As I watched a Charlie Brown Christmas (as I do every year), I started thinking about Christmas memories of days gone by. We lived in a small 3 bedroom house from the time I was born until I was aged 12. I don't remember much about the early Christmases but we do have a few pictures. I remember one particular Christmas I convinced my mother to buy my sister a Barbie doll as a gift from me. It didn't much matter to me that my sister didn't really care about Barbies, I was just hoping she would let me play with it. Yes, that sounds terrible now but at the time it seemed like a great idea.
I remember another Christmas when I asked for an Etch a Sketch. I was hoping I'd get one and I remember seeing some presents under the tree a few days before Christmas. I kept picking them up and shaking them, running my hands along the sides and poking them. I poked the box that I hoped was an Etch a Sketch and the paper tore! Lo and behold I felt the knob and I knew it was the treasured Etch a Sketch! I was so excited, well until my mom figured it out. My punishment for poking a hole in the paper was having the present put away for a certain period of time that felt like an eternity. But the lesson was learned and I never poked a present again.
Another Christmas Eve I remember going with my mom and dad to pick up my Aunt Mildred at the A&P grocery store where she worked. She was getting off at 6:00 p.m. because the store was closing for the holiday. On the way home, my dad had the radio to WSB AM and the man on the radio was telling us that they had spotted Santa on the radar. He said, "I hope you children have been good all year! Now you better get home and make sure you go to bed early!" I was so excited. We drove around and looked at Christmas lights. Given the fact that most everyone was Protestant, most houses were lit up bright!
My mom loved Christmas and we always decorated the tree Thanksgiving night or at least sometime a few days later. She always put on Christmas music as we got out all the decorations. My mom loved "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole and to this day when I hear that song, I think of her.
On Christmas Day we always got up and opened presents. Then we ate breakfast and my mom started cooking and getting things ready to take over to my aunt and uncle's house. Paul and Helen, my aunt and uncle hosted everyone and when all was said and done there were a lot of us. Of course I had to sit at the kid's table with my cousin Ken. But that was ok. Right after the blessing, my Uncle Ben whose birthday was on Christmas Day would always say, "I sure appreciate everyone coming to my party!" After dinner we would go outside and play if the weather was good and if not, we played in the basement. One year Ken got a mini bike for Christmas and we had a blast. Later on we would pack up to go home and many times Ken would come to our house. Sometimes we would have a treat and get to go to a movie. Other times we'd sit around and play games.
When my siblings and I all were married and we started having children, the dinner shifted to my mom and dad's house. We still ate at 1:00 p.m. because that was tradition. There was a lot of love and laughter all around and I cherish those memories. Now that my mom, my dad and all of my aunts and uncles except Aunt Helen are gone, things have changed a bit. I miss all of them so much but I am so thankful for all the wonderful Christmases we spent. I hope one day my own children will have wonderful memories too.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
ABC's of thankfulness
So on Facebook someone started the 31 days of thankfulness and I'm doing that. But someone else mentioned the ABC's of Thankfulness so here goes:
A - apples (especially Honeycrisp); autumn
B - BULLDOGS! (Does that surprise anyone?); Big Bang Theory
C - Car (thankful I have a car to drive); cruising; Christmas
D - DON (my best friend, the best husband and dad ever!); Dad (miss him so much!)
E - Eternal life; Ebony (my black lab)
F - Friends and Family (Love you all!): Falcons
G - Green grass; grits
H - Happiness and Hope
I - Iris
J - Joy; Jokes
K - Kevin; Kisses; kind people
L - Laura; Love; laughter;
M - Mom (who I miss like crazy); money (which I have too little off, lol); music
N - Northpoint Community Church
O - Olympics; oranges;
P - patriots who risked everything to gain independence; Pumpkin pie
Q - Quirky people
R - Ryan; Roses
S - Sports; sight; summer
T - Trees;Time
U - Umbrellas
V - Virtue
W - Washing machines; Weight Watchers;
X - Xylophones; Xtra measure of grace
Y - youth
Z - Zzzzz
A - apples (especially Honeycrisp); autumn
B - BULLDOGS! (Does that surprise anyone?); Big Bang Theory
C - Car (thankful I have a car to drive); cruising; Christmas
D - DON (my best friend, the best husband and dad ever!); Dad (miss him so much!)
