My true heroes

I have several people in my life that I look up to. A favorite teacher that inspired me along the way - Mr. Gilbert. My parents Ken & Linda Duckett who taught me more lessons in life by how they lived their lives than by any lectures or talks that they gave me through life. I have friends that are single Moms that I admire because of how they do the job of raising their children right in a crazy world where there seems to be less and less of morals and values yet they still instill into their children right from wrong. I have admired and respected pastors and Sunday School teachers as they have lived their lives as they do in church and been such a positive influence on so many. I have sat in awe of people who have overcame some incredible obstacles and in the end became such better people because of it.
But outside the world of those that I look up to there are those few that inspire me to be a stronger person, a more courageous person and they have taught me to challenge the enemy inside of me that tries to steer me clear from the ultimate one that I look up to and that is my Lord.
But in a separate corner of the world there are those that are more than someone I look up to. They are those that are my heroes. Ones that have fought a far more courageous fight than the trivial ones that I struggle with on a daily basis.  These are those that God has given me in my life to humble me and they are my heroes. People that have been dealt circumstances that God has placed in their lives and made them the essence of what a hero is.
Hero: a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds; a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
My dad, my cousin Sandy, my Aunt Janet and my dear and precious friend Marna and a sweet little girl named Kylie Grace. What makes these five more heroic than others? Cancer.
I watched my dad battle that dreaded disease [in the form of Leukemia] for 7 years. Through the countless doctor appointments, the {what seemed like} endless hours of chemo and blood transfusions and the after effects thereafter. Yet through it all, through the long journey that eventually took him home - he managed to keep his faith in God, his bravery to benefit those around him and his relentlessness to continue to make life what he wanted it to be - to be lived to the fullest no matter what time table had been set before him. He kept a smile for those around him, a sense of hope for us as well and the same continuous love for his family.

My cousin Sandy who battled, overcame and was victorious over breast cancer. Sandy lives in Florida so through the world of facebook I followed her path down the road that God has chosen for her and cheered her on from miles away as with each obstacle she remained positive, courageous and relentless in not giving up on what some would have given in to. The same with her mother, my Aunt Janet. Although I was younger when she received the news of her first bout with the disease, I remember constantly stories or how she would make jokes about her new hair that she put on every morning. She was the epitome of a warrior as she fought until she won.

 Then there is my friend Marna. I remember when she told me that she had breast cancer. All that she asked of me was prayers. I most certainly was willing to do that. But you feel so helpless. You have never been in that position so what do you say? What do you do? But the one thing I remember the most was every time I would check with her I know that she could sense the uncertainty in my voice that I didn't know what to say and certainly didn't know what to do. She would always reply - 'I'll be okay - it's just a bump in the road.'
I don't think that she ever realized how much emphasis that those words had on my life and how that saying has helped me overcome many smaller obstacles than she has conquered.

And last but not least - my "little" big hero - a precious little girl named Kylie Grace that has spent more time in St. Judes in her life than she has probably spent on playgrounds, She is so amazing! She knows no limitation to her vivacious outlook on life. Most of the time she doesn't feel good, she doesn't get to do what other kids get to do - but yet she lives life with the resilience that I have never seen before. Each time she has a scan the news very seldom is good - but she is fighter and she gives so much happiness to her family and the girls that played on Kylie's Krew that found so much inspiration in that little princess. Although we don't get to see her we follow her story through her Aunt and we pray for just some bit of happiness between all the treatments and the tests.

While it's easy to put your confidence in an athletic figure, an actor, or a even [I'm not sure why] a political big wig we need to realize that there are every day heroes in our lives that accomplish so much more than breaking a record for the most interceptions, saving the heroine in 10 or 15 movies or making speech that merits a quote out of it from a teleprompter to a history book.
Yes there are other heroes to be respected - the soldier who fights for our country, the Christian leader who pursues what is right. But in my eyes the heroes that I choose to think of when that word comes to mind are those that fought a fight that we can only imagine the repercussions of and did so with so much dignity and courage.
My dad lost his battle in the end but he never one time left me with an image that he was weak or that he was scared. He, like Sandy, Aunt Janet, Marna, Kylie and so many others left a far greater impression on my life. And when I find myself having a pity party over something as trivial as a financial meltdown - I think about my heroes and I think about the courage that they had to overcome far more than I deal with from time to time.
So thank you to these amazing people for the fight that you fought and the example of courage that you gave me along the way that I will always remember and I will forever be encouraged by you and the battle that you have fought that makes you a hero in my eyes.

