Things are good at this very moment and I need to stop and recognize that. All my family is enjoying good health, we have two adorable granddaughters and a grandson on the way, Ryan got a new job, our only debt is our home and car, we live in a beautiful place with wonderful friends and family close by, we enjoy our jobs, (for the most part, and are lucky to have jobs!), and we have the blessings of the gospel in our lives. How blessed and lucky are we?
Sometimes I wonder 'why' when there are so many who struggle in the world just to get enough to eat in a day. I heard that if we own a pair of shoes we are in the top 2% of the earth's population. Shoes. I have boxes of shoes, clothes, a nice home, a car, a computer, cell phone, and iPod, not to mention a refrigerator, a stove I don't have to lite with a match and wood, and indoor plumbing.
My heart is full of gratitude for all my many blessings.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Days are not what they used to be. The backyard bar-b-ques have been replaced with a trip to the cemetary. I really miss my mom. And, although that part is hard, the part about me being a mother myself, is great! Here is a very rare picture of Ryan and me. It made my day! (That, and phone calls from all my other children!)
I received the following in a Mother's Day e-mail and thought I would share it here because it is exactly how I feel.
When You're the Mom of a Mother
By Beverly Beckham and Grandparents.com
When my older daughter became a mother nearly six years ago, I became a grandmother with a brand-new baby to love. But I also became a different kind of mother to my baby. I was useful again. I knew things. I understood. And the most important thing I understood was how much my daughter loved her child.
Ten months later, my younger daughter gave birth to her firstborn. "Did you feel this way, Mom? Isn't it amazing? I never knew. Was I as cute?"
Motherhood, part two. That's what grandparenting really is. Your kids grow up, go off to school, move away. And they don't need you anymore. They don't call for advice. And you think, you're done. That's it. The job is finished.
And then your kids become parents and you're suddenly back in the game. "Mom, can you?" "Dad, will you?"
When a child is placed in a woman's arms — in a hospital, at an airport, in a lawyer's office, and whether the child is a newborn or a 10-year-old — a woman's life changes forever.
And so does the life of her mother.
I watch my daughters wipe noses and hands, buckle car seats, peel grapes, insist upon "please" and "thank you," wipe up spills, dry tears, read books, blow bubbles, monitor the TV, play games, and work outside their homes. And I am struck by the rigors of mothering — how hard it is and tiring and endless, and how amazing it is that anyone signs up for this job.
And then I think, this was once my job. I did all this. "How did you do it, Mom?" my daughters ask. And they listen to my answer because I've been down the road they're on now and they realize that maybe I know a few things they have yet to learn.
The mother-child connection. It changes. It evolves. It grows.
In the space between us now there is still no space. It is filled with children — theirs, but part mine. And on it goes. Mother to mother to child, this eternal bond that is recognized and honored on Mother's Day.
By Beverly Beckham and Grandparents.com
When my older daughter became a mother nearly six years ago, I became a grandmother with a brand-new baby to love. But I also became a different kind of mother to my baby. I was useful again. I knew things. I understood. And the most important thing I understood was how much my daughter loved her child.
Ten months later, my younger daughter gave birth to her firstborn. "Did you feel this way, Mom? Isn't it amazing? I never knew. Was I as cute?"
Motherhood, part two. That's what grandparenting really is. Your kids grow up, go off to school, move away. And they don't need you anymore. They don't call for advice. And you think, you're done. That's it. The job is finished.
And then your kids become parents and you're suddenly back in the game. "Mom, can you?" "Dad, will you?"
When a child is placed in a woman's arms — in a hospital, at an airport, in a lawyer's office, and whether the child is a newborn or a 10-year-old — a woman's life changes forever.
And so does the life of her mother.
I watch my daughters wipe noses and hands, buckle car seats, peel grapes, insist upon "please" and "thank you," wipe up spills, dry tears, read books, blow bubbles, monitor the TV, play games, and work outside their homes. And I am struck by the rigors of mothering — how hard it is and tiring and endless, and how amazing it is that anyone signs up for this job.
And then I think, this was once my job. I did all this. "How did you do it, Mom?" my daughters ask. And they listen to my answer because I've been down the road they're on now and they realize that maybe I know a few things they have yet to learn.
The mother-child connection. It changes. It evolves. It grows.
In the space between us now there is still no space. It is filled with children — theirs, but part mine. And on it goes. Mother to mother to child, this eternal bond that is recognized and honored on Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
I am so proud of Jonathan! He is finally finished! He graduated from UVU on Friday, May 1st with a Bachalor's degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry! Way to go Jon!
They had a really nice graduation ceremony and of course, I got all tiery-eyed thinking about what a long, hard road it was for him. Now we are all wondering what's next for Jon.
Ryan, Aaron and Kelly came from Idaho for the festivities but Kami, Steve and Angie were not able to make it. We had a bar-b-que here at the house today, with the family and some of Jon and Bonnie's friends. It was awesome inspite of the rain! Their friend Larry cooked some killer ribs and we had hamburgers and all the sides. We had a great time!
Of course Ella was the star of the show no matter what we might have been celebrating. She is so adorable and funny and we all just get a kick out of her.
After the bar-b-que, Kelly and I went shopping at Tia Pan and Ikea. We had a great time! We are very similar in many ways and I really enjoy the time I spend with her. Bonnie would have joined us but she had to work tonight so she needed a nap. (And their friends were still here.) I am so blessed to have two daughters-in-law that I adore! They are each perfect for the son they married. (I also have a great son-in-law, too who I feel the same way about, too.)
Anyway...Jon just know that we recognize what a sacrafice it was for you to finish your degree. We know you will be blessed for doing it and we wish you wonderful blessings for you and your precious family! Congratulations to you, Bonnie and Ella! We love all of you!
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