Mother and Daughter

Well, I was able to spend the whole day with Amy and the girls. It was a great time. It had been  a couple of weeks since I had seen the girls, and oh have I missed them. And how I wish I could do the same...spend the whole day with our little Kai, he is growing up so fast... we don't want to miss making some great memories with him too!
  I realized today, how grateful I am to have daughters. When I read this letter it made me think of my Grandmothers, my Mom and it even made me think of  me, in the advancing years. It had a sweet message and so I thought I would share it tonight.
I hope you enjoy it. And as for filling up my bucket... I really was able to do that, thanks for your patience. Still, Jeff told me tonight ( surprised me ) that he is going to take me away for 2 days on a little GET AWAY. He said I still had some more to add to my bucket. So I will not write again until Sunday! I am excited!
Good night dear friends!    

 A letter form a Mother to a Daughter
"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m... going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same st
ory night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.

I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

I found the photo from here:

"No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love.  It shrinks not where man cowers, and grows stronger where man faints, and over wastes of worldly fortunes sends the radiance of its quenchless fidelity like a star."  ~Edwin Hubbell Chapin

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been."  ~Robert Brault

Prep for test!

   Well, I must be getting old, because it is time for me to have a colonoscopy. I really don’t think that I am that old but then again, I am a grandmother so….I guess I am not young as I used to be . I remember when my grandmothers were alive, back then they really didn’t go to the Doctor that often. One of my grandmothers never went, but always took Tylenol ( or something like that )every night, she said it was  just in case she did have a pain or something wrong with her. It always made me laugh when she said that.
   Both of my grandmothers lived to be in their mid nineties. They both said that they didn’t start getting sick or feeling sick until the Doctors got ahold of them, I guess they did do pretty  good on their own.

   So I decided I should write my post now while I could.  Someone asked me if I am nervous about the test? I actually am a bit, now that I met with the DR. before that I wasn’t it. She told me that two things that concerned her was that my Dad had colon cancer and that I have had Breast cancer twice. She said there can be a big connection between Breast Cancer and Colon Cancer…I did not know that.  Still I have 4 things in my favor she said and those were…I have never smoked or drank. I don’t eat fatty foods and I rarely eat red meat. Those were positive things , but the other two were not in my favor. So I really thought when I went in to meet her that this would be routine, and it still will be… but she will be looking at me a bit closer ( as she should ). I really liked her and the only thing I would have changed is how many times she mentioned the word Cancer. If you are a survivor, you realize that you don’t like when people use that word a lot or so casually. I know many of you have already had a colonoscopy and it is no big deal at all. I can’t wait till after it is tomorrow when I can report the same to you.

Still I am a bit anxious, but don’t have any gut feelings that anything is going to be wrong. Like I have said before, that anxiousness is just a side effect of cancer. No test is just routine any more, once you have cancer…it just isn’t !   I am trying to stay positive and pray that everything will happen as it should.

I will write again tomorrow when all this is behind me ( quite literally ) 

 

“A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.”  ~ Tom Stoppard

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  ~World Health Organization, 1948

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields

You know you are too old to be a parent when.....

Our son came home the other night with a concussion. He had gotten hit in the face with an elbow, while playing Fresbie in the park with some friends. It worried us because he has been in the hospital a couple of times the past year with concussions. Since we have done it so many times, we decided to wait and see how he was doing. We checked his eyes and had him put ice on his head and stay low for awhile. It was very late and he did not want to go to the Emergency room. So we did all the things we needed to do and just made sure to keep him awake, until the dizziness went away.

Jeff gets up early so he finally went to bed around midnight, so I was on duty to keep him awake at least another hour and then get up every couple of hours and wake him up. Well by 1:00 am, I was barely awake and trying desperately to keep him awake too. Finally at 1:00 we set his clock for 2:00am and I told him to make sure to wake up enough to check how he feels, then reset the clock for another hour. I kept thinking that I should be the one setting the clock every hour but I was sooooooooooo tired, and I also had to work again the next day. So I convinced myself that since he was 18 and would be away at college soon, he would have to learn to do these things anyway.
He agreed, then I said ( as I was walking out the door to my room ) and "son, if you don't wake up, then come and get me...because something might be very wrong! " As I got down the hall, I heard him laugh and then he said " Mom, do you realize what you just said?" We both began to laugh and I realized that it is a good thing he is almost grown, because I am getting to old for this parenting stuff. Some of the time when he talks to Jeff and I, we can't even hear him and have to keep asking "what did  you say?"  Growing old is harder than it looks. Yes, it is important to have your children while you are young...for this very reason. With age does come wisdom, but sometimes it comes slowly, if it comes at all!  You may be still laughing but it's true! :)

Now if there are any Doctor or nurses out there reading this, please just ignore you ever read this! :)

Good night dear friends!

