It's the little things

My my but it's been along time since I've had the time to sit down and actually post something! But I have been thinking, and reflecting back on something that happened a while back. The family was together celebrating Father's day, and somehow the subject came up of the husbands and wives and how one would fair without the other. My mom and dad got misty eyed and declared that they would prefer to "go together" because neither of them had a clue as to how they would get by without the other. It was quite an emotional moment, one that I had to put a stop to with the declaration that it was time for cake, before I found myself balling my head off. It made me think of another time, back in 2008. My mom had suffered two heart attacks and was in the hospital in intensive cardiac care for almost a month. The family more or less took shifts, different ones of us showing up at different times through the day, but my dad was there every day from the moment he got up until the nurses kindly kicked him out and told him to go home and get some much needed sleep. There was one day, when I was there, but in the waiting room feeding my 3 week old daughter, that Jeopardy came on. Jeopardy is one of my mom and dad's favorite shows. They love the intellectual challenge and like learning new things. So, I went to get my dad out of mom's room to watch, thinking it would lift his spirits. My dad stood there and watched a while and I said "Aren't you glad I came to get you, Dad, so you could see your show?" He looked at me, and I saw tears streaming down his face, and he said "It's just not the same without her." Understand, my dad is not an emotional kind of guy, and I don't believe I'd ever seen him cry before. It broke my heart. It also made me realize the deep, abiding connection that existed between this man and woman who had spent the last fifty plus years together, living life side by side day in and day out. I realized then and there that it's the little things that matter most. The daily interactions that we often don't even notice that build a lasting connection. Thankfully, mom and dad are still watching Jeopardy together, and all the other little things that go to make up a life.

Happy Pretty Dandelions

It's that time of year. The days are getting longer and warmer, the birds are back, everything turned vibrant green almost overnight- spring has sprung. Along with the vibrant green grass comes that inevitable pest- the dandelion. They pop up, seemingly multiplying by the dozens in seconds. My 4 year old daughter has been delightedly bringing me dandelions by the cute little fistful each and every morning lately, and sometimes in the afternoon. She calls them "sunflowers." I give her a hug and a kiss and a big thank you and promptly put them in water and place them on the kitchen window sill where I know she will be checking for them, to make sure they are on prominent display. One day recently my son was home when Lauren excitedly made her presentation of dandelions. He opened his mouth and I knew he was going to tell her that they are just weeds and that she shouldn't bother to bring them to me. I quickly, before he could get all the words out, shushed him, gave Lauren a big thank you and sent her on her merry way. Jackson asked me why on earth I was acting so excited about some weeds, and why was I putting them on display for heaven's sake? I looked him in the eye and explained that I did the same thing for him when he was her age. You see, a child's innocence is lost all to quickly, and I prefer to hold onto it for as long as possible. Lauren sees pretty little brightly colored yellow "sunflowers" where we grown ups see annoying weeds. I am so happy that in her innocent, as yet unspoiled vision she has a beautiful bouquet, as fine as any roses you could pick. As adults maybe we should be more aware of "setting our kids straight" and less ready to point out all the "weeds" in life. Like the dandelions, they'll inevitably pop up, and sometimes multiply seemingly overnight. Let them see the "sunflowers" for as long as they can! They'll find out about the weeds soon enough. Instead, let's teach them how to stop and smell the dandelions!

