As many know, I had concerns on Friday on a grocery shopping trip. I was contacted by HEB, which I am very pleased about.
I spoke with someone at the corporate level who oversees food how food is handled that goes to the food banks and other organizations. I had some clarifications that I wanted made and had some concerns I still wanted to share.
It was a favorable conversation. He wants to do checking up on the store level which I think is GREAT. It turns out that the items that were pulled from the bakery at this particular store were pulled early. They are pulled on their expiration date at around noon. I was shopping at 6:45 in the morning. Hmmm...
He also understood my concern for the bread being thrown at this particular HEB. (I have seen it happen at other ones as well). He is going to look in to how they can better handle that. I shared my concern that the bread was taken back to the warehouse. Because of the delicate nature of bread, all of it goes directly to the Food Bank. He was also going to check in to this clerk's claim that sometimes the Food Bank didn't come.
All in all, I am pleased. HEB does wonderful work with hunger issues in Texas. The gentleman and I had a fruitful conversation. He saw my concern about the "fancy breads" and said that he would check with the proper people to make sure everything is as it needs to be.
My main point in my blog was not to have talks with HEB, although I am glad I did. Mainly, I wanted to voice my concern for the need for awareness of wasted food. The fact of the matter remains that as Americans we are wasteful. Many are hungry and yet we all let food go to waste. We don't make sure it is where it needs to go.
I am not going to change the world. But, perhaps I have made a needed HEB connection that will help to be a service to people who need it.
Thank you HEB for what you do. Thank you for taking the time to care about some random youth director's blog.
AMEN
Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
So, let's stick with hunger topic for a bit
As many of you know, I was contacted by HEB regarding my experiences. I look forward to a phone meeting with one of the heads on Monday. It was a crazy day yesterday (all in a good way).
This month is the month that our church focuses on Souper Bowl of Caring. I have had the privilege of bringing the Souper Bowl of Caring Ministry and concept to two congregations now. If you don't know about Souper Bowl of Caring, please take a look at www.souperbowl.org. Each year I have tried and add something to this event and really look forward to it every year.
We, at church do a big food drive for our local food pantry and on the weekend of Souper Bowl / Super Bowl, we participate in the 30 Hour Famine sponsored by World Vision. www.30hourfamine.org
It is interesting, and somewhat scary to me each year to put together the weekend full of service experiences and hunger facts and all that goes in to planning a weekend for teenagers.
Last year, when preparing for the Famine, I came across a staggering figure on www.stophungernow.org:
The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Total food production in calories per person per day has increased by 25 percent since 1961 and is more than sufficient to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food.
Source: FAOSTAT Agriculture Data: Food Supply, Crops, Primary Equivalent. February, 2004.
http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/collections?subset=agriculture
Let's think about this for a minute. The average person usually eats 1200 - 1500 calories a day. So, if we look at the above figure that food is produced daily to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day. WOW!!!!
So, what happens to all that food? Well, you all know I went to the grocery store yesterday. When I got home, before I put food away -- I cleaned out the fridge. Yes, I too, am part of the problem (as I am sure everyone else is as well). I threw away out of date yogurt, mushy tomatoes, and mushrooms that had gotten all shrivel-y. I remember several years ago (we don't do this anymore), throwing away boxes of cereal from our pantry because we had forgotten about them and they were stale, we didn't eat them fast enough, or we decided we didn't like them. It is wasteful. After serving several times at the soup kitchen over the last 5 years and seeing what they have to prepare food, I disgust myself in my wastefulness.
I know I am not the only one in the world that does this. I can say, that for myself, over the past 5 years, I have been much more conscientious about what I buy and how much I buy so that I am not as wasteful. We all do it. Obviously, the food is going somewhere, if there is enough food to feed everyone double what they need a day... right?
My prayer is that everyone is more cognizant of their wastefulness. My prayer is that we become more aware of how we can help; that we are more than ever aware that even something small can make a difference. I have become so aware, especially with yesterday, that one little statement can make a huge difference. That is amazing.
Yea God.
This month is the month that our church focuses on Souper Bowl of Caring. I have had the privilege of bringing the Souper Bowl of Caring Ministry and concept to two congregations now. If you don't know about Souper Bowl of Caring, please take a look at www.souperbowl.org. Each year I have tried and add something to this event and really look forward to it every year.
