Nieces and Nephews

I had an aunt that took great interest in me specifically. Each time I would visit her when traveling on summer breaks with my family, she would spend time just with me, getting to know me and my likes and dislikes. We built a pretty great relationship. She has since passed away, but I still remember her kindness and love everyday adn the impact she had on my life. She taught me that no matter what the age, everyone is important and should be noticed and acknowledged.

Since she made such an impact on me at such a young age, I decided to emulate her and carry on the example that she set for me.

Remember to take the time to share your life with your neices and nephews. Take interest in what is happening in their world. Give em a shout out or even a hug once in a while.

You never know how you might change their lives.

The great flood

One Saturday afternoon I was in the kitchen on the telephone talking to a friend. This was the old fashion phone connected to the wall. Suddenly my 15 year old son ran in the house and started yelling mom mom mom come outside and see whats happening. I thought he was just trying to get my attention as kids often do when there parents are on the phone. I ignored him and he ran in again and yelled for me to come out and see what was going on. Again I ignored him until he grabbed my arm and said it was urgent. I ended my call and went calmly outside and looked in the driveway where my car was parked and the windows were rolled down as it was a very hot summer day.

Then I suddenly noticed that my 4 year old son was standing next to the passenger car window with a hose draped over it. The hose was facing inside the front seat of the car.........Oh Yeah....I hurried up and turned off the water and told my son he better get out of my sight or I will murder him. I was so mad, I knew if I started the anger, I would beat the living h___ out of him.

I went over to the car and opened the door, well you know...it was if Moses parted the red sea and it was all over. The water was just flowing from from the opening. Gallons of it! My other boys stood there in shock that I stayed so calm, I really wasn't that calm inside, but I knew if I let it out, I would explode.

It took weeks to get the car dry again. Every time I stepped on the peddles (gas or accelerator) a gush of water would come out.

Well, this really did happen, I mean, I did not explode with anger or beat my child or spank him or even yell at him severely. I just told him to get away from me or they would need to come and arrest me.

We can take control of our emotions during the worst situations, when we need it the most.

I knew from that day forward, I could withstand anything that came my way, good or bad! Well, so far it's played out. I have not committed any felonies yet and my children are all grown up and they are all doing fine. I do however, have a few grey hairs from each of them!

I guess it's all working out ok!!

An evening of Talk

My oldest son is very much to himself in most respects. He talks when he is ready and not a minute before. The other evening I called him for a brief phone call to discuss travel arrangements for my 8 year old grandson to come visit during the summer. I thought this would be a very short conversation as I had a very long couple of days and was totally spent. Well you guessed it, my son wanted to talk and talk and talk, and were still at it after two plus hours.

During the call my youngest son had come in the room and was very excited about his day and struck up a side conversation with his father. We were both on the call (speaker phone). Then my middle son called in to talk while were were still on the call with our oldest son. I thought to myself, this never happens. All three of my boys needed us for something important right then and there.

This seems like such a small thing to some, but to me it shows that we are never finished being parents. When our children grow up, they learn life's lessons and mature through the harsh reality of life. They are forever trying to figure things out on their own and trying hard to make it without any or with very little help from mom and dad.

Every now and then they do need us and little bit!

I am just grateful that they are comfortable enough with us to just talk about life issues that affect them and their families. We are truly blessed that we have such a great relationship with each one of them, that they will come to us in times of need or excitement or to just talk. My hope is that they can each build this kind of relationship with their own children so they can experience the same closeness that I feel with them.

I love my boys.

Retirement. Hey, I am just saying............

What do you think about working.

Well, I have had this great idea since I was younger, I think we should all be able to play and have fun as if we were retired until we turn the age of 40. Then at age 40, we would all be required to work until we die. The reason behind this is that we could all enjoy life to the fullest when our bodies are able to do so. We don't really have that great of work skills when were younger anyway and don't have the drive to work to our full potential. We would be able to enjoy life to the fullest at a younger age.

When you hit the ripe old middle age of 40, you would be required to go to work and work until your days are over. Let's face it, we don't have that much to do anyway when were over 40. We spend all of our income helping our children survive and we like to work when were middle aged. Mentally you would be ready to work and you could do a great job because you are older, wiser and more mature. You are more dependable at this age and usually have a great work ethic. Most of us have better communication skills and are able to think thing through much better than we did when we were younger.

What do you think? It's really too late for me because I am over 40 but how about the next generations?

Hey, I am just saying...........