A Life Lesson I Learned from Homeschoolers

I homeschooled my six children from kindergarten through 12th grade.  In the beginning, we were very structured.  I enrolled my children with a homeschool program that had once been a school. I spent my life monitoring them doing their "schoolwork".  Watching them produce this much schoolwork ( some of it 'busy work') every quarter, every week, indeed, every day.  If we skipped a day, we would get behind.

Keeping up the house. Cooking.  Taking care of babies and toddlers.  And grading, grading, grading.  After we had moved from one state to another, we once went back "home" for a visit, and another homeschooling mom asked me how ours was going.  I said I was behind on the grading, and she said with a laugh, "Margaret Mary, you are always behind on the grading!"  That was the reputation I had left behind.

On weekends, my husband would want me to do things with the family - and all I wanted was to go off by myself.  But I would go...or do...with the family.  I think sometimes I did go off by myself, without ever leaving the house or the room, whether it was by reading or writing, planning the weeks' meals, or just thinking or spacing out.  Sometimes I was present physically, while I wasn't really present in the moment.  I look back on those days and I wonder what it would have been like if I had had the internet then, as we do now.  Would I have ever been truly present...or did I spend just as much time "away", anyway?  

As time went on, I lightened up a bit.  While I continued to get materials from the same school, I stopped having my younger kids enrolled.  Then more time passed and I began planning my own curriculum. I learned about literature-based learning and that resonated with me.  Whenever I had felt the need to do something with the kids and didn't feel I could spend much money to do it, I would take them to the park or the library.  And sometimes we would talk about their books.  Now I was meeting women online who not only talked about their kids' books with them, but actually read them to them.  Even though the children could read!  Wonder of wonders.  How do you do that?  When I learned about that, my kids were older, but I was so impressed.  Family reading time.  Wow.  Although I didn't do that, these same women also talked about talking with their kids...that it was okay for their kids to question things.  That it is through questioning that we can address things, and grow, and grow together. That wasn't the era I was brought up in.  It wasn't the air my older children had been brought up in.  And I learned to discuss things with them, more openly.

Because my husband insisted on family trips; because I had my children cook with me; because I discussed my kids' books with them; because I lightened up over the years; and then finally, because I learned to listen to my kids even when I disagreed with them...I believe that, enough of the time (whatever "enough" is), I was "there for them" or "there with them".  The homeschooling helped...but it wasn't just that I homeschooled them.  It was because I learned to set aside the slavery to a pre-planned curriculum and accountability, as well as my slavery to my family.  I could work hard for my family but I eventually had to learn to put them ahead of all the tasks that I did for them. I also learned to deal with my own issues, instead of sweeping them under the rug, so that I could better help them deal with theirs (okay, maybe that wasn't the reason I dealt with mine, but being better able to help them was part of the result). And I learned to have some time to myself, so that when I have time with them, I can be there for them and with them.

Whether you homeschool, or you run a chauffering service to school and soccer and dance, whether you're a parent or a spouse, or a single person, I would like to invite you to learn a lesson that I learned, a lesson that I am still working on learning, every single day.  Be present in the moment. By that, I don't mean you should never deal with past issues; dealing with them may help you to live in the present.  I don't mean you shouldn't have dreams and goals for the future.  That may help you to be happier, as well as to have more "moments" in the future.

But, let's keep on trying to be present to those we love.  If you have children, I would encourage you to read to them. Listen to them read to you.  If they know how to read and you are not comfortable with introducing reading aloud together at this point, then read some of what they read, too, and discuss it together, in a friendly way.  Sit side by side if you read together, or while you help them with homework.  Sit side by side on the sofa and look through photo albums (Am I dating myself? Okay, look at pictures on the laptop?).  When your teens say things that you find outrageous, you may want to ask them to talk about those things out of earshot of the 'littles', but find a time and place that they can discuss them - and be willing to hear them out.  Give your own views gently, not as though it's as simple as them being wrong and you being right because you are the parent, but truly listening, and then give them valid reasons for your position...or do research together on the topic.

