Kids Say the Darndest Things

My oldest granddaughter, Erika, who is in Kindergarten, has been sick a lot this year. Since Christmas she has rarely gone to school an entire week because of holidays, bad weather days or being sick. She missed three days last week because of a nasty stomach bug. She told my daughter, Carrie, the other day, "I used to go to school every day, but I don't anymore."

When she was home last week, her little sister wanted Erika to help her fill her juice cup. Erika quickly responded, "Allie, I can't help you right now. I'm sick. You'll have to ask Lucas to help you." Lucas, my grandson, is 20 months old.

She also wanted to get an early start on Christmas and decided to write Santa a letter. What prompted her was an advertisement on TV for a toy called "Pillow Pets." She told her Mom to tell Santa that the website was http://www.pillowpets/  so he wouldn't forget. Oh, and she wanted Carrie to take the letter to the mall to make sure Santa gets it. I'm sure Santa doesn't get too many letters in March!

My younger granddaughter, Allie, I'm afraid, is turning into a little hypochondriac. She is not like other children who kick and scream when it comes to taking medicine. She is happy to take her dose. And if you have a pain or ache, don't you know she does, too!  When Carrie had to go to the doctor recently, little Allie spoke up, "Me ick, too, (fake cough, twice)," and wanted to go. No wonder she enjoys playing doctor so much.

Time to Slow Down

Things have been so busy lately

that my feet haven't touched the ground.

I'm running from morning until night,

with no end in sight.

I need a minute, or two, to collect my thoughts,

to hit the pause button on my life,

and breathe slowly.

I need to slow down;

there's so much cramming in my head,

and not enough time to savor the moments.

Get up, go to work, go to bed.

I want to stop and smell the flowers,

gaze at the moon and the stars,

take a drive down a dusty road

and forget the time on the clock.

I want to have long conversations with an old friend

over iced tea on the front porch

and we'll hug each other's necks

when it's time to leave and say good-bye.

because old friendships are a rare and beautiful thing

I want to browse to my heart's content in second- hand stores

finding lost treasures that someone slipped in a box

or the vintage find that reminds me of a childhood memory

now collecting dust in an antique store

I want to sip coffee, slowly,

with the newspaper spread all around

and time to clip recipes and coupons;

read the funnies and work the crossword puzzle.

I want to play with the children

and get down on the floor,

 read stories that make them laugh

and tickle their funny bone

I want to bake from scratch

the recipes my mother used to make

and pour me a cup of tea

from the teapot that I inherited.

I want to listen to soft music

that drowns out the noise

and latest headline news

I want to spend time talking to God

and listening to what he has to say

instead of always feeling rushed

and being on my way

And when I do,

He'll give me a moment, or two

To slow down 

and hit the pause button

So I can stop and breathe.

(c) Anita M. Ashworth 2010

Thought for the Day

A friend shared this with me and I just had to post it on my blog.

 I am not perfect

but Jesus

thinks I am

to die for

Blessings,