March 11, 2008
Popcorn
My eleven-year-old neighbor was over to my house playing with the kids on one of those cold, snowy days last week. I was preparing to make popcorn as he stood by and watched. He told me that he always eats microwave popcorn. I smiled as I told him that I chose not to own a microwave and I like to make popcorn the “old fashioned” way. He asked me if it’s microwave popcorn that I dump in the pan. I looked at him in confusion and hesitantly said no. He said he’s never seen popcorn any other way. I gave him an incredulous look as I said that the popcorn comes in a plastic container. Wow, I thought, the art of popping popcorn is disappearing. Okay, I will educate this young mind much in the same way my father educated me.
Many nights, during my childhood, my father popped popcorn…the old-fashioned way. It always gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to hear the popcorn pop and the shake of the pot as dad kept the kernals on even heat. He dumped it in a yellow basin and we migrated to the living room to watch a t.v. show or talk about our day as we munched on the fresh, hot, salty popcorn. Mmmm…good memories.
As for the neighbor kid, I did not regale him with my childhood story, but I took great pleasure in passing my knowledge down to this child. I have hopes that he will carry the art with him and keep it alive. Probably not, but I can hope.
The Beach
We went to the beach today. The sky was overcast with gloom but looked as if the sun was straining to appear through the weakened space of gray. Elizabeth pointed to subtle strips of color in the sky above the water…pink, purple, blue. She thought it was a rainbow. The beach was under a yellow flag but looking out over the calm waters, I wondered why. I found the answer as I approached the beach and observed the waves crest at waters edge to an amazing height. My children squeeled with anticipation as they sped across the sand and into the water. In a matter of seconds, they scrambled back on land as the next wave leapt up behind them. It was cold!
The day was fun regardless of the cool temp, wind and lack of sunshine. We older children felt as if our toes were frostbitten but the younger ones remained warm with high levels of excited energy. Samuel challenged the waves with his boogie board. Sara wanted to be buried in the sand and Elizabeth was more than happy to oblige her. I experienced pure joy as I watched my children, with chattering teeth; engage with nature and each other. While I taunted the seagulls with my potato chips, I smiled…as I realized…I’m living a perfect day.
Play
I took my children to the park today, but instead of sitting on the bench watching everyone interact, I decided to participate. I yelled, “Follow the leader!” and observed my children scramble into a line. I took the end position, determined to keep up and not be left behind in their dust. When my turn came up, I smiled wickedly at the kids and said, “Now let’s see if everyone can keep up with me!” I turned back around and ran. I grabbed a pole and swung my agile body around it (okay, I tried). I ran up a slide and down another. I sped up a hill, plopped my butt down and rolled. Yes, my ten-year-old soul and my forty-one-year old body were rolling down the slope at warp speed. I heard screaming and laughing (not coming from me) as I came to a dusty stop. I immediately jumped up. Foolish, foolish girl! I have never been so dizzy in my life! Oh yeah, and nauseas. When will I ever learn to act my age? Okay…never.
As I take stock of my scruffed elbows and knees and my aches and pains that weren’t there before the infamous roll, I wonder—was it worth it? A resounding “yes!” would be my answer, and I would do it again in a heartbeat with no attention paid to my achy body. Live in the present. Love, laugh and enjoy life to the fullest.
Choice
Life is difficult. I find that I can conform to expectations placed on me, or I can resist and forge my own path. Either way, it is my choice. Being one’s own person takes courage and strength but the outcome can open doors of unexpected opportunities in career, family and life. We are always learning. We are always changing. When learning and changing stop, so do we.
Respect
One of the best moments spent talking with friends are the thoughts that deep conversation provoke. Respect is a lost art, or it has never been an art that has been considered relevant. This action is valued in my household as I believe while we respect one another, all else will fall into place: love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, humility, joy, empathy. I believe that respect plays hand in hand with these other actions and feelings. I feel that those who show respect from deep within their being are the ones who know true happiness; the ones who will go far on their life’s journey. This thought is one that presents itself at crucial moments of my life. It is a thought that I frequently need to remember; an effort that I continually need to work on and put forth.