So this is what a momma bear feels like

Before my children were born I had no idea what love truly was. Then when they placed my first born in my arms my life was forever changed and I was forever changed as a person. It was amazing to me the feelings that rushed through me as I looked at Jessica. It was only intensified with each child that I brought into this world through God's plan for me through her, Kailee and Eli.
As my children have grown older I have learned more and more each day about the unselfishness that comes with parenting and I have also learned through the years that there is NOTHING I wouldn't do for my kids.
I remember thinking the first time that I felt these feelings that the one that surpassed no other was the thought that at that moment "I" was no longer what was important and that my life now consisted of being their guardian and their protector. That everything about me was so insignificant in comparison to what I would do for my children. I have told them so many times and hope that they will never forget that I would die for them in a second and kill for them in a heartbeat.
While "killing" of course would only apply to imminent danger sometimes it's the things that would appear trivial to others that brings out the wrath in a Momma.
I can't count how many times that my heart has ached for one or more of my children as they have dealt with some of life's lessons. Or how many times I have had to control myself when I wanted to string some kid up by their toes when they were causing problems for one of my kids or them being just down right mean to one of them. I have secretly went to teachers, principals and parents in an undercover effort to fix a situation before my child was scarred anymore by some kid's ruthlessness. I have snuck in bathrooms and sent texts trying to get across to someone in a subtle manner what their actions were doing to inflict pain on one of my babies (that's why you always get the cell numbers of anyone that your kid is around - it comes in handy on more than one occasion.) Or I have been known to send out random calls of help to rally up the troops of friends to cheer up one of the kids who are upset. The list could go on and on of how many times I have felt the need to come to the rescue of a child in tears or one that is just to the breaking point.
Do I tell you this to proclaim a victory in the race for mother of the year? No. I tell you this because I am trying to convey just what lengths a mother will go through to protect her children or to make a bad situation better.
Some of these things have been nothing other than some drama between silly girls or perhaps a broken heart at the hands of a significant other. But there are also those times when I felt like it was a mountain that my child was going to have to climb and I needed to procure this wonder woman strength to push them up from the valley that they were in. Regardless of the circumstance I did what I had to do to achieve a smile in a otherwise heart wrenching trial in their life or to give them the confidence that they needed to succeed.
This past weekend one of my kids was away from home and sent me a text that to me was subtle cry for help. I felt so emotionally and physically helpless. All I could do was communicate through technology in an attempt to make them feel better. Although they were being evasive about what was wrong it was the fact that in a world away from me they wanted me to find the words to make them feel better. All I could do was pray that I would say the right words to whatever it was that made their heart heavy. I realized then as a mother how much they depend on me to do the right thing or say the right thing to lift them up and make their world better - where ever that might be.
At that time I realized what they say about a momma bear is oh so true. There is not anything I wouldn't do to protect my babies, whether it's fighting off something or someone that would hurt them, pulling them close to me or just whispering what they need to hear to make them feel secure and happy.
But in my endless pursuit of trying to keep up with anything that could be hurting them either emotionally or physically I realize that I will not always be there and that they have to find the courage within themselves to fight their own battles. However, I can guide them, I can follow them closely, or I can walk beside them and hold their hand - but in the end what is most important is that they know that I will always be there to either prevent their world from falling apart or get down on my knees and help them pick up the pieces if it does crumble down. I think that is one of the things that God expected from me when he entrusted me with these precious gifts that I am so blessed to call my children and I just pray that I will always be able to fulfill that duty.

Going to smile instead of cry

On this day two years ago I think that was probably the lowest point in my life it was the day that they turned off the machines and my dad left this world behind.

I have dreaded today because I knew that my heart would be heavy and that my family would be sad.

He had been sick a long time and finally he was at the point where he just couldn’t do it anymore. I remember trying to get the doctor’s to listen when I would call them as I tried to tell them how sick he was. But Dad would just calm me down and say over and over [with each of my outburst of declaring the doctors incompetent] that is ‘was ok – he was ready to go’. I think a lot about hearing him tell me and my brother Matt that on that Sunday. He was so confident and at peace and I truly believe that he knew that was “his” time.

