Happy Mother's Day

Sometimes, when I think about celebrating Mother's Day, I get two sides going. One is a happy side. The other is not so much. I find it to be a time of reflection. For instance...

A lot of times, I know that I could have been a better mom. I wish I would have done things differently. Ah, hindsight and all that 20/20 stuff.

On the positive side? I have two beautiful daughters. They are intelligent and caring. And gorgeous. I'm very blessed.

My mother is no longer with me. I wish I could hug her today. I wish I could tell her how much she meant to me.

But on the positive side? I have so many good memories of my mom and the times we spent together. I know she loved me. And she was a wonderful, ditzy, loving person. I was blessed.

My mother figure (hello, Theresa!) lives far away from me. It would be so awesome to be able to take her out to lunch or just go to her place with a gift. Give her a hug.

But on the positive side? I have Facebook. I can look at her any time I want. See what's going on in her life on a daily basis. I have email. I can send her a message whenever. I have a cell phone. I can just call her up. I am blessed.

I prefer to look at the positive side and not dwell on the negative. Negativity is a waste of time, especially with all of the blessings that I have in my life.

So Happy Mother's day to all of y'all out there. Enjoy your day. Love your kids. Count your blessings. And share all the love you have in your heart.

What I Wish For Them - Elijah

In case you missed the first two (Go back and read them if you missed them!), I’m writing a series of blogs about what I would wish for my kids that money can’t buy. Even if you want them to have everything their heart desires, it is impractical and nearly impossible to get that for them. Along with being just a really bad idea. Last in my three-parter is what I wish for my grandson, Elijah. It’s so hard to figure this one out because the little dude is so out-there. The ones for Deanna and Deb are kind of tongue-in-cheek but Elijah’s is a bit more serious. He’s outrageous, mischievous and bold. He’s also sensitive, loving and kind. And interested in EVERYTHING. Read on to see what I’ve come up with.

An endless supply of Pepperoni Pizza. Elijah sure does love his slices. Pepperoni only. When we’re having a bad day or he just isn’t in the mood for food…not a good thing at this age cause a growing boy gotta eat…pizza is the answer. What kind of TMNT would he be if it wasn’t? He prefers Pizza Hut but will settle for frozen from Walmart. Stuffed crust is his favorite but he’ll take regular. Thick or thin is not even an issue. He likes both. So my wish here is that he has all the pizza, all the time. Day or night. Maybe we can find a way to hide a few vegetables in there while we’re at it.

The ability to always see things with the same excitement and joy that he does now. He sees a garbage truck and he has the same reaction as the first time he saw one. Fascination. He goes to a new fire station and it’s like he’s never been to one before. He finds a penny from Heaven (what we call pennies on the ground) and he’s thrilled. Even if he’s found ten of them already that day. A dandelion or clover flower for his mom brings the same joy as it always has. My wish is that he never lose this virtue that so totally defines him.

To always be interested in the unique, off the wall things he is now. What kid in Kindergarten says his favorite subject is science or social studies? I’m thinking not too many. But Elijah does. All boys at his age like to see snakes and dinosaurs but how many want to know what their bones look like on the inside? Most boys think gators, whales and sharks are the coolest but how many want to know how and where they swim or how long they live? How many want to know how many different types of animal species live in the Amazon Rain Forest? Yeah, he’s a nerd. A really cool nerd but a nerd all the same. My wish is that it never changes because it is so uniquely Elijah.

The ability to show love to his family. No matter who is watching. When I drop him off at before care, he gives me hugs and kisses in front of a bunch of “cool” guys in 2^nd and 3^rd grade (I think these are the ones who taught him really neat cuss words but I’m not sure). When he’s out playing with his friends, he’ll stop what he is doing and run over to give us love. He shouts out “I love you” to us in a grocery store or at the park while playing. I think because we aren’t shy about showing affection, Elijah isn’t either. I wish, I wish, I wish for him to never lose this capacity to be open and caring.

So now you have it. May my wishes come true. But if not, may you all get a chuckle about what I’ve written. And maybe just an idea about what you would wish for your own little…and not-so-little…ones.

If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast our nets….Frank Herbert

Today is 17 Years

Seventeen years ago, God took him home. A father and mother lost a son. Three kids lost a brother. Grandparents a grandchild. Our lives were forever changed.

Connor was only meant to be here for four and a half short years. But he made a difference in those years. He changed hearts. He loved his family. He brought joy.

I always think about what he’d be like today. What he would look like at almost 22. What career path he would have chosen. At four, he wanted to be just like Michael Jordan. If he had grown up, who knows?

When I think about him, I miss him. But then, I realize how much he has gained. He is with Jesus. And I just smile.

Thanks, little guy, for the memories and the love.