It's the Little Things

Thursday, October 21, 2010

My son got talking about eating animal crackers the other day. What memories flood my mind over those little goodies! That was one of the few treats I was allowed as a child. Mom and Dad didn't have a lot of money so treats were few and far between. I remember carrying the little box around and savoring every wonderful bite. I love them to this day. We also occassionally went to Sambo's and I remember how good the honey butter tasted. We sometimes also went to A and W for floats in a frosted mug. I loved the ice particles that tasted of root beer at the bottom of the cup. Daddy also loved chocolate dipped cones at Dairy Queen and butterscotch. I will forever think of Daddy when I think of butterscotch. Yes, these are all food memories, but special nonetheless.
When we went through my parent's house and that of my husband's parents, it was amazing what brought the tears. It was things like a wicker basket and the popcorn bowl. They caught us by surprise. It is what they symbolized in our lives that made them special. Most of them were things that pointed to an emotional closeness centered around times together. Good times together. The things we want to pass on that mean a lot to us, are not always the things that mean the most to our children. When we know the emotional attachment that our parents had towards certain items, it means more to us to receive them. I will forever cherish the crystal vase Daddy got in Germany. Though it is not the one I would have chosen, I knew it was his most prized possession and that was not lost on me when he gave it to me four months before he died. I want my son to get the diamond ring Daddy gave Mama for their 50th wedding anniversary because he loves the women in his life just as Daddy loved Mama.
The big things in life are important, but many times it is the little things that make the biggest impact on us. No matter how lacking our lives may have felt, there are things that are the symbols of the good things in life. I hope that I can cultivate some good memories for my kids as we gather in the next couple of months. I wonder what it is that will ultimately mean the most to them in the years to come. I just hope I don't inadvertantly throw them out!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 10/21/2010 8:43PM

I've been frustrated because since Mom died I have received no help from my sister or brother sorting through things. They do not have the sense of family I do and don't care about Dad's Navy uniform or Mom's scarves from Scotland and Italy or other family items. Such a shame. But do I keep them and hope when I'm gone these and other items bring back some memories to them? As you asked, it can be a tough decision about what to keep. Good luck. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 10/21/2010 7:59PM

You are right -- you never know just what will be treasured by someone someday! Thanks for sharing this touching blog. (My hubby's family had an A&W restaurant, so root beer floats are still favorites around here! Mom & Dad would get the gallon jug & we'd make them at home -- with 6 kids, buying the frosted mug ones was too costly). When I look back on these kinds of food memories, I realize they were few & far between -- but all the sweeter for the same reason!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Are You Listening?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The art of listening is one we all need to cultivate. You can be thought of as the greatest of people by never opening your mouth. People have a lot of pain and a lot of things mulling over in their brains. It is amazing how much clearer things look by being able to verbalize them. That is also one reason why I am a firm believer in journaling through difficult times. When listening your posture tells a lot about you as a listener. Make sure you are open in you stance, not sitting with your arms and legs folded across your body like chains. Lean forward towards the talker and nod your head from time to time. Don't be doing other things like writing or working on the computer, but give the talker your undivided attention. If you do not have time to listen, politely tell them and arrange another time to do so in the near future. You will be thought of as one of the most wonderful of all people if you just let them talk, not offering your words of wisdom unless they are asked for. Sometimes the need is just to get the things out that are bothering us and when we do we feel much better. It is hard not to offer advice for some of us, but restraint is crucial. People who have been abused don't need someone to judge them, just to listen to them. Choose your words carefully if they must be chosen at all. Happy listening!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 10/21/2010 8:49PM

Yes. People do love to talk about themselves. It is a rare person who can listen and hear what is being said instead of preparing what they are going to say in return. I wish I was more like that. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 10/20/2010 9:41PM

Excellent tips! Thank you, Cindy! Report Inappropriate Comment

GOSPELCLOWN 10/20/2010 12:37PM

Why do I feel that I must share advice??? I can just listen. It is often what people need the most. Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 10/20/2010 12:14PM

Working as a church secretary, I've had to really learn to turn away from the computer and toward the person who comes in to sit by my desk. After all, PEOPLE are more important than getting my to-do list done (with a few exceptions, of course). The atmosphere of the church office is so critical to how people feel about the church ... and so this task-oriented gal is learning to put people first. Thanks for another reminder of where to put my focus! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBBIENORTHERN 10/20/2010 11:30AM

This is really a good habit to incorporate into my life because I always have people throwing their thoughts at me so, I will now make it a point to give them my undiveded attention, thanks for this most appreciated reminder. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAKAYLAS-MOM 10/20/2010 11:00AM

Thanks for the reminder. Multitasking is not always a good thing. I am glad I listened. You have to really listen to really hear. Thanks again. Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

