Day 293

Good afternoon!  My name is Lauren and I'm a grateful recovering alcoholic/addict.  I've been very thankful this Thanksgiving season.  Now it is Christmas time.  I have been spending more quality time with my family.  I saw this quote by Abigail Van Buren and I love it!  It is so much better for my children and myself, to spend more time with them.  They will remember the fun times we had, hiking or fishing or just playing outside on the swingset more than the Barbie I got her or the Thomas the Train pillow.  Yes, they are nice things, and I do get them fun toys.  But in the long run, memories is what they will make and keep.  "Children are like wet cement.  Whatever falls on them makes in impression." -Dr. Haim Ginott.  This year I have been buying more gifts for them that are special to them, something personal or fun to do.  Laney has been helping me wrap presents.  I am showing her how, just like my mom taught me.  So someday, she can teach her daughter.  I want her to be able to teach her children the way to do things.  I am so thankful to be able to do that.  I wrote a poem this summer just watching her swing, just enjoying being a child. :)

Swing

I watch my daughter
play on her swingset.
She loves to swing.
She leans back
to feel breeze in her hair.
It blows back and forth 
opposite movement of her legs.
She smiles with her eyes closed
as the sun reflects off her face,
then a tree shadows her
only for a moment.
Her barefeet graze
what's left of grass
on a path under her swing.
She could swing all day,
if I would let her....
"Time for dinner!"

So enjoy ever second you have with those you love.  Have a great day!