I recently had a conversation with my oldest child.  He is very tall for his age, but is a "gentle giant."  We were discussing bullies in school, and he told me that he didn't think there any bullies in the school.  I told him there were, he just didn't see them because they were afraid of him.  It brought to mind, though, thoughts about perspective.  How often do we say that something doesn't exist (or does exist) or attribute a motive to someone?  In reality, the thing exists (or doesn't) or the motive truly doesn't exist, it is just our perception of the event/situation.  How often do we read the bad into a situation when really, it is a flawed human trying his or her best with the information he or she has?  I know I need to be more conscious of this.  Maybe, by not reading my own issues into a situation, it at least won't escalate into some sort of a show down.  Please, Lord, help me to step out of situations and try to see them as they truly are, and not to read my own "stuff" into them. 

September 11, 2013

Twelve years ago, everyone's lives changed in ways we never could have imagined.  I was pregnant with my first child, who was due in just over 2 weeks (he ended up being born 3 days later, amid all the uncertainty and chaos).  My mom was coming to stay and was on a plane waiting to take off when all planes in the country were grounded.  She made it from Chicago to Minnesota that day, through sheer force of will and determination.  My sister made it the day my son was born.  I have no idea how, since no planes were flying yet.  If I ever doubt that my family loves me and cares for me, all I have to do is remember that time.

Bigger is this:  my children have never known a time when our country was not at war, ever.  All the safety precautions, which still seem so unnatural to me, are completely normal to them.  They do not know what it is like to not live with the shadow of an attack looming over them.  It saddens me that my children have grown up with the concern of terrorists being such a part of their lives, they don't question it.  My children are young, and yet they know what a terrorist is and what to do if an attack occurs. 

On the other hand, I am proud of how our country pulled together after the attacks.  Suddenly, it didn't matter if you were a democrat or a republican; we were American.  We helped each other.  Our sense of community was strengthened.  Our compassion was allowed to show.  It is horrible that it took a horrendous tragedy to remind us of what it means to be Americans, but we were reminded.  Now, if only we could remember that lesson, without the tragedy, to me, that would be a win over terrorism.

School just started yesterday for all three of my children.  It is cliché to say, but where does the time go?  They are growing up so quickly! 

I am getting ready to go to Woodbadge tomorrow (Boy Scout adult leader training).  I wish I could say that I am super excited to go, but the best I can do is say that I have made my peace with going.  I need to run and try to set up a tent before tomorrow.

Here We Go

Ok, I haven't done this before, and have been thinking a lot about it.  I have no idea if I will ever be the only one to read this, or if others will pop by sometimes.  We'll see.

Ever notice how life gets busy, and if you aren't intentional about something, you can lose it?  This happens whether it is friends, faith, knowledge, or activity, to name a few.

I took the kids on a walk today, and a good friend joined us.  It was a beautiful night, and a wonderful walk.  Yes, the kids were complaining and fighting most of the time.  Yes, I was ready to scream at times (why couldn't they just enjoy the beautiful night?!).  But, it was wonderful to spend time with the kids in an unstructured environment and to spend time with a friend, just hanging out.