Yeah, through all the homework and tears,
Through all the newness and fears,
Despite the hardships and trails,
Despite all the journey of many, many miles,
This happened.
Now, the really adventure begins…
Well, It Happens
parenting
Friday Fun Day
A little late, but done anyway…š
Friday Fun Day came a day late this week as I battled not feeling well throughout the days, and then, our oldest asked me to take him and his little crew of friends to the mountains yesterday.
Oh what a beautiful day to end a dreary, rainy, sickness filled week.
Sometimes, things donāt happen in the timeline we’d prefer, but nevertheless, don’t let that stop the fun!
If you didn’t get your Friday Fun Day this week, youāve still got time. Get out and smell the roses. Chase a waterfall. Soak up some sun.
Take a deep breath and breathe it all in.
Remember:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (Author unknown)
Go have a Friday Fun Day even on Sunday! š
Little Girl Dance
Each year, February brings the painful dance of my heart. Itās not that Iām angry. Itās not that Iām hating what I see. Itās just a longing within my once little girl heart that will never be fulfilled.
The beautiful pictures plastered all over social media during this month brings sweet memories never beheld. Precious relationships promising treasured protection and defense for all her days.
His large frame casts a shadow not of harm or destruction but of love and nurture. Her petite form is sheltered, cherished and adored. They stand in parade for all to appreciate and celebrate.
I am thankful for his place in her life. I am grateful for her desire for his strength and fortitude. I truly am.
Yet, my heart breaks time and again for the wee little one standing at the door, her packed bags awaiting his never return. She forms her own dance, spinning, twirling, hoping for his hand; yet, he never extends it.
Someway, somehow, she makes it to the One who holds the key. With tears streaming, hopes shattered and dreams crushed, He takes her into His arms, and swirls her life into a new masquerade where she can smile again. ā¤ļø
Friday Fun Day
Well, this week was continued in my battle with the crud’s, and I really wasnāt so sure I was going to have a Friday Fun Day today.
But I awoke this morning, feeling much better, while still struggling with a bit of congestion and coughing; yet, I had such a case of cabin fever that I was beyond ready to get out of the house!
Usually when my husband asks, “Me hat do you want to do for lunch?” I typically answer, “It doesnāt matter to me. However today, I almost didnāt let him finish the question! š
I answered within a nanosecond that I wanted to go OUT for lunch, and then, Iād come home and cook the roast I have waiting to have for lunch tomorrow!
He got a good laugh out of that one. š¤£
… then after lunch, we came home, and I helped my son work on his FAFSA form! š³š¬š
(yeah, we’re a bit behind schedule…don’t follow our lead on that one!)
Not sure THAT was such a great Friday fun day, but there was definitely a moment to rejoice when it was all said and done!!
Like I said last week, sometimes, you just have to put your days in perspective! š
Hope your Friday had some fun in it! š
Sometimes, You Can See It
As a parent of two older teen sons, there are often times, I wonder if weāve raised them right.
When their attitudes are stinky, and their relationships are floundering. When they’d rather threaten to “punch you in the face” to show brotherly love than express a kind word. When they’d rather goof off and smart off than do what theyāre told and help out around the house.
As a parent, you work real hard to train up your children in the way they should go. You work real hard, constantly hoping your words are matching your own deeds, and somehow, that example is being seen by the tiny feet (now big feet) that follow.
As a parent, you spend long hours teaching the hard lessons, conveying life truths and praying, “Dear Lord, help this child to hear and understand what Iām trying to tell him.”
As a parent, youāre continually pleading with God to protect, guide and help, give grace, and most importantly, to love and help them to realize just how much.
And you wonder…
Are they getting it?
Will they hear it?
Much more, will they believe, receive and repeat it?
Then, in one brief moment, one twinkling of an eye, you get a glimpse…
You and your sons are sitting in a restaurant, awaiting your food, and an elderly couple pulls up in the rain. The husband is bent over in stature, trying desperately to help his wife, who is just as feeble, to get to the door and out of the downpour.
All of this has been in your peripheral vision, not completely cognizant of the events, until at the same split second, you hear your 18 year old’s chair loudly scrape the floor, and by the time you turn to see him, heās already at the door.
He proceeds to hold the door, take the lady’s hand from her husband (so he can go park the car thatās been running on the curb) and he proceeds to walk the little lady to her table and make sure sheās alright.
Wow. Heās gonna be okay. Not just ok, heās already become an amazing young man, and I just got to see the proof of it.
This momma’s heart is full. ā¤ļø
Whimsical Wednesday
Oh, the deadlines, test dates, pictures, invitations, test scores, applications, conversations and far away visits that happen in the last lap.
