Tag Archives: time

July 16, 2008 · 6:00 am

Good lessons and reminders from a conversation with John Henry.

·         When you are talking with someone, make eye contact.  Hold it.

·         Ask the other person questions about his/her self.  For example, I asked John Henry, “What are some things that make you scared or nervous about starting Kindergarten?”

·         Listen when another person is talking. 

·         Sometimes, it’s necessary to forget about my “to-do” lists, e-mails that await my response, blogs to write, and just BE with my son.

·         When a conversation shifts gears from the first day of school to which dinosaurs ate meat, go with it. 

·         The seemingly meaningless conversations mean something – TIME.

·         Invest into other people’s lives.

·         Just because you’re a good-looking kid doesn’t mean you don’t have insecurities.  (I am obviously biased, but have you seen my son?  Those eyes?  That complexion?)

·         As human beings, we need pure, unadulterated physical touch with others.

·         Smile at other people.  You don’t know what kind of day they are having.  (John Henry is concerned that when he smiles to his new friends, they may not smile back.)

·         The only thing better than a hug and a kiss goodnight are two hugs and two kisses.

·         And finally, be glad that a snapping turtle doesn’t have a long neck else it might turn around and snap your hand while picking him up.  (And, that was John Henry’s final thought.)

And, then we said “I love you” and “Goodnight.”

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June 23, 2008 · 7:00 am

Sweet Interruptions


So, I was in the kitchen the other day.  No, I wasn’t whipping up one of my incredibly famous meals from scratch.  My wonderfully pink Dell laptop rests on my kitchen counter, and I was all consumed.  I do understand that it’s cool to go Mac, but Dell and I have had a successful relationship for many years now.  He has been faithful and true – and my software works as it should on him.  To toss him aside for a trendier model just seems unkind.

So, I was in the kitchen. 

I hear John Henry calling from the family room, “Mom, would you come in here with me, so I know where you are?”

I saved my draft and met his request.

A couple of days later, it was pretty much the same scenario.

“Mom, would you come in here, so I can see you?”

“Yes, son.”   And, so I did.

I wonder how often God calls us to come be with Him, and we are too frenzied with other things.  I can assure you it happens all the time with yours truly.  Don’t get me wrong.  I dust off my Bible at times and read it the old-fashioned way.  I do, however, like the accessibility of reading the Bible online – on my wonderfully pink Dell, no less.  I’m always swift to pray for my family and others.  I usually serve when there is a need.

But, I often don’t take the time to slow down – take my eyes off of the consumptions of the day – and just be with Him.  No appealing.  Just a little girl enjoying time with her Father – and a Father enjoying His little girl.

I think our Heavenly Father call us often.  “Hey, Dusty, would you come in here with me, so I can see you?”

Gotta run.

“Coming John Henry!”

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May 7, 2008 · 7:00 am

R-E-S-P-E-C-T


Aretha sang it best, but I don’t think she was singing about the respect I’m gonna talk about.  I will not be referencing the “when you get home” respect…..at least not this time.

Respect.  I think we as a society have lost it for one another.  For real.  The greatest thing I learned from writing last week’s blog series was this:  people need to know they matter.  Whether we express it in the written word, take time out of our busy life to invest in another’s, or let the guy trying to get over in our lane get over, our society is groaning for a re-establishment of respect for humankind. 

In this year alone, I have heard of numerous people who have taken their own life.  I lost a classmate in February who left behind a wife and toddler son.  One of my former students who excelled in everything he did just ended his life at 21.  Last year, I met a beautiful girl who was in her late twenties with a successful career.  I recently learned that she, too, committed suicide.  I am bothered, and I can’t help it.

Call suicide selfish.  Call it whatever you will.  Bottom line is that we are surrounded by hurting people, lonely people, desperate people.  Our lack of respect and our immersion into ourselves blind us to what God has truly called us to. 

I’m not placing blame.  No one can or should bear the burden of desperate people.  But, we do need to take responsibility for the little things – like the simple act of respect.

I have good friends.  And, I don’t need to “fit” them into my life when convenient for me.  They deserve my undivided attention and moments set aside just for them.  Why?  Because they matter.

For the sake of humanity, let’s reclaim that 7 letter word.  (And, I know most of you are counting right now.)  And, for the sake of our relationships, let’s make sure they know they matter.  For real.

By the way, I don’t think Jason Castro is gonna make it through after last night’s performances.  Even with my sympathy text votes, I’m afraid he’ll get the boot.  I just needed him to know that he matters.  After all, he IS my brother.  Ya’ll be prayin’ for ’em now.

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April 8, 2008 · 7:00 am

The Case of the Untouchables


Most people just put their finest china in their china cabinet.  Not the Takle family.  For us, it represents those things we hold dear….and we dare our children to open its sacred doors.  The Case of the Untouchables became such after I placed this book inside:

What makes this book so untouchable?  This:

It was signed by the king of music himself, Gordon Sumner.  Yes, you know him as Sting.  I know him as my friend. (Sometimes, I step into Annaville myself.)

The other untouchables belong to Kris.  This ridiculous object of affection was won at one of his flight schools.  Its value is in the fact he has never won anything except this little lovely:

  
Then, there is the Gulfstream his mom gave him.  The real jets burn a little more in fuel, so we’ll settle for this one:      


 And, here is where my story and the Case of the Untouchables begin to crumble.  My five year old loves legos. He loves building airplanes, trucks, and helicopters from their tiny little pieces that come in the nicely wrapped and numbered plastic bags.  This is usually where my OCD kicks in, and I become engaged in these projects that can fill up an entire afternoon.  I became so obsessed with my helicopter creation, that I added it to the case.  Days, even months, went by, and my son continued to ask if he could play with my, sorry, his helicopter.  Again and again, I said no. I know what you’re thinking….how could I?  I just could.  And, I did.  However, one enlightened day, I had an epiphany, and I removed the helicopter from the Case of the Untouchables.  And, this is what remains:

 



I’ve even let him take these once precious legos and place them on top of the wing of another airplane.  Unbelievable, I know.  But, this was my epiphany:  I have one great son, less than five-thousand days until he turns 18, and almost that many legos.  So, we are gonna play, and we are gonna play hard.  We are gonna put propellers on the front of cars.  We’re gonna build, build, build for hours then take it apart.  Why?  Because, we can.  This is our new case:

 

 

The rest of the legos are under the bed, on top of our table, in the toy box, in our backyard….and probably in Brew’s belly.  We like our new Case of Touchables.

What untouchables are keeping you from enjoying your children, your spouse, your life?  Maybe its pride, your time, or your need for order like me.  Get ‘em out and mess ‘em up.  It feels good.  And, just think of the memories you’ll make!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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