The Tree

Yesterday I walked with the boys down to the park at the end of the street. Not long after we got there, Jonathan took off, went over the fence and climbed up on top of a downed tree. I was stunned. This was not like my cautious, staying within boundaries child. The tree is HUGE. We had an amazing wind storm at the end of last November that knocked out power in much of the area for 4 days. This tree fell at that time, broke the fence and put several large holes in the paved sidewalk. The part of the tree in the playground area was presumably cut up and taken away, the fence was repaired, and the sidewalk patched. The part of the tree left on the other side is huge and everything around it is overgrown. It is a Momma’s safety nightmare. In fact, I have wondered for sometime if they were going to do something about it. So, as I sat there in amazement looking at Jonathan, I knew instinctively what inspired him. I walked over from the picnic tables and asked him if Daddy let him go over there. His reply was simply, “Yep!” I asked David-- no, I told David right away he couldn’t go over there and he said, “I know, it is not safe for ME.” I thought about this situation—here is my extremely cautious boy, climbing around being a “boy” and I realized that it is important for a boy to have their dad around. It wasn’t long before another little boy (about 7) who lives in a house right next to the park was out there with Jonathan. This boy goes outside the fence all the time – even before the tree was down. In the past, I had wondered what limits the parents put on the child and his brother because they were not usually out at the park with them (though surely they can see the park from their house). Anyway, the boys began that child appealing game where one child “encourages the other” by saying things like, “You can’t go as far out on this limb as me” and “You can’t get past me (as they are running down the tree trunk).”
NO- this was NOT easy for me to watch. But, I had to smile when Jonathan came over with scratches and scrapes on his leg and said he was all scratched up and it didn’t even hurt. I had to smile when I thought about how Daddy had let him be an adventurous boy. I don’t get how he could let my angel get in harms way (risk a broken leg, a broken arm, snakes in the tall grass, etc)…But, I am thankful he brings out a side in my child I can’t.

It's All Too Much

I recently read and have the book, “It’s all Too Much” by Peter Walsh. This book has revolutionized how I think about the things I own. It is such a good book! I have been re-reading portions of it over the last couple of weeks. For so long, I have been weighed down by being overwhelmed with my stuff. I felt as if my house was in such a state that I couldn’t relax. I tried organizing and re-organizing but no system ever seemed to help. This book gave me a new perspective. It is much easier to clean and manage a house, when you have less. It is amazing how much stuff I have accumulated that I don’t need or use. Some of these items are things that I really like. What I have found is that I am much happier with less. I am freer to enjoy what I own when I have fewer things. My goals are clearer and my life is simpler.
Both Seth and I grew up in families that collect stuff for various reasons. It might be that the items were gifts. Some of the things were great deals. Also, you never know when you might need something. Everything is bought with good intentions. There are so many “reasons” to accumulate. I am breaking free from the bondage of clutter! The bondage was in my mind. The clearing the clutter will be a continual, life long process.
If you get a chance, read this book! It is a great read. Peter Walsh was challenging and motivating without being condescending.

Memorial Day

What do you know about Memorial Day? The Iraq war is in the forefront of my mind constantly. I have a thankful heart that my husband made it home safely from Iraq. Many, many people have sufferred tremendous loss. Do you know of someone that has died in Iraq? What about family members that lost loved ones in previous wars? I was telling my 6 year old recently about the meaning of memorial day and he asked me, "How can we honor the people if they are already dead?" In some ways, that has become a sentiment amoung our country. We can honor our nation's fallen heroes by remembering. Maybe you have never participated in a Memorial Day ceremony. Perhaps, you feel quite removed from the meaning of the holiday but you simply cherish it as a day off with your family. Celebrate the day off from work! Let me challenge you to take a minute and learn a bit about the history of the day.

History Channel site:
www.history.com/minisites/memorial

US Memorial Day site:
www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Waiting

I read recently that it could be argued that life is more about the time we spend waiting for something to happen than it is about something happening. Right now we are on the brink of some major life changes so I found that perspective very interesting and challenging. Big events in our lives are often preceded by days and nights spent dreaming, planning, organizing and simply waiting. The time in between the big events in our lives constitute the majority of our lives. If you think about the “in-between times” they are anything but uneventful. Still, we spend so much of that time thinking about a better time to come or worse yet, a trying time on the horizon. We may feel impatient for the upcoming event or we may dread it. Either way, much energy is focused on the future. I don’t think that we should live in the moment entirely. We should be responsible and plan ahead. However, we should live more fully in the moment. We don’t really know what will happen tomorrow. Besides, what I have today is a day full of opportunity. What is my purpose for today? My heart must be open to embrace others. My spirit must be ready for the challenges of the day. What do I spend my mental energy on during the “uneventful” times in life? In times of reflection, I can explore my mental, spiritual and emotional readiness for big life events. But, in the moment to moment, hour to hour trek of my day, how can I live life to the fullest? Something IS happening in my life each day. Life is happening. I believe the answer is simple but extremely challenging. What has my focus? Do my children dictate my mood? Does my husband regulate the peace I have? Does the TV or computer allow me to escape my life? What HAS me? The challenge is in what we are devoted to and what controls us. These Bible verses jump out to me in my quest to search through this topic.
John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.