Tragedy Brings out the Best In Us

Well, it's been awhile. I guess I have been very busy, so it's been a while since my last post. But, given the events of yesterday, I am inspired to reflect and comment. I returned home yesterday after picking my kids up from school, on a beautiful spring day, to turn on the television and be greeted by horrific scenes of chaos and devastating injuries. I stood, frozen, watching in horror as the scene unfolded. We have had some awful things happen in our country lately. Shootings, sinkholes, now a bombing. The events are tragic and unfortunate, however, they seem also to give us the opportunity to show the best side of human nature in the midst of the chaos. I saw a quote, from Mr. Rogers, which I posted on my Facebook page, in which he talked about his mother telling him to watch for the "helpers" when seeing bad situations. There are always helpers there, she said, helping whomever is in trouble. That is what you need to focus on in the face of tragedy- how many people are stepping up and helping and how they outnumber the bad guys. I thought this was a wonderful point and I thought immediately of recent events and the people who went running towards the sound of gunfire or towards the sound of explosions to see what was happening and how they could help. Most people's natural instinct would be to run FROM danger, not TOWARDS it, but there are always every day heroes who defy instinct and logic and jump into the fray. Thank God for them! It is in hearing these stories of heroism that we are given hope for the future, and the reassurance that the vast majority of people on the planet are good, kind and loving people who genuinely care for their fellow man. When you see these "helpers" act during times of stress and devastation, and then witness the outpouring of love and care, in the form of actual physical assistance, financial assistance, and emotional encouragement  in the aftermath of a tragedy your faith in humanity is renewed, and you remember that the good guys outnumber the bad and that evil cannot triumph in the face of true goodness. God Bless the Helpers!

Relax!

One of my favorite shows to watch is House Hunters International on HGTV. I am fascinated by all the people, places and cultures, and find it interesting to see what kind of real estate you can get for what kind of money in different countries. It always fascinates me to see how much smaller houses and apartments are in most foreign countries compared to the U.S. We are pretty spoiled here! It is quite different from the regular House Hunters, which takes place around the country, but always in the U.S. Here people are expecting big rooms, big yards and all the amenities. One room many houses feature is the "formal" dining room. This is, in my personal observation, a wasted space for many folks. It is a sad commentary on the pace of our society today. I notice that often people who are moving from one country to another are looking for a "slower, more relaxed" pace of life. People have become so busy that it seems that they often feel like a hamster on a wheel and sometimes they just want to jump off. My question is this: why should we have to move to or vacation in another country in order to relax? Why can't we slow down and enjoy our lives here? Have we really allowed our lives to become so scheduled that we seriously can't relax? I understand the role of a vacation- a change of scenery, a break from work and routine, a chance to learn something new and experience something different. That's great, but here is my proposal: take back your "formal" dining room! Make family dinner a priority! Don't just save the dining room for special occasions and holidays! Turn on the lights, set the table and have family dinner! Even if you eat take out on the "good" china, the important thing is that you take the time to sit down and eat and talk and reconnect. Then, after dinner, take back the bathroom! Forget  "jumping" in the shower! Fill up that tub, put some bubbles in it and take a good, long soak- with a glass of wine, with a good book, or with your spouse! This is the perfect time of year to enjoy home and hearth. Take back your home! Cook dinner in that gourmet kitchen. Eat it in the dining room. Take that bath. Build a fire in the fireplace and sit in front of the crackling, popping warmth and play some board games as a family. Curl up on the couch and read a book. Take back your house and your life! Don't let the outside world constantly dictate the pace of your life! Slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures! Don't wait until "things slow down" instead take hold of the wheel and take a turn into Restville. Do it today! You can thank me later...when you're happy and relaxed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In case you haven't yet picked up on it, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love it because it is strictly American, and it is about thanking God for our blessings, slowing down and taking time to be with family and friends. No retail frenzy, no gift selection stress, no debt accumulation or any of those other things that have commercialized Christmas and taken the attention off of Jesus where it should be. Thanksgiving is also about food, which is definitely a favorite subject of mine!
This year, I would like to list some of the things I am grateful for aside from the obvious health, home, family, and friends. So, here goes: I am thankful for a fire in the fire place on a cold snowy day, hot tea with honey, chocolate chip cookies, purring kitties, a hot bubble bath, a new pair of shoes that are hot looking AND comfortable, a pair of jeans that make your butt look great, a soft bath towel, the smell of fabric softener, clean cool sheets, a beautiful sunset, a new recipe that isn't too hard and tastes wonderful and becomes a standby, coffee in the morning, your kids telling you they love you, your parents telling you they're proud of you, your husband bringing you a present for no special reason, fuzzy slippers, lightening bugs, beautiful sunsets, butterflies, comfy couches, the smell of a roasting chicken, the smell of a sizzling steak, a great hair cut, just been to the dentist clean teeth, a good book, a new cookbook full of great recipes and beautiful pictures, movie popcorn, fall leaves, spring tulips, summer thunderstorms, and fresh winter snow, an ice cold Coca Cola, Christmas cookies, a good soap opera plot, the ocean,decorating the house for each season, fresh country air, the fact that LaRosa's, Skyline, Graeter's and Montgomery Inn are all here in Cincinnati (YES!) a trip to the zoo, a trip all on my own to the art museum, an evening walk, a fun fast car to drive, snuggling in bed with the hubby and kids and last but not least, a good nights' sleep that lasts well into the morning! Thank you Lord, for the big stuff and the small stuff too! What are the little things that you are thankful for?

