How You Live

So unless you've been living under a rock, you are aware of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary back on December 14, 2012. As we spent the few days following with the tv away from the news and limiting what the girls would watch so they wouldn't be subjected to the around the clock updates, it broke my heart to think of all the parents must be going through. I've got a 7 year old. I couldn't imagine life without her even as trying as she can be some days. I've also got a 9 year old. When explaining it to the 9 year old, her response was "why would he go for the youngest kids, why not like the 5th graders?" I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that other than to say, "Well we'd hope that never happens to anyone of any age", but I understood what she meant. Why the innocence of those who don't know any better? I'll never be able to understand why someone could want to intentionally hurt children of any age and certainly not a classroom full of innocent children. As the next few weeks passed and the children tested boundaries, I found myself thinking, "this too shall pass". There are parents out there who don't get to disagree with their child on what they should or shouldn't have for a snack. They don't get to break up arguments between siblings because now they may only have one child. They don't get to hear them complain about how they don't want to eat their vegetables at dinner, or any meal for that matter. They don't get to hear them ask for "just one more kiss and hug Mommy" or "Daddy can we have a squish hug tonight?" As the weeks passed by, I also found myself listening to the radio and continuously hearing the song below. I'd heard it before, but now it spoke to me even more. 

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did, it's how you live

They always say "it's not what you know, it's who you know". But this song changes that. It's how you live. Sure, who you meet will impact your life. What you do will also impact your life. But HOW you do all those things will mean the most. 

And have what you want

But want what you have

What those parents wouldn't give to have 5 more minutes with their babies. I have all I could ever dream of. And then some by simply having my babies with me each day. But as I try to teach my children to be gracious for what they have, what better way to do that than to show them. We've talked about how in Korea the squadron takes a trip to the local orphanage at Christmas time to give gifts to the children.  The girls have taken that and run with it wanting to start making gifts to pass on now because why should we have to wait until Christmas to do that? Makes my heart smile until the constant reminder of "mom, we need to buy fabric now to start making things for the children" is brought up. Actually, I lie, either way it makes my heart smile but I could live without the daily reminders of the lack of supplies in the house.

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress, use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

I was reminded of this today when at Target with the 9 year old who insisted upon new dishes. Why you ask? Because ours are simply a couple of different solid colors and she wanted to ensure everyone in the family had the exact same dish for dinner every night ("We can just wash this one set every night Mom"). So thank you Target clearance, for less than $7 total we each have one plate that matches perfectly and my child will be content knowing that at dinner time, we are that much more united as a family. Seems like a pretty silly thing to me but in her 9 year old mind, I know that the minute those plates come out, she'll feel a connection to her family that totally makes sense to her and it will be special to her. I know that as my husband walked into the playroom and grumbled about the mess left behind by 2 children who quite often forget how to pick up after themselves, it's a reminder that we have 2 little bodies to love on and adore as we watch them grow into young ladies. Man, that makes me feel a tad bit older just typing it. Or maybe it was the comment again from the 9 year old today about how excited she is to get her first ID at 10 (she's been told she has to get a military ID at that point, so it's what she wants for her birthday. Sweet.) But how she also mentioned, "Mom did you get a different picture for your ID because on yours now you don't look that young". Uh, thanks kid. Yea so I knew what she really meant and she really was wondering if they would use some school picture for her or if she'd get to take a new fancy picture just for the ID. Anyway, way off track somehow. 

Either way, this song helps bring me back around to viewing life differently as so many things have the past few years.

So give to the needy and pray for the grieving 

Even when you don't think that you can

'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So, think of your fellow man

Or in my case, WOman. Whenever I think my life is going rough and I'm in a rut, I can think of quite a few other people right off hand, wives mostly, who have it much worse. BUT, they choose to live out the "HOW you live" part of life.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. And just a heads up, if something doesn't make sense, sorry. I don't bother going back to read all my thoughts and ensure all the wording is correct or if it makes sense because it will just keep me sitting here longer analyzing it all. You get my first/final draft. Mostly.