E - Eternal life; Ebony (my black lab)
F - Friends and Family (Love you all!): Falcons
G - Green grass; grits
H - Happiness and Hope
I - Iris
J - Joy; Jokes
K - Kevin; Kisses; kind people
L - Laura; Love; laughter;
M - Mom (who I miss like crazy); money (which I have too little off, lol); music
N - Northpoint Community Church
O - Olympics; oranges;
P - patriots who risked everything to gain independence; Pumpkin pie
Q - Quirky people
R - Ryan; Roses
S - Sports; sight; summer
T - Trees;Time
U - Umbrellas
V - Virtue
W - Washing machines; Weight Watchers;
X - Xylophones; Xtra measure of grace
Y - youth
Z - Zzzzz
Monday, August 27, 2012
CommoQn courtesy is sadly not all that common
The last couple of weeks I have had some experiences that I wish I could say were very unusual, but there are becoming all too common place. The experiences have been with rude people. I saw the phrase, "Common courtesy is not all that common" the other day and I said, "Can I get an amen?"
The first experience was in Kroger last week. I gathered the items I needed and made my way to the check-out. I saw a lady standing just slightly to the left of one line but not far enough over to be in the other one. So I decided she must be in line #4 so I proceeded to go toward line #3. All of a sudden I heard her say, "No, no, no don't you get in that line!" To which I responded, "Pardon me?" I thought maybe she was a bit eccentric or had some problem. She said, "I'm next in line and I'm waiting for the next available line to open." I looked around just to make sure there was no Que line, you know with the ropes, etc. where the person at the counter says, "Next" and there was none. So I said, "I'm sorry ma'am but you can't hold spots in two different lines." She glared and me and said, "Oh yes I can!" Well I decided I could either get into an argument with her or just take the high road and walk away. I decided to walk away but my path wasn't exactly the "high road" because I did get my opinion in there. As I walked away I said, "You know what? I'm having a really good day so far and I'm choosing to not let a rude person like you ruin it for me!" I proceeded to go to an open line down the way where I was greeted by a very nice cashier. When I took my receipt, I noticed she gave me the "Senior discount". Now that could have ruined my day but I decided what the heck, it's saving money right?
The second experience happened last week when I was in Athens visiting my oldest son at UGA. We had a great time and after I left his apartment, I decided to stop in at a local Chick-fil-A to use the facilities and get a soda. When I walked out of the restaurant, I noticed that the car beside me had both passenger side doors open. There was a man and 2 small children standing there and I said, "Pardon me, I'm going to need to back out." To which he replied, "No you're not." Um really? I think I just said I was leaving. I said, "Actually I am" and he said, "No you aren't because my wife is getting the baby out of the car and you can just wait." Now I'm appreciative of what it takes the get a baby out of a car, I have 3 children who are close in age and taking them to a store and getting 3 kids out of a car is like trying to juggle Jello. But the fact was that there was no car parked on the other side of them so she could certainly close the passenger doors and get the baby out on the driver's side. I really did need to leave so I just said, "Well you are presuming that I have time to wait on you but I need to get on the road, I have a drive ahead of me." I proceeded toward my car and the wife who apparently heard her hubby ordering me around, reached over and closed the door. I'm still not sure what was taking her so long but at least she had the courtesy to close the door.
I also read a blog the other day where someone was talking about children who were allowed to run wild at other people's homes and how rude it was. The writer was lamenting about how many things had been ruined or broken at their home because parents didn't make their children behave or teach them to respect other's property. One person commented that the writer cared more about their home than they did the children and basically said that children should be allowed to "express themselves". Wow! My parents never got that memo for sure! I know people hate to hear the phrase "back in the day" but this needs to be said. When we went to someone's home, our parents coached us before we went on how to behave. We were given rules to follow or we knew there WOULD be consequences. We were polite to the parents, we did not go in any room unless we were invited and we NEVER asked for something to eat or drink. If it was offered, you said "thank you" and you sat at the kitchen table to consume it. If you made a mess in the playroom, you helped clean it up. You knew better than to say "Yuck, I don't like that" or jump on furniture. Now before you say, "Well that sounds like no fun!" it really was. Of course if it was nice weather, we played outside anyway so we didn't worry about messing anything up indoors. Oh and by golly you didn't interrupt the parents when they were talking unless someone was bleeding or throwing up. We didn't go out to eat much when we were younger so if we went to a restaurant, it was a huge treat! We knew from the get go that screaming, running around the restaurant, throwing a fit, bugging the people next to you would not be tolerated. That was a sure way to not get to see the inside of a restaurant for a long time. Fast forward to the neighbor kid who came to play with my kids and I caught him standing with my refrigerator door open trying to see what he wanted. I told him that we were happy to have him play but this was not his home and therefore he was not allowed to open the refrigerator door, the pantry door or any other doors without permission. If he wanted a snack, he could ask me nicely and that did not mean, "Get me something to eat!" Yes, I have actually heard that phrase uttered by a neighbor child. To that my oldest son replied something like, "Well you can bet you aren't getting anything now!" He was right.
