Generation “Z” brings hope for our world!

There is hope for our world.  There is hope for our world.  There is hope for our world.  

I witnessed this in action as I was present for our youngest son’s return from his second time at a Kairos (definition:  a propitious moment for decision or action ) Retreat.  Students at my son’s school typically attend (or are able to attend, some choose to not go) his/her junior year.  Last year he did, and then applied to be a Senior rector/leader.  This is a faith-based retreat, and yes, my son attends a Catholic school, but my post is not to convert anyone to Catholicism (sorry my fellow Catholic peeps) but rather to attest to the power of vulnerability.

At the end of the retreat, students are met in the school’s auditorium, in an emotional and triumphant coming home reception (that is mostly held as a surprise somehow to students year after year after year) by their parents and siblings.  One by one, many of the students and rectors/leaders and adult leaders step up to the podium and give a short (some not so short) reflection on what the time spent on the Kairos retreat meant to him/her.  While I WAS not surprised by many of the students reflections on it leading them closer to their relationship with God, what I was pleasantly surprised by was the recurring theme of …wait for it…..

V-U-L-N-E-R-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y!!!!!!

Being vulnerable.  Over and over and over again, no less than a dozen times (I stopped counting) students stood up, in front of their peers, their parents, faculty and staff…and professed the power of being vulnerable.  16, 17 & 18 year olds.  Boys and girls! Bravely stood up in front of everyone and discussed the power- the connection- the support that only shows up when we are BRAVE enough to be vulnerable.  Brene Brown would’ve been so proud!

For those of you old enough to have seen “Breakfast Club” or just hip enough to be a fan of the iconic 80s genre movies, think the scene when the group is sitting down in a circle (post smoking some illicit substance, hey…it happened in the movie!) and talking about why they were in detention.  Not the actual event that got each of them in detention, but the real, the raw, the “story” behind the detention…THAT is vulnerability! That is what we all witnessed last night.  It was teens at their absolute best!

I watch the news, although I try desperately to limit my exposure as it is predominately negative and awful and alarming.  However, one can’t help but be aware of the tragedy that feels like it is literally everywhere, from our current political landscape, to human trafficking, to outbreaks in once eradicated illnesses, to fires in Australia, to Global Warming to…..to…to…. It is all horrifying and scary and to some degree paralyses us in fear.

But last night…. in the eyes of these youthful- beautiful souls…I saw IT!  HOPE!  I saw hope and light in each of these young people.  

For many of us, as we age, we become complacent and stuck in our own ways.  We get stuck in our bubbles, and forget that we are ALL here to serve each other. We are ALL connected.  For those of us who have studied positive psychology, we know that human connection is necessary for peace and joy and happiness in one’s life.  Authentic human connection, and with that connection the ability to be vulnerable with others is a necessary component.

But not EVERYONE deserves to hear our story.  Not everyone has earned that right to hear our story.  So we practice, and we choose carefully.  Here are some thoughts for you as you practice this in your own life.  These kids got the power and importance of practicing this, you can too!

• Sometimes those we choose, betray us.  Don’t let their actions define your future actions.  We need others who love us JUST AS WE ARE.  And trust me, there are others who will, and who do.  You are ENOUGH exactly how you are, go find others who agree with me!
• Vulnerability is a two-way street.  The space needed for this practice takes effort on both the person sharing,  and the person/s holding that space.  Simply put, that is what you are doing…Holding the space.  The person does not need to hear how you have had it worse, or shame (God knows, none of us on this planet need more of that!), advice, or anything more than I hear you.  I got you.  And you…are loved.

I read this quote years ago…simply put “You are perfectly imperfect” and as I watched each of these Generation Z kids walk up to the podium, or embrace others who did, or cheer on those who were clearly stumbling on their words or crying…like the ugly tears we all try to hide in the dark…. I saw this in action and I was in tears.  We all were, I think (or those of us who weren’t glued to our phones, which sadly, yes…this happened even here, but that’s a story for another time…) and in those moments….. I felt….

