In Retrospect

A winter storm blew in from the west and knocked the pants off the south. There have been schools cancelled for a week in some places but where we live, we had one day out of school and two days of reporting to school at 10:00 am.
These few extra hours with my children and my husband reminded me of the blessings that are abudant in this life.
The week started off well and got even better. Brad gave me a wonderful anniversary night surprise with flowers, a card, and by renting a movie I had been wanting to see. Simple but precious gifts from a sweet man trying his best to make me happy, and he did!!

Reflecting on my marriage, and how happy and blessed I am has made me think about my parents marriage. I remember that my mom would get upset with my dad if he didn't give her an expensive piece of jewelry for every anniversary. If dad didn't come through with some sort of diamond, she would pout and be mad at him for days, weeks, months on end. I learned by watching her that when you expect things to be given to you because you feel entitled to them, you do not deserve anything but pity. It is a person who can look at the tiniest of gestures and see the love and kindness that the gesture itself represents. I learned many lessons by watching my mom go through her life. Here are a few things that I picked up on along our journey together:

1. Take nothing, and no one for granted. No one wants to do something for you out of guilt, they want to do it because they love you. If you guilt someone into doing something for you, the only thing you get in return is neglect.

2. Never hold grudges. Forgive and forget.

3. Focus on the positive. If everything in life is making you miserable, then maybe is actually you who are miserable with yourself. Misery loves company, but Happiness and Misery do not get along.

4. People do not have time to hold your hand and help you do everything in life. If you want something changed, DO IT! If you have a problem, FIND A WAY TO FIX IT!, If you have a question, ASK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Going on and on for months about mundane things that could be taken care of in a matter of minutes is exhausting for you and everyone around you.

5. Cherish the ones who love you. Treat them with respect and love at all times, even whe you are frustrated. Never, ever make them doubt your love for them. Lift them up, praise them, focus on thier attributes, and by all means, forget about the negative in a person.

6. Vanity is one of the seven deadly sins.

7. Make a promise, keep it. Never tell a child you will do something and then not follow through.

8. Love, love, love your husband. If you have a man who loves you, love him back. Treat him with respect and tell him thank you for all that he does or has done for you and your children.

9. Never lash out in anger with words filled with hate. Once a word is spoken, you can never take it back.

10. Put others above yourself. Always show gratitude and fortitude.

11. Be thankful, for everything you get in this life!! From the sunshine coming in your windows in the morning, to the sound of your child's laughter or your husband's snore. Be thankful that you can see and hear those things for those are your blessings from God. If you don't pay attention, you will miss all that God has in store for you.

Thank you mom for giving me these life lessons, though they are all things that I believe you never understood. I look at my life, and know that I had to get to this time in my life, by leaving my past with you behind. Washing away all of the hurt, anger, and frustration has helped clean the slate and I can truly see what was meant to be good again.

Happy New Year! 2011 you WILL be good to me!