The tears flow unexpectedly and without warning. The memories flood in like a cold, hard rain, and the expectations burst forth like a bright ray of sunshine.
Thereās apprehension, excitement, fears, doubts and joys to be had.
Your heart desires to hold on tightly, clinging to all that has been, not wanting to extricate or even peek ahead.
Yet, your head knows the day comes and waits for no man, understanding this is all youāve worked toward since the day your eyes first met.
Your hands acknowledge the time is beckoning him to fly, and there will be no flight if they donāt release their grasp.
Your soul understands if there is no surrender, his wings will be clipped, and the sorrow will be grave for all involved.
Your feet can feel the earth begin to tremble; you question is that the ground or the foundation of your dreams.
For they’re no longer your hopes, your visions, your aspirations; they must become his as he pursues the calling within.
The smiles savored and the grief in farewell is intermingled with the confidence and exhilaration of the promises yet to come.
As you cheer him on for this last lap that will count for a lifetime of yesterdays and tomorrows.
Penned – MG – 12/10/19
Whimsical Wednesday
*Late post! We will just pretend itās Wednesday again. š
Growing up can be altogether exciting, challenging and frightening…and that’s just for mom!
This year is full of changes, deadlines, memories and plans, and Iām so proud of our son.
We’re excited for whatās to come, but we’re determined not to look too far ahead that we canāt cherish the memories of yesterday and savor the moments right now.
Wherever you are, BE THERE. No matter how whimsical, joyful, painful or confronting that minute might be.
Learn from it. Soak it in, and if it’s not quite what you’d like it to be, work hard to transform it and use it for your good.
If youāve found that “sweet spot,” enjoy it and donāt take it for granted!
We never know what will be next!
Whimsical Wednesday
*yes, this pic has markup to protect identity and privacy.
What we will do for our children and our pocketbooks…
These little gems cost me about 45 minutes of search this morning, as I dug through 4 bags of trash (2 recycle and 2 NASTY), only to realize my son and I had had a miscommunication! š³
I hadn’t accidentally thrown them away the other day; his dad had, and they were simply in a much cleaner bathroom trashcan rather than the great big garage trashcan of kitchen trash! š¤¦āāļø
I am so very thankful, but Wow. Not exactly the Whimsical Wednesday morning I had been looking for! I am so grateful to not be headed to the dentist for a $300 replacement pair; however, I about lost my lunch, or rather almost didn’t eat lunch, over that little treasure hunt!š¤¢
I do hope your Wednesday was much more Whimsical than what mine was, and if not, we always have next week to which we can look forward!š
Friday Fun Day
When you go on a little birthday celebration trip, and dad says, “You can fill up a cart with anything you’d like.” So, they use “1/2 buggies,” as I call them, to complete the task, and they get as many items as they possibly can, especially those that I wonāt normally buy for them!
Now, that’s what I call a Friday Fun Day! š
… even though, it was Thursday night…just a few hours early! Lol! š¤£
For He Is Your Cause
I see you standing there as you patiently wait for the end of his game.
You have things to do, responsibilities to fulfill; yet, you wait to show you care.
You and he are alone in this world, but you fight to make it a good one for him to grow, to succeed.
You have no promise of another to join you in this cause, but that is no matter.
For he is your cause and your reason for this time.
I see you crying in the shadows as you receive another blow that knocks you to your knees.
You never scream. You never retaliate. You simply take what life might give. You make it the best you can, and you smile…for him.
The love from those who birthed you strengthens your resolve, but this fight is yours alone to consume.
You win it for him, to impress upon his memory the reward of dedication, faith, and love.
For he is your cause and your reason for this time.
I see you resting there in the Father’s arms as you gain purpose for the journey.
You will soon soar with the eagles as he begins to find his wings and fly.
You will soon, once again, charge the enemy and slay the dragons for the victory of your own dreams.
Yet, for now, you patiently wait as his game grows momentum, knowing one day, it will come to a close.
For He is your cause and your reason for this time.
Penned MG 6/4/16
*I wrote this for a friend a few years ago when she was going through a difficult divorce. She became a hero in my book, as I watched her deal with her own pain privately as she fought and clawed for the protection of her child and for the protection of her own sanity through the storm, all the while holding steadfast to the only anchor that holds: Jesus. ā¤ļø
No matter what storm of life you may be walking through, He is the anchor that holds. He is the refuge and solace for your soul. He will walk with you through the fire, and He will hold your hand through the deepest, darkest of nights.
the grizzle grist mill 