After all my years of parenting, I would never presume to tell anyone how they should school their children (away, at home, or how), but if there is one thing I have learned to be aware of - one thing I should probably work on, all my life - it is the need to be present to those we love, not every minute, not without our own hobbies, our own friends, our own life but, at least some of the time, to take the time and energy to just "be there"...truly and openly "there". 

God bless you. 

 

Sometimes it's Just the Litte Things

The other day we helped a friend with the tail end of a move. It reminded me of our own move about a year ago.

Although I knew for a couple of months that we were moving, I had no time to pack. I had only recently begun a new job. So, I was working; I was homeschooling; I was talking with our adult children on the phone. I had to take a nap - or get on the computer - to de-stress. Always, I had some reason that I didn't have enough time to pack up all the clutter that I wanted to hang onto (that was stacked on every kind of table) into boxes.

But I had a plan. I would take an extra day off from work to pack, and that should do it. But our moving plan got changed and the "extra" day turned into our first moving day...and I hadn't packed much of anything (fortunately, my husband had, but he couldn't be expected to pack up all my personal papers and "stuff"). If I had had that one day that I had planned to have, would that it have been enough? I kinda' doubt it now, looking back, but I never had a chance to know. We and our three boys (in Baltimore) moved ourselves...with moral support from a dear friend, and moving help from a friend who helped bail us out on our third and last day...but I'm getting ahead of myself. On the second day, when I was surely going to finally pack all those little odds and ends up into boxes while the guys got more of the furniture, I ended up (unexpectedly) stuck on the phone all morning with utilities people, then waiting in the afternoon for the cable guy to come.

Long story short: I never did get to pack up the odds and ends. They came over in bits and pieces, or were thrown into boxes by my patient husband, bless his heart.

I watched our generous, manly boys - who had offered to do the moving instead of us hiring someone - haul all those odds and ends into our apartment, along with huge "storage units" for all our stuff - including two four-drawer-file cabinets and three nearly-to-the-ceiling bookcases. And I said to myself: No more moves like this. We are going to get rid of some of this stuff! Beginning now. Next time I will be organized. We are not going to live with clutter stacked on the computer table, and the coffee table, and the telephone table, and, worst of all, the unoccupied end of the dining room table (where our three oldest used to sit). I am going to get rid of enough papers to get rid of one file cabinet. I am going to get rid of binders full of old papers. We are going to find good homes for some of our books.

Fast-forward a year. I have given away a few books (and accumulated a few more). I do think I'm a tad-bit better about the odds and ends on tables (except for the dining room table, and I do whittle it down to size frequently). But I realized yesterday that the project of sorting through papers in the file cabinets and binders had come to a halt...not a screeching halt that one would notice, but a meandering halt. I realized something while I was sharing this discovery with my husband. I discovered that this is what happened:

I stopped sorting through papers because I stopped shredding.
I stopped shredding because I didn't want to empty the shredder.
I didn't want to empty the shredder because it was surrounded by odds and ends.

If someone had asked me why I'm not sorting anymore, I would probably have said, "Procrastination" (but I'm not the procrastinating type; it's always more about priorities). Or I might have said, "I'm too busy with work and school" (which would be partially true but I've adjusted to working outside the home enough now to make some time for household organization).

In reality, the only thing that was standing between me and sorting through the papers were a few coins, paper clips, bookmarks, and out-of-date coupons.

Are there "odds and ends" of life, that you're not even aware of anymore, that keep you from reaching your goals, too? Sometimes we don't even notice. At least I hadn't until yesterday.

Paul Graduates

Last weekend we returned to our homeland (of 13 years) for the college graduation of our third child, our second son, Paul.

To my way of thinking, graduating from college is quite an accomplishment. Perhaps it seems greater to me in view of the fact that I never attended college...except for one course in medical terminology a few decades ago. Of course their Dad is a college graduate, but I was the primary teacher of my children until they went to college. No, come to think of it, I teach them to read and to teach themselves, and after that they are mostly their own primary teachers. I select curriculum, check their work, help them when they need it. I would say I am more the "mentor"...though I do love those "teachable moments", too.

I think Paul's graduation is a greater accomplishment in view of the fact that he was left behind - early in his college career - when we had to move away to Baltimore for my husband's work...and then his older brother and sister had to move away to pursue their work. We are all most grateful to everyone who was there for him in so many different ways.

I think it was an even greater accomplishment in view of the fact that Paul went from 20/20 to blind in the course of a few months - in the middle of his college career. So...he went on with his life. I'm sure it wasn't easy. I'm sure he had his moments. But he finished college and ended with a good grade point average and a chair award in his major.

Paul didn't only learn how to navigate to school and to classes in all kinds of weather and how to use an adaptive computer. He cooks for himself and sometimes his friends. He was a president of the Newman Club on campus. He was a senator of the student government association. He is a chancellor of a Knights of Columbus chapter.

If you were one of the ones who has prayed for Paul in his journey, I want to thank you from the depths of my heart. I would also like to ask you to keep those prayers coming as he pursues his career as a writer. He can write both non-fiction and fiction, and is currently looking for a writing job. As someone I met on campus said, "He is a brilliant writer." I was trying to pick up some writing tips from Paul this weekend about writing fiction. He told me there are many different ways, that there is no one formula. And then I learned that he "sees" a story in his head like a movie, before he writes it down.

On the Friday evening before graduation, an animation short film that Paul and his classmates put together premiered in a little theater on campus. Some members of a production company came to meet the class and see the film. When it came time to walk over to the theater, the professor asked someone to lead the way, but she didn't know where the theater was. So Paul, with his guide dog, Chicago, led everyone to the theater.

You can visit the website for this short film, see the producers and writers, even hear round-table discussions about the production.

If you have nine minutes, you can even see the film itself.

Just click over to Linus and Nigel. Enjoy.

Just Busy

When was it that my daily blogging fell by the wayside? Perhaps when I started a part-time job? For awhile, I continued to blog fairly regularly, but it seems that lately I rarely get here. So sorry.

So what have I been doing besides working part time?

And besides trying to keep honing the budget in an effort to get out of debt in spite of the economy?

And besides homeschooling a high school son (who just happens to have a visual impairment)? And besides participating in a great weekly homeschool co-op?

And what else have I been doing besides keeping in touch with several kids (adults kids, that is) who live in various parts of the country?

And besides driving around the kids who live here at home?

And besides chatting with them and with my husband?

And keeping in touch with friends and sisters?

Sometimes I just can't figure out what I do with my time...

Our Holiday Celebrations

We had a wonderful Christmas visit with our out-of-state kids here. We now have another year of memories, one more year of love filling our lives. No matter how much or little money we have at a particular time, no matter what struggles individual members have been going through, no matter whether there have been tragedies (none for us this past year, thankfully), no matter what, love always trumps it all!

If you now have a picture of a loving family sitting placidly around the table, re-set the lens. We are not very placid. Although our kids are basically all of the same Faith, there are many differences in political views, matters of opinion, and anything that could possibly be "up for discussion". The great thing is that everyone has matured to the point where the animated - sometimes a little bit heated - discussions draw to a close with no door-slamming and with everyone smiling. And then come the games: Monopoly and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire this year, as we only had a couple days before people had to return home. All of us here miss all of them, but we keep close throughout the year - through email and, mostly, by telephone.

New Year's Eve found me missing more than just the children who returned home, but our parents, our siblings (by birth, marriage and friendship), and other geographically-distant family and friends. But God provides...and kept me distracted and filled.

After going to my part-time job yesterday (and enthusiastically exchanging greetings with co-workers I hadn't seen, since I had taken time off for Christmas), I then picked up a few things at the store, fixed an easy light supper, and we headed out to a friends' house for a "Pre-New Year's Eve Celebration" from 6-9 p.m. We enjoyed hot spiced apple cider, appetizers, and companionship.

When we came home, I called my co-worker and neighbor to say "We're home now," because earlier in the day I had spontaneously invited her to watch the New Year arrive with us. She and a friend of hers joined us for a little champagne, a lot of sparkling juice, and some chips and dips, but mostly for lots of great conversation. We talked about many of the same things we had talked about at the previous party: fun or exciting stories about the area, traffic, neighborhoods, public transportation, and travel in other areas in the country.

Today we attended Mass, and are now relaxing, watching the rerun of this morning's Rose Parade.

I pray that you and your family may have a blessed, joyous, peaceful New Year, trusting in God for His loving care in your lives.

Merry Christmas!

It's hard to blog when I haven't blogged for over a month. I start thinking that I need to have something really significant or fascinating to write, or else you won't want to read it. I didn't feel that way when I was writing every day... So if you've gotten this far, please bear with me as I dust off my hesitation and oil my rustiness.

For us, our news is significant, even though it's what we've done for the past many years. Some things only get better with time, like aged wine. All of your kids are here with us for Christmas, the three who live here with us, plus our daughter who lives in Atlanta, our son who is in the Air Force, and our son who lives in Kentucky. We also have an addition romping around this year: Paul's black lab/retriever guide dog, Chicago. Oh if you are wondering, you are right, guide dogs don't romp...that is, as long at they are in the harness. But when Chicago is free in the house, he is a normal happy puppy, joining in the excitement.

We attended a beautiful Latin Mass last night at the huge historic St. Alphonsus church in downtown Baltimore, where Ed sang in the particularly vibrant and joyous choir, and the lights shone all around.

Joe and Ed cooked the breakfast, Greg made the coffee, and after opening gifts, Mary and Joe stuffed the turkey. The dinner is underway and I've only done a little bit here and there (make toast, wash a few dishes). I am really enjoying this!

I hope that your Christmas is happy and brings you much joy, not only today but throughout the season.

Merry Christmas!

Peter's Week at Space Camp

Interview with Peter about his week at space camp:

What did you do that was fun?
Most of it was fun!

What was the most fun?
Probably riding Space Shot.

What did you see that was interesting?
The shuttle stack they had outside was interesting. The orbiter, also known as the shuttle, was called Pathfinder.

What did you learn about the space program?
I learned that they're going to discontinue the shuttle program in 2010. In 2020, they're going back to the moon. They hope to go to Mars in 2050.

What did you like best about being at camp?
Having cool roommates.

******

I'd like to thank my readers for your prayers for the visually impaired kids who traveled to and from space camp last week from all over the country and the world. It looks like they all had a wonderful time! You can see pictures here.

Peter is Going to Space Camp

If you're at an airport this weekend, and you see a whole group of blind or visually impaired kids, they just might be heading to Space Camp at Huntsville, Alabama. This will be their week!

Maryland is sending a contingent. Generous donors have provided the "scholarships", complete with travel expenses.

Please pray for Peter's safety and health (he got a doozy of a cold this week), and for all the kids, and the generous donors.

Anniversary Celebration

As you can see, the beach was a bit crowded, or as I would put it "wall to wall people" (Do you see any walls?). We had been all set for a walk on the beach, but ya' know, it was way too hot anyway. It was so hot that the sand that crept over my flip-flops was frying my feet. It was so hot that I felt like my brain was fried. And I told Ed that we could fry an egg on the bench at the boardwalk, but that by the time we got the egg to the bench in order to fry it, it would have spoiled, so we wouldn't be able to eat it anyway. (See what I mean about my brain having been fried?) It was only 98 degrees, but I hear the "heat index" was way over 100.

We did have a very nice time, though! We went to a Victorian restaurant overlooking the ocean for lunch. (You do know that you get the best prices by eating lunch rather than dinner at a nice restaurant, don't you? It's also a way to enjoy the beauty and ambience of the hotel lobby, while staying at a less expensive motel up the street a few miles.)

And now, having been away from my computer from Tuesday morning to Wednesday night, I have (at last count) 45 blog posts to read and 92 emails to process. Much of that processing will be hitting the delete button. No, not on personal emails, but on groups, newsletters and advertising. Hmm, I wonder if I could hit the delete button on some of my household clutter, too.



P.S. Just occurred to me you might wonder what beach it is. It's Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a couple hours drive from home.

Visit to Washington D.C.

Yesterday we visited Washington D.C. with four of our kids. Joe, who is visiting here from Kentucky, is the one who's going into the Air Force. He took charge of navigating us through the subways and streets of D.C. We had a great time, although I might have enjoyed it more if I didn't have a July furnace on the outside and mid-life furnace on the inside, both going on at the same time, along with trying to keep up with all the men who have longer legs and longer strides than I do. All the guys, though, were very understanding when I'd say, "Halt! I've gotta' stop and rest." Thanks, guys!

By the way, that's the White House behind us, and the Washington Monument in the other picture.

Joe is Coming to Town

Our son Joe is arriving today for a week's visit! We're all looking forward to taking him places and spending time with him.

My blogging may be a little light for awhile. On the other hand, I may not want to leave you, dear readers, that long. I am be clicking away on the keyboard while he sleeps in the morning. We shall see.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Trip to the Atlantic Ocean

Having grown up on the West Coast, Ed and I enjoyed seeing the "other coast". Having grown up in the Midwest, Peter was very excited at playing in the waves for the first time. (By the way, Ed and Peter were scowling into the sun. Mine was even worse so you don't get to see it. Editor's privileges, right?)

Proud Mother of an Air Force Recruit

And speaking of the Fourth of July and our great country, I've been saving this news for a propitious time.

Our son Joe is going into the Air Force! He felt called to do this, and he wants to serve. When he was considering it, I told him that I would be proud. I told him that I'm already proud of him and will be proud of him either way. I'm proud that he wants to do something to serve, something worthwhile, that he wants to serve his country.

So this worrier mom is going to have to become a warrior mom...a warrior of prayer. A proud warrior of prayer. Your prayers are welcome, too!

A Feast of Fireworks

Going to see fireworks a year ago, in a county outside of Baltimore, was a disappointment we didn't care to repeat, as we hadn't been able to get anywhere near where we had intended to park. So we decided this year to go to the Inner Harbor. We arrived at the garage, where Ed has a parking pass for work, at about eleven a.m., determined to get a parking space. As it turned out, the garage was nearly empty when we came, perhaps because it's some distance from the harbor and many visitors don't know about it.

Wanting this to be a thrifty day, we brought our own lunch and we didn't bite on any of the many ways to spend money: boating, shopping, boating, and...did I say boating? There were all different kinds of boat rides available and it was pretty tempting, but would also be pretty expensive. We did buy some good hamburgers for supper.

Our primary recreation? Walking. We walked all the way around the harbor, way beyond where we'd walked in the past. We walked through the malls. We saw fudge being made in an open factory. Highlight of the day: we saw a fire show, a man playing with torches of fire. (If you've read the child's book Inspell, think of Dustfinger.) Our other occupations were sitting to rest our legs, talking and laughing, and looking at our watches to see how much longer until the 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

All day the moisture hung heavy in the air. We had one afternoon squall, but after that the sun came out. About 9 p.m., though, another squall came. And at about 9:10 God sent his own fireworks for the appetizer, lighting up the whole sky again and again. The two huge cruise boats came in, blocking the view where the fireworks were to be set off. Apparently seeing the boats coming, or knowing they'd be coming, the bulk of the crowd moved down to a better vantage point. We didn't yet know where all the people were going, so we stayed, moving up to an awning with the thinning crowd in front of the visitor's center. By this time, the wind had whipped up, even our umbrellas hadn't kept us from getting soaked, and the radio station had gone quiet.

Still, there was a holiday atmosphere among most. And soon the rain slowed and the radio announcer said, "There is a rain delay in Baltimore...no, a monsoon delay, but the fireworks WILL go on." And - very nearly on time - the fireworks did go on! And what a feast it was.

Although there was just a little "window" of space between the two cruise boats, we were among those who were able to get up close to the edge of the harbor...I was especially happy that where we were standing was a "ring-side seat" for Peter. Burst after burst of colorful lights appeared in the sky, accompanied by patriotic songs from the radio station and the feeling of excitement from the crowd. After about twenty minutes of bursts had slowly lighted up the sky, we got a surprise. From a different place, yards across the bay from that spot, suddenly came more bursts, bigger, better, and lots faster than the previous ones. It was like we hadn't been expecting dessert...and here it was, gourmet and delicious. This finale lasted about ten minutes, concluding in clapping and yells of approval; and then we trudged, tired, wet and happy back to the car.

McDowell Rehabilitation Center

Where Paul will be going soon! I'm sooo happy that this is beginning to come together. I am not a patient person by nature... And I know that a person who is blind can lead a normal, full, happy, independent life. But when it first happens, well, there is more than a little training needed. And since we're talking about an adult - living in another state - I can't exactly homeschool here! (Not to speak of the fact that I'm not a blindness professional.)

The following is taken from the McDowell Center's website:
"The purpose of the Charles W. McDowell Center is to empower individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve greater education outcomes, become more effective in the workplace and enjoy participation in community life. The training opportunities at the Charles W. McDowell Center are designed to promote independence, family education, problem solving techniques, and employability which assists individuals in achieving their highest potential in career and personal goals. Derrick Cox, Manager of the McDowell Rehabilitation Center"

Getting Paul Home

For anyone who's been following the adventure of getting Paul home, they are now back in Northen Kentucky. They drove him back today (they being the Baltimore part of the family). I can't believe that we couldn't fly for four whole days! (Couldn't fly as "stand-by" relatives of an employee, that is)

For anyone in Cincinnati, I'm sorry but this is just a "flying" trip: drive out, spend a quick night in a motel, and drive back. And if you noticed the "they", yes, that doesn't include me.

Remember the jury duty? Well, last night they told me to call at noon today. So I stayed behind. I called at 12:15, but no message. So I drove over to the court house to find they don't need jurors right now, but will summon us again, probably within 60 days. (At least now I know where it is, where the parking is, etc.). I said, "And I missed a family trip for this." (Yes, I said that aloud. I've become much more vocal than I used to be.) But you know what? I think I needed some quiet time. Time to wash the dishes (go ahead, laugh; I'm glad I stayed home from a trip so I could wash the dishes?). I needed time to "regroup".

And now I'm going to get off the computer so I can go relax. Hmm, can anyone tell me the meaning of that word "relax", so I can do it?

Flying

Flying is something I used to enjoy. Well, all of it except the part about being up in the air, stuck in an airplane, way above the ground. You laugh. (I hope.) But there's lots more to love about it. Being able to get where you want to go quickly and meet your loved ones, or enjoy a vacation with spouse or family. Seeing lots of people. Seeing lots of happy people. Seeing lots of happy people excitedly meeting their loved ones. (Is this starting to sound like Dick and Jane?). Being served a well-balanced meal on the plane, served on a tray complete with plate and silverware. (You can tell my flying days go back a ways.)

Flying as a parent of an airline employee is something I used to enjoy. Stand-by travel can be a fun adventure if you don't have a pressing engagement. When you can't get to your destination city, sometimes you can fly to another city and then fly in to yours from there (I've been "in" cities where I've never set foot outside the airport buildings). My daughter has worked for airlines for about five of the past seven years or so. I've flitted around to get where I wanted to go, but I've never been stuck overnight. Family members have spent the night in an airport but never longer than that.

But right now I can't get Paul home! When I went to get him, I knew that I have to report for jury duty on Friday morning (IF my number comes up when I call in on Thursday evening...tonight, that is). So I figured, well, if I plan to take him back on Tuesday the 19th, that allows a little margin for error. Tuesday, thunder storms and pretty full planes. So we didn't go, and it turns out it's good as there were cancellations. Wednesday, well, I suppose they had to make up for the cancellations, so Wednesday, once again, we look into how the flights look and we might as well just not bother to drive to the airport. Thursday...am I going to fly out of town, on stand-by, when I have to (maybe) report for jury duty in the morning? So Ed said he'll take Friday off and take him back then. But Paul is ready to go back home, so he said he is willing to fly alone on Thursday. Last night it looked like that might work. This morning, no way. And Friday isn't looking so good, either.

So, we just might be driving Paul back over the weekend. Shh, I haven't told the kids here yet; only told Paul privately. (They don't bother to read my blog.). So I used to like to fly. Well, hmm, my neighbor and my youngest son, each independently, told me that the problem is probably the fact that school is letting out for the summer. And I thought I was a "planner"...

New subject! Speaking of flying, Nancy Brown at Flying Stars has written a terrific book called The Mystery of Harry Potter, a Catholic Family Guide. I received my copy in yesterday's mail! I can't wait to read it. I've read little nuggets here and there already, and it looks every bit as good as I had anticipated. I will give it a post of its own as soon as I read a little more, so I have something worthwhile to say about it besides that I like it and am excited.

If I don't post for a few days, you'll know that I'm flying...maybe flying around the house getting ready for a long drive; probably ten hours one way, spend one night, and ten hours back again. (And ten hours is the mapquest time, not allowing for stops, of which I am fond.)

I hope you all have a great weekend, and please keep us in your prayers.

Travel...and the Vatican

Thunderstorms were being predicted for today, both here in Maryland and there in Kentucky, so I decided we would stay here another day, and fly tomorrow. For anyone who may be jealous that I can just hop in a plane and fly whenever I want, well, yes, I do very much appreciate what I have...and I thank God and my daughter many times. But it might not be quite as good as you might think, either. If flying is uncertain, flying stand-by is triply so (I didn't think "quadruply" had a good sound to it or else I would have used it). Of course, that also means that I have lots of adventures to tell from the five years or so that I've had a daughter working for airlines. But right now I've had enough adventure for awhile, including the trip last week (I may tell about that one some day. Oh, no, I'm not forgetting that I told you; but I only told it from one angle, not from the angle of diversions and delays.). So, for my part, I'm trying to avoid adventure this time, by keeping my weather eye out. The rest is up to God's "decisions"...

On a different travel note, according to my Yahoo news the Vatican has just come out with a document about, interestingly, driving. You can read about it here.

Journeys

Tomorrow I journey back to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky to accompany Paul home. I would appreciate any prayers for a safe trip. I'm hoping also that we can get on the early flight so we might be able to meet son Joe for an early lunch before he has to be back to Lexington to work.

A different type of journey that I wanted to share with you is Heather's continued journey. For those who don't know, Heather is a young mother who is on a journey through dealing with a brain tumor. Today's post struck home. Perhaps you, too, might find it inspiring. You can read it here.

Happy Father's Day

Although my father has been affected by a stroke and dementia, I can still hear the friendliness of his spirit over the phone when I call him from across the country.

I remember going on trips, with my Dad sitting in the driver's seat, the bulwark; not that he was particularly large, though to me as a child he was...but what I felt was that I could always depend on him. There was nothing I could fear with my father there.

I remember going to restaurants or to the lumber yard and my father's friendliness with everyone he encountered, always trying to get those around him to smile and be a little happier.

I remember his insistence on my learning independence. He gave me a sizable allowance with which to buy everything from candy to toothpaste, movies to pencils, but I must first put ten percent in church and ten percent in savings. I must budget my money. And I shouldn't borrow money from him "just until we get home" because I should always carry my purse.

But I also remember his generosity, surprising me with an English racing bike for one birthday. And when I had grown up (sort of) and moved away, and was riding my little motorcycle for transportation, I remember his getting together with my mom to drive from Washington to California to bring me a car as a gift.

I remember as a mother of six active children (five of them boys) that the best vacation was going to visit Dad, who had raised two quiet girls and was living alone and yet would open his home to our happily noisy family. And during the day we could go off to visit Vancouver Lake, or go shopping or whatever we wanted to do, and when we came home, a delicious dinner would be cooking.

Thank you, dear Lord, for fathers, and bless them.