Mine...Not Mine

I am not sure when it changed. It was so subtle that I didn't notice it happening. For years my ears had grown accustomed to the sound of, "Mine!"

As the mother of twins, it was an all too familiar expression. Before the boys could speak they had their own preferences for which of two identical items belonged to them. It began with teething toys. They wordlessly struggled to get, "Mine!".

Then the words came. Now they "knew" which of the identical bikes were "Mine!". This identical scooter is "Mine!" This identical wii controller is "Mine!". This identical shirts is, "Mine!". This mommy is "Mine!".

But something has shifted. Some of the items are not identical as they have developed their own preferences, but that is not the change that snuck up on me. The one I can't explain is how "Mine!" has morphed into "Not mine!"

I enter the living room and pick up the basketball cards on the couch. When I ask who's they are I am quickly told (by both voices) "Not mine!"
"Who's shoes? "
"Not mine!"
"Who's book?"
Well, course, "Not mine!"

Isn't it funny. ..before everything was "Mine!" even when it wasn't. Now everything is "Not mine" even when it is! There is bound to be a spiritual lesson in there somewhere, but it is "Not mine!" (spoken with my tongue in cheek).

The Summer House



My mother and aunts playing by the summerhouse.
My grandmother made their skirts and leis just for fun.
Many a generation passed the days away in this spot!

Today I took a walk
through the corners of my mind.
I returned to a little summer house
that I'd left far behind.
It is hidden beneath the shade
of my Mimi and Grandad's trees
cooled by the whispering freshness
of a summer afternoon's breeze.
The walls are made of white lattice
covered by heavy vine.
The floors are of cool packed dirt
smoothed by the winds of time.
Many an afternoon
was spent in this shady spot
naking mudpies with sisters and cousins
in a place of forget-me-not.
Our crowns were made of lantana,
our bonds were made of love,
our music was the cooing
of a lonesome turtle dove.
Oh, to get to stay there
for just an afternoon
for childhood is just a memory,
that ended way too soon.


Last night this poem came flooding into my mind. I had to get out of bed to go type it out before it slipped away. I had been reading a book on the history of my family and their lives in O'Donnell, Tx. It brought back so many memories of the wonderful times we spent there. My childhood was so very blessed. The backyard that held this summer house was filled with all types of shade trees. It had a treehouse and a beautiful old rock fireplace/bar-b-que pit. We had so many wonderful hours of make-believe and magic. I'd love to be able to go back in time to grab one more scoop of those precious memories--to get one more hug from my grandparents; to have one more hotdog cookout; to climb up the old pear tree one more time; to be cool in the shade on a hot summer day. Nowadays the memories serve as shade for a mind that is hot with the stress of adult life. I am so grateful for the little summerhouse that stands waiting for my mind to run and hide inside---if only for a moment!

How Did It Get So Late So Soon?

“How did it get so late so soon?It's night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?”
Dr. Seuss sure captured my thoughts with that quote. It is so hard for me to believe that it is March! Time feels like it is rushing past with the speed of a West Texas wind. My babies are suddenly almost as tall as me--how did that happen? January and February are a blur.
Do you ever find yourself planning ahead and missing the present? Sometimes I don't know if it is yesterday or tomorrow and I get so busy that I forget that it is today. It sure has gotten late so soon! I need some time to be still, to slow down the hands of time. I suppose changing time is impossible, so maybe rather than trying to change time, I should try and change me. I can't afford to miss another minute, how about you?

Finally Friday---Fabulous!

Is there anything better than Friday?!?! How about a Friday when it is a little cold and drizzly outside and all you have on your agenda is to put on your cozy sweats and hangout out with your favorite people? That is a fabulous Friday in my book!

Friday is fantastic because you can look back on all you have finally finished during the week and look forward to a fun time with your family and friends!  Fridays make me happy!

May your fabulous Friday be fantastically filled with family, friends and fun!

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Hugs and Kisses this Valentine's Day!

I love...

 

my husband who lets me be me and loves me anyway

boys who giggle at night when they're supposed to be sleeping

my mother and father who live their lives generously and with great faith

my sisters who shared the magic of childhood and the reality of adulthood

my brothers-in-law who make up for the brothers I always wanted---without beating me up

my family of in-laws that spoil my children and love them to pieces

messing with my nieces and nephews (yes, I am that crazy aunt)

friends who make me laugh until my side hurts

my community that surrounds my family with positive values

my country where I am free

a career that makes a difference in the world (and in my life) and co-workers who make it fun

my God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift!

 

Happy Valentine's Day. Hope it is filled with love!

Snow Days

Don't you love days when God says, "Slow down and relax. This one is on me."? Snow days are just those kinds of days. It is as if everything is forced to come to a screeching halt and all your obligations are set aside to be replaced by rest, laughter, playing, reading and all those other things that you have pushed aside for too long. Suddenly your To Do list becomes reorganized and priorities shift from what you have to do to what you get to do.
Just the physical beauty of such days makes me stop for a moment and take notice of the blessings around me. Each snowflake, so intricate, falls slowly to the ground. It is peaceful to watch and I begin to relax. As I think of the detail of each flake it is amazing to me that the creator takes time to manufacture each one individually even though they will only last such a brief time. I consider my life. He took that kind of care and more in the creation and design of my life, yet unlike the snowflake I am pressured to rush through life before it all melts away. I think I'll use some of this snow day to slow down and remember the things that matter. I will be grateful for my amazing family, be thankful for some time to be still, and curl up and relax. This one is on God!