Cinderella

As a child you always think you are "Cinderella" in the story of the same title. Doing all the work, not the favorite child, pushed aside when the others were around, not getting to go to the special outings. Believe me, things have not changed, I have heard from many who think they did all the work and the other siblings sat on the couch eating bonbons. Hopefully at some point you dream of getting to the princess part!

Please don't think of this as a pity party, I totally take responsibility for MY choices. It is some of the choices I feel that others in my life have made that make me feel that way now, more Cinderella-ish. Not that I did all the work, I have two older sisters for that.

So let me explain a little bit why I am talking about this today. In a discussion with my spouse I told him that I feel like an outsider to my sisters and mom. Of course he listened to me with an open mind, adding comments to help support my theory. I could possibly a friend of the family, even a good friend, but definitely an outsider. Which is not the worst thing in life, but is not a thrilling fact either.

You see my sisters all live in South Carolina and have been there for many years. They have celebrated births, marriages, birthdays, holidays and jobs together. This has formed a significant bond between them, some good and some bad times. But seem to be related, when you talk to them there always seems to be a certain familiarity between them. I have always tried to call them during holidays, birthdays and at times when my parents were there for the winter. So I could be connected as much as possible.

I didn't find out until just recently that those things don't seem to work either. So off with the rest of the story. I hand had a child at an early age, found Prince Charming and got married. Then started to live our life together for our immediate family, making our own traditions while incorporating some from each family. None of those choices was easy but looking back we can see the hand of God leading us each step of the way. It is wonderful as a wife and mother to be able to take care of your family, to see them satisfied is the greatest joy I have ever had. It really seems to be a fairy tale like story when you look back. Even with the good the bad and the ugly and believe me we saw it all.

We joined the Army in the 80's and stayed in there until '86, began pastoring and stayed in Texas until 1992. At that time we chose to be closer to family so the kids could get to better know their cousins and grandparents. Well as most of you probably know that doesn't usually work it is just a gesture that we as people make to try and help heal the holes. Too bad we find this out after the fact, since there are all those moving expenses, and tearing the kids away from their friends. It doesn't make people a better family to be close together, sometimes farther is better. If only it was that simple, we are really dumb to think that a problem is solved that easily.

It is difficult living so far away that you can't see people if they are sick or special occasions. But living at a distance is god for the drama that goes with the day to day stuff. I know, I know that is how families work! Everybody need someone to talk to to share some of the drama to be able live day to day. I just thought that you could use the ATT method! LOL

Cinderella went to the fantastic party and met the prince, ran away, was made fun of by her family. The prince finally finds her, then the family decides that they want to be close. make her a part of the family that they seem to care about. She leaves with the prince but makes sure her family is taken care of.

The party??? Not so much. The Prince??? Yes in my opinion. Family???? Still not sure???? Today an email arrived from family, the answer I got was very unfamilial (if that is a word). I guess I will continue with the journey that I have started and keep enjoying my immediate family, like I started so many years ago!

And they lived Happily Ever after!

The End

Don't every give up on the dreams of your childhood!

The Sound of Music

Our live are so entwined in music,
whether we believe this or not.





Some of my earliest remembrances are of my uncle playing the same song on the guitar " The Wildwood Rose ". My dad was leaning how to play along with him so we heard it at home too. Every "Rowe" family reunion had good singers too. I remember the last few that we went to before I got married there were two young boys that sang "Running Bear". Every year it was the little highlight at the family to hear the family singing.

My parents were in a quartet back in the 70's, so I thought that is where it all started. I remember when we spent every available summer and long weekend traveling so they could go and sing for other churches. We traveled to Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and all over Ohio. They actually made an album of their songs and my sister made a cd of it and I love listening to it, especially when I am missing my dad. It brings back those fond traveling moments.

When I hear those familiar songs on the "oldies" station it brings back some of the most amazing memories. So I know that it didn't just start for me in the 70's.

I remember my younger sister and I calling into the local radio station "WLEC" to request the song "Rockin Robin". This was almost a daily activity for us, nothing we could get in trouble for by our parents. I don't know for sure if our kids much of the requesting songs on the radio, but I remember a few instances.



When I was in high school they put in a jukebox, so everyday the same songs would play over and over again. Needless to say some of those songs bring back the aroma of the school cafeteria. Sometimes that is not such a good smelling memory. It's hard to imagine that a song could make you remember the smell of greasy french fries.



Then there are the songs that you hear when you are dating and falling in love. Every time Ed & I got in the car the song "Silly Love Songs" was playing. So much that I bought the 8-track tape of it for a gift.



Proceeding on, we have the song that as a couple we make the theme of the wedding ceremony. The Carpenters were one of my favorite groups back in the later 70's. The had such a smooth sound, "We've only just begun" was a favorite for weddings. Hearing those songs today also bring back fond memories about where we started from. "Precious and Few" was another song that many couples used too. As I think about that song it reminds me of how few moments we have at any given time. I remember to try not to waste what we are given, embrace each moment.