But I have decided that I’m not going to let this day be about mourning the day that he left this world to go on to a better place. Today I am going to let my thoughts consist of things that I shared with my dad - the simple things most of all.

If you knew my dad you would know that there wasn’t many times that he wasn’t cracking a joke, scaring the daylights out of someone (especially Mom), or telling one of his famous stories. He was happy in life and he lived a rich life. He was never wealthy – at sometimes was a lot like most of us lived from paycheck to paycheck. We didn’t take trips to Disney Land, we didn’t own a fancy ski boat, and we didn’t go out to eat once or twice a week to Red Lobster. We went to the beach a few times and stayed at a campground there – no fancy condo or beach house. Instead he and Mom gave us so much more.

But I don’t remember “not” getting to do other things that the “more well off kids” go to do. What I do remember is night fishing at Watts Bar, watching breakfast being cooked outside over a fire when we went camping on the weekends. I remember 4^th of July breakfasts at home outside. I remember begging him to let me ride with him on a motorcycle down to his old home place when there was snow on the ground and coming back home with almost frostbitten toes! And I remember our talks. There were so many! Well I refer to them as our talks but truthfully I was only allowed to talk the first 2-3 minutes then after that the floor was his for at least a good hour. I can’t help but smile when I think of the times we played cornhole and he would have Patrick laughing so hard that he would literally fall to the ground or the Saturday nights when Patrick and I would have our date night playing cards with him and Mom and laughing more than concentrating on the game.

I remember his famous grilled hamburgers - that if the truth be known was the real reason that my family from Ohio would come to visit – especially my cousin Lance.

I think about how much he loved to garden and how he spent every day dedicating himself to nurturing his garden for two reasons – to grow enough food to feed half the community {he would tell everyone – just come by and pick out what you want} or he would care for it like a baby to just be able to compete with my brother Matt and his “city garden”.

I think about his amazing faith in God and how he tried to live his life each day as an example so that he didn’t have to tell people he was a Christian – they knew by his actions.

And I think about how generous he was. There was never a friend that he turned down that asked to borrow money – he knew some times he would probably never get it back but he didn’t dwell on that he just opened his wallet and gave what he had and that was fine with him. Money wasn’t as important as the ability to be able to give to someone that needed a helping hand. And I remember how each month he gave to St. Judes – even if he didn’t have a lot to give he always made sure he did and this was long before cancer invaded his body – he was just so heartbroken over the children there that suffered and he wanted to help in some way. He even carried a picture of a new child that they sent him pictures of each month in his wallet or put them on the fridge and told people that was one of his children that God was allowing him to help take care of.

Dad was an exceptional man. There aren’t many of them like him anymore. He didn’t have but an 8^th grade education but was smarter than most CEO’s I know, worked for everything he ever had and never asked for a handout but never turned anyone away that was in need.

The world would be such a better place if there were more people like my dad and I will be a better person if I strive more every day to be just like him.

Dad was privileged in his death to have his wife, his children & daughter-in-law, some of his grandchildren, a sister and brother & law and two very special friends by his side. We told him goodbye and that we loved him. I know without a doubt that he heard us and to me that gave me some peace knowing that one last time he heard us say tell him we loved him. And I was privileged in this life as well as so many others to have had him be a part of us. While he was here he set an example for all of us and he planted a seed that we can make the choice to nurture so that we can be the kind of person that he was and leave behind a legacy as wonderful as the one he did.

I sure do miss you dad and I can’t wait to see you again – but until then I will carry you with me every day in my heart and in my thoughts.

Thank you for being the father that you were, for the examples that you set for us, and most importantly for the love and happiness that you gave us all.

Missing you always – loving you forever!

Finding motivation shouldn't be so hard

I have come to realize that it is no wonder that I cannot get into shape. I have replaced any physical activity in my life with a laptop or my Kindle. I sit on my computer and harvest enough crops to open my own farmer’s market. I crush enough candy that I shouldn’t even want to look at a Dove Chocolate bar when I go in the store. And I simulate exercising my brain by challenging as many people as I can in Words with Friends. I do all this while I “WATCH” the Biggest Loser and sit there thinking I wish I could do that.