We, at church do a big food drive for our local food pantry and on the weekend of Souper Bowl / Super Bowl, we participate in the 30 Hour Famine sponsored by World Vision. www.30hourfamine.org
It is interesting, and somewhat scary to me each year to put together the weekend full of service experiences and hunger facts and all that goes in to planning a weekend for teenagers.
Last year, when preparing for the Famine, I came across a staggering figure on www.stophungernow.org:
The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Total food production in calories per person per day has increased by 25 percent since 1961 and is more than sufficient to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food.
Source: FAOSTAT Agriculture Data: Food Supply, Crops, Primary Equivalent. February, 2004.
http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/collections?subset=agriculture
Let's think about this for a minute. The average person usually eats 1200 - 1500 calories a day. So, if we look at the above figure that food is produced daily to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day. WOW!!!!
So, what happens to all that food? Well, you all know I went to the grocery store yesterday. When I got home, before I put food away -- I cleaned out the fridge. Yes, I too, am part of the problem (as I am sure everyone else is as well). I threw away out of date yogurt, mushy tomatoes, and mushrooms that had gotten all shrivel-y. I remember several years ago (we don't do this anymore), throwing away boxes of cereal from our pantry because we had forgotten about them and they were stale, we didn't eat them fast enough, or we decided we didn't like them. It is wasteful. After serving several times at the soup kitchen over the last 5 years and seeing what they have to prepare food, I disgust myself in my wastefulness.
I know I am not the only one in the world that does this. I can say, that for myself, over the past 5 years, I have been much more conscientious about what I buy and how much I buy so that I am not as wasteful. We all do it. Obviously, the food is going somewhere, if there is enough food to feed everyone double what they need a day... right?
My prayer is that everyone is more cognizant of their wastefulness. My prayer is that we become more aware of how we can help; that we are more than ever aware that even something small can make a difference. I have become so aware, especially with yesterday, that one little statement can make a huge difference. That is amazing.
Yea God.
Friday, January 15, 2010
This is a sad world we live in
Disclaimer: I realize the businesses and organizations I am talking about in this blog are not the ONLY problem. This is a societal problem that HAS to change.
Ok, so I realize I am not going to change the world through this blog. I hope though that somehow I am able to take what I am learning in my faith and serving around me to maybe make a difference.
I went grocery shopping this morning. In San Antonio, we have HEB and Walmart pretty much to grocery shop at. My experiences this morning are not a problem of HEB. I know this.
We are a wasteful society. We live in a society that is PROFOUNDLY wasteful. I just searched global statistics on hunger on Google and found www.stopthehunger.com. They have a ticking timetable that is scary. Over 52,000 TONS of food has been wasted in the USA TODAY. HOLY SMOKES!! It is only 9:30 in the morning. I have no words. Well, I do.
According to this website, over 410,000 people have died this year already due to hunger. We are only 15 days into this year. Here are some other facts I pulled off the San Antonio Food bank site that are more specifically for San Antonio and Texas:
According to this website, over 410,000 people have died this year already due to hunger. We are only 15 days into this year. Here are some other facts I pulled off the San Antonio Food bank site that are more specifically for San Antonio and Texas:
- Texas is most food insecure state in the nation. Defined, food insecurity is when you are so limited in resources to buy food that you are running out of food, reducing the quality of food that your family eats, feeding your children unbalanced diets, or skipping meals so your children can eat. 16.4% of Texas' population is food insecure.
"Household Food Security in the United States, 2004", USDA/Economic Research Service - 4.9% of Texas' population experience hunger on a regular basis - more than one million people. "Household Food Security in the United States, 2004", USDA/Economic Research Service
- The rate of children living in poverty in Texas is 22.1%; the national rate is 17.0%. In Bexar County, the rate is 29.7% - that means that one in three children most likely struggle with food insecurity.
Child Food Insecurity Report 2005-2007, USDA - 12% of Texas seniors are living in poverty. That is more than one-quarter of a million seniors!
U.S. Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement 2005 - Texas has nearly the worst record in the nation for children participating in the free USDA Summer Feeding Program. FOr every 100 eligible kids, only 7 participate.
Food Research Action Center, "State of the States 2006" - Each week, approximately 25,000 people receive emergency food assistance from an agency in the San Antonio Food Bank network.
Hunger in America 2006 - SAFB Local Report - More than 40% of the San Antonio Food Bank clients served report having to choose between paying for utilities or heating fuel and food; 29% had to choose between paying for rent or a mortgage and food; 36% report having to choose between paying for medical bills or food.
