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Last night I went with my mom and dad to see my grandmother West for her 94th birthday! It seems old age can bring back a child-like quality, as you start to need help from others again and your view of life changes. I say that as if I’ve been old before… but I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to near the end of your time here on earth. My grandmother isn’t afraid of dying either, she’s had such a wonderful life full of love and adventure. Her husband Howard died when I was about 10 or so, and she’s never loved another again. She can’t wait to be reunited with him, she firmly believes that she will be with him and her sons who’ve passed away once her life is over. I believe she will as well.
My grandmother is extremely Catholic, in fact the majority of my West side is. My dad and his six brothers went to Catholic schools and were taught by nuns for their entire education. I too was brought up in the faith, going to a really small church in Warrior, Alabama (St. Henry’s) for most of my life. We were the odd ones out in high school being one of the only few Catholics in our school system. I think the only kid who had it harder was the Jewish boy. 
I say that with humor because looking back it is all very comical now. There were so many false ideas about what we believed since we were a minority, and for those who actually cared to listen we had to educate a great deal on our faith. For a long time I was a little bitter with the way we were treated by some, but in the end I think it was a good experience to know what it feels like to be different. I think it gave us a greater acceptance of others and the ability to deal with being unique. As for my current faith, I wouldn’t say that I have one. I do not feel like I am Catholic, though I do find comfort in a few things from the practice. Most of my immediate family still belongs to the church, which I respect. At this moment in life I just want to learn about everything, and be open to new ideas. I do the things that make me feel happy and bring me comfort. Those things usually involve being kind to others and living the best life I can.
The thing that I love most about my grandmother is her purity of spirit. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, and she is so giving at all times to anyone who needs a little extra love. She is also hysterical and is guaranteed to make you laugh at least a handful of times each visit. Even when she is feeling pretty bad, which has been the case as of late, she will always try to crack a few jokes. What’s even funnier is that her jokes are so rated G, but she manages to pull them off anyway. Most people can’t be funny without dropping a few eff bombs here and there, so it is great to see that she doesn’t need any shock value to make someone smile. She always ends each visit by saying something like this, “I pray everyday that your life is wonderful and everything you deserve. You are so beautiful.” She’s the one who is beautiful.
My grandmother Louise West on her 94th birthday!
My mom and dad helped her blow out the birthday candles.
My grandparents Howard and Louise in 1938 while attending college at Birmingham Southern.
Weigh-In Wednesday #49 – 146.8
It’s the first day of Lent! While I’m not religious anymore, I grew up Catholic in a very non-Catholic area. There are some aspects of the faith that I miss, mostly b/c of comfort and sentimental values. One of the things that I miss the most is Lent. I loved celebrating Fat Tuesday, then attending service on Ash Wednesday to kick-off a 6 week period of giving up something. So in honor of my former faith, I am going to give up sweets for Lent. I love a challenge, and it’s guaranteed to be one since I’ve developed an annoying sweet tooth over the past month or so. The only change I’m going to make to this is that I’m not going to do the full 6 weeks, instead I will stop once I cross the finish line at the New Orleans Half Ironman on April 17th. ‘Cause gosh darn it, I’m gonna do some celebrating!
Speaking of losing religion, you are probably wondering what happened there. It’s hard to explain really, and I’m not sure when it exactly happened in my life. I am a firm believer in “to each his own”, and I don’t disregard anyone else’s beliefs or faith just because we don’t share the same views. So I hope you will allow me the same flexibility. Over a period of time in my 20′s it became very clear to me that I was an unconventional person, especially in what’s considered organized religion. The details aren’t important really, I just knew it wasn’t for me. I hope to always be a spiritual, positive and loving person, as that’s what I strive to do every day. I think that was the intent of whoever or whatever put us here in the first place. I’m sure we can all agree on that, if nothing else!
One last thought before I go – yesterday was my first ever “Skinny Tuesday”! Not that I didn’t celebrate in the usual way, but it was nice to actually not be overweight on Fat Tuesday. 
It’s the little things!!! (Get it… little… skinny… sigh.)
Birmingham's First Mardi Gras Parade since 1901!
