If at first you don't succeed....

There is a reason that these quotes are so commonplace, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” “Everything happens for a reason”, or, “Some things fall apart so better things can fall together” --They never rang true until I decided to travel to a foreign country and become a cooking aficionado..or.. well I won’t get ahead of myself...simply a pseudo cook.

After my afternoon of homesickness, I decided it was time to call my favorite optimist--My grandmother. My grandma is 96 years old and the most inspirational person I’ve ever met. I was so happy to hear her voice, she reiterated how proud of me she was..and it definitely made me cry, just missing her and being with her. Marisi told me that she and my grandmother pray for me in the morning and at night--it made me feel looked after, cared for? It also made me think of when Erin got prayed over ( and yes, I’m smirking). My grandma has been sick the past week and she told me, “But I never complain” and it’s true--she sees the silver lining, makes lemonade, counts her blessings. It makes me wonder, is it possible to have that optimism and inner strength without the age? They say wisdom comes with age, but is it possible to learn the lessons without making the mistakes?

I told Marisi about the Cookie Disaster of 2009 and she laughed sincerely and said, “You’ve got to start somewhere!” and it’s true. So, I decided to get out of my rainy-week funk and go for a run by myself. I did the route from the other day, added another warm layer and then some extra distance. Then the most fitting thing happened, when I reached the bridge and stopped to look at the castle; against the rumbling gray sky, a rainbow arched over it in the distance. So I suppose, without the rain..I wouldn’t have had the rainbow.

By the time I came home, I was inspired to try the cookies again. Sure enough, I channeled Martha Stewart and cookies appeared--a little deformed, far from perfect, but absolutely 100% edible. Likewise, to totally contrast with yesterday, Will bought avocados from the butcher and they turned into yummy guacamole on top of fajitas seasoned with a half package (instead of the over-seasoned result from the full) and lime juice. Great success.

So with a little work, a little patience and a little perseverance I think we can turn our mistakes and mishaps into wisdom and improvement. Afterall, we’ve got to start somewhere.

“Failure is only postponed success as long as courage “coaches” ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory.”

“Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength.”

"the gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials"

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.”-Henry David Thoreau




ps: In defense of the Cookie Disaster 2009 --my mom told me the reason they are not coming out "just right" is the difference in flour here. Will also decided we could blame the vanilla extract...it MUST be the magical ingredient. :)