10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Middle School

Posted on February 5, 2014 by thewritertracy

photo source: http://www.therightsideofnormal.com/2013/01/08/the-middle-school-teen-brain-shift/

“Is there anything good about middle school?”

Her question made me laugh.  I had to think quickly.

“Of course!” I answered, “You’ll meet new friends, have more freedom, and you’re not stuck with the same teacher all day long.”

We were in the car, my youngest daughter and I, going to a meeting about the music programs available to her when she enters middle school next fall.  The meeting, talk amongst her peers, knowing she’ll soon leave the only school she’s ever known, it’s all causing her to think.

 Me too.  Next falls brings a new season in life for my youngest daughter.  And even though I have two older daughters, it will be a new season for me as well.  I will watch my youngest girl grow out of childhood.

The things I’ve told her about middle school are all true.  But, well, I guess there’s a lot I left out.  Like that awkward feeling that prevails over every thought you have and every decision you make.  Or that cloud of confusion that hangs over your head until you figure out exactly who are you, and that you’re really not so bad after all.  Or maybe that was just me…

Regardless, there is so much I wish I could tell her.  Things I want her to know before she goes through this transition, this time where she’ll experience changes in her body, mind and soul.  Yes, if I had the chance, if I knew it would do any good, I’d tell my girl the following 10 truths about middle school: 

#1-Yes, you do fit in, even though you don’t know it yet.  Even though you might not know it until high school or college. You are not alone.

#2-Yes, you are smart, really smart.  And don’t let the fact that you failed your history quiz or screwed up your band solo or forgot your locker combination make you think otherwise. You will make it through middle school, and (bonus!) you will make it in this world.

#3-No, I’ve never known anyone who really got a swirlee.

#4-Yes, there are mean girls.  Stay away from them.  They just grow up to become mean women and you don’t need them in your life no matter how popular they are.

#5-Yes, boys make me nervous.  Why? Because just like girls, not all boys are nice. And a lot of those mean ones are awful cute. This makes it all the more confusing.  There will be time for that later.

#6-No, your teachers don’t know everything.  You’ll get some great ones, teachers who will build you up; you’ll remember them forever.  But you’ll also get a couple of burned-out, grumpy teachers, and they’ll take their frustrations out on you.  It’s okay; the world is full of grumpy people.  This is your first lesson in dealing with them.

#7-Yes, you’re going to need to be brave.  Because this is the time to discover yourself.  Enjoy singing?  Join the choir. Think basketball is your thing?  Try out for the team, even if you’re not sure you’ll make it.   Love trivia?  Sing up for the Quiz Bowl.  It will be scary, but you will never regret trying.

#8-Yes, there is drama, and lots of it.   Middle school is filled with gossip.  But people who talk about and judge others, they are just insecure. They put people down to make themselves feel better.  It will be tempting to join in, but try hard not to participate.  And never, ever be a bully; your words leave a permanent mark on others.

#9-No, you are not the only Christian.  Hold on to your faith, tightly.  It is not a thing to feel embarrassed about, or denied.  It is a part of you and being Christian does not make you uncool. What’s cool is being comfortable with yourself and your choices.

#10-Yes, that feeling you have in your gut; you should listen to it.  It’s your physical guide, given to you, to help you in those moments when you feel swayed to go another way.  Looking back on my own life, this was the one thing that saved me from some very big mistakes.

I’d love to share these nuggets with my daughter. But guess what?  She wouldn’t believe me if I told her.  Because like most of us, she will gain her wisdom through experience; she will learn mostly through living, not listening.  But who knows, we have lots of car rides together ahead of us.  And maybe, just maybe, she and I will learn to navigate middle school together.

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Posted in Faith, Family Life, God, gratitude, humor, inspiration, kids, life lessons, parenting, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why it’s Good to Be in the Right Place at the Right Time

Posted on January 31, 2014 by thewritertracy

IMG_2315

I love the way it just all fell together.  And there’s nothing better than getting to see a bit of romance in action.

