How Many is Too Many?

 

The Girls

I think one of the greatest gifts parents can give their kids is that feeling that their parents are proud of them. Fortunately, growing up in a small town there were many opportunities to get involved and shine. It was sometimes embarrassing as high school kids when our parents showed up for everything. Always early, my mom and dad were never to be missed. Whether I was president of 4H or keeping the bench company on the high school volleyball team, they showed up and supported me. I feel very fortunate to have had a childhood where my parents were excited to see all of us explore our interests and talents.

The Girls

 

The Girls

My favorite Woodchips

For many reasons this is my favorite Wood Chips. Written for one of my favorite people, it reminds me how enamored my father was with that little guy. Reading this article I can fully picture my fathers eyes as he admired and gushed over "little baby Ryan". I am lucky to have been raised by parents that had so much love for us. I hope my three children feel that love from me. All three are such kind, intelligent thinkers, their grandpa would be proud. 

Ryan - the king

 

Only in the Last 30 Years Have we Been Forced to Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

I think when you lose a parent when you are young, you become a bit of an archeologist. In my tewnties I did not have my dad to give advice, or come to my rescue. Thankfully, I had a number of siblings and a wonderful mother to help, and they did. I do however, find myself digging through memories to find lessons.  Many that were lost on me at the time, but were there for me when I was older and ready to learn. These last two articles describe my grandfather's experience as a farmer and my father's as a woodcutter. Both were able to forge a living in occupations that are definitely not easy, but that allow time for rest and connecting to people. When dad ran his woodyard in Lindsay, he would stop everything for lunch. In the summers, he and the boys would come in to the house full of energy and hungry. Cathy, Mom and I would have a meal ready for them. It was a loud, fun "conspiracy". Cathy and I would have loved to be doing something different. But I am so glad that we have those memories. I am also glad that I learned from my father and grandfather why we should resist being in a hurry.

The Potato Conspiracy

 

It's a Small, Small World

 

How Time Flies

And does it. My dad loved confirmations, weddings and every other social engagement that gave him a chance to see people and chat. He loved talking to people. Maybe that's why our family always showed up embarrassingly early to events. More time to talk.

Growing up with a house so full of kids, there was never a dull moment. Somebody always had something interesting going on and mom and dad loved it. The best part, they were always so easy to impress. Dad would get such a gleam in his eyes when he would talk about what each of us were doing or accomplishing. When grandkids started arriving, it was another level. Each one was the smartest he had ever seen, the cutest or the most talented. In his eyes, the most extraordinary human beings. He really would have loved to meet the newest group. Seeing all of them together is one of my favorite things. Would have been his too.

How Time Flies