Thinking Thursday: One of my favorite quotes

Fresh From Heaven

It was a lazy morning, one where you are laying in bed unshowered, unfed, semidressed and perfectly happy with it. The kids were in bed with me unshowered, fed, and in their underwears. My kids do not wear clothes in the summer. They love not getting dressed and I don’t mind not fighting them to get dressed. Anyway.

Spencer started going through a tan and old looking chest filled with my treasures from years past. Man years past and way overdue to be organized. In fact, so overdue that the lid won’t fit on anymore. He would ask after grasping each item, “What’s this?”, “Mom, what’s this for?” It really was fun. One item, my college diploma, still in it’s case and I thought, “I should frame that.” The next item, a picture of Hailey in my belly. And I thought, “Wow! Where has the time gone?” He continued to pull out item after item: my letter to myself written as a 14 year old girl entitled “My perfect husband”, various art projects the kids had done, a cute picture of Spencer in a blue tissue paper flower for Mother’s Day. He continued to pull out my memories: old high school dance pictures (few have had the privilege of viewing), my first story I wrote entitled, “The Wicked Quenn” (It was second grade, so yes, it said “quenn”), an ultrasound picture of the baby I miscarried at 10 weeks (dated 7/12/06).

The greatest part of this experience was the cheering I got from my kids as each item was pulled out. “Wow, mom that is so cool!” “What was college like?” “I remember making that picture!” We made it through only half of the box when Spencer pulled out a Mary Engelbreit picture, a small picture from a day by day calendar I got as a teenager from my mom for some holiday. The picture was of a tired and loving mother rocking in a chair with a sweet baby resting on her shoulder. The mother’s whisps of hair hang down into her face, but the expression on her face is one of tranquility and peace. One of happiness and joy. There is nothing in this moment except for mother and baby. On the bottom of the picture, there is this quote by Charles Dickins:

“It is not a slight thing when they who are so fresh from heaven love us”.

I remember first reading that quote when I was young and it struck me and stayed with me. After I read it again, I looked at my three sweethearts who are truly so fresh from heaven. And so in love with me at this point. And there is nothing better. Truly, I am a lucky woman to have three sweet and innocent children love me. So lucky to have my kids so interested in my life that they want to go through my precious momentos and treasures and not get bored. To cheer me on for different accomplishments and think I am just great. I hope I can live up to their standard!

A very rough draft......

I am a bit nervous to post this. It is very rough. I wrote it a few months ago, late at night. My thoughts were all over the place. But best to put it out there and see what I need to work on!

A few years ago, I read a book called A Thousand Splendid Suns for my book club. I had never known much about the Muslim world or the life that is led in Afghanistan besides what was shown on the news. The fighting, violence, death and sadness that surrounds that area is certainly widespread knowledge. However, the lives that women are forced to lead in that area is disheartening and tragic. These women are women of strength and courage. Women who live in such situations and continue to thrive, raise children and manage to deal with the abuse and self depreciating circumstances are quite amazing. They move forward with hope and don’t often complain. They are intelligent, loving and hopeful for the future. I admire them.

I am a big reader, but have not been affected by many of the books I have read. Not in this way. I cried for these women and imagined their potential and what they would be able to accomplish if given the right opportunity and the right tools. This book is a beautiful portrayal of the human spirit. Of rising above the ashes. Of conquering evil and moving forward through crushing opposition. I think all people should read this to understand another point of view. To understand the trials and struggles that others go through. I certainly learned so much and this knowledge made me want to help these people.

I have always wanted to be of some assistance to people in such tragic conditions. I have thought, how can I do something for these people who are unable to do them for themselves. How can I make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. Someday, I hope to be able to come to the aid of these people. To somehow bless the lives of women and children who live in deplorable circumstances. For now, I can learn about them and about their lives and how I can help in the future. If you want to read a life changing book, read this! It is not an easy read in that the subject matter is difficult. It is so hard to come out of our comfort zones and learn about topics that are so terribly sad. It is worth it though!

I know I forget at times how blessed I am to live in America. To have freedoms. To have safety. To not have to fear for my life. I believe that people in our circumstances who have been blessed with so much have the duty to give to those who have harder lives. I hope someday when my kids are grown, I will be able to travel to Afghanistan or other countries where women are oppressed. Where they don’t have the rights that they so deeply desire and deserve. I don’t know how I would help, but I would help.

I know someone who volunteers in an orphanage in Haiti a few times a year. The pictures are heart breaking and inspiring at the same time. How can an image have such opposite qualities, I wonder? Is it because of the small children and babies without parents, without families and yet they still continue to smile? Is it that they are grateful for just one piece of candy? Is it the hope you can see in their faces, though we wonder sometimes what might they have to be hopeful about? I think it’s the recognition that the human spirit can conquer all things. That through the oppression and difficulties, hunger, thirst, loneliness, sadness, that these children are pushing forward and surviving. And with optimism. I admire them.

I know God has placed us on Earth in different eras, in different locations, in different situations for a reason. We all have a mission to fulfill. All missions are essential to that person. My life is not glamorous. I don’t get dressed till afternoon most days! But I feel like our lives are all of equal importance to that God who created us. We could be the president of the United States, the president of a million dollar company or the president of the HOA, the Lord doesn’t mind. He does mind; however, with what we do with our missions. With how we fulfill them, not what they are. And this might be why these children and these women touch me so deeply. Because they fulfill their missions with honor and with dignity. They do not ask for more. They do not ask for much. They want freedom to live. Freedom to worship. Freedom to speak as they please. To fulfill their mission. I hope I can fulfill my mission with these same qualities and in the process, be able to help others fulfill their missions as well.

Giggles

I majored in English Education in college because of my love of writing and reading. I love sharing these wonderful things with others. I love getting all excited and nerdy when other people love a book I have loved. I love reading other people's writing and getting lost in their magical words. I wasn't planning on sharing any writing in this blog, but hey, it's my blog, so there!! No really, I am doing this blog for me and to have an out and so, here is something I wrote awhile back.

I haven't really written in a long time. I have my senior writing portfolio by the side of my bed as motivation. I read it awhile back and couldn't believe how much I had written. How clear it was! How descriptive and wonderful! I am not tooting my own horn, just in disbelief that I had these writing skills at some point in my life! Of course, this was before 3 kids and during my selfish college years, where my biggest concern was getting a good grade on a paper. Staying up late to perfect my latest paper. I am so glad my life has opened up a bit!

Here is what I wrote:

Today, I went to wake up my 3 year old and 1 year old. Planned on making it a regular wake up: cuddles, drink, snacks. Then off to laundry. Today was different though. Something in the air? Summer approaching? Unmotivated mama? I brought my 1 year old, whom we fondly refer to as Brookie Cookie, into my 3 year old's room, who we fondly refer to as Spenc-a-roni. Big sister, Hailoo Bailoo was on hand as well. Hailey decided to do an interesting interprative/ballet/modern/wild redhead dance, while we watched giggling from Spencer's plastic blue car bed. This turned into a tickle fight, which turned into "Give me 5, up high, down low, too slow.", which turned into a tickle fight. Nothing can compare to the giggles of my chubby baby with her budha belly or the "MORE tickles" from my sweet blue eyed Spencer. Hailey might be the trickiest and sneakiest "up high, down low" player ever! Life is good and everything is right in the world when schedules and routines slow down and I can completely enjoy my kids. And guess what? The laundry still isn't done and we are all smiling.

Feel free to comment or not!