"One thing they never tell you about child raising is that for the rest of your life, at the drop of a hat, you are expected to know your child's name and how old he or she is."  ~ Erma Bombeck

"The beauty of spacing children many years apart lies in the fact that parents have time to learn the mistakes that were made with the older ones - which permits them to make exactly the opposite mistakes with the younger ones."  ~Sydney J. Harris

"You know you are getting old when.. It takes twice as long to look half as good."

You know you are getting old when...

When my son and his wife lived with us this past winter (while doing their internships for college), we really had a fun time together. One of the things that stands out in my mind, (which quickly reminded me of the difference in our ages) was...when Brad got hurt or was sick, I got him the Hot Water Bottle out. ( Now just a side note here, Brad and Krystal love old things, old records, old clothes, yes they think the more vintage the better.) So when they saw the Hot Water Bottle they were thrilled, they couldn't believe I still had one of those. Then they went on to tell me, that they don't even think Hot Water Bottles are made any more. By the way they went on, I wondered if I should even be using it, or put it away so that I can sell it and be rich some day?

It was just a reminder that I am getting older! :) Oh well, it is going to happen, it just seemed it came faster than I realized. I smile every time I get that ( old, vintage ) Hot Water Bottle out and realize that I am now the Grandmother ( Nana ), and many of my things will be consider antiques before long. I guess that isn't so bad. I actually have a lot of my grandmother's things in my home, they too, are considered antiques. I love having my house filled with them, it reminds me of her home and that was a good memory. So hopefully, I provided Brad and Krystal a few sweet memories for the future!

I guess, I am ok with getting older, as long as my kids don't say jokes like this about me...

"Yo momma's so old she went to an antiques auction and three people bid on her"  Yes, that would hurt! :)

"About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age."  ~ Gloria Pitzer

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."    ~ Mark Twain 

'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years. But maturity is the glory of years."   ~ Martha Graham 

51 years and counting!

Today was my 51st birthday and I was very grateful for it. Yesterday, however was hard for some reason, I kept thinking of all the things I wanted to do and accomplish this past year but didn't. I dwelled on the cup being half empty instead of half full, so yes...yesterday was a bit of a tough day. However today, I realized that I might not accomplish everything I wanted to; but there is nothing to say that I can't accomplish it this coming year. It is a new year with all kinds of possibilities in it, so....I need to make some changes, try a little harder, be more diligent and have more faith, so that anything can be possible!

I am thankful for the chance to have had 51 years here on earth. They have not all been easy or happy years, but each one have taught me incredible lessons for which I am very grateful.

Thanks to all of you for your birthday wishes, calls and cards! I feel loved... and that is no small thing. I do wonder if I have made a difference in the world at all by my being here? Have I helped someone, been kind enough, has my example been good or bad? Yes, these are questions that have passed my mind, but instead of dwelling on that too much, I have decided to set some new goals this year, so that I can hopefully be better, stronger, healthier, happier, wiser, kinder and more obedient. Yes, I have another year to improve and I am so glad that I do! I am glad it's my birthday!!!

"Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him." ~ Aldous Huxley

"Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."   ~ Unknown

"May you live all the days of your life."  ~ Jonathan Swift

"It takes a long time to become young."   ~ Pablo Picasso

"We turn not older with years, but newer every day."  ~ Emily Dickinson

Aging... I guess it happens to us all!

As the kids are getting older they are learning rules about Jeff and I aging. They are not allowed to say... "I told you so" , if I repeat a story. The rule is ...that they act interested and just smile. Another rule is ...when I am looking for my lost glasses, they can not laugh at me if they are already on my face. They are to say, " Oh there they are" and smile. I warned Brad about something that he was laughing at me about the other day and my threat was ... when you are my age, I am going to remind you of all these things you teased me about. He laughed so hard and then reminded me that I probably won't even remember who he is, by that time.

