I've never considered myself one of the more "prepared" parents.
In my personal experience - one day I was staring at a little white stick, trying not to touch the wet end, shrugging and saying, "All right, let's do this thing." And, the next thing I know, I am holding a child in my arms, thinking, 'Oh, that's what all the fuss is about,' as I gently blow on her face to rouse her from her sleep to keep me company.
It is nine years later and most days I still feel like motherhood just mostly "happens" to me. And, I (with my husband) do our best and pray God will take care of the rest.
Even so, I've never really considered myself at a disadvantage from any of the more "prepared" moms. I think it becomes apparent early on, that no matter how many parenting books you read...or how much money you spend on Baby Einstein videos...no matter how big your box of "someday baby" clothes is...or how many years you waited until the timing was "just right"...
You can never be prepared for the day you say:
"Are you fanning yourself with your pizza!?"
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
At Walgreens Today...
I went to pick up some film at the photo developing department of Walgreens today.
A man stood in line in front of me, as those who wait in lines often do. When the associate didn't come for a while, he turned toward me and shrugged with good nature. I agreed by shrugging back.
As we waited, the kind man spoke to me. It became clear from the beginning his speech was slow and garbled. I didn't catch his words the first time, but turned my ear, moved in closer and listened to the back of his throat for the sounds.
"I'm sorry? (Could you repeat that?)"
"I was here earlier, too and couldn't get any help."
"Oh, really?" I made polite conversation, and understood it was likely hard, and possibly embarrassing for him to ask for assistance. So, I picked up what I thought to be a cue, and asked the nearest associate for help.
When that employee walked away to page a member of the photo department, the man again attempted to make conversation.
"I have a hard time because I have ALS."
"ALS? Lou Gehrig's disease." His eyebrows popped with what I interpreted to be relief. Relief that he had come across somebody who understood his speech...had some familiarity with his disease.
Just when we were making new friends and didn't mind the waiting, an associate came. We were parted for a little bit to tend to our affairs, but the kind man sought me out once again when he was done.
"How did you know it was called Lou Gehrig's disease?"
"I have a dear friend whose mother (don't say, 'died') suffered from the disease." I held the word back, although I knew it was no stranger to him.
As I stood before this man, I estimated him to be a working class, well experienced, reasonably well read-man. I searched my mind for ways to comfort him/something to say. But what purpose - other than patronization - could the comfort of a 29 year old acquaintance serve to a rugged, capable sufferer?
"I have lost the control of the muscles and ligaments in my throat, and part of my leg. That's why it's hard for me to speak."
"That must be very hard." Grasping for ways to comfort him, I spoke warmly.
"Well, there is nothing they can do."
"Bless you, sir. I will be praying for you. It was very nice to meet you." I shook his hand. Trying to understand his speech was becoming taxing. What more could we talk about? It was a likely time to leave.
"It was nice to meet you too."
I drove from Walgreens with regret in my heart.
Should I have talked to him longer? Should I have asked him about his photos? Should I have hugged him in place of a cowardly handshake?
I should have asked him if he knew that Jesus could comfort him.
(Shel Silverstein: "A Light in the Attic")
Though I still have some regret like a cloud over my head, I know in time that cloud will dissipate. I am grateful, what will remain is the watered seed of a memory. A reminder to pray for my long suffering new friend. A cautionary tale to not to take for granted such an exceptional meeting.
Where ever you are, my friend - please forgive me. What is your name?
A man stood in line in front of me, as those who wait in lines often do. When the associate didn't come for a while, he turned toward me and shrugged with good nature. I agreed by shrugging back.
As we waited, the kind man spoke to me. It became clear from the beginning his speech was slow and garbled. I didn't catch his words the first time, but turned my ear, moved in closer and listened to the back of his throat for the sounds.
"I'm sorry? (Could you repeat that?)"
"I was here earlier, too and couldn't get any help."
"Oh, really?" I made polite conversation, and understood it was likely hard, and possibly embarrassing for him to ask for assistance. So, I picked up what I thought to be a cue, and asked the nearest associate for help.
When that employee walked away to page a member of the photo department, the man again attempted to make conversation.
"I have a hard time because I have ALS."
"ALS? Lou Gehrig's disease." His eyebrows popped with what I interpreted to be relief. Relief that he had come across somebody who understood his speech...had some familiarity with his disease.
Just when we were making new friends and didn't mind the waiting, an associate came. We were parted for a little bit to tend to our affairs, but the kind man sought me out once again when he was done.
"How did you know it was called Lou Gehrig's disease?"
"I have a dear friend whose mother (don't say, 'died') suffered from the disease." I held the word back, although I knew it was no stranger to him.