We were on a girlfriend getaway in Fort Myers beach.  After getting lunch out and spending the afternoon shopping, we decided to stop at a local beach bar called The Cottage to watch the sunset.  With drinks in our hands, we made our way down to the bar’s beachside picnic tables.  Only there were no available tables.  It was here, that we met Eddie.

Eddie, traveling solo, and in town for just one night, noticed our plight and offered to share his table with us.  And so the banter began.  We girls can talk!  So with our new friend Eddie we talked about life and marriage and relationships and skydiving and bucket lists. We talked about how cold it is in Michigan (where he is from) and how it was currently snowing in Indiana (where we are from).  Two young couples at a neighboring table, both from Chicago, quickly joined in our glee at being on the beach instead of in the snow.

A hour or so later, just as the sun began to set, one of our new Chicago friends came over to let us in on a secret: his buddy was about to propose.   A proposal!  On the beach!  At sunset!  All of us married girls were beside ourselves.  And so, as the two couples headed down the beach under the ruse of  “taking a group picture with the sunset”, the rest of us turned around to witness the moment.  We couldn’t wait for this nice young man to pop the question.

Somehow Eddie from Michigan had missed the memo, but he too wanted pictures of the glorious sunset.  So down he went toward the two couples and started snapping away.  Minutes later Mr. Chicago got to work: down on his knee, he said the 4 magic words his girlfriend had waited four years to hear.  His buddy was ready and waiting with his camera to capture the magic moment.  Only he just couldn’t get the shot….Something about the angle, the glare, the shutter speed setting, who knows.  Tragic!

But bachelor Eddie, caught up in the moment happening before him, snapped his own photo of the proposal, and guess what?  He got the shot!   And with a simple text message, he was able to share it with the new bride-to-be.  She was moved to tears by the gesture.

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My friends and I all ran to our new Chicago friends, offering hugs and well wishes to the new couple.  All in all it was a festive afternoon (with people I barely know!) and I was so glad to be a part of this couple’s memorable moment.

It’s possible that I’m a sap (probable even).  But frankly I just love to celebrate happy, anyone’s happy.  And as I look back at the chain of events, I love how everything seemed to just fall in place.

We stop for a drink, meet Eddie, meet the Chicagoans, and bond over being away from the cold.  Then even though he isn’t in on the secret, Eddie just happens to be at the right place at the right time and to take the photo that mattered.  I have no doubt it is the photo that will grace the fireplace mantle of this young couple for years to come.  And just so you know, I saw the tears in Eddie’s eyes when it all took place.  So I  guess I’m not the only sap around.

Posted in Faith, gratitude, inspiration, life lessons, marriage, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

How to Be Stronger than a Superhero

Posted on January 22, 2014 by thewritertracy

image courtesy of  http://www.emudesc.com

I think it was the way he said it, or maybe it was the way it aligned with all that has been on my mind lately. But for whatever reason, the words of my pastor struck me this past week. Enough so that I took the time to write them down.

He said, very simply, “Self-will is never enough.”

I’ve been struggling with goals lately (not resolutions, remember I didn’t make those!).  I love to write and want desperately to make writing a higher priority.  I want to sit down and put words on the page, every day.

But life gets in the way.  Children, work, volunteer commitments, exercise, dinner, laundry. My attention is often diverted. And then there’s the world of social media competing for my interest: Facebook, Twitter, texts, email, and a constant stream of articles, blog posts, breaking news stories; all available to me with one simple click.   It’s easy to give in to distractions.

Just last week I took a personality inventory (DISC), and I learned I am…Easily distracted.  Yes! I see this now.  But giving in to distractions gets in the way of my accomplishing what I want to accomplish.  What I really, really want to accomplish.

So when Pastor Randy began talking about self-will and how we must learn to rely on God, I was listening.  It is human nature to want to maintain control.  We desire to be in charge of our lives, our circumstances, the outcome of those situations in which we are involved.  But truth be told, we are not in charge.  Never have been.  He is.

I know this is true, have known it for a long time.  Yet still, I cling to my ways of attempting to control my world.  And when it gets to be too much, when I find myself falling apart or failing or frustrated by my circumstances, I pray.

