I read a story recently and decided to share. In a world where nothing is ever good enough, and people never seem satisfied I felt like these were true words of wisdom.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said:
"I love you and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the daughter left.
The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?"
"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.
When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Adventures in Mommyland
Yesterday the Daddy got home early from a hard days work, and the Mamaw was sending dinner by the Papaw around 6 pm. Yay! No cooking for the Mommy. The house was sort of straight and fairly clean, minus the occasional stray toy, and the always present load of laundry. The Baby had just woken up from a good nap, was fed, diapered, and happy. The Mommy saw her window of opportunity for a nap herself, and seized the moment. A much needed nap, might I add. She handed the Baby to the Daddy, and her and the Dogs trotted off to bed. The Fur-Babies sleep 20 hours a day at different locations in the Home, but if someone is in the bedroom they feel it is their duty to keep them company. The Mommy knew she did not have a lot of time to fall into a deep slumber, but just an hour or so she thought to rest her eyes, mind, and body. She was drop dead EXHAUSTED, so she stumbled into bed, plopped down on her pillow just right, covered her head, and snuggled in tight. She was so excited at the possibility of a nap, that her eyes grew wide and her adrenaline started to flow. "NO, NO!", she screamed silently in her head. Wouldn't you just know it, she was ready to fall asleep standing up, but as soon as she laid down she suddenly became wide awake. The Mommy was not going to let this chance pass her by, because she didn't know when another would arise. She closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled slowly, and cleared her mind. She had finally reached that semi-conscious state where time is irrelevant, and you exist somewhere between drowsy and deep sleep. A peaceful state of relaxation, but wait, what is that sound...footsteps, the door, a whine. Then "Ohh mommy", the Daddy said. The sound of reality hit her hard, but what a wonderful sight when she peeked over the blanket and opened her tired, blood shot eyes. Her beautiful Baby, with a smile on her face reaching for her Mommy. Here in Mommyland when the baby says it's time to get up, you get up.
I am learning that you live by that "window of opportunity" here in Mommyland, because you are no longer in control of your time. You answer to a pint sized dictator. She determines when you eat, sleep, and yes even go to the bathroom. But that tiny little miracle is soooo worth it!
I am learning that you live by that "window of opportunity" here in Mommyland, because you are no longer in control of your time. You answer to a pint sized dictator. She determines when you eat, sleep, and yes even go to the bathroom. But that tiny little miracle is soooo worth it!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
21st Century Baby
I have been neglecting writing, along with other things. I have some drafts of posts I have started, but have not finished them. One was when Jayna was about 3 1/2 months old and starting to teeth. So I was writing a blog post about teething...well as you can see I never finished it and now my baby girl is 5 months old. Oh how the time flies! I will blame the blogger app on my iPad, because I was having difficulty with pictures, and basically just gave up and put it off. I made a promise to my self to do better.
So what does the title mean...well my baby has an email address. That's right I created Jayna an e-mail account a few months ago. Before you start thinking I am so sleep deprived that I have finally lost my mind, hear me out. I am always thinking of things that I want to write down and remember, or things I want to tell her when she is older, but I do not always have a pen and paper handy. I am keeping up with her baby book, but again it is not always in arms reach and sometimes I have forgotten a lot by the time I sit down and write in it. Plus the baby book has more specific questions instead of just free space. Also pictures are all digital these days, and it takes a lot less effort to send them electronically than to print and paste in a book...Am I lazy or what. As pathetic as it may be my iPad is usually pretty close by, so I thought that I would create Jayna an email account and send her messages of cute things she does, memories, and pictures. I sent this info to other members of her family just incase at some point they may want to write her a little note, a birthday wish, etc. I will not read any messages or use her account. It is strictly for her, and when she is older I will let her know about it just as I will give her, her baby book. She will have a record of all kinds of special memories throughout the years.
*the picture is just for show, she doesn't actually sit like that and play with my iPad :)
So what does the title mean...well my baby has an email address. That's right I created Jayna an e-mail account a few months ago. Before you start thinking I am so sleep deprived that I have finally lost my mind, hear me out. I am always thinking of things that I want to write down and remember, or things I want to tell her when she is older, but I do not always have a pen and paper handy. I am keeping up with her baby book, but again it is not always in arms reach and sometimes I have forgotten a lot by the time I sit down and write in it. Plus the baby book has more specific questions instead of just free space. Also pictures are all digital these days, and it takes a lot less effort to send them electronically than to print and paste in a book...Am I lazy or what. As pathetic as it may be my iPad is usually pretty close by, so I thought that I would create Jayna an email account and send her messages of cute things she does, memories, and pictures. I sent this info to other members of her family just incase at some point they may want to write her a little note, a birthday wish, etc. I will not read any messages or use her account. It is strictly for her, and when she is older I will let her know about it just as I will give her, her baby book. She will have a record of all kinds of special memories throughout the years.
*the picture is just for show, she doesn't actually sit like that and play with my iPad :)
Friday, March 8, 2013
It's a dogs life
My little girl is growing up with two of the best doggies ever. They love her, and she likes them too. I'm sure they will have a lot of fun together soon. I just hope Jayna doesn't pick up all of their habits, like eating off the floor and lapping water from a bowl...YUCK!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Housewife Pet Peeves
10. You get asked what's for dinner before the breakfast dishes are dry.
9. Laundry is a never ending battle. It grows exponentially!
8. Coats, hats, and shoes junking up the entry way. 3 per person.
7. Don't forget to scrape those plates and check those pockets! Food left on dishes, well that is just gross. And the pockets...I learned the hard way. Receipts turned into a crumbled paper mess all over clothes and in the lint tray, an hour spent scraping bubble gum out of the dryer, and last but not least, a dryer drum stripped in blue ball point pen. I repeat CHECK THOSE POCKETS! Sometimes you get lucky and find money...finders keepers I say.
