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40 Reflections #25: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

For the last three months, I have rescheduled my physical exam.

Three times!

Here’s why:

1. SNOW. In Georgia.

I actually made it to my first appointment. I maneuvered through the rare Georgia snow, and upon arrival, I was told the office had to close so the employees could drive home before the roads iced. I was able to have my blood drawn, only to find out the office was unable to send my blood to the lab for testing due to the aforementioned snow. I hastily rescheduled over the phone, taking the next date available.

2. SCALES

Unfortunately, the next quick appointment I made was slated for immediately after the holiday season. I’d like to think I was less vain than this, but honestly, the thought of perching myself on a scale after my busiest cookie consuming month of the year, was nauseating. Those 5 seconds on the scale could crush a gal. Plus, everyone knows summer is optimal for the weigh in, less clothes, and slip off shoes. Of course there’s always a chance there’s a nice nurse who will shave off a few pounds for clothes.

3. SUBSTITUTING

I substitute teach as often as I can while ensuring my presence at home is just enough for the kids to know I’m around. Much like the “potted plant theory”. This is when your kids get older and you’re their potted plant: close by so they know you’re there, but silent, non-invasive, and mobile.

Tomorrow is my appointment, no excuses. I’m ready to pee in a cup, kick my knee up when the hammer hits, talk about the vegetables I should eat, and try and to decipher the zillion acronyms like BMI, PAP, HPV…UGH.

Physical exams are critical to maintain optimal health, develop plans of prevention as needed, establish a family medical history, and build a positive rapport with your doctor. Sure standing on the scale and getting blood drawn are not my favorite hobbies, but luckily, taking care of my family and myself is. Please make a healthy lifestyle your priority.

Dig Deep: Plan your annual physical today! Hint: schedule for summer.

Lenten Challenge: While you wait at the doctor’s office, which you inevitably will, pray for the health of people in the room with you.

 

40 Reflections #24: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

Every time I prep the calendar for the month, my pen draws an arrow covering another week with the words fall, winter, or spring break. I love having the kids home, but there’s a different feel as they get older. A tub of tinker toys, play dough and coloring doesn’t have the same draw as when they were toddling around.

Rarely do we travel over these week-long respites. Instead we declare them “Stay-cations!” Nope, it’s not even a word, but, when said enthusiastically, you can alter the “mind-set” (over-used education word) of your kids and turn at least one out of the seven days into a mind-blowing experience. I guarantee the other six days will involve a fine balance of play, leisure, drama, and bickering…laced in love, of course.

Prior to each upcoming break, we hear all the dazzling destinations friends will be enjoying: cruises, beaches, Disney, even trips to Grandma’s lake house. Navigating away from comparison a few years ago, I researched local activities, and Google offered me 116 million ideas. However, dangling at the end of my new Google search, was the word “FREE” immediately eliminating about 100 million of our options. Not bad. I began my planning. Our theme? Free Fun! When I say fun, I mean it was fun, because it was free.

Three For Free:

1. First off, we hitched onto a homeschool tour at an Anne Frank Museum located in a strip mall nestled nicely between a Best Buy and a Barbershop. Not completely encompassing the Amsterdam feel, yet fascinating, educational, and well, free.
2. We also had a gift card day when we decided to use gift cards that had sat a few years because the establishments were outside of our 15 mile radius. One day we schlepped to Buckhead, visited a charming Catholic Church – we “happened” upon (during noon mass-smack in the middle-oops), and then scooted over to a fancy deli. With $10 on the gift card we were determined not to spend a penny more. So, we ordered a BLT, one sprite, and three straws. Bewildered, the cashier asked if we wanted anything else, “No sir, we’re fine”. Thinking we were living out of our car, he gave us a ‘you’re not from Buckhead’ look, which is simply a sad smirk accompanied by about three nods of the head. The kids were pleased with their BLT and the drink since they were hungry…not the ‘this is our only meal-hungry’ just the ‘we drove to Atlanta-hungry’. We loaded up in the car and headed home.                      Memorable Moment: The splitting of the sandwich took me back to our daughter’s kindergarten days when I directed her to bring home ANY candy she was given at school. One day she arrived with a Dum Dum lollipop which measured about a quarter inch circumference. We took the hammer to it, multiplying the sugary asset, and split it between our three amigos. What a wacky mom I am.
3. We rounded out the week by visiting the Governor’s Mansion. We caught the tail end of free touring day and spent the bulk of our time visiting with the kind-hearted 1st Lady. She explained the history of the great room, the trading of tea, and kept our liberal family engaged.

Once we made our way out, we fled home and just relaxed, reflecting on the tribulations of The Frank Family, the pillars made from oak at the Governor’s Mansion, and of course, the delicious BLT. Maybe next break, which is coming right up, we’ll go crazy and head to Starbuck’s or if they’re lucky, go to the car wash (almost Disney).

