Monday is the day that a surgeon will cut a six inch incision into my body, remove my knee, and replace it with a brand new joint. After a fall down some stairs, I finally smashed a knee that bone on bone. It was riddled with arthritis as a result of another surgery twenty years ago when I tore a ligament dancing, a far more happy accident than falling down the stairs and a much simpler surgery than I am facing now.
The problem is that whenever they cut into your body, scar tissue and then arthritis is also a result. Now, I am convinced I need the surgery, and friends to whom I have spoken laud the wonder of not hurting when they walk or bend, but I am worried about the physical therapy.
My PT, whom I love, says I will hate her soon because she intends to work the new joint so hard that I will need to take vicodin to tolerate it. She says also that it could be several months of this torture, and that if I don't do all that is necessary, I face the possibility of a frozen knee, a knee that won't straighten all the way or a walk that looks more like a pirate with a peg leg. None of these prospects are attractive, obviously, but the remedy seems almost as awful.
The joint itself is a titanium prosthetic that they believe will last 15 to 30 years depending on how hard I am on it. Since I don't intend to jog or downhill ski, I believe I have a good shot at keeping it for a while, and now, if I do need another before moving onto to heaven, they are able to go in and just replace the plastic pad and not the whole prosthetic.
An oddity of having a metal prosthetic in my body besides setting off bells and whistles at the airport is that I will have to take antibiotics forever before any dental work including cleanings. Because the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, if any gets into the bloodstream, the area around the prosthetic could become horribly and dangerously infected.
Despite the difficulties associated with any surgical recovery, I am assured that I will feel like a new woman afterwards; that soon I won't even think about the knee as I go about my activities. I am focusing on that eventuality.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Make it a Happy Mother's Day
I love to run this reader letter on Mother's Day weekend. I think it speaks well about how the celebration should look. How are you honoring the woman who gave you your life then sacrificed hers to give you every opportunity?
Dear Linda:
I’m an avid reader of your special column. I’ve been particularly interested in your Mother’s Day columns. They’ve included lovely ideas for honoring mothers. I’ve been moved to tears, because it doesn’t occur to my children, who live close, to do anything for me besides a call. Perhaps I should be content, but it’s hurtful that they never include me in their celebrations.
It isn’t as though they don’t know better. When my husband and our mothers were alive, we made Mother’s Day a special time. In the morning, I’d be awakened to breakfast in bed. The tray was decorated with flowers, gifts and cards that expressed love. My husband involved the children in the preparation of the food, and though the toast was sometimes burned and the eggs runny, nothing ever tasted better.
Afterwards, we dressed-up and visited our moms. Though they didn’t need much, we gave them something that made their growing dependence easier, and my husband never neglected to buy “each of his gorgeous gals” a corsage.
Then we all attended church. The service addressed the importance of honoring mothers—that it was small repayment for their innumerable sacrifices made constantly for the betterment of the family. We’d be filled with an urgency to express gratitude, particularly with an aging mother.
After, we’d dine out—often in the next county so we could see the spring flowers. We’d tour the town and antiqued. We’d end the day at “our favorite” ice cream shop for banana splits. We all looked forward to the day with great excitement. I don’t know how my children have forgotten, and I worry that I’m selfish to expect more.
Signed a Sad Mom
Dear Sad Mom:
I don’t think you’re being selfish to desire more. You letter speaks beautifully to the spirit of the day. Please give them this column to read and discuss.
Dear Linda:
I’m an avid reader of your special column. I’ve been particularly interested in your Mother’s Day columns. They’ve included lovely ideas for honoring mothers. I’ve been moved to tears, because it doesn’t occur to my children, who live close, to do anything for me besides a call. Perhaps I should be content, but it’s hurtful that they never include me in their celebrations.
It isn’t as though they don’t know better. When my husband and our mothers were alive, we made Mother’s Day a special time. In the morning, I’d be awakened to breakfast in bed. The tray was decorated with flowers, gifts and cards that expressed love. My husband involved the children in the preparation of the food, and though the toast was sometimes burned and the eggs runny, nothing ever tasted better.
Afterwards, we dressed-up and visited our moms. Though they didn’t need much, we gave them something that made their growing dependence easier, and my husband never neglected to buy “each of his gorgeous gals” a corsage.
Then we all attended church. The service addressed the importance of honoring mothers—that it was small repayment for their innumerable sacrifices made constantly for the betterment of the family. We’d be filled with an urgency to express gratitude, particularly with an aging mother.