6.Things seem to stop short of their final destination. If dishes and/or dirty laundry do manage to not be left all around the house they do not make it all the way.They end up on the counter beside the sink or in the floor by the hamper.
5. Mom is the only one that can declare something trash. This includes but is not limited to: shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottles, paper towel & toilet paper rolls, anything that is empty in the fridge, and sometimes actual TRASH. Bottles, cans, wrappers, etc.
4. The Navigational system of the home. Yes we know exactly where everything is in the entire house, so just ask I will direct you the quickest route possible. (Sometimes I provide the scenic tour for my amusement only)
3. Continuation of #4. Stuff does not get put back where it came from. Everything has a place, but we are the only ones that know that.
2. Hair! It is everywhere, especially when you have enough for 3 heads like I do. You may think I am gross or even crazy, but if you do not know what I am talking about then try to clean your bathroom and not leave one strand of hair. Yes it can be done, but it is frustrating none-the-less. You can sweep, mop, dust, vacuum, get on your hands and knees and wipe, wipe, wipe...it shall return.
1. "You're a stay-at-home mom. What do you do all day?"
PLEASE do no insult me by asking this question or even thinking it. Trust me I do plenty. In fact I never get accomplished everything on the "to do" list and it carries over to the following day. And NO I do not sit and eat bon-bon's, talk on the phone (well I guess its Facebook now), and watch soap operas all day. My work is never finished, no weekends, no holiday's, no vacation days. I am a cook, a baker, a housekeeper, a nurse, a teacher, an accountant, a manager, an organizer, a planner, Mrs. fix-it, a chauffeur, and a locator of stuff. Most importantly I am a MOM, and that is the best job in the world. I get to spend the day taking care of my baby. Playing with her, teaching her, and watching her grow. Do not get me wrong, I do not look down on any working mother; therefore do not judge me for staying home. Some may choose to work and some may have to work. Thankfully I have the luxury of staying home, and I love it.
I guess you don't have to be a housewife or a stay-at-home mom to have some pet peeves. And I have plenty of flaws myself so we won't even go there. I applaud those who work and take care of their children and home. I also commend mothers with more than one child, because my 3 month old keeps me hopping. I am very thankful for my job, my family, and my home. These are all in good fun (except for #2 & #1 they really do irk me).
*no husbands or children were harmed in the making of this blog post.
9. Laundry is a never ending battle. It grows exponentially!
8. Coats, hats, and shoes junking up the entry way. 3 per person.
7. Don't forget to scrape those plates and check those pockets! Food left on dishes, well that is just gross. And the pockets...I learned the hard way. Receipts turned into a crumbled paper mess all over clothes and in the lint tray, an hour spent scraping bubble gum out of the dryer, and last but not least, a dryer drum stripped in blue ball point pen. I repeat CHECK THOSE POCKETS! Sometimes you get lucky and find money...finders keepers I say.
6.Things seem to stop short of their final destination. If dishes and/or dirty laundry do manage to not be left all around the house they do not make it all the way.They end up on the counter beside the sink or in the floor by the hamper.
5. Mom is the only one that can declare something trash. This includes but is not limited to: shampoo/conditioner/body wash bottles, paper towel & toilet paper rolls, anything that is empty in the fridge, and sometimes actual TRASH. Bottles, cans, wrappers, etc.
4. The Navigational system of the home. Yes we know exactly where everything is in the entire house, so just ask I will direct you the quickest route possible. (Sometimes I provide the scenic tour for my amusement only)
3. Continuation of #4. Stuff does not get put back where it came from. Everything has a place, but we are the only ones that know that.
2. Hair! It is everywhere, especially when you have enough for 3 heads like I do. You may think I am gross or even crazy, but if you do not know what I am talking about then try to clean your bathroom and not leave one strand of hair. Yes it can be done, but it is frustrating none-the-less. You can sweep, mop, dust, vacuum, get on your hands and knees and wipe, wipe, wipe...it shall return.
1. "You're a stay-at-home mom. What do you do all day?"
PLEASE do no insult me by asking this question or even thinking it. Trust me I do plenty. In fact I never get accomplished everything on the "to do" list and it carries over to the following day. And NO I do not sit and eat bon-bon's, talk on the phone (well I guess its Facebook now), and watch soap operas all day. My work is never finished, no weekends, no holiday's, no vacation days. I am a cook, a baker, a housekeeper, a nurse, a teacher, an accountant, a manager, an organizer, a planner, Mrs. fix-it, a chauffeur, and a locator of stuff. Most importantly I am a MOM, and that is the best job in the world. I get to spend the day taking care of my baby. Playing with her, teaching her, and watching her grow. Do not get me wrong, I do not look down on any working mother; therefore do not judge me for staying home. Some may choose to work and some may have to work. Thankfully I have the luxury of staying home, and I love it.
I guess you don't have to be a housewife or a stay-at-home mom to have some pet peeves. And I have plenty of flaws myself so we won't even go there. I applaud those who work and take care of their children and home. I also commend mothers with more than one child, because my 3 month old keeps me hopping. I am very thankful for my job, my family, and my home. These are all in good fun (except for #2 & #1 they really do irk me).
*no husbands or children were harmed in the making of this blog post.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)