I ask God for help.  Ask Him to help me write more.  Get healthier.  Be more thoughtful of my family and friends.  I ask Him to give me strength. Discipline. Courage.  But as I listened to my pastor’s words last week I realized this: my prayers are all wrong.

I’ve been praying for God to help me overcome my weaknesses.  In other words, I was praying for perfection.  I’ve been praying for God to transform me into a superhero.

su·per·he·ro

ˈso͞opərˌhirō/

noun

noun: super-hero

  1. 1. a benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers, such as Superman.

I now realize I’ve been asking God to fix me.  To make me something other than what I am; a busy working mom with a personality that lends itself to getting distracted.  Huh, I’m pretty sure this isn’t how it works.

So now, instead, I will pray for the courage to rely fully on God.  To trust Him and the path He has chosen for me.  To obey, to listen, to allow Him to work within me.

God knows my weaknesses better than I do.  He isn’t going to take them away, they are a part of who I am.  Yet God knows how to get things done, knows how to work around my weaknesses.  All I have to do is let Him.  Obey, listen, allow: it’s even better than being a superhero.

Self-will is never enough, but the will of God is more than enough. 

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Posted in Faith, Family Life, Goals, God, gratitude, inspiration, life lessons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Making Your Words Matter

Posted on January 15, 2014 by thewritertracy

Picture Source: http://blogmyheartandhome.wordpress.com/tag/power-of-words

“It’s Tracy, right? Do you remember me?”

I didn’t recognize her at first.  Because it had been seven years, her hair was longer now, and life was so busy back then that much of it escapes me.  But just as it was coming back to me, she shared her name and reminded me she had been my daughter’s preschool teacher.

Wow.  Preschool.  Said daughter is now in fifth grade.  Wow.

And so we chatted.  About the school.  About the kids.  About life now with no little ones in the house, and this crazy winter we’re having.  And then she said something, something that touched my heart.

“I have this little case, “ she began, as she pulled it out of her purse, “I put my coupons in it and such.”   I couldn’t figure out where this was going; didn’t understand why she’d want to share her coupons with me. But then she pulled out a card, one that looked vaguely familiar.

“And in it I carry this,” she continued, “It’s a card you gave me at the end of school.”  She opened it, showed it to me, “I pull it out and read it when I’m having a bad day.”

Wow.  There it was, my card, my handwriting, my words.  And I don’t even remember what I wrote.  But whatever it was, it meant something to her.  I could feel my heart warming.

Words matter.  We use them every day, but often toss them about rather carelessly.  I usually throw mine out into the universe with little thought as to where they will land. What I say often depends upon my mood, my circumstances, my current situation.  In other words, I don’t usually think before I speak. And I’m certainly not considering how my words will affect others.

In fact though, I do remember writing this card.  Not what I wrote, but that I wrote it with a purpose.  My little one had not enjoyed her first preschool.  I was so grateful that she liked this one, that she felt comfortable with her teacher, and I wanted to express that in my note.  And I’m so glad I did. Because obviously seven years later, those words, simply words I’m sure, still carry much weight.  They are alive, motivating a good teacher when she is having a bad day.  Words matter.

And while I’m happy to know I once wrote a card that meant something to someone, it was just one card.  How often have I missed the chance to share my gratitude, my happy, positive words with others?  I can tell you how often: all the time.

So quick am I to send a birthday card with only my name scribbled on it and no personal message.  It is second nature for me to ignore the grocery store cashier’s greeting, giving her but a nod or smile and no words in response.  There are countless days when I feel so grateful for my kids, my parents, my husband; but do I ever think to verbalize it?  Rarely.

It takes time and effort to look beyond yourself.  Time and effort to let those around you know you care, know you appreciate who they are and what they do for you. Be it a loved one or the grocery store cashier. But we must remember that it takes only a little time, and the effort is worth it.

Because there is a payoff for sharing your positive words, and it’s called joy. And  joy, when released, has a domino effect. 

I once wrote kind words to a preschool teacher.  She in turn, used her words to let me know how much mine meant to her.   And now, I write new words and I hope they will influence you. Because when you release your positive words into the world, maybe, just maybe, you’ll find they will come back to you. And when they do, they will warm your heart, even if it takes seven years.