H-O-P-E!!!!! 

 

Wishing you all peace in your day as your read this post, and the COURAGE to be VULNERABLE and the blessing to find someone who deserves to hear your story.  And hope you are comforted in knowing, even if you are feeling hopeless or uninspired, there is an amazing generation coming up that are ready, and CAPABLE of changing our world for good!

(IMPORTANT UPDATE!  I am in the process of converting my blog to a fancier/more spruced up version.  If you haven’t subscribed via email, please do so to follow and be added to the new site.  I will also be posting some reminders in the next few weeks as I make the transition. ) 

 

Enlightenment? More than coming out of the darkness.

 

Do you ever have themes recur in your life?  Words.  Phrases. Thoughts.  Images.

Enlightenment has been my theme lately.  In discussion with a friend, on the recurrence of this theme and it’s meaning, I suggested enlightenment comes both with age and experience, much like wisdom.  May be it’s a pay off for the aging process that can be less than kind at times?

I recalled being in my early 20s, working as a social worker with families in their homes.  My clients all had multiple presenting issues including but not limited to neglect, allegations of abuse, socioeconomic disparities, and …the list goes on.  I was a 20something, white, tiny female who grew up in the suburbs and went to a private college.  I had no children, wasn’t married, and certainly had very little “life” experience to offer families I was paid to serve.  When I recall those days, I feel humbled thinking how generous they were in accepting what pitiful advice I had to offer them.  I think of some of my most challenging families, wondering if I had the opportunity to work with them now, what advice or tools or techniques or skills could I offer?

I’m going to be 45, soon.  Not soon in some abstract sense but soon as in a few months!  I feel like I look pretty decent for what “45” is in my mind, and have in my lifetime made efforts to take care of this one earthly body I have been given.  I am also proud of the years of experience I have on this planet.

• I know through my nearly 45 years I’ve loved deeply and hurt deeply from loss of loved ones, thus I feel I am empathic in working with others who are hurting, regardless of reason.  True love for another living being is eternal and universal.  It’s spiritual, for me, more than emotional.  It’s something I do, not something I feel.
• I’ve worked really hard to get my Master’s Degree and to become a clinical social worker, and value what it takes to achieve a goal.  I continue to work to eliminate “I can’t” from my vocabulary and encourage others to do so.  We never know what we are capable of in life, until we push beyond our limits.  Now…that does not mean I will ever swim with sharks, there is a difference between “I can’t” and “I won’t”….. C’mon!
• I’ve learned to let go of my attachments to things.  Car.  House.  Clothing.  Shoes (ok, may be shoes are an exception.) Things can always be replaced.  And shouldn’t define who we are.  EVER.  It makes you no less or more valuable because you can purchase what you want in life, rather than what you need.  While we may want many things in life, I’ve found focusing on what I need serves me better at keeping me humble, and making me feel appreciative of all that I don’t “need” in life.  There’s always, always, always someone worse off……so in times of despair, I try to remember…..
• 

• I believe in the power of prayer, the benefits of a positive attitude, the peace found in meditation and the energy found through listening to a child giggle or a conversation with a dog.  While there are many things in life we cannot control, every single one of these costs me NOTHING yet is PRICELESS.
• I assert all people are flawed.  We accept them, or we don’t.  That simple.

I so wish I would’ve known what I do at almost 45, at 22.  But like wisdom, for me, enlightenment has come through letting go of what I thought to be true and allowing what might be to shine through.  It’s spending time contemplating life and death, and realizing how small we all really are in life.  It’s reaching out, and centering within.  It’s realizing some may choose to not want to be my friend, my “Facebook” friend, my …….and at nearly 45 I’m more than ok with it, I surround myself with people I love and love enough to let go of those I need to in life so we both can grow.