If only I am so lucky...

So, my 80 something parents were coming to my area today to run a couple of errands. They don't come my way too often, so I invited them to lunch. My mother informed me that they had a full agenda for the day, and did not have time to have lunch today. What a hoot! I laughed to my husband that I thought it was hysterical that my "elderly" parents didn't have time to stop for lunch! Now, if you were to meet my parents, you would never guess that they're in their 80's. They look great, and despite some of the usual health issues one faces with age, they get around great, still live on their own, drive, keep a full schedule of activities, including babysitting my young children etc. They are pretty damned impressive. I always tease my mom when she complains of being too busy that many people her age are drooling on themselves somewhere with no clue who or where they are, so she should be glad that she's so busy, and still capable of doing so much. She replies with the inquiry "Isn't there any happy medium? It's either running around like crazy or drooling on myself?!" To which I respond "Yes. Those are your choices, so be happy your busy!" In truth, there are many stages in between. We all know people who are old beyond their years- those who seem "old and crotchety" way before their time. We also all know people who are "young at heart" and seem not to act anywhere near their age. I am happy to say my parents fall into the latter category. It's ironic, actually, because my parents had me later in life, so growing up, my friends parents were all quite a bit younger than mine, and I remember thinking that it wasn't fair, because they would have a lot more time with their parents than I would with mine. The reality is that some of those "young" parents have been gone for years now, due to cancer, car accidents, or other accidents or illnesses, and my parents are both still here with me, thank God. It just goes to show that one never knows. None of us know how long we have to enjoy earthly pleasures with our family and friends, so we must make the most of all of the opportunities that come our way. And I don't mean just fabulous opportunities for world travel, fame and fortune, but every day opportunities like watching a beautiful sunset with your spouse or cheering your child on as they accomplish a goal or having dinner with a good friend or collecting leaves on a gorgeous fall day or eating a bowl of your favorite ice cream or having lunch with your busy parents...it doesn't have to be unusual or expensive or important to anyone else, it just needs to be a moment noticed by you, where you take a deep breath and live in the moment and thank God for your blessings. I hope, that if I get to live as long as my parents have, that I can be young at heart like they are, sucking every bit of life out of this world like they do, and telling MY children that I am just too busy, we will have to do lunch another day!

Olympic Fever

What is it about the Olympics that fascinates the world? People suddenly perch on the edge of their seats cheering for someone they never heard of, from a country they never heard of, participating in a sport that they probably rarely, if ever, watch. Is it the chance to see a city in another place? Seeing the years of training that go into an Olympic athlete? The amazing physiques honed by hours of practice? Just having something different to watch on late night t.v.? I believe that the number one draw of the Olympics is watching the triumph of the human spirit. Seeing someone push past the limitations of their body and travel to another plane of reality where they seemingly don't feel the sweat and blood and pain but only focus on the reward. And by reward I don't necessarily mean a medal. An athlete may come in in 8th place but achieve a personal best. It's also not just about personal triumph, but the honor of representing your country, your home, your "people" in a positive light to the rest of the world. When we see someone pushing, and sweating and struggling, are we thinking about the fact that they are from a country whose policies we don't agree with, or a religion we don't understand? No. The idea of hard work and excellence in what you do is a universally admired virtue. Let us all learn a lesson from the athletes and strive to excel in whatever we do.

KEEP THE FLAME BURNING!