Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Quote
I was reading through some flyers which came through my door this morning, one from a local college that was discussing its recent honor students. The author described stories of students who have achieved honor status and scholarships. Then I read a quote from the keynote speaker encouraging students to stay positive despite exasperating circumstances. In making a reference to Holocaust survivors the speaker said, "The more you are empowered, the more you have the ability to make a difference to the world by thinking clearly and making a positive response when frustrated." It struck a chord with me. What a difference it would make to allow my frustrations to charge a positive response instead of a negative one.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I miss my Mummy
My mother called today. She was super sweet and loving and kind. It broke my heart.
She explained to me that she went shopping for the kids because she was thinking of them and as she couldn't come out and visit she would go shopping for them instead. As she detailed the clothing items she realized some pants were probably too long and a winter jacket may not get worn that much.
Her happy excited chirp fizzled down to a pragmatic mother by the end of the call, "Well, they can grow into them, and you can roll up the legs." I stifled my cries as she did hers, I'm sure.
We both felt the rip in our hearts as we knew if she was living here or I there she could be "Grandma Annie" and take them on shopping trips herself and Grandpa could buy them ice cream and give them his loose change from his deep pockets.
I love my parents and I miss them. My children have no idea of just how much they'd miss them too.
She explained to me that she went shopping for the kids because she was thinking of them and as she couldn't come out and visit she would go shopping for them instead. As she detailed the clothing items she realized some pants were probably too long and a winter jacket may not get worn that much.
Her happy excited chirp fizzled down to a pragmatic mother by the end of the call, "Well, they can grow into them, and you can roll up the legs." I stifled my cries as she did hers, I'm sure.
We both felt the rip in our hearts as we knew if she was living here or I there she could be "Grandma Annie" and take them on shopping trips herself and Grandpa could buy them ice cream and give them his loose change from his deep pockets.
I love my parents and I miss them. My children have no idea of just how much they'd miss them too.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A New Reader
Maggie decided to choose this day to read to me. I mean really truly honestly and completely read to me. It was the best feeling ever. Gosh it was just beautiful to hear her voice. Words fail me right now and I wish I could time lock the emotions that ran out of me as she read word after word. For months, for more than a year, I have been trying to encourage Maggie to read a few words here and there but she has always refused to perform for me.
I have always been so sure she knows how to read. I see her mouth form the beginning sounds as her eyes glance over the letters and she has known her alphabet letters, upper case, lower case and phonetic since she was two, maybe earlier. Any place we go, any place -- a party, a restaurant, a supermarket, a park, a nature center, a DIY store, an airport, train station, a museum. Virtually any place I have taken her where there is a book she will find it, and she will "read it". She will find the one and only book in any facility and park herself on the nearest flat surface to browse the pages (you see my frustration that her love of books did not appear to bring along a love of reading the words within the pages?)
Today, out of the blue she just picked up book and read the tittle. Just like that. I did my usual thing as she introduced a new book to me, "Oh, that looks like a lovely book Maggie. What do you think its about? Look at the pictures. What do you think the tittle is?" "Bear Finds Some Treasure" she says quietly. We exchange in dialogue for a bit about the book and how well she read it and she brings me another book. "And this one Maggie. What does this one say?" "Miss Mingo and the First Day of School" ..."My Little Sister Hugged An Ape"..."Duck in the Muck"... and the reading went on and on.
She was truly marvelous today. I could squeeze her to mulch. I am so proud of her. I am so excited for her too. This is the beginning of a beautiful love affair for her. I can hardly contain myself.
I have always been so sure she knows how to read. I see her mouth form the beginning sounds as her eyes glance over the letters and she has known her alphabet letters, upper case, lower case and phonetic since she was two, maybe earlier. Any place we go, any place -- a party, a restaurant, a supermarket, a park, a nature center, a DIY store, an airport, train station, a museum. Virtually any place I have taken her where there is a book she will find it, and she will "read it". She will find the one and only book in any facility and park herself on the nearest flat surface to browse the pages (you see my frustration that her love of books did not appear to bring along a love of reading the words within the pages?)
Today, out of the blue she just picked up book and read the tittle. Just like that. I did my usual thing as she introduced a new book to me, "Oh, that looks like a lovely book Maggie. What do you think its about? Look at the pictures. What do you think the tittle is?" "Bear Finds Some Treasure" she says quietly. We exchange in dialogue for a bit about the book and how well she read it and she brings me another book. "And this one Maggie. What does this one say?" "Miss Mingo and the First Day of School" ..."My Little Sister Hugged An Ape"..."Duck in the Muck"... and the reading went on and on.
She was truly marvelous today. I could squeeze her to mulch. I am so proud of her. I am so excited for her too. This is the beginning of a beautiful love affair for her. I can hardly contain myself.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Will Play For Food
Today I had the pleasure of meeting up with blogger friend Tonya and her gal pal Shannon who invited me to a food drive, "Will Play For Food". I had a wonderful time and I'm here to tell the few readers that come here to check out Tonya's blog for photos of the event and then go on to "Will Play For Food" to be inspired.
The essential idea is to set up a play date and request your play mates to bring along non-perishable foods to be donated to a local food bank. What a great way to have a good time and a great value to teach your children in the process. It's a win win. I'm adding a "Will Play For Food" to my list of things to do and plan on contacting a few of my mummy pals and their little'ns to see if I can set something up too. It would be a great way to pass it on, and pay it forward.
The essential idea is to set up a play date and request your play mates to bring along non-perishable foods to be donated to a local food bank. What a great way to have a good time and a great value to teach your children in the process. It's a win win. I'm adding a "Will Play For Food" to my list of things to do and plan on contacting a few of my mummy pals and their little'ns to see if I can set something up too. It would be a great way to pass it on, and pay it forward.
Damaged Heart
Open up your heart my dear.
I will love you.
Do not fear. I will love you.
Open up your heart.
I will protect you. I will accept you.
Open up your heart.
And you shall receive.
I will love you.
Do not fear. I will love you.
Open up your heart.
I will protect you. I will accept you.
Open up your heart.
And you shall receive.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Randy Pausch
Please visit an old entry Randy Pausch and be inspired again by linking to the links within the post.
Randy Pausch; devoted father and loving husband 1960-2008. A hero.
Randy Pausch; devoted father and loving husband 1960-2008. A hero.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sweet Tuesday
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