Gray Wolf Howling
I'm happy for the new week and the refreshed perspective I have on things. Last week I thought I was having a hard week. By the end of the week, I realized that I had been having a hard few months, and in many ways a hard year.
I don't mean to be overly dramatic; I certainly have been very blessed during these difficult times we are living. I've managed to keep my job and was even able to make a sizable investment in a gym. I still have my home, and my second home (even if it doesn't have plumbing). So it's a little self-indulgent for me to go on about the difficult year that I've had when friends of mine are going through real hardships in their lives. But the point of this blog is for me to share what I'm learning. Just know that I never mean to minimize your life by writing about my own.
So here's my most recent self-discovery. I've learned that even at my age, it is possible to still be a big ole people-pleaser. I've learned that I am still easily controlled by certain personalities. And that some people will take all you have to give and then ask why you didn't give more. (This is my problem. I'm not blaming anyone.)
And I've learned again that the heart longs to be free. And when it is, it sings. And soars.
6 comments:
On recommendation of a friend, I read The Giving Tree over the weekend. (I guess since I don't have children that's why I've never read the book.) So I stopped in Target and read a copy right off the rack. I thought it was very sad, and I don't want to be that tree! Thanks for the tip, friend.
I love that book! I am glad you discovered it. I have not read it in a long time - need to find it and get it out again.
Glad you are back and your week away seemed to help clear your mind. Welcome back!
In other news, we are one step closer to being your neighbor - we have our architect and have the inspection on Saturday - have to give the house plans to the bank on June 1 so we can close on July 1!
Yay Gnomes! That is so exciting.
Gnomes, you and I will have to discuss The Giving Tree one day.
Pat, here's to lessons (re)learned!
Interesting that you loved the book, Gnomes. I hated it!
That's exciting news about the house. I walked by it this weekend and imagined you living there. Can't wait.
I loved it as a kid - have not read it in probably 20 years, so chances are that I missed some of the themes. I will never forget Mellick Sykes reading it to our 5th grade class one day after lunch. Our teacher (Mrs. Stenberg), was bawling. I am sure it would have a different meaning to me now - must go find and read!
When my son was in 7 I visited his class for career day. How do you make a lawyer's job interesting to 2nd graders? I set up one table with crystal and gold colored plates and then I set up second table with already eaten-on paper plates and I dumped saved-up trash onto the table. I used that to explain lawsuits against toxic dump sites etc. But none of that is the point...actually, come to think of it, that was a totally separate visit from the one below that makes the point. Oops.
On a SEPARATE occassion, I read "The Man Who Planted Trees" to the class. They all already knew the story of The Giving Tree, but I brought it in just in case. I asked them to consider the contrast in the two stories. And I suggested that they think of the contrast both in terms of the environment and in terms of human behavior. Are you smarter than a second grader? It's short: http://www.perso.ch/arboretum/man_tree.htm
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