There was so much going on in my life leading up to, and during September, 2001. The day before the World Trade Centers were attacked, we had just been through a most stressing day. Due to an accident my husband had gone through at his place of employment a few months earlier, we were appointed to court for the deposition in Charleston, SC. That erupted into quite an ugly scene. But with much faith and prayer, we preservered.
When I arrived at work the next morning, September 11, 2001, my Manager asked me if I knew what was going on at that moment. Of course, I said no. She then said, "Come to the Television"! I was right on time to see a plane crash into the second Tower. I couldn't, at that moment, comprend what was happening. It all seemed so surreal.
We had lived in New York for about 32 years, and I'm still very much attached to the city. Also, we have many family members that still call New York home. I started to cry as we watched the horrific events unfold on TV. I carried a terrible headache for several days after that. Nothing could have prepared any of us for what happened that day.
We all should have learned some very valuable lessons: Life is uncertain; make the most of it. Love each other every chance we get. Embrace and cherish family and friends. They are more precious than we realize and know.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Parents, Kids and Profanity
When my youngest daughter was still sitting in her high chair; she must have been about eighteen months (18) old, she used the F----- word to a family friend. He was in her face using "baby talk" to her. I would guess at that point she didn't appreciate it and she was letting him know as verbally as she knew how at her age.
The young man started to laugh at her, but I interceded. To my thinking, laughter would have been an approval. I said to my daughter "No, you can't say that! That is an ugly word. Don't ever use it again!" My little precious baby started to cry. Then she in turn said to me "Well, Mom, you says that word! So, Why can't I?" Daddy says that, too!"
I then and there let my child know that even Mommies and Daddies can be wrong about many things. That certainly was one of them! The 'Profanity' episode opened my eyes that evening. We are our children's first teachers and role models. We must be careful of what we say and do
in their presence. I realized that cursing and profanity are indeed rude and ugly. I prayed and trained myself to think before I speak.
I must say, at this point, more than thirty years have gone by, and I don't take the occasion to
use profanity. Now that daughter is 30 years old,and sometimes she'll call me to say, "Mom, I said a naughty word out of anger. Iknow it is wrong to do that! I'll be more careful next time!
The young man started to laugh at her, but I interceded. To my thinking, laughter would have been an approval. I said to my daughter "No, you can't say that! That is an ugly word. Don't ever use it again!" My little precious baby started to cry. Then she in turn said to me "Well, Mom, you says that word! So, Why can't I?" Daddy says that, too!"
I then and there let my child know that even Mommies and Daddies can be wrong about many things. That certainly was one of them! The 'Profanity' episode opened my eyes that evening. We are our children's first teachers and role models. We must be careful of what we say and do
in their presence. I realized that cursing and profanity are indeed rude and ugly. I prayed and trained myself to think before I speak.
I must say, at this point, more than thirty years have gone by, and I don't take the occasion to
use profanity. Now that daughter is 30 years old,and sometimes she'll call me to say, "Mom, I said a naughty word out of anger. Iknow it is wrong to do that! I'll be more careful next time!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
A Hint of Autumn
The mornings are cooler, quieter. It is still dusk dark when I awake at about 6:50 AM most mornings. I splash my face and eyes with cold water, wash my hands, dress hurriedly, and head out the door. The Hummingbirds have all but disappeared. I miss them already. They are so tiny, but so full of life! They are probably on their way to Cancun, Mexico, or some other exotic locale for the winter months.
My dogs were always jealous when I was communicating with the birds and not to them. They always wanted to be the center of my universe. Now that the cool weather is almost upon us, the dogs and I shall feel freer to just exist and to become truly alive.
Going for walks in the early mornings, reading the Bible and the Newspapers, can all become rituals on these cool and wonderful mornings with gorgeous sunsets as added bonuses. Become a morning person. If you are a retiree, you can easily arrange for a nap later in the day.
My dogs were always jealous when I was communicating with the birds and not to them. They always wanted to be the center of my universe. Now that the cool weather is almost upon us, the dogs and I shall feel freer to just exist and to become truly alive.
Going for walks in the early mornings, reading the Bible and the Newspapers, can all become rituals on these cool and wonderful mornings with gorgeous sunsets as added bonuses. Become a morning person. If you are a retiree, you can easily arrange for a nap later in the day.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Grandchildren
Grandchildren are Heaven sent! I am the proud grandparent of two precious little ones. My regret is that I don't live close to them. Although technology allows us to be virtually with them every day, that is still not the same thing as caring for them, holding them and sharing laughs, tears, small and large mishaps and triumphs.
