Gratefulness

One of the challenges of parenthood in middle to upper class American is not raising spoiled kids.  We have all of our basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter met.  Most of us have our wants met as well.  Daniel and I really struggle with this.  Sure, we take away a phone here and there, but what really is the impact of that?

We take our kids downtown to help the homeless.  It makes a huge impact on me because I know I am not invincible.  A few wrong choices or a few unlucky breaks and that could easily be us.  Kids, however, I believe they don't get it.  They are so far removed from that world.  I believe my kids feel sympathy for the homeless and needy, but I don't believe they truly get it.  That's somebody else's reality, not theirs.

This weekend we volunteered with our church at a fantastic event called tCToys.  We helped low income families shop for their kids for Christmas.  They were allowed to pick one present per child.  I tried to talk about this afterwards with the kids, but still feel unsure if it really sunk in.  One soccer ball.  Can my kids really imagine one soccer ball being their entire Christmas?

Today an attitude of complaining reared its ugly head with one of my children.  Her consequence?  Making a list of 100 things she is thankful for.  Her list is amazing and surprisingly didn't take her as long as she thought it would.

My prayer for my children is 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

These last few weeks have been pretty scary. Out of nowhere you started having severe stomach pains.  We thought we were taking you to the emergency room with kidney stones or appendicitis.  Little did we know that you would end up being in a fight for your life.

We hear the saying all the time that life can change in an instant, but we still go about our lives not really believing it.  I'm not ready for you to go.  We still have so much left to do; there's still so much more to say.

You are fought so hard for us!  Everyone is amazed you are still here.  There are so many people praying for you who love you.  We have been flooded with calls and texts and emails and concern from friends and extended family.  But, what's even crazier, is all the people praying for you who don't even know you.  I know it's happening because the stories make their way back to us.  I hope you are feeling the prayers and I hope you are feeling the love.  

I have so many wonderful memories with you.  I remember when I was a middle school cheerleader and you would stand at the top of the bleachers doing the UFO cheer.  Gosh that was embarrassing! In high school, I remember calling you from school telling you that the "lima bean machine" had broken down on the way to school.  I was glad to never see that thing again.  I remember in high school you came to Every. Single. Event.  You never missed.  You were one of the few dads always there.  I don't think I ever said thank you....thank you.  I remember in college being glad your work had an 800 phone number so I could call you anytime (pre-cell phone times).  I remember calling you from the dorm parking lot in the middle of the night because someone was in my parking place.  I know that seemed crazy to you, but to me, you were the "fixer".  You could solve all my problems.  I remember you loving on my babies and when I would get them back their little heads would smell of your cologne.  

I always tease you and say I am your apprentice and I have so much to learn.  If you are gone, who will I call when my garage is making a funny noise?  If you are gone, who will help me look at my sprinkler system when it isn't working quite right? Who will tell me my tires look low?

Today you come home from the hospital.  One day shy of a full month.  Just in time for Father's Day.  Getting you a gift this year seems ridiculous.  (don't worry, I will!)  This year for Father's Day I'm the one getting the gift, the gift of time.  I'm so thankful I get another Father's Day with you and pray there will be many more.  I will try my hardest not to take you for granted.  Thanks for being my Daddy! 

Love,

Mandi