It’s finding peace in one’s journey……for me, that’s all it has ever been.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed, for any of us.  Why do we think it is? It makes today matter, but not in an OMG I better start checking off my bucket list sort of attitude.  Really, who could sustain that energy?  It’s a “don’t waste time on stuff or people or things or ….that doesn’t bring you happiness” every. single. time. you have control over choosing. Key- every time you have the choice.  Clearly there are work meetings or family/friend obligations we’d rather not attend, but our life does necessitate we go anyway.  However, when given a choice….do you want to spend time in the rat race of life…..or on living a life filled with peace and happiness?

Wishing you peace..and happiness in your journey today, and always…..wherever that road may take you today or tomorrow or ……and if you spent time reading and thinking about my words until the very end today, I am grateful.

Peace…….

 

 

 

 

What would you do with 33,959 days? (+/- a few) An uplifting tribute to “Driving Ms. Gloria”

Sunday August 16, 2015 the Matriarch of the family, and my beloved “Driving Ms. Gloria” died.

Woke up this morning to go to yoga, pushing myself out of bed to face the dark and rainy gloom.  Perfect for my mood.  & Quite “perfect” as Grandma will be laid to rest today, and she so loved a rainy day.

The sun is now beaming!  Clearly she’s still somewhere out there thinking about all of us, caring from us from beyond.

When I spoke of my Grandmother in law’s dying this week, it occurred to me many didn’t understand “who” my Grandmother in Law really was to me.  Some close to me or those who followed my blog might’ve had some glimmer of magnitude the relationship with her had on my life, but I can’t be certain.  Maybe.  She was NOT a typical 93-year-old woman sitting in some nursing home just waiting to die. Nor was she a grandmother we saw on holidays and the occasional bbq.   Rather, she was this vibrant, active, opinionated, witty, smart, humble, wise, and honest woman whom I had the honor to inherit 20+ years ago when I married into her family.  Over the past few years, she also became my mostly weekly Thursday lunch date/and trips to Trader Joe’s, Target, The Dollar Store, Podiatrist, Doctor for vitamin B12 shots or whatever else Grandma needed to do.

This was a true honor.  Grandma was fiercely independent.  Fiercely.  Up until her last days, the reality of having others care for her was something Grandma struggled with accepting.  Over her lifetime, she spend an inordinate amount of time caring for others, and I’m pretty sure missed a few hundred meals in lieu of making sure others had their fill. She never lost the memory of the years living through the Depression, and was always grateful for the simple things.  The setting of a pretty table, homemade cookies (her favorite were my cherry nut slices I made only at Christmas time), chatting with my older son about politics and his view of the world, listening to my younger son giggle, hugs, candy (oh did she love candy, she might actually been a certain % candy…..verdict is still out), and time.  Spending time with her…..that meant more than anything.

So over the past week, I have written and rewritten this blog SEVERAL times.  I was thinking…. how do you sum up the life of a person?  Especially someone I feel like I came late to the game to know…..

When we would go out, Grandma would talk to EVERYONE.  I would just assume go into/out of a store completely unnoticed and talk to no one.  Grandma, however, would joke with or share some sort of witty banter with everyone. I always admired her ability to do so.  And she always, always, always referred to me as her granddaughter.  Never including “in law”….I was so proud.  And honored.  And felt loved.

With every experience I have in life, I look to find what lessons can be learned.  Through grief, especially, it is in honoring the pain and looking for some sort of light of wisdom that helps me get through the darkness.  Grandma offered me so many lessons, so many gifts of her beautiful 93 year on this earth.  Here are some of my favorites…..

