Turning another year older has never affected me. However, when my kids have a birthday I find myself on an emotional rollercoaster of disaster. Tomorrow my oldest daughter will be 18. As I set across the table from her at lunch today, I just couldn't help myself . . . (clack, clack, clack . . . her we GO!). I know that she will understand someday when she has a child of her own, but no matter how much independence she demands of this life, she will forever be lodged in my memory as an eight year old.
She changed my life the day we met. She continues to change my life as time goes on. The joy always outweighs the sorrow. The here and now is brief. Tomorrow is a new day but today will last in our memories forever.
It has been an honor to be your momma, MiKay. I Love You and I Miss You more than you will ever understand. I respect you as a unique and competent individual. You are beautiful and you know what you want in life. Don't fool yourself in thinking that life will be perfect or that you will always make the right decision. You only truly fail when you never try at all. Don't be too quick to judge or be too proud to see that all of us make mistakes. Be motivated by love in all things.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Meanwhile in the land of the Clonts familiy . . . . . .
Simplify.
This used to be my driving force. What I needed to strive for in order to keep me focused and on the 'sane train'. But I guess that was too simple, oh how I love to complicate things. When I say complicate--I mean disect it, dig deeper, find the origin and the motivation. Yes, I usually end up just making things more difficult than they need to be but my motivation is for understanding, not just to cause trouble. That being said, my current motto is . . .
LIVE -- Simply, Generously, Unpretentiously
First of all LIVE!!! Enjoy life, live it up! Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you only truly fail if you never try at all. Do something everyday that is totally outside your box. I am not suggesting that you commit a crime but I am suggesting that you LIGHTEN UP and RELAX and ENJOY your exhistence rather than simply tolerate each breath that you take. Here are a few suggestions you are welcome to use:
Generousity. Give. Give of yourself, your time, your resources. Give yourself to your spouse. Give to your children. Be generous in your love for your family, your community. That means something different for everyone. Community may mean your church, your city, or your friends. If you live with an attitude of generousity you find opportunities all around you to be generous. It may be to help your child tie their shoe; a generous smile to a clerk in the grocery store that is having one of 'those' days; cookies for a neighbor who is in a bad mood. You will be amazed at how your relationships will change if you simply give. No amount of money can compare to the investment of an attentive friend.
Unpretentious. I am not a good faker. I want to be genuine even if that means that I have to be diplomatic and set some serious boundaries for myself. I strive to be respectful of each person and their unique individualism. But to fake it--that breaks the simplify rule by complicating things. Don't misunderstand, I DO speak fluent sarcasim, I love to cut up and have fun. I do think in order to have a genuine relationship you will have some bumps in the road. However, to pretend that we can reach some kind of perfection is simply unrealistic. I am imperfect, you are imperfect and we can agree to disagree sometimes--respectfully, of course. You say tomato . . .
Your comments are welcome
Simplify.
This used to be my driving force. What I needed to strive for in order to keep me focused and on the 'sane train'. But I guess that was too simple, oh how I love to complicate things. When I say complicate--I mean disect it, dig deeper, find the origin and the motivation. Yes, I usually end up just making things more difficult than they need to be but my motivation is for understanding, not just to cause trouble. That being said, my current motto is . . .
LIVE -- Simply, Generously, Unpretentiously
First of all LIVE!!! Enjoy life, live it up! Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you only truly fail if you never try at all. Do something everyday that is totally outside your box. I am not suggesting that you commit a crime but I am suggesting that you LIGHTEN UP and RELAX and ENJOY your exhistence rather than simply tolerate each breath that you take. Here are a few suggestions you are welcome to use:
- When life gets too stressful, I am at my witts end (hormones, grumpy children, ect) I like to take what we call a Joy Break. 1. Gather all present family members in one room 2. Turn up some music as loud as your ears can possibly tolerate it 3. DANCE (I make a total fool of myself headbanging and then waltzing with any other objecting family members who refuse to loosen up). When the song is over you will have experienced an incredible release and the whole family will have a change in attitude.
- Purposly give up control of something and let someone else do it their way. AND THEN ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE for both of you. Stop. Evaluate. Enjoy. This coming from a recovering Nazi-mom with the need to control everything.
- Make time for yourself. I see this as quality verses quantity. If you invest a little time for yourself you will greatly improve your attitude and motivation in addressing others.
Generousity. Give. Give of yourself, your time, your resources. Give yourself to your spouse. Give to your children. Be generous in your love for your family, your community. That means something different for everyone. Community may mean your church, your city, or your friends. If you live with an attitude of generousity you find opportunities all around you to be generous. It may be to help your child tie their shoe; a generous smile to a clerk in the grocery store that is having one of 'those' days; cookies for a neighbor who is in a bad mood. You will be amazed at how your relationships will change if you simply give. No amount of money can compare to the investment of an attentive friend.
Unpretentious. I am not a good faker. I want to be genuine even if that means that I have to be diplomatic and set some serious boundaries for myself. I strive to be respectful of each person and their unique individualism. But to fake it--that breaks the simplify rule by complicating things. Don't misunderstand, I DO speak fluent sarcasim, I love to cut up and have fun. I do think in order to have a genuine relationship you will have some bumps in the road. However, to pretend that we can reach some kind of perfection is simply unrealistic. I am imperfect, you are imperfect and we can agree to disagree sometimes--respectfully, of course. You say tomato . . .
Your comments are welcome
Monday, September 13, 2010
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