Winter Daydreams....

Sitting under gray skies, sometimes it is hard to believe that the world will ever be warm and sunny again. That somewhere out there will be tiny bunnies nesting in my hidden backyard, sunflowers growing taller than my house and heirloom tomatoes making my mouth water as they ripen.

Today my second flower and vegetable catalog came. This one I think I'll have to stop and ponder. I must confess that I already possess enough seeds to fill several yards as well as many perennials that continue to spread year after year. And yet, there is something wonderful about the call of the flower catalog in the winter.

I chuckle though... like my love of strange statues, new factories and silly children, I tend toward the more unusual offerings when I daydream. Many times strange berry bushes from Siberia or tiny edible morsels that are harvested with special combs call to me.

As a child, one of my favorite shows was Little House on the Prairie. I have always admired the spirit of the pioneers. They carved happiness out of a barren land. With their loved ones and strangers, they formed communities and created a new world. They made what they needed or did without. I think truthfully, in some part of my subconscious, I like to imagine I am one of them as I fill my yard with edible plants and beautiful flowers.

Almost always, practicality wins out over my musings... Would I really eat those berries that will take several years to mature? How many naughty words will I consider if I have to mow around one more planting?

So most years maturity wins; I plant blackberries instead of Siberian cherry bushes and forgo those strange fruiting ground coverings.

Sure, my yard is probably better off because of my restraint. However, some daydreams are meant to be indulged.

This year I will give into my whimsy. I think it is time to throw caution into the wind and give my innocent cravings a chance to be expressed. I will buy something strange and chuckle for years about the consequences.

How about you? What secret blissful longing is hidden in your heart? Why not consider letting it see the light of day? Innocent happiness makes the world more fun.

Fun Days with Children

In less than a half hour I'll be headed out the door to work. I am so fortunate that my "work" takes me into a school. Being a teacher is the most wonderful job in the world. I'm constantly busy and the challenge of teaching so that my students learn the standards is an amazing responsibility.

However, this week, none of the "stress" of teaching applies. It is a non-curriculum week which means basically I get paid to play all day. Yesterday I played Old Maid and Crazy Eights. Small children brought me pretend food for me to taste and I played chasing games in our gym. At lunch I still reminded children of their manners and I did put kids, "on the wall" at recess for hitting and kissing, but it was a purely fun day.

There are so few days in life that we are allowed to just play. When they come they should be treasured, enjoyed... and lived to the fullest!

Letting others adventure on their own

Today my eldest left for a week long adventure in Canada. I happily assured her that I had plenty to do and that I wouldn't be lonely. She was a little nervous about the trip but also very excited. How could I do anything but cheer her on? As her travel companions packed her up, I called to wish her well and remind her to come in and give me a hug at school before she left.

It is hard to make changes in life, letting children go out into the world and meet new people is very difficult. Though I know her father will look out for her, I admit that I will worry while she's gone. I guess a mom can't honestly help it.... even an adventurer like me...

Friends for the Journey

When we set out in life we sometimes come upon situations or problems that are too great to face alone.

It is in these situations that we often cry out in frustration and anger at the injustice of life. Sometimes it seems like we don't know how to find our way out of the darkness that surrounds us.

The problem is just too big.

It is at times like this that we often discover the wonderful blessing of friendship.

Some friends come into our life and stay forever, while others are only ours for a short while. As a child I remember hearing Bible stories that told me that we should always be kind to strangers because they could be angels in disguise.

I can attest that sometimes strangers turn out to be angels; blessings sent from God to show us the way out of the darkness. I am not talking about magic, I am talking about friendship. The give and take of real relationships.

Today, I would like to thank God for such a friend. Who, though only in my life for a short time, was a light in the darkness. A beacon of hope when it seemed all hope was lost.

Stop... consider your own life... who has been a blessing to you? Do they know it? Tell them.

Look... into your own heart and always be ready to be angel, a messenger of hope when you are called upon to be kind.

Listen... to the sighs, the laughter, the sounds of life... being a companion on the journey of a loved one is a blessing to everyone involved.

We were not left here to fend for ourselves.... We are meant to help each other.... What a wonderful plan.

Big or Little?

Normally my Kindergarten kids are the little ones at our Kids' Campus building.

Though we clearly rule the school, as it is ours all day and the school age children only come after our curriculum is over, my children are dwarfed by the first through fourth graders that daily arrive with backpacks and homework looking for a snack and some down time.

Today, because of the low number of children attending the day after Christmas, my principal did not open our building. Instead, we were given use of several areas in our Learning Center next door that houses the daycare program for our infants through preschool children.

So instead of being "little" my kids were the "big" ones. They were the ones told to watch out for the "babies" and be careful to not break the small peoples' playthings. I think they actually enjoyed the switch.

It's funny... on Monday they will be the little ones again... and I'll be asking the school age friends to be careful of them.

I have to smile. How many times do we play duel roles as well? Who hasn't put on a brave face for others when you are truthfully scared to death? Or explained the finer points of life to a questioning child when you're unsure of the answers?

I think as adults being with children helps to keep us on an even path. By leading them, we are forced to call on our "best" behavior. I think we grow just as they do. When we show the little ones we love the way, we remember what we are supposed to do... what we should say and what we believe.

Merry Christmas!

Standing by my tree with my eldest at the camera, I paused to smile, to capture a moment I want to remember.

Life stands before us all everyday and yet, there are times when we are more aware of the path.

The past year has brought many changes to my life. I have felt both wonderful satisfaction and deep disappointment.

As a new year is about to begin, I wonder what it has in store for me. Then I have to laugh... because if I have learned anything this year, I have learned that "life" doesn't simply happen. I am an active participant in my adventure. Though I can not rightly control the actions of anyone else, I can choose my own.

I have no way of knowing everything that I will encounter this coming year. However, I know that I have been given the ability to make the journey with happiness in my heart.

When troubles come, and it's really a given that they will, I know that I can weather the storms.

The greatest blessing we are given on Earth are those who love us.

I am blessed to both love and be loved by many people.

Because of this, regardless of the situations I encounter, I will make it through, hopefully wiser and better for the journey.

I wish for you today and always,

Love for the journey and the courage to keep walking.

Merry Christmas!