Some Days

When I was a kid, I loved being at my Nanny's house. She was so special, I have raved about her on here before, but some days I think of her more than others. Some smell, or special recipe, or a crochet project will make me think of her. I have all the afghans she made for me and my family. I love using them. I know it's cliche and maybe even corny, but you know the old quote, "Made with love in every stitch", I believe that with her afghans. Anyhoo, I am getting off track. The other day she came to mind while I was doing dishes. Dishes, dishes, dishes, they are never ending in this house. I was loading the dishwasher for the second time that day and doing up the pots and pans. I have to admit, I was more than a little frustrated with all the dishes. I was tired and the last thing I wanted to do was more dishes. Then my mind rumbled back to that kitchen that always smelled good and I could hear her laughing. My Nanny didn't like dishes in the sink and so she did the dishes, all of them, by hand after every meal. No dishwasher for her, she was the dishwasher. She would sing while she did them or talk if people were in the room. Laughter just flowed out of her, even while doing the dishes. I am not sure that I have ever laughed while doing dishes, and I am just loading them in a machine. I thought about what made her so happy about dishes. Then I remembered this little plaque that hung in her kitchen and I actually found the poem floating around online. Here it is:

THANK GOD FOR DIRTY DISHES; THEY HAVE A TALE TO TELL.

WHILE OTHER FOLKS GO HUNGRY, WE’RE EATING PRETTY WELL.

WITH HOME, AND HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS,

WE SHOULDN’T WANT TO FUSS;

FOR BY THIS STACK OF EVIDENCE,

GOD’S VERY GOOD TO US.

Anonymous

This is why she was so happy. She knew that she had dishes because she had food. She didn't mind the dishes because she was thankful that she had food and dishes. My Nanny lived a life of thankfulness. She didn't view mundane chores as mundane. That was her work, her job and she was good at it. I believe she was good at it, because she loved it. I look back and I think of that huge old house and all the work it took to keep it up and all the dishes she did and all the beautiful things she made (sewing and crocheting). She had to have been Superwoman.

I am trying to get over my dislike of dishes, rather seeing them as reasons to be thankful. I am trying not to view the mundane chores, like laundry, as mundane. I am generally a thankful person. I mail thank you cards, express thanks in prayer, let people know how much I love and appreciate them, but there is more. I want to live a life of thankfulness; thankful for the laundry as much as I am thankful for the munchkins that got them dirty, thankful for the dishes, because I ate well, thankful for cleaning because I have a place to live in that needs cleaning.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I know this scripture is not talking about my dirty dishes or the laundry which is also continuous, but in every circumstance, whatever it may be, of life. So for my own purposes, today it includes housework. ~Smile~

Some days, I am just trying.

*I actually started this post about a week ago. It's going to be part of a series I am doing to do next week.

That's A Mama's Prerogative

Late last night, this mama remembered that we had a half a bag of milk chocolate chips. Bad thing to have in the house and to remember at near midnight.

Too bad, I had remembered and I was off to the kitchen. Not only did I find myself pour a handful or ten into a bowl and melting them, I found myself looking for the jar of peanut butter (which I have to hide, but that's for another post). That's right people, I melted those chips, stirred in some peanut butter and enjoyed my late night chocolate goo. It was YUMMY. I chased it down with a tall glass of milk and not my normal 1% low fat you are on a diet kind either, nope the real deal--whole milk.

While enjoying the quiet and the chocolate goo, I wondered how many other mamas are up sneaking something from a secret stash or just up listening to the quiet. Probably too many to number.

I love my family more than words can express and wouldn't trade my kids for anything nor being their stay at home mama, but occasionally a mama needs some quiet time and chocolate goo.

I also wanted to give a shout out to a few women who have been instrumental in my life. My mama--she is grand and I love her. That's all I will say about her, because she will be getting her own post later on this month. My Nanny, who was the epitome of "a Godly lady". She walked in grace, she was elegant and kind. Never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Oh, if I could be like her. My head would probably hurt less. She talked about being Godly and she lived it every single day! My Mammy, she brought many giggles, funny little songs and yodeling into my life. She also showed me what a woman who prayed was like. If you would call Mammy and ask her to pray, she would hang up and immediately, I mean immediately pray. She was also a witness like I had never seen. There she was, past 60, Bible in hand going door to door inviting people to church. Visiting the elderly shut-ins that couldn't go to church. She would bring church to them. These three ladies all taught me something different. All of them love or loved me and brought joy to my life, but I can distinctly say what each of them taught me and how they influenced me. I pray everyday that their influence and teachings would not only sink in my thick head, but seep out of my life and onto others. I want to emulate them, for the emulated Christ.

Happy Mother's Day!!! May you all have a hot bath, many hugs and kisses and homemade presents, rest in God's peace and of course, chocolate.