Aging, it is a bittersweet thing. Sweet because  you appreciate time more, you appreciate your health more,  you appreciate all the lessons you have learned that the wisdom that comes with aging. Yet is is bitter because of declining health, declining memory and nobody wants or appreciates all the wisdom you have.  I am just kidding!

I don't necessarily think that is true, because I love to surround myself with people who are older than me. I love the wisdom they have and their outlook on life. They aren't rushed, they are patient and very knowledgeable on almost every subject. I did however think this little story was cute, and share it only to remind everyone that aging is going to happen to all of us, so.....be a little kinder to your parents, grandparents and people like ME!

A group of 40 year old women discuss where they should meet for dinner.
Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the waiters are cute and buff. 

Ten years later, at 50 years of age, the group once again discusses where they should meet for dinner. 
Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the food is very good and the wine selection is excellent. 

Ten years later, at 60 years of age, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. 
Finally they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant has a beautiful view of the ocean. 

Ten years later, at 70 years of age the group once again discusses where they should meet for dinner. 
Finally they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because it is wheel chair accessible and they even have an elevator. 

Ten years later, at 80 years of age, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. 
Finally they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they have never been there before.

'The years teach much which the days never knew."    ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not regret growing older.  It is a privilege denied to many."    ~Author Unknown

Talents

I remember talking to a dear friend who is now in her 70's and she told me of all the things she used to make for her kids and grand kids. She was a bit sad that now because of arthritis and poor eye sight, that she couldn't make those things now for for great grandchildren. I thought about our talents and how some times we waste too much of our lives... not fully using them or improving them . Then by the last half of our lives our bodies are not letting us use them.

I did a post back in October about a man who AFTER he retired, decided he wanted to do something with his extra time so ...he went to classes to learn how to carve and paint. I was privileged to see his work and it was unbelievable! Especially since, that isn't anything that he had ever tried in his life. Yes, I do believe we all have talents that are still  hidden and just waiting for us to look for them. This example of this man...was proof.

I have throughout my life always used my artist talents in many ways. I just think it is just pure torture to have to sit in the car, or while watching a movie and not have something to do in my hands. Throughout the years I have tried to convince Jeff of the same thing but he does not agree! :) What a waste! ( Just kidding ! )

While I was down with my knee surgery, I knew that I had to do something that wouldn't require me to get up and down a lot. So I crocheted. Having two little granddaughters, I am always looking at things to do for them. So I looked up a pattern and started making crocheted flowers for hair bows. Now I have to admit, I do tend to get carried away with things and this was no different. I was having so much fun creating these that I just kept going. I should have stopped and let my hands rest. ( that sound something like an old person would say, doesn't it?) Well, I didn't and after over 100 and some individual flowers, I couldn't use my hands for weeks. I knew I had arthritis in them but I didn't think it was that big of deal. I have lost a lot of sleep from the pain in my hands and I have lost a lot of strength in them too. They now are doing better but I have to admit, it is a bit sobering to realize that I am not getting any younger and something like that can hurt me that bad. It actually made me sad, I love creating things with my hands... that is what I do! So I guess I will have to remember to pace myself and be patient with myself.

I really hope I never lose the ability to create with my hands but as for now, I need to remember also to take care of my body. To focus on what I can do, instead of what I can't any more.  I need to look for and learn new talents too! Life is hard sometimes isn't it?

So here are our hair bows, Amy puts the clip on the back and packages them. Aren't they too cute?  But are they worth losing the ability to  use my hands for weeks.....? Maybe not! Still learning life's lessons aren't I ? :)

I do hope we will all appreciate and use the talents we do have more. What a blessing and gift they can be!

 

"WHEN I STAND BEFORE GOD AT THE END OF MY LIFE. I WOULD HOPE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE A SINGLE BIT OF TALENT LEFT, AND COULD SAY, "I USED EVERYTHING  YOU GAVE ME." ~ Erma Bombeck

"USE  WHAT TALENTS YOU POSSESS; THE WOODS WOULD BE A VERY SILENT IF NO BIRDS SANG THERE EXCEPT THOSE THAT SANG BEST." ~ Henry Van Dyke