I guess the difference was back then children were a wonderful part of the family but the family did not revolve around our wants and needs. We learned to make our bed, pick up our toys, help with laundry, clean the house and set the table. My mom didn't really like anyone in her kitchen so we usually were relegated to miscellaneous tasks. We had lots of fun and laughter at the dinner table and afterwards, we cleaned up the dishes. When we moved to our new house and I realized it had a real dishwasher, I was overjoyed!
Anyway, it seems that these days people have forgotten their manners and are forgetting to teach their children manners. Now there are some wonderful parents out there who are doing a great job, I've taught many of their children in preschool. I had several children in my class last year who had awesome manners! But I've also noticed over the years that children aren't even taught "please" and "Thank you" consistently. I try my best to instill this in the classroom but I can't do it alone. Academics are incredibly important and I'm all for top quality education. But while we are doing that, we need to make sure children are taught character.
I also try to be courteous to people I run into during everyday life. It doesn't take much to smile at the cashier in the grocery store or to say "thank you" to the server who fills up your water. If everyone would try this, I know the world would be a happier place.
The first experience was in Kroger last week. I gathered the items I needed and made my way to the check-out. I saw a lady standing just slightly to the left of one line but not far enough over to be in the other one. So I decided she must be in line #4 so I proceeded to go toward line #3. All of a sudden I heard her say, "No, no, no don't you get in that line!" To which I responded, "Pardon me?" I thought maybe she was a bit eccentric or had some problem. She said, "I'm next in line and I'm waiting for the next available line to open." I looked around just to make sure there was no Que line, you know with the ropes, etc. where the person at the counter says, "Next" and there was none. So I said, "I'm sorry ma'am but you can't hold spots in two different lines." She glared and me and said, "Oh yes I can!" Well I decided I could either get into an argument with her or just take the high road and walk away. I decided to walk away but my path wasn't exactly the "high road" because I did get my opinion in there. As I walked away I said, "You know what? I'm having a really good day so far and I'm choosing to not let a rude person like you ruin it for me!" I proceeded to go to an open line down the way where I was greeted by a very nice cashier. When I took my receipt, I noticed she gave me the "Senior discount". Now that could have ruined my day but I decided what the heck, it's saving money right?
The second experience happened last week when I was in Athens visiting my oldest son at UGA. We had a great time and after I left his apartment, I decided to stop in at a local Chick-fil-A to use the facilities and get a soda. When I walked out of the restaurant, I noticed that the car beside me had both passenger side doors open. There was a man and 2 small children standing there and I said, "Pardon me, I'm going to need to back out." To which he replied, "No you're not." Um really? I think I just said I was leaving. I said, "Actually I am" and he said, "No you aren't because my wife is getting the baby out of the car and you can just wait." Now I'm appreciative of what it takes the get a baby out of a car, I have 3 children who are close in age and taking them to a store and getting 3 kids out of a car is like trying to juggle Jello. But the fact was that there was no car parked on the other side of them so she could certainly close the passenger doors and get the baby out on the driver's side. I really did need to leave so I just said, "Well you are presuming that I have time to wait on you but I need to get on the road, I have a drive ahead of me." I proceeded toward my car and the wife who apparently heard her hubby ordering me around, reached over and closed the door. I'm still not sure what was taking her so long but at least she had the courtesy to close the door.
