Soar with the Eagles

Isaiah 40:31 says: 

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint."

This past week, my Memaw went to be with Jesus and my Pops.  My boys, Chris and I were very blessed to have been very close to her, closer than most.  Most kids don't get to know their great-grandmother like our boys did.  Every Sunday we would all have Sunday lunch with her, after church.  The boys and I spent most summer days at her house, where we would go swim, then eat whatever lunch she had fixed for us.  Being named for her, Harper shared a very special bond with her and she seemed to have a sweet affection for him.  

Although her actual passing happened very quickly, Harriet was able to get some priceless videos just days before she passed.  In one video, she talked about the angels and her "angel status."  She told mom to "keep hers to herself and I'll keep mine to myself."  Maybe that's where I get my physical space issues from?

In another video she told us that while she would be going on, it wouldn't be soon.  "You have to stop and consider.  Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Antioch" she said.    

Chris and I had been talking with the boys about Memaw dying and going to Heaven.  They didn't ask many questions, for which we are thankful.   Rather, Harper kept asking my mom if Memaw was in Heaven.  Then he would tell her that "When Memaw gets to Heaven, she is going to soar with the eagles, swim with the sharks and pet the lions." When Pastor David read that scripture (only sightly edited from Harper's version) during her funeral today, Harper looked at my mom as if to say "See, I told you, Mimi."  

We had a beautiful service of celebration.  Pastor David connected with the many friends who came and helped them get to know "The Queen."  We laughed at some of the funny stories and cried at the memories and the loss.  After the service, the immediate family seemed to disperse very quickly, everyone going their separate ways.  So, Harriet suggested we (Chris, the boys, mom and me) head to mom's to change, then go to lunch at GrillSmith.  

As we pulled into mom's driveway, Pj and Amy were getting in the car heading to the airport.  We quickly gave them goodbye hugs and told them we'd see them in December, for our first Colorado Christmas.  Then we headed inside mom's house to find Harper had completely smashed his finger in the door....pretty badly.  Bad enough that we weren't sure if he would need stitches or not.  And, while my heart broke for Harper, it did prove to be a great distraction for my mom.  Life goes on, I guess.

So, Warren stayed with my mom and Harriet, while Chris and I took Harper to Express Care.  After X-rays and some inspection, the doctor told us it was not broken and would not need stitches.  Praise God!  

Lunch (although it was actually more of a "lunner" at this point) was delicious.  We recapped the service and enjoyed retelling some of our "Memaw stories."  Not wanting to leave mom by herself yet, we all went back over to Mom's, where we spent the afternoon.  The boys and I walked over to Memaw's old side.  As we were walking through her utility room, back to Mom's side, Harper, very innocently said "Hey guys, wook what I found."  Being right behind him, I looked down to find Memaw's rather large diamond ring!  

Now, the back story to that.....and to the family who are just finding out about this now, I apologize...but it has a happy ending!  About a year ago, when we first moved Memaw into her nursing home, we accidentally lost this ring.  Knowing that it was very expensive and even more sentimental, Mom and I searched tore apart both houses, her new room at the nursing home and her hospital room when she was in the hospital.  And then we did it all over again.  And over again.  You get the idea.  We had been through that utility room, we had torn that utility room apart and that ring was nowhere to be found, until today, the day of her funeral...by Harper.  

I know Memaw's "sign" that she made it to Heaven was roses, but I can't help but feel like this was her sign to Harper and me that she was "soaring with the eagles."  

Determination

One of the things I am most proud of about Harper is his determination.  While some may call it stubbornness.....we choose (try) to call it determination.  Just because, well, it sounds better.

As I've mentioned (several times), Harper does not like sports.  That's putting it lightly.  He doesn't like activity.  He doesn't like to be physical...in any sense.  Doesn't like hugs, doesn't like to cuddle, doesn't like to run....doesn't like to jump or ride his bike....barely likes to swim.  So, as you can imagine, this pretty much eliminates most sports.  It does not, however, eliminate the fact that Harper needs to be active.

And, it's because of that that we encourage (some may call it "force") him to try different sports.  And I have to give Harper credit.  Last year, we "encouraged" Harper to try t-ball.  After the first practice, he did not want to go back.  We talked with him about the responsibility of being on a team.  We talked with him about how his team depended on him and needed him.  He was the only Harper on that team...and they needed a Harper!  We talked with him about not quitting...when you start something, you have to finish it...even if it isn't easy and isn't fun.  And guess what?  Harper's determination paid off.  He finished the season!  But what I'm even more proud of is that he didn't "just" finish...he played hard each game.  He gave it his best each time he was up to bat or out on the field.  He was determined...if he was going to have to play, he might as well do his best!

So, maybe this doesn't quite illustrate my point.

