Boob Tube

I've been giving some thought to what I would do if I had only a few weeks left to live. It is too overwhelming, however, for me to contemplate what I would do; it's easier for me to determine what I would not do. What I would not do is watch any more television. I've noticed that the people we watch on t.v. never watch t.v. They are too busy living interesting lives and having fun and being funny. Would we enjoy watching people on t.v. if they were watching television? No! We want to watch them live interesting lives and have fun and be funny. We want to view their relationships and compare them to our own. But why don't we, instead of watching other people live, just live our own lives? Take the extra time to visit a friend or family member? Take the time to write a letter or to develop a talent? Go take a walk, ride a bike, enjoy the breeze on our skins.
Now in this light, I will admit to watching movies and television. I do it occasionally--more often than I'd like to. My family does it more than I'd like. But really, more often than not I leave a viewing session feeling less than uplifted. Sometimes I leave it feeling like I've eaten a bowl of ice cream with a cockroach planted in the middle of it.
Life is a wonderful gift; when it is too late is often when we realize that it is also all too fleeting.
So tonight, instead of watching television, I'm going to enjoy the peaches and cream of giving my baby a bath, kissing his soft skin, and inhaling the smell of his velvety brown head. I'm going to listen for the slap of his hands on the tile as he crawls across the kitchen floor. I'm going to make a beautiful salad for my husband, with green lettuce and lovely red tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. I'm going to play games with my older children, listen to them, and look into their eyes and let them know I love them.
Looking at the stars, observing the sky, smelling the rain, living each moment. I think if I do these things I don't have to worry whether or not I have two weeks or twenty years left to live, because I'm living genuinely, living my own life. Striving to live each day the way I would live it if it was my last. And there's no cockroach in that ice cream.

More Comfort Food--Homemade Mac and Cheese

1 1/2 c uncooked elbow macaroni
4 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk
1 c (4 oz)shredded cheddar
2 oz processed American cheese (abt 3 slices)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a medium-large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture is smooth and thick. Reduce heat, then stir in cheeses, salt and pepper. Continue mixing until cheese is melted.
Pour over cooked macaroni and combine. Serve immediately.