Hello and happy Tuesday to all. Hope this finds you all well today.
It is a lovely morning here - after a rainy and stormy day! Yesterday afternoon it started to rain, then storm and it came down hard and for quite a while. The neighbor to the west had a backyard lake - one a couple to the east did as well - I didn't! Not sure why this time, but it is just soggy and no lake. YAY!
More rain coming back in later today and tonight (and storms).
Haven't had to water a thing I planted yet!
Well, somedays I still wonder what I want to be when 'I grow up'. How about you?
As a child, I said I was going to be a teacher. Then in high school, I took my college prep classes and did a semester 'student teaching' at my old grade school. I worked with 3rd graders and with 4th graders. That was fun.
In college, I got more interested into wanting to teach special education or work in social services helping kiddos. Got to do a hands-on service with a social agency for children then, and it just broke my heart. I would come home and cry and cry.
Then life happened, and college became part time, as I needed to work to help pay mortgage and bills, and then I just stopped in my junior year.
I got into accounting and did that in some form for the remainder of my working years (funny, as I hated math in school).
Became a 'sort of' care giver and stayed home with hubs when he became disabled. I have been home since. Learning, doing and caring.
Now I stop and think - am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I making a difference? Is there a big plan for me?
Do you ever wonder things like that?
I know I am not done growing up - so I wonder what I will be when I do grow up!!!
I guess in a way, I teach in a form, by having the blog. I help give the opportunity to myself and others to pass on useful information that others can use to maybe make their lives better.
I try to be a good family member and help those in need. I try to be a good neighbor and friend.
I try to just be a good servant of God.
I hope that is enough.
I see pictures taken of earth from outer space and it is beautiful, but it is so small compared to the unending vastness out there. We are a part of that little ball. Once you are on this planet, we are but a grain of sand. There is so much out there in the unending space and so many on this earth. I am presuming we all have a purpose (?). Somedays watching the news, I have to wonder what that purpose may be for some, surely evil and meanness can't be a purpose. OR maybe it is there to help us realize what NOT to do. I don't know. I doubt anyone knows.
I do know that we all have a bright light go out at some point in our lives, a light that gets extinguished. It may be from death or from illness or from losses of all sorts - but we have found a way to get back to a light and see some brightness again. We go on, and hopefully the time of darkness helps us grow, and maybe we can help others to see a light again.
So have you figured out what you want to be when you grow up? Have you always followed your dreams or ideals? Did things change drastically at some point? I would love to hear.
I guess I will stick with teacher!
I just know that when my days are done - I "hope" someone can say "she did good".
That would be a good legacy.
Have a beautiful and special day.
Make it a good one.
I really appreciate your comment about "a bright light goes out" in our lives. Yes, it surely does. We can struggle back to some sort of light again, but it's not the bright light from before. Maybe if I were more focussed on following The Lord I'd find the bright light again, but often light seems pretty dim.
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing The Lord's work with this blog, caring for critters, being a good neighbor. Thank you, Cheryl. :)
MaryB
I think I agree - it is never AS bright as before - but at least we have light. We have loved ones and friends and we wake each morning - pretty good light.
DeleteI think we all need to focus more on the Lord and His teachings. It can only enhance our lives!
Thank you!! I appreciate that.
Being a good servant of Yehovah is more than enough. I read in 1 Peter chapter 1 this morning that we are "to have a sincere love for your brothers, love each other deeply, with all your heart." We cannot function properly with His guidance. He will restore our light. Actually, you are a great teacher, a light to all of us. We can be the light to someone, simply by a smile or kind word. I experienced this at a local Dollar Tree. A clerk who worked there cautioned the man behind me to move his mop handle so I wouldn't trip on it. She was very observant and I expressed my appreciation of her kindness.
ReplyDeleteChildren of our generation had different ideas of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Things sure are different today, although some are returning to a slower pace, more traditional. At almost seventy-nine, I am at ease with what I am and my life today.
Okay, we've had enough rain for a while! I need to go out and pick strawberries before the rain picks up again. Too muddy to do much weeding. The squirrels are burying their ears of corn in our gardens so I will check for the latest deposit and toss it out. We used to have bunnies that got into the gardens, but haven't seen one in years. One year we had a bevy of doves who dug up the seeds as soon as we planted them. When the dogs were younger, they seemed to keep the varmints at bay.
We sure do need the Lord. His guidance is everything. It doesn't take much - just being a good person each day. Being a good steward.
DeleteI truly like my life and do not want to change things. My home and my little life are good. I wish I still had my sweety, but someday we will be together again.
