Family and Home – Long walks and dark chocolate

Pondering prom

May 15, 2013 4 Comments

I was just there to do a favor; take pictures that the kids would like, with a decent camera. My role was photographer (not even close to professional and not pretending to be) and spectator.

One of the first cars to pull up after my friend and I arrived was my daughter and wow, she looked amazing. She had that perfect dress on and when she smiled at me, I considered how blessed I was to be here, a part of her senior prom. I could watch her from the sidelines, beside myself with emotion that was pushed way down deep, yet ever threatening to bubble to the top and overflow. But, I promised myself there would be no waterworks tonight.

As I watched the young adults begin to arrive, I was amazed at how beautiful and handsome they all looked. Since I’ve known most of them since they were in diapers, my heart lurched for them too. For some, this would be the final big event of their high school career.

They let me take their pictures, ate a wonderful meal and then the dancing began. This was a great group, not the kind you constantly have to worry about and follow around to intercept any mischief. They were content to be together.

Looking around the room casually, careful not to let my eyes linger anywhere long enough to be that nosy parent, the memories overwhelmed me. The sleepovers, the birthday parties, little league games and youth group. Many have been found eating at my table, riding in my car, sharing secrets and dreams.

We complain sometimes because we live in a small town and our kids go to a K-12 school. It’s small so it doesn’t offer as much variety or choice in sports or academics as some schools. Everyone knows each other’s business, so gossip can run rampant.

But, sitting there thinking about these kids and some of the lifelong friendships, I realized that where we fall short in some areas, we far exceed in others. We’re like family; we all come together when it’s needed. They may argue, but when push comes to shove and there is a need, it’s met.

Their futures loom just ahead of them and no one knows what tomorrow holds, but whenever they return home, they will have those of us who welcome them. We will share in their joy of accomplishments and feel sorrow in their losses.

I had been home about an hour when my daughter arrived and we went through the pictures together and discussed the night. She was happy with how things went, so of course, so was I. (and I was glad she was home and off the road early so this mom could get some much needed rest!)

Filed Under: Family and Home, Inspirational Tagged With: daughter, empty nest, Family, friend, High school, People, prom, teen

Love you mother!

May 10, 2013 2 Comments

I was blessed with one of those Moms like the one from Leave It to Beaver, only better. Hers was the shoulder I cried on, and it was her hand that I held. She was strength when I needed it and a resounding voice of wisdom during my trials and troubles.

In my early years, she was my fiercest protector, my biggest encourager, my most invested teacher and an abundant source of love and gentleness.

As I grew, she cheered me on, she poured positivity into me, and she taught me forgiveness and reminded me to turn to God for all things.

In my teenage years, she cried with me as she stroked my back, bringing hope to a broken heart. She defended me like a lioness, when she thought I’d been wronged. She never lost faith in me or what I could become. She was my mentor, my solace, my sole confidante.

When I became a mother myself, I learned to appreciate her more than ever for it was then that I recognized her sacrifices and identified with them myself.

Now, after almost 17 years, I can still remember the sound of her voice, the strength of her touch and thankfully, all the things that she taught me about love and life.

I will miss her until the day the good Lord calls me home and I am reunited with her.

For those of you who didn’t have the greatest mom, I am truly sorry and I know there are many situations out there that are heartbreaking. The good thing is, you can be that yourself, whether you are a mom or a mentor, you can give someone hope. You never know how you can be used to pour into a life until you do it.

Filed Under: Family and Home, Inspirational Tagged With: Family, God, hope, Mom, Mother's Day

Shopping with royalty

April 26, 2013 4 Comments

Today was Prom dress shopping day for the last prom ever to be celebrated in this household, so my daughter, her friend and I set out around 10:30am. We had about an hour’s drive to get to the closest David’s Bridal so by the time we arrived close to our destination, we stopped for lunch.

Next stop was the dress shop which proved to be low on stock, therefore, disappointing and fruitless, so we had to go elsewhere to continue the quest for the perfect dress.

By the time we reached the mall, I was feeling the effects of the heavy lunch and starting to feel like I could curl up on the dressing room floor and take a nap. I shook it off like any self-respecting trooper would do as I had to be fully alert for the fittings and price tags.

My youngest is quite the princess and enjoys the fanfare of modeling the dresses over and over (and over) for me and whatever loyal friend comes along for the show. The decision on which dress to choose is of vast importance and can’t be rivaled with our trivial banter. It’s serious business.

