Good to the last drop...

My son dumped out my coffee.
Or should I say
he dumped out all my coffee
except for my decaf
that was higher up in the cupboard.
(where is the justice in that?)
I could give you the details,
the when and
the how,
but I'm weary.
I'm sure you know how I feel.
I think all of us have encountered a pet
or a kid created mess that has left us speechless.
My son makes connections.
He sees me drink coffee.
I seem to like it.
He checked it out.
He didn't like it apparently.
shudder...
sigh...
Decaf just doesn't cut it
for anything
but my nightly trip to the swing.
I know a stop at Target is on tap for tomorrow.
I was talking with some parents
on our field trip today.
We talked about what we've done
to make our dear ones lives happy.
We laughed affectionately over some of the silliness.
Yet,
in the end,
we all agreed
that our children are worth the effort.
But...
darn it anyway...
Did he have to go for the coffee?
That is almost a sacrilege.
Tonight and always,
I hope that when you count your blessings,
that the good in your life
is enough
to carry you through the rough patches.
I also pray
that your adventure in life is blessed with peace.

Learning from our friends

A long time ago a friend showed me how to crochet granny squares. I have forgotten how to start the pattern and don't ask me how to cast off the stitches in the end but, if someone helps me get started, I find the process very soothing.

Many years ago some junior high kids showed me how to make really neat paper boxes out of used greeting cards. The process delighted me so very much that to this day I still make them. I love to use the bitty boxes in lieu of real cards. Many years at Christmas, I make tiny fortune sized messages that I nestle inside atop a bit of fiberfill "snow". When I add the crowning touch of a Hershey Kiss and close the lid, I can't help but smile.

I could go on and on retelling wonderful stories of what I have learned from friends through the years. Just recently I learned that dancing can be fun and that corn hole is fascinating. I've come to appreciate friends of all ages. I believe that we all have something to important to share. Be it a really beautiful ability to remember our friends birthdays or an unbelievable recipe that we are willing to graciously pass on.

Our lives are made richer by those who we come to care for.

I feel so blessed by the kindness that has been shared with me.

I pray that you and I...

That we,

will share our gifts

as we count our blessings.

Tonight and always...

peace to you.

Goodnight

Never forget who you are...

Sometimes in the day to day of life...

we forget how special each one of us is...

Many times we see beauty in others

and pick fault with ourselves.

While honest reflection on our problems can be helpful,

so is remembering why we are great!

Yup... you are awesome!

and so am I...

How many times have you heard someone say...

I wish I could change (name physical trait)

or

I just am not brave enough to.... ?

Most of us say things to ourselves

that we would never dream of saying to someone else.

STOP IT!

yup... that was for me and you.

Today...

think of five wonderful gifts God has given to you...

say thanks

and

always remember that you are a child of God!

God doesn't make junk!

We are not perfect...

but we are made in His image.

Though I am sure you can find good physical traits about yourself,

I feel our best traits are those that can be seen in our actions.

Are you kind?

Do you have a beautiful smile to offer the world?

Are you a good listener?

Can you fix things?

Figure out complicated math?

Give thanks,

use your gift for the benefit of others as well as yourself...

We are all blessings.

We are all blessed.

Communication

Today, my little son's speech teacher sat down with me and showed me how to use his new "talker".

My Andrew is eleven and mostly nonverbal.

I often think how hard it must be to not be able to share his wants and needs.

Sure,

I know my boy pretty well...

But, there is no way I can tell if he wants to have spaghetti or pizza when we go to Fazoli's or where he would like to go on our Saturday adventures.

Now,

I have a way.

With pictures from the web

and my digital camera,

our wonderful speech teacher and I are going to fill his talker up with choices.

This Saturday,

Andrew is in charge of our outing.

We are going where he wants to go.

I can not wait!

I am so happy for my boy.

I know it will take time,

but I think he will love having a choice...

a voice.

Today,

as I type,

my smile is wide and I have hope and happiness for my son,

for the one I call "Roo Roo"...

for my best guy!

I pray that together we can find a way to make his feelings known.

I still will say, "no" when I need to,

but at least he will have a chance to tell me he's mad

without resorting to self injury or outwardly focused distress.

Tonight as I count my blessings,

I count among them,

wonderful hardworking speech teachers,

beautiful children who want to communicate

and that brilliant nameless someone

who created his amazing machine.

May your life be filled with lovely conversation,

with blessings

with choices

with amazing adventures!