If you can't sing the rest of that title, then that means you have not seen the "The Music Man", and you don't know that people in Iowa are not nice. At least that's what seeing that show 40 or 50 times during your childhood would lead you to believe. I found out differently this week.
This is the end of a week that has had its share of ups and downs. It was, in fact, one week ago when I got a text from my (typically stoic...pain-wise) son.
Him: I have a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen. What all's in there?
I think..."Oh no....this can't be good"...
but I text: Could be lots of things..appendix, liver, kidneys...what's up?
The bad news is that he was on a road trip that was essentially exploratory-business in nature. (I made that category up...WHAT? You've never been on a trip that was EXPLORATORY BUSINESS?)
He was at that time almost to Kansas City. That was 482.5 miles from where I was sitting at the time of his first text. It was the first of many that evening. Each one was a little more desperate and a little farther from home (meaning ME).
By Des Moines, IA things had definitely not gotten any better and had in fact, gotten much worse. He was much less stoic. His voice (we were speaking by now) was coarse and clipped. He was more than a little embarrassed. He was in a vehicle with a woman he has just met that day. She had offered him this trip to introduce him to people in her corporation..one in the wind industry in which he is interested.
Clearly, this was not the first impression he had wanted to make. But by Cedar Rapids, his ego had gone out the door along with his pain theshold. They headed straight to the ER.
To cut to the chase (I pun), he had emergency surgery..appendectomy. St. Luke's hospital treated him like a prince, the precious young woman giving him entree to the wind industry stayed nearby and made sure everything was okay (Thanks, Rachel!). Then, a friend of a friend showed up at his bedside bearing Dr. Peppers, Nutter Butters, and magazines! (Thanks, Kristi!).
My attempts to get to him were foiled by the giant distance (805 miles) and the airline schedule. But it did start me thinking about the basic goodness of so many people. While I was far away, unable to sleep with worry about my baby boy...well, okay...my youngest child....God, whose plans and reach is much farther than my own measly ones, had it all handled. He had Chase exactly where he wanted him for this surgery and with exactly the doctor/hospital/caretakers that he should have had.
I deeply appreciate all the sweet people who cared for my son when they didn't have to. And who restored my faith and gave me a little nudge to keep an eye out for opportunities to do the same. What I have found is that since I have been looking, I have been able to fine those little opportunities everywhere.
And I'm finding that's a better way to live each day.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
I've Got Your Number and I've Got Your Back
The Calendar may still say July...which I realize is technically still summer. But this is, in my Pavlovian-type mind actually the beginning of fall. I come to this conclusion because I started "Back to School" today.
For me: First day of school = Fall.
Fall = Football.
I heart Football. Alot.
Peewee football. Optimist Football. High School (Go Pampa Harvesters. Yea Perryton Rangers. Get 'em Miami Warriors.) College Football is the absolute best. I love pro because of 33. Some of you may know about that little side game.
I grew up watching my big brother play football. I continued by spednding years enjoying watching my son play football and was proud to see him become a Pampa Harvester.
I love everything that goes with it. The two a days (that's WATCHING THEM, not practicing), the scrimmages, the crisp fall air, the whistles of the refs as the game starts, the sounds of the crowd, the cheerleaders, the band. I love it all.
That's why, when I heard this song today, I'm pretty sure I will make it my theme song for the fall season. WHAT, you don't have a theme song for the fall? You mean the average person doesn't do that? Well, they should. I do. You can share mine. And you will want to when you hear this. It sent a little shiver up my spine.
I think football players understand teamwork. They learn how to have each others back..how to stick together. Lessons that help them in life. Somehow, that just gets to me.
Can't you just hear the ref's whistle blowing right now? Yes sir, we'll take the ball.
For me: First day of school = Fall.
Fall = Football.
I heart Football. Alot.
Peewee football. Optimist Football. High School (Go Pampa Harvesters. Yea Perryton Rangers. Get 'em Miami Warriors.) College Football is the absolute best. I love pro because of 33. Some of you may know about that little side game.
I grew up watching my big brother play football. I continued by spednding years enjoying watching my son play football and was proud to see him become a Pampa Harvester.
I love everything that goes with it. The two a days (that's WATCHING THEM, not practicing), the scrimmages, the crisp fall air, the whistles of the refs as the game starts, the sounds of the crowd, the cheerleaders, the band. I love it all.
That's why, when I heard this song today, I'm pretty sure I will make it my theme song for the fall season. WHAT, you don't have a theme song for the fall? You mean the average person doesn't do that? Well, they should. I do. You can share mine. And you will want to when you hear this. It sent a little shiver up my spine.
I think football players understand teamwork. They learn how to have each others back..how to stick together. Lessons that help them in life. Somehow, that just gets to me.
