He’s Got the Look

My son Zachary is graduating this friday, May 25, 2012, after twelve long years of hard work in school. His dad and I look back at his life in pictures at the little boy from infancy to toddlerhood to schoolage and now young adulthood and just can’t believe that the time has come for him to make the next move. Transitioning from the comfort of school teachers allowing you extra time to turn assignments to a professor who says it’s  your choice, is a bit scary to say the least.

Entering the work force and clocking in when scheduled and following bossses’ orders will be an adventure for him, as he’s  never worked before either. It’s be good for him, though. He will become even more independent than he is now. Zachary will learn how take care of matters he hasn’t thought of before. The money earned will go toward daily cost of living and school and he will learn to budget. Inching ever further away from myself and his dad, he’s becoming his own person, determining what to do and when. His opinions are strong and the constant questions he asks show he’s interested and willing to learn more. Life lesson for all of us: You will encounter multiple opinions that vary from yours, respect them.

Meeting the public and intereacting with them on a regular basis versus just being around classmates all day will open him up to being more understanding. Better problem solving skills so that if a dilemma is tossed his way, he can handle it. Right now, his biggest is just realizing that the school days are over and he’s actually graduating. When I asked Zach if he was excited about his big day, he just had a look void of emotion, which told me he is conflicted. He’s both excited and scared as this is huge. For any Senior in High School, it’s a big deal, and one to be proud of. We’ve all had that look of terror before: leaving the famliar and actually having to enter this alien lifestyle that we know absolutely nothing about, but are curious nonetheless. He’s ready and we’ll be there to watch him go down the road to success. Congratulations, Zachary! You’ve earned the look!

You Were Born For This- A Review

Miracles, they do happen, just ask anyone who has experienced an extraordinary event in their life. Maybe they were faced with a life-threatening illness and they pulled through, or maybe somehow they found a relative they had lost touch with. The book, “You Were Born For This”, by Bruce Wilkinson, author of “The Prayer of Jabez”, discusses the subject of miracles being performed by everyday people in various circumstances. Mr. Wilkinson uses Bible verses to illustrate the great power that miracles have and why God wants us to minister to others by reaching out in times of need.

The miracles that are mentioned are real, they have a profound effect on the individuals, and their faith in God increases because someone takes the time to care. Bruce provides seven keys for us to listen to God and actually carry out His mission of love while changing the lives of those around us. Whether there’s a financial need, a relationship to be mended or someone needing to get out of an unsafe situation, we can provide the outlet for the right path, the right mending. We just have to open our hearts, our ears and be patient, and know when God calls us to do His work, we will honor Him by following His suggestions. Yep, God’s love is a miracle and that was proven when Jesus died on the cross and came to back to life on the third day. Good job, Mr.  Wilkinson.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for reviewing it.

For more information on Mr. Wilkinson:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=74997

On Waterbrook Press:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421838

To read Chapter One/Book Web site:

http://www.youwerebornforthis.com/

Mother’s Day

Mommas have  progressed haven’t they? Being able to work outside the home if they so choose or work from home or just stay home, the options are endless. Well, some parts about being a momma will always remain. (This also applies to those who take on the role of mom). Let’s see it all starts with this little bundle of what are we going to do now once we get him or her home syndromne. You know what I mean. Rushing to check on the baby to make sure they are breathing, sleeping, wanting to hold them as often as possible.

Next thing you know you have a mobile one who wants to be chased all over the house ond yard or maybe the playground. Someone who also keeps you up at night on occasion when they are sick, who needs a little extra attention, maybe a trip to the doctor or a treat slipped in on the side. Not that I have ever done that, mind  you. Ahem. Safety latches have already been installed for peace of mind but somehow they find a way into something. I can remember blue ink being intricately drawn all onver a wall in the kitchen. Hmmm.. sneaky hu?  Guess the pens should have been hidden on higher ground.

Here comes the yellow bus to take them to school, to learn things about thier world that they need to know. Making new friends, to invite over for playdates, for birthday parties, sleepovers, or as one of my friends did once, to “kidnap” and take to McDonalds to play with her kids. Of course, I knew and they had a good time. She is still like a mom to them. This is the time when our kids slowly let go of our hands, when being a mom isn’t as important to them as we’d like, although it’s a very slow process.