Posted in Faith, Family Life, gratitude, inspiration, kids, life lessons, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Here’s What I’m Thinking…

Posted on January 8, 2014 by thewritertracy

 

photo courtesy of therapytoronto.ca

What ‘cha thinking about?

It’s a classic question I used to ask my husband.  And when I asked, in return, I often got a blank look to go with his very long pause.  And then, his answer, “Nothing.”

This was always hard for me to understand.  Nothing?  How can you be thinking about nothing?  How can you not have something going on in your head that you are considering, debating, or pondering?

So once I persisted.  “No really, just tell me.  You have to be thinking about something.  Just tell me.  I don’t care what it is, I just want to know.”

What I learned is that much of the time, what my husband is thinking about isn’t much.  It isn’t about me or our relationship or our kids and what they’ll do when they grow up, or whether or not we should allow our daughter to drive to her friend’s house in this god-awful snow.

Nope.  Turns out he’s often thinking about the following:

Football.

Nachos.

Work.

One or two other things I’ll leave to your imagination.

Not necessarily, but quite possibly, in that order.

I don’t believe my husband is so unusual.  And he’s a bright guy, so I’m sure in those times when he’s planning out the work budget or figuring out our personal finances or playing Sudoku, there’s much more going on up there.  It’s just that when he’s at home relaxing, what he’s thinking about is nothing like what I’m thinking about.

Because I’m thinking:

Should we eat leftovers for dinner or do I need to cook?

If I cook, what can I make with three chicken breasts to feed a family of 5?

Do I need to send Sarah (our eldest, in college) her birthday gift in the mail, or should we visit her?  Will she even want to spend her big day with us, or is that totally lame when you’re turning 20?  Or would she secretly be hurt if we don’t come?

Will my kids ever actually put their coats on the coat rack?

Will I ever get Abby (our youngest) to keep track of her stuff?  Is middle school with her going to be a three-year nightmare?

Am I ever going to get published in The Sun?

Will I ever get my book done? And what if I don’t?

Should we splurge on Hawaii next year or is it too much money, too commercial for my taste?

Do we even have rice if I end up making the chicken?

I think there are two things going on here.

One is that men and women think very differently. Men focus on one thing at a time, think about only one thing at a time.  They also tend to live more in the present moment than women (I’m obviously speculating here…).  Women, on the other hand, tend to multitask both in actions and thoughts all the live long day.  We think about work when we’re home with kids, we think about our kids when we’re at work.  We think about how to get to the grocery, get dinner on the table and get the laundry done all the time.  We think alot and we’re always thinking ahead.

The second is that my particular neurons fire out messages to my brain all day long. About a lot of really boring, really useless stuff. Yes, occasionally such messages and thoughts help me to be organized and keep me on top of things.  But still, they also keep me from living in the here and now. From slowing down and enjoying life.  My husband suggests it must surely be exhausting to be me.  Seeing as I have never been any different, I’ve never really considered the question.

But what I have considered is this: perhaps sometimes it’s just better not to ask what your spouse is thinking.  Because he just might tell you.  And then, if you’re me, no matter how he responds, it will just give you more to think about!

Am I alone in my strange ways?  How do you think?

 

 

Posted in Family Life, humor, kids, life lessons, marriage, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

5 Reasons I’m Not Making New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2013 by thewritertracy

It’s that time of year.  Time to look back and reflect, time to look forward and plan.

I wasn’t going to do it.  Wasn’t going to participate, wasn’t going to make resolutions for the coming year.  I’ve got my head on pretty straight these days, and I already know what I want to focus on in my life (health, relationships, writing-end of story).  And with that in mind, I figured I had no need for goals, no need to reflect or ponder on what will happen in 2014.  Instead, I would allow it all to unfold.  I was doing pretty well, until…

Until Saturday.  Saturday is when all media began to explode with segments and articles and tweets and blog posts about weight loss and getting fit and making 2014 the year where I achieve whatever it is I am meant to achieve.

So I caved. 

I listened, I read, and darn it, I even pondered what I should be doing to feel better, look better, be better in 2014.  But in the end, here’s what I decided:

Oh, forget it. 