Can't you just hear the ref's whistle blowing right now? Yes sir, we'll take the ball.
Monday, July 19, 2010
In the Good Ole Summertime
I took a little walk down memory lane a few days ago. I was cleaning out a storage building and came across three cd's of photos from 8-10 years ago. It got me to reminiscing about years past. I had a few laughs and a few tears. These, thankfully were witnessed only by my dog and my recliner...both which which I have an unusually close relationship. Some might say unhealthy. And by some, I mean my doctor and my scales.
But I digress.
Anyway, looking at all those pictures brings me to this conclusion: I just LOVE SUMMERS. Because I am entering my 28th year of education (and some of you can relate), I have always saved everything up for the summer. Vacations with the family, girlfriend trips, 10 foot high piles of ironing, housecleaning, repairs to the home that I intend to do and never do until....summer.
Truly, my children understood this. Mommy was just too busy during the school year to do...well, anything I guess. (According to them) There were perks to being a teacher's kid. All the paper clips and markers they cared to play with after school. They went along on their share of school-related errands and trips. My kiddos starred in pep rallies, homecoming parades. They dressed in miniature cheerleader outfits and football uniforms. They were babied by cheerleaders and their mothers when I was a cheerleader sponsor. They were children that literally belonged to the small town that we lived in at the time.
My daughter, now aged 25, swears that when she got sick at school when she was in elementary (and I taught high school) that I made her sleep on a bean bag under my desk while I continued to teach on about whatever I thought was absolutely essential for those young minds to know. Since I was at that time a business teacher...it was probably how to change an element on the IBM Selectric II. Real helpful, huh? By the way, for those of you under the age of 50....that's a typewriter. Very fancy in its day. We were cool like that. Oh my. I guess the point is that I was a very dedicated professional. Do not stop teaching for anything. Or at least that's the story my daughter tells. Now, as a principal....I would scold a teacher for doing that.
And then I would go in and smooch on their children. But I've mellowed. Alot.
Now....I hang my head as I recall one April when my son...having, I'm sure, been told many times that "we'll have to wait till summer" when asking me various questions.....asked me this question....the question that would sear my soul and heart..twinge my conscience...sent me right home from work where I would stay and pay special attention to my family THAT VERY NIGHT. What was that question??????
"Mom, this summer....could you bake us a cake?"
He got his cake that evening.
With a flourish and a hug.
Have a great REST of your summer. Encourage each other.
But I digress.
Anyway, looking at all those pictures brings me to this conclusion: I just LOVE SUMMERS. Because I am entering my 28th year of education (and some of you can relate), I have always saved everything up for the summer. Vacations with the family, girlfriend trips, 10 foot high piles of ironing, housecleaning, repairs to the home that I intend to do and never do until....summer.
Truly, my children understood this. Mommy was just too busy during the school year to do...well, anything I guess. (According to them) There were perks to being a teacher's kid. All the paper clips and markers they cared to play with after school. They went along on their share of school-related errands and trips. My kiddos starred in pep rallies, homecoming parades. They dressed in miniature cheerleader outfits and football uniforms. They were babied by cheerleaders and their mothers when I was a cheerleader sponsor. They were children that literally belonged to the small town that we lived in at the time.
My daughter, now aged 25, swears that when she got sick at school when she was in elementary (and I taught high school) that I made her sleep on a bean bag under my desk while I continued to teach on about whatever I thought was absolutely essential for those young minds to know. Since I was at that time a business teacher...it was probably how to change an element on the IBM Selectric II. Real helpful, huh? By the way, for those of you under the age of 50....that's a typewriter. Very fancy in its day. We were cool like that. Oh my. I guess the point is that I was a very dedicated professional. Do not stop teaching for anything. Or at least that's the story my daughter tells. Now, as a principal....I would scold a teacher for doing that.
And then I would go in and smooch on their children. But I've mellowed. Alot.
Now....I hang my head as I recall one April when my son...having, I'm sure, been told many times that "we'll have to wait till summer" when asking me various questions.....asked me this question....the question that would sear my soul and heart..twinge my conscience...sent me right home from work where I would stay and pay special attention to my family THAT VERY NIGHT. What was that question??????
"Mom, this summer....could you bake us a cake?"
He got his cake that evening.
With a flourish and a hug.
Have a great REST of your summer. Encourage each other.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Just Say Thank You
Have you ever just felt convicted from a conversation? I have. Today. In casual conversation, my sister mentioned a Beth Moore video that had really spoken to her. When she described the nature of it...I felt like little electrical pulses were going off inside me. I had to see this video.
So I found it and watched it and it is ....well, you need to judge it for yourself. It's about rejecting God's Encouragement by rejecting encouragement that others are giving us on a daily basis.
