The Best Mother's Day Gift Ever

I have teenage boys. Teenage boys don't necessarily make days like Mother's Day the biggest priority in their lives... lol. I was prepared for that. So, of course their dad had to remind them what day it was on Sunday. But, I have to give Carlin a lot of credit... once he was reminded, he did the most amazing thing! He knows I am a John Mayer fan. He took the song "Daughters" by John Mayer and re-wrote the lyrics and then sang it for me. Here are the lyrics that he wrote:

I have a mom

She's the inspiration for this song

She stays the same,

while I just continually change

She's given all she can,

to give me a helping hand

And I begin to see,

how much she deeply loves me

So son's be good to your mothers

Mothers will love like you do

Sons become lovers, turn into fathers

So father's be good to your mothers too.

I cried. I was very touched. The effort he put into that.... well, I don't even have words to describe how meaningful that was to me. Truly the best Mother's Day gift ever!

On that note, I want to take a moment to acknowledge my Mom. I know that who I am today was largely shaped by her. All my life, I have known I was loved. I have such great memories of family time together and my Mom laughing, swimming with us, going for walks with us, playing with the dog, etc. I also learned, by example, the importance of service to others and caring for those around us. My mom has always had a very special ability to bond with babies and animals, and I know it is because they can sense her genuine love for them. She has always gotten down on the floor to play with her grandchildren, and when they are around, nothing else matters. My mom loves with a gentleness, yet fierceness at the same time. I am blessed to have her for a mother and a role model in my life. I love you Mom!

Birthday Wishes for My Man :-)

Here is Darrin in 1988 when we were first dating. Wasn't he a hottie? ;-) He still is!

I am so thankful to God that after twenty-two years together, almost nineteen years of marriage, three amazing kids and a lifetime of experiences (good, bad, and everything in between) that we still love each other and have fun together. Life is not always easy, but we've always had each other.

Darrin, your gifts of wisdom, teaching and meeting people where they are at have blessed so many, and I am so proud of you! You have taught me so much over the years, and I am still always learning more and more from you. Thank you for being such a good husband and dad. Thank you for always finding ways to make me laugh and look at the lighter side of life. I love you always and wish you an amazing birthday. It is my prayer that the many ways you bless others comes back to you and then some....

Happy Birthday Sierra!

My baby is 13 today! It so hard to believe! I am so proud of my girl! She is smart, creative, artistic, loving and accepting of everyone. She has a very big heart and is always wanting to make sure people feel included and loved. When I think about who I was at 13, I am amazed at the self-confidence and inner strength my daughter has already at her age. I know she will do well in life, and the people she will have in her life will be very blessed! I thank God for the gift of this girl, who she is, who she will become, and the many ways she will live out her calling throughout her life. She has brought many blessings to our family (even if her brothers don't always see it that way... hehe!)

Sierra, be blessed today... may you be surrounded and filled with love and joy! Your Dad and I love you more than you can imagine.

Hamlet and other thoughts....

"This above all,--to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." William Shakespeare in Hamlet

I just came from parent teacher interviews and enjoyed a great discussion with the boys' english teacher about both their strengths and weaknesses. We ended up also discussing the fact that Carlin's class will be studying Hamlet next, and how people seem to either really enjoy Shakespeare - or not. I remember loving Hamlet, getting absorbed in the story and enjoying the rich imagery in the writing. This lead me to remember the above quote, which is well known and often quoted. But, like any well-known quote, the power of the meaning often is lost in its familiarity.

The reason this stood out for me at this time, is that there are a few situations in my life where I have finally come to the conclusion that I need to just simply be true to myself. I keep hoping other people will see the situation the way that I do, but in the end I can't make that happen. What I can do, is honour the values and truths within myself, which I believe to be God given, and act on those. I know in my heart-of-hearts what is true for me in those situations, and I need to give myself the gift of honouring that. I need to also believe in myself enough to know that whether anyone else believes in me or not is not what is important. What is important is that there is a God who loves me and wants what is best for me, and that he has called me to love myself enough to act on what I know to be best for me. How freeing it feels to finally come to this conclusion.

Thank you Shakespeare! Who would have thought remembering an old quote from high school english, and having it brought back to my attention by my son's high school english teacher would be so powerful. You never know what blessings are around the corner.... :-)

"Don't Say Anything 'Til I Finish 'Kay?"

These are the now infamous words of our (almost) 13 (going on 25) year old daughter. Everytime she knows she is asking for something that will likely get a "no" in response, she starts by saying, "don't say anything 'til I finish, 'kay?" So, what would any loving, responsible mother do? I humour her and listen... then I say "no" and the reason why. Cracks me up... oh the infallible logic of the thirteen year old brain! Does she think that one statement will magically make me change my mind? Hehehe... oh well, you gotta give the girl credit for trying. She is persistent... and I love her. <3

"Four Boyfriends" Analogy

This analogy was posted by a co-worker of mine, and I thought it was very interesting food for thought:

"Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him! One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be a alone.' Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company? 'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold .She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated. Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!' In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives: Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.When you die, it will all go to others. Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity. Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. "

How true it is that our spiritual lives often get put on the back burner in pursuit of all the other things we distracted by in life. Something to think about...

Let Mercy Lead

There have been many great lyricists in the world... but two of my all-time favorites have been Bono and Rich Mullins. Reading the lyrics written by those two men is reading poetry. One of my favorite lyrics of all time comes from the song "Let Mercy Lead" by Rich Mullins. Truth be told, I think the lyrics were either written or co-written by Rich's band member, Beaker. But, I think they collaborated on it. This lyric is:

"Let mercy lead, let love be the strength in your legs... and in every footprint that you leave there will be a drop of grace."

It doesn't seem to matter how many times I listen to that song, or read that lyric. It seems to stop me in my tracks every time. Such an amazing way to look at relationships and life in general.