I’m 48 years old.  I’ve lived through 48 New Year’s Eves and have had resolutions for approximately 28 of those years.  Sometimes I’ve conquered my resolutions, and often times I haven’t.  So what’s the difference?

What I have managed to do in all those years is this:  live. 

I’ve worked, I’ve gotten married, I’ve given birth to three kiddos.

I’ve taken on a mortgage, car payments and paid more than my fair share of taxes.

I’ve had good years and bad years and years where I was so busy and/or sleep deprived I barely remember them.

And I’ve learned a lot along the way.  I’ve discovered I’m a worrier, but that with time, faith and yoga, I can let my worries go.

I’ve realized I have a passion for writing, and that while at times I’ve thought I’d give it up, I now know I can’t.  I’m always writing in some way, shape or form; it is a part of who I am.

I’ve learned to let go of regrets:  because really, what good does it do to hold onto them?  Better to reflect on why things happened the way they did, and figure out what it is you’ve had to learn the hard way.   Lessons. Mistakes are always about lessons; learn them and move on.

I’ve had many a happy day and a few sad ones too.  And from this I have observed:  sad days eventually go away, if you can just wait them out, the happy ones always return.

I’ve done a lot of living in my near fifty years.  I’ve created a happy life for myself through hard work, faith and acceptance of what is, and what isn’t.  I don’t believe any of it happened because of resolutions made on January 1st of any given year.

So this year, instead of making resolutions, I’ve come up with reasons not to.

5 Reasons Why I’m Not Making NYE Resolutions.

 1-Resolutions create pressure.  Who needs pressure?

 2-The mere making of resolutions implies that your life, as is, isn’t good enough.  If life is treating you pretty well, why mess it with it? And if it’s not, it’s going to take more than a resolution to get yourself  on track.

3-92% of Americans break their resolutions. Why set yourself up for failure? Avoid the entire scheme by simply refusing to make any resolutions in the first place.

4-January is a lousy time to start anything.  Isn’t just surviving the cold, dark days of winter enough for now?  I’ll save my improvements for April thank you, when the sun and warm weather return, when I’m inspired by the coming of spring.

5-Resolutions are all about improving your life; but I already like mine.  It has its lousy moments for sure, but all in all, it’s still mine.  So instead of lamenting, I choose to accept and embrace the life I have, achievements, mistakes and all.

And for you my dear friends, may 2014 be the year where you live, really live.  May it be the year you become content in where you’ve been, where you are, and where you are headed.

Posted in Faith, Family Life, Goals, gratitude, humor, inspiration, life lessons, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How To Tame Your Inner Grinch

Posted on December 19, 2013 by thewritertracy

I have a confession. It’s December 19th and I have yet to find my Christmas spirit. 

I’m tired and cold and my house is a mess.  My to do list is (still) long, my time is short and I have a load of presents in my closet waiting for me to wrap them.

But it’s really not about that.

Because I’ve been busy before.  My house has been a mess before. I’ve been tired and cold before.  So why do I lack in spirit during this “hap-happiest season of all”?   I don’t know.  But, I’m trying.

The family and I put up our tree together.  We decorated the house.  We made my annual donation to my favorite charity (Christel House) and sponsored three kids for Christmas. I’m playing Christmas music. I even studied Mary in The Women of Christmas along with the women in my bible study.

These are all good things; thing I am happy to do, things that usually bring me joy.  But somehow this year, it’s just not working.  But as I continue in my striving, as I continue to seek out ways to refuel my tired body and spirit, I find the walls of my Grinch-like soul are finally beginning to crack.  Thank God.  Because who wants to be a Grinch?

As a blogger, I follow many blogs.  Two that I read this week touched my heart.

The first was written by Michelle Cushatt.  Michelle is a Christian speaker and writer.  I love her blog because she is honest, wise and humble.  This week she interviewed her father about his recent experiences with a cancer diagnosis.  This vibrant, healthy, never-been-sick-much-before father and grandfather woke up one day and discovered that,  “just that fast, everything changed.”