Dig Deep: On a school break? Homeschooling? Take your kids outside. Find a track, playground, or some good dirt and just run, jump, and play.

Lenten Challenge: Add some Catholic tunes, or a calming podcast to your running playlist. Prayer and meditation is powerful.

Dig Deep: Run an “up and back” and contemplate the fact that midpoints are everywhere, on our runs, in our children’s geometry homework, even our week, where Wednesday sits on the fulcrum.

Lenten Challenge: Say the Joyful Mysteries of your Rosary today.

40 Reflections #21: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

Chocolate, sugar, sweets, avocados, wine, meat, bread, you name it, I’ve given it up for Lent.

Stuck on avocados? Let me explain.

In elementary school, my mom would wrap a hearty slice of the savory fruit in a piece of foil. Rolling around in the bottom of my thrice (at least) used lunch bag was a clever salt shaker. When the shaker’s top push button was pressed, it would shower the yummy avocado with just enough of the white seasoning. I loved avocados so much in the 5th grade, I decided I should try to go without. Luckily, I still had my homemade tortilla with butter and green chili inside my lunch to tide me over. Thanks Mom!

This year, I am abstaining from a few culinary favorites, but was moved by Pope Francis’ worthy suggestions to opt for a lifestyle of goodness every day. An even better idea.

Here they are:

1. Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
2. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
3. Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
4. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
5. Fast from worries and trust in God.
6. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
7. Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
8. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
9. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
10. Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
11. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Our paramount Pope Francis. So kind. Always choosing the right words.

Incidentally, if you decided to give up the traditional goodies, here is a sweet treat to give you energy for your next workout.

Power Balls – A healthy snack for all!

1 Cup dates

1 Cup Peanut/Almond Butter/Sunbutter (or try the new hazelnut butter at Costco)

3 TB Cocoa

In food processor, blend dates first, add nut butter and cocoa.  Hold onto your food processor, it may shake a bit.

When well-blended, use a teaspoon and form into balls, roll in cocoa, refrigerate, and enjoy!

Dig Deep: Ask someone to run with you today, it may be the motivation they need to get moving.

Lenten Challenge: Choose one of Pope Francis’ suggestions and make it your intention for the day or week.

 

40 Reflections #20: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

The multitude of miles on the road of motherhood can be bumpy, yet always fulfilling.

As parents, we navigate from diapers to diaries — pacifiers to car keys. Personally, I’ve been blessed to be home with our children throughout their childhood.

A Stay-At-Home-Mom. A title I relish.

Sure, once they are all in college (God-willing), I’ll work until I’m 95, but right now, I’m home, and isn’t that worth the same as a large 401K?

(Please keep answers to yourselves).

Given the fact our Irish Triplets will be attending college (God-willing) back to back, I have decided to substitute teach (and work other part-time jobs) as much as possible to continue saving. So, I’ve been working nearly every day.

Today, I was offered a long-term, substitute position in the Pre-K Special Needs Room. Having worked in this room for years, I knew accepting the position was the right thing to do. Primarily, to serve the students, but also to support the teachers who work insanely hard in a room where each child’s mind resides on the spectrum.

Mulling over the new work schedule with our 15-year-old daughter, she sweetly stated,

“Well don’t forget about us!”

My heart stumbled on itself. Touched, I uttered, “Awe, you guys miss me when I’m working?”

“Sure.” My daughter assured me. “But, we have no food.”

“What?” I questioned.

“REALLY, we have NO FOOD.” 

Visualizing the grocery inventory in my mind, I was certain we had plenty of food for them to make their breakfasts and lunches. So I probed further, “What do we need?”

“Well, you know, Goldfish and Cheez-Its!”

Ah-ha! That’s what they needed me for. I was the supplier of high-carb snack foods for their lunches! It all makes sense now. I asked her to add the items to the Costco list, and I would make my way there Monday.

Whether our children admit missing me or not, I will always supply them with lunch snacks (until I crack the code for those yummy crackers and make my own), drive them wherever they need to go (and take all of their friends), and listen to their stories even if it’s waaay past their bedtime.

Being a mom is indeed the ultimate job, for me.

Dig Deep: Make time for your workouts, even if you’re working. It’s not easy, and you’re going to want to skip it, but don’t!

Lenten Challenge: Remember our work is for serving others, THEN to pay the bills.

 

40 Reflections #18: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

I often look around our home and see the jobs others don’t. The cobwebs housing a spider “that really is going to catch the mosquitos and flies that sneak in…really!” Or the towels that just never make it on the hooks, the windows that are riddled with dog nose kisses, and the baseboards I spitefully glare at while I secretly decide moving would be easier than cleaning them. It’s times like these when I know seemingly mundane jobs need to be done, and I just have to delve into the task. But why go it alone, when many hands make light work? It’s all about recruitment.

