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September 12, 2007 By Michele Leave a Comment

I don’t talk much about my religious/spiritual life here. Mainly because it has the propensity to cause so much dissension and strife among people. You know the old rule – if you want peace, don’t talk religion or politics.

But, for the record, I’m a Bible believing non-denominational “saved” Christian. There’s a whole history as to how I got there I might tell someday.

I tell you this, not to draw a line in the sand (many of my readers are of other religions or atheists), but so you know where I’m coming from when I talk about this.

I’ve been feeling a HUGE conviction to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Huge. And it really came out of the blue. You see, ever since I was married, that’s what I wanted to be. Finances prevented this, and that was ok. I did what I had to do, which was to work. I’ve never wanted to work outside the home, but – that’s life. Both the wish to do so, and the reasons I can’t, have definitely not changed. But I’ve been coming back to God as of late, slowly, and in my own way, without others telling me how. Finding my own path back to God as it were. And, as I call it, I got hit upside the head with a 2×4 with conviction of NOW STAY HOME.

I can’t, for the same reasons as before, debt and finances. So, I’ve basically told God, “OK! I know you want me to! I want to! But you’ve got to open the doors, ’cause right now it’s just not possible.” So. Poe and I are in the process of putting together a plan of getting out of debt. I make a little bit of money with freelance writing, so all those profits are going to go to paying on top of minimum payments. I’m also actively pursuing freelance gigs, which I didn’t really do before. Some pay, some don’t (but exposure can payoff in the long-term.)

I really felt led by God in this, and I haven’t felt that in a long long time. I finally cracked open my Bible a couple nights ago – for the first time in months.

Do any of you go through that? Ebbing and flowing in your faith? How do you normally crack through the ebb part?

Anyway – I looked at some student loan paperwork, and on the current schedule, we won’t have it paid off until 2027. Let me repeat – 2027. That’s like the year of The Jetsons! Totally unacceptable. Poe and I are taking steps. My kids need me now, not in college. My marriage needs me now, not 20 years from now. I’m pulled in too many directions, and I need to make it stop now.

It will take God – both His leading AND His hand. It still will probably take years. I have a possible promotion in the next couple of years, so that’ll help. Poe is due for a raise in a couple months, which will also help. I’m determined that God put this path down for me to follow. And for once, I’m taking Him up on the offer.

Honoring the Victims

September 11, 2007 By Michele Leave a Comment

I didn’t realize that new tributes were part of the 2996 project this year. Because of that, below, I’ve reposted what I had here as part of the 2996 project (the 2006 version).

I cannot believe it’s been 6 years. Can anyone? The lingering effects on the country are large. The events of that day are part of our American lexicon. This is an event that will go down into the annals of our history books. Do not forget them. The men and women who died. The heroics of those who tried to help. The families of all who died. The effect on you. The effect on the country and our daily life. Never forget. Pass it on to your children. Remember what humans can do to each other. Then remember the spirit of those same humans coming together to try to help.

Don’t forget September 11, 2001.

************
Of course the effects of that day five years ago touched me. But not nearly as much as so many other people. Living in California, I didn’t feel the geographic effects. I didn’t know anyone who lost their life, personally. In those respects I thank God. But it’s hard to do that when so many lives were changed forever.

Because I’m empathetic, I tend to stay away from the news and such. ESPECIALLY before bed. But, every year now, I force myself to watch at least one program devoted to the attacks. Because I need to remember.

I’m honoring Tatiana Ryjova of South Salem, N.Y. as part of the 2,996 tributes. She was 36.

Some comments left on memorial sites…

10/06/2002 11:00:53 AM
…….I saw your photo on the BBC news site,and realised the great sadness of such a cruel loss.A beautiful woman,mother of two sons,(9 and 15),who sought with husband Vasily to make a new life in America in the 1990’s.A courageous,hard working lady who embodied the spirit of courage and adventure as well as love that inspired the creation of America.The world is a poorer,sadder place without you.Rest in God’s hands…….JA
John Adams


01/06/2004 2:53:45 PM

I was a good friend of Tatiana in mid 80s. When she moved in USA I’ve lost her. I was shocked to know (I knew it after visiting Moscow in November 2003) she is one of victims 11th Sep… I still have a few photos of her from 80s. I will be glad to share them with her husband Vasily. Vasily! Please don’t hesitate to send me an answer then I can forward pics to you. Sasha
Sasha Chanturiyas in file

An article about Tatiana…

Oct. 3, 2001
Tatiana Ryjova was thinking about changing jobs, but working in the meantime as a meeting coordinator for Regus Business Centres at the World Trade Center was still worth the long commute into the city.

Though Ryjova had been with the company for the past year, her friend Deborah Monroe said Ryjova wanted to work closer to home to spend more time with her husband, Vasily, and their two young sons.

“She told me she didn’t want to go into the city,” Monroe said. It was a two-hour commute from the Ryjovas’ home in Somers, N.Y., and she had been asking about jobs in Connecticut, where Monroe and Ryjova had worked together in the past.

Ryjova came to the United States in the early 1990s as a tour guide for a Russian vacation company. She held a master’s degree in education from a Russian university and had a penchant for languages. She persuaded her husband–who was still living in Russia at the time–to move to the states and settle permanently in New York.

