Being the Best Mom

Thanks to all of you who joined in on my friend Kristen’s custom jewelry giveaway here this past week!

I used a random number generator to select the winning comment, and the winner…

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I know it’s a day early, but my family is leaving Thursday morning for an end-of-summer trip up north. I won’t be blogging until we get back, and I didn’t want to miss a Lessons from the Edge post.
So here it is.
A day early. *grin*

The need for grace has no age limit.

That’s the lesson I learned at Edgewood this week. And here’s how:

*Our oldest resident (She’ll be 103 in a few weeks!) joined us for Exercise Class this week. She loves to sing, and does so all.the.time. Which really is fine with me, because I love to sing, too. Except her humming can be quite high-pitched and slightly painful to the ear. However, as I looked around the Activity Room during Exercise Class, I saw many people smiling at Helen – extending her grace in spite of their personal preference – because they knew the singing made her happy.

*On Tuesday I was eating lunch with a group of three women – all of whom I would guess are probably in their 80s. One of them told me a cute story about when she and her family moved to Michigan, and I smiled as she shared it. But when she repeated the same story three or four more times, I observed grace coming from her table-mates. The smiles on their faces told me they were used to the repetition, but they really didn’t seem to mind. They cared about their friend, and just let her enjoy her memories.

*We have a resident who is quite a bit younger than the rest. I’d guess him to be in his 40s. He has CP, is deaf, and “walks” around in a wheel-chair of sorts. He needs lots of care, it is difficult to communicate with him, and he always makes a mess when he eats. But I love to see the way residents show kindness and grace to this man. They look out for him, kind of like big brothers and sisters would for their little brother. They excuse the messes he makes, and they welcome him to be a part of the group. It’s a beautiful thing.

*And then there’s me. Hanging on to my 30s for another year and twenty days. Many of the residents at Edgewood comment about how ‘young’ I am. Sometimes I even hear the words, “If I were that young again…”
But being young hasn’t proven to exempt me from needing grace. I have forgotten to note a change in the schedule. I have spoken too fast during announcements. Made a wrong turn going to WalMart, too! But over and over again, I have residents telling me, “You’re doing a good job.” “That’s OK. You’re still learning.” “I’m glad you’re here.”
I welcome their gracious disposition towards me. I need it.

And as the lesson trickles on down the line, I pray God will help me be more gracious toward my children. They’re doing a good job. They’re still learning. And I am so glad they’re here!

***I’m gone now for Labor Day weekend. Will be back to posting next Wednesday!

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I was huffing and puffing as I ran up the hill. With the end of the sidewalk in view I said to myself, “This is it. I am not going to turn around and run this path again. I am tired and I am ready to quit. Running is over for today.” 

Just the night before, I had decided to increase the length of my run by turning around and doubling up on the last section, which would improve my distance by about half a mile.

However…

To read the rest, click here!

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So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

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When we were in Tahoe a few weeks ago, Mike and I took the kids for a walk near Incline Village.

We saw the most gorgeous flowers; I just had to share these with you…

Aren’t…

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I am currently reading Heart’s Cry Principles of Prayer, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. Though there have been many statements which have caused me to pause and ponder in this book, today I want to share one with you which I really want to be my heart’s cry.

“I asked God to daily give me the ability to live so that anyone who had contact with me would feel better at the end of the conversation than when the contact began. I want my life to certify or prove the authenticity of my relationship with God.”

Heart’s Cry, page 79

Ah, may this be true of me, too!

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Many parents are not only juggling the role of mom or dad to their own kids, they are also caring for their aging parents.

Today for Mom-Monday, I’m sharing an article I wrote for Sacramento…

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Thanks to a little comment-dialog on Facebook, I’ve settled on a title for the weekly posts I knew I would end up writing about my experiences at Edgewood Retirement Center. So now I present to you my first installment of Lessons from the Edge.
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Whew!
I’m just finishing my third week as the Activities Director at Edgewood. And I can truly say I love it there. Oh, there is so much to learn job-wise, and I am feeling rather overwhelmed in that regard. But I know God is going to lead me through each step. I am trusting in HIM.

Last week – in an attempt to get to know the residents better – I began sitting at a different table each day during the lunch hour. I have heard funny stories and heart-breaking stories. I have been encouraged as a mother to hang in there through the hard times. And I have been reminded of the value of listening to a person – just letting him talk, letting him say the same thing over and over – because he simply needs someone who will listen. But the thing I want to share today doesn’t come from the specific words a person said – rather the relationship I witnessed between a husband and wife.

Right away I was touched by how she took care of his needs. Cutting his meatloaf and pouring his coffee. She wanted everything to be just right for him. Wanted to be sure he was happy. She smiled the whole time she was doting on him.
Then, as our conversation took off, I was a bit surprised when she turned to him and said, “Tell Karen where I worked.” And a moment later, when she asked him, “How old is our second daughter?” She turned to me at that point and explained, “My memory isn’t very good anymore, so I have to ask him a lot of questions.”
And do you know what?
It looked to me as if it delighted him just as much to answer her questions as it delighted her to cut his meatloaf.
They met each other’s needs. Where one was weak, the other was strong – and they delighted in completing one another. They’re like that every time I see them. What a beautiful picture that couple is to me about the way a husband and wife can be together.
They’re an inspiration to me, and I’m going to keep my eyes on them!

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Remember the necklace I told you about that I absolutely love?

It was made by my blogging friend Kristen, who also happens to be an incredibly talented jewelry artist.

Her pieces are…

Visit my website at www.mycup2yours.com for full content, links, and more…
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