Truth

I was talking to a good friend of mine last week.  We had briefly shared some of the things we were both strugging with while we grocery shopped together minus our children.  What a pleasure to do menial tasks with a friend.  To our surprise, we discovered that neither one of us had everything figured out.  Neither one of us were perfect mothers, wives, friends or even citizens.  Funny, I had aways thought she had things figured out.

What a relief to know I'm not the only one.  I think sometimes it's easy to think that I'm alone.  That everyone else is so .... hmmm ... composed?   I have to share something with you and I don't think you're going to like it .... So, here it is.  I know your little secret.  Now, before you start to worry that I have some kind of super power or that I have broken into your house and read your diary, let me explain.

The more people that I talk with, the more people I seem to know who are struggling with something.  We are all dealing with stuff.  Some people are pretty positive ... some negative.  Some of us like to be more serious and some more wild and free.  Some of us are all those things thrown into one big pot!  But seriously guys, there is some hurt, pain, worry, problem or struggle that you are dealing with amidst the highs and lows of this interesting thing we call life.  Maybe it's a short term thing or something you've been dealing with for a long time.  Does something come to mind when you read this?  Maybe a whole list of things come to mind when you read this. Maybe you don't want to think about that one thing or you have a whole list of things that are about to spill over and you're just hoping someone is there to help you clean up the mess.   Maybe life is perfect and always has been.  I don't know.  It's so easy to skim over people and ignore the depth of the person inside.  How often do we answer someone with a patent answer? ... "fine thank you and how are you?"

Truth ...  I always thought the term, “it’s hard to wrap your mind around it” was figurative, but I’m starting to think it’s more literal.   You have this piece of truth sitting in front of you.  You try to make sense of it, but it gets fuzzy and confusing.  How can this be truth?   Sometimes I've just longed for someone to really ask how I'm doing.  To help me understand the truths that are the exsistance of my life.  Have you ever longed for that?  I certainly don't think life has to be all serious and I don't think you should go around telling everyone your problems.  It's just that .. well, we all have a story.  A lot of that story is often hidden under patent answers, busy schedules, ignorance to others and sometimes fear.  

Often at church, we have a greeting time.  We have a few minutes to shake hands and greet people.  I'm sure many people at our chuch look forward to an exuberant hug and kiss from a special young man who seems to be able to spread love wherever he goes.  Often, I find that time ... I don't know ...  Awkward?  It's like you want to greet everyone around you, but before you have even given someone eye contact, you are looking for the next person.  None of us are merely a hand to shake.  We each deserve eye contact.  An acknowledgement that each of us is a unique person.

What am I saying? I guess I'm asking you, "how are you?" I'm always here to listen to the answer.  Through FB, email, phone .... face to face.   You know how to reach me and if you don't ... you can always ask on here.

Social Unetiquette

I have known for quite awhile that Matthew and I are a little odd.  I've aften asked myself, "why do I think this is so funny?" ... and then I find Matthew laughing too.  Phew! ... he's just as odd as me.  I've found a partner to release my inner weirdness to.  Stay tuned for my next book entitled "social unetiquette".

There are certain things that we as a society know not to do.  We have been blessed with sensors that stop us from doing or saying things that are completely unacceptable.  I'm glad I have somewhat of a sensor, but it's what comes before the sensor that amuses and slightly disturbs me.  I really hope I'm not alone.

Have you ever been driving down the road and seen a bunch of runners?  Some ahead, couple in the middle and the ones trailing behind.  I got the urge to pull over and ask the people lagging behind if they feel bad about themselves for being last.  Probably not appropriate to ask.

When you see a doctor, do you notice that they can ask you any question and it's appropriate?  Things that would not be something you would randomly ask someone.   "When was your last period?" ... anyone else get the urge to ask back ... "and when was yours?"  Again, not appropriate.

Please tell me someone else has had the urge to pull the fire alarm.  Oh ... and the time I was guiding a blind person and walked them right into a van.  Fortunately the van was parked and the person had a sense of humour.  The guilt has since subsided and little inklings of amusement are allowed to emerge.  Bad Lisa.


Too often we find ourselves asking, "what would be the most innapropriate thing to do at this moment?" ... more often than I'd like to admit, we share it with eachother and wait for the other person the choke on what they are eating ... if we happen to be eating at the time.


I was sitting in church recently and as the offering plate was being passed by, someone put a cheque in.  I had the urge to take the cheque out and see how much they put in.  I knew only Matthew would find the humour in that.  Why is that so funny to me?  Perhaps I'm just tired of playing by the rules of social acceptance.  What would people do if I walked up to a group of strangers and casually asked, "whatcha doing?" Or walked up to a mother holding a child and say, "ya, my kid is a lot cuter than yours.  sorry".  


Ever want to sneak a package of tampons in an old man's shopping cart when he's not looking?  I know there are a few of you out there or stand up at a wedding and shout, "you're all out of order!"  Don't worry Michelle, I won't do that this weekend.


I'm pretty sure if we gave into all our impulses we would end up in jail.  Good thing we do have those sensors that stop us from doing those things.

What do you think?

So, I've been thinking.  What's new, eh?  lol.  I've been thinking about people with disabilities and handicaps.  I guess I'm looking for an honest opinion.  The truth.  

I remember driving down the street and seeing someone who walked very awkwardly.  I'm not sure what was wrong, but it was obvious by the way they moved that something was wrong.  I felt so much pride for that person.  The strength it takes to do things independently.  To walk down a street making themselves visible to so many different opinions.

