Happy Birthday, Mamer!

My mother married at 17, right out of high school, and promptly became pregnant. It was me! Her age, many of the circumstances in her life, and that daughter were all challenges to which she rose valiantly. I wish I could be with her on her birthday, but she knows how much I love her.

In her relatively short life, she's suffered through divorce, widowhood, abandonment, but also reared two great children☺, started her life over again many times, and is now happily married, retired, and refurbishing her bathroom. Can't wait to see it.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Influences

Any piece of rope or string was an exciting chance for my oldest son Brad to create a "trap" à la the movie Home Alone.

I wish I had taken a picture of one of his many contraptions. This movie also influenced my second son Jeff to repeat some of the less desirable phrases. (Which led to it being put away for a while)

I knew I was greatly influenced by the book Little Women, as have been many girls. But I realized it even more when I attended Little Women the Musical the other night. My friend won tickets and invited me along. It was very enjoyable with a few, but not too many, liberties taken from the original story.

I read the book when I was around 12 or 14, and I wanted to be Jo. I wanted to be a writer, I still do. I wanted to be original and not confined to the mores of the times. Still do. I wanted my family to stay close forever and love me as much as I treasured them. I still want that. I didn't want some things to change, yet longed to be bold and adventurous. That's still me. I have never been as bold as Jo, however.

She was such a great character. A good influence, I think.

If I think about it long enough, I'm sure I can come up some good influences from that movie the boys loved. Building traps, dodging criminals, thinking on your feet, cherishing your family...

Oh yeah, that's a good one.♥

Shhh! Don't Tell, and if You're Rachel Don't Look

Rachel's my only offspring that actually reads this blog, so I'm pretty safe in telling about a cool Christmas gift idea I heard about yesterday.

Take a box (perhaps a computer paper box) and glue a mirrored tile to the inside bottom. Wrap and gift tag it to Jesus. On Christmas morning ponder whose birthday we are celebrating and what gift would be acceptable/appropriate for Jesus. What could we possibly give Him?

One at a time, open the gift and look inside to see You, Me, Us! That's what Jesus wants.

What a great reminder.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh Or How We Get Away with Giving only Three Gifts

Beginning last year, our new tradition is to give each of the "kids" three presents, each corresponding to gifts of the Magi.

For instance, the gift of Gold was highly valued in that poor economic time. This gift probably helped finance this young couple. We try to wrap in gold paper or tie with gold ribbon a present that is highly valued by the giftee. It's the "big" present (or most expensive).

Frankincense was used for incense, a way of meeting with God. Wrapped in silver then, is a gift that helps our children in their meeting with God. A new Bible, devotional, or Christian C.D. fits along these lines.

Myrrh was used to anoint the body and is still used as a fragrance in many items. Lotions, fuzzy socks, pajama pants or anything else used in comfort for their precious bodies are wrapped in deep reds.

We like to talk about the significance of the gifts given to Jesus and how the gifts we give reflect the same. This article explains the idea more fully.