Dating, dances, sports, can I have the keys to the car please? Don’t hug me anymore and for pete’s sake don’t choose my clothes for me. Oh geez another shopping trip with mom or dad, how uncool is that. Yep, the teenage years, when the youngster in them is in fighting with the adult they really want to become. You know you want to keep them under your wing as long as possible, to try and protect from the whatever is out in the real world. Strings have to be cut and they have to learn to fly on thier own. When they stop needing us as much, when they decide for themselves on a regular basis how they want to live, and especially when they take thier diplomas in their cap and gown, that’s when we have done good, don’t you think? Happy Mother’s Day!

The Wild Things Live On

Great sadness in the world of children’s literature occured today. Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are” passed away at age 83.  I remember reading the beloved book to my boys when they were little, and imagining that they were in the book too. Dressed up and pretending to be a willd thing, going on adventures, and having a rambuctious time. I can also remember watching the gentle series “Little Bear” on Nicklelodeon, and enjoyng all the fiun that Little  Bear had with his friends and how well he got along with them.

Mr. Sendak brought out the fun in childhood and in ourselves. I read that he poked fun at some relatives while writing “Where the Wild Things Are”. Hope they had a sense of humor. I doulbt he meant any harm, as I saw the book as a loveable way to ignite an imagination, young and old. Most of us will only remember, the beasts and the little boy who played with them, and that’s okay. The story taught us to go out and do different things, to take some chances, and maybe laugh at ourselves for being silly.

The Wild Things will never disappear, they keep making a  fuss, keep boys and girls iinterested in reading and in using thier imaginations. Rest in peace, Mr. Sendak, we will take care of the Wild Things and LIittle  Bear and all the others you created by sharing them with everyone around us. Adventures will continue as we cling to the bears and wild beasts forever because we love them too. Now where is that book, I have to read it to myself….

Where I’m Coming From

Been on a mission for several years now. What mission? To go back as far as my family history takes me to see where I began. I have been fascinated by the idea of where my  heritage lies and who my ancestors are. So far the adventure has been a productive one. The family trees on both sides have been growing, especially my daddy’s side, and I am learning more as a new person is added to a branch or birth certificate, or maybe some documentation about an interesting event.

One educational discovery is that I have family who came over on the Mayflower from England. I am wondering if both sides did this as there are relatives that lived in Halifax, VA and  and King James, Va and other cities in Virginia. Knowing where the root of the all the ancestry takes place is a joyful process for me as I want to learn about everyone who lived where they lived, what they did, and how they impacted the rest of the clan so to speak. Recently a new relative contacted my cousin who has been extremely helpful in conducting the family history research and now more members are being attached.

Have you ever wondered where your roots began? What country or countries your beginnings took place and how during the growth process, all the branching out made the members go thier ways and become who they are today? Do you ever wonder if you have multi heritage and not just one?  I do. There’s Irish, some Norwegian, a believe a little Native American and others in my background. I don’t claim to be full blooded anything but just me and that’s good enough. But the story of how the family started, and progressed, is something I want to preserve for future generations so that they know more about theirselves, a bit of a history lesson. Hasn’t it been said we learn from the past how to manage the future? Hmmm..I want to know all of the editions, all  of the volumns and I don’t want them to end.

Where Lilacs Still Bloom- A Review

What a progressive thinking couple!  Think about it, in the late nineteenth cetury and well into the early twentieith century, one lady ignores the conventional stigma that says women must  forget their interests and be content keeping house. Hulda Klager is the main character in the novel by Jane Kirkpatrck, an intelligent, loving woman, with an eigth grade education whose family immigrated to the United States when she was rather young.  The idea of her pursuing an interest in plants, specifically lilacs, really starts with wanting to produce a better quality apple. And throughout her ninety-seven years, you also get a glimpse of how the world changes too, both in attitude and coping skills.

Against the criticism from the likes of naysaysers such as Barney Reed, Hula Klager manages to create more than two hundred varieties of lilacs in addition to a few other flowers and becomes known all over the country due to articles written about her magnificent garden in popular magazines.  Frank, Hulda’s husband is  her main encourager along with her children who never allow her to give up on the garden even when tragedies strike. Her garden becomes  her healing ground and a way for her to give happiness to the many visitors who come to see her handywork. She offers a little bit of herself with each “start” that she  gives each person that leaves the garden. Ms. Kirkpatrick has paid great respect to  a most generous, loving, creative, individual who has made the world a much happier and prettier place to live in. The Klager family must be proud.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for reviewing it from Waterbrook Press.

For more information:

http://www.jkbooks.com/Books/WhereLilacsStillBloom.html

Author Bio: http://www.jkbooks.com/Pages/bio.html

Waterbrook Press –Publisher: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074303

Excerpt from book:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400074303&view=excerpt

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