Sometimes I wonder what people think when they see someone who walks, talks, looks different.  It's like something that is personal, a piece of who they are, is open to anyone with seeing eyes.  What do you think when you see someone who is deformed?  What do think when you see someone walking abnormally? What do you think when you see someone with a cane?

I really want to know.  Do you wonder what happened to them?  Do you think you are better? Do you try to avoid it?  Do you think they are brave?  Do you wonder who they are as a person?  Do you ask people around you if they know what happened?

Do you think they are very beautifully made, but avoid inviting them to things?  Does it make you uncomfortable all together?  Does it make you feel good about yourself to help them?


I know that's a lot of questions.  Just looking for the truth.  I don't want to hear a politically correct answer.  I want to know what you think.  I was talking to a girl I see fairly frequently.  I don't know her that well, but her movements show that something has happened.  I asked her right out.  I saw her blush and react as though she was embarrassed.  Sometimes you just don't know what the right thing to do is.

Spreading the word

If you have a chance, check out this website.  It's about the journey of one of JJ's friend's little sister.  She's the cutest thing.  I have never known more than today how important awareness is.
www.brooklynsbestball.com 

 

Bless our weird little home

While I was doing this:

 Tee was doing this:

 Always check when your kids are laughing during quiet time.

Let's get physical!

Sometimes it sucks being a girl.  Once a year finding yourself laying on your back with someone due south holding a silver instrument is not my idea of a romantic date.  Stripping down to that little white robe?   But don't worry they cover the important parts with a towel. It's not so much a privacy issue.  I gave that up awhile ago.  6 years come June to be exact.  Laying on my back with Matthew, Sarah, my midwife, a doctor, a nurse ... I'm pretty sure I saw the entire cast of the A team as well.  How come when I was labouring it was quiet with just the 3 of us most of the time and when the goods come out EVERYONE enters the room??  Although, being up for 2 nights and being told to "push with everything you've got" for 2 hours ... ya, I wouldn't have cared if Big Bird was in the room at that point.

Here we are again.  The annual visit.  Not something I look foward to.   It's uncomfortable and it hurts.   If we're going to have to be poked and prodded don't you think there should be some kind of compensation?  Maybe baskets at the door with chocolate.  I mean the kids get stickers when they finish their appointment.  And trust me what they do to us is a lot worse than having someone look in your ears.    If they get stickers, I say we get a nice box of chocolates or a new pair of shoes.  Something tells me that our health care system will never go for it.  So, if it's that time of year for you again then treat yourself to something special.  Or make your husband do it.  (Get your chocolate .. not take the physical.  They have their own problems to worry about)  Remember, even though it sucks, it's good for you.  Have your annual physical.  Early detection can save your life.

This random Monday

My favorite season is Fall.  I've always loved the crisp air and the excitement of routine.  I don't think I realized until recently why I really love fall so much.  I think it's because things usually start in the Fall.  School, programs, the beginning of festivities like Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Things will usually remain the same for the next 10 months.  I know I took a hiatus from "school" for a few years while my kids were babies, but that feeling never left me.  When the calendar turns to September I get that urge to buy a fresh book and new pencils.  A clean slate.  A new beginning.

I don't like change.  I love the feeling of spring coming, but with it comes change.  I know the summer will come and with that is a whole new season.  I don't just mean literally.  I mean a whole new experience comes.  I feel it already.  Change.  Day by day and very quickly, month by month the school year will come to a close.  Our safe little haven will have to change.  It seems like we were in JK like 10 mins ago and now JJ is talking about grade 1?

In a few short weeks we will get word about what school Tee will be going to.  Regardless of what program she is in, come next year she will be busy all day.  My little Dickey birdies will fly from the nest.  Okay, that's a bit dramatic, but having kids in school is such a visible marker of how fast they are growing up.  Know what comes after grade 1?  Grade *gulp* 2!  And after grade 2 ... well, you get the idea.

I can't help but feel like it's the count down to when my life will really change.  Is it really just a matter of time before I can't walk on my own?   I'm scared I'm going to be left behind as my girls experience life and start to explore their own worlds outside of mommy and daddy.  "Daddy, I love you.  Even when I get married and have kids I will always love you.  And Daddy, you'll be their grandpa".  Seriously?  Where has the time gone.  We are no longer talking about Dora and goldfish crackers.  We talk about which character on Full House we want to be and all the relationshp problems in room 19.

I know it's not the first day of school or the last day for that matter, but on this random Monday the tears came as I sent my little girls off on the bus and the "gold bus" (Holly's van).  I really do have the very best kids.  I don't always feel that way.  Especially when Tee has spent the better part of the last few weeks whining.  Being sick hasn't helped anyone much, but hopefully this bug will leave my little buggie alone.  I'd whine too if I wasn't feeling well and couldn't tell anyone about it.

Anyways, I continue on trying to capture some of the moments that will slip by so quickly.  JJ and I purchased a gift for Daddy.  Soon he will be back to work and our time together will be so much shorter.  I can't wait to give him his gift.  I picture lots of family time together.  Of course, that's fantasizing things.  In reality someone will end up crying, but still we try to create family moments.  I can't tell you what it is until JJ gives it to him tonight.  It's hiding in her room and it would be pretty disappointing if one of you got to tell him!  Especially after all the work of trying to get it in our house.  Thanks for getting it the last little bit Aunt Janine. 45 mins until the bus pulls up.  So looking forward to hearing all the happenings from the playground.  I'm sure there will be a little whining and perhaps head banging from Tee, but it all comes as a package and on this random monday, I welcome it.