After, we’d dine out—often in the next county so we could see the spring flowers. We’d tour the town and antiqued. We’d end the day at “our favorite” ice cream shop for banana splits. We all looked forward to the day with great excitement. I don’t know how my children have forgotten, and I worry that I’m selfish to expect more.
Signed a Sad Mom
Dear Sad Mom:
I don’t think you’re being selfish to desire more. You letter speaks beautifully to the spirit of the day. Please give them this column to read and discuss.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Exercise as Medicine
Sorry about missing Saturday. This injury is throwing me for a loop. Some days the pain is worse than others and writing is hard to do when all you want to do is chug vicodin and crawl into bed. Here's the delimna though. The more we hurt, the more we want to be immobile, but it's the worse thing we can do.
When someone referred to exercise as medicine, I laughed. Now, when I was young, working-out, dancing and even running was fun to do; I didn't think twice about doing whatever I wanted with my body.
In my thirties and forties, I was chasing children 24/7. That alone can keep you nimble. Teaching in my fifties kept me moving but a bit more slowly. Now that I'm in my sixties, I think first about whether my body can do what my brain wants.
A decision not to do something now has mostly to do with whether I am physically up to the task, and I am hating it! And now that I've fallen, I feel myself thinking even more about this new phase, but here's what I'm finding out fast; the less I move, the more I hurt. And if I do the right kind of exercise in the right way, I can actually relieve pain.
The ailments that accompany aging (including high blood pressure, arthritis, rheumatism and incontinence) can impact the intensity of physical activity but are the very reasons for staying fit, limber and active.
There are several forms of exercise that can be modified in intensity. Walking, jogging and swimming are all excellent for maintaining bone, joint and muscle strength and flexibility, reducing blood pressure and stress levels, and combating pain, but I'm going to talk about yoga as a remedy.
I have tendonitis from the fall and from all the limping. In fact, even though I have to have knee replacement, I'm having more pain in my shoulder and hip. So what does the physical therapist recommend for resolution? Long, slow stretches repeated over and over. Yoga is a form of exercise that embraces long, slow stretches and so much more.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the US, causing 1.5 million heart attacks each year. Recent research has shown that yoga reduces blood pressure, lowers pulse rate, improves artery elasticity, increases the heart's stroke volume and regulates heart rhythm. Yoga benefits the heart and overall health.
Originated in India and now considered a science, yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years. What differentiates yoga from other exercise routines is its basic principal: that there’s a direct connection between the body, mind and spirit. The theory is that good health is dependent on the positive interrelationship of these three forces, and that balance between them must be achieved.
Yoga’s unique method for maintaining this balance is to combine physical movement with proper breathing and meditation techniques. The exercises are intended to increase flexibility, improve posture and put pressure on the glandular systems to increase efficiency. Deep breathing oxygenates the blood and induces a feeling of well-being. Meditation reduces stress and heart-harmful emotions like anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. Visit www.abc-of-yoga.com for information and products.
See your physician for a thorough examination. Discuss your level of physical fitness and appropriate exercise routines, including duration and frequency. Ask whether yoga will work for your exercise of choice or as an addition to another program. Modern medicine has certainly recognized its physiological, psychological and biochemical benefits.
When someone referred to exercise as medicine, I laughed. Now, when I was young, working-out, dancing and even running was fun to do; I didn't think twice about doing whatever I wanted with my body.
In my thirties and forties, I was chasing children 24/7. That alone can keep you nimble. Teaching in my fifties kept me moving but a bit more slowly. Now that I'm in my sixties, I think first about whether my body can do what my brain wants.
A decision not to do something now has mostly to do with whether I am physically up to the task, and I am hating it! And now that I've fallen, I feel myself thinking even more about this new phase, but here's what I'm finding out fast; the less I move, the more I hurt. And if I do the right kind of exercise in the right way, I can actually relieve pain.
The ailments that accompany aging (including high blood pressure, arthritis, rheumatism and incontinence) can impact the intensity of physical activity but are the very reasons for staying fit, limber and active.
There are several forms of exercise that can be modified in intensity. Walking, jogging and swimming are all excellent for maintaining bone, joint and muscle strength and flexibility, reducing blood pressure and stress levels, and combating pain, but I'm going to talk about yoga as a remedy.