Our granddaughter, who's seven years old, reads to me over the phone maybe two or three times a week. I always says to her, "If you can't pronounce a word, just spell it out loud; we'll figure it out together." We've been doing this now for about three years. I can truly say now she is quite a reader and speller!
Our grandson is seven months old and he's quite the comedian already. He knows how to recognize funny situations. He laughs heartily at his family when they are caught up in some
compromising endeavors. He is a wonderful little tyke; he is blessed to have the love of capable and awesome parents, and a loving, doting big sister.
Our granddaughter, who's seven years old, reads to me over the phone maybe two or three times a week. I always says to her, "If you can't pronounce a word, just spell it out loud; we'll figure it out together." We've been doing this now for about three years. I can truly say now she is quite a reader and speller!
Our grandson is seven months old and he's quite the comedian already. He knows how to recognize funny situations. He laughs heartily at his family when they are caught up in some
compromising endeavors. He is a wonderful little tyke; he is blessed to have the love of capable and awesome parents, and a loving, doting big sister.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Hot Days and Cool Lemonade
Nothing quite says 'Summer, Boy is it hot!' like a cool, frosty glass of sweetened just-right lemonade. I will walk a mile in 90 degree heat for it. Sipping the precious sweet with a sour edge brings to mind mile-high waves lapping on a far away shore; with palm trees swaying provocatively in the shadows.
The closer one gets to emptying the glass of lemonade,the farther the palm trees seem to be fading away. The imaginary breezes, the droplets of a cool mist spraying down on you,all seem to diminish as the delicious contents of the glass is depleted.
The cycle has to begin again. A tall, frosty glass of lemonade to hype away the heat and evoke images of mile-high waves lapping on a far away shore; with palm trees swaying provocatively in the shadows; while droplets of a cool mist spray all around and down on you!
The closer one gets to emptying the glass of lemonade,the farther the palm trees seem to be fading away. The imaginary breezes, the droplets of a cool mist spraying down on you,all seem to diminish as the delicious contents of the glass is depleted.
The cycle has to begin again. A tall, frosty glass of lemonade to hype away the heat and evoke images of mile-high waves lapping on a far away shore; with palm trees swaying provocatively in the shadows; while droplets of a cool mist spray all around and down on you!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Family Reunions
For families to get together to celebrate life with each other, and to have the generations come to meet in mutual respect, is so beautiful , wonderful, and rewarding; there was such an event this Labor Day Weekend.
I am blessed in meeting so many unknown cousins and other distant relatives. We acknowledged the very young and the very old. Much fun was had by all. Some of the guests traveled a long way to mingle with our clan.
We are already in the planning stages for another 'meet and greet' in 2008. We are aiming for bigger and better options each time we meet. Along the way, the Elder members try to encourage the younger generation to carry on the traditions that we are establishing along the way.
I am blessed in meeting so many unknown cousins and other distant relatives. We acknowledged the very young and the very old. Much fun was had by all. Some of the guests traveled a long way to mingle with our clan.
We are already in the planning stages for another 'meet and greet' in 2008. We are aiming for bigger and better options each time we meet. Along the way, the Elder members try to encourage the younger generation to carry on the traditions that we are establishing along the way.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
The Sandwich Generation
My Mom suffered a debilitating stroke in 1990. I was residing in New York at the time. My husband and I were raising our youngest daughter. We had sufficient income from our jobs and we were living comfortable.
Suddenly we were making plans to resign from our jobs and relocate in South Carolina to help the family with Mom . We thought Mom would be more cooperative because of all our efforts in trying to help her in her time of distress. Battling with dementia, and many other complications, Mom became really difficult to care for.
Being out of work, my husband, daughter, and I depleted our meager savings in a short period of time. We had to find employment, and fast! We found work, but the pay was insufficient. With God's help, we made things work. Caring for self, Mom, Hubby, and dealing with a preteen was difficult, to put it mildly.
Many families are caught up between generations, trying to do the very best for all involved. We did our best. At times, nothing seemed to work. but in the end, all is well.
Suddenly we were making plans to resign from our jobs and relocate in South Carolina to help the family with Mom . We thought Mom would be more cooperative because of all our efforts in trying to help her in her time of distress. Battling with dementia, and many other complications, Mom became really difficult to care for.
Being out of work, my husband, daughter, and I depleted our meager savings in a short period of time. We had to find employment, and fast! We found work, but the pay was insufficient. With God's help, we made things work. Caring for self, Mom, Hubby, and dealing with a preteen was difficult, to put it mildly.
Many families are caught up between generations, trying to do the very best for all involved. We did our best. At times, nothing seemed to work. but in the end, all is well.
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