I also read a blog the other day where someone was talking about children who were allowed to run wild at other people's homes and how rude it was. The writer was lamenting about how many things had been ruined or broken at their home because parents didn't make their children behave or teach them to respect other's property. One person commented that the writer cared more about their home than they did the children and basically said that children should be allowed to "express themselves". Wow! My parents never got that memo for sure! I know people hate to hear the phrase "back in the day" but this needs to be said. When we went to someone's home, our parents coached us before we went on how to behave. We were given rules to follow or we knew there WOULD be consequences. We were polite to the parents, we did not go in any room unless we were invited and we NEVER asked for something to eat or drink. If it was offered, you said "thank you" and you sat at the kitchen table to consume it. If you made a mess in the playroom, you helped clean it up. You knew better than to say "Yuck, I don't like that" or jump on furniture. Now before you say, "Well that sounds like no fun!" it really was. Of course if it was nice weather, we played outside anyway so we didn't worry about messing anything up indoors. Oh and by golly you didn't interrupt the parents when they were talking unless someone was bleeding or throwing up. We didn't go out to eat much when we were younger so if we went to a restaurant, it was a huge treat! We knew from the get go that screaming, running around the restaurant, throwing a fit, bugging the people next to you would not be tolerated. That was a sure way to not get to see the inside of a restaurant for a long time. Fast forward to the neighbor kid who came to play with my kids and I caught him standing with my refrigerator door open trying to see what he wanted. I told him that we were happy to have him play but this was not his home and therefore he was not allowed to open the refrigerator door, the pantry door or any other doors without permission. If he wanted a snack, he could ask me nicely and that did not mean, "Get me something to eat!" Yes, I have actually heard that phrase uttered by a neighbor child. To that my oldest son replied something like, "Well you can bet you aren't getting anything now!" He was right.
I guess the difference was back then children were a wonderful part of the family but the family did not revolve around our wants and needs. We learned to make our bed, pick up our toys, help with laundry, clean the house and set the table. My mom didn't really like anyone in her kitchen so we usually were relegated to miscellaneous tasks. We had lots of fun and laughter at the dinner table and afterwards, we cleaned up the dishes. When we moved to our new house and I realized it had a real dishwasher, I was overjoyed!
Anyway, it seems that these days people have forgotten their manners and are forgetting to teach their children manners. Now there are some wonderful parents out there who are doing a great job, I've taught many of their children in preschool. I had several children in my class last year who had awesome manners! But I've also noticed over the years that children aren't even taught "please" and "Thank you" consistently. I try my best to instill this in the classroom but I can't do it alone. Academics are incredibly important and I'm all for top quality education. But while we are doing that, we need to make sure children are taught character.
I also try to be courteous to people I run into during everyday life. It doesn't take much to smile at the cashier in the grocery store or to say "thank you" to the server who fills up your water. If everyone would try this, I know the world would be a happier place.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Movies and romance
Yesterday my friends and I went to see "The Sound of Music" at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. But it wasn't just any showing, it was the "Sing a long Sound of Music". We had so much fun singing along to all of the wonderful songs in this movie. We even did hand motions to "Do, Re, Mi". Yes, my children probably think we are one step away from the loony but who cares?
I saw The Sound of Music for the first time in 1965 when I was a little girl. I fell in love with the movie immediately and have seen it countless times since then. I even own the DVD. I thought Julie Andrews was amazing then and she is still one of my all time favorites. I thought Christopher Plummer was so incredibly handsome as the Captain and I loved the Von Trapp children. The scenery in Vienna and Salzburg was amazing and all my life I have dreamed of going there. It is definitely on my bucket list of things to do!
On the way home we talked about how we all loved this movie and how it truly is a classic. One theme that resonated with all of us is that it had true romance without being crude and how rare that is today. The scene with Maria and Captain Von Trapp in the gazebo is absolutely hands down one of the most romantic scenes in any movie anywhere. They profess their love for one another and tell about how they first realized they were in love. He kisses her tenderly and that scene was beautiful and romantic and no one tore anyone's clothes off. All that romance yet it was totally tastefully done and no one was panting and groping anyone. Movies of today could take lessons from the classic movies, sometimes less is more. The illusion is more poignant than seeing it play out in front of you.
Now I'm not saying I want to return to the days when I was a little girl and people didn't talk about anything. I wasn't even allowed to say "pregnant" in mixed company and everything was private which wasn't always a good thing. But to me the pendulum has shifted too far the other way and people go around telling you way too much information about their private lives, show way too much skin and are almost in your face about things that really shouldn't be shared. We need to have a little balance and restraint. I certainly don't want to go back to wearing dresses up to my neck and down to my ankles. But on the other hand, I really don't think wearing low cut tops with your assets hanging out in the workplace is acceptable nor is wearing a skirt so short that your co-workers know the color of your underwear.