Hunger in America 2006 - SAFB Local Report
I understand there are regulations. I understand that this not just HEB. BUT, I also know what happens to alot of the food that is in those baskets.
I asked the guy on the bread aisle about the basket at the end of the aisle. He confirmed my fears. He would scan it out and then "if" the Food Bank got there today, it would go there BUT "if" the Food Bank did not make it....He hesitated. I replied "It will go in the trash?" He hung his head and said, "YES."
THAT IS DISGUSTING!!!! THAT IS PAINFUL!!!! You hear about Freegans (the fashionable word for "dumpster divers"). Maybe I need to be a freegan. All of that precious food may be thrown away today.
Probably even the sadder part of this is that I have been on the receiving and sorting end of the "destined for the dumpster" baked goods. After they leave this HEB, they go back to the warehouse or food bank. They are mangled and mushed and sometimes really nasty by the time they get to their destinations.
Several times I have gotten to go through what a downtown soup kitchen gets gets. Often by then, rodents have gotten in them. (yes I know but this is reality folks). What was once a nice, pretty croissant in one of those plastic container is so smashed that it is not edible. One step further-- I was told, by the Dining Room Supervisor, "Just throw the hard stuff and smushed stuff away, they won't eat it." Would you blame them? When was the last time you bought or ate a smushed up slice of bread?
Then it goes one step further. Ciabatta bread, or as Jody and I sometimes call it -- rich people bread, is THROWN AWAY at the Dining Room. It is harder more robust bread. Alot of the people they see can't eat it because their teeth are bad. I understand completely. Also, and let's be honest here, a homeless person will choose white bread and wheat bread because it is what they know. Pumpernickel, Rye, fancy shmancy rich people bread, which I love, will be overlooked because it is weird and different.
I know, they are hungry, they should not be picky. It is more healthy, they should eat it. Let's get real -- living with a 4 yr old who HATES mashed potatoes, people go with what they know. They go with what they are used to, what they understand. Rich people bread is weird. (Yes, I love rich people bread).
Where do I go from here? Well, knowing some of the people who read my blog, I might get a few calls. Sadly though, I don't know what the answer is. Last year, when doing World Vision's 30 Hour Famine, I saw a statistic that we produce enough food in this world that each person can eat 3 lb of food. WOW!!! And yet in San Antonio, 1 in 10 has hunger problems?
:(
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I am not a reader
You know... with yesterday's music blog that was so random, I decided today I should address my reading habits.
I hate to read.
That really is a strong statement. I don' really hate to read but I have always had difficulty with it. Reading has never been truly enjoyable for me. (That would probably be more accurate). I enjoy short snippets. Periodicals and magazines, online resources. All of these feed my reading needs much easier than a book.
This is sad really especially now that I think about it. I have to wonder why this is so. I can blame it on alot of things. I can blame it on my ADD (yes I was diagnosed). My attention span stinks. It always has. I get terribly distracted. This makes books difficult to follow. I also have a difficult time finding the genre of books that interest me enough to keep me going from page 1 to the end. This is petty really and I should give them another try. I also get all hyped up for a recommended book only to find that it was not all it was cracked up to be, at least for me.
So, I am looking for a new book to read. I have no idea where to start. I can go stand in Borders for hours and come home empty handed. I can go across the street to the library and come back to church with nothing. This frustrates me a ton. I am coming close to finishing my current book on prayer and meditation but what to read next.
Let's look at my reading list for the past 10 years (books I have finished. There are many more that got tossed aside). This might help to figure out what the next step would be.
Chronicles of Narnia -- this series excited me. I got lost in this series and did not want to put it down. This never happens for me which was really cool.
Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli -- Everyone should read this book. Yaconelli was an amazing man who set out to remind the world that we are not perfect and Jesus came for our imperfectness. I have read it 3 times. I have never finished his other book. Hmmm... maybe that is a thought.
A handful of Youth Ministry resources -- I have tons of books in my office and have read most of the important parts of them -- philosophies on youth ministry, Bible study topics, etc. There have been good ones and ones that were really a waste. This is not the kind of book I want to read right now.
Power vs Force -- This was an interesting book. It was suggested by a friend. It challenged me. It kept me interested. It was way over my head at times but I still kept reading.
So now I am again at the burning question, "What should I read next?" There are an infinite possibility of choices but what is really going to help me grow to the person God intends me to be. It doesn't have to be a "God" book. If some romance novel is out there that will help me understand love and peace in my life, I would surely be interested.
