Have you found yourself between the lines yet? On one line is your husband and young kids. Above that line is your parents that have reached retirement and have regular monthly prescriptions. In the middle of those lines is where I am at. I feel like there is a constant ticker reminding me that we live by a certain time clock. My clock is screaming Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
My mother is 65 years old and has had many health issues. Last year was a doozy! Without getting into specifics about ailments lets just say it was a very difficult and trying time. My father will be 75 this June and deserves a Purple Heart for his courage during these health battles. Thier marriage is a true love story. Im a little biased.
My marriage however seems to be a reality check everyday. My hubby is great ...but when I look into my childhood, my memories of my parents marriage doesn't look like mine. When did they argue? When did they discuss finances? I dont remember my Dad telling my Mom not to go to the Mall...even when everything in the mall was on clearance. Oh Wait, that is one of my excuses.When did they fight over cleaning the kitchen? or yardwork? When did they find time to actually talk or even have sex? O.k I dont want that answer! Anyways, My point is that they sacrificed alot for me and my siblings. Six of us in all and I can say they made it work and made it look a little too easy.
I check in with my Dad every morning and with my Mom most nights before bed. To put some light on how close we truly are...They are my First phone call ...when im crying my eyes out or when Im screaming really loud with excitement!! They are my... Home! My go-to Peeps!
I will admit my dads advice sometimes isn't great. He will always take my husbands side in arguments. lol My mom does too but she will always add that Im really right in the end. Gotta Love the bond us women have! Regardless what needs to be done for them, I vow to make sure they are taken care of. Haircuts, Prescriptions, helping to understand medical bills... All these needs are still not as important as sittting around thier table just visiting. I get asked alot...."What do you have to talk about since you just talked to them this morning?" My reply will always be..I got to spend some TIME with my Mom and Dad. On the really special visits one of them will remember something from thier childhood and share the memories with me. I will treasure my memories of them forever and take every opportunity to make even more!!
The real important things in our life are not what keep us so busy. I find myself complaining about taking the kids everywhere, cleaning our house, sticking to the ever shrinking budget, what to make for dinner that isn't from a chain restaurant... and also finding time to have sex..lol These are really not that important. I think they are .....untill I get a call that my Moms byopsy came back positive for cancer again. Or that My dad just called an ambulance for Mom, then called me crying like a baby asking me to please get there fast.....or taking my Dad to the E.R. the night before Easter because the strongest man I know can't handle the pain in his abdomen.
Watching them get older is pretty scary. I have so much respect for all that they do for everyone around them. They put themselves last in every decision they make. They have seen the ocean only one time in their life. That was only because they went to witness a good friends wedding. I feel that I can't do enough for them. Being in the middle of raising my family and making sure that my Parents are happy and being taken care of is my life now.............and I wouldnt change a single thing!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Walmart Warm fuzzies ~from March 2010~
I had an experience last March that I just have to share..
I was at Walmart and I was waiting in a line to check out. There were maybe 3 checkouts open and tons of people. Whats new right? I was a little impatient.... Honestly, I was getting pretty upset and not exactly thinking happy thoughts.
I noticed a lady nearby that was playing one of those games with the claw that descends into a pile of stuffed animals. She was wearing a green shirt and even had her hair sprayed Green in celebration of St. Patricks Day.
I watched her load the machine with quarters for atleast 20 minutes.
I was still feeling impatient about the slow cashier I was waiting on, but the green lady was pretty amusing to watch.
Finally, I got done checking out and Miss Patty (She looked like a Patty) still didnt have a stuffed animal. As I walked by her i decided to give her a warm fuzzy. This is what I call a compliment. I went up to her and said "I love your Hair, Happy St. Patricks Day" she looked at me, smiled and said "Thank You!".. I put my cart away and I heard her scream with joy as I was walking out the doors. It was obvious that she had finally got that claw to drop a stuffed animal into the basket. Yea!!
As I was walking to my car in the parking lot, I heard someone yelling at me..Ma'am, Ma'am!
I looked behind me and it was Miss Patty holding a red teddybear. She asked me If I had any kids. I told her "Yes. I have 2, a boy and a girl." She held out the teddy bear and said "I want you to have this", I ofcoarse said "No no, you worked hard getting that" she insisted, and I took the Bear and said "Thank you"..she looked at me and said "No, Thank-YOU"...
I watched as she walked across the parking lot to her car without any stuffed animals. I got in my Jeep and had tears in my eyes. There really aren't that many genuinely Nice people around anymore. Or maybe there is..? When was the last time that you gave a total stranger a compliment? I got much more than a warm fuzzy that night....even more than a warm fuzzy teddy bear! When I got home I showed my kids the bear and explained to them the story. Gavin asked if he could have my red bear and I said no. I said I wanted to keep this one. I still have this bear in my bedroom. Its been a year and I still think of the good a simple compliment can do for a total stranger. I know how giving one felt for me. Our family has a goal of giving atleast 1 warm fuzzy to someone each day...What would be your reaction to receiving one?
I was at Walmart and I was waiting in a line to check out. There were maybe 3 checkouts open and tons of people. Whats new right? I was a little impatient.... Honestly, I was getting pretty upset and not exactly thinking happy thoughts.
I noticed a lady nearby that was playing one of those games with the claw that descends into a pile of stuffed animals. She was wearing a green shirt and even had her hair sprayed Green in celebration of St. Patricks Day.
I watched her load the machine with quarters for atleast 20 minutes.
I was still feeling impatient about the slow cashier I was waiting on, but the green lady was pretty amusing to watch.
Finally, I got done checking out and Miss Patty (She looked like a Patty) still didnt have a stuffed animal. As I walked by her i decided to give her a warm fuzzy. This is what I call a compliment. I went up to her and said "I love your Hair, Happy St. Patricks Day" she looked at me, smiled and said "Thank You!".. I put my cart away and I heard her scream with joy as I was walking out the doors. It was obvious that she had finally got that claw to drop a stuffed animal into the basket. Yea!!
As I was walking to my car in the parking lot, I heard someone yelling at me..Ma'am, Ma'am!
I looked behind me and it was Miss Patty holding a red teddybear. She asked me If I had any kids. I told her "Yes. I have 2, a boy and a girl." She held out the teddy bear and said "I want you to have this", I ofcoarse said "No no, you worked hard getting that" she insisted, and I took the Bear and said "Thank you"..she looked at me and said "No, Thank-YOU"...
I watched as she walked across the parking lot to her car without any stuffed animals. I got in my Jeep and had tears in my eyes. There really aren't that many genuinely Nice people around anymore. Or maybe there is..? When was the last time that you gave a total stranger a compliment? I got much more than a warm fuzzy that night....even more than a warm fuzzy teddy bear! When I got home I showed my kids the bear and explained to them the story. Gavin asked if he could have my red bear and I said no. I said I wanted to keep this one. I still have this bear in my bedroom. Its been a year and I still think of the good a simple compliment can do for a total stranger. I know how giving one felt for me. Our family has a goal of giving atleast 1 warm fuzzy to someone each day...What would be your reaction to receiving one?
I had to share this story. I think it showed me that saying or doing a nice thing for someone can truly be rewarding. I'll be the first to admit that I need to work on being more patient with people (ecspecially in Walmart). Warm fuzzies can't make the check out lines any faster but this one made me stop being a Grumpy butt. ........... Thank you Ms. Patty!
*Kiki
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