36 THANK YOU!

I wish you could have seen my spirit ignite when I sat down to post and saw a response in a comment box from a new friend!  I'm certain my eyes lit up, because that's a sure sign of emotion surging forth from within.  Sparkle expresses happiness, joyfulness, appreciation, sincerity, accomplishment ... I could go on and on.  In short, facial expressions and body language express our reactions more often, more openly and thus more honestly than words.
Check out the comment box following the post entitled: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ...TALK TO ME
In truth, I was thrilled to hear from YOU!  I was starting to feel like a stalker!  So thank you for responding to my plea.  Your reply made my spirit smile!  :-)


While reading your thoughts, I pictured myself at a younger age—busier than I'd ever imagined.  I pictured my adorable children, growing up, from one stage to the next, developing into loving, responsible adults.  [No genders until each one pops out in stories yet to unfold.]  :-)


I pictured their father, hard at work in support of our active household.  Leaving at sunrise, arriving home after sunset.  Kids freshly bathed in P.J.s ready for stories and bed.  Eager for Daddy's attention when he walked in the door.


Picture me at this earlier stage of life.  Picture my mother-in-law visiting for ten days.  Here's what she'd said at the end of her stay: Annie, I'm exhausted watching how fast you move and all you do.  Then she asked:  Is your clothes washer broken, today?  When I answered, no—why do you ask?  She smiled and said:  It's not running.  It's always running! ... And so was I.


So busy, keeping up with life.
Learning, teaching, writing, raising my family
No time to stop and rest
No time for diving into the deep end of my mind.
I didn't need to stop and smell the roses.
I inhaled the fragrance of living the good life
Each time one of my children raced by—
Unless they were running to take a time out!
Yesterday, I'd ministered to the needs of others
At times, from dawn to dawn
Today, I dive into Walden Pond
Ponder insights into life
And write—at times till dawn.
Balance does not mean
Accomplishing every goal, at one time
Balance means developing the patience
And self control to tame mayhem
And work through conflicts
One step at a time
If balance is the rule of thumb
For enjoying healthy relationships
During each stage of life
Join our Sanity Saving Sessions
In which we learn and laugh the meaning of
Everything in it's own good time  :-)


Looking back, I don't think of exhaustion.
Memories of raising my rambunctious roses
Turn yesterday's frowns into smiles
Today, I smile to think of hair raising moments
Which had brought me close to tears.
Today, tears of laughter accompany toilet training stories
Which didn't tickle my funny bone at that earlier time
My children popped out one by one
What if they'd popped out in bunches, like grapes!
Today, I lead a group of parents raising triplets.
My hat is off to them!
We discuss sanity, clarity, quick hugs and team work.


The person who'd organized our group found out she was expecting a fourth little joy while her triplets were infants!  How did that happen?  Ask Mother Nature.  When our group first came together, her children were three and four and four and four years old.  Imagine our group organizer, standing in a parking lot behind her van in which four babes in four car seats wait to be retrieved.  Imagine the back door of the van opening;  imagine my friend assembling, filling, and pushing a stroller, resembling a train! Toot toot said the little engine that could!  Today, with four young teens at home, our group's organizer is completing her master's in psych.  Kudos, my dear friend!  Kudos to your husband for providing support in many aspects of your family’s life.  At times a family resembles a train, chugging along the track, in need of one engineer, stoking the fires of the locomotive, which pulls its cars forward, while another engineer energizes a second locomotive, which, coupled in reverse behind the caboose, pushes forward from the rear.


The difference between trains and families is this:
Whereas  a Train remains a Train
And Locomotives do not change
And each train car remains the same
Children are always in the process
Of growing, changing, uncoupling
And developing into self-energizing, independent adults
Locomotives, one and all


As to my new friend, I identify with every feeling expressed in your response.  And I'll keep your thoughts in mind while I write:  I'll remember you have young children.  I'll remember that insight inspires you to think deep.  I'll not forget your hope to offer up the best of yourself.  Kudos to you, too!


For many years adults have taught children to beware of Stranger Danger.  And to develop respect private body parts, as well.  Now, from preschool on up, parents, teachers, and clergy need to teach children to ask privately for help; to empower each child to stand up and declare:

ABC—NO bullies for ME!!! 

And that's the truth ...

You bet your sweet bippy!
Looking forward to hearing from new friends and old, again and again!
YOUR friend,
Annie
P.S.
As I'd like to identify one new friend from another, I hope you'll consider signing your comments with any name that tickles your fancy.
With time, I'll clue you in as to why I chose Annie.
J