthday to you...

[(Anonymous)]

Yay, Niki!
xoxo
Moira

[howilearned.livejournal.com]

goddessofmercy and I are thinking about you all. yay for dates! what was the name of the place you went? Things crazy here but manageable. transition, transition, transition...

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Tomatina, originally from Walnut Creek I think? It opened a place in Berkeley. Really tasty food, pretty affordable too, for the Bay Area at least!

We look forward to seeing you later this summer. And you'll get to meet Benn then too! He's still not home.....

I got your hilarious and sweet birthday message. Thanks. It made me laugh out loud with delight.