Good Old Fashioned Joy

A while back, I was honored by two of my fellow bloggers with the distinguished "Lemonade Award". This award is presented to people who are thought to demonstrate great Attitude &/or Gratitude.

Thank you Shabby Girl & Tricia for sharing this honor with me. I have always savored the tangy mix of lemons & sugar in a refreshing glass of lemonade, but have never really thought of myself as having an uplifting spirit.

As I wrote in yesterday's post, I used to have a much more pessimistic view of life. But since becoming a mother, I have tried to wear my rose colored glasses along the way. Writing a daily "gratitude journal" to remind me about all of the little things I am thankful for has totally changed my perspective about the life I've been given.

So remember to share your gratitude throughout your journey. And when life hands you lemons, add water, then blend the bitterness of the world with a spoonful of sugar from your happy heart. Sip, smile & share!

When the tide turned

Yesterday, as I was sitting at the cafe table inside the Mobil store sipping coffee, the boys stood at the door collecting donations for Little League. At the next table, two men commented about how well the kids were handling themselves. I told them how much my sons really enjoy "tag" week, where the players are sent out in the community to solicit donations for the program, and that it's the boys' way of saying "Thank You" to all of the coaches & volunteers.

We also talked about how much I value the programs our town offers the children in our area, which in turns gives kids something to do other than stir up trouble or experiment with the rampant drug activity here. That's when one man began to blame the trouble & drugs on the recent rise of "the black" population, saying that our area never had problems this bad until "those blacks got here".

I tried to sway the conversation away from this negativity by turning the conversation back to how my boys love sports. No matter what he said, I tried to put a positive spin on things. Eventually he back down and said "You must be an eternal optimist."

This is when it hit me that since I became a mother, my life is different and so is my outlook. I told him "Actually, until recently, I always saw my glass as half empty. And it wasn't until I had children that I learned that my attitude would affect they way they saw the world. So I decided that I needed to adjust my way of thinking, and put more emphasis on the positive aspect of a situation. I don't always succeed, but most times I stress the importance of making a constructive difference in the world."

Although I'm not a perpetual Pollyanna who wears rose-colored glasses, I do try hard to make the boys understand that they have a choice to be happy, to find ways to make a bad situation better, and to turn their misfortune into a learning experience.

I love sharing stories with Birdie, ones that pull at my heart strings because these stories somehow seem to strengthen our bond. Just recently I told him about the days I watched the Columbine & 9/11 horrors unfold, and how each tragedy affected my life.

As he listened, I could see the change in his eyes as he tried to comprehend the details. Later that evening, the news ran some footage from Columbine so we watched it together. He was stunned to see what happened inside that school and the terror that ensued.

Maybe this story was too intense for a ten year old, but it is my hope that it raised his level of compassion. I also hope that he learned that he must find a reason to move forward even when the road appears to end.

A Life Letter to My Sons

Thursday April 16, 2009

My dear sweet boys,

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for giving me the privilege of being your mom. If I could stop the hands of time so I could keep you young, I would. In fact, I'd turn the clock back to the days that you were both babies, so I could relive every single day from Thursday October 28, 1998 until Monday September 10, 2001. Then keep rewinding over & over.

But I know that's impossible so I will try my best to guide you through this sometimes charming, sometimes catastrophic ride called Life.

I pray with every beat of heart that I will live long enough to hold my great-grandchildren in my arms as I sing them lullabies. However if for some reason I cannot be there, I want you to honor these keys to life:

always respect your fellow man, regardless of your differences
always be polite & courteous
reach out to those less fortunate than you
pay it forward
treat people the way you would want them to treat you

extend tokens of appreciation & affection
don't be afraid to express your true feelings
be honest, loyal & dependable
question authority without confrontation
your actions speak louder than words

Also please always remember that...

work is always secondary to family
having a passion for something is one of life's treasures
a higher education will enhance your future
you can only make a first impression once
punctuality shows respect
when you commit to something, follow it through to the very end

a tattoo is permanent
no President has ever had their ears or tongue pierced
drugs destroy brain cells
smoking is a filthy, cancerous habit
someone is always watching you
you must be willing to pay the consequences for your actions

it's okay to admit when you are wrong
an apology is more effective with sincerity
humility is more honorable than pride
words are very powerful weapons

the words "I love you" are not just a phrase; it's a feeling
a pet is a lifetime commitment
it's vital to give back to your community
laughter is the best medicine
it's okay to cry

a gentleman always holds or opens a door for others
women enjoy sincere compliments, not catcalls
sex and making love are two different things
you must ask your future in-laws for their blessing
it is noble to get down on one knee when proposing

romance is one of the keys to undying love
endearment is a valuable part of any relationship
communication will simplify your life
fidelity, trust & devotion strengthen your bond
it's never too late to start over

no matter where you go, I will be with you in spirit
you have made me very proud
the world needs positive role models, so be one
your home should always foster love & support

Although the path to your future may have been unclear, my goals for you were always decisive. I believe that I was put here to leave you with a legacy of love, hope and honor.

I have always loved you more than mere words could express. And if I should ever be asked what good I have done for mankind, I would confidently say that I was a good mother.

Hugs and Kisses,
Mom

Project Trash to Cash

The other day as my son & I were driving to the redemption center, he was looking out the window & saw discarded cans along the roadside. He calculated his "findings" to amount to about 60 cents by the time we got there.

That conversation sparked an idea! I told him we should begin a new mission once our current "Helping Hands" project is complete. The focus of the new project will be greening up the roadsides and seeing how much money we can "find" in the process. We plotted & planned what we would do, what our goal would be, and what we would do with the "funds".

Here is the recap of what we came up with:

The Mission:
Project Trash to Cash

The Action:
collect returnables from roadside, playgrounds, fields, parks, waterways & open areas (even trash cans!) for one whole year.

The Goal:
pick up at least two cans each day, or 14 cans each week; 56 cans between the four of us.

The Proceeds:
if we all reach our daily goal, we should net $174.72. We agreed that we would split the money 50/50 with a charity then put our half in our annual vacation fund.

The Greater Good:
greening up & recycling, plus supporting a charity & investing in the future.

My father-in-law does a similar thing every year: he collects discarded coins and puts them in a jar. At the end of the year, he counts, rolls, and redeems it. After he records the total in his ledger, he takes his wife out to lunch. He calls his project "Found Money".