How do I make others feel?

Hello Everyone,

I've been thinking a lot lately about the past. You know the old saying, "If I had a dime for everytime I _____, I'd be the richest person I know". Yeah, I could say that if I had a dime for every mistake I made I'd be a rich woman. But I'd be rich only in dollars. Our mistakes are what makes us grow. Unfortunately, I've grown both deep and wide.....humor......where would we be without it? Recently I found on facebook a song by Simon and Garfunkel that was redone by "Celtic Thunder's Keith Harkin and Colm Keegan". They are such handsome men, but more than that. They did the song better than the first time around. The song has always been one of my favorites, titled...."Sounds of Silence". If you get a chance, it's on Youtube also, you should listen to their version. You won't be disappointed.

It's easy to look at these guys and have that schoolgirl thing come up.....you know, the heart beats faster and you're wanting to listen to the song over and over again. Good grief, I'm 50 years old. I cannot go back and Lord knows I wouldn't even if I could. There is no way I would ever choose to start over. Even if I knew what I now know. The richest of lives, live in the mistakes. We grow more when things aren't going well. We grow more when things are bad, not good. I hate to think of a life without the children I have. I say that because if I had it to do over, I wouldn't have married my first husband. Hence, I wouldn't have the children I have. They'd be different and I'd have never had the chance to learn so much as they grew up. As we grew up. I think we did that together, me and my kids. I don't think I really went through my adolescent years until I was in my 30's.

I think it's important to remember the positive things that have occurred and not all the bad. I realize as my daughter's belly continues to grow with her daughter Emma, just how blessed I am. Somewhere in here I know I had a point. I guess when all is said and done, we should ask ourselves when we're dealing with a difficulty, "In five years, will this situation matter?". So many times we put a great deal of emphasis on how we feel and not on how we make others feel. I believe that is what I REALLY need to work on.  Until next time, remember, Be Wise, Be Kind, Be True, Love, Patty

The important things I leave behind

Good Afternoon Everyone,

The other day my youngest son Ben brought over my grandson to spend the day. Paxton, my grandson was getting tired and at 8 1/2 months wouldn't just close his eyes and go to sleep. So Ben does what any good dad would do. He put his son on his chest and walked around gently bouncing him. Paxton who is fighting this procedure was trying his best to stay awake by making noises that sounded like he was singing. It was beautiful. I told Ben that I was unable to get Paxton to sleep that way. He told me neither could anyone else. Then he said, "I love it". He loves being the only person that can put his son to sleep that way. I have never been so proud to be Ben's mother.

Then last night I have my daughter Mary and my other son Isaac over. It amazes me how they are growing up. Mary is pregnant with my granddaughter Emma and we are all anticipating her arrival mid September. I am so incredibly blessed to have my children close by. I get to babysit Paxton regularly and while it is difficult and I usually pay for it physically. He is worth it every step of the way. I guess I'm just feeling especially blessed today. And proud of what I have accomplished. I wasn't the best parent at all. My kids have done well despite the mistakes I made. They continue to grow every time I see them.

I saw this little thing on facebook about being careful what we tell ourselves because our brains will believe what we tell it and respond accordingly. That is so true. We are like computers, we can only give according to whats been given. If we feed ourselves with nothing but negative self talk, then we are only going to be able to accomplish what we believe about ourselves. Does that make sense? My sister and I were discussing this the other day and I wondered aloud what my true purpose was supposed to be before I went and screwed everything up. She reminded me that my choices were known long before I made them. I know this to be true. But, don't you ever look back and wish that The Lord would have intervened and told you that this choice would mess up the future that was planned for you? I know I wish I would have listened to that still quiet voice. He (The Lord) was there talking to me, I just didn't listen. I'm listening now! Unfortunately the past can't be fixed, but my future can be. My God is much bigger than my choices. He can take the stupid mistakes I made into beautiful works of art. I see this to be true in the lives of my children.

Today I leave you with one of my favorite verses in Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Until next time, Be Wise, Be Kind, Be True.....Love, Patty