I took the initiative a couple months ago to venture into the world of Zumba and somehow made my way from there back home to my comfortable couch with the recliner on the end and spiffy little armrest with a nice little cup holder that is utilized too much for a diet coke, an unsweetened tea and not a ice cold bottle of water.

I don’t know why it is so hard to find the willpower to whip myself back into shape. Now granted I don’t expect to have the body of a Victoria Secret model or even make people gasp at my sexiness like what happens when Jennifer Aniston walks into a room. I would however like to be able to put on a pair of jeans that is about 6 sizes smaller than what I wear now.

I’ve tried everything from putting pictures inside the cabinet door where I stash the Little Debbie’s of my much skinnier body in a swimsuit, to writing “DO NOT EAT THIS” notes on things. I’ve attempted giving up on chocolate or anything that remotely resembles the calorie count it has. I’ve tried diet pills, diet drinks, diet programs and diet meals. And to be honest it does get rather frustrating and depressing.

You would think that it would be motivation enough when I have the Rescue Squad on speed dial just in case there is a need for the jaws of life when I get trapped in the panty hose that are illegally two sizes too small simply for the purpose of trying to make me appear smaller from the waist down than I actually am. Or the fact that putting on anything that comes from the world of Spandex makes my hind end look likes two pigs wrestling in a burlap sack! Add in the fact that when I look down and see my shoe untied I would rather offer to pay a stranger in Wal-Mart money to tie it for me rather than risk the embarrassment of passing out when I attempt to bend down and tie it myself. All of these reasons should inspire me enough to put the electronic devices down and get out the exercise DVD’s and Wii games that Jess got me trying to help encourage me to do something to feel better. 

I suppose that just like everything else I will do it when the time is right and I know I’m doing it for me and not just for other people that worry about me or that I want to look better for.

But when you become complacent with walking past Victoria Secrets and going to Lane Bryant to look for night wear then you get further and further away from doing what you need to do. I KNOW I would feel better not only physically but mentally too if I had a body that when I looked in the mirror that I fantasized more about having an infomercial wearing a sports bra with rock hard abs than fearing that if Jenny Craig saw me they would look at me as a challenge.

I’m not sure what it’s going to take to get me in the right frame of mind that I need to be in to get on the road to looking better and feeling better but I do know that it is going to have to start with putting the electronic devices down and start actually going outside instead or else I’m going to have to find an app online that simulates the beach because that’s the only beach I’m going to feel comfortable wearing a bikini at!

So if there is anyone who reads these little burst of thoughts that I have on here has some motivation to offer me please feel free to encourage me at any time.

Laughter - the best cure for whatever ails ya'

I have come to the conclusion that without laughter I think I probably would have become completely crazy by now – and I’m talking check at the first of the month certified crazy!

I without a doubt have been doubly blessed with people in my life that make me laugh constantly and at certain times that laughter has truly been the best medicine! I have this amazing family that consists of more comedians than a marathon on Comedy Central.

We laugh at everything – and at the expense of almost anything. In fact there have been times when I have had so much going on in my life that I felt like I was holding to a string to just keep hanging on and someone in my family can make me laugh instead of crying over something that is going on. When I visit my family in Ohio I honestly come home with sore ribs and cheeks from laughing the entire time that I am there. My Aunt Lois (who more like my sister and one of my very best friends) and I can find more humor in life in general and cannot carry on a conversation without wheezing on her end and snorting on mine when we start laughing. My mom and I are the same way – we can look at each other when something happens or something is said and we instantly think the same thing and laugh without hesitation. Between my mom, my aunt and my girlfriends I have lost count of how many Depends that would have come in handy!

 My dad was one of the funniest people I have ever known and I have seen him literally bring Patrick to his knees laughing so hard at something he has said. In fact I can’t think of anyone in my family that doesn’t have some level of a sense of humor and everyone has their own kind of humor. My brother Matt has that sarcastic wit that comes in a flash without him even having to think – it’s like a natural reflex and my other brother Mark loves life and can crack a joke about anything and laugh at himself which people can’t often do. My sister Jen just loves to make people laugh that even if it’s at her own expense that’s even better to her.

And the Lord has blessed me with having 3 kids that have their own wonderful senses of humor too and Peyton at almost 2 is following suit with everyone else.

