Call it a random act of kindness, an unpredictable coincidence, a blessing, chance, luck, good karma, fortune, a tender mercy…any way you look at it, I’ve had a few good things happen at just the right moment this week. One never knows what may be lurking just around the next corner, but for now, I will be glad for the good things happening and cross my fingers and pray that things stay this way long enough to catch a deep breath and catch up a little emotionally.
I'm about to be a Missionary mom again....double the missionaries! Bradley just passed his 17 month mark in Dallas Texas and Cameron leaves one week from today for the MTC and then off to Richmond Virginia. These boys who have never been more than 18 months apart from one another and have experienced so much together will not see each other for 3 1/2 years. It's an odd thing to think about. Actually, the place in which I find myself currently is an odd thing to think about. For a mom who has always been a stay at home mom and been surrounded by a small herd of children at all times, it's been a hard transition to go back to work and have my wee ones growing up.
Needless to say, between these growing pains and the financial ups and downs of the past few years, I've had more than my fair share of the roller coaster ride tickets. If I'm completely honest, I've mostly been a mess for much of the time. It's very easy to get caught up in those things not going according to plan and to fret over changes that I seem to resist.
I'm trying very hard to cope with things in an adult-like manner and not throw too many temper tantrums, but tears often seem to be just a blink away.
BUT....
I have much to be happy about!! Despite the fact that they have/had inexperienced parents, these kids have and are growing up to be happy, productive and contributing members of society. They are making good choices, are kind to others, patient with their mom and willing to grow up and leave the nest. Those are good things!!
Me?? Although I'm a self-professed "emotional-basket-case" much of the time, I still have friends and family who are willing to love me for who and what I am. Good, kind people who are willing to share their lives with me, listen to me and basically just be there when I need them.
This week alone has left me with a long list of kind words and deeds sent my way by people I love so very much! Hand me down running shoes for Court, enough treats to fill a bakery and a houseful of people to support Cam, a mission President willing to let one of his missionaries take a few minutes to call his brother before he leaves, phone calls, donations to help with the missionary effort, good friends showing up to help at just the right time. Parents, siblings, children and friends who know me so well that I know a kind word or help is just around the corner.....even when I'm too proud to ask.
So, thank you!
I joke that the reality has been that during each of our son's missions, we have replaced major appliances, air conditioning/furnace units, experienced expensive car repairs, and had some major bad luck. So much so, that when people say "Double the missionaries = double the blessings"...I sigh and wonder if I'm up for it. ;)
But through it all, the "Pro" list outnumbers the "Con" list by a mile!! Plus, there are only a handful of appliances that need to be replaced now, so odds are in our favor that it shouldn't be too bad. (Still praying for the cars to drive on and on, but it's possible.....) ;)
The reality is that there are many worse things I could be dealing with in my life and I'm probably not as picked on as I feel, in fact, I have much to be grateful for!
Here's to thinking happy thoughts and trying to master my passions and thoughts.....
http://youtu.be/tQ-wRci8JhU
