Mother is Always Right...in My Dreams.

I WISH.

I had two conversations with Lucy LuLu in the past two days.

"Oh, MOM! It's California! I LOOVVEE California".....as we were driving to a friends house.

"It's not California Lucy, it's Portland."

About 10 minutes later..."Mom, YOU are wrong. It's California. 

I just know it."

Admitting defeat and wanting to avoid an argument.....

"OK Lucy. If you say so."

"Thanks Mom. I knew I was right."

This morning.....

After Lucy smacked her arm on my desk.....

"OW."

"Did you hit your funny bone Lucy?"

A look of heartbreaking sadness mixed with dismay.....

"MOM! It's not funny!! And it makes me sad you said that!!"

"Lucy, sometimes we call that our funny bone."

Said loudly, with even greater dismay - and with big tears.....

"IT'S NOTTT FUNNY!!!"

You win Lucy LuLu.

Mommy isn't always right.

Be Happy...and Grateful.

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There is a lady in the small charming town I live in, who has recently taught me a great lesson.

I see her walking around town all the time.

But, it isn't that she's just walking, it's that she can hardly walk. I'm not sure what the story is with her, but she walks with an extreme limp. I have watched on many occasions as she has struggled to move a body that is twisted and bent. Literally every step seems to take all the energy and strength she has. 

I have stopped and given her rides before, to which she has expressed immense gratitude.

During these rides, we have had some nice conversations. Nothing serious or deep, but I have enjoyed getting to know little things about her. She seems rough and worn by life's challenges, but has always been so grateful for the help when given.

The other day, I stopped again to offer a ride.

And on that day, this sweet lady taught me something great.

After I offered to take her where she needed to go, she looked at me with a smile and said, 

"Thank you! But, it's so beautiful out today, so I'm ok walking."

I was shocked.

Here was someone who struggled so much with just the simple act of walking, and yet, on that beautiful day, she was completely content to deal with the challenges of the life that was hers.

We smiled and parted ways.

As I drove away, I found myself counting the blessings that are mine.

I have a wonderful life.

It is a happy life.

And on that day, I was reminded of that.

As I watched her walk away, I didn't see a smile on her face. I saw a face that showed every ounce of effort it took to move her twisted body down the road. But, I knew that at that moment, she was managing to be happy with the life that was hers. She had passed up an opportunity to make her challenges easier, and seemed content to deal with them. 

What a great lesson.

I love those moments that teach us and help us to be grateful for what we have. 

Is my life perfect? No.

But, I know the world is full of people who have managed to be happy with far less than what I have.

I have been humbled and have been reminded to be grateful for all that is mine.