Scare with a Silver Lining

  "Sus, there's no silver lining in this!"  These were the words delivered by my husband after the police officer left our house on Saturday evening. 

  My oldest son was the victim of a scam perpetrated by a drifter coming to our house while my eldest was home alone.  This stranger first craftily discovered that we weren't home then wove a tale depicting himself as a contractor who had recently spoken with my husband, who is a contractor by trade and had his truck with his logo parked out front.  He proceeded to paint the hard-luck picture that he had been towed through no fault of his own and needed $34 to get his truck back.  With the belief  this man was an acquaintance of his Dad and would return the borrowed money plus extra for inconvenience, my son decided to help this man.  He allowed the stranger in his car and drove him to the bank where he was further swindled into "just in case of taxes" money equaling a total of $50 of my son's hard-earned wages.  Out of the goodness of his heart my son then offered to drive this man to get his non-existent truck.  Thankfully, he declined with declarations of gratitude and "you've helped me out so much, man." 

  You can imagine that my jaw dropped incrementally with each frightening detail  until it hovered just above my kneecaps.

   After the police had been summoned (and recognized- turned out our officer was a relative of a relative...small world), reports taken of this 6'1", very well mannered man with a beard the drifter was located.  Of course he lied again- saying he'd return the money in the morning once his parents wired him funds.  Sad to say there was no resolution.  Legally there was nothing the police could do.  Our son had "willingly" handed money to this man.

  My son was angered at the thought of his lost funds.  My husband was horrified that this man had the audacity to come on our property and approach our child.  I couldn't stop the trailer of horrific "could-have happened" video from playing through my mind.  This scammer was in a car...alone...with my son- who drove him to a bank and used his debit card to withdraw money and hand it over.

  I hate that my son's trusting acceptance has been tarnished if not obliterated.  However, if he had to be swindled, at least it was in a non-violent manner that could perhaps stop him from being so gullible and hurt in the future.  The silver lining was in the golden cast of our son's Guardian Angel that answered the door with him and wrapped those wings around him on the drive to the bank and nudged that man on his way instead of accepting a ride elsewhere.  I am grateful this lesson on the hard-knocks of life cost  mere dollars, anger, frustration, and lost trust...and not the stuff of headlines that could have ruined us with tears for life.

  I share this with you to remind you to cover those you love with prayers for protection each and every day...and of course, to have those safety discussions that might prevent dangerous situations.  If there must be tough lessons learned...would that they be learned from "nice" bad guys.

Happy Thanksgiving!

  During our Thanksgiving meal (more like a feast!) we passed a candle around the table.  Each person present was given the opportunity to say what they were thankful for.  Family seemed to be the theme... 

  One by one- adults and children alike shared the bounty that flowed in their life.  I was moved by the numerous shout-outs to this big, huge, loving, welcoming, warm, crazy, fun FAMILY.

 There were giggles for the young-loves mentioned.  Tears accompanied the members we've lost.  Prayers for those gathered and others not able to join us.  We cheered our hosts and blessed the food...and dug in- to way more than the food.  Yes, we broke bread, sliced turkey, and doled out stuffing.  We also told tales, caught up on life, and cackled with hilarity.  

  Bellies were full and hearts overflowed with a chance to share a meal and time with those we love.


  May you have the profound blessing of being with those you love this Holiday Season- where Thanks is given for the many, many, MANY BLESSINGS that cover you and fill your life!

Just Right...or Just WRITE!

  But what if I have nothing to say?  Write anyway.

  But...what if my writing is awful?  You will make others feel really comfortable in their abilities.

  Ok- I can dig those responses to the voice that continues to plague my creative urge.  Plagued or not- I'm NOT stopping.  I WILL write until the words are no more... then..I.. will..squeak...out..a..few...more...syllables. 

Why?  Because I can.  And because it is a responsibility- a joyful one at that!

There is a certain freedom in realizing that perfection is overrated and just putting a thought out into the starry universe might actually encourage someone to leap their latest hurdle or perhaps put words to that haunting melody that won't loosen it's grip on free memory space- not even at 3 a.m.

  What are we waiting for?  Time to live our BEST lives now.

  I was looking at the fraying curtains hanging in my living room today and instantly thought of the crisp white linens I had been saving for summer- sadly, still packed in the storage bin in my attic.  Why are they packed away in my attic at the start of September?  Because I was imagining them hung when my walls are freshly painted and carpet is laid.  Such a silly thought- they weren't even brand new when I bought them.  Why not hang them and have crisp white curtains that freshen the room? 