I guess I'm nostalgic but I really wish film makers would realize that they can make movies that are beautiful and romantic. I'm sure people would enjoy them and maybe some of them would stand the test of time and remain a classic 50 years from now. Until then I will continue to enjoy channeling my inner Maria and belting out "The Hills are alive".
I saw The Sound of Music for the first time in 1965 when I was a little girl. I fell in love with the movie immediately and have seen it countless times since then. I even own the DVD. I thought Julie Andrews was amazing then and she is still one of my all time favorites. I thought Christopher Plummer was so incredibly handsome as the Captain and I loved the Von Trapp children. The scenery in Vienna and Salzburg was amazing and all my life I have dreamed of going there. It is definitely on my bucket list of things to do!
On the way home we talked about how we all loved this movie and how it truly is a classic. One theme that resonated with all of us is that it had true romance without being crude and how rare that is today. The scene with Maria and Captain Von Trapp in the gazebo is absolutely hands down one of the most romantic scenes in any movie anywhere. They profess their love for one another and tell about how they first realized they were in love. He kisses her tenderly and that scene was beautiful and romantic and no one tore anyone's clothes off. All that romance yet it was totally tastefully done and no one was panting and groping anyone. Movies of today could take lessons from the classic movies, sometimes less is more. The illusion is more poignant than seeing it play out in front of you.
Now I'm not saying I want to return to the days when I was a little girl and people didn't talk about anything. I wasn't even allowed to say "pregnant" in mixed company and everything was private which wasn't always a good thing. But to me the pendulum has shifted too far the other way and people go around telling you way too much information about their private lives, show way too much skin and are almost in your face about things that really shouldn't be shared. We need to have a little balance and restraint. I certainly don't want to go back to wearing dresses up to my neck and down to my ankles. But on the other hand, I really don't think wearing low cut tops with your assets hanging out in the workplace is acceptable nor is wearing a skirt so short that your co-workers know the color of your underwear.
I guess I'm nostalgic but I really wish film makers would realize that they can make movies that are beautiful and romantic. I'm sure people would enjoy them and maybe some of them would stand the test of time and remain a classic 50 years from now. Until then I will continue to enjoy channeling my inner Maria and belting out "The Hills are alive".
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Father's Day 2012
Happy Father's Day to my husband, Don and all the other dads out there. I want to talk about these two men in my life.
My dad, Herman Barnard, went to Heaven 5 years ago in February 2007. I miss him to pieces. Dad was born in a small town in South Georgia called Glennville. It is about an hour from Savannah if that helps you place it. My grandfather was a farmer and a Baptist minister. Dad never wanted to farm so at 17 he left home and moved to Atlanta and looked for a job. He lived in a boarding house for a while and worked for Tennessee Corporation. He met my mom on a blind date and they were married July 21, 1951. Dad decided that it couldn't be all that healthy to work around fertilizer so he decided to look for something else and became an insurance salesman with National Life Insurance.
When I was born in 1958, dad had 3 children and was 28 years old. The first 11 years of my life we lived in a tiny house on Oak Street. The funny thing is, I never really knew that we didn't have a lot of money. We didn't get presents except for birthday and Christmas but we didn't feel deprived because none of our friends did either. I remember my dad studying his Sunday school lesson one last time on Sunday mornings and watching "Gospel Singing Jubilee". He loved The Florida Boys and The Inspirations as well as The Speer Family and The Happy Goodmans. He used to take us to the Atlanta City Auditorium for all night singings. My dad was also a City Councilman in College Park and really cared about the city. College Park was a different place back then and it was a wonderful place to grow up. We had the small town feel yet we were still close enough to downtown to have the city feel too. My dad wanted to visit all 50 states before he died and he almost made it. He and my mom loved to travel and they were blessed to have been to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Spain, Austria, Italy, Norway, Finland and Sweeden. My dad and my uncle also met up with one of my uncle's Army buddies in London and traveled all over Western Europe to England, France, German, Lichtenstein, Monte Carlo, Belguim and many others. He was a faithful husband to my mom and I will never forget him standing by her during her illness and sitting by her bedside during the last few months of her battle with ALS. He was fortunate to have met and married another wonderful person in 2000, Ann. I know God has a plan but I still to this day don't understand why God only allowed my dad and Ann to have 7 years together. But I have the assurance that Dad and Mom are in Heaven.