I have tendonitis from the fall and from all the limping. In fact, even though I have to have knee replacement, I'm having more pain in my shoulder and hip. So what does the physical therapist recommend for resolution? Long, slow stretches repeated over and over. Yoga is a form of exercise that embraces long, slow stretches and so much more.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the US, causing 1.5 million heart attacks each year. Recent research has shown that yoga reduces blood pressure, lowers pulse rate, improves artery elasticity, increases the heart's stroke volume and regulates heart rhythm. Yoga benefits the heart and overall health.
Originated in India and now considered a science, yoga has been practiced for over 5,000 years. What differentiates yoga from other exercise routines is its basic principal: that there’s a direct connection between the body, mind and spirit. The theory is that good health is dependent on the positive interrelationship of these three forces, and that balance between them must be achieved.
Yoga’s unique method for maintaining this balance is to combine physical movement with proper breathing and meditation techniques. The exercises are intended to increase flexibility, improve posture and put pressure on the glandular systems to increase efficiency. Deep breathing oxygenates the blood and induces a feeling of well-being. Meditation reduces stress and heart-harmful emotions like anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. Visit www.abc-of-yoga.com for information and products.
See your physician for a thorough examination. Discuss your level of physical fitness and appropriate exercise routines, including duration and frequency. Ask whether yoga will work for your exercise of choice or as an addition to another program. Modern medicine has certainly recognized its physiological, psychological and biochemical benefits.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Dry as a Prune
Two scary things happened lately. One was that I fainted for the first time in my life. I had been sick with what I imagine was a 48 hour bug that included fever for a day and chills, and not a lot of eating or drinking, despite the warnings to drink fluids.
When I finally felt human enough to get up from bed, I promptly dropped to the floor. When I awakened, I looked up at the mountain that my bed had become, struggled to my knees, and climbed Everest to my pillows.
It was so disconcerting to my family that I was rushed to emergency care. The young doctor (She looked 12--although these days, everyone looks 12--policemen, firemen, nurses--they all look like my students) said that it could be any number of things. Her exact words were... "well, you know at your age....". Good heavens...I was already sick. Did she really have to add insult to injury? It was annoying enough to cause a rise in my blood pressure.
After some probbing and blood work, it was determined that I was probably (the reason they call medicine a practice) dehydrated. I was admonished to go home and drink (wine sounded like a good idea, though it was not what the doctor had in mind.)
The second incident was when the blood work came back; it indicated that my kidneys were not functioning as well as they should have been. Well, it turns out that some medication that another doctor had put me on was the culprit. That determination came after many expensive tests and numerous appointments with a kidney specialist.
The medicine was causing chronic dehydration, and it was impacting my kidney function. Needless to say, I stopped the medication and became a camel. My water bottle became another appendage.
Until I began to research what kidney disease was all about, I hadn't worried too much about dehydration, but now I know just how dangerous it can be, especially for people "our age", even dangerous enough to cause hospitalization.
Water, though not exactly the fountain of youth, is at least the “fount of life” and the most critical substance in the human body. Every organ, tissue and cell needs water to function. It transports nutrients, promotes digestion, and carries away waste. Controlling body temperature and ensuring proper blood volume, water keeps skin, mouth, nose and eyes moist.
Preventing thirst is crucial, particularly for those over 60, as it suggests that the optimum level of water in our bodies (50-75% of weight) is already compromised. Seniors are at particular risk because as aging occurs, the amount of water in the body is reduced and the ability to recognize thirst signals greatly diminished.
If enough water isn’t ingested, the body will drain the body’s organs and tissues. Symptoms are: headache, fatigue, poor circulation, muscle spasms, kidney failure, and increased body temperature and pulse rate. Weakness will escalate, and labored breathing, dizziness, and even delirium can result.
A minimum of 64 ounces per day of water, the no-calorie beverage absorbed faster than any other, is the remedy. Milk, juices, soup, and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables (high water content) are good sources for additional fluid intake.
So drink up! Especially water...just in case you missed all those bolded words.
When I finally felt human enough to get up from bed, I promptly dropped to the floor. When I awakened, I looked up at the mountain that my bed had become, struggled to my knees, and climbed Everest to my pillows.
It was so disconcerting to my family that I was rushed to emergency care. The young doctor (She looked 12--although these days, everyone looks 12--policemen, firemen, nurses--they all look like my students) said that it could be any number of things. Her exact words were... "well, you know at your age....". Good heavens...I was already sick. Did she really have to add insult to injury? It was annoying enough to cause a rise in my blood pressure.