There is one specific word beckoning me to pass my children a mop and the bright blue toilet cleaner…or vinegar for those who steer away from toxicity.

The same word my sisters and I grew up knowing, even said under one’s breath, would not end well.

Bored.

Said alone, it’s just one syllable that doesn’t amount to much, but when you accompany it with:

“I-I-I-I-I-I’M” (said in a whiny tone held approximately 3 seconds or more) and then BOOOORRRRED! It takes on a completely new meaning.

Where exactly does “bored” sit on life’s balance beam? Is it fighting for space next to lackadaisical and uncreative, or is it teetering on the edge with solace and quiet? It’s really our call.

Nowadays at the onset of bored, we plop ourselves in front of a screen and detach ourselves from the emotion altogether. This escape from the now builds an emotional chain link fence in front of solace and deprives us of confronting the quiet. The act of being alone and the feelings that accompany it can be uncomfortable at first for some, or always for others.

We clamor to fill the boredom void, much like the panic and announcement of “awkward silence!” when quiet finds its way into a conversation. Why not embrace the quiet, focus on our breathing, meditate, or pray? Life so rarely gives us the gift of calm. So when it does, much like not waking the baby or poking the bear, don’t disturb the solace. Embrace it.

(Unless you hear the whiny “I’m BORED” then, pass over the toilet wand.)

Dig Deep: Meditate in a quiet space.

Lenten Challenge: Go to Adoration, a consummate sanctuary.

 

40 Reflections #17: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

Kids say the darndest and deepest things.

Today while teaching a fitness class to five, six and seven year olds, I introduced obstacle courses. When asking the children to share what they already knew, most of them referred to their own back yard or America Ninja Warrior courses. Others swapped adventures to one of the many large bouncy gyms with trampolines lining the floors, ropes hanging from the ceiling, and rightly named monkey bars linking the paths together.

Then one free-spirited, blue-eyed, second grade boy shot his hand up and said, “They’re kind of like life.” My head spun around, and over the mumbling of other responses, I asked him to repeat his thought, to ensure my ears heard correctly. He said, “You know, like life. Sometimes you come up to hard parts and have to work hard to pass them, then there are the easy parts, and then the medium parts.” I asked for an example, which had obviously been brewing. “You know, like one time after I built a huge Lego set my brother ran over and smashed it. That was a hard one to get over.”

Eternally moved by the unblemished thoughts from children, I thanked him for connecting the obstacle challenge to our real lives. We moved on, with teams designing their own obstacle courses around the playground, and sharing their ideas with their classmates.

As adults, we like to believe children don’t, or rather, shouldn’t experience worldly concerns, simply weaving their day from cereal to legos, and Goldfish to Curious George.

Sadly, today’s world doles out alligator size obstacles to our children – from bullying and broken families, to trauma and loss. But much like an obstacle course on the playground, when the “hard parts” confront us, we can find a way to get through them, even if it means rebuilding the Lego Star Wars Jedi Starfighter with Hyperdrive.

Second graders are so smart.

Dig Deep: Go to the nearest playground and use the equipment for body weight exercises.

Lenten Challenge: Think about the obstacles in your life. Pray God will help you overcome.

40 Reflections #16: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season

I love to run, no matter the weather. Heat, humidity, snow, wind or rain. One Sunday after church, my husband and I went for a run while our children were in Sunday School. Rain was coming down and I wrangled with my rain jacket’s hood. Our run started and as expected, the hood obscured my peripheral vision.

Since I think and talk on runs, and I can’t just put a jacket on without overanalyzing it, I shared my “hood” thoughts with my captive audience, my dear husband.

Here’s what I saw through my running lens on that rainy day:

1. Through my tunnel view, I thought about those days when all we see is the charmed life everyone else seems to be living, measuring ourselves against them, and attempting to improve ourselves with every bite of kale, stride on the treadmill, and dollar earned.
2. The rain obscured my view as it came down harder, and I quietly said a prayer to always see the world from a lens focused solely on others, eliminate shallow thoughts, and to begin each day with an act of warm generosity. 
3. As our run came to an end, and my aperture began widening, I vowed to try fervently to live a life devoid of comparison, and give freely (remember I said, “try” I later added “go to confession more” if all else fails).

Ultimately from the peep hole my hood provided on our run, I learned the need to eliminate the unnecessary fluff around me, and turn the spotlight on those I can serve.

Dig Deep: Rain or shine, get your workout in, no excuses.

Lenten Challenge: Focus on giving.