1.  Show up and be on time.  She would often say “It doesn’t cost you anything to be on time.” And really valued time.  Through my juggling of family and work, I often struggled to “be on time” to get Grandma.  Knowing the importance for Grandma to be there, I pushed myself and value the experience of being able to balance a lot in my life and still…still show up and be on time for life.  
2. Appreciate the Simplicity of Life.  One of my favorite memories from recent days was from 2 of the staff members at Trader Joe’s giving Grandma a bouquet of flowers….just because.  She was beaming.  And Speechless…which happened very infrequently.  Diamonds and Pearls wouldn’t have made her any happier, it was the simple things in life she cherished.
3. Care for Others.  Grandma raised 3 children and many grandchildren and helped to raise 5 great-grandchildren, including my 2 boys.  She was so proud of her family. I loved to hear her talk about everyone’s comings/goings and watch as she interacted with all of them.  Each person, I am certain, felt as if he/she was her favorite.  (I am convinced I was her favorite…still.) Take time to show others you care….it costs you nothing, and means everything!
4. Laugh….often and much! Grandma really cracked herself up every time I saw her.  Whether it was in reminiscing about days gone by or in lamenting over the trials of an aging body, she never lost her love of laughter.  She was silly with my boys (17 & 13) until the very end, and filled their world with love and laughter and smiles.  My last memory of her in the hospital included an exchange with the nurse over her concern she didn’t have “undergarments on”, oh the horror! And giggling at the realization that “commando” was all the rage in the hospital…..always the lady, always looking for the laughter through tears and sorrow.  When the pain starts to lessen, I am certain we will always remember her heart warming laugh.
5. Be accepting of others….even if you don’t agree.  Grandma was very opinionated.  Many did not LOVE this about her.  I grew to love and admire this trait.  She was a devout Catholic, and very conservative.  She was old-fashioned in her beliefs and not quick to change her opinions because it was socially acceptable to do so.  I respected her for it.  While she would often question why I worked so much, or why I continued to run marathons even though my body is often fighting injury, I never felt like she didn’t love me even though she didn’t agree all the time with what I did.  She gave me the space to be me, and in the hours and hours and hours we spent together, grew to respect my equal independence and opinions on life.  There’s a quote that states:                                                                               “if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Peter Marshall          While we didn’t always see eye to eye, I grew to understand that loving someone and respecting someone allows space for respect even if we don’t always agree….
6. Surround yourself with Love.  What I wouldn’t give for one more trip to Polish Village Cafe, or to see her hold another baby, or to listen to her talk with my sons in the back seat of our car, or to watch her Cheshire smile come across her face as she tried to deny feeding our dog at the dinner table, or see her eyes light up as she listened to Glenn Miller, or hear her say “howdie doodie doodie” one more time…… she was happiest, when she surrounded herself with those she loved.  Family. Always always always came first.
7. Be Active!  It was a family joke that we aren’t sure we ever saw Grandma sit down for an entire meal (until her later days of life).  She was constantly on the go.  One last extremely memorable story of determination is this…..                                  When Grandma was either 89 or 90, I had been at the pool with my kids on a very hot summer day.  I arrived home to see an older woman with her walker coming down the street towards my house.  I glanced for a second and proceeded up the house until I heard the sweet, spunky voice I knew all too well.  I stood dead in my tracks.  Yep.  It was her!  She had brought her walker (she seldom used) as she wanted to see if she could still walk to our downtown and sell some vintage hats she had sitting around in her house.  The trip was at least a couple of miles.  It was in the 90s!  She said she walked “slow and took breaks.”  Seriously……. What could any of our excuses be, if she could do this at 89 or 90?  Determination.  Tenacity.  And Always, always, always active.  Until her poor little body couldn’t do it anymore.

While Grandma didn’t travel to far away places, or solve world hunger or world peace, or amass great wealth….she spent the better part of 33,959 caring for and serving others in her life & has left a permanent stamp of love on so many people’s hearts.  It is how she lived her life, truly lived each day of her life, that we will all remember.  That is her legacy.  

I feel so honored to have spent but a few of those days with her on this planet and hope that one day, I will be able to be reunited with her in paradise and tell her thank you for sharing…..until we meet, this is where I think she is now, looking down and watching over all of her loved ones still…..

3 things to Remember this holiday season that some of you “might” forget to do….

