Peanut Butter Kisses

I had my son late in life. I am sure that God knew what He was doing! Prior to that time, I would have just been too selfish and too concerned about the little things. Who knew that a little hand could teach you so much!

While I was pregnant, a co-worker told me to be prepared for everything being spilled on me and "relieved" on me. Part of me laughed, and the other part was in horror! How could this fashionable woman ever allow that to happen? Me, of all people! I set forth to prove her wrong...but was I ever wrong!

There have been so many times in the short 6 years of my son's life where he certainly has fulfilled all...and more of what my co-worker predicted. I learned to always bring an extra change of clothes, for both him and me. I stopped fussing so much about being so utterly "put together" and started worrying more about that little hand who held mine so tightly. The same hands that would come running so happily toward me with big peanut butter kisses, which always left a trail on my clothing. There have been many times that I have simply had to laugh at the time and forethought that I put into getting dressed, only to have to change into something else quickly and haphazardly.

I remember reading the last letter of Erma Bombeck, and how it made a huge impact on me and still does. She was one of the funniest women and so full of life! Her book, "If life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I doing in the Pits" was so funny and so true. Her last writing was titled, "If I Had My Life to Live Over". It is so terribly sad to read, and yet, so true and profound. One of the many things that she says is that "I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains".

I remember reading this and thinking, how horrible that such a funny lady who seemed to live life so fully, had all of these regrets. I made a promise to myself that I would do the very best I could never to feel that way. Yet, I find I still take things too seriously, and lose my patience when I probably shouldn't. I worry about the little things, and forget to look at the big picture. Yes, I too am a victim of "The Human Condition".

All that you and me can ever do is to keep trying. Practice gratitude daily, stop and smell the roses. Remember that tomorrow is another day to work harder toward that goal. It is the life I am also creating for my son, as these are the memories I want him to have of his childhood with me. I am a work in progress, as we all are :-).

Peace and Grace to you.

"Taking out the trash"...in our heads of course!

I just saw a wonderful movie called "The Peaceful Warrior". It's been out for several years, but glad I stumbled onto it. Nick Nolte as the teacher who has apparently "slain his dragons" is a little hard to grasp at first. However, he does grow on you in time :-). This is the true story of Dan Millman and how as a young world class gymnast, he learned to get his priorities straight. Most of all though, he learned to "take out the trash" in his own mind.

Earlier in my own life I also learned the value of clearing your mind. It is one of the hardest things to do, and to this day, I work on it daily. I learned the value of surrounding myself with positive people and positive influences. Most of all, I learned the gift of time alone...and with God. Needless to say, my childhood left me tons of baggage to haul around, but I worked on letting it go. Even if it meant creating a big red stop sign in my mind that was my signal to STOP cluttering my head with judgments, anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, etc..

Listen, I know that we are all victim to the human experience. It surrounds us every second and is often hard to let go. Earlier in my blogs I mentioned the value in letting go of the news. I used to listen to the daily news regularly, just waiting for the next shocking detail to raise it's ugly head. In fact, I found myself feeling guilty and just plain awful for looking forward to that. So, I let it go. Not an easy thing, but definitely able to be done.

Anyway, I am sure that there are things in your own life that could be left behind in order for you to take out your own garbage. I would really encourage you to think of the things in life that clutter your thoughts and weigh down your heart. Then, I would also think about the things that do the opposite of that...and start filling your life with those. Life is too short, and in the end, it is joy and love that truly matter most. Peace to you.

Paying it forward and planting a garden...

Just went through my son's clothes again. He grows so fast it's hard to keep up with him anymore! Though I do sell some of his things on eBay and at the Kids Consignment, I mainly give his things to others in need. There are so many hurting families these days especially. In fact, I just spoke to a friend today and found out they lost their home. It's heartbreaking. They have a little boy themselves, so, that is where a "care package" went today full of my son's things. She was grateful, and I was happy to do it. It's all part of "paying it forward" folks. It's the right thing to do, and the bonus is that it makes you feel good! Since I am a garage sale Queen, I often pick up things for others when I see them. I am tickled when I see their kids using what I have passed onto them.

On another note, today I seriously started working on a vegetable garden. I preface this with the hope that the deer will not come to kill it, or whatever land digging monster I have that continually turns up my shrubs and lawn!! I purchased a short fence which should help...I hope. I have several vegetables that I am planting. My goal is to eventually have enough that I can just go to my garden when I want fresh vegetables. So much cheaper, healthier, and convenient. Plus, what a wonderful thing to do with my son. He has his own little watering bottle and loves to help me. It's the simple things that bring the most joy, and this is one of them. Why don't you try one too? Even if it is just in a window box in an apartment! Enjoy!