4th of July Memories

I think I'm getting old, this 4th I spent the whole day thinking about being a kid and what we did on the 4th. Really, it was nothing special, but something about it was to me. The 4th is one of my dad's 3 "high holidays", the former Marine is patriotic to the core, and loved being able to show it.

The day usually began with everyone sleeping in, a family tradition in my parent's house, and ended with mosquito bites and smoking monkeys. But,what fell in between, simple though it was, holds magic in my memories. Dad always mowed the lawn on the 4th. I vividly remember swinging while he mowed the lawn around me, all the while blaring his Marine Corp Band records. Sousa serenaded us as the grass flew around us. I remember the pride that swelled in him as he loudly, and not very well, sang along. To this day I can remember most of the words to Stars and Stripes Forever, and rarely lapse into verses about ducks.

Once the lawn was done, he'd smoke a cigar, usually my mother was in the house, so he made use he wasn't caught. Then, the real fun could begin, snakes. I'm still not sure why they are so fun, but we could watch him light snakes with his cigar for hours and still not get enough. Like all the men in my life, my dad liked to play with fire, so he would spend hours getting the charcoal grill "just right". Of course, this usually meant throwing in a few firecrackers, just to test it out.

Most of the fun we had is now illegal, small fireworks and the like, but back then, we would beg and plead for him to light bottle rockets. Dad is in publishing, and his proofs and film came in long tubes, which happen to be perfect for launching bottle rockets. After a while, my mother, the nurse, would come out and give us the "someone's going to get hurt" speech. Once she was back in the house, though, Dad went back to it!

The rest of the day was pretty similar to most people's BBQ, and fireworks. We always left at 7:30, in jeans that we had out grown since last required to wear them a month prior. Like I said, really, it was nothing special, but looking back, my eyes tear and I smile from the simple beauty of it all. This year is rainy and cold, but you never know what memories will be made.

Raising Adults

I had a revelation this week, and honestly, I'm not sure why it took me so long. These little (or not so little in the cast of the 11 yr. old female!) are going to grow up someday and not have me to butter their toast. They need to learn to do this on their own.

Sure, my kids do chores , and plenty of other independent things, they have responsibilities, but I still baby them as much as I can. The youngest is almost 5, and I still baby him far too much. I had a vision of him, 30, in my home, with me doing all the things I do now for him, that he could do on his own. Frightening. There is a time for babying and a time for training up children to be independent adults. The time has come for more lessons in the later.

Sure, I will still cook for them, but why can't I expect them to help with the cooking? They all need to learn to sort and wash clothes eventually, why not at least give them a taste of it now? It seems like common sense, which is why I'm so embarrassed I forgot. But what seems so logical has become a lost mentality.

My husband manages a store, and several of his staff still live at home, well into their 20's, and depend upon their parents for a car, home and food. I was married at 22, and had a child at 23. It is completely ridiculous that this is becoming common place. We are becoming a nation of children in adult bodies. China has been struggling with this same problem for a few years now, because of the doting that one child receives.

The 4th of July is a reminder of our Nation's Independence, let's try to be patriotic, and raise our children to be independent adults.

Bored

I thought of writing a poem, but figured I'd spare any readers I have left the agony.Last week I hurt my back. No biggie, well, actually it is pretty serious, but I do not dwell on hings much. Since then, I've been told to "take it extra easy". Okay, I though that meant no lifting the 4 year old, but according to the Doctors, it means no anything.

I do not handle inactivity well, especially when I can see all the stuff I need to do. But, this is a reminder to slow down, take it easy. Sometimes God forces us to do this if we will not do it on our own.

Fresh

I love late spring for a few reasons, but the biggest is that the farmer's markets open. In the past I used to complain about how expensive they are and not go, but for various reasons, that has changed. The first is that, food in general is more expensive than it has been in the recent past, so if I can get it so fresh that it smells like the earth, it is worth the money.

Why shop the farmer's market? Take for example my jaunt today. I wanted eggs. yes, they are $4/dozen, which is a heck of a lot more than Jewel plain old eggs, but I got them from the person who raised the chickens. The farmer I got them from today was there with his home schooled daughter and made sure we got green eggs in our dozen. He told me all about the varieties of chickens he has and what they eat. Can you get that from Jewel? No, you cannot. You also cannot be sure how old the eggs are, I know mine were gathered yesterday. 

