Young or Old

I've been obsessing about something lately.
The start of the new year. This year. The number 40. The big 4-0...

I've looked up lists of things to do when you are forty and things to do before you are forty. Many of the online lists surprise me. I understand going sky diving or running a marathon. I don't get things like- have an affair, get married, get divorced. Those were all in the same list. 

Anyway, I have been very thoughtful in January.
Who am I? What do I want to do that I haven't done?  Where do I want to go? What do I want to learn? How can I improve myself? What have I started that I need to finish?

I have created several lists of my own, recognizing that I won't accomplish all of these things this year or next. After all, is this my fortieth year? Or, should I think of the year I am forty as the "big" year? 

My Wednesday provided age related hilarity... I am still amused by it.

I have joined a class of women at my church that meets every Wednesday morning. Suffice it to say, I am the youngest women in the class. These sweet ladies are most all retirees or at least have achieved a senior citizen status. I joined the group knowing that I would be much younger than everyone else. Still, I need what the study has to offer and it fits easily into my schedule. 
On Wednesday, the lady next to me commented that this was a big year for her.
The year she turns 80.

Let me just say, I wouldn't have guessed she was going to be 80. She is vibrant and active. But still... I'm in a class with a lady that is twice my age! (Incidentally, another lady told her life after 80 is great.) I felt so young.

Wednesday night, I went to a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. There were sweet mommas holding tiny babies. A teenager, sitting next to me, was expecting her first child. We had a speaker on disciplining children. As I sat there listening to the discussion,  I wondered, "When did I become the 'old' mom?" In fact, I had to excuse myself 15 minutes early because the youth group gets out before our meeting ends and I needed to pick up my oldest son. The mom I told this to looked at me like I was from Mars. I felt so old.


I don't know whether I am old or young. I guess it depends on who you ask.

I am going to do my best to make this year (and next) my best yet.

Wednesday Words: Action

"At a certain point, I just felt, you know, God is not looking for alms, 

God is looking for action." ~ Bono

I read this quote this week on Pinterest. I read it, liked it and then re-pinned it. After that, it has just hung in my mind like a steeping tea bag. 

Over the holidays, one day I was walking out of a grocery store where a family of 3 were standing. The mom held an infant. They were asking passersby for money for gas to get to another town. At first I thought I had nothing to give and I started to say as much. Then, I remembered that I had cash in my pocket. 

The experience left me befuddled. Did I feel good about giving them money. Yes. And, no. They were still asking for money when I left. Did they need money for gas? It's hard to know. Impossible for me to know. Could I have given more? Yes, but I didn't. Did I feel sad.  Yes. It was snowing, albeit just slightly. I wished that baby could have been warmer. Could I imagine the state they were in? Yes, but mostly, no. I've thought about the family many times since then. I offer up prayers for them. 

I have no idea how I could have helped them in any other way. In that moment, that was really all I could do. I was between towns, myself, on a trip. And, even if I hadn't of been, I gave them what they wanted and I probably would have left it at that. I don't know if that is good or bad.

What I know is this- I can give more to others. I can give of myself. I gave give of my resources. I can share what I have that is mine- not my leftovers, my I-can-donate-this, we-don't-need-this, and this is too small items. I can do extra for those that I love and for those that I hardly know. I can do for others in big and small ways. I just have to be more aware.

These words from Bono prompt me to do more for others.

Thursday Thanks Tank #190

Written on Thursday, posted on Friday- here is my Thursday Thanks Tank for this week~


I am thankful for:

snow flurries
birds enjoying my bird feeder
candles
returning to our pre-holiday routine
A new Bible study
cooking breakfast for my kids
the joy of kids destroying their melting snowman
new recipes
my new dutch oven
my father's hug
a new day for relationships that are torn
the fun of watching my team win the BCS Championship
heaven and the knowledge that a loved one is there
friends that will let me sleep at their house on a moment's notice (the day before)
a new appreciation for a size tall at Starbucks
Sweet Home Alabama
hearing my 5 year old daughter spontaneously say, "this has been a great day so far"
needing shoes for a growing boy and finding the right size at the first store
being on time
time alone with my son
Sweet tea
being productive

Wednesday Words: The SEC

"I'm sorry, folks outside of SEC country, but a few facts are incontrovertible. They smoke better barbecue than you. Their women are prettier than your women. They play football better than your schools play football."
Andy Staples, Alabama's rout of Notre Dame reinforces SEC dominance, Sports Illustrated 1/7/2013
 

Here's a picture of me and 3 of my kids during halftime of the BCS Championship Game. Roll Tide!

My husband is a Tennessee fan and my oldest son is an Oregon fan. They graciously cheered for Bama, too.