When the kids were little singing and dancing was a great part of their upbringing. Church was a big part of our lives and although they frowned on dancing, at home was another story. Even tough I was born with two left feet, I showed the kids what I could. (Sorry about that!)



The girls were great singers also, they politely sang for church services throughout their child hood. When they were a little older they piked the soundtracks they wanted to sing to. The songs that they chose were great and they still touch me when I hear them sing them or hear them on the radio. Those are some of my favorite songs.

I am glad to know that my grand kids also enjoy music and movement............ so the tune will go on! I frequently get videos or voice mail messages where they are singing to grandma.

So as the music plays on..........let us not forget to take the time to enjoy each moment................ every note..........every movement that we are able to hear and feel.

Here for your enjoyment.............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WQ6Q_65qck&NR=1

Sorry I tried to get the video to post but it didn't work! I'm still a computer illiterate! You just have to bear with me.

All those New Year's Resolutions!

Every year we do the same thing, make promises that we don't seem to stick to. The dictionary states: A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name naturally comes from the fact that these commitments usually go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

With the start of the new year, everything looks shiny and without problems, I guess that would be true for anything that was new. As I see it that would be a great way to look at things, but then reality sets in and just as the resolutions go by the wayside so does our view of the other things that were new.

The top 5 Resolutions for the New Year:

Lose Weight
Get out of Debt
Save Money
Get a Better Job
Get Fit

As I started this year I didn't think too much about resolutions, or anything that I wanted to make a commitment to. That saddened me as I thought back to starting a new year and not be willing to commit for anything. Although in years past I think I have had all of the top five listed above at one time or another, but along with all the others who make resolutions I was unable to keep them for a whole year.

Well I suppose it is never too late!! Right?? I could still commit to something!

Maybe I could start out with the MMCH version, I could clean my room, eat my veggies, brush my teeth. At least I could keep those kind of resolutions for the better part of the year.

But I should be a grownup about this and make a real commitment. Soooooo........what would that be???

What do I really want to achieve for this New Year?

For starters I would be willing to commit to being able to let my children know that they are loved unconditionally. In the past I don't think that I have ever made that a resolution, so there is one to work on.

Secondly I desire to be able to make my husband feel that he is still #1, sometimes that is lost with the day to day work schedule. Just have to take a little extra time.

Well I guess I will get started on those two things and hopefully the next 12 months will fly by and I will accomplish great things.

Happy New Year to all!! May all your resolutions stay intact for the year!

Gift of the Magi!

One dollar and eighty-seven cents! That is all she had and the next day was Christmas! Through the years our Christmas' have been greatly anticipated. Although there were years when the kids were small that the fire department and others helped make Christmas a little brighter.


Back in the 80's with the way the economy was we decided to go into the Army. Although it took us all the way to California, that was quite an adventure, a long way from family and friends. But as a fairly new couple we wanted to weather the adventure and come out on the other side. Chad was only 4 1/2 and Sarah 1 year old when we took the Am track train to California. We stayed with friends from church for about a month, then moved into sub-standard housing (only one bathroom, we've had lots since then)LOL! We moved into the three bedroom one bath the end of July. We were getting settled in when the military decided that they had paid us too much, they had not taken out anything since we had moved. So with the military it is an all or nothing program. So they took back ALL that they had overpaid and left NOTHING for us to live on. So catch up was the game we played for quite a while with bills, food and Christmas.

Our families had sent a few things for Christmas for the kids, I always hated telling my family anything about or problems. It seems that those are the things that are remembered the most. So just suck it up!!! RIGHT! Put on the big kid undies and deal with it.

With the church and family we had a good Christmas, the kids only got a few things but we continued with the traditions of baking and making things for each other. It is amazing what you can do with one dollar and eighty-seven cents!!

This year when Sarah had asked about the old ceramic Christmas tree I thought she wanted one and she thought that I wanted one. Each one of us had our own idea of what we thought the other one needed! Much like the "Gift of the Magi" although I did not sell my tree nor Sarah we each in our own way were giving what was from our heart.

Christmas is still very special to us, each year brings new rewards and joys. With the grand kids the joy on their little faces lights up the room. With our own kids the joy seen on their faces also lights up the room but with a different view. Possible of the Christmases past, remembering the old and celebrating the new always radiating with the joy.

Children are amazing creatures they adapt to their circumstances with great vigor to keep going no matter what. Young or old they are still the same like the energizer bunny.

The story of the Magi ends with the author comparing the pair's mutually sacrificial gifts of love with those of the Biblical Magi.



"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

To read more about the Magi Gifts see:

http://www.threemagi.com/gift.html

May your giving be as wise as the magi!
As I hope to always give my gifts with that sacrificial love like the Magi's!


God Bless us all, everyone!