A Few Things I learned From You...

 That loving someone means being there through the thick of things. 

To be present.

How to love unconditionally... especially the ugly places.  

How to live well  with little... 

very little. 

How to shave my legs in a lake.

How to sunbathe with baby oil and decades later regret it with skin cancer. 

To pay your bills before spending on your wants. 

How to pack and move over and over and over again.

And through that ... learned  I didn't want that for my own life. 

How to drive a Pontiac and pull a Uhaul.  

That strong, deep  roots are needed to  flourish. 

To be careful as to who and what I listen to and always consider the source.  

To just admit it when I'm wrong. 

How to say I'm sorry, please forgive me.  -- Then go on. 

To underbake chocolate chip cookies always.

And to understand that cookies dunked in milk for breakfast is completely acceptable-

(Just don't tell your teacher.)

To give grace and second chances.--

But not take abuse from a man.  

To try to always be on time.

Make my bed every morning.  

Take off my shoes inside the door... especially at other people's homes.  

You can find really good stuff at thrift shops and...

you will not die getting your school clothes from there either.  

Look for bargains. 

Use your coupons. 

Compliment people.

Encourage others. 

Accept help when I need it.  

That to fool me once shame on you,... fool me twice and shame on me.  

How to cut up a whole chicken at the joints.

How to make really good gravy. 

That I didn't ever want you to give me something to cry about.

Always keep my word. 

Be someone  whom others can confide in .. be their secret keeper. 

Everyone makes mistakes.

Keep trying.

When to stand up for yourself and fight back. 

Have a sentimental heart and save momentos and trinkets from my past.

How to parallel park.  (or ..go around the block til something opens up) 

That your car bumper is for bumping.  (Ma!!!!) 

How to give a brand new baby his first bath.

"That babies are really tougher than you'd think."

That it is worth it to make my  babies sleep in their own crib at night. 

Consistency in discipline is key.

Always get up and give your seat to an elder.  

Just because someone is rich does not make them better than you..

"we all put our pants on one leg at a time and 

everyone's poop stinks."  (I love that one Mama) 

To not smoke cigarettes because lung cancer sucks. 

To always carry  a paper towel kleenex in my pocket.  

You  can't trust every body.  

Most people will live their whole life long and only be able 

to count five or less absolute true friends on their hands.  

To worship God with my every little thing.

Always thank Him for my food before I eat it. 

To not take rocks from the badlands... (funny story there)*

Getting old is not easy.

Hair is not that important and bald is beautiful too. 

How to be brave.

Face my giants like David. 

Every day is a gift.

Ordinary days are wonderful.  

Humility can be a hard thing.

Laughter is good medicine and sometimes it's useful  to laugh stuff off too. 

Things can look different after I sleep on it.  

How to make a purple comforter.  

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and to 

look for beauty and goodness.  

Dress modestly.. "If you don't have somethin to sell, don't advertise." 

Patience is some kind of a golden nugget... 

At the very end of  your life there was something beautiful you could see 

that I could not.  

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mama... 

Dragonflykisses, xoxo

L