Tuesday, December 25, 2007

ALZHEIMERS OR PLAIN OLD FORGETFULNESS?

Well it's Christmas evening and things are winding down as we all sit back with that sleepy feeling only turkey can give you. As I sat around last night with my three children and talked and laughed we decided to open our gifts instead of waiting until morning. At this age, the boys would much rather gain a few hours extra sleep in the morning and we were all in the mood for gift exchanging. As I said in my last blog, although finances were tight we still managed to get little gifts for each other either handmade or store bought.
The children had a good laugh (at mom's expense) :) as they each opened a small gift from me and realized I had put the wrong names on each of their gifts, mixing them up somewhat.
They shook their heads and said jokingly "Mom, we worry about you. Is the Alzheimer's setting in????"
Hmm...Alzheimers my *((.....lol. I then went on to explain to my children...forgetting which gift is for who is a simple case of a mother being so busy trying to do too many things that I wasn't paying attention. Alzheimer's would be if I forget their names altogether!!! Right?
Another example was when I was driving my son somewhere and went right past the turn without thinking...we've all done that. Again he brought up jokingly the 'A' word. Once again I informed him of the difference between short term memory loss and Alzheimers. If I'd forgotten how to drive the car and not just where I was headed....then that would be a different kettle of fish.
In these busy hectic days we are under a lot of stress and constantly trying to multi-task that we all at times experience temporary forgetfullness.
Ah...but payback is a 'B*(CH' I told my 25 year old daughter as she laughingly informed me one day after returning from work that she had gotten dressed for work only to discover once she got there she had forgotten to put on her bra!!!! Well, at least she remembered what a bra was for.
Ah....do I see signs of Alzheimer's creeping up daughter???? :)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

CHRISTMAS - IT'S MORE THAN GIFTS

Well the Christmas holidays are fast approaching and once again this year I find myself unable to purchase gifts for my children due to low finances. At this moment I have all three of my children spending the holidays here with me and while I would have loved to have had gifts and lots of munchies on hand I am happy that they truly understand and are not bothered by it. After all, they aren't young children anymore but young adults of 20, 22 and 25. They too find themselves a wee bit short this holiday season and now realize the stress of trying to buy gifts when the money isn't there. It is hard enough for them to manage day to day expenses in these difficult economic times for our youth.
However, that has not stopped us from gathering together for a week in our small 2 bedroom apartment and enjoying each others company. Sitting around with the three of them earlier this evening and talking and laughing was like a gift in itself. It is not easy to get all three together at the same time with work and college occupying most of their time so I am really grateful for the time we do have together.
Funny to listen to these three young adults joke around and tease each other and seem to genuinely enjoy each others company. It doesn't seem long ago that they were arguing and fighting over silly things like..."She's sitting too close to me!" "He ate the last bowl of cereal!!" :) I use to wonder at what age do siblings become friends? It makes me happy to see that obviously I did something right in raising these three as they seem like such 'normal, well adjusted' young adults.
So we are making our plans for Christmas, turkey for sure, and just enjoying each others company. Who knows when we will all be together again? Hopefully we have created a strong enough bond that we will continue to try and spend time together despite our busy hectic lives.
** Don't tell them but I did manage to make them a few gifts, just like Santa. But even without them, we know the true meaning of Christmas is being with our loved ones and being thankful we are all healthy and happy and still together...not the number of gifts under the tree.

Friday, December 14, 2007

CHILDREN GET BIGGER, BUT SO DO THE WORRIES

It's been awhile since I've posted on this blog. I admit I've been extremely busy with my artwork and keeping up my blog The Functional Artist, but also I've been so darn busy just being a parent.
I remember my mother saying to me, "The children get bigger but so do the worries." Oh, how right she was. No longer do I worry about them running out into the street in traffic or whether or not they'll be warm enough without their jacket. Now I worry that one is wearing herself out running between two jobs to meet expenses. I worry that with today's economy they will never experience the secure life style we were so fortunate to have. Yes Mom, the worries do get bigger. Does the worry ever end?
Being a parent/mother is a life time commitment that doesn't end when they walk out the door. I loved and appreciated my mother, however, I don't think I truly understand how much she gave up for us until I had children of my own.
So to all you people out there that are still fortunate enough to have your mother's in your life...go give them a big kiss and hug and thank them for being there.