I must say Dad is as wise as his daughter and his words really spoke to me.  If only I had a faith like his, the Grinch could not touch me.   Read about Loren Trethewey’s experience here:

http://michelecushatt.com/what-matters-most/

      The second blog post that spoke to me is from Dan Reiland.  Reiland’s blog is written for church leaders, but I find he often has wisdom for all of us lowlifes.  This week Dan talks about how sometimes we can’t see what is right in front of us.  He then gives three simple suggestions for finding the solutions we seek:

          Slow down.

          Pay attention.

      Focus.

Can it really be that easy?  Yes.  Read more about how to seek what you cannot find here:

http://danreiland.com/might-sitting-solution/

My friends, the month of December couldn’t be busier. In a matter of 25 days we add decorating, shopping, baking, card writing, and lots of merrymaking to our already busy lives.  

Let us not forget to slow down, pay attention and focus on what is important.

Let us not forget to be grateful for all we have, not the least of which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

Because as Grandpa Loren knows, everything can change, just that fast. 

Posted in christmas, Faith, Family Life, God, gratitude, humor, inspiration, life lessons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Would You Stay or Turn Away?

Posted on December 11, 2013 by thewritertracy

 https://i0.wp.com/www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20110415/Beggar-1850284.jpg

photo courtesy of featurepics.com

Week after week she stood there.  In the cold, in the rain, in the sleet and in the snow.  She stood there on the corner, in her spot so to speak, and waited. Waited for people to give her money.

Week after week Tim Waggoner ignored her.  Week after week he passed her, made his deliveries to the store near where she stood, and ignored her. Until one day, he didn’t.

A tug on his heart or maybe a guilty conscience or perhaps even an urging from the Holy Spirit, whatever it was, Waggoner stopped and spoke to the woman.  He gave her a couple dollars.  She thanked him.  And then he got in his warm truck, put it in drive, and went on with his day.

But after that it became a habit.  It became his deed.  It became a simple way for Tim Waggoner to do a little something, extend a little kindness, give back to a world that had treated him pretty well.  Each time he saw her, he gave the woman on the corner a few dollars.  It started with two, soon went to five, and eventually he gave her twenty dollars each week.

“This lady never failed to be there,” says Waggoner, “it was like she knew what day and time I would be through, and every time I stopped, she would say, ‘God will bless you someday for your kindness.”    She was right.

Waggoner continued giving to the woman on the corner for about eight months.  But one day, as he hopped out of his truck to make his weekly delivery, he noticed the corner was empty.  No woman, no sign asking for money, no chance to give.  Again the following week, he found the corner deserted.  After three weeks of not seeing her, worry set in.  This time as he made his delivery, he asked the store clerk about the woman on the corner.  Her eye lit up.  “You’re the guy!” she exclaimed, “Wait here.”

The clerk called her manager and within minutes he came up front to talk with Waggoner.  The manager, Max Little, led Waggoner into his office.  He invited him to sit down, talked with him a bit, and confirmed Waggoner was the truck driver who gave the woman money every week.  Little then picked up his phone, called a lawyer and asked him to come right away.  Then he proceeded to give a now nervous Waggoner the answer to his question.

The woman on the corner had recently passed away.  She was not homeless. In fact, she was wealthy.  Each week she stood on the corner collecting money and then she gave that money to the local homeless shelter.

Waggoner felt an immediate sadness.  After months of seeing her, he had gained a true fondness for the woman, Ms. Rosperio.  He would miss her smile, her kind words, her gentle nature.

But then came the news.  In addition to giving her weekly collections to the shelter, Rosperio had bequeathed $250,000 from her estate to the shelter she’d been collecting money for.  She also left money to Waggoner, a sum of $8,000 to be exact.

Waggoner could not believe his ears. Immediately his mind began to consider what he might do with this small fortune.  He had worked hard for his entire life, had been a trucker for 42 years.  He could use this money: for a new car, or a vacation or to get his wife or kids something really special.

But again the Holy Spirit went to work in Waggoner.  After thinking for just a minute, Waggoner made up his mind as to what to do with the money.  He would spend it in way that would honor the woman who gave it to him.  He would donate it to the very shelter Mrs. Rosperio supported.