After some probbing and blood work, it was determined that I was probably (the reason they call medicine a practice) dehydrated. I was admonished to go home and drink (wine sounded like a good idea, though it was not what the doctor had in mind.)
The second incident was when the blood work came back; it indicated that my kidneys were not functioning as well as they should have been. Well, it turns out that some medication that another doctor had put me on was the culprit. That determination came after many expensive tests and numerous appointments with a kidney specialist.
The medicine was causing chronic dehydration, and it was impacting my kidney function. Needless to say, I stopped the medication and became a camel. My water bottle became another appendage.
Until I began to research what kidney disease was all about, I hadn't worried too much about dehydration, but now I know just how dangerous it can be, especially for people "our age", even dangerous enough to cause hospitalization.
Water, though not exactly the fountain of youth, is at least the “fount of life” and the most critical substance in the human body. Every organ, tissue and cell needs water to function. It transports nutrients, promotes digestion, and carries away waste. Controlling body temperature and ensuring proper blood volume, water keeps skin, mouth, nose and eyes moist.
Preventing thirst is crucial, particularly for those over 60, as it suggests that the optimum level of water in our bodies (50-75% of weight) is already compromised. Seniors are at particular risk because as aging occurs, the amount of water in the body is reduced and the ability to recognize thirst signals greatly diminished.
If enough water isn’t ingested, the body will drain the body’s organs and tissues. Symptoms are: headache, fatigue, poor circulation, muscle spasms, kidney failure, and increased body temperature and pulse rate. Weakness will escalate, and labored breathing, dizziness, and even delirium can result.
A minimum of 64 ounces per day of water, the no-calorie beverage absorbed faster than any other, is the remedy. Milk, juices, soup, and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables (high water content) are good sources for additional fluid intake.
So drink up! Especially water...just in case you missed all those bolded words.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Help!
I fell down a stair well last week and injured my shoulder, hand and both knees to the extent that I must have surgery. It is a scary proposition--no driving for a month afterwards and as much as five months of difficult physical therapy and recovery.
Family and friends have offered their prayers and their help. It is gratifying and allieviates the fear of handling this alone, but it makes me think of those in life who must handle struggles like this without support and without resources to hire help.
Pride is also an issue. I am very independent and enjoy handling challenges myself, but this one has taught me that sometimes we are at the mercy of our situation, and the kindness of others is truly a gift that we should be gracious to accept with great gratitude.
Sometimes people don't know where to go for help especially for the aged who may have dropped out of activites, stopped going to church and are confined to their homes.
"The National Volunteer Caregiving Network (NVCN) is a membership network of local community volunteer caregiving programs, regional and state collaboratives, and individuals who support the work of volunteer caregiving. Membership is open to any organization or individual who believes they can benefit from the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.
The purpose of the National Network is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas that can help to strengthen and support the hundreds of local volunteer caregiving programs that are currently active throughout the United States, and to foster and support the establishment of new interfaith volunteer caregiving programs in all communities that want and need the services that volunteer caregivers can provide. Local volunteer caregiving programs bring volunteers of different faiths together to care for their homebound neighbors who may be isolated and living with chronic health conditions or disabilities.
These volunteers come from churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship, as well as from the community at large, and provide many forms of non-medical assistance, such as:
•Transportation to medical and other appointments
•Help with shopping, reading or bill-paying
•Minor home repairs
•Light housekeeping or meal preparation
•Friendly visiting and telephone support
•Respite care for family caregivers
Such simple services can provide the safety net that makes it possible for those with disabling health conditions or other limitations to enjoy a better quality of life and to maintain their independence. The Faith in Action program initiative began in 1983 with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and today there are more than 600 local programs operating in communities across the nation. You may search by state to find a program in your area. If there is not a volunteer caregiving program in your area and you are interested in starting one, please contact the National Volunteer Caregiving Network by calling the toll-free number at 304-907-0428 or by email at info@nvcnetwork.org.
General Inquiries: Kelly, Administrative Assistant E-mail: kelly@nvcnetwork.
Executive Director, Rhonda Anderson E-mail: randerson@nvcnetwork.org
Mail: National Volunteer Caregiving Network, 1359 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
“When family members and health care providers cannot fill the daily needs of a member of the community, the Faith in Action volunteer fills the gaps. Most belief systems include a mandate to help others. Faith in Action connects neighbors in need with those who want to make a difference.”