I started the day out weepy, a woman I was blessed to call my friend died yesterday after a long struggle with cancer.  I don’t use “struggle” for all people I’ve known with cancer, but for Elissa, I couldn’t explain it any other way.  She was one of the most courageous people I’ve met in my life.  She is my inspiration for today’s post…..

As we prepare for Christmas or Hanukkah or whatever holiday we celebrate this season, are we really celebrating?  Are we focused on the spirit of the holiday or focused, rather on the trivial aspects that fill so many of our days, especially this time (but not limited to) of year?

What if this was your last holiday,  would you be happy with how you prepared for the season?  If you hesitate for a moment, let me off 3 very simple things to consider over the next few days……

1.  Forgiveness.  Are you holding onto grudges, unable to forgive others for mistakes they’ve knowingly (or more often “unknowingly”) made?

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” Mark Twain.  

Are you holding onto anger?  Is there someone this holiday season you need to forgive?  LET IT GO!!!! Anger grounds us to the earth and keeps us stuck in a way few other emotions do.  Consider it the gift you give yourself, to forgive others, and see how your spirit/mood/light is lifted this holiday season and beyond.

2.  Love.  I heard the other day the most beautiful quote….no idea who it is from but it is this:

“Love is spelled T-I-M-E. ” author unknown.  

Are you spending more time on social media than you are with those in front of you?  LOVE the people in your life with your whole heart, you will NEVER forget a moment in life that you do….and believe me when I say, you will certainly live many moments in regret for those you chose not to do so.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us, live in the present.  Consider that, your most precious of presents to give another.

3.  Remember.  

“Holidays are about experiences and people, and turning what you feel like doing at the moment….” Evelyn Glennie.  

Remember why we celebrate whatever holiday we celebrate.  It isn’t for the presents under the tree, or the foods we eat, or the carefully coordinated tree and decorations or menorah or whatever is in our home.  Yes, those are all lovely and special….but if they all went away, would we still hold the spirit of the holiday in our heart?

Wishing all of you a very blessed holiday season.
Peace…… and Love……

Well Behaved Women…….

“Well behaved women rarely make history.” Marilyn Monroe.  

No idea she was the one who is credited with this quote, but it’s been haunting me over past few days.  Not haunting in a creepy Halloween sort of way, but in a recurring theme in my head.  Who makes history?  Who changes things in this life? People who sit idly by and allow whatever is to happen, to happen, or people who have a little bit of fire within them guiding them to push the envelope, mix things up a bit?

I’m launching a new business, entitled “Strong/Peaceful Women” in the near-ish future…..(much credit given to those who are encouraging me along this path to spread my path towards peace to others in the world.  Thank you.) and perhaps this is why I’ve been thinking about this topic so much lately.  Can the two aspects co-exist?  Strong and Peaceful.  Bold and Calm.  Advocate and patient listener. I think so.  I believe so with every fiber of my body and am perplexed that it seems like it is a novel concept.

In our society, men are afforded the opportunity to be ruthless businessmen and gentle parents if they choose to do so, so why can’t women have the same opportunity?  Be strong in her field and gentle in her life?

Relax…before anyone thinks I’m starting a male vs female roles in society debate, I’m really not…..each are beautiful and wonderful in his/her own way….

Rather, I’m contemplating the unfortunate opportunity we are missing, as a society, in not only allowing but encouraging each of us, male or female, to be strong when it serves, and peaceful when possible.

When I think of those who in my life are strong, they aren’t World Champion weight lifters (although more power to them if they were), or vicious with their words.  They’re decisive.  They’re passionate.  They’re advocates, learned, aware, and self assured.  Don’t we want everyone to be that way?

When I think of people who in my life are peaceful, they are not necessarily Yogi Gurus or Faith Filled Priests  (although again more power to them if they were), rather they are people living with “real” life issues: depression, substance abuse, maritial/family strife, losses great and small…and no matter what happens in their lives, they’re choosing to find some peace in whatever life offers. Don’t we want everyone to be that way?

My thoughts today, brief, but I hope resinate for all of us…to allow and encourage all to live strong, peaceful lives.

