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life{in}grace

live with more presence, passion, & purpose

100 things (painfully continued) Edition 3

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For editions 1 and 2, go here and here.

41. I speak from experience when I say that having children who are compliant can give you the false sense that you are an extraordinary specimen of a mother. And on the contrary, having strong willed children will have you convinced that you are not capable of parenting at all. I have both varieties in my little family.   Until you’ve parented a strong willed child, it would be wise to save all your statements that start with “Well, if that was my child, I’d….”.   Give people the benefit of the doubt and spend the time you might judge them–saying a prayer for them instead.  This is no task for the faint of heart.  And grace and mercy need abound.
42. My favorite color is tiffany blue. I have plans to paint my craft room that color. Last year, my favorite color was orange. I’m wishy washy like that.
43. My favorite southern city is Charleston. My favorite northeastern city is Boston. My favorite midwestern city is Chicago. My favorite place to spend time in the summer: on the lakes of Minnesota.
44. I dream of lazy days reading and baking and making crafts with my children while the smell of clean laundry and fresh bread tickles my nose. No wait, that’s what I get to do everyday. Someone pinch me.
45. My favorite tree is the southern magnolia. It looks beautiful and stately in the yard and its branches frequently adorn my tables inside.  Neither Emme nor I, however,  like the smell of magnolia.
46. If I could live during any historical time period, it would be colonial America. Maybe that’s why I love Boston so much.  I would assume the role of Abigail Adams.
47. My favorite movie is The Notebook . Or maybe Office Space. I also love Steel Magnolias and Little Women. And The John Adams series.  And of course Coal Miner’s Daughter. Then there’s Slingblade.  And Pride and Predjudice.   Picking one thing has never been my strong suit.
48. Steve introduced me to Martin Luther and bird watching.  I introduced him to C.S. Lewis and  cornbread.  I’d call that even.

49.  Each of my children has altered my life in some profound way.   They have taught me and changed me and made me a better person.  I have learned patience and humility and loyalty and compassion.  They continually force me to reevaluate my preconceptions and prejudices.  I owe them a debt of gratitude which will be impossible to repay.
50.  My hair is blonde.  That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
51.  I’m pretty sure I could  quote most of the Dr. Suess book “Yertle the Turtle”.  I cannot, however, seem to remember where I put my car keys or parked my car or laid my book.  I now remind my children to watch where I put my cell phone.  Between all of us, we can usually find it.  Usually.  And whenever I’m frantically looking for it before we walk into dance, I’m usually talking on it.
52.  I am an ‘early to bed, early to rise’ type.  I could never stay up at sleepovers when I was a teenager.   I always ended up with shaving cream in my hands and other girly pranks.   My daughter inherited this gift and thinks it’s pretty pathetic.
53.  I dream of living in the country in a big white farmhouse with a huge front porch and chickens and goats and dogs and pigs.  Or on the lake in a cute little 2 bedroom cottage.   Or in a downtown loft in Birmingham.   If only there were more time here on earth……**big sigh**
54.  There have been people through the years who have had a dramatic impact on my life.  They are numerous and I wouldn’t even attempt to mention them all.  One of those people is Susan, who I met when I was in medical school.  Her children went to school with mine and she taught me so much about mothering children and nurturing a family.  I remember her growing ‘creeping fig’ on the side of her old brick house.  I found some this weekend and will plant it in her honor.
55.  I was a gymnast as a young girl.  I can still do a back bend with a kickover.  I might see stars and need to see a chiropractor the next day, but I can do it all the same.
56.  My youngest brother has Down’s syndrome and I have an aunt with cerebral palsy.  I’ve been bowling with the CP group many times and used to help with special olympics.  I’m thankful for them in my life (even though my aunt once chased me around the yard with a butcher knife and then would repeatedly ask me if I thought she was ‘going to hell’) and I think it gives you an understanding and comfort of the handicapped that is invaluable.  I love DS kids and have a special love for parents of children with handicaps.  Christ always values the weak and vulnerable in society and we should too.
57.  I frequently speak to Caiti and my sister and JamieKnoxville in my native appalachian tongue.  Almost every morning as Taylor and Caiti leave for school, I yell out the door, “Caaaiti, don’t git in no fites today and uh…..I luv u better’n anythang”.    It’s like our own private dialect. It can be scary to a northerner.  Or to small children.
58.  I am terribly addicted to my own bed.  I love my bed and my pillows.  All three of them. Feather of course.
59.  I currently  have 33 lamps in my house.  I never.  NEVER. turn on overhead lights.  Ever.

60.  I once glued someone’s eye shut when I worked in the ER.  It’s a good story.  Maybe I’ll tell ya sometime.  Suffice it to say,  I will never live that one down and as it turns out, an opthamologist told me “Aw, don’t worry, people do that accidentally with super glue all the time. It’ll come out in a few days.”   Maybe the public is safer with me here at home!

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Comments

  2. Keeli Dawn says

    This is so amazing. I feel like I am seeing myself down the road reflected in who you are. Your blog is also very wonderful. I’m (slightly) obsessed. 🙂 Thank you for sharing yourself with a bunch of people you don’t know.

    Reply

  4. Terry Kelly says

    You are so blessed! As a mom of seven (all grown now and one in Heaven) I drooled over your website. You are leading the life I loved for 35 years. My job is now extinct.

    Reply

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