The other man is my wonderful husband, Don. Don grew up in Southwest Georgia and moved to Atlanta in 1983. We met in 1984 at a Singles retreat as part of First Baptist Atlanta. It wasn't fireworks or love at first sight but we became very good friends. We all went out in a group but my friends somehow orchestrated that we end up sitting together on many occasions. I will always be grateful for their "matchmaking" skills. Later that year a mutual friend suggested to Don that he ask me out and also came to me and asked if I would consider going out with Don. I told him sure, but he has never asked. Don asked me out and our first date was on October 27, 1984. Because we had been such good friends, we didn't have to put on any pretense. I also felt like I'd known him forever, possibly because I had prayed for my future spouse since the age of 16. Back then our youth pastor told us to pray for our future spouse even though we may have never met them and might not meet them for years to come. So I had been praying for Don for 10 years without even knowing his name! But God knew. I met his family that Christmas and on New Year's Day in 1984 he proposed. We were married on July 6, 1985. (I had wanted to get married in May or June but First Baptist Atlanta was booked solid so we picked July 6.)
During our 27 years of marriage, we have faced some tough times and have had many blessings as well. I have never met anyone as hard working as Don. During the 5 years we went through infertility and through the death of my parents, he has been my rock and my encourager. I know I couldn't have made it through those valleys without him. I admire his work ethic and integrity and his gift of mercy. He loves to help people and he prays for his family and friends every day. During his time of unemployment, he kept such a great attitude and even took a job at Home Depot just to keep busy while looking for a career job. I am thankful that my children have a dad who truly loves them and wants the best for them. He lives the Christian life in front of them and is a great role model. He loves his family and enjoys spending time with us. I am so blessed to be married to him and I look forward to many, many years of love and happiness. Happy Father's Day Don! I love you!
My dad, Herman Barnard, went to Heaven 5 years ago in February 2007. I miss him to pieces. Dad was born in a small town in South Georgia called Glennville. It is about an hour from Savannah if that helps you place it. My grandfather was a farmer and a Baptist minister. Dad never wanted to farm so at 17 he left home and moved to Atlanta and looked for a job. He lived in a boarding house for a while and worked for Tennessee Corporation. He met my mom on a blind date and they were married July 21, 1951. Dad decided that it couldn't be all that healthy to work around fertilizer so he decided to look for something else and became an insurance salesman with National Life Insurance.
When I was born in 1958, dad had 3 children and was 28 years old. The first 11 years of my life we lived in a tiny house on Oak Street. The funny thing is, I never really knew that we didn't have a lot of money. We didn't get presents except for birthday and Christmas but we didn't feel deprived because none of our friends did either. I remember my dad studying his Sunday school lesson one last time on Sunday mornings and watching "Gospel Singing Jubilee". He loved The Florida Boys and The Inspirations as well as The Speer Family and The Happy Goodmans. He used to take us to the Atlanta City Auditorium for all night singings. My dad was also a City Councilman in College Park and really cared about the city. College Park was a different place back then and it was a wonderful place to grow up. We had the small town feel yet we were still close enough to downtown to have the city feel too. My dad wanted to visit all 50 states before he died and he almost made it. He and my mom loved to travel and they were blessed to have been to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Spain, Austria, Italy, Norway, Finland and Sweeden. My dad and my uncle also met up with one of my uncle's Army buddies in London and traveled all over Western Europe to England, France, German, Lichtenstein, Monte Carlo, Belguim and many others. He was a faithful husband to my mom and I will never forget him standing by her during her illness and sitting by her bedside during the last few months of her battle with ALS. He was fortunate to have met and married another wonderful person in 2000, Ann. I know God has a plan but I still to this day don't understand why God only allowed my dad and Ann to have 7 years together. But I have the assurance that Dad and Mom are in Heaven.