These past few months I have had an overwhelming amount of stress on me and there are days that I have felt like if one more thing happened I was going to completely lose it! But I have been so fortunate to have people like Patrick [who is so much funnier than some people may know] that makes me laugh when I in all honesty should just be crying.

This past weekend I had some of the best therapy that I have had in a while. My best friend Shelli of over 25 years came down with a new friend that I have now (Angie) and we sat in the sun room with my mom and reminisced over so many things that have happened over the years sharing stories with Angie to bring her up to speed on what all we have been through since we have been friends. For a little while that afternoon I didn’t think about the new heat & air unit I was going to have to buy, the endless amount of plumbing that I need to have done, or the upcoming surgery, orthodontics and doctor appointments that were coming up the next week. I escaped to the island of humor and basked in the echoes of laughter.

Then there are those days when I wake up with old and new worries on my mind and set myself up for being in a gloom and doom mood for the day and my precious friend Charlotte will send me a text that makes me literally laugh out loud by myself sitting in my car and she turns my day into a day that I know I can make it through. She doesn’t realize how much that laughter is needed just at the right time.

In life we can dwell on the things that worry us, make ourselves sick over situations that we can’t do anything about and we can make all those around us miserable with our “Eeyore” outlook on life – or we can make the choice to laugh. Now granted there are some things that making light of them is simply not the right thing to do at the time. But when there is something that you can’t laugh at – think of those people that put a smile on your face and make you laugh.

When my dad passed away and all these friends and family members were at the house you could hear every person telling a different story about my dad and laughter came from every group that the stories were being told to. While our hearts were broken from his absence – our hearts and minds were filled with wonderful and hilarious stories about him. That’s what I want to leave behind when I leave this world I want to leave an impression on people that will cause them to smile or giggle every time that my name crosses their mind.

Thank you to those of you that give me so much humor and laughter in my life – without you I would be a very different person than what I am and I would certainly not be enjoying life as much as I do.

Raising kids and trying to get it right

Raising children this day and time is almost like nailing Jello to a tree. No matter how hard you try to get it done right – it takes A LOT of effort and multiple tries  and wishful thinking for a successful ending. You think after the first one that the next child will be easier and then the same thoughts with the second & third. But if I have learned anything about my children it is that they are all completely different from each other. Which isn’t a bad thing – it’s just a challenge. How I may have addressed a topic or situation with Jessica isn’t at all how I have to address it with Kailee. And then there’s Eli – addressing issues with a boy is much more different than with a girl! Jessica has always been more of the conservative one with her actions – being more cautious about trying a new adventure. Kailee on the other hand will do anything at least once and will not hesitate to say ‘hold my Mountain Dew and watch this!’ Eli he’s just now really coming into what he will allow himself to do. He’ll stand in the direct line of fire of a semi-automatic air soft gun and not think twice of the possibility of getting an eye shot out but yet you can’t get him within 200 yards of a roller coaster.

So you can imagine with all these different personalities floating around my house what a daily struggle it can be to balance all 3 personalities while these kids have been growing up.

I have tried to teach my kids something new every chance I have gotten since they were old enough to grasp the concept of learning. But some times along the way I find myself being educated and my children being the teacher. Each of them in their own ways has taught me something on more than one occasion. Jess continues to teach me forgiveness and patience as she is the oldest and therefore is at the brunt end more than the other kids of my hatefulness that I have when I am too stressed out. No matter how hateful I get though – with every apology I give her – her reply is always the same ‘It’s okay Mom – really.’ Kailee has taught me that no one can be judged by what others say about them, by how they dress or their outward appearance. There have been more times than I care to admit (and ashamed to say) that I have seen a certain kid at school and wondered what kind of a person they were by how they dressed or how many times they had a piercing that I could see. Then Kailee in her willingness to accept and not judge someone would bring one of those kids by the house and they would be an absolute delight to be around. She has taught me acceptance without judgment and I hope that with each day of my life that I will continue to improve on that. Eli to be the youngest has taught me the importance of putting the needs of others before me – especially in the past few weeks. He is a typical boy – he’s rambunctious and mischievous and you would think at his age that putting into perspective how someone else is affected would be out of the question. But instead (as I mentioned in a previous blog) he was upset about some changes taking place that were throwing his world into a tailspin. But instead of praying for him he prayed to the other person involved.