Family and friends have offered their prayers and their help. It is gratifying and allieviates the fear of handling this alone, but it makes me think of those in life who must handle struggles like this without support and without resources to hire help.
Pride is also an issue. I am very independent and enjoy handling challenges myself, but this one has taught me that sometimes we are at the mercy of our situation, and the kindness of others is truly a gift that we should be gracious to accept with great gratitude.
Sometimes people don't know where to go for help especially for the aged who may have dropped out of activites, stopped going to church and are confined to their homes.
"The National Volunteer Caregiving Network (NVCN) is a membership network of local community volunteer caregiving programs, regional and state collaboratives, and individuals who support the work of volunteer caregiving. Membership is open to any organization or individual who believes they can benefit from the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.
The purpose of the National Network is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas that can help to strengthen and support the hundreds of local volunteer caregiving programs that are currently active throughout the United States, and to foster and support the establishment of new interfaith volunteer caregiving programs in all communities that want and need the services that volunteer caregivers can provide. Local volunteer caregiving programs bring volunteers of different faiths together to care for their homebound neighbors who may be isolated and living with chronic health conditions or disabilities.
These volunteers come from churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship, as well as from the community at large, and provide many forms of non-medical assistance, such as:
•Transportation to medical and other appointments
•Help with shopping, reading or bill-paying
•Minor home repairs
•Light housekeeping or meal preparation
•Friendly visiting and telephone support
•Respite care for family caregivers
Such simple services can provide the safety net that makes it possible for those with disabling health conditions or other limitations to enjoy a better quality of life and to maintain their independence. The Faith in Action program initiative began in 1983 with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and today there are more than 600 local programs operating in communities across the nation. You may search by state to find a program in your area. If there is not a volunteer caregiving program in your area and you are interested in starting one, please contact the National Volunteer Caregiving Network by calling the toll-free number at 304-907-0428 or by email at info@nvcnetwork.org.
General Inquiries: Kelly, Administrative Assistant E-mail: kelly@nvcnetwork.
Executive Director, Rhonda Anderson E-mail: randerson@nvcnetwork.org
Mail: National Volunteer Caregiving Network, 1359 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
“When family members and health care providers cannot fill the daily needs of a member of the community, the Faith in Action volunteer fills the gaps. Most belief systems include a mandate to help others. Faith in Action connects neighbors in need with those who want to make a difference.”
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Mother's Day is coming
Dear Linda:
My mother raised two children without a husband or family support. She decided not to remarry so we wouldn't have to deal with a stepfather. When we were young, she worked from home so she wouldn't miss any of our activities, and when we went to college, she worked two jobs to pay bills. I didn't understand the extent of her selflessness until I had my own child, and now I know I can never repay her generosity, but I wanted to wish her, and every other single mother who gives so completely, a blessed Mother's Day.
Julia's Grateful Daughter
Dear Julia's Grateful Daughter:
Mothers are extraordinary creatures. They cherish their children and think of little besides their security, contentment and success, put their own desires on hold, and give all that is humanly possible. They sacrifice the bodies of their youth and a simple life of self-centered pursuits.
Regardless of the constant work, exhaustion and worry, mothers still invest every ounce of their energy and emotion into the job of raising their children. The rewards for their self-sacrifice are gray hair, guilt about not doing the job perfectly, being taken for granted, and, ultimately, an empty nest.
Ironically, if asked to do it again, most would do so in a heartbeat-their baby's goodnight kisses, toddler's small hand in theirs, and teenager's laughter and excitement at life's unfolding, all sweet compensation.
Single mothers are particularly amazing-true unsung heroes. Without showing the fear that often darkens their world, they must find the strength, endurance and courage to carry out their awesome responsibility alone and in an environment that is complicated, costly, unsupportive and even hostile.
There is help, however. Read The Single Mother's Book: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Children, Career, Home, Finances and Everything Else by Joan Anderson (Peachtree Publishers) and Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom by Michele Howe (Hendrickson Publishers).
Visit www.singlemothers.org, www.parenting.ivillage.com, and www.singleparents.about.com for excellent resources, information and support while accomplishing nobly the most important job of all.
My mother raised two children without a husband or family support. She decided not to remarry so we wouldn't have to deal with a stepfather. When we were young, she worked from home so she wouldn't miss any of our activities, and when we went to college, she worked two jobs to pay bills. I didn't understand the extent of her selflessness until I had my own child, and now I know I can never repay her generosity, but I wanted to wish her, and every other single mother who gives so completely, a blessed Mother's Day.