Peace….

love letter to Father Kohmescher (Grandpa “K” to me)

In the spirit of honoring the memory of my UD years…. my love letter to my favorite professor at UD. 

http://udquickly.udayton.edu/udmagazine/2014/03/warm-and-fuzzy/

The quarterly newsletter arrived today and the first page I opened was to my beloved “Grandpa K.”  When I first read the article, tears filled my eyes remembering this dear man.  Click on the article, how can you not love that sweet/kind angelic face?

He was the greater for prospective students for YEARS.  I’m quite amazed that every single person didn’t want to attend UD after meeting him, as his warmth and kind nature exuded from every pore of his body.  He was, in my opinion, the human form of “WWJD?” (aka “what would Jesus do?”) before it was cool to wear that on your wrist.

At first I read the article and I was a little bummed….why didn’t I have a “Fuzzy” button?  Seriously, how silly is that?  I really wondered why I was almost jealous that I was never given a button from him (when it seems they’re nearly EVERYWHERE)…..but then this overwhelming sense of peace came over me as I remembered he was so special to me.

He was my professor for Christianity Today (he has published books on this subject) & Theology of Sexuality.                                                                                                      *******(My minor is in religious studies, although going to a Catholic college, that is really not that difficult to accomplish since each student is required to take a certain number of philosophy and/or religion classes no matter your degree.)

What I remembered from this red/blue beanie wearing Marianists priest, who at the time seemed to be 110+ years old to me, was his ability to convey a genuine sense of compassion and interest in every single one of his students.  While I would like for a moment to think I was his only favorite, I am cognizant that was just his way.  We were all his favorites.  When I think about my faith and my endless journey in attempting to understand God (whoever we envision God to be…I don’t want to make this a religious blog today), I think of him.  I think of his beaming smile, and his calming nature.  I think of his non-judgemental nature, that challenged you to be a better person awhile knowing you are exactly the person that God wants you to be.  Sigh….I just loved being in his presence.

So when I think for a moment, how envious I am that I do not possess a “fuzzy” button, I remember this….Father (aka “Grandpa K”) and I had many in-depth, meaningful, philosophical discussions on faith, morality, forgiveness, and love.  He encouraged me when I needed to be encouraged, and challenged me when I needed to get up and do something more with my life.  He came to my college graduation party, arriving just in time to see my best friend doing a keg stand (wow, I looked pretty darn good right about then didn’t I?  sigh….I ‘might’ve’ done one later……) and just sat and giggled along with my parents.  We kept in touch after graduation, often writing letters and updating each other on our lives.  While he seemed to be older than life itself to me, and could’ve easily retired into solitary contemplative state somewhere….he worked up until almost his last days on Earth….inspiring and loving every single person he touched in life. I asked him to marry my husband and myself, and regret in some ways today that he couldn’t be there…but know he was in spirit (something about having to do something for UD…blah, blah, blah….. I write, jokingly…)

I drove down to see him the fall of 2006.  I felt compelled to in some way.  I hadn’t seen him since I graduated in 1993.  But he had always been a part of my life and I missed him.  I remember driving up to campus and nervously walking to the Founder’s Hall, where you’d often find him hanging out in case anyone wanted to talk to him….as I approached, uncertain if he’d even remember little ole me, his eyes lit up and embraced me in love.  We sat and talked for hours, and when I think real hard, I can still hear his gentle voice…..

While I’m so excited for my college to be in the playoffs for so many reasons, most of which I love others to hear about this little college in the southwest corner of Ohio….I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to honor Grandpa K.  And while I’m sad I don’t have a “fuzzy” pin seemingly many others do, I feel so blessed to have had the unique relationship I did with him and honored I got to call him “Grandpa K.”

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” Elbert Hubbard

Yes…this sums up Father Kohmescher.

Peace…….

peace….and giving “thanks” more than just one day

Giving Thanks…..