I guess as I get older (even though I am never getting old), I want to read more. I want to learn and figure out things in this world that I have never understood. Reading is not a bad thing and I know that I need to do more of it.
But what?
I hate to read.
That really is a strong statement. I don' really hate to read but I have always had difficulty with it. Reading has never been truly enjoyable for me. (That would probably be more accurate). I enjoy short snippets. Periodicals and magazines, online resources. All of these feed my reading needs much easier than a book.
This is sad really especially now that I think about it. I have to wonder why this is so. I can blame it on alot of things. I can blame it on my ADD (yes I was diagnosed). My attention span stinks. It always has. I get terribly distracted. This makes books difficult to follow. I also have a difficult time finding the genre of books that interest me enough to keep me going from page 1 to the end. This is petty really and I should give them another try. I also get all hyped up for a recommended book only to find that it was not all it was cracked up to be, at least for me.
So, I am looking for a new book to read. I have no idea where to start. I can go stand in Borders for hours and come home empty handed. I can go across the street to the library and come back to church with nothing. This frustrates me a ton. I am coming close to finishing my current book on prayer and meditation but what to read next.
Let's look at my reading list for the past 10 years (books I have finished. There are many more that got tossed aside). This might help to figure out what the next step would be.
Chronicles of Narnia -- this series excited me. I got lost in this series and did not want to put it down. This never happens for me which was really cool.
Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli -- Everyone should read this book. Yaconelli was an amazing man who set out to remind the world that we are not perfect and Jesus came for our imperfectness. I have read it 3 times. I have never finished his other book. Hmmm... maybe that is a thought.
A handful of Youth Ministry resources -- I have tons of books in my office and have read most of the important parts of them -- philosophies on youth ministry, Bible study topics, etc. There have been good ones and ones that were really a waste. This is not the kind of book I want to read right now.
Power vs Force -- This was an interesting book. It was suggested by a friend. It challenged me. It kept me interested. It was way over my head at times but I still kept reading.
So now I am again at the burning question, "What should I read next?" There are an infinite possibility of choices but what is really going to help me grow to the person God intends me to be. It doesn't have to be a "God" book. If some romance novel is out there that will help me understand love and peace in my life, I would surely be interested.
I guess as I get older (even though I am never getting old), I want to read more. I want to learn and figure out things in this world that I have never understood. Reading is not a bad thing and I know that I need to do more of it.
But what?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
I've got a feeling.... that tonight's going to be a good night
To say that I have an odd taste in music -- odd is not strong enough of a word. I love music. I have always loved music. Music speaks to my soul the way nothing else can. I get lost in music. I guess music is my own little alternate reality.
So, for Christmas I finally got an mp3 player. I had a small one and the one that is attached to my phone but I now have a really real mp3 player. (yeah, it is NOT an ipod). I set out on a quest to fill it with music. I am one that usually likes to listen to the WHOLE album. You never know what gems you will find buried behind the billboard charts. Knowing that I have a bajillion random CDs, I knew those needs would be covered but I knew I wanted more.
I listen to pop, country, rap, R&B, new age -- you name it. I love instrumental music. Violin Concertos send chills up my spine. Yeah, ok, I am a little weird. Today, I uploaded 3 new/used CDs that I picked up over Christmas. Here is the vast array of my likes -- Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Tori Amos and Lady Gaga.
All of this music got me thinking. So many times I have difficulties erasing the noise from my life. So many times I can't just be alone with my thoughts. Finding peace in the chaos that is my life -- well, it's hard. However, I am at peace with music. I am in focus with music. I feel joy and excitement with music. It really doesn't matter the song. It can be "Papparazzi" or "New York State of Mind." The beat, rhythm and melody embrace my inner peace.
Now, I mostly stick to music with good messages, but I admit that I have guilty pleasures. I mean I like Lady Gaga. Some music just makes me happy.
And all this makes me think of that silly Sesame Street song from my childhood --
So, for Christmas I finally got an mp3 player. I had a small one and the one that is attached to my phone but I now have a really real mp3 player. (yeah, it is NOT an ipod). I set out on a quest to fill it with music. I am one that usually likes to listen to the WHOLE album. You never know what gems you will find buried behind the billboard charts. Knowing that I have a bajillion random CDs, I knew those needs would be covered but I knew I wanted more.