We've all done that, right? When someone says, "Wow, that outfit looks pretty on you!" and we respond, "I've gained so much weight" or "It's so old" or whatever negative comment you can come up with to attach to the outfit that....face it....you KNOW you look good in.
As usual, Beth Moore brings to light how by rejecting their encouragement we are in fact calling them liars. And also not receiving God's encouragement. And also....think about this...What if they had to sort of muster up the courage to give you that compliment? And then you shot it down?? What are the odds of THAT person complimenting you again? Or working up the courage to compliment another person again soon? Ummmm....did your DIScouragement also cheat another person out of some ENcouragement?
None of us would willingly (if we thought about it for more than 1/2 second) do that on purpose...but don't we just do this automatically out of a sense of misguided humility?
My husband told me the other day that "sometimes you do go on" about things. And I can only imagine how you are thinking.... "Boo, there is only so much you can say on this subject"...but believe me, I am talking to myself.
I vow to receive compliments and encouragements. And I hope you will too. Because YOU are awesome.
Here's the video:
So, just say Thank You. And then reflect on how blessed you are.
So I found it and watched it and it is ....well, you need to judge it for yourself. It's about rejecting God's Encouragement by rejecting encouragement that others are giving us on a daily basis.
We've all done that, right? When someone says, "Wow, that outfit looks pretty on you!" and we respond, "I've gained so much weight" or "It's so old" or whatever negative comment you can come up with to attach to the outfit that....face it....you KNOW you look good in.
As usual, Beth Moore brings to light how by rejecting their encouragement we are in fact calling them liars. And also not receiving God's encouragement. And also....think about this...What if they had to sort of muster up the courage to give you that compliment? And then you shot it down?? What are the odds of THAT person complimenting you again? Or working up the courage to compliment another person again soon? Ummmm....did your DIScouragement also cheat another person out of some ENcouragement?
None of us would willingly (if we thought about it for more than 1/2 second) do that on purpose...but don't we just do this automatically out of a sense of misguided humility?
My husband told me the other day that "sometimes you do go on" about things. And I can only imagine how you are thinking.... "Boo, there is only so much you can say on this subject"...but believe me, I am talking to myself.
I vow to receive compliments and encouragements. And I hope you will too. Because YOU are awesome.
Here's the video:
So, just say Thank You. And then reflect on how blessed you are.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What's in a Name?
I was at a family reunion and I learned that a cousin of of mine's grandchildren called her "Go-Mama"....don't you just love that? I'm highly interested in that because I am expecting my first grandchild.
To clarify, my daughter is expecting my first grandchild. Hubs has corrected me on this many times, yet I continue to say that I'm expecting a grandchild.....well, I AM expecting a grandchild, right???
Anyway, I digress, because isn't Go-Mama the cutest nickname? But since it's already taken, my little sweet-pea will have to think of something on her own. Whatever it is, will be JUST FINE. After all, my brother-in-law is happy with the name "Duh", which he was labeled after his oldest grandchild started that (we suspect derived from "Dad", but really, who knows?
My nickname since I was a child has been Boo and even my own children call me Boo. They contend that I long ago learned to block out the name "Mom" and quit answering to it. I deny this but they insist that it is true. Many of the teachers at the school where I am a principal call me Boo and most all of their children do. My husband calls me BooMama or sometimes BooMammy (the latter NOT being my preference!!) But I suspect my name will be some form of Boo or BooMama.
I love it when people have cool Granny names....
Some I have heard lately:
Honey
Missy
Mena
GiGi
and one I had never heard:
Mater
Well, enough rambling about this subject....I may not be Go-Mama....but I'm on the road again right now...after all, it's SUMMER!
To clarify, my daughter is expecting my first grandchild. Hubs has corrected me on this many times, yet I continue to say that I'm expecting a grandchild.....well, I AM expecting a grandchild, right???
Anyway, I digress, because isn't Go-Mama the cutest nickname? But since it's already taken, my little sweet-pea will have to think of something on her own. Whatever it is, will be JUST FINE. After all, my brother-in-law is happy with the name "Duh", which he was labeled after his oldest grandchild started that (we suspect derived from "Dad", but really, who knows?
My nickname since I was a child has been Boo and even my own children call me Boo. They contend that I long ago learned to block out the name "Mom" and quit answering to it. I deny this but they insist that it is true. Many of the teachers at the school where I am a principal call me Boo and most all of their children do. My husband calls me BooMama or sometimes BooMammy (the latter NOT being my preference!!) But I suspect my name will be some form of Boo or BooMama.
I love it when people have cool Granny names....
Some I have heard lately:
Honey
Missy
Mena
GiGi
and one I had never heard:
Mater
Well, enough rambling about this subject....I may not be Go-Mama....but I'm on the road again right now...after all, it's SUMMER!
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