Monday, September 20, 2010

Small Mercies

When September hits here in the St. G people like to pretend that it is actually time for autumn weather. We pull out our long sleeved clothes and admire them longingly. Our bike riding children think they need a hoodie to ride to school in the mornings (never mind the fact that they come home from school with sweaty, beet red faces). We start sorting through all those wonderful fall-esk recipes, maybe even put a pumpkin spice smell in the old scentsy.

People even attend parades held at 5:00 in the afternoon. That's right, the very hottest time of the day. Not just any old parade, the rodeo parade. That means that there are people dressed to the nines in all sorts of cowboy attire. H-O-T. Hot.

Now, we all know that I am not a native to the extreme temps of the St. G. I am not crazy enough to take myself and the chitlins out to battle the heat to watch the rodeo parade. Especially not when we have already experienced the REAL Rodeo Parade in Preston, you know-- That Famous Preston Night Rodeo. That's a parade.

Certainly I wouldn't go to the parade and stand on the sunny side of the street, finding my only form of relief is to stand perfectly still in the blissful shade of a power pole. Dragging children with me, one of which has absolutely NO stamina for discomfort of any degree. That's crazy, right? Well, not if you are attending the parade in support of your children. One handing out fliers and the other one in the marching band, marching -of course- on the sunny side of the street. I'm a good mom like that.

Now, what do we get when we go to a parade?? What's the draw for all children ever where?? The candy. We did come home with candy. Candy that was sorted in the family room and then eaten in the family room. Good thing I have the whole No Food in the family room rule, huh? After the candy eating fest some (surprisingly enough) ended up smooshed into the carpet.

I tell you all of that to tell you this...
the real reason for this post.

But first, a
Side Note:
My children are their father's children. We all know this.
They look like him. Hello? All blond headed people.
They act like him. Teasing galore.
They talk like him. His crazy slang words for everything known to man.
They work like him. When they really concentrate, the tongue is really working. Weird, but true.
They like what he likes. Music, food, movies.
Don't get me wrong, I happen to really like the guy- but, c'mon throw a gal a bone!

Enter: The Small Mercy.

Just when I am beginning to think that NO ONE has picked up on any of my traits--when I am thinking that not one of my off spring have been blessed with the cleaning gene. The heavens parted and a miracle occurred...

Of her own free will and volition, my daughter, the fruit of my loins, without a word from me
saw the above mentioned carpet candy culprit, went and got a knife and attacked!

This is what these tired, work and care worn eyes of mine beheld...

This blessed, beautiful girl taking initiative and cleaning something. Seeing a need and filling it.
There is hope!

And here we are, her wondering why I am photo documenting such strange things and her sister unable to miss out on any photo opportunity.

You know friends, I am wanting some big things in life. Wanting/Needing. I get myself all down in the dumps sometimes just waiting and wanting something to happen, something to change. I need to remember in my busy life of waiting, working and wanting not to miss the small things. The small things like a girl seeing a simple thing like candy on the carpet and cleaning it up.

8 comments:

whirligigdaisy said...

Ah. Spread some of that cleaning love up here to Wyoming, would ya???

Hot Mom said...

That girl is a ray of sweet sunshine. I kind of miss the parades. We don't parade here at all. Too hot at all time's of the day.

annebabe said...

tis the small and simple things that bring joy my friend. the small and simple. that Lucy, she is a bringer of joy. and here's another small and simple thing . . . no more rodeo parade this year! can I get a hip hip hooray?

HIP HIP HOORAY!

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY said...

That's no small mercy. That's a straight up MIRACLE! Say it like it is.

It looks like you've definitely done something right! And btw....I think they all look like you. But with blonde hair.

jen said...

Hooray for Lucy. What a sweet girl. Glad you can find joy in the small and simple things. I need to remind myself of that often.

P.S. We have never had the pleasure of attending the rodeo parade. After reading this post, I am pretty sure I never will.

Amanda said...

Whenever I hear Rodeo Parade, all I can think about is Preston's, and that is nothing but a good time! You did rub off on Lucy, that is your daughter if I have ever seen it, and for sure mom's granddaughter!

Amanda said...

Whenever I hear Rodeo Parade, all I can think about is Preston's, and that is nothing but a good time! You did rub off on Lucy, that is your daughter if I have ever seen it, and for sure mom's granddaughter!

Anonymous said...

I will say that is a pretty glorious sight. I hope that one day my children will take initiative, any initiative will do....

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