Older and Wiser … well at least Older
35 years ago today I entered the world. I made a “Husband & Wife” a “Mom & Dad”. The Lieutenant and Mrs lived on the edge of Death Valley aka Indian Springs Auxiliary Field… now referred to as Creech AFB. As I understand it (since I hardly remember) it was quite the drive but I was born at Nellis AFB, just outside of Las Vegas, the closest hospital. 35 years later, many many moves and two special-deliveries of my own I can sit here amazed at where my life has taken me. So with a little reflection and without further adieu…
35 ‘Deep Thoughts’ to celebrate my 35 years
- Get out of the House. Go Sledding, Pick flowers, Go Swimming, Rake Leaves. No matter the season, fresh air is good for the soul.
- If you are sick, drink till your pee is clear (Thanks, Mom!)
- Plant a Garden.
- Hug your kids every day.
- Call your Mom, she misses you.
- Read a book to your young ones everyday.
- Take the time to soak in the sun. It feels good to relax.
- Make new friends: join a moms-group, a church bible-study, play in an adult-league sports team.
- Keep the old friends: send emails, letters, postcards, pick up the phone, interact on sites like Facebook, myspace.
- Take time to enjoy dessert! (I’m all about the ice-cream)
- Take a walk with your Dad. He’ll love the company.
- Don’t forget your Grandparents’ birthdays. Send them a card, write them a note, pick up the phone.
- Be someone special in a child’s life … beyond your own children if you have them. Nieces, Nephews, Neighbors, Younger Cousins.
- Kiss your husband (or wife) every-day (although kind of hard if he is deployed…) And I don’t mean just a little peck.
- Make it to church every Sunday. It will set the mood for the rest of your week.
- Be courteous to the check-out gal or guy.
- Go for a bike ride! Enjoy the wind in your hair.
- Have a spot to hang up your children’s art-work. Mine happens to be in the laundry room / mud room. I love standing in there doing laundry and looking at their art throughout the years.
- Be Adventurous. Jump off a cliff, roll in the sand, hike a trail.
- Listen to upbeat music if you are feeling down. It can turn your mood around.
- Frame old pictures. Pictures from your grandparents’ wedding, your parents’ wedding, your wedding. Soak in the generations and think about where you have come from.
- Take pictures! Send them to those you love, especially if they live far away and don’t get to see you (or your kids) every day.
- Let your spouse know you appreciate him. Tell him why you value him! (And don’t add a “but”)
- Attend a marriage-conference. Even the best of marriages can benefit from a Weekend to Remember.
- Get a little sassy, even on the web-cam for deployed hubby.
- Grow flowers. Plant bulbs in the Fall, cut them in the Spring. Bring the signs of Spring indoors in a vase.
- Plan a date with your husband. My favorite “date-time” with Hubby is lunch-time. The boys are at school and the price of a meal ‘out’ is much cheaper.
- Find something to do in the evening that is relaxing! A glass of wine, a jog, sitting on a porch swing sipping lemonade.
- Don’t dwell on the guilt.
- Ignore the gossip; and if you can’t… don’t add to it.
- Don’t give in to preconceived notions. (Example, in-laws can have a ‘negative’ connotation… but mine are anything but negative.)
- Think about your future. Take a class at a community college if you aren’t sure where to go with it. Talk to an ‘education counselor’ if your base has an Education-Center. Even though I have a college-degree I still contemplate getting a new / different degree or study a new subject.
- Hold your head up and smile at strangers.
- Before you act, think: “Will I regret this in the morning?”
- Find the positives in where you are. Physically, Mentally. Don’t dwell on the negative it won’t do you much good.
– Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.combyLeanneonTuesday, March 31, 2009
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:Leanne,Personal Thoughts
