It is cliché but mandatory: my insistence that the children ponder upon, and then state aloud, what exactly they are thankful for; After all, ‘tis the season for gratitude (and gorging). I found this year’s offerings to be especially indicative of each of their unique personalities, like an illustrated book cover designed to foretell the romance, humor, or suspense within its pages.For Mary, I had to observe, studying clues she dropped while playing with her customary repertoire of baby dolls, baby doll beds, and baby doll blankets. Though at first it seemed obvious (uh-m-m, baby dolls?), my skilled eyes, ears, and arms were able to accurately distinguish a mere hobby from her true passion: having me, her mother, no farther than three inches away from her at any given moment (see my last post). Thus I have concluded that Mary is thankful for my lack of employment outside the home.
Benji answered quickest and with the least amount of hesitancy. “Silliness!” He yelled, using that vibrato-fied, "Marvin the Martian Loony Toons voice" that only the silliest of five-year-old boys is capable of producing.
My six- year-old daughter, when asked for a response, immediately went into beauty contestant mode - straightening her posture, widening her eyes, and swallowing purposefully in preparation for whatever perfect reply was about to pour from out her lips and bless us all. “I am thankful,” said a dead serious Priscilla, “for my family.”
And then Elijah, my sweet, unpredictable, eight-year-old son with a head chock-full of fantastical story lines, unfounded phobias, and Jeopardy worthy trivia, proceeded to once again think outside the box with his untraditional choice of: The Magna Carta.
Well all this appreciation has got me thinking, about the ratio of my thanksgiving prayers to my pleas for deliverance, assistance, and material goods. Maybe at least 50/50 would be a soul-refining percentage to shoot for. So Lord, Jesus Christ, I am thankful for the interruptions that slow me down, for the frustrations that keep me evermore dependent upon You, for the privilege of being a mother. I am thankful that at this very moment my loved ones are healthy, there is dinner in the oven, and for access to the words You’ve let us borrow - to ask for mercy, speak the Truth, and sing Your praises.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!
5 comments:
Great post Molly - I'm loving the frequent blogging! How do you find the time?
I wish we had Thanksgiving in Australia. I guess we could decide to start doing it anyway, but there's a lot of resistance against "Americanisation"!
Your kids are priceless! (of course they're priceless as in irreplaceable and not for sale, but they're also priceless in the comedic sense!)
Love
Selena.
Thanks, Molly, for this post.
Ser's dad
Dear Molly,
I had to catch up on your posts, they are very enjoyable to read. Thank you for being so real. Your words hit "Close to Home" each posting.
Hope you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving!
Oh my goodness, my dad left a comment!
Your kids are so great, Molly.
We also make everyone go around the table and state what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving, and Luke went for the more standard choices of family, mashed potatoes and superheroes, while Henry proclaimed that he was thankful for "eating chicken and, um, the sky."
This was in response to "Torn"
Hi Molly!
I completely understand and relate to all that you are saying. It comes down to a choice that you and your hubby need to make - together -- in agreement, praying to Christ. He will not send a lighting bolt. For He speaks softly, quietly. "Drip Drip" one droplet at a time.
6 years ago, I felt much like you and would call my husband ranting that I can not homeschool these kids (10, 8, 5, 3). It has been my (our) ascesis. Still working this one out.
No, it is not wrong that your little ones are in school! BUT, What we can't get back is time - time spent with our little gifts from God. Put aside the studies, the chores -- time spent together is what they need from us. We have one chance, one lifetime to spend together. Are we raising Saints or Scholars?
This is by no means to pressure you - please forgive me for any offense.
Awhile back, I was told by a wonderful Priest, whom Homeschooled 7 daughters (BTW, he has the most incredible Khouriya and presently, 2 daughters are nuns and 2 are married), that HSing isn't for everybody - just like having 2 kids vs. 6 kids. Some people can write, such as yourself, and others are more suited for an engineering type of job. Either way - One does not make or mean that the other is better.
It is hard to homeschool and it is also very rewarding. Much like our Orthodox Faith. Our Faith in the church does ask much but you can gain so much more.
Just because you make a decision whether to keep them home or to send them to shcool, does not mean that it does not come without a struggle.
Give it a try, if you feel that deeply about it -- there is also no rule that you cannot change your mind - this will not mean you have failed as their mother.
The whole reason you want feedback from others shows that you do love your little ones deeply and want to do right by them -- you are Molly, more than you'll ever know...
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