God Bless America

  This weekend the country will observe Memorial Day.  It's more than parades, family cookouts, and trips to the cemetary.  All of us probably know of a friend or family member who has served in the military.  We are lucky enough to live in a country where we can hate war, and still support our troops and their families.
   We get to go to a cookout and enjoy ourselves, even if half the crowd disagrees with our political opinions.  I like to say "it won't be the last time that two very intelligent people totally disagree on an issue."  This weekend let's all sing the national anthem at sporting events, even if we are watching on TV.  Light a candle to remember our relatives who have passed. 
  We can keep the memory of loved ones alive by telling a story about them.  Have everyone go around and tell something about relatives no longer with us.  Being serious and respectful, does not have to mean sad.  Every time we have done this, we end up laughing, and feeling more connected as a family.  Isn't that what it's all about??
  Have a good week everyone....so long for now

Twinkle , Twinkle, Little Star

I wish I had a better  voice, because I love to sing.  I sang lullabys to baby Matt when he wouldn't go to sleep.  When I got tired of singing the same verses over and over, I made up new words that would fit with the tune.
It came in handy many times.  I taught 4yr old Matt his address and phone number to the "twinkle twinkle little star" tune.  When 8yr old Matt had a hard time with his spelling words ( i before e, except after c), I told him that if he could remember rap songs, he could spell any word.  We rapped the spelling list, and he got 100% on the test! 
When he played baskeball in elementary school, kids would cheer "clap your hands...stamp your feet".  I cheered the words " wash your hands....brush your teeth" as I marched him to the bathroom after eating a messy meal.
We went to Disney when Matt was 12 and he got to bring his best friend since third grade.  At one point, Matt was apologizing for my annoying behavior.  The other boy said that I was a lot like his mom, I just sang more....hey I took it as a compliment !!
I can hardly wait till I have grandchildren, and they ask me..."why does he have to sing so much?" I heard Matt singing to his puppy more than once.  You know the saying....the apples don't fall too far from the tree.....hmmm.....that reminds me of a song......."we are family".....
so long for now.....

Good Enough Moms can enjoy life

Forget about being a perfect mom....many days I agonized over every decision, and still felt like I was doing a lousy job.  One day, someone told me to work on being a "good enough mom".  Wow, talk about a light bulb moment!!  It took all the pressure off trying to always come up with the perfect solution.  I could say stuff like "I don't have all the answers".  I could say " Don't rush me....I'm making mistakes as fast as I can" while I was laughing about something that probably wasn't funny!!  I could try a new routine, and know if we didn't like it, we'd try something else.  I realized that many great ideas wouldn't work in our family...and that would be OK.
Today , I get up and say "Thanks for today....I'm going to enjoy my day"!!  That doesn't mean life isn't hectic, it just means I try to keep in in perspective.  Some days I couldn't plan things to be more stressful.  I get up and start the new day with a clean slate.  I do my best not to make things worse by over reacting.  It's easier said than done.  Having a positive attitude is a full time job!!  Have a good week everyone !!

My Favorite Mother's Day Memories

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the Moms today.  I always tried to enjoy my Mother's Day. The best ones were low key.  Things always went better , when I'd  'go with the flow'.
 I think back to Matt as he got ready to start school.  I asked him as a first grader to "work hard and  be respectful".  It was easy as a little guy, and harder as a teenager. He always made me proud.
I think of all my Mother's Days , and how they evolved through the years.  When he was young ( 6-10 yrs) , Matt wanted to help make breakfast for me.  We would get a couple of movies, usually one that had lots of stuff getting blown up for the guys, and one that was a chick flick.  I never had to cook, or even fill my own coffee cup.  I'm drinking from my Mother's Day mug today, as I've done for the last fifteen years.  As a teenager, Matt wouldn't watch my movie, so Dad began the tradition of my guys washing my car, while I had an hour to myself. 
I remember the year first year that Matt refused to go out to eat with us.  "Come on", I pleaded, "you are the kid who made me the mother I am today"!  Matt burst out laughing, so I know I shocked him...and he came along.  I knew if I could make him laugh, and say "You are one weird woman, Ma" ,  things would be OK.
The Mother's Day before he got his license, I said we'd go look at used cars, and so we all spent the day together.  Senior year, I asked him to celebrate with us, because he might not get home while in college.   A couple of years ago, Matt was home for Mother's Day weekend. He got tickets to a Red Sox game.  The seats were fantastic, and I had a ball.  Little did we know, he would move across the country before the next Mother's Day. He's already called today, and he never forgets me.  I still wish he lived closer.
Today I get cards with a handwritten 'Roses are Red' poems.  I smile because I always write notes to Matt that start the same way.  I think of the countless times I was able to say "Thank God I have you for my son".
Roses are Red ; Violets are Blue ; I have lots of great memories ; and it's all because of YOU!!
Enjoy your week everyone.....so long for now....

New Additions to the site

Hope you all like the additions to the blog!  It's a work in progress, and it will evolve over time!
My thanks and appreciation for bringing it all to life!!  Look for an update this weekend.....so long for now