…for a Thursday.
Because I truly believe…
that deep down inside…
everyone wishes…
that they could ride…
a four-wheeler through their suburbs.
It’s the great American dream.
Except if you get left behind…
…while your sisters ride…
…and your brother drives.
And even then, it’s kind of fun to just watch.
But not really.
Yesterday was a hard blogging day. If you are a blogger you understand. There are good blogging days—and those are really, really sweet—and then there are hard blogging days.
And—I’m sorry to have to say this—those are the days that really suck.
Those are the days that the devil assails me, saying, “You’re a fool to post the things you do. Your words are harmful. Just go away.”
Yet I have to believe that I have to be honest, at least for a fraction of the time, because that has always been my goal with this blog. To be honest with you to make connections—and to let you know that my life’s real.
That and well, to make you laugh.
Happy Thursday! If you are here because you saw my article in the current issue of Family Foundations, welcome! I’m glad you were able to stop by to say Hi.
"somedays you are the windshield, other days you are the bug" :p
signed
Theresa in Alberta
Margaret,
I have had really difficult trips back home lately, too — for other reasons having to do with family of origin — but the feelings are the same. I have longed to blog about it, to get advice from others who may share my circumstances, but my siblings occasionally read my blog, and they are part of the problem. This is really a cross for me right now, and I appreciated your post.
Take care. Let's pray for each other — for peace amidst growing pains.
I feel like I say it so often, but really, thank you for your honesty. We DO appreciate the heartfelt posts as well as the funny ones filled with Margaret-isms. I think if you blog at some point we can all question our validity here and whether something is really worth the post or something we want to share. You're just keepin' it real, whether it's about a fun ride on the four wheeler or about the realities of going home and the emotions that fill it. Although supports like Sitemeter and comments are nice additions, they certainly can bring a blogger down sometimes too (not to mention the bad guy who likes to get in your head).
I'm grateful for your wonderful addition to the blogging world and how much you've blessed my life with your quips, joy, laughter and wisdom here.
Love all of the posts, those difficult but honest, and those funny ones. Love that last photo of George!!!
Mary, your wayward WW friend here… dropping in to say you a very special girl with a very special writing talent. I love to read the funny, sad, silly and hard stuff. You do make me laugh more than anything though and for that I thank you. Hope to see you soon – miss those stories!
Mary from WSP
Couldn't figure out how to comment on yesterday's post-but it completely resonated with me.
And so do many of your posts. That's the eb and flow of life, and I (we, if I may speak for your readers)understand on many levels.
I don't think any of my exteneded family reads my blog, but some of my adult kids do, and by a fluke, I am pretty sure one or two of my in-laws do, and not with good intent. So I'm never sure about pushing that button that sends my words into space.
Reading your blog yesterday made me feel not so alone in experiencing that same feeling about the visits home, the troubled siblings, etc. These things bring me to my knees, where there is only one thing to do, of course.
Please know that while I'm down there, I'm praying for you, too.
my mothers tumor markers are rising so we may be looking at a return of her cancer after 10 years. my grandparents, who were my real rocks, passed away in 1998 and 2004.
The transition to completely being the relied on person, no one anymore to look to for wisdom, who has btdt, or maybe for a few minutes to be that little girl again, getting that hug from mom, or grandma or grandpa. You know, that feeling where you can't see anything, are completely enveloped in the 'mom smell' and you feel like nothing can touch you or hurt you. that feeling of complete and total safety. :sigh:
re: four wheelers. I usually call the cops on the kids who ride 4 wheelers in my neighborhood. 😀 THen again they are usually going upwards of 50 mph and ripping through empty lots and peoples yards. I'm going to hazard a guess that isn't how your dh drives his 4 wheeler. My dh takes our kids on tractor rides – behind the ubiquitous John Deere riding mower a matter of fact I was going to post the picture on my blog.
I'm happy that the new people in a house down the street have 4 horses, all rideable and do ride them in the neighborhood. My dd is in heaven as their pony is now her 'special project'.
Your neighbor riding her horse to get the mail in a subdivision….total Texas 😀
Hey you,
I was once told, "You were born into your family for a reason." What that reason could possibly mean is different for everyone but, I do know it comes from God.
In our family of six grown children (I speak of my siblings here), we have a general mix of struggles, joys, failures, and the "no you didn't" kind.
Sometimes it is hard to go home and be surrounded by it. There have been years that it was down right horrible to be home.
I've learned though, to put some space between the love I have for all of them and the need to fix what is just not mine too fix. My reason to be in our family is NOT to fix anyone.
It hurts to see someone you've known forever, to be in pain. Or live a life away from Him. That's why I have gone to St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine, over and over again. Girl, I need their help with some of MY kin. God love them!
Whatever you stated in your post was your prayer to St. Monica too. It is wonderful that you are a part of them. And God bless you for your words and your willingness to share.
Phooey! How can telling us how much you love your parents be harmful? I thought it was a lovely post, and very real.
I think often the hard blogging days are when you share something personal or close to your heart and don't get what you expect out of it. (at least for me) It's then that I question why do I do this? Does anyone in blogworld really care?
We care
We love you
We laugh with you
We cry with you
We pray with you
My trips home (although they are only 15 minutes away) are difficult because of religious reasons and so many many layers of things. Aren't all families?
God bless you.
AND Yes, we all love to ride 4 wheelers, wherever you live!!!
I love how the kiddos line up to ride the mower when Tom is done for their ride!!
I thought your post was both lovely and loving. Sharing our lives through blogging can be a healthful and prayerful thing for both writer and reader. I am glad that you blog with such honesty and humor.
Peaceably,
~ Ellie
Dear Margaret,
Thank you for keeping it real—through heartfelt words as well as humor. You show both sides beautifully, and both sides are part of this life God calls us to. The cross AND the resurrection. Your faith is in both. It sustains you and makes you who you are: a true gem! And a blessing!
God bless you. You and your family are in my prayers.
Love you, Margaret! You are entirely beautiful, inside and out.
I needed yesterday's post badly. I needed to know that I wasn't the only one who felt that way about visits home to aging parents. Thank you for writing the hard post.
Oh that third picture from the bottom… those eyes! He is the sweetest thing.
Margaret, Your post yesterday touched my heart. A few friends of mine are going through what you are right now. I will add you to my list of people to pray for. Oh wait, you are already there!
I loved your pictures today BTW!
Joan (otherwise known as "Gluten Free Joan Marie 🙂 I like this blogging BTW! )
Your husband in the Holy Land right now? So cool! One of my priest friends just got back from climbing the real Mount Carmel in late October.
Margaret,
You're an awesome person, blessed with a beautiful family((HUGS))