likes to have fun!

What a beautiful day it has been! It had all the aura of a summer day, but it's still early in May. And, I still can't get over what perfect weather we often have here in Colorado! There was also a full moon -- or what appeared to be one.

We went to an amusement park tonight. It was "school night" or something like that, which meant there were families all over the place enjoying the magic of the evening. I was in the mood to have fun, so I didn't say 'no' to any of the ride requests (except for the ones which would have definitely made me puke.) Ben likes different rides than Laura likes, so it was kind of even in the end. That little girl doesn't get fazed by going round and round, very fast. She just can't handle heights. Ben is the opposite. I'm more like Ben, but braver! Gary came along and enjoyed watching us, but he no longer enjoys the motion of it all. He's more of a cotton candy guy.

I was very brave tonight and (all by myself) took the risk to ride the tower that climbs about 60 feet up and then suddenly drops you. I was all psyched up, but then involuntarily let out a scream that didn't sound like I was having fun! It's hard to describe the sensation. Maybe you've done it!

Anyway, the real crux of this post is to say that at one point in the evening, I'm standing in line at "The Whip" when my 13 year old son puts his arms around me and just hangs on for the entire line...which also spawned my daughter's affection. Hmm. Just sweet moments for a mother's heart...you know?

feels blessed sometimes

Today was my birthday. I'm forty-eight. I felt older than that this morning, but tonight I feel energized by time spent with my family and energized by the good wishes from folks I know. God is so very kind in giving us relationships. My children and my husband all bless me in ways that they could never know. Just in the way that they choose to spend time with me now and then is pretty cool. I especially enjoy laughing through old stories or recollections with them, and at this point in life I've been able to laugh a lot more at myself -- since they like to do that, as well (laugh at me.) I remember a time when I took life a lot more seriously as though every moment and person had to be managed somehow. Now I'm glad that I don't feel obligated to approach life that way. Yes, growing older has definitely been a good thing. Since I just saw the musical "Annie" yesterday, I will quote that famous song..."just thinkin' about Tomorrow, clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow...til there's none! When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely, I just stick out my chin, and grin, and say....Tomorrow!!"

Goes with the Flow

As they say, "what a difference a day makes." Or, in this case, 10 days. There's not a lot more to tell, but Ben has moved past it all. He's, hopefully, a bit tougher, a bit wiser, and none-the-worse-for-wear. We did meet with the family of the "attacker" last Saturday and the high school boy gave a sincere apology. We also had a chance to say some things that we hope made an impression on the young man. Gary was a rock. I greatly appreciated his approach and his presence. We also had our pastor there, who served as a facilitator. We were really glad he came. There have been a few other pieces here and there, and we hope to meet with the school administrators this next week. For now, it feels like a "blip" on the screen. Life is weird that way.
Some of you already know this story, but it fits the subject: When my older brother Maurice, ("Mo" for short....ooh, we have rhyming nicknames!)was in 8th grade, he was being bullied by a neighborhood kid. His dad happened to be a cop. I guess that the kid was hassling him at school, but I was only in the 3rd grade, so I didn't pay that much attention to all the details. Anyway, my dad did what I now see as a wise thing. Dad arranged for Mo and this kid to duke it out in our backyard. I remember that a little crowd gathered. I ran into the house to my bedroom, buried my head under a pillow, and prayed for him. I think I said the Lord's prayer and something like, "God, please don't let my brother die!"
Mo got a black eye, which I think was sort of a trophy, and the kid didn't hassle him anymore.
Isn't that practical? My brother kept his dignity. The other kid realized my brother wasn't a wimp. And, my dad was there to make sure it didn't get out of hand. (I'm sure my prayers had a lot to do with that! ;-) ) An added bonus was that for a few hours, or maybe even a few days, I thought my brother was a hero of some sort.
So, we'll see what happens this week. I'm praying for wisdom and boldness.

...Can Be Conflicted

We hoped to be out the door by 7:30 a.m. and were only 5 minutes behind. Normally we leave at 7:45, but today we needed to get going earlier. Upon awakening, I didn't think I'd have time to take Max on our usual morning walk, but I knew that I needed the walk more than he did. (I have to admit, having a very excited dog greet me early in the morning always puts a smile on my face!) Ben and Laura were really cooperative in getting up and getting going when Max and I returned. That's always a nice thing. Mostly I felt calm in anticipation of trying to meet with the Dean of students before school started. I needed clarification. Ben needed reassurance. I needed reassurance.
Yesterday during lunchhour, Ben was pretty much assaulted by a high schooler, while that guy's goading friends looked on with smirks and added threats to the situation. The guy knocked Ben to the ground, straddled him, pinned him, and hurled lots of profanities and threats in his face. It came about due to another situation, but was basically unprovoked. It happened quickly without much fanfare or aftermath, although a few students were near Ben and witnessed it. Fortunately, the school counselor came upon the scene moments afterward and could tell that "something" had happened. At that point, Ben fell apart. He filed an "incident report" with the Dean, and in a short while 3 students were suspended.
For the rest of the day, I was obsessed with gathering all of the details and with processing those details with the school counselor, the "attacker's" mother, with Ben, with other witnesses, with Gary. After school, Ben was so shaken that he didn't want to go back to school today. Understandably so. As life goes, Gary is currently far away in Kansas.
I didn't get to meet with the Dean of students, but instead met with the counselor. We talked for an hour and a half. It was a helpful conversation, mostly. But what happens after these 3 guys return to school? That's what we don't know. I don't want to overreact. I don't want to underreact. Gary and I have talked 4 or 5 times since the "incident." You know, it could be worse.
All I know is that my kid and my husband and I signed a "Behavior Contract" at the beginning of the school year. It's like a vow. We take it seriously. It doesn't feel like the families and boys of about 4 other households do.
We are concerned. This mother's heart is conflicted. For now, I'm trusting that the hard things of life, whatever they may be, are places in which our Heavenly Father molds us and shapes us. For someone who used to homeschool, hoping to avoid situations like this, I am strangely emboldened and even grateful that my son has the opportunity to see God's grace in action. How does Scripture teach us to respond? What does the gospel tell us?

Ben is already moving past it. While he expressed (24 hours ago) strong dislike, even hatred, for this "attacker," by bedtime he was praying for his enemy, praying for his blessing and for God to help him......Amen. He went to school this morning pretty carefree. Maybe he'll even feel that way on Monday. Hebrews 12:14-15
Ironically, that high school boy attends our church.