Monday, August 24, 2009

What Matters Most?

I was running through some old papers and this one stood out. I wonder if you will slow down or change course?

***

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally challenged, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back….every one of them One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “this will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who where there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know, that they know, the one thing that matters most in life. What matters in life is more than winning for ourselves, what matters in life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another.” ~ Author Unknown

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Counting My Blessings

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu


Yesterday pretty much sucked. I think the emotional roller coaster that I felt was just because of the change of "season". The new schools, new moms to meet....new stuff bothers me. I like it much better living in my own little bubble. I know it sounds pretty funny, because if you know me, you are probably shaking your head right now in disagreement. BUT REALLY PEOPLE.....I am a HUGE chicken for new things.

BUT....

THAT WAS YESTERDAY. It is amazing how much things can change in one day. I woke up this morning and I had little reminders about how wonderful things really are! For as much chaos as we have in our day to day life, we are so blessed. I am so blessed. I thought I would share some of my blessings with you.

1. I am blessed to be married to my VERY best friend. We have been married for 10 amazing, wonderful and exciting years. He is a wonderful friend, husband and father. I think back to when we were dating and I can easily see how much we have grown....together. We are two of the same. It really is wonderful. I'm not crazy, we have our moments also....you know the ones I am talking about. The little fights that happen for trivial stuff. The ones that seem like big deals in the moment, but you probably won't remember them in a month. That is NORMAL....but, in the big picture....I am so very blessed to be married to one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure to know. He is my husband and best friend.

2. I am blessed to have a brilliant, beautiful and amazing daughter. My little "L" is magnificent. She is kind and understanding. She is patient and persistent. She is smart and beautiful. SHE IS DANGEROUS...LOL. That was the mom in me coming out. I watched her walk up to me the other day, in her casual, no big deal fashion, from across the school yard and I had this weird out of body experience. I looked at her and thought "look at that beauty, wow! When did she get so big?" She has a wisdom about her that amazes me and the time that we spend together is so remarkable. I look into her eyes and feel her passion for life. I listen to her speak and hear her humor and wisdom. I watch her help others when they struggle. I watch her help her sister learn how to play "hide-n-seek" in the cabinets. She is AMAZING and I am so grateful to have her as my daughter. I can not wait to see what life brings her.

3. I am blessed to have the very special and amazing gift from GOD Miss. "M". I watch her bring peace and happiness to EVERY person she meets. I watch her triumph over little challenges that she is faced with daily, but never complain about any of it. I think she is a beacon of light. She is wise and has taught me patience in a way that can not be described. She has taught me not to care about what others may think....it doesn't matter. I look at her and wonder why I was chosen to be the mother of someone so special. SHE is brave and daring, beautiful and modest, kind and patient, determined and happy......I feel honored to be part of her life path.

I AM BLESSED......


The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.
~Erma Bombeck

Monday, August 17, 2009

Miss. Sassy-Pants!

We just started school (well it actually started last week, but today is our first full week). It is amazing to me that I still get chocked up. I'm not exactly sure if i am chocked up because I HATE new things, and starting out a NEW year sends me into turmoil or, is it because I am watching my kids grow up WAY to fast? I absolutely, positively....100% Love my kids and having them with me through the summer and letting go at the beginning of the year is VERY HARD.

So this morning we are starting our routines again. Trying to get back into the swing of things....The wake up at 7am, shower, breakfast, make lunches, brush teeth....then run out the door and join the rat races. We made it as far as breakfast and my quick moving train came to a screeching halt. Maddy decided that she wasn't going to take her medication. This is a little more than the "please take your Motrin because you are running a fever" stuff. Have you ever pleaded with your kids over that grape flavored cold/flu medication? Imagine giving your kids medicine EVERY DAY 2x a day. She takes two of them, they are the medication that controls her seizures. THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT. She clamped down her lips and wouldn't open her mouth. I tried to pry them open with my fingers, I tired to bribe her with food, I tried to make her laugh, I tried begging.....didn't work. She just looked me right in the eyes and pucked her lips and protested the dreaded medication....Talk about breaking my heart!!! Finally with tears in her eyes, she GAGGED down the meds. UGH....if only it could be easier. Does she understand that if she doesn't take this stuff she will have hundreds of seizure.....how do I teach her with out really letting her experience the effects? Reasoning with a 5yr old just doesn't work. I guess I will continue my quest for yummy things that I can hide it in.......

"It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding." - Erma Bombeck