Saturday October 10, 2015  MY FAMILY CAME FIRST

 

When Rebecca became a young teenager she would sometimes come crawl in bed with me, always late at night after a busy day and all I wanted to do was go to sleep.  Instead of sleeping I would listen to her voice in the dark.  Dave usually stayed up a lot later than me so we two “girls” would have a private time for sharing.  She always talked best in the dark.  I would listen intently until I sometimes I fell asleep and she would leave.  I figured that it was more important for me to hear what she needed to say than it was for me to get my much needed sleep.  I found out that some things change, but not everything.

Tonight she had some things to discuss, and of course it would be late into the night!  The difference being, this time I was not in bed and Dave was with me and it was not in the dark.  We were together all day and she waits until about 9:30 or so to start talking about what was on her heart.  So we listened.  We both knew I planned to come home, write my bog and get to bed early as we must be up early in the morning to prepare moving to another cottage and they have a long driving day ahead tomorrow.  Rebecca has always had a lot of insight and wisdom about life since she was a very young child, and tonight she again said something that I agree with.  As the hour grew late and my blossom faded, she looked at me and said, “Mom, what will happen if you don’t write your blog for one day?  Just open it up and write, “MY FAMILY CAME FIRST”, and then say, “Just email me if you don’t like it”.

I’m smiling.  I hope you are.  It is past midnight but I did want to say hello to those that are following me as I travel.  Dave and I are still in one piece and holding our own.  Remember, this week we were up against one daughter, one son, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and two grand-dogs!  AND WE SURVIVED!

 

MY FAMILY COMES FIRST

By Kathleen Martens

October 10, 2015

 

Nothing can take the place

Of the time you spend

With those you love

Who are family, yet friend.

 

So tonight I lingered

Past the midnight hour

To build our relationship

And infuse it with power.

 

I’ve learned a great lesson

As I’ve walked this earth,

Taking time to listen

Has such valuable worth.

 

My family comes first,

The motto of  our heart!

And it is NOW we are together,

For tomorrow we part.

 

So if I am tired

As comes the morn,

I’ll have a smile inside

And not be forlorn.

 

For I will have listened

To what daughter has spoken,

My body may be tired

But our love won’t be broken.

 

I have a word of wisdom for you today.  This is something I have counselled parents about for years.  As your children grow, especially into adolescence and teen years (and beyond), keep them talking AND KEEP LISTENING TO WHAT THEY ARE REALLY SAYING.  I could write an entire piece just on this topic and perhaps one day I shall.  Tonight is not the night. 

It is late.  Good night and God bless you!

P.S.  Years ago I gave my sister one of the Amish calendars from which I quote my daily wisdom.  Since I left my calendar home she emailed me and asked if she could send me the sayings on each day.  So Velma, please continue to send them and I will post them.  Thank you for thinking of doing this for me.  Below is Calendar Wisdom for October 10, 2015:

 

THERE ARE TWO LASTING

BEQUESTS WE CAN GIVE

OUR CHILDREN…ONE IS

ROOTS,

THE OTHER IS WINGS,