Try t-ball...check!  Next up, soccer.  Harper doesn't like to get hot.  (In his defense, he has terrible allergies and horrible eczema, so getting hot makes him pretty much miserable.)  So, why not try indoor soccer?  Sounds perfect!  Harper seemed excited to try it.  He was glad to be away from a sport where he seemed to be in Warren's shadow.  He was glad to get a new cool shirt and socks.  He was super glad to be inside.  He was not glad to play soccer.  Keep in mind...he only plays one hour each week.  But, most of those hours begin in tears, with him not wanting to go.  Again, we talk with him about finishing something you start, and being a part of a team, and giving it your best.  (All the while praying that the season would just end abruptly.  Being indoors, there aren't many excuses to cancel games.  Maybe the building could have termites?  Would that be too much to ask?)  And yes, there are times when he runs off the court in tears, at half time, ready to go home.  But, while he is out there, he is giving it his all.  He's not just standing on the court, pouting that we made him play.  He is running and kicking the ball.  He's guarding the goalie box.  He's keeping up with his team.  Yes, he may learn a few soccer techniques, but it's the life lessons he's learning that have me more excited.

Try soccer...check!  So, after two attempts at sports and lots and lots of observations, we've come to the conclusion that we know Warren is athletic.  He's good at most sports he tries.  He likes most sports he tries.  Harper is good at most sports he tries.  Harper does not like most any sports he tries.  And that's ok!  It's easy to get out there and give your best to a sport you love.  The hard part is getting out there and giving your best to something you hate.  And for that, I couldn't be more proud of Harper.  

Now to figure out a way to capture these life lessons while creating masterpieces?

Spring Break 2015

Ahhhh, Spring Break!  I have to be honest for a minute and tell you that just two weeks ago, I was dreading...literally dreading Spring Break.  Our boys are in a season of fighting.  They have such vast differences that neither wants to play with the other and consequently end up making each other mad...in turn making me mad.  So, having an entire week with them was not something I was especially looking forward to.  And yes, there was a time when I felt quite a bit of guilt admitting that....that is, until I got away from social media.  It was then that I realized most families with siblings go through similar seasons.....they just don't post about that because it would make them look less than perfect.  Well, my "perfect" title was tarnished 37 years ago....so I no longer need to feel that guilt.  

So,  yes, I admit I was dreading this week.  But, what a pleasant surprise I've had!  My mother-in-law planned a couple of things with each boy, leaving me with the other.  It's been a long time since I've had any one-on-one time with either boy, so this, I was looking forward to.  Several months ago I blogged about how vastly different Warren and Harper are.  So it would only stand to reason that my two days with the boys would be incomparable to one another.  And so it was.  

My day with Warren began with lunch at Moe's.  We ate outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Then we headed to Family Fun Center for putt-putt golf.  Warren is normally incredibly competitive, but he threw the score card aside and just had fun.  We stopped and watched some baby chicks call out to their mom.  We complimented each other on shots well made.  We have no idea who won.  Then we headed inside for some video games and laser tag.  Next up was a batting lesson at Baseball Heaven.  Warren wanted to get there early to warm up....30 minutes early.  It was plenty of time to throw and catch before he started his lesson.  During his lesson, I was able to sit and watch.  I watched as our little 8-year old (who normally seems like he's 8 going on 18) listened nervously to his coach.  It was a good reminder that he is still a boy.  He's not "the man" that he thinks he is (see my post from March).  He still likes to play putt putt and laser tag and hang out with his mom, for now at least.    

Tuesday was my date day with Harper.  And my oh my, it could not have been more different.  I spent some time researching some things that Harper and I might enjoy together.  Bowling, putt-putt, a movie, painting pottery were all on my list.  But Harper had a different idea, as he normally does.  So, my day with Harper began trying to eat lunch at Beef O'Brady's only to leave after waiting 10 minutes without receiving any service.  (Whereas Warren would've been upset and more than likely cried, Harper rolled with the punches.)  Before we left, however, he did want to try and win a bouncy ball.  As luck would have it, he got it on his first try....green, his favorite color, no less!  We decided to try Chick-Fil-A.  We enjoyed delicious chicken and silly conversation, before we headed out to Family Fun Center.  Now wait, I know what you're thinking.  "This can't be that different.  She went to Family Fun Center with Warren."  And yes, Warren and I did go to Family Fun Center.  So yes, that part is the same.  However, Harper only wanted to play a couple of games, which we did and then headed back home.  For as athletic as Warren is, Harper is equally as artistic.  He loves to draw and create.  We spent the entire afternoon creating.  We painted picture after picture.  We made crowns that we could wear as the rulers of our kingdoms.  We made crowns for the entire family.  We made thumbprint art.  We played with play dough.  We talked and we laughed at some of the silly things we came up with.  

  

These days with my two boys were as different as my boys themselves.  I realized many things during these precious days.  I am very attached to my phone, which I made a point to ignore (except for documentary selfies).  I don't do this enough...get away from my phone or spend one-on-one time with my boys.  These times are short.  Harper is hysterical (this I already knew, these days were just confirmation).  Warren is intense (again, confirmation), but has a very cute sense of humor.  I stink at baseball, putt putt and painting, but am pretty good at laser tag and crown making.  I have pretty awesome kids who are uniquely different.  And while that comes with many (many, many) challenges, it comes with double the blessings.

So, while I started this post off telling you how much I was dreading Spring Break...now I'm dreading next week, when we go back to the hustle and bustle of the busy life.  This week, I've had a week to relax.  A week to be off of my phone (for the most part) and enjoy my boys.  A week to appreciate their vast differences.  A week to realize (again) just how blessed I am, even in the midst of the fighting.  And with that, maybe I should start looking forward to summer?