It seems the rain has come and plans to stick around for a bit. I agree - enough for now.
It seems there is always some kinds of critters that want to 'help' in the gardens. I put little cages around things now and the pepper flakes seem to have worked.
I majored in history and originally wanted to work in historic preservation. Summer jobs at the local newspaper led me to a career in journalism, first in Washington D.C. and later for a business magazine here in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI retired at 55 and focused on helping my mom who lost much of her eyesight due to macular degeneration. She could no longer read or handle her paperwork even though her mind was still sharp.
Now I’m happy to enjoy my own life.
Frugally, my trash bill is increasing $3 a month in June but they offered the old rate ($27 a month) for people paying 6 months ahead so I signed up today. My Medicare supplement is increasing by $43.50 a month (to $331 a month) in June (ouch!). No option for discounts. It has doubled since I first went on Medicare 6 years ago. I can afford it but it does make me concerned about future increases. Barbara M.
That is a big difference in career. Historic preservation would ne cool. Journalism is neat, as you just have to be on top of things.
DeleteNice that you helped your mom - I bet she sure appreciated that. I stopped working at 51 to be home with Glen.
Nice that the trash service offers a discount. Sorry about the increase in your Medicare. I have been lucky so far.
I guess I combined multipke "what I want to be" into my career as teacher, social worker, researcher, and writer all morphed into my career to a certain extent. No as a retiree, I can still step into these roles and have a bit through consulting and subbing. Yes, I have my less than bright days, and apparently blog too much about them. However, on my good days, I know I'm still contributing to a healthy and caring society. While my faith is not like yours and many of your readers, I try and live by a humanist philosophy, never intentionally hurting another and doing what I can to help my family, friends, and community. Nice post, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteNeat that you are still working off and on. That helps keep you young at heart and supplies extra money.
DeleteHon, I think we all have those days that are darker than others - it is OK. You will.
You contribute every day - with your children, your students, your friends and community. You just do you in the best way you can. Your faith and beliefs is your private thing - not everyone lives the same.
I think you are doing good. Never give up!
Like you, I have yet to work that one out. I look at women on tv or in the professions that I come into contact with and I am amazed at how grown up they appear.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I do the same - and it all looks nice, but not sure I want to be that grown up!!! I just like laid-back me doing my thing.
DeleteCheryl, I think you are doing exactly what our Lord has planned for you. You are a beacon of light, hope, and common sense to many. Your blog is one of the few I look forward to, I have lost interest in many but yours is like a visit with a dear neighbour.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!! That warms my heart. I never intended on doing this, it just happened, kind of by accident. But I love this group of folks and all that they offer to each other and to me. I like having a group of 'friends' that is always there and willing to love each other.
DeleteOne life time is not enough for me, I just want to do and learn so much.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what all we don't know! Even with everything at out fingertips now (Internet), there is so much to learn. Glad you go for the gusto.
DeleteI am sure quite a lot of people will say you "did good', you are one of those people that "do good" every single day in some small way. This blog, helping your family and neighbors, spreading the word of the Lord, loving your animals and even the ones that aren't yours, are all ways to do good. You are a positive person and that shines out into the world like a beacon.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Louise
Thank you Louise. That is kind. I just do what I think the Lord has intended us to do. You are the same way - so many ladies here are. We know what the Word tells us, and we try to live accordingly.
DeleteI always feel very small when I think of my place in the universe. It is vast and I've no doubt there is more intelligent life out there somewhere. Perhaps one day, they will find us. In the meantime, I hope that the evil that seems so prevalent will not end our time here on Earth.
ReplyDeleteYES - so small. I agree, we can't be it. There has to be more out there in the huge universe and vastness.
DeleteI am one of those that think maybe they already have found us. Watching and waiting.
I guess we can remember if it all gets destroyed, we will have heaven! That is a good thing.
Oh, excitement! I saw a little female hummingbird at the feeder! My male hummer must have died, because I've not seen him at all this year, so I thought I'd been deserted, but nope, a female is here and I guess she's raising a family. :)
ReplyDeleteMaryB
YAY!!!!! That is always exciting. I have seen mine 2X and waiting. Glad you get to enjoy the sweet baby/babies!!
DeleteI went to University and took Microbiology and Biochemistry.... Have I used it? Not really in the setting I thought I would, but in understanding medical terminology and being able to ask questions of my doctor. Yes. I can also read most of our online results.
ReplyDeleteInstead I got married, raised two wonderful men, lost a daughter and grew in ways I never thought possible.
God bless.
I'd say you ended up with a positively wonderful life. I know 2 people that worked in microbiology.