More or less.

Together, they bought houses in the New York suburbs, fixed them up and sold them, a process they repeated a number of times in recent years, Monroe said.

At the same time, Tatiana Ryjova had worked in the training and development office of a Medicaid group, at a computer training and professional development organization and, most recently, at Regus.

Along the way, she collected friends like stamps, Monroe said. Other Russian emigrants were instant friends, of course, but so were fellow churchgoers, coworkers and clients from every place she had worked. Ryjova went beyond compassion, said Monroe. “She’d take your side. She’d get all mad and angry at people for you.”

When laid off from a Connecticut company a year ago, Ryjova was quickly hired by Regus as the company opened its offices on the 93rd floor of the trade center’s south tower.

Though the families of others in the building had begun holding memorial services, Ryjova officially remained among the missing.

“Everyone, I guess, always has hope,” said her husband.

–James Janega (The Chicago Tribune)

Some guest book entries for Tatiana…

February 11, 2005
I doubt anyone will see this. but when I was little, about 8 years ago when I was 6 my mother and Tatiana were very good friends. I remember my sister Maria, my brother Ilya and I would go sledding with her kids. I remember going on camping trips and playing in their big back yard. I barely remember Tatiana, just a few little things. I remember she gave me a little music box that I would play over and over again. I really liked Tatiana, she was so sweet and giving. Even though I was so little, I remember how sweet and kind she was. I think about her almost everyday, and she has taught me to appreciate everything I have in life. Best wishes to the Ryjova family…
-the Barannikov’s, Polina B. (CT ), blackxrose219@yahoo.com

September 12, 2003
I worked at VisiocomUSA with Titiana and often would smoke and joke around with her. She was always so nice and could always bring a smile to my face. She a had such a sass and flare about her that was so refreshing. I will always remember her and what a beautiful person she was. God bless her and the Ryjova family.
Roger Griswold (Norwalk, CT )

September 10, 2002
Dear Vassil,& Boys-I Know this is kind of late,but I want you to know that I will always remember You,Tanya and little Alex living with us in the barn-I always respected you and your family.I am so heartbroken that Tanya has perished in the horrible terrorist attack.What a beatiful woman.I am so glad to have known such a wonderful family.My Mom and Bob are praying for you Vassil.God bless and take care-Love kelly
Kelly (Miller)Kaelin (Brewster, NY )

January 26, 2002
My friend…God knows how I miss you. Every day I turn a corner and am reminded of you, think I see you and know I have to wait till I am in Glory to give you a big hug. Tati (as she was nicknamed) had been my friend for years. She would bring Brie into work for breakfast. At lunch she would put on her jogging shorts, put her hair up and poke at me to come with her. We spent hours talking. We cried together, we laughed together. It has been months now, and I still can’t get over missing her so much. The week before this all happened she was the last person I talked to before I went on a trip. I told her we would do coffee when I got back the week after…catch up as friends do. The coffee will have to wait until I see her in our Father’s arms…She knew the power of God and I am sure that He was with her at that moment…loving her…holding her and leading her…Until that great day, Tati…I love you and I miss you so dearly…Deborah
Deborah Monroe (Stormville, NY )

November 17, 2001
Dear Vasily, Daniel and Alex,
I’m not sure I can find the right words to express how sorry I am to hear about your loss. Meeting Tatiana & all of you in Cape Hatteras this past summer was something I cherished very much. I immediately thought of her when I heard about the tradegy and had been hoping for the best ever since. Although I only knew her for a short time, I will always remember her as a loving, generous, fun and smiling friend, wife and mother. I want to send you all my very deepest condolences. I wish you all the strength in the world to get through this. Feel free to email if I can help in any way.
Lamia Naccache (Quebec, QC )

Another tribute.

Click here to see a memorial quilt in Tatiana’s honor.

Click here to see other tributes.

Published

September 10, 2007 By Michele Leave a Comment

Pausing in perusing my craptastic life to let you know I’ve published an article with TopBlogMag. The theme this week is Change… You can see my contribution here: Ready?

absent

September 6, 2007 By Michele Leave a Comment

I will be back. I’m not sure when. My mother is in the hospital again. She made it through the night. Which comes on the heels of the first day of school, Jeannette’s death anniversary, a blown tire, and plumbing problems. I’ll be back as soon as my hands (and thoughts) aren’t so full.

To be honest, I’m not sure I can write yet anyway – thoughts are swirling around and I don’t know if I can make sense of them yet.

Bear with me.

ugh

August 31, 2007 By Michele Leave a Comment

I awoke this morning to a nasty headache, thanks to my sinuses and the weather. I then had to stop brushing my teeth and rinse my mouth unless I wanted to experience Dire Consequences. I realized later that it was the Excedrin hitting my empty but caffeinated stomach.

I know that it’s beyond banal and boring to talk about the weather but really? I know I live in Southern California, and I know I’m a native. I should be used to it, right? Right? Yeah but then you take into account the 4 days of “severe weather alerts” from weather.com… They put the weathermen in an excited tizzy, but it’s just miserable. And at the bottom of the weather alert I saw this, “CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.” Like Hey You! Someone might actually die from this weather, so check in with everybody ok?

So yeah. Ugh.

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