Today is the type of day that is best indoors in front of a warm fire, watching old movies, and eating popcorn candy.
In the "olden days" when I was a young mother that is what we looked forward to doing. We got our chores done early and then we would close the drapes, turn off the lights and find a good old movie to watch. It was warm and cozy inside. Sometimes, we would lay out a pallet of quilts on the floor and lay on the floor, all cuddled together. That is when I introduced my children to Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Sounds of Music and old classics. And that is when they introduced me to some of the newer movies they enjoyed like The Goonies, and The Ghostbusters and others that I have appropriately forgotten the names. Now years later, it is not the movies that I remember but the warmth of the family gathered together and the sounds of laughter and bickering mingle in my mind.
My children have children now and they are making their memories with their children. I loved those years with my children but when in the midst of those years, I did not know how wonderful and precious those years were.
How could I?
I dealt with little problems, you know those little problems that come from little people? Seldom were there any big problems with them other than those I preceived as being problems. You remember the kind...the unmade bed, the flooded bathroom floors, bubble gum on the sheets, wall climbing in the halls and closets that left smudged footprints a few inches from the ceiling and below (this preceeded the development of those indoor rock walls to climb), swinging from the drapes, running naked outside.....need I go on?
Now when my grandchildren do things I say, "oh, go easy on them. They meant no harm." but then!!! Oh, my! It was tragic! How could they be so silly, or so immature. Sometimes, I heard myself saying ridiculous things like, "Stop acting like children." Oh the great one, "Stop being so happy!!!!!"
We find little things that we allow to irritate us and we allow these things to block our contentment. How disappointed I am in my lack of ability to be content!
To be content shows maturity. I strive for contentment.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." [ Deut. 31:6]
1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
I remember those years. You were (and are) such a good mother. You had your children trained to do so much for themselves. You seemed to have it all together. I was jealous of your poise in handling 4 children when I was struggling with my 3 boys! I, too, miss those years and those family times. By the way, I remember you saying once, "Grow up, Leann!" when she was about 5 and did something so typical of a 5 year old. We would probably laugh at ourselves now if we could see a replay of those years. I actually did tell one of the boys "Don't look at me in that tone of voice!" . He hasn't forgotten it. I've seen that in a comedy since then, but I said it "for real". (Your Sister)
ReplyDeleteI did the same exact thing with the boys. As I grow, I ache for a way to hold to those traditions. Now I find that sitting in front of the fire, an afaghan on my lap, cup of herbal tea next to me and Enya or some such quiet music playing . . .there's a glory to that too.
ReplyDeletemaybe I stuck my toe into maturity a little?
i remember times like that! every night the Bible story and prayers were done on one of our beds. Friday nights and Saturday mornings were spent cuddled in my parents bed, and now that i am almost 30 i still drive a little ways up the street to climb in bed with my mom an some saturday mornings. We still make pallets for the nephews and snuggle together to watch movies. and when i am with my closest girlfriends we can't sem to get close enough:)
ReplyDeleteand to respond to the comment about your reaction to the kids growing up, all parents do that, my dad would tell my us to clean up our mess...we were playing with our toys! >we don't remember that! and i don't remember my mom chasing me with a knife to make me stop sucking my thumb:) i didn't know your kids as children (well i don't remember) but i know them as adults and i think you only did amazing things for them:)
and speaking of movies, we still need to do "Gone with the Wind"
luv you :)
i hope to have the memories you have!!!! love reading your blog!!! see you guys in a few months!!!!
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