Skip to main content

Day 54: Fist Bumps for Everyone!



May 8,2020

My grandson, Lane, turns 2 today. He brings me so much happiness. He is such a joy and a blessing to our family. His zest for life, sense of humor and intense curiosity about everything is a pleasure to behold. He has an incredible sense of fairness for a 2 year old. If he hugs one of us, he goes around the room and hugs all of us, looking each of us in the eyes and saying our name as he does. If he gives Pops a fist bump, everybody gets a fist bump. He makes each one of us feel special and loved. His parents have taught him to say, “I’m cute! I’m smart! I’m nice!” And he is all of those things. He may not have understood what he was saying at first, but he does now and he knows it’s true. He’s a confident little guy. And he knows he is loved. The support system (fan club) that he has will help him for all of his life. If we are fortunate in life, we have people that love us and care for us and we return that love by also caring for them. During these hard times in our society, it is important to remember to look outside our small (family) circles and check on others who may have needs that are unmet. Maybe they need help with groceries, prescriptions delivered, a friendly phone call, a thoughtful note or a listening ear. Many of the things our fellow humans need don’t cost a thing. They only require time and thoughtfulness. Maybe we can all be a little more like Lane. When we are living our life today, let’s look around and see who needs a “fist bump”. Let’s do something for someone else so they feel special, or call someone and say their name so they know they are loved. You never know how a small act of kindness can draw someone closer to God. “Happiness springs from doing good and helping others.”- Plato  “The Message” translation of the Bible says this in Philippians 2:1-4: “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Spread the love like a 2 year old!  Smile and be joyful!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

  There comes a time for most boats when they need their hull scraped free of barnacles.  One website says that “a barnacle-free surface is essential for smooth cruising”.  According to Google, this process is more easily done if the boat is removed from the water.  I guess God thought I needed some maintenance work, as He has dry docked me.  Four weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery.  Apparently, when I do something, I do it up big.  It turned out that I had not only a rotator cuff tear, I also have something called frozen shoulder.  I was shocked when the doctor originally told me I would miss 6 weeks of work.  I told him this is no time for that.  Teaching virtually and in person at the same time is not something that can just be handed over to a substitute teacher, if one can even find a substitute willing to take it on.  When the recovery time was bumped to 12 weeks (thanks, frozen shoulder) I very nearly decided to just live with...

Day 188: Thank a Teacher

These last few weeks have been quite challenging at work as the teachers in my school district have been asked to teach both “face to face” students and “at home” students at the same time. (As in, simultaneously !)   Multi-tasking has always been “a thing” in education, kind of like being a mom, but with more kids (who are not your kids) and less bathroom breaks.   The job description is un-writeable even in “normal” circumstances.   As a teacher I am accustomed to juggling many tasks at the same time.   It is a talent I had (nearly) perfected over time.   This school year my usual act of juggling balls and bowling pins while keeping plates spinning on tall sticks has been upgraded with the addition of chain saws, knives and flaming torches.   (Thank you, technology, learning management software and unstable internet!)   And did I mention I do all this blindfolded?   (while wearing a mask?)   One of my new sayings is “I don’t even know what ...

In God We Trust

  Today is election day.   I’ve never seen a political race more closely watched, worried about or polarizing. I am not concerned about the outcome.   The Ruler of the Universe is in control.   On a day when the nation feels so divided, my prayer is that people will remember their “common ground”, the things we can all agree on rather than the things we disagree on.   Disappointment and discord are inevitable whatever the results, throughout the nation, within cities and neighborhoods and unfortunately, even within families.   Days like this one are Satan’s favorite.   He is at the ready with his giant stick to stir the pot of our discontent.   Instead of discontent, let’s fill our pots with all the things we agree upon and treasure.   If each “side” can be gracious and not lash out or boast, Satan will be missing even more of the ingredients needed for his recipe for disaster.   Rather than fanning the flames of discord and fear, perhap...