I listen to pop, country, rap, R&B, new age -- you name it. I love instrumental music. Violin Concertos send chills up my spine. Yeah, ok, I am a little weird. Today, I uploaded 3 new/used CDs that I picked up over Christmas. Here is the vast array of my likes -- Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Tori Amos and Lady Gaga.
All of this music got me thinking. So many times I have difficulties erasing the noise from my life. So many times I can't just be alone with my thoughts. Finding peace in the chaos that is my life -- well, it's hard. However, I am at peace with music. I am in focus with music. I feel joy and excitement with music. It really doesn't matter the song. It can be "Papparazzi" or "New York State of Mind." The beat, rhythm and melody embrace my inner peace.
Now, I mostly stick to music with good messages, but I admit that I have guilty pleasures. I mean I like Lady Gaga. Some music just makes me happy.
And all this makes me think of that silly Sesame Street song from my childhood --
Sing, sing a song Sing out loud Sing out strong Sing of good things not bad Sing of happy not sad. Sing, sing a song Make it simple to last Your whole life long Don't worry that it's not Good enough for anyone Else to hear Just sing, sing a song. Sing, sing a song Let the world sing along Sing of love there could be Sing for you and for me. Sing, sing a song Make it simple to last Your whole life long Don't worry that it's not Good enough for anyone Else to hear Just sing, sing a song.
AMEN
Monday, January 11, 2010
Communication -- it is not just picking up the telephone anymore
Communication is a funny thing. I have been reading about connections and staying connected in my current reading material but also thinking about, more specifically, communication.
Yesterday, marked 10 years since I was installed as a Youth Director. At church last night, I realized this. It is not something I usually think about, but I had a "duh" moment. When I mentioned it, Pastor Ralph said "Oh, if I would have known I would have said something at church this morning." I get that alot. Many times people say things after the fact and then are upset that you don't just know. At that moment I laughed and said, "Well, my brain was in another place. Oh well."
How many times in a week do you say, "If I had only known...?" I wonder why that is. For instance, someone will say, "I had a band concert last night. I wish you could have come." And my answer then usually is, "Yes that would have been awesome. If only I had known...."
Communication really is a funny thing. There are so many times that I say "We missed you last night at XYZ event." And the typical youth response is "I didn't know." Even though for most events I send out Facebook notices, emails, text messages, mail and sometimes even phone calls. For most people, I know their "preferred" communication.
So how do we fix this? How do we make communication smoother? How do we make sure that in life we are an effective communicator? (If anyone has the ultimate answer, I would love to hear it?) Really it is a two way street. On the one side, the person has to be willing to share the information. Of course if you are passed out in a hospital bed, calling the church might be the last thing from your mind.
The other side of it really is that people have to be willing to ask questions. If you don't see a person for awhile, call or text or WHATEVER. If you know that something might be coming up in a schedule, ask the questions ahead of time. (obviously a Christmas concert will probably happen in December. DUH!)
Communication really is a two way street. Search out the answers you have. Find the right information because living in the dark ain't that fun. But most importantly, admit that you goofed when you goofed. "Oh, I forgot. I am so sorry." "That must have slipped my mind." "I would have told you but we will work it out next time."
We are not perfect people. (at least I am not). We make mistakes of EVERY kind. This includes communication.
AMEN
Yesterday, marked 10 years since I was installed as a Youth Director. At church last night, I realized this. It is not something I usually think about, but I had a "duh" moment. When I mentioned it, Pastor Ralph said "Oh, if I would have known I would have said something at church this morning." I get that alot. Many times people say things after the fact and then are upset that you don't just know. At that moment I laughed and said, "Well, my brain was in another place. Oh well."
How many times in a week do you say, "If I had only known...?" I wonder why that is. For instance, someone will say, "I had a band concert last night. I wish you could have come." And my answer then usually is, "Yes that would have been awesome. If only I had known...."
Communication really is a funny thing. There are so many times that I say "We missed you last night at XYZ event." And the typical youth response is "I didn't know." Even though for most events I send out Facebook notices, emails, text messages, mail and sometimes even phone calls. For most people, I know their "preferred" communication.
So how do we fix this? How do we make communication smoother? How do we make sure that in life we are an effective communicator? (If anyone has the ultimate answer, I would love to hear it?) Really it is a two way street. On the one side, the person has to be willing to share the information. Of course if you are passed out in a hospital bed, calling the church might be the last thing from your mind.
