Jacquelyn's Space

I haven’t seen this picture before today. My cousin posted it on FB today and said, “look at grandma Shay!!! Looks just like u:-)”.

My husband saw the post first and asked, “Which one is your grandma?”

I looked, realized I never saw the picture before but I recognized my Aunt Rose right away (she is in the middle, back). Then I recognized me…er, my grandma. She is the one holding the doll. I do look just like her! Yay!

It is so odd.

Then I got a little sad. My grandma passed away suddenly in the early 90’s. I never really got a chance to know her because I was shy and a bit scared of her because she was quiet and  a bit introverted…kinda like me. My dad is like that too.

Weird…how these things pass down.

Just a short little observation on power.

Everybody likes to have power to some degree. There is something to be said for having agency over your own life. I get it. I want it, I need it. But when people start wanting, needing inordinate power and control over others, especially to make themselves feel good or whole or whatever…well, that is when things get troublesome. That is when people turn asshole-ish.

It is a trait I cannot abide in people. It puts my back up…and I hate to say turns me into as asshole sometimes because I generally work against people who are power-hungry. Don’t even get me started on abuse of power.

I have also found that this trait– this love, this need for power seems to be hereditary…as is the need to work against it.

Interesting.

Playing with the fancy new camera my husband got me for Christmas. It will probably take me about a year to figure it out.

This was the sunset on February 11, 2014. Love the shadows.

Last night, as my husband lay sleeping next to me, I was thinking how grateful I was for his beating heart.

I thought about this past August and how I could have lost him. He had a heart attack– blockages in 3 arteries, 2 of which were blocked 99-100% (one, the LAD, is called the widow-maker!)–and 4 stents were put in. Unbelievable! But we made it through…he made it through…

I was overwhelmed with emotion…I wanted to kiss him but did not want to wake him up.

I thought about Valentines Day coming up,  and how just having him here is enough for me.

Then, this morning my husband posted this to Facebook:

“So it was six months ago yesterday that I found myself at McLaren making the acquaintance of the cath lab team. Glad to say I am doing fine. Lost weight, labs and vitals were outstanding at my last Dr. Visit. Me and the treadmill are best friends. Thank you again to the fine staff at McLaren E/R, cath lab and CCU. Thanks to my wonderful wife Jacquelyn McGlinchey for being the ‘diet police’ and keeping me on track.”

So it has been 6 months. My heart knew even though my head forgets…the date. Plus, 6 months is sort of a milestone. The doctor said that if there was going to be problems with the stents it usually occurs within the first 6 months. So I am cautiously optimistic that all is well with my husband (heart-wise) for now. I hope, I pray he continues to do well. I need him with me for many more Valentines to come.

I am proud of my little cousin. I don’t get to see her much…

Ellen Doughty Recaps the USEF High Performance Ocala Training Sessions

http://eventingnation.com/home/ellen-doughty-recaps-the-usef-high-performance-ocala-training-sessions/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I just remember, years ago, this little girl showing me her horse grooming equipment, excited about her horseback riding lessons. She was just starting out at that point…a girl from the Detroit suburbs with little to no background in horsemanship or horseback riding. My aunt and uncle wholeheartedly supported my cousin in her pursuits. I am proud; her parents really did an awesome job– they did right by this girl and her passion.  And Ellen had a passion for horses…

Now I hear my cousin Ellen may be a contender in the next summer Olympics!

I don’t know too much about her journey, I just know I love to see all the pictures she posts on Facebook about her eventing adventures. And I wish I had her energy and passion for my own pursuits. 🙂 But I am inspired!