Perspective

Today I had one of those “A-ha” moments.  I was painting Miss E’s room and I was exhausted.  I started the project yesterday and finished today.  (Hooray!) Anyhow, I thought of all the times in my life my mom has worked beyond what she should have been physically capable of.  Put another way, I thought of how easy it would have been for her to throw in the towel and simply not do what needed to be done, but she didn’t.

Her resolve and her sense of humor have helped give a framework to my life.

This is not to say that we always got along.  We didn’t.  As is typical in many families we fought.  We distanced ourselves from each other.  The details would fill a book or two.

As time has gone on I have come to appreciate my parents so much more than I would have thought possible.

Christmas and memories

It that season of the year again.  The most joyous of all.  We even enjoyed a bit of snow this year!

We put up a Christmas tree that is absolutely gorgeous.  Oregon has Christmas tree farms everywhere you look.  Buying a beautiful tree is easy.  We did the usual cutting off the bottom and then situating it in the stand.  Several hands and eyes are required to get it standing straight.

The smell of a fresh tree is exquisite!  I love the aromas of the season.

I got out my decorations and the memories began.  I have ornaments that I gave my kids as they were growing up, ornaments that I made, ornaments that others gave to me, and the most precious of all… ornaments my kids made when they were little.  I have one that my youngest son signed the back of when he was little.  I smile at the childish handwriting.  I remember when he gave it to me.  Likewise I have ornaments that my other children made.  I even have some cut out of paper and colored with markers.  They are the most precious of all.