The other side of it really is that people have to be willing to ask questions. If you don't see a person for awhile, call or text or WHATEVER. If you know that something might be coming up in a schedule, ask the questions ahead of time. (obviously a Christmas concert will probably happen in December. DUH!)
Communication really is a two way street. Search out the answers you have. Find the right information because living in the dark ain't that fun. But most importantly, admit that you goofed when you goofed. "Oh, I forgot. I am so sorry." "That must have slipped my mind." "I would have told you but we will work it out next time."
We are not perfect people. (at least I am not). We make mistakes of EVERY kind. This includes communication.
AMEN
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Blessings that we take for granted in life
There comes a time in all of our lives where we realize just how lucky we are. We realize how blessed our lives our. I have several friends who blog but read one while catching up this morning. I cried like a blubbering idiot. I cried tears of joy for her but also tears of joy for my own life.
First off though, let's talk about blessings, about life. Often times we get annoyed by things, we take for granted things that others would leap for joy at. I have a friend who can never enjoy thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trigger her headaches. When fronts move in she has to have very painful shots. These shots lead to her being in bed for several days. She doesn't get to stand out and enjoy thunderstorms. The sad part is that I hate thunderstorms. They scare me. I have been through some natural disasters in my life (2tornado and 2 hurricanes) and I just feel a total loss of control.
I have another friend who when sick, cannot just go buy over the counter meds to fix a cold or whatever. Because of his heart issues, something as simple as a menthol cough drop could be a bad thing.
But back to my friend's blog that made me cry this morning. I have two friends who have non verbal children because of their autism. Having a bouncy incredible boy that talks incessantly. His latest is to crawl up in our lap and say "Let's talk about snow." He then goes into this whole vision he has about what we would do in snow and what stuff like sleds and skis we would take with us. It is really funny.
These are things I take for granted. I take for granted these thought provoking conversations that don't make sense sometimes. They don't usually have life changing moments. Cade has an incredibly vivid imagination and currently in his play room with one of his toys travelling down a huge hill really fast. He is goofy.
So, my friend blogged this morning about an incredible Christmas gift. On Christmas morning, her 8 yr old called her "mom." I have no words. I have no understanding how amazing that must have been except that even re-typing it right now brings me back to tears. Cade calls me mom everyday. It was his first word. . It is still the sweetest thing in the world when he says, "I love you mommy." For awhile I had that as my text message alert and people thought I was crazy.
In life we are all very blessed. We take most of those blessings for granted. We don't understand how wonderful our lives are sometimes. Then at brief moments, we are shot back in to those realities of the remarkable blessings that are so precious.
Thank you, God.
AMEN
First off though, let's talk about blessings, about life. Often times we get annoyed by things, we take for granted things that others would leap for joy at. I have a friend who can never enjoy thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trigger her headaches. When fronts move in she has to have very painful shots. These shots lead to her being in bed for several days. She doesn't get to stand out and enjoy thunderstorms. The sad part is that I hate thunderstorms. They scare me. I have been through some natural disasters in my life (2tornado and 2 hurricanes) and I just feel a total loss of control.
I have another friend who when sick, cannot just go buy over the counter meds to fix a cold or whatever. Because of his heart issues, something as simple as a menthol cough drop could be a bad thing.
But back to my friend's blog that made me cry this morning. I have two friends who have non verbal children because of their autism. Having a bouncy incredible boy that talks incessantly. His latest is to crawl up in our lap and say "Let's talk about snow." He then goes into this whole vision he has about what we would do in snow and what stuff like sleds and skis we would take with us. It is really funny.
These are things I take for granted. I take for granted these thought provoking conversations that don't make sense sometimes. They don't usually have life changing moments. Cade has an incredibly vivid imagination and currently in his play room with one of his toys travelling down a huge hill really fast. He is goofy.
So, my friend blogged this morning about an incredible Christmas gift. On Christmas morning, her 8 yr old called her "mom." I have no words. I have no understanding how amazing that must have been except that even re-typing it right now brings me back to tears. Cade calls me mom everyday. It was his first word. . It is still the sweetest thing in the world when he says, "I love you mommy." For awhile I had that as my text message alert and people thought I was crazy.
In life we are all very blessed. We take most of those blessings for granted. We don't understand how wonderful our lives are sometimes. Then at brief moments, we are shot back in to those realities of the remarkable blessings that are so precious.
Thank you, God.
AMEN
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