Spring cleaning has begun at my house! I really like a book Kate loaned and then gave to me several years ago and that book along with other self-help cleaning and organizing materials, I have a system that now works great for me. It is not cumbersome and it works. Oh, the book is called “Sink Reflections” by Marla Cilley.
I began today in the living room pulling out furniture, washing windows and curtains, dusting in those hard to reach places and wanting so much to rearrange the furniture. But alas and oh, bother, there is no way to arrange with the windows, radiators, doorways, and the pieces I own. So it all went back to the same place and seems like nothing was done. But because my eyes and nose are full of dust and matter, the floor now polished, and items all sparkle, I will say…… tis good.
Spring busyness
Dick brought me the first spring bouquet of pussy willows Saturday, found six dining room chairs that match the family table I grew up around, and we stopped for the first of this year’s syrup at Fine-N-Dandy. I want to serve both Vermont Fancy and New York Medium to our guests. So good on the French Toast, pancakes, waffles, grilled corn bread, or on oatmeal.
In the meantime, I will just play for fun again
Last week was busy with two luncheons (a Lenten Luncheon here in the village and an over 50 ladies luncheon at church), writers’ group, Bible study, and singing at the Maplewood Nursing Home. I also finished the beginners piano book one and realized I am still a show and tell learner. I pushed myself to complete this book and will start with book two sometime soon. In the meantime, I will just play for fun again.
Sunday afternoon we visited at Eric’s and Andrea’s and Dick had taken a collection of his shells because he heard they had been studying about mollusks. He loves sharing his treasures with anyone who will look and listen to his vast knowledge and wisdom in the field of science and nature. He was excited about the attention and questions the grandchildren had.
Passing on heritage
This week I’m going to share something I wrote two years ago on the fourth anniversary of my Dad’s death. Today would have been his 84th birthday and in light of each of our lives and the changes going on in the world, I thought I’d share it with those who might be interested. I called it, “Don’t Move the Standard!”
the good times, the lessons learned, and the struggles of life surface like cream
“It’s been four years since my father died. Similar to after my second son died, I couldn’t imagine that life would go on much less the years roll by. Yet they do and eventually the good times, the lessons learned, and the struggles of life surface and like the cream on top of a glass milk bottle, they are rich and full of nutrition for the heart and soul.
Listening to my Dad’s tapes that he had recorded the last few years of his life, I learned even more about him as a man with deep convictions of right and wrong, and a perceived stern father. Hearing his voice is a blessing beyond words. The memories it invokes are full of laughter, tears, and instruction yet again. Yes, he continues to teach even in death.
But today I want to focus on what I heard in the few tapes I’ve had the privilege listening to. He honored and respected his parents, he revealed deep concern and care for Mom (especially after he would be gone), he loved his children deeply but felt he had been too hard on us, he was blessed with mentors he could look up to and emulate, and he lived by a moral standard though he so often fell short of the mark.
Instead we heard, “do as I say, not as I do
What inspired me is that he never moved the standard or bar. Instead we heard, “do as I say, not as I do.” Yes, it frustrated me to hear those words but I have since thought he was well aware of his failure to live up to the standard, but he was going to try his best to help us reach it. I am grateful and overjoyed that he chose to keep the standard high to continually reach for it, instead of lowering the bar and have nothing to strive for.
Dad, I thank you for not moving the standard and I am trying to reach for it, too. I don’t think you failed.”
Reach for the sky
May we never change the standard and keep it high for all who want to reach for the stars, the impossible dream, the good life, or just finish the race. For one day we will finish the race and what do we want written about us? May it be that though we didn’t make the mark, we strove with all diligence and perseverance. Love, Sharon