Three stores and at least ten dresses later, we think we may have found the one. Now mind you, the left-behind friends have been group-sent pictures of every one of the dresses and although they are not there to enjoy the drama, their opinions are discussed and are definitely a large part of the decision. So, while the lady in waiting for the day takes pictures and then reports what each loyal subject has to say about each dress, I wait and watch asking the price every now and then.

We found THE dress so I paid and she thanked me. I sighed a sigh of relief that the search was finally over and home was in my near future and then remembered the shoes. I mean, what’s the perfect dress, without perfect shoes to go with it? Thankfully, the shoe search was an easy one. She feel deeply and passionately in love with the second pair she tried on and at this point, I didn’t even look at the price, just bolted for the register where I got a little jolt when the very pleasant and understanding cashier gave me my total.

We were finished, at least for today. Yes, I know there will be hair and makeup and accessorizing in my immediate future.

It was 4pm and I was exhausted. It amazes me how just a few hours of shopping nowadays can turn me into a zombie. Shopping used to be like a crazy, happy fuel. Oh wait, that’s because back then MY mom was the money tree.

I am finally home and honestly, all kidding aside, I had a wonderful day with two great kids. My daughter is blessed with faithful loyal friends, (several of them) and I’m thankful for that.

I will miss this. Every, single, moment of it. I am grateful that I’ve been blessed with amazing girls and so happy that they share their lives with me and enjoy my company.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: daughter, Dress, Formal Wear, Mom, princess, prom, Shopping, teenager

Green but not for St Patrick’s Day

March 19, 2013 6 Comments

No, I didn’t go to a crazy Saint Patrick’s day party and I was not trying out a new hair color. It’s the Blistex lid and yes, it IS melted and um-hmm….I did this.

So, does anyone have a teenage daughter who likes your bathroom better because it has more or bigger mirrors? And because of this, they leave their makeup, brushes, hair ties, deodorant, etc., all over your counters? If so, you will understand this better than most.

I was in a huge rush today. I had taken off work just early enough to throw some clothes and makeup on and get out the door to a chiropractor appointment. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, my neck is very tense and out of whack!

Anyway, I decided my new hair do needed a quick touch up with the straightener, so I plug it in while I throw the makeup on. I only have a few minutes left, so I grab a huge hunk of hair and pull the straightener through and lo and behold, there is green goo all in my hair!! I was shocked and surprised, but had no idea where it had come from! After freaking out for a moment, like any good, self-proclaimed southern belle would do, I was able to calm down and get it out without damaging my hair.

As I picked up the straightener again to clean it off, I happened to look down and saw the culprit. My daughter in all her messiness had left the straightener too close to a tube of blistex and when I turned it on, it melted all over it. I had picked it up and pulled it right through my hair. I guess I can’t blame her entirely, but my counters were certainly a lot cleaner while she was out of town on Spring Break.

I told the girl who was doing my deep tissue massage at the chiropractors office the story and she got a good laugh. I didn’t want her to see green bits and think I had something nasty or leftover in my hair.

The thing is, as messy as she can be and as crazy as things can get sometimes, I am very much aware that I will miss this. Every little tiny bit of it!

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Beauty, Cosmetics, Hair, Hair straightening, mom and daughter relationship, Saint Patrick, Saint Patrick's Day, Spring break, teenage daughter

Valentines shoe box

February 14, 2013 4 Comments

I remember when my girls were young and we had to buy or make valentines for the entire class. There were big decisions to be made about who got which one. Patience was a necessity as they carefully pondered the possible ramifications of each selection. “But mom, if I pick this one, he might think I like him”, and “Which one should I give my teacher?”

Some years we would carefully transform a shoe box into a glittering, shimmering, pink or red valentine mail box. After the inevitable Valentine party with punch and cupcakes, they would bring it home and excitedly show me all of their cards. I would catch them perusing them again later in their room and maybe tucking one in the frame of their dresser mirror.

We used to make some of them together with construction paper and doilies. We would cut out shapes, make drawings and pen our own verse, then deliver to family, friends and neighbors, often along with valentine cookies. Their smiles were the only reward I needed for my help. I imagine I could still find some of these treasures if I looked in the right boxes.

Time passes and those memories grow more precious to me as I try to hold on to every one of those sweet moments. Love grows and changes and those precious little children, who captivated us at birth, weave their own unique and precious pattern deeply and permanently into our hearts. Once again, I am so grateful for all the times I took the time to really enjoy them, to look in their eyes and listen to them.

Time flies and you never know what is waiting around the next corner. Live well and spend plenty of time with your family.