Julia's Grateful Daughter
Dear Julia's Grateful Daughter:
Mothers are extraordinary creatures. They cherish their children and think of little besides their security, contentment and success, put their own desires on hold, and give all that is humanly possible. They sacrifice the bodies of their youth and a simple life of self-centered pursuits.
Regardless of the constant work, exhaustion and worry, mothers still invest every ounce of their energy and emotion into the job of raising their children. The rewards for their self-sacrifice are gray hair, guilt about not doing the job perfectly, being taken for granted, and, ultimately, an empty nest.
Ironically, if asked to do it again, most would do so in a heartbeat-their baby's goodnight kisses, toddler's small hand in theirs, and teenager's laughter and excitement at life's unfolding, all sweet compensation.
Single mothers are particularly amazing-true unsung heroes. Without showing the fear that often darkens their world, they must find the strength, endurance and courage to carry out their awesome responsibility alone and in an environment that is complicated, costly, unsupportive and even hostile.
There is help, however. Read The Single Mother's Book: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Children, Career, Home, Finances and Everything Else by Joan Anderson (Peachtree Publishers) and Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom by Michele Howe (Hendrickson Publishers).
Visit www.singlemothers.org, www.parenting.ivillage.com, and www.singleparents.about.com for excellent resources, information and support while accomplishing nobly the most important job of all.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thank the Lord
It is Easter weekend, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the occasion to be thankful that Christ took on the sins of the world so that we might have a place in heaven in the presence of God.
So what's the problem? Unfortunately, it's how we've distorted the honoring of this incomparable gift. Now, I don't have a problem with also celebrating spring with bunnies and baskets and egg hunts. I loved filling my children's baskets with treats and treasures, and some of my fondest memories were my children chasing around the house searching for plastic eggs filled with chocolates, popcorn and quarters, a tradition, by the way, that they didn't want stopped well into their late teens.
But did you read the coverage of parents gone wild at several egg hunts thoughout the country? It's unbelievable---parents who encouraged their tiny children to kick, push and fight other children to grab as many eggs as possible, and if their kids weren't performing well enough, they jumped into the action themselves to grab all they could. Can you imagine adults battling children over colored eggs?
What is wrong with this generation of parents? Do they not know that their behavior says more to their children than any of their words. And what about their values--take, take, take at any cost and at anybody's expense, or their communication to their children that their security and care are really secondary to the needs and desires of their parents.
Perhaps I made a mistake in putting my children first before everything else, but I thought that was my obligation when I brought them into this difficult world. I modeled the behavior I wanted them to emulate. I instilled the values that I hoped they would act out, and I actively encouraged hard work, perseverance and responsible behavior. Then I prayed that they too would adopt those values and choose rightly when they were on their own.
Young parents must recognize that their every choice is a forever imprint on their children and the legacy they hand down from one generation to another. Jesus loved all the little children. He gathered and cherished them. Let's do the same.
So what's the problem? Unfortunately, it's how we've distorted the honoring of this incomparable gift. Now, I don't have a problem with also celebrating spring with bunnies and baskets and egg hunts. I loved filling my children's baskets with treats and treasures, and some of my fondest memories were my children chasing around the house searching for plastic eggs filled with chocolates, popcorn and quarters, a tradition, by the way, that they didn't want stopped well into their late teens.
But did you read the coverage of parents gone wild at several egg hunts thoughout the country? It's unbelievable---parents who encouraged their tiny children to kick, push and fight other children to grab as many eggs as possible, and if their kids weren't performing well enough, they jumped into the action themselves to grab all they could. Can you imagine adults battling children over colored eggs?
What is wrong with this generation of parents? Do they not know that their behavior says more to their children than any of their words. And what about their values--take, take, take at any cost and at anybody's expense, or their communication to their children that their security and care are really secondary to the needs and desires of their parents.
Perhaps I made a mistake in putting my children first before everything else, but I thought that was my obligation when I brought them into this difficult world. I modeled the behavior I wanted them to emulate. I instilled the values that I hoped they would act out, and I actively encouraged hard work, perseverance and responsible behavior. Then I prayed that they too would adopt those values and choose rightly when they were on their own.
Young parents must recognize that their every choice is a forever imprint on their children and the legacy they hand down from one generation to another. Jesus loved all the little children. He gathered and cherished them. Let's do the same.
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