DeleteIt has helped you in ways you didn't intend!
It is odd how our lives turn out so differently than how we imagined.
Cheryl, this post makes me teary eyed. You are a teacher and you are serving a great purpose. You are here weekly giving great advice, with no condemnation. You just share what you've learned or what you know and you bless all of us with this gentle way of teaching. And yes, all the time I feel like I'm surely missing what my grand purpose is, because I'm not doing anything monumental. But I raised two godly young men, who now have godly families. I'm teaching my granddaughters and helping my daughter-in-loves when they need extra support, taking care of house and home and husband. I think God has me right where he wants me and I'm so grateful to be here. But...I still wonder and pray all the time, that if there's something the Lord wants me to do, that he will show me. Thanks for a thought provoking post, as always. I appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie - how sweet. God has given you so much and you are truly representing Him in all you do. Your children have become good citizens, and you are teaching your grandchildren - not just schooling but the ways of God. That is beautiful. You are God's gift to your family.
DeleteLike you, when I am supposed to do something else, I know God will show me. For now I will continue on my journey.
Just keep doing what you are doing - it is GOOD!
Some of that bright light has darkened for me recently as I have had some heartbreaking news from someone dear to me. I will be helping them climb out of a desperate situation and will again see light. Yes, thank God for Heaven! He is the Light. Thank you, Cheryl, for being so encouraging and teaching others. I don't read many blogs anymore and I don't keep up with my own either, but yours is one I read faithfully!
ReplyDeleteI hope things work out for someone dear - and that the light continues to shine. They are lucky to have you there with them on the journey. God is ALL light!
DeleteThank you so much, it is so heart warming to read such kind words. It makes me feel that I am doing something right. I appreciate you being here and contributing.
I never really wanted to do anything career wise when I grew up. I wanted to get married, have 4 kids, take care of the house, feed them home cooked meals, just be there. I'm currently a stay at home Mom some I'm somewhat there, just 2 kids instead for various reasons. I spent 15 years in the public school system (childcare, special needs assistant, teacher assistant) and will never go back. Couldn't go a day without being physically attacked, cussed out, screamed at (and these were 4-5 year olds), and you are not allowed to do anything about it, administration couldn't care, parents don't care and even laughs about it. It's ridiculous these days. I'll probably go back to work for financial reasons at some point, but don't think I'll ever have a I am meant to do this type thing. At the end of my days all I care about is that I raised my children to be decent humans.
ReplyDeleteGetting married, having a family and taking care of them is an admirable choice and it is beautiful.
DeleteOh my gosh, that is just horrible that adults trying to do something good for these kiddos, gets treated so badly. I have even seen stories around here of 'some' teachers egging on such behavior. Just disgusting and deplorable. Parents need to take control of their children and teach them the Golden Rule and right from wrong - and that doesn't seem to happen a lot. I am sorry you went through that.
If you can stay home and take care of the family - DO IT!
Yes, I often wonder the same question. I believe we all have a purpose in life and it’s wonderful to find that true calling. The words I hope to hear at the end of my life are, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
ReplyDeleteBelinda
That is truly the only thing we need to hear. I agree 100%.
DeleteI do believe God leads us as He uses us in different ways. That is if we listen. We have to listen.
You have helped me so much with your blog. Thank you for so much for so much useful info. and encouragement to keep going. .
ReplyDeleteOh Judy that is such a lovely compliment. I am glad to hear that people really do get some help here. I love doing this and I love the friendships as well.
DeleteSo happy you are here. Let's keep going forward!
When I was young, I wanted to be a stay at home wife and mom and have a bucket load of children. That did not happen, I never had children and marriage was not a good experience for me. I floated around a bit with different careers and went to college though. I went back and forth between working with those in need and teaching. Working with those in need won out. I once, as a teen, had the experience of seeing a recently separated mom whose spouse was not supporting them in any way, yell and lecture her child for getting into the kitchen cupboard to grab a snack after school because the child was hungry.. telling the child she could not just take food out of the cupboard, that they did not have enough food for her to do that. I was always trying to help others from my youth onward, sharing groceries with struggling friends, giving rides to friends without vehicles.. so the career I had fit very well with the goal of improving the lives of people in need. Julie V
ReplyDeleteJulie what a noble life you are living. Sometimes it takes a while to find our place and what we should be doing.
DeleteHelping others is always a fantastic thing. It is so amazing how events in our younger years shape us and how we see life and what we do.
Good for you for reaching out to others. Improving others' lives is HUGE! Thank you for what you do - you will be remembered by a lot of people some day for making a difference.