I have learned too that with 3 children that every situation is different. That some circumstances require you to stand on your head and yell and scream until you get your point across – but others simply meet their requirements by using a compassionate and understanding voice. Recently one of my children went through some life altering changes in their life. Some for the better and some that were not so positive. I could’ve yelled and acted like a crazy deranged mother – but instead I went to them and simply “asked” what I wanted to know. We talked about it and in the end I was pleased with their honesty and they in turn realized that no matter what they do – how many mistakes they make – I will always love them. My children are not perfect – nor will they ever be and in my opinion the only thing worse than a child who gets into trouble is the parent standing in front of them trying to make excuses or reasoning away their behavior. If a person makes a mistake they have to be accountable for it or they will never learn from those mistakes and they will never have the opportunity to become a better person because of (or despite of) those mistakes. It’s a two way street as a parent we have to accept when our child does wrong the same as them accepting when we fall short.

Now granted I am not by any means a role model that any parent should shape themselves into. I make mistakes every day with my children and luckily they are as forgiving of me as I am of them. It’s a vicious circle in our house sometimes of making mistakes and forgiving. But I do know that while there are times that my children need disciplined it is as important how I handle the situation as it is what they have done. Regardless of whether I am upset or angry – regardless of what they have done – the important thing is that I show them they are loved…no matter what they do. Whether it is tough love or in the form of a gentle love – the important thing is love.

Have I found a rope or have I lost a horse???

Have you ever just thought that life was so hectic that it literally makes your head spin? I feel like sometimes that I need to schedule a time just to take a deep breath! I feel too like I stay between pillars and posts just trying to balance everything! I put myself in that position of wondering around aimlessly with a rope looking for a horse! Or in better terms put myself in the position of having too much to do and too little time to do it.

I wonder sometimes - when did life get to be this busy? Maybe when I was younger I just don’t remember my mom running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I’m sure that she was busy taking care of three kids that all within 4 years of each other. I guess I just didn’t realize all that she had to do.

It’s my own fault some would say because I can’t seem to tell people no. I keep getting myself put on committees, keep saying yes when my kids ask to get involved in yet another extracurricular activity, and so forth. I can’t help it – I just push myself beyond my own limits – either out of stupidity or out of the constant desire to prove to myself that I “can” take on one or two more things and not go completely crazy in the process.

When someone asks though – “why are you so stressed?” I just want to climb on top of them and smack them repeatedly until I at least feel a little better J

Let’s see – I’m a single Mom with two kids still involved in sports and schools activities. I’m on a wellness committee at work helping 3 other people “whip our county government back into good physical shape”. I serve at the Republican vice-chair of the 3^rd district and have sat on the executive committee for almost 10 years, (although I have so many irons in the fire with ballgames that it’s not fair to blame anything on that position because I rarely get to have a night off for the monthly meeting!) I’m getting ready to put the 3^rd child in braces so there’s another monthly appointment that I will have to fit in my schedule, and I’m not even going to go into the fact that Kailee’s first prom is around the corner and Eli will be starting high school basketball in just a matter of months. Oh and how could I forget that I am the First Lady of the fine town of Tellico Plains? (One of my favorite jobs – but like so many others no pay involvedJ)

Please don’t think that I am trying to project myself as a super hero because by any means at all I am not that. I just get myself overloaded – like a lot of us do sometimes and I don’t know when to say “Ok I’ve got a full plate – I can’t do anymore.”  I realize that these are all things that I take on myself. I run, run and run until sometimes I’m running on empty and feel like I really haven’t accomplished anything at all and that could be prevented if I would just swallow my pride and ask for help from time to time - I just choose not to most of the time. And then there are times when someone just says “Let me do that for you” and to be honest – I don’t mind at all!

I think it’s great to be productive – to give of yourself every chance that you can. I think you should be involved in your community and I full heartily believe that if you are a parent that you should by all means sacrifice every spare minute that you can get and give it to your children – especially while they are young. But sometimes we get so busy with so many things that we can’t give the attention that we need to things that are important like spending time with your family and those that you love. In fact sometimes I feel ashamed that my mother lives less than 300 yards from me and I don’t just take the time to just go visit with her. Maybe one of these days – I’ll learn to say “I’m sorry I just don’t have the time.” And maybe – just maybe I’ll slow down enough to enjoy the simple things in life like just sitting in my living room with the kids watching a movie, going on a drive through the mountains with Patrick or most all going to visit my mom.