When He Speaks

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The prophesies about Jesus that were spoken years and years before were all fulfilled. I have heard the number of prophesies and the odds of them being fulfilled in one person. It would blow your mind to know how impossible it is for it to happen. Wish I had the numbers at hand because it is staggering. It's like one in a hundred billion billion.God cannot lie so if He says it you can believe it is going to come to pass.
That should give us a lot of comfort. If He says He hears our prayers, then it doesn't matter if we feel like He does. He hears our prayers. If He says that He will give us the desires of our hearts if we will trust in Him, then we can have our wildest dreams. If He says He will protect us then we can walk in confidence knowing that nothing can harm us. I could go on and on. There are many promises sprinkled throughout the Bible, new and old Testaments. It's like the old commercial that said, "When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen." Well, when God speaks His words have a lot more power. So today let us tune our ears to What He says.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 10/20/2010 3:11AM

Thanks for a vital message, one we need to keep in mind always. Hope you have a terrific day. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 10/19/2010 6:23PM

Love your blog (as always!) He is so faithful and true! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBBIENORTHERN 10/19/2010 12:15PM

Yes, when we read the word of God that is the final authority over all. No other words or opinions matter, just what Father God has to say, He is the final and only authority. This blog is so good I had to come back and add this to it, because it is so filled with the love and truth of our Father God and Jesus, have a great day discovering how much you are greatly blessed, and highly favored and deeply loved by our Father. Comment edited on: 10/19/2010 12:27:57 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

A New Eagle Scout

Monday, October 18, 2010

Got an extra bonus of seeing my daughter on the trip to Albuquerque. She was in town for something with one of her classes. It was a good trip and I'm glad we went. We went to celebrate the 200th Eagle Scout from my husband's old Boy Scout troop. As suspected, my husband is really regretting not having done more with our youngest son in Scouts. It did not help that all the child wants for Christmas is camping gear. The funny thing is, I left wishing he had as well. I wonder if the boys would have stuck with it to the point of becoming Eagle Scouts. I'm not so sure they would, but we will never know. My husband was happy to see that things that were started by his father some forty years ago are still being used in the troop today. He could see the great influence of men like him throughout today's celebrations. That gave him a sense of pride. One gentleman drove all the way from Los Angeles to be at the court of honor. We were probably next in line for traveling the greatest distance. Sadly, some of those in Albuquerque did not even show. I found myself teary eyed at some of the things that happened. I was extremely proud of the young man who stayed the course up to the very last day before he would have been ineligible to even receive his Eagle. It is worth working to the very end to reach goals, especially the difficult ones. All in all a very good trip, but good to be home.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 10/18/2010 9:13PM

I have been out of the Boy Scouts for many decades but still remember the lessons learned. I hope the Eagle Scouts' parents are proud of their sons for accomplishing what so very few achieve. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 10/18/2010 10:10AM

I'm glad you went and also got to see your daughter! Your blog reminds me of Isaiah 40:31 - "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Go the distance! Report Inappropriate Comment

Investing Time Wisely

Friday, October 15, 2010

Ahhhhh! days off! I am so ready for some R and R . We are going to Albuquerque for the 200th Eagle celebration of my husband's old Boy Scout troop. He also is an Eagle Scout and they are planning a big celebration. It is important to maintain some ties to our past. Not all of them are good and some need to be laid aside and never revisited. Yet all our experiences make us who we are, good and bad. Becoming an Eagle Scout is one of my husband's proudest moments. Boy Scouts made him, in large part, the man he is today. He has so many fond memories of hiking trips and camping with family. There were some negatives with his relationship with his dad, but they all seemed to be erased when they were camping and spending good, quality time together. His biggest regret is that, as a father, he never seemed to have the time to make this a reality with his own kids. Our youngest son told him the other day that he could have been an Eagle Scout as well. I think it kind of hurt my husband. I was so busy with soccer and Girl Scouts and 4-H that I did not have the energy if the boys didn't want to go to Scouts because they too, were tired. That was his time with them in my mind. Still they love to camp and each does so frequently.
Sometimes we do not realize what is most important to us until the opportunity is past and that is when we live our lives with regrets. When we are too busy to live life the way it was meant to be lived, then something is lost in the process. Finding balance is difficult, but necessary. Spending time with family is never a wrong choice. Taking time to relax and get away from it all occasionally is also necessary. We need to invest wisely. If we do the returns will be beyond our wildest dreams.
I imagine there will be some sadness in my husband this weekend at opportunities lost, but also an immense deal of pride as he remembers his own eagle court of honor. We will also see our son and enjoy getting to love on him once again, and feed the poor college boy! All a reminder of what life is really all about.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IUHRYTR 10/20/2010 3:14AM

It is somewhat sad that more people do not appreciate or understand the enormous amount of work young men put in to attain the honor of Eagle Scout. That is an impressive and imspiring achievement. I never made it that far when I was in Boy Scouts but I, too, have many fond memories of the lessons I learned. -- Lou Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 10/16/2010 5:35PM

Enjoy the celebration, the renewed friendships, the time with your son -- may God bless you in each area this weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

3CATSLEP 10/15/2010 7:55PM

Wishing you and your family a wonderful time and safe travels! Report Inappropriate Comment