Three years ago, for the month of November, I started posting daily on Facebook thoughts on thanksgiving.  Daily.  I can’t remember if it was something I thought to do myself (though I doubt, I am not that creative, or gracious) but I started and did it. Daily.   I did it as a reminder to myself, to focus on all that I have in my life for which to be grateful, rather than focusing on the inevitable “next season” that focuses on all that we want.  Though trite sounding, I really struggle with embracing Christmas as the commercialism of the holiday has become overwhelming.  I long for the simple, pure, and magical feelings I once did have in the anticipation and realization of the holiday. I long for the times when my family would gather in my grandparents basement, fully stuffed from a huge meal, watching my Dad/Uncles perform their puppet shows or preparing the annual Christmas pageant decked out in my Aunt’s old ballerina costumes.  Us girl cousins, not them….Sigh……

Life seemed so simple back then….

So, last night, after a really long day at work (in a job that I LOVE but one that can also be emotionally exhausting) I wanted nothing more than to get my jammies on and go to bed.  While I’m thankful daily, especially this time of year, that I have a job, I just wanted to go to sleep.  Coming downstairs to get a drink of water, I hear words that soften my heart….”Mom, do you want to watch the Bible series with me tonight?” From my 15-year-old son.

How can I say “no” to that?

Before you think, “Wow!  This family is really some angelic, spiritual mecca of a family”, I want to assure you we are not!  I admire families who are, but our family is an aspiring weekly mass attending (aspiring), prayers at bedtime and mealtime and when we think of it times, and more recently philosophizing on the specifics of faith kinda family. I struggle with it.  I want my kids to be faith-filled kids,and I want them to truly be THANKFUL for everything that have and not be self-centered and focused on the things they do not.

So what do I really want them to learn from me?  The importance of faith, and trust in God and willingness to learn and grow and OH MY GOSH, here was my desire for my kids being played out in front of me!

We sat up, later than we normally do on a “school” night, eating popcorn, drinking water (Ok, I did have a beer, I confess….) and watching the Bible miniseries.  I sat in awe, listening to my kids tell stories about what we were watching, and I was humbled, that they were teaching me about my own faith.  They were teaching me.  Wow…..

Sometimes we wonder if our kids are listening, I can assure you they listen much more than we even know.

Sometimes I wonder if they really get the reason behind Thanksgiving, but I can assure you many kids have it figured out better than we do as adults.

On Facebook, we are bombarded with “oh my gosh my kid is the greatest at this that and the other thing”, and while I am happy for my friends who have the world’s greatest kids at this that and the other thing, sometimes I sit and wonder if all that “really” matters in the grand scheme of life?

Then…I read one of the best posts by a High school friend, I would entitle it the World’s Proudest Momma Post (in a while) for teaching her son/s the TRUE meaning of the “season” upon us….

……Her son told her, on his way home from school, he passed by a woman who had a sign that said her husband lost his job, and asking for help.  She had a child with her.  From his own money, and without his parent watching or telling him to do so, my friend’s son bought them hot chocolates and skittles….

I was in tears reading….. how innocent and precious and kind….and Wow!  If my kids are half as thoughtful in their lives, I will feel like I’ve done a good job as a mom.  Teaching your child to be gracious and think of others, and watching them turn out to be just that, truly something to be for which to be thankful.  Good job Momma!

So watching the mini series with my kids reminds me:

To be thankful for all that I have- for many others have fought very hard for me to have the life I have.

To be gracious and thoughtful of others, to share my wealth (meager as it is, but I am still blessed) with others.

And to trust in God.  When I don’t know what path I am to be taking in life, trust in God.

I search for peace in my life daily.  It is a constant effort and something that doesn’t come easy for me.  I search to simplify my life, and to let go of things/people who complicate or distract from my purpose in life.  But really, all I need to do is look at things through the eyes of my children…isn’t that what we’ve been told to do all along?

Hmmm….

“As we express gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy

Peace and Happy month of Thanksgiving…..