I wish it was common in our culture to say "God bless."  I think it is such a nice thing to say.

I remember my Parker grandparents, who are Catholic, saying it to me when I was younger.  Because I didn't know what to say back, I'd just respond, "you too."

Yup.

Exceeding Expectations?

What am I allowed to expect from and require of other people?

This is a question I have found myself coming back to and wrestling over and over with, for at least the past 2 years, if not past 3.

Some real-world examples:
Is it fair for me to expect a returned phone call?
Is it fair for me to expect my friends to _____? (You fill in the blank: invite me, ask me how my day was, etc...)
Is it fair for me to expect people to keep their word?

These types of questions torment me most when I find myself feeling unjustified or unhappy with somebody or some situation.

After this thought process, I always come to the conclusion that it is best not to expect anything out of anybody, because then I'll never be disappointed.  After all, I didn't expect them to _____, so then I don't have to be mad.

But I think this is incorrect.  I just don't know why.

Comments from my (ahem, 2) readers are, dare I say it, expected?

Today I discovered wheat thins are the culprit for making my intestines feel like they house an overly active hamster.  It's more fun imagining this as my innards anyways.

Also, I think the kid who gets this is lucky, because he or she will feel like the owner of a happy hamster.