Says Waggoner now, “I have a very prosperous company, good health, great family and a great wife to walk beside me in life.  Most of all God is with me every day and loves me no matter what.  So I think the moral of the story is believe in God and don’t pass the person on the corner up, you might be surprised who that person is.”

Quiet heroes.  They are everywhere; their good deeds are missed by many, but do not go unseen by God himself.   

This is a true story as told to me by Tim Waggoner, Columbus, IN. 

Posted in Faith, God, inspiration, life lessons, miracles, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Where Will You be in Four Years?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by thewritertracy

photo(12)

“I can’t do it!”

“Yes, you can.  Just focus. Put your hands under her and pull, fast!”

She was terrified.  I was yelling.  The two of us, in a panic, because we knew we there wasn’t much time.

Dory, my eleven-year-old daughter’s hedgehog, was stuck in Abby’s boot.

Don’t ask me why Abby put her in there.  Don’t ask me how the hedgehog got wedged in so tightly.  Don’t ask me how long a spiny mammal curled up in a ball can go without air whilst stuck in a hot, sweaty suede boot; I don’t know.

What I do know is that it’s at least 7 minutes.  After that, I gave up and cut the (new) boot open in order to save little Dory.  This, in the middle of my otherwise peaceful Sunday afternoon.

And, oh the aftermath.  Tears and apologies and hugs and lectures about life lessons learned.

This is my life. 

It’s crazy really, when you think about it. Become a parent and you find yourself in the most random, odd and sometimes scary situations.

Once I had to hand off my one-year-old daughter to my seatmate on a plane, so I could run to the bathroom and get sick.  Turns out I had the flu. Worst trip ever.

Once when my middle girl was three she climbed to the very top of a McDonald’s play castle and refused to come out (there were boys at the bottom, gasp!).  I had to climb up in the castle and get her.

Once in the span of maybe 10 minutes, my youngest daughter slipped outside (no shoes) to chase our runaway puppy.  I’d been in the bathroom and when I came out I saw her standing at the backdoor with said puppy and a policeman (again, without her shoes).  He happened to be parked at the intersection near our house.   All this in 10 minutes; I was mortified.

Become a parent and anything is fair game.  One minute you’re reading a book, the next you are trying to pull a hedgehog out of a boot.

But here’s the thing: life with children is so much more than crazy moments.  It’s about constant change.  Stages and phases and growth and transformation.

Today, my nephew turns four.  Four years old!  Four years may not seem like a long time, but to him, it’s an entire lifetime.  And when I look at my own life, just four years ago, I’m reminded how different it was.

Four years ago, my oldest daughter was 15 and couldn’t drive a car.  She’s now a sophomore in college.

Four years ago my middle daughter was an eighth grader, couldn’t drive and had never run a race in her life.  She now runs (and drives) daily and holds school records for her running times.  She’ll take the SAT Saturday and is looking at colleges.

Four years ago my youngest was in first grade and could barely read. Pink was her favorite color and she refused to learn to ride her bike.  This year, she is devouring the Hunger Games series and needs a new bike because she’s worn the old one out (she wouldn’t be caught dead in pink now).

Four years ago, I gave up writing to work for a charity.  Since then I’ve become a travel agent, run my own business and have discovered I can’t live without writing.  My husband was then celebrating surviving his first year with his business.  Now none of us can imagine him working anywhere else, can’t remember life before Summers.

And four years from now?  I’ll have one kid in the nest, one in college and one living on her own (hopefully!).  One will be in driver’s education (Lord help me) and the other two will be of legal drinking age (again, Lord…).

My nephew will be eight, in the second grade and likely tearing up the streets with a bike all his own.

Four years may not seem like a long time, but it is. 

Life is a gift, meant to be savored, day by day, month by month, and calamity by calamity.  And as being a parent so teaches us, there’s no need to ever fret because, life won’t always be like it is today.

Posted in Faith, Family Life, Goals, humor, inspiration, kids, life lessons, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Picture of Our Thanksgiving

Posted on November 28, 2013 by thewritertracy

Screen Shot 2013-11-24 at 12.13.10 PMHAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment