Today our school honored and embraced TOMS shoe's "One Day Without Shoes." I LOVE to be barefoot in my house, on the sand at the beach, and to feel water between my toes in the pool or from a boat. But, to be barefooted in my garage, on a playground full of mulch, or something that really grosses me out is to be barefoot in a hotel room is another story.
I spent the entire day without shoes or socks on my feet. I had so many kids ask me why I didn't have my shoes on... even on the playground. My only answer was that I am forcing myself to remember that I am lucky to have shoes and I CAN go One Day Without Shoes to remember those who have so much less than me....even less than a pair of shoes. Tonight at dinner, Maddie asked what it meant to fast. I told her that people fast for multiple reasons. People mainly fast when they are wanting an answer for something... so they give something up that is very important to them (such as food) and pray in replace of eating. People can "give up" something to show their self-control and to remind them that they can do without the main thing they depend on. They focus their attention on something that just might have more meaning to them... than they think. As a mom I thought a lot about what I could do without tonight. I could do without cleaning, I could do without laundry, I could do without the homework battles, I could do without the fighting, I could do without the heartaches my kids bring me from disappointment, I could do without the lies, I could do without the tiredness, I could do without so much. As I thought more and more about my One Day Without....I had to stop and think about what I cannot do without. I am so grateful for shoes. I can go without them. Do not get me wrong. I will always support this amazing cause. TOMS gives back to so many people without shoes, glasses, and so much more. I love and hope to make a difference one day like TOMS does for the world. However, when I think about not having shoes, I think about all of the other things I could not have. Justin and I started MacMaddies Repurposed Design... named after Maddie and Macaiden. Any soap product that is purchased we donate 10% to the global soap project which promotes hygiene and gives aid to developing countries. This is just a small step that we are trying to take to give back to those who go without...we want to help so so badly. When I am tired, I will think about how grateful I am that I have a bed to lay my head. When I am hungry, I will think about my refrigerator full of food. When I think about dirty clothes, I will think about having clothes. When I am disappointed in my kids, I will think about how lucky I am to have kids. When I think about the mistakes that my kids make, I will think about how I can make it a learning lesson and even learn from their mistakes. My kids give me a breath of fresh air. Even though I am tired... I know that they are something I cannot fast from or give up on (even in the times I am most distraught or disappointed). My Repurpose for Today : To tell and show the world...but most importantly...show my kids...I cannot live One Day Without them.
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If you have been reading you know that I have been keeping track of what each day is in the month of April. There have been silly things like "Draw a Picture of a Bird Day," to serious things like "Reach as High as You Can Day." Well...today was "Rubber Eraser Day."
As silly as this sounds, I thought it was a great idea! Why not have a day that we all have in common..."mistakes." We all make them. The tricky part is to erase each one from your brain. Thank goodness for the inventor of the eraser. I wish there was an inventor who would erase the mistakes we make that do not exist on paper. I am not sure there would be an eraser big enough for mine. The thing that I have learned talking to people... is that we have all made mistakes....even when we think ours is huge, we feel the sting... others have lived it. The other hard part would be to get over it and move on. I have to admit this is something that I REALLY struggle with. When Macaiden does his homework he gets sooooo frustrated when he makes a mistake. I tell him ALL the time that it is ok....it is OKAY. How else would we learn if we did not make mistakes. We make the mistakes and learn... whether in math, sports, music, or relationships...the key is...how do we overcome them? I also need to remember that God is my ultimate Eraser. When I ask for forgiveness HE has forgiven me. My mistakes are completely erased. (I have to remind myself of this constantly) Why can't we forget things like God can? Why do I hold on? My Repurpose for today : To remember that my eraser is huge. No matter how bad it stings or how many times I mess up....My eraser never disintegrates. This weekend was the last wedding (most likely) before my two baby's get married on our side of the family. Both my sister and now Justin's sister are married and have all fallen in love. This past weekend, Justin's sister, Tiffany got married to the man of her dreams. Their wedding was full or love, AMAZING weather, and people who love them.
As I made my way to the reception, I could not help but to look out and see all of the family members that I had not seen in YEARS! The room was filled with words like, "why is it that I only see you at weddings or funerals?" (I was one who said that as well) I can not help but to really stop and think about that question. Why is it that as we have gotten older that our family as grown further apart? I know that A LOT of us have moved far away...so seeing each other on a regular basis is very hard. I also know that many parts of the family is not the same way as it once was (as it is in many families), so maybe it is just too hard to get together. As I have mentioned before, I have one of my Nanny's diaries from 1965. As I read it and re-read it, I am baffled to read how much time has changed. Families used to get together AT LEAST once a week to have a giant meal together. That is just what they did. Many times after church on Sunday, the whole family would congregate at a house and enjoy their Sunday meal. Justin's AMAZING grandmother gave us MANY of these doilies passed down from her mother. I have soooo many that I will NEVER get rid of. They will forever be cherished. It is important for me to have things from grandparents to pass on to my own children and to re-tell stories I have once heard. Last night's reception made me think about these doilies. Tiffany and Greg's story is starting. They will share laughter, sadness, disappointments, happiness, tears, joy, and the feelings go on and on. They are making memories. Just like Grandmama's doilies, Tiffany and Greg, and anyone who is starting their new life together have a fresh start. They are able to create a family and a "book" or "story" that they will write. How will they be remembered? How am I being remembered? I know that I need to make it a point to keep family close by. I know that the lady who made those doilies would have never known who I am, but even thought they meant a lot to her...they are meaning so much more to me. I am carrying on memories and hope to share and re-create memories with my kids. My Repurpose for today : Make my doilies (that will one day become an antique) become a memory that needs to be shared. Within two minutes of the Gator's losing tonight, Justin's phone starts going off. Either people know me really well and to leave me alone... or just don't care about basketball because I did not want to be bothered.
After my optimistic husband always reminds me by saying, "at least it is just a game," which always gets me mad...I had to stop and think. This morning, both of my babies had a soccer game...they both lost but played their hearts out. Tonight the Florida Gators played. They played for a spot in the National Championship. They lost. They are disappointed. Their fans are very disappointed. Their coach is disappointed. There are thousands of people who are disappointed. When I was once again reminded that all is well by Justin, I had to stop and think. I am a VERY competitive person (shocking.... I know for those of you who know me)....I want to win! I have to try and tone myself down when I am at the kids soccer games. I have to remember that when Justin and I have a "friendly" match...it is just for fun. But then...what is wrong with wanting to win? As humans, we have a desire to please. We have a desire to want to exceed. We want to win! In our short years of marriage we have witnessed friends and family with cancer. We want them to win! We want them to beat it! We have experienced and witnessed difficult times in relationships. We want them to win! We want them to beat it! We have experienced many deaths. As hard as it it....we want them to win! We want them to beat it! We are assured that they are better now then they were here on earth. Humans have a natural desire to WANT TO WIN! As I continue to think about it...I keep hearing myself saying..."want to win," but then I need to also say, "I do not want to lose." Winning can have MANY different meanings. Tonight, Billy Donovan mentioned in an interview that his team is full of winners because of the challenges that they faced all year. Billy Donovan's speech once again...made me think. Yes, they lost. They were trying to precede to the National Championship. They lost... but... they also won. They beat the odds. There were SO many teams that had wished for THEIR spot. With the hardships that they faced all year, they overcame them...they are winners and should be proud of themselves. When I heard coach speak, I had to ask myself, "what can I NOT lose?" I am already a winner. I have achieved so much in my short life....yes, again, if you know me...I want a lot more, however, I feel blessed. Being a winner at one thing does not mean that I do not want to lose the next thing. The Gators did not win tonight, but as hard as it is for them right now...they have SO much ahead of them. As hard as it is for me at times to think about what on earth is coming next....I know that my game is not over. My championship has not even began or started. I have not lost nor will I. My Repurpose for today : To not let my time run out where I see the end of my game as me being a loser....I will play until I can play no more. |
AuthorI am an everyday mom who likes everyday things. I love taking everyday items and giving them a repurpose. Our number one seller is our candles! Archives
October 2019
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