Sick Again

I have just completed directing my 16th Vacation Bible School. It was a success. Lots of children running, laughing, and learning about God and faith.  I have to officially say, it was my last one.
My boss said, I am going out on a good one. Thanks, Boss!

As seems to be the norm over the last few years, when I work with large groups of children, I catch something. Now, yes, I do wash my hands, frequently! I do use hand sanitizer, as well.  The question is how to keep from getting what is contagious from the little darlings? In my case, this time, I was run down and exhausted going in to the week. So I was just ripe for the catching of some wayward germ. What was it you ask, the dreaded strep throat! Plus my own sinus infection. A double whammy that sent me to the doctor after one day of fever. I know my symptoms for s.i. I have never had strep and never want it again.

Why is it that parents send their children to large group events when they are coming down with something. Please, you all know when your child isn't their usual delightful self. I had one parent ( a worker) lay his son down in the last row of seats in the worship center with a fever. Yes it was the last day and the last hour. But this kid had to have been feeling poorly before they left the house that morning.  Are parents so anxious to be rid of their kids for the morning that they will inflict whatever contagious germs they have upon the rest of us? In this case I got sick as well as my granddaughter. We both came down with it at about the same time. Naturally, I think we were exposed at the same place.

Moms and Dads do the rest of the parents and kids a favor;  a kindness really, keep your kids home when they are showing signs of illness. They might be crankier than usual, green or yellow snot is a sure sign. If they have allergies, their snot won't have color. They may be sleepier than usual or had a rough night the night before. Perhaps their appetite isn't what it normally is. You know what is normal. Be loving and kind to the world and keep them home!

Where Have I Been

As it happens when you become empty-nesters, we've been off doing some interesting stuff!  My hubby and I have been participating in Leukemia, Lymphoma's Team in Training.  I did two 1/2 marathons and my husband did 2 halves and 1 full marathong this Spring season. Raising money to help find a cancer cure is one of our many interests.

The second thing that has happened this spring was the birth of our first grandson. Wow, what a joy! Four grandkids now, that is a real blessing. Let me tell you about this grandson. He is almost an exact duplicate of his daddy. I say almost, because he isn't quite as chubby as his daddy was.

As I was holding my grandson in my arms today looking down at him, how blessed to see my son so much a part of him. I relived the days when my youngest son was that age. What joy!

Moms and Dads, don't waste a moment of your childs childhood. It seems like a blink of an eye and they are gone. There is plenty of time to do those things that interest you. I am not saying to ignore yours own needs, but, when you have interests that take you away too often or work keeps you away from home, time to re-evaluate. 

Some of the things that I notice happening in recent years is the over-scheduling of kids activities. Music lessons, art lesson, ballet, soccer, all before they even start school. What ever happened to learning to play outside and using your imagination? What about playing tea party with Mom or shooting hoops with Dad. How about reversing that? Moms and Dads, please take quality and quantity time with your kids. Don't miss out!

Back to my grandkids...Papa and I have the priviledge of having tea parties with our "nietas" (granddaughters); casting practice in the backyard getting ready for some fishing.   We make the time for them at least one day a week. An now we have their brother. Very soon he'll be joining in tea parties and practicing his casting too.

We did it all boy style before, now it is a good mix of girls and boy. Who knows, maybe we will say girls and boyS one day.

Are you happy?

Have you ever heard people say, "You just don't make me happy?"  Happiness is a temporary emotion just like sadness. What you should try to srtive for is joy.  Personally, I have a very joyful life, because of my relationship with God.  No matter what is going on in my life, good or bad. I have joy! 

It is so unfair for us to place our happiness on someone else's shoulders.  What a burden for them!  They will fail every time. Oh, to live with joy.  When those sad moments come upon us, they will soon be gone, because they are temporary.  But, there waiting is our joy. Stop and focus on your joy.  If you live your life in fear, it is impossible to attain joy. Dr. Darryl Delhouse says, "Joy is the absence of fear." 

Teach your children how to find joy. Help them to see the positive things in life. If you put your happiness in people, things, status, etc. I'm sorry you will be disappointed. No way around it!
Take time to reflect on what is important; your family and freinds. Nurture your relationships and just think, you have joy in your heart. You will have a happy day!