Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Key to happiness

Jilda's been feeling a little puny the last few days, so I decided to act as her chauffeur for the early morning class she teaches on Wednesday.

Dropping her off at the front door, I headed to the local Micky D's for breakfast. I'd taken my laptop, so after I ate, I pulled the computer from the bag and settled it on a small table in the corner.

I was short on ideas until I Googled May holidays and realized that this coming Sunday is Mother's Day. Column riddle solved. Shoving the headphones knuckle deep in my ears and selecting Deep Focus track on Spotify, I was off and clicking.

By the time my timer beeped telling me it was time to head back for the spousal unit, I was putting the finishing touches on my Mother's Day column. I'll share it Sunday evening after it runs in the paper.

I'd planned to spend the day practicing, doing garden chores, and napping but the phone was ringing when we walked in the door. It was a babysitting emergency from next door. They needed someone to watch my great nephew Jordan until after lunch.

A few minutes later he was at our door.  We suited up and went for a long slow walk. The path through our new property took us through a canopy of oak and hickory.  When we finally rounded the barn and back toward the house, I saw some muscadine vines dangling from an old arbor. As luck would have it, I had a small set of pruning shears in my pocket. I snipped off a few 10-foot pieces of dangling vine and told Jordan I was about to teach him a new skill.

When we got to the house, we went out front and sat in the shade on our garden bench. Starting at the big end of the vine, I rolled it in a circle and then wound what was left into a wreath. "I could make mommy and nana wreaths for Mother's Day," he said. I thought that was an excellent idea. We had to fetch more vine, but that wasn't an issue. He worked for about an hour and made two wreaths by himself.

Sometimes life throws you a curve. It happens to everyone. But it's not about what happens, that matters. It's what you do about what happens that is the key to happiness.




11 comments:

  1. Making good memories.
    Joy

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  2. I can tell you just hated that last minute sitting thing.

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  3. Jordan's memory bank is gonna be full of Uncle Rick and Aunt Jilda! What a great bond you guys have found. Neat. Looking forward to the Mother's Day Post.

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  4. Anonymous12:28 AM

    You're more Jordan's father or grandfather than his great uncle!!

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  5. You made that curve special. For you and for Jordan. I hope Jilda feels better quickly.

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  6. Truer words were never spoken for sure ! ...t's not about what happens, that matters. It's what you do about what happens that is the key to happiness. I think you do a good job of it.

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  7. This was a good curve. Jordan learned a new skill and a couple of mothers will get fantastic gifts.

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  8. Good idea to keep him busy and the picture shows how both of you are having a wonderful time.

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  9. Jordan's expression is priceless, and that last paragraph is gospel! Thanks for putting this smile on my face.

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  10. What a great idea and Jordan turned it into a special gift for Mother's day. What a great kid.
    Hugs, Julia

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  11. Perfect! Vine wreaths are so fun to make and can be decorated for any occasion. I hope you post a photo when they are hung. Good job Jordan.
    Hope Jilda gets to feeling better.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete

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