These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

The other day, a commercial on television had a John Denver song in the background, and I remembered how much I loved his songs from so many years ago.  I wondered why John Denver touched my heart.  I realized that not only the soothing tone of his voice, and the message he brought definitely played a part, but also the memories associated with that time in my life when he was popular, were some of the sweetest.  John Denver was there during my courtship with my husband Tim, 35 years ago.  John Denver accompanied us on our trip to through the Rocky Mountains, as we sang along with him about Rocky Mountain Highs and Colorado. John Denver sang about his love of nature, his wife, family, country living, and grandma's featherbed to name a few.  Thirty Five years ago, this  was everything I hoped my life to be.  The good life.

I remembered the day I heard he died in an airplane crash.  Such a loss, such a waste I thought.  I didn't realize at the time that John Denver's life lives on in me and each person that enjoys the message he continues to bring with song.  The song of his heart is heard everyday in our homes, cars, and on our mp3 players.


I felt much the same when Michael Jackson passed.  I was deeply affected by Michael Jackson.  Memories of our daughter Diana, performing a funny dance we later came to know as "Thriller" was one of the moments I hope I never forget. Michael Jackson's music would always lift me from the doldrums and I had to get up and move with the rhythm of the beat.  Performing in Talent Shows alongside a Michael Jackson Look-a-like, with all the moves and dance steps were grand memories of a time that has long passed, and still puts a smile on my face to recollect.

Michael and John were able to touch the lives of millions of people on this planet because they sang from their hearts.  They knew about love, loss, peace, and keeping the planet safe.  Their messages live in our hearts, because those messages are universal.  Those messages break all boundaries, of race, religion, or financial status.

My life is not much different than either of these men, although I am not famous by any stretch of the word.  I am a wife, and mother to 5 children, and 12 grandchildren, friend to some, acquaintance to others, and stranger to most.  The song of my heart my not be played on the radio and heard throughout the planet, but it is heard nonetheless, and has influence upon everyone I come in contact.  The same can be said for each person who has lived and died.

The song of my heart includes an abundance of peace, love, laughter, family, kindness, health, service, learning, fun, music, water, open skies, rain showers, newborn babies, grandchildren, good loving relationships with my children, family and friends, walks in the park, good food, this beautiful earth and its inhabitants, and laying in the arms of my sweetheart.  Really not much different than the messages brought by John and Michael.

Be well my friend,
Charlotte

Connections

This song by Shaina Noll, is one I enjoy playing from time to time, because it reminds me of the amazing connection I have with the universe.  As I look in the eyes of each person in this video , I see myself; old, young, sad, joyful, expansive, significant, hopeful,  small and large.

