Legos in the Laundry

MATTHEWS (9:23pm) – I have had THE best week.  Let me share.

Breakfasts with the boys, swim class and pool time with my little fish, library time, parent meeting, organizational chart, newsletter, research, outreach, phone calls, emails, friends with new babies, friends whom I love but rarely got to see, dinner meeting with the most amazing potential, and sharing my faith with dear friends who are struggling.

And then tonight, like icing on the cake, there were Legos in the laundry.  Like little reminders that this time is fleeting, and precious, and remarkable. I am certain I will not be finding legos in the laundry forever.  And for this moment, I am SO grateful.

Courage

HICKORY (8:52am) – One of my youngest son’s favorite books is called “Cowardly Clyde.”  It’s a sweet Bill Peet book about a horse who has to face his greatest fears in order to save his friend’s life.

My Youngest Son's Favorite Book

On-air, over the last several months, it hasn’t always been easy to appear like everything’s okay.  Like Clyde in the book – I’d often find myself working hard to pretend like I was brave.

Because – and I’m going to be completely honest here – everything was not okay.

A television journalist’s job may seem simple to you.  After all, the critics might say, “all you have to do is read the teleprompter.”  But that’s just nonsense.

Change is beautiful…

Three Years Ago

Fall is such a beautiful time, isn’t it?
Kids back in school, cooler temperatures.
You can just feel that change is in the air.
Wait for it. It will be worth it.

HOT Volunteer Opportunities

Some really great volunteer opportunities have crossed my desk in the past few days, and I wanted to share them.  I know you’re looking for fun, meaningful things to do this summer – so you’ll have something to say when that question comes up, “what are you doing to change the world?”

Friendship Trays could use a few more drivers to fill in this summer.  It’s simple.  It’s rewarding.  We love it.  And maybe you’ll get the chance to meet someone phenomenal – like Miss Martha.  She’s 100.  We adore her, and look forward to seeing her every time.

Contact llawrence@friendshiptrays.org

 

Miss Martha, Our Favorite Grandma

24 Hours of Booty is looking for volunteers for this month’s 24-hour charity cycling event.  It’s in Myers Park, July 24 and 25.  It raises money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas, and the Keep Pounding Fund.  And it’s miles and miles of booty loop fun.  Contact info@24hoursofbooty.org for more.

And the Society of St. Andrew is looking for gleaners in the Concord area this Wednesday.  If you’re not familiar, gleaning is collecting leftover crops in farmers fields after the commercial harvest is done.  The food is then distributed to the poor and hungry in our neighborhoods.  It’s estimated there are 36-million people in America who are what’s called “food insecure.”  And about 20-percent of the fresh food grown each year is lost.  You can help by contacting gleanclt@endhunger.org.  Gleaners Wednesday will help harvest hothouse tomatoes and sweet corn.

Feeding the Hungry - Society of St. Andrew

Skinned Knees

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

Today, Asher skinned his knee for the first time.  He’s 18 months old, and I know this will be the first of many.

It reminds to pick up and re-read a book I found very helpful when Cooper was a little younger.  It’s called the “Blessing of a Skinned Knee”.  Its author is a clinical psychologist whose book seeks to helps parents raise self-reliant, compassionate, ethical children.

Here’s an excerpt from an editorial review:

“Digging into the rich traditions of the Torah, the Talmud and other Jewish teachings, Mogel builds a parenting blueprint that draws on core spiritual values relevant to families of all faiths. With warmth and humor, she offers strategies for encouraging respect and gratitude in children, and cautions against overprotection (“we treat our children’s lives like we’re cruise ship directors who must get them to their destination-adulthood-smoothly, without their feeling even the slightest bump or wave”)

I loved this book.  It confirmed many of my core beliefs as a parent.