Red Rover Red Rover vs the X-Box

Lately my little brother and I seem to be reminiscing through the past with old pictures of us when we were kids. I forget sometimes how simple my childhood was until I look back on those pictures. We didn't have a cell phone stuck to our ears, locked up in our bedrooms with an X-Box and the pictures didn't have the Instagram format to them.
We played outside from the time we got up - which was EARLY by the way - we were never allowed to sleep until 2:00 in the afternoon - and we didn't come back in the house other than to eat lunch until it was dark outside. It wasn't air soft guns and trampoline kind of playing either. In fact looking back I wonder what in the world we did play. The only warfare that we participated in was throwing dirt clods and green apples at each other while the sound of mother's voice echoed in the background yelling "you're going to hit someone in the temple!" Well my Lord that was some serious stuff we thought if that happened one of us was going to drop dead right there! We didn't have a $750 state of the art swing set made out of treated lumber, canvas and plastic. We had the genuine twine string swings that you took your life in your own hands swinging on because at any minute one of those strings was going to break! And the only hand to eye coordination that we required was using a jump rope or playing Red Rover - it certainly wasn't Black Ops or NBA Basketball on a flat screen TV. We played for hours in the woods catching crawdads in a creek not laser tag or shopping at the mall.
It was Friday nights sitting up watching TV - The Dukes of Hazard and Dallas with Mom and Dad. The only reality TV was the 6:00 news and if something like Honey Boo Boo was to have been on my Dad would've said it was trash and Granny would've thought it was sign of the end of time.
I think about my kids and how it is like asking them to cut their arm off some times when I ask them to help with the laundry or clean the bathroom. We had a list of chores a mile long and we did them or we didn't go play! By the time I was in the 7th grade I could iron clothes like a professional and had already been taught far more than just the basics of cooking. But we didn't mind - we knew we had to do them and we did them or we DIDN'T go outside and play and most of the time carried the mark of some hickory tea on our legs if we didn't get them done.
I remember going to the prom in high school in the gym! Can you imagine that??? We decorated it and everything! In fact I'm quite certain that for years there was a surge in the stocks of Kleenex and chicken wire from all the tissue flowers we made. We certainly didn't go to Pigeon Forge and spend the night in a cabin. I even flinch at what would've happened if I had even had the audacity to ask my parents to do something like that. My first prom dress was made by my boyfriend's mom out of red satin and weighed at least 53 pounds! The only thing daring about it was the tissue that stuck out in the photo from where I had stuffed my bra to make Thelma & Louise look bigger than they actually were for some reason.
We went to work as soon as it was the legal age to do so and we paid for our own cars. Wow our parents were some slave drivers weren't they? I didn't drive a souped up $25k Mustang and my brothers didn't have a Toyota Tundra decked out with $600 wheels. In fact I drove my mom's replica of a German tank to work at WalMart until I had saved up enough to get my own car.
If we wanted to talk to our friends we called on the phone or walked to their house if they lived within a 5 mile radius. We didn't text, snap chat or facebook. In fact the only cell phone that we ever had was when us kids were almost to the age of moving out and that was the one in a bag that my dad bought my mom. We thought we were some hot stuff because our mom had a bag phone in her car that was the size of a loaf of bread after you pulled the antenna out of it.
Now don't get me wrong I'm glad that my kids have all this technology to make their lives fun. But I sure wish they could have been raised like we were. I would love to be able to give my kids what my parents gave me like weekends camping in a pop-up camper and fishing all night. We didn't have Ipods, Ipads and Kindles - but we had so much more than that. We have memories in our minds of what life was like and not on memory cards. Our lives were pretty much as simple as most of the people around us and I think all of us kids from that era pretty much grew up to be responsible and most of all happy adults.

I am so thankful for my childhood and all the amazing memories that I have. Not just from my friends but most of all from my parents and my brother's and sister. I think one of these days I'm going to lock up the cell phones and make my kids take a journey into the world I used to live in and maybe go teach them how to catch a crawdad.