The other man is my wonderful husband, Don. Don grew up in Southwest Georgia and moved to Atlanta in 1983. We met in 1984 at a Singles retreat as part of First Baptist Atlanta. It wasn't fireworks or love at first sight but we became very good friends. We all went out in a group but my friends somehow orchestrated that we end up sitting together on many occasions. I will always be grateful for their "matchmaking" skills. Later that year a mutual friend suggested to Don that he ask me out and also came to me and asked if I would consider going out with Don. I told him sure, but he has never asked. Don asked me out and our first date was on October 27, 1984. Because we had been such good friends, we didn't have to put on any pretense. I also felt like I'd known him forever, possibly because I had prayed for my future spouse since the age of 16. Back then our youth pastor told us to pray for our future spouse even though we may have never met them and might not meet them for years to come. So I had been praying for Don for 10 years without even knowing his name! But God knew. I met his family that Christmas and on New Year's Day in 1984 he proposed. We were married on July 6, 1985. (I had wanted to get married in May or June but First Baptist Atlanta was booked solid so we picked July 6.)
During our 27 years of marriage, we have faced some tough times and have had many blessings as well. I have never met anyone as hard working as Don. During the 5 years we went through infertility and through the death of my parents, he has been my rock and my encourager. I know I couldn't have made it through those valleys without him. I admire his work ethic and integrity and his gift of mercy. He loves to help people and he prays for his family and friends every day. During his time of unemployment, he kept such a great attitude and even took a job at Home Depot just to keep busy while looking for a career job. I am thankful that my children have a dad who truly loves them and wants the best for them. He lives the Christian life in front of them and is a great role model. He loves his family and enjoys spending time with us. I am so blessed to be married to him and I look forward to many, many years of love and happiness. Happy Father's Day Don! I love you!
Friday, June 15, 2012
The times have changed
I was listening to some "oldies" music today and Doris Day came on singing the song, "Que Sera' Sera'". You know, the one that says "When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother what will I be?" That started me to think. These days we tell our children or our students, "You can be ANYTHING you want to be!" or "You can be anything you want to be if you put your mind to it!" I know we mean well, but should we really be telling our kids they can be anything they want to be? My parents always taught us the adage, "Anything worth having is worth working for." I don't think they ever told me that I could be anything. Let's face it folks, I knew early on that no matter how much I may have wanted to be an astronaut or a rocket scientist, it just was not going to happen. And believe it or not, no teacher ever told me that I could be one either. I did pretty well in school in English and History but math and science did not come easily to me. So no matter what, I knew that I would never have a career as a mathematician or scientist. It just was not going to happen for me. But that's ok.
I think we need to encourage our children to explore different areas and find out where their interest or passion lies. Then let them know they need to put their mind to it and work hard to achieve their goals. But as a commencement speaker said recently, "We have become more interested in accolades than achievement." It goes back to making everyone feel good about themselves so we can't have a winner or MVP so all the kids get trophies. My other pet peeve - birthday party treat bags. I wish I could find out who started that tradition and Gibbs slap him/her. Why in the world should the party participants get a treat? It should be the birthday child's day. I hate to bring up how things were when I grew up but here goes. Getting invited to a birthday party WAS our treat! We were so excited to get to go to some one's house and play games. We were also very excited to get a chance to eat ice cream and cake! That was a treat! And believe me, you didn't pitch a fit or act up because that could very well be your last invite.
Sometimes in our zeal to make things better for our children, we have actually made it worse. We have created a generation where many feel they are somehow entitled to everything. Instead of helping our children reach new heights, we have caused many to expect the achievements to be handed to them. We have also shielded them from failure and never let them experience the satisfaction of learning from their mistakes and moving on. We need to fix this somehow. It's not too late to start.
I think we need to encourage our children to explore different areas and find out where their interest or passion lies. Then let them know they need to put their mind to it and work hard to achieve their goals. But as a commencement speaker said recently, "We have become more interested in accolades than achievement." It goes back to making everyone feel good about themselves so we can't have a winner or MVP so all the kids get trophies. My other pet peeve - birthday party treat bags. I wish I could find out who started that tradition and Gibbs slap him/her. Why in the world should the party participants get a treat? It should be the birthday child's day. I hate to bring up how things were when I grew up but here goes. Getting invited to a birthday party WAS our treat! We were so excited to get to go to some one's house and play games. We were also very excited to get a chance to eat ice cream and cake! That was a treat! And believe me, you didn't pitch a fit or act up because that could very well be your last invite.
Sometimes in our zeal to make things better for our children, we have actually made it worse. We have created a generation where many feel they are somehow entitled to everything. Instead of helping our children reach new heights, we have caused many to expect the achievements to be handed to them. We have also shielded them from failure and never let them experience the satisfaction of learning from their mistakes and moving on. We need to fix this somehow. It's not too late to start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)