Tag Archives: inspiration

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Tuesday Morning Ramblings

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I get to pick up my kids tomorrow!  God, I’ve missed those boys.  Five months is way too long to go without seeing your children, and even though I try to talk to them on the phone as often as I can, it’s just not the same as seeing their faces, hearing their voices in person, and feeling their touches.  They are the light in my soul and two of the best kids in the world (bias admitted).

On this day, I’m always nervous about getting them.  I always fear that maybe I’ve forgotten how to be their daddy or lost the ability to soothe and comfort them.  I realize that it’s a silly and irrational fear, but that realization doesn’t make the fear any less palpable.  There are so many questions that run through my head: What if they don’t remember me? What if they are angry with me? What if they have changed so much I don’t know them anymore?  Yes, these questions may seem silly to those of you who see your kids regularly, but to those of us who go months at a time without seeing them, those fears are as real as anything.

I have a lot of work to do today to get ready for them, things that normally would already be done, but because of my illness I’ve had to put a lot of stuff on the back burner.  Maybe staying busy today will keep my mind off of the fears and allow the day to go faster.

I’ll try to carve out a few minutes to write an entry or two while they are here and will try to share a few pics. Until then, I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

General Posts

Friday Morning Ramblings

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In racing terms, I’m rounding out of turn four and can see the finish line.  The good news is that the bad weather allowed me to rest a little and kind of shake this cold, although I don’t feel 100%.  The bad news is that the weather has pushed everything to today, so I haven’t gotten to get a jump start  on the grading before the weekend.  With grades due Monday, that means quite a bit of work this weekend and Monday morning.  However, once grades are turned in, I’m taking a break and relaxing a little.  I’m exhausted from this grind and need o recharge my batteries a little before the spring semester starts.

I get the boys the 29th-4th, so that will help reinvigorate me.  Last night, Collin gave me a list of all the things he wants for his birthday, which is in February.  He hasn’t even gotten through Christmas but is already planning for his birthday.  He’s a funny kid.  That’s all for today.  Now, back to the chaos the weather has created this week.

General Posts

Wednesday Morning Ramblings

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Not sure what triggered it, but as I was going through this mountain of work on my desk, trying to whittle it down as much as possible before the weekend, I got flooded with memories of family members who’ve passed on.  Maybe it’s the holidays reminding me of them, but I miss them so much.  Big David, Mamaw Jo, Uncle Howard, Aunt Carolyn, Papaw Fullington, Mamaw Fullington, and especially Grandma Roxie.  Just writing their names fills my eyes with tears.  My childhood was blessed because of them, and they deserve most of the credit for whatever goodness may reside in me.  They weren’t perfect, but they were good, decent people who showered me with love.  I would give almost anything to have one more day to sit and talk with them, and at moments like this, I wish I still believed in that version of heaven where they will all be waiting to greet me when it’s my turn to cross over.

If your elders are still around, pick up the phone and call them.  Go over for a visit.  Do it today.  Do it now before you forget.  There will come a day when they are no longer with us, and you will long for their presence.  No one can make you feel more loved and wanted than a grandparent.  No one can believe in your dreams and support your ambitions more than those relatives surrounding you, and if you listen to them and learn from their experiences, you can gain wisdom and possibly avoid a few mistakes in your life.

I’m grateful for every moment that I got to share with my elders.  It’s funny how archaic that expressions sounds now.  Our society has evolved in such a way that too often we discard our seniors much too early.  We discount their knowledge and experience because they move a little more slowly and need a little longer to process information, but there is no substitute for experience.  We should do a better job of respecting our elderly and allowing them to play a more significant role in our lives and our society.

I didn’t mean for this post to turn into a soapbox, but if you have older relatives who are still around, find a little time to give to them.  You will make them very happy, won’t regret the time you spend with them, and will be a richer person for it.  That’s all for now.