Maybe it is the books I've been reading, maybe it is that fact that I have far too much Chesterton on my i-pod, but buying local and independent is one very real way we can help our economy.  

Under Pressure

Tomorrow is my middle son's First communion. Big day, but I live for big days. However, this time, there are many convergences that are causing me a bit of stress. No not the food, or the weather, or even will he stand still, but will the people coming be moved. Yes, moved.

Two people are coming that are fallen away Catholics. One happens to be my little sister, whom I love very much, and frankly, pity, she really did not get a fair upbringing or exposure to the faith. She called today to let me know she is church shopping. This is better than her current state of nothingness, but I want her to be Catholic again. The faith of her baptism. I want her three kids to be Catholic, too. All this is happening because her husband's base in Afghanistan was attacked last week, and he decided they need a church. He is not Catholic, but again, I'd give my right arm, and my left for that matter for him to cross the Tiber.

Why does this cause me stress? I feel like I need to impress them at Mass. Yes, me, the dumb sea cucumber (if Aquinas was a Dumb ox, I must be a dumb sea cucumber). But then, I remember, wait, is it my job to impress? Not at all. Sure I can sing my little heart out tomorrow, but that would only bring attention to me. No, the Mass is about Love, pure, undying selfless love. But how I share that in the Mass? I don't, again, not me. 

But what can I do? My best guess is pray for them, show my genuine love of being there. I know it's tomorrow, but I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Crawling out from under a rock

It's been a month since I blogged. No particular reason for the length of absence, life is just very busy this time of year. What with recitals, and communions and school projects, I nearly missed the flowers of spring.

I vowed 11 years ago to NEVER miss the beauty and majesty of spring. You see, I was stuck in the hospital pregnant with my eldest child. I went in March 13, when there was a foot of snow on the ground, and came home in Mid-May, but to total bed rest in my home. Dear daughter arrived June 5, after recovering from the traumas of surgery and lack of sleep, I saw the outdoors after spring had passed.

This year, I lamented that I missed the blooming of the trout lilies, the beautiful wildflower that carpets the woodland floor, due to my own busy life, however, I did manage to see one, as I realized my loss. Life is to beautiful to miss due to busy-ness. How often I spend time on things that lack beauty! Even the most mundane tasks of life can be filled with beauty, when done with great love, or with a little effort to see the hidden. 

Rejoice!

Regina Caeli, Laetare, Alleluia.

Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia, 

Resurrexit, sicut dixit, Alleluia, 

Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia!

O, Queen of Heaven, Be joyful, Alleluia, 

For He, whom you humbly borne for us, Alleluia, 

Has arisen, has he promised, Alleluia, 

Offer now our prayer to God, Alleluia!

Making the most of the time that is left

It's Holy Week, the final few days of Lent. The last days to pray, sacrifice and give alms, in other words, IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Holy Week is Cram week on a huge scale. Sure, there is not good excuse for doing absolutely nothing all of Lent, and suddenly becoming devote in Holy week, but for those of us who tried, really tried, and failed, this is a call to action. 

Why? Because this week of all weeks there will be more naysayers on TV, more anti-Christian news articles (Newsweek still is showing up in my mail  box, this week, the Death of Christian America), and general malaise from much of the general population. But, we are not them, we are God's beloved Sons and Daughters, who return His love with devotion. That is what Holy Week is all about, love and devotion. The Father's devotion to a promise of old, the Son's Love for us, and the call for us to return that Love and Devotion. We are not required to do much this week, fast and pray. Everything else is done out of our love, even the things that may seem like they should be required, are not.

Just think, what could you (or I) be doing to help those around us who think our devotions are silly. There is always room for a little more prayer when those people aggravate us, or belittle our efforts. What about making another small sacrifice for that friend, or another who we want to help. Something as simple as drinking only water, or passing up the seconds, offered in prayer is a great gift. Or, when we are too tired, and crabby, smiling at our children, even though they may be the cause of our exhaustion and crankiness, just to say I love you. The list of ideas could go on forever!

Have a blessed Holy week, and make the most of the time before we celebrate the resurrection!

Somethings in Life are Just Fun!

Living in Chicago, I cannot help but picture this in Union Station! Thanks to My friend Julie, the Internet Queen!

My Sides are splitting!

Another case of you might cry if you do not laugh! 

H/t: too many to mention!