As I stood before this man, I estimated him to be a working class, well experienced, reasonably well read-man. I searched my mind for ways to comfort him/something to say. But what purpose - other than patronization - could the comfort of a 29 year old acquaintance serve to a rugged, capable sufferer?
"I have lost the control of the muscles and ligaments in my throat, and part of my leg. That's why it's hard for me to speak."
"That must be very hard." Grasping for ways to comfort him, I spoke warmly.
"Well, there is nothing they can do."
"Bless you, sir. I will be praying for you. It was very nice to meet you." I shook his hand. Trying to understand his speech was becoming taxing. What more could we talk about? It was a likely time to leave.
"It was nice to meet you too."
I drove from Walgreens with regret in my heart.
Should I have talked to him longer? Should I have asked him about his photos? Should I have hugged him in place of a cowardly handshake?
I should have asked him if he knew that Jesus could comfort him.
Though I still have some regret like a cloud over my head, I know in time that cloud will dissipate. I am grateful, what will remain is the watered seed of a memory. A reminder to pray for my long suffering new friend. A cautionary tale to not to take for granted such an exceptional meeting.
Where ever you are, my friend - please forgive me. What is your name?
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Practical Applications of Owning a Shrink Ray
I've been daydreaming lately about what it would be like to have a shrink ray.
Sure, we all thought about it when we were kids and wanted to make the bully on the playground feel like the weakling for once - or shrink our vegetables down to a minuscule size making them easier to hide underneath our mashed potatoes. But, the more I think about it - it seems the power to shrink something (and bring it back to its original size) at will would have many practical applications in the life of the adult.
Think of the possibilities. I wouldn't have to buy that $400 storage shed I've been eying, I could just shrink all the Christmas decorations, tools, and baby clothes down into a box and store it under the bed.
I wouldn't need to worry about the car getting being exposed to the elements or possible thievery. I could simply shrink it down, bring it into the house at night and restore it back to its original size in the morning.
Admittedly, I would probably pack whole bags of popcorn at home, stuff them in my purse, and sneak them into the movie theater. On that same note, if I really decided to abuse the power, I would even store a kid in my pocket to save the admission money.
Imagine how happy my children would be when they wake up on Christmas day to find a giraffe underneath the Christmas tree.
I could shrink my vegetables down to hide them under my mashed potatoes so the kids think I'm eating them and follow my example.
I wonder if I could localize the shrink ray to just one area, and shrink down my thighs? Nah, that's preposterous.
Sure, we all thought about it when we were kids and wanted to make the bully on the playground feel like the weakling for once - or shrink our vegetables down to a minuscule size making them easier to hide underneath our mashed potatoes. But, the more I think about it - it seems the power to shrink something (and bring it back to its original size) at will would have many practical applications in the life of the adult.
Think of the possibilities. I wouldn't have to buy that $400 storage shed I've been eying, I could just shrink all the Christmas decorations, tools, and baby clothes down into a box and store it under the bed.
I wouldn't need to worry about the car getting being exposed to the elements or possible thievery. I could simply shrink it down, bring it into the house at night and restore it back to its original size in the morning.
Admittedly, I would probably pack whole bags of popcorn at home, stuff them in my purse, and sneak them into the movie theater. On that same note, if I really decided to abuse the power, I would even store a kid in my pocket to save the admission money.
Imagine how happy my children would be when they wake up on Christmas day to find a giraffe underneath the Christmas tree.
I could shrink my vegetables down to hide them under my mashed potatoes so the kids think I'm eating them and follow my example.
I wonder if I could localize the shrink ray to just one area, and shrink down my thighs? Nah, that's preposterous.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Happy 100 Pageviews To Me!
Reached 100 page views today. Color me tickled...
And picture me celebrating. Sitting alone in a dark office, eerie glow of the computer lighting my face...I grasp a kazoo with my mouth and a coffee-filled wine glass in my hand - a crumpled up party hat perches atop my head.
*Yay.*
Gotta celebrate the little things...and since all of my current projects are under hiatus (due to the fact that Wal-Mart's craft section has left me wanting) - gotta blog the little things, too, I guess.
Here are some more of those little things (are they really so little?) I have been "celebrating":
- My four year old Maggie, said, "amuck" in the correct tense the other day. She said, "You made my bed all amuck!"
- We keep finding bunnies in the corner of our front yard. One let us get really close yesterday. They make me smile as I watch their fat tushies bound away.
- Found "James and the Giant Peach" for a buck at the discount book store.
- I wore my favorite vintage sweater today. Itchy but stylish.
- Hubby got out of bed early in the morning. When he crawled back into bed, I asked him where he went (just because it is so rare for him to get out of bed, ever). He said, "Ancient Chinese secret..." then he paused and added, "...having to do with urine." That just made me laugh.
Til' next time, friends!
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