Two Posts in One...Random Thoughts...

1. Have you ever started writing a post not knowing where you were going, not even really knowing where the words were coming from, but for some reason you were compelled to write it no matter whether anyone read it or not?  That's where I am today.  After being in the blog world for almost a year now, I have read all kinds of blogs and connected with people who blog for all kinds of reasons: to inform, to entertain, to promote and simply to chronicle.  I don't know about everyone else, but that's why I'm here.  I want to write down all my thoughts and memories so that I can look back one day and see the story of our family and to show my children, when they are no longer children, and see if they remember their childhood the way I will.  Just think if our mothers had something like this to show us...

2. I was talking to an old friend of mine who just recently went through divorce for the second time and is having a really hard time on so many levels, as is expected.  One of the things we talked at length about was marrying for the right reasons and in the "right" frame of mind.  If there is anything I wish I could get across to my boys is to find yourself, find what makes you happy...not just what feels good at the time...experience college, dating, living on your own, establish a career and become dependent on yourself...not someone else...to make you happy.  Wait until you have done these things, and somewhere along the way, you'll find your soul mate...like I did...when I was ready.  That person will make you feel good about yourself...not worse.  That person will lift you up...not down.  That person will help you achieve your goals...not keep you from them.  That person will love your faults...not continuously point them out.  I know we all have to find out for ourselves...I sure did...but it won't stop me from passing on my heartfelt advice to my children. Why?  Because that's my job.  It's not just potty training, teaching them to read and tie their shoes, exposing them to culture and teaching them how to fill out a college admission form....It is also my responsibility to teach them how to be happy.  Childhood is such a short part of life, and while I can, I want to make certain I take advantage of the teachable moments when their ears are wide open, their hearts are unscarred and their minds are not jaded...A parent's impact is beyond words...