Trials & Tribulations: Can't Live Without Them

Sometimes, in life, we face challenges. Many times we ask ourselves why this is happening; 'I am living an honest life' or 'This isn't fair, I am a good person'.  These trials & tribulations are not always because you're doing something wrong, but because you're doing something right.

Every person we meet, every hill we climb and every slope we slide down has crossed our path for a reason. Will you take the time to have a conversation with the person sitting next to you in the airplane, or stare at your laptop? Will you enjoy the view at the top of the hill, instead of complaining about sore muscles? Will you blame a co-worker's unprofessional behavior for pushing you down a slope, or thank them for allowing you to change your direction & distance of their negativity with quick speed.

Sometimes our greatest trials in life lead us to the grandest rewards. 'Don't think it strange when you face fiery trials.' 1 Peter 4:12

What trial or tribulation have you survived? 

Chores for Kids- Are They Extinct?

     As far back into my childhood as I can remember, I always had a chore to complete in the home. Whether it was dusting, cleaning the lint trap in the dryer or washing dishes- no job was too small or of less importance than another.

     Today, I see many children driven to sporting activities, play dates and enrichment classes.  When children aren't participating in these scheduled events, they are watching television, playing video games or on social media.  Although I agree these activities have a place of value, should it be given the most value?

    Has the family connection lost its importance and value? How do we connect as a family? I believe the answer is through chores. When children are given a task to complete, it provides them with a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth. When this task involves helping in the home, it brings the family together as a unit.  The chores assigned help educate children about the value of hard work, accepting responsibility & understanding that life isn't always easy.

     Do you think chores are important for children to have? What chores did you have as a child?

What happened to quality commercials?

The recent Super Bowl had many anticipating the commercials more than the game. I, personally, wait until the next day to watch the news and see the top five. Yes, Super Bowl commercials actually make the news.

I tried to remember the top five commercials from the Super Bowl last year. I couldn't recall one. As I am writing this blog, I can recall two of the Super Bowl commercials from this year. However, I can sing the song from the Coca-Cola commercial from the 1970's, the McDonald's song, Toys 'R' Us, and Oscar Mayer. I can picture Michael Jackson singing for Pepsi and the Irish Spring soap man.

What happened to creating commercials that created a bond with people? Okay, maybe a touch over dramatic. May I just say, I am glad my generation has contributed a message of peace to all by sharing a Coke, listening to raisins singing about a grapevine, and enjoying a special sauce with a Pepsi & an Irish smile.

Weebles Wobble....

...but they don't fall down.  If you said those words after reading the title, you probably are having flashbacks of the camper, airplane and cool car, too!

I remember playing with my weeble wobbles as a kid. I would place my weeble wobble family in the camper and pull them around my house...and around & around. Wish I had all that energy now. The kitchen floor was the perfect speedway for my weeble wobble car; tissue boxes, pots and pans completed the obstacle course.

Today, many educational experts may discuss the importance of play as building creativity and learning to share. I believe weeble wobbles have taught many children an important survival skill. How, you ask?  Just remember, when  life gets a little crazy- you may wobble, but you'll never fall down.

Dreams

Shortly after a relative had passed, I had a dream and she was in it. I remember seeing her so vividly and feeling a calming presence. My body seemed to float towards her and her spouse, who is also deceased. As I came closer, she looked at me and smiled. She said, 'It's so good to be home.' After she spoke those words, I woke up. I recall feeling happy and at peace with her death.

I recently read a book by Theresa Caputo, 'Is There More to Life Than This'. She discusses how dreams of our deceased are really our loved ones communicating with us. Do you believe our loved ones can communicate with us after they die? Have you had a similar experience?

Last House That Pa Built

What is so interesting about DeSmet, South Dakota? Why are you driving all the way out there? Don't you have anything better to do with your summer vacation?

These questions were asked many times over as I planned a road trip to DeSmet. I had planned the trip for months, but it really began when I was eight years old. In the 1970's, a television show called 'Little House on the Prairie' captured the hearts of many, including mine. It made me wonder about our country's history, the mid-west and the power of writing our thoughts on paper.

What if Laura Ingalls never wrote about her childhood? Would we cherish that time of our history? Would the last house that Pa built still be standing?

The house is standing...thousands visit every year....and the admiration for the Ingalls family continues.

Discovering Home

The first day of summer.  My bags packed and a new Jeep ready for a cross-country drive.  I had six weeks to roam America from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  I saved most of my Army paychecks the past two years for this adventure. It had finally arrived.  I signed my exit papers at Fort Bragg and never looked back.

My plan was no plan. If I saw something interesting, I would stop and explore. The country seemed new to me; like I had never noticed the blue sky, corn fields and small towns with quaint eateries & welcoming residents. The Blue Ridge Parkway led me to the plains of Iowa and Nebraska. I started to crave the mountains again- which meant only one destination...Colorado.

Entering Durango, I rolled down my window. I heard the Durango-Silverton train blow its whistle, as the tourists settled in their seats. The train ride that brings you closest to what Heaven must look like. That's what the hotel manager told me, as I was registering for a room.

A ticket in my hand, I boarded the train and found a seat by a window. I prepared my camera as the train began to move. The town of Durango quickly disappeared. The train passed by waterfalls & mountains covered with blue spruce trees. The land seemed untouched, except by God's hand. And then, it appeared.  I lowered my camera and rubbed my eyes to insure the view was real. A cabin in the distance, surrounded by open fields on three sides and mountains on the fourth. 

I would not make it to the Pacific Ocean on this journey. Someday. For now, I was home.