Achoo!

Jack just informed me that he fit everything into his backpack, except for the sneeze box. I am doubtful that I'll ever be able to call it a box of Kleenex, again.

Jack.

Jack just put his toy handcuffs on.

Jack just remembered the key is in Grandma's car.

Jack is crying.

...Jack is free!

"Thank you, Mom!!"

(I'll take off my super-hero cape now.)

Actually, my niece, Jami, said, "You never take it off when you become a mom, it just gets really worn out."

I think she's right.

Wings

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.

One is roots.

The other is wings.

~Hodding Carter, Jr.

My little girl flew into her new life of college and the Army Reserves. Soar, my child, the world is waiting for you.

City Girl and Town Girl

Once upon a time there were two girls. One was from the city, and the other was from a small town. Both city girl and town girl were shy... shy as could be. They were blonde, sweet, and full of smiles. They were the kind of girls that would hide behind Mama's leg, holding on for dear life if an adult was speaking to them. City girl remembers that when she was in second grade, the principal joked about her blue fingernail polish in the hallway one day. She was so shy she couldn't even speak.

City girl and town girl both had a good childhood; nothing out of the ordinary. Life took them on similar routes all the way to high school. Along came cheer-leading. City girl's dad was completely against the idea, but city girl wanted this more than anything. She dug down deep, and used her stubbornness for good. Town girl had the support of her family, and wanted it almost as badly as city girl. They both got what they wanted... a spot on the cheer-leading team.

Cheer-leading was their common bond. It brought both of the girls out of their shyness. Watching the girls bloom was a true gift; The beauty hiding behind the shadows of shyness blessed everyone they touched. Who would have thought that cheer-leading could awaken souls? It did, and city girl and town girl were thankful... Their lives had been changed for the better.

City girl chose the predictable route... college, job, family. Life was good; not always easy, but good. Town girl, who always wondered why her family left the big city for a small town, was ready to see the world! She also, chose the college route, but chose something much more adventurous and brave... She chose the military! Town girl became a soldier. She pushed fears aside, expectations aside, challenged herself, and was now on her way to becoming a remarkable woman.

City girl had a reawakening. She found out that she actually has a lot to offer. She is pushing past the limitations her mind had put on her, and breaking down the fences. She is happy... oh, so happy. There is energy and life waiting beyond those fences.

City girl admires town girl very much, and secretly wishes she would have had more courage when she was younger. She smiles when she sees town girl... anticipating the future... knowing full well that town girl will blossom into an incredible flower unlike anything the world has ever seen.

And just who are city girl and town girl? Mother and daughter. Yes, you see, I am city girl, and my beautiful daughter is town girl. I admire her so much... more than words can say. She takes my breath away. She has grown up to be an admirable young lady that I am proud to know.

Go meet the world, town girl, with open arms... It is waiting for you. The world will be more beautiful because of.... YOU.

Reckless Abandonment

Abandon your fears, recklessly.

a·ban·don (ə-bănˈdən)

transitive verb abandoned a·ban·doned, a·ban·don·ing, a·ban·dons

1. To withdraw one's support or help from, especially in spite of duty, allegiance, or responsibility; desert: abandon a friend in trouble.
2. To give up by leaving or ceasing to operate or inhabit, especially as a result of danger or other impending threat: abandoned the ship.
3. To surrender one's claim to, right to, or interest in; give up entirely. See Synonyms atrelinquish.

Connections by God

Up until now, I have rarely gotten out of Dodge. My job and four kids keep me pretty tied down to this quaint, little town I call, home. All of that changed for me this summer. A work trip to St. Louis, pleasure trip to Idaho to see family, and another work trip to California has made my summer evaporate before my eyes. Do I love it? Is Elvis the king of rock and roll?

There are many stories I could tell about my summer vacation, but time is limited... the kitchen is waiting for me to cook supper. So, I need to tell you about a God-orchestrated connection. Why do I claim God orchestrated it? Because you cannot make this stuff up, and even if you tried, it would not have the soul connection that was felt between two friends.

I need to start with a tidbit of background knowledge for you. Shelley is a childhood friend. No, not the kind of friend you're thinking of. Not the friend who knew every secret. Not the friend that camped out in the back yard, or talked Mom into letting her go with on a family vacation. The reason? She lived on a different block, was two grades ahead of me, AND went to private schools as I went to public. Add all of these things together, and you can pretty much say that in the life of a child, we lived on different planets.

I don't remember how it happened, but one summer, as I was entering 10th grade, and she, 12th, we hung out. I thought she was the coolest girl I had ever met. Long legs, perfect hair, manicured nails, adorable smile, sweet as could be, had the coolest attic bedroom this side of Minneapolis with a t.v.., AND we were both convinced she was going to marry Rick Springfield. She was cool enough to catch his eye... I just knew it. This was the summer Luke and Laura got married on General Hospital; as far as we knew, love conquered all obstacles... Just look at Luke and Laura!

Shelley and I lost touch after that summer, other than a brief farewell two years later. She was off to California, and I never saw her again.

Fast forward 24 years. As you are probably well aware, facebook has given many people a wonderful way of reconnecting with old friends. A few months ago, I found Shelley via facebook. We briefly reconnected, but that was it. When I found out I would be in California for work, I e-mailed Shelley.

Now, just think about this for a moment. Picture the size of California, the population, and the chances of me being even remotely close to where she lives. Slim, eh? Slimmer than slim! Would you believe me if I told you that the hotel that my training was at, and where I was staying for seven days was three and a half miles from her home?! Three and a half! Unbelievable. I could skip to her home!! (Wouldn't that be fun?! Awkward, maybe, but fun!!)

We met for dinner, talked and laughed for hours, and didn't want the evening to end. We had such a great time, and such a connection, that we got together again the night before I left for home. We are sisters in Christ and through revelations, encouragement, stories, and DARES, we knew that we were meant to reconnect... It was a God thing.

Thank you, God.