  What good is waiting to WRITE until the wordsmithing genie grants that illustrious sentence which oozes chic and humorous undertones to the intelligent, deep, and thought-provoking wisdom we'd like to share with the world?  What if we wait to journal until the children have given us memorable events that we can pass on to their children's children?  What if we let minutes, hours, days, months, and years go by without recording a simple sentence that made us smile.  What if we forget that it's ok to JUST WRITE- especially when no one else will read it?  We will end up with blank pages and fuzzy memories of a distant day that held no importance to the grand scheme of life- except to that child that asks "Mommy, what did I used to do that made you laugh?"  One of my favorite journal entries is a simple recording of what I was doing in that very moment- Laying in bed at the close of day with my husband softly breathing beside me and my newborn son snuggled up close to my heartbeat.  I then sketched that moment (to the best of my sketchy ability) so I wouldn't forget the tenderness within those very minutes.  How grateful I am to have that memory, from ten years ago, to pull out.

  Perfection is a plague...the cure is simply- put pen to paper, paintbrush to canvas...heck..paper is fine too!  Lend your voice to the wind, let your feet leap about, share a thought with another soul, photograph your favorite scene, plant a seed and watch the miracle that unfolds, pick up that hammer and hang that picture you are storing on your spare room floor...will a bit of crookedness rob it of the initial surge of beauty that stirred your soul?  There's a reason the logo "Just Do It" was so grandly applauded-- our thoughts can stop what is meant to be enjoyed, shared, and lived out.  Perhaps still the thoughts and trust your instincts- have fun and Just WRITE!

  

Happy Birth-ing Day Mom!

It's my birthday...Yay to the past 43 years I've been on this Earth! 

It's my BIRTH day... an ode to the mother who pushed through the contractions, pain, and terrific storm that blew into the Cleveland area during the hours of my arrival to greet, kiss, and welcome her fifth born child.

  Mom...Mommy...Mother...Mama... you have the gift of Joy that enables you to see Faith when others see failure.  You are the mother of twelve children and you cherished us as greater than any physical wealth that could have lined your pockets, adorned your neck, ears, or fingers with costly jewels.  You valued LIFE above all the stress that could come with adding another to your table, home, or already packed station wagon... For this,  I thank you. You offered me my breath in order that I may fill my lungs with the hope of eternal life.  You fashioned my legs, hands, and feet that I may travel through this life bringing a bit of joy, sustenance, and comfort to others that I will interact with throughout my own existence.  You could have easily stopped being open to life after the first, second, third, or fourth child...and even after my own birth...yet you allowed twelve children to grow within your heart and home always knowing there was a greater plan than the thought of your own comfort.  You even gifted us with three more souls in Heaven that would pray for us to be able to one day meet them since they were to only see your womb before being called home.  How does one give thanks for something so grand as the opportunity to gaze upon stars, learn from the hardships and hilarities of a huge family, swim in oceans, lakes, and ponds, meet thousands of people from around the globe, drink in glorious sunsets, marvel at the moonlight, slink through misty gardens, dance across a flower-laden field...revel in life-changing relationships, and ultimately offer new life to this world through my own gift of motherhood.

Mom, I don't know that I can ever properly fashion the correct words to let you know I am so very grateful for your willingness to generously offer the gift of life to your fifth-born child. As your fourth daughter I know that there has always been a press on you for your time- I am in awe of your talents to bring fun to every day as I face my day-to-day mothering of my own seven children.  Thank you for the gift of my life.  Thank you for the gift of Faith.  Thank you for loving me into my adult life.  I love you Mom.  Happy Birth-ing day!    

I See Skies of Blue...

Summer is here!  Yes, HERE...as in "x marks the spot"!  Who would have thought that whilst we were still shoveling out the great-white North, the seedlings buried underground were busy doing their seedling business.

  And now, as temperatures soar and the skies turn a brilliant blue there is a hazy buzzing that fills the air somewhat sweetly (if you don't think about the fuzzy wood bees that are making that particular music).

 "All good things come to those who wait."  "Patience is a virtue." "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."   "Turn, turn, turn."...and so on...

  Basically, I'm saying...it IS summer...officially SUMMER.  The summer solstice happened three days ago...soooo-- no take backs! 

  Cool ideas- not original...but fun:  ride bikes, swim in the lake or ocean (if desperate- puddles do count) , catch fireflies, roast marshmallows, build s'mores, go camping, tube a river, lay on the grass and point out bunnies and angels in the clouds (if desperate- anything can look like a rhino), eat a popsicle, have a campfire, teach a child a campfire song, catch a bull-frog or hand that task to a teen-age boy or brave four-year old girl, roll down a grassy hill, star gaze, find beach glass, go fishing, [insert your ideas here].

  Whatever you do to celebrate summer- do it with GUSTO and relish the moment!

  For...   “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” ― Maud Hart Lovelace, “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.” ― Kellie Elmore,  “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald