Detour and Fireflies

Oh, How I LOVE Summer.  The bright sun shining down on my face warming me up as if I were sitting under a palm tree on a beautiful beach. I believe that most people are happier in the Summer.  It is amazing what natural vitamin D does for the soul.  I am delighted that we are not rushing out the door trying to make it to the school bus that often comes and goes all too quickly.  I enjoy not waking up at 6 am to make lunches for my sweet children.  I am pretty sure that they are sick of home lunches as well.  Mostly, I love that my children are home.  I am one lucky mom because I am blessed to  be able to stay home with them.  My tender Brock wakes up with the roosters and starts his days early moving pipe.  I enjoy taking him early and having a quick conversation with him.  Some days, I am not sure is fully awake, but he is a good example to the rest of us.  He works hard and doesn't ever complain when he comes home soaking wet and muddy.  I am the one that complains about that.  When I see him walking out of the field all I can think about is how handsome he has become, and holy cow.... how am I ever going to keep up with his laundry and the dirt he brings with him.  The boy named Pigpen from Charlie Brown always comes to mind as he gets in the car to get to his second pipe moving job.  He loves these jobs.  I enjoy the lazy days and the crazy days.  I am so happy and relieved that Dr. Buys, my sweet oncologist, wrote a prescription for a daily Diet Coke.  Yes please!

Along with Summer, flowers and vegetable gardens bloom, as do the road construction crews.  When we see the orange vests and detour signs, we know we are going to get to our destination by using another and often times a longer route.  However, my whole attitude has changed about detours after an experience we had on one of our long, and I mean L-O-N-G drives to Utah from Ohio. 

It was evening and we were enjoying a beautiful sunset as we were driving across the beautiful rolling plains in the Midwest.  We were on I-80 going West and ready to get to the Hotel.  We had been driving for 10 hours and could see the destination getting closer and closer on our McNally Road Map.  

We were listening to a Rascal Flatts CD, our children were watching a movie and everything in our little world seemed right.  We saw a construction ahead sign as we often did.  We thought it would be a slight delay as we waited for our turn to go around the torn up road. 

As we came upon this construction zone, we immediately saw that this was not the typical stop and go road construction zone.  We were completely detoured onto a little country road.  I was so annoyed.  I couldn't even find this road on our road map. I complained and was thinking how if I were in charge of road construction, I would not completely demolish a road in the middle of June.  As I realized my attitude was contagious, and my children started to complain, I quickly had to try to make something positive out of the situation.   I told them to enjoy the scenery.  We were in the middle of acres and acres of corn fields.  Even I knew that there wasn't much to see. We had corn stalks on both sides of our Venture Mini Van.  We could not see past those tall green corn stalks full of ears of corn.  Before we knew it, the sun was setting over the corn field.  It was one of the most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen. After the sun was completely down and night fell, we saw a magical light show.  Not fireworks, nor stars, but by little magical flying bugs called fireflies. I believe we saw millions of fireflies in those acres of corn.  Had we not had that detour, our family would not have had the opportunity of being amazed by the beautiful fireflies as they shared their little lights they had to make a magical night for us.  I am thankful for that detour and think about it often. 

I am reminded that we have detours in our everyday lives.  Sometimes life doesn't seem to be what we thought it would be.  We have plans and ideas of what will become of our families and ourselves. These detours that come our way can be incredibly hard, even making our world stop for a few moments.  Even though they are unexpected and most times confusing, frightening, and often life altering,  I have come to realize that detours are not thrown at us for punishment, or because we are not good enough.  They come because they help us become who we need to be. 

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I cried and I was terrified.  I thought why is this happening to me.  I was enjoying raising my children, I was supporting my hard working handsome husband.  I was having a pity party.  I am not proud of that.  My mom flew out for Thanksgiving, just days after I was diagnosed.  I was crying as I was getting dressed and I said, "why am I being punished?"  She looked straight at me and said, "you sweetheart are not being punished.  You are going to learn so much."  She was right.  I have learned so much about myself, my family, and everybody around me.  We have seen so many miracles.  We have had people rally around our family. We have witnessed so much service from so many kind people.  We have had our house decked out in Christmas lights from some sweet someone who nominated our family.  We have had unexpected funds show up in our mailbox, we have had so many warm, delicious meals delivered to our home.  I could go on and on with examples of loving service we have received.  My children have been blessed to see all that has been done for our family as we dance through our new way of life.

I have also realized that every day is a gift.  I don't have the energy I would like to have.  I often get just a few things done on my long list. I have learned that family is most important.  These relationships will follow us throughout eternity. The laundry, the cleaning, the daily stuff that we all strive to get done can wait.  Children grow.  They only sit in your lap and want to be read to for a short time.  They only talk to you in spurts, and when they do, I try to make sure I put down what I am doing and listen. I've learned that I am blessed.

I haven't always enjoyed this detour, but I have been able to see everybody sharing their light just as the fireflies did that magical June night.


  

Unexpected

I woke up to this little treasure a few weeks ago.

You're Strong

Every morning you get up even though your 

body yearns for more rest.

 You make sure that I get to school,

and that I get their "handsomely" dressed.

In the evening, even though you're tired

and even when you're sore,

You most always make dinner for at least six people

sometimes even more.

If it weren't for you, I'd be tired at school,

Because you make sure going to bed is a rule.

Theses are just a few examples,

things that I could make rhyme,

But just remember you're strong and bold, 

and loving all of the time.

 - You're Loving Son

Thank you Brock for such a sweet poem. 

He has no idea how many times I get the folded paper out and read it.  It makes my heart melt.  He knows how hard my days can be.  He is constantly watching me to make sure I am okay.  When I am in tears, feeling like I just can't do another day, I hear his words and they give me courage.  I remember why I get out of bed, get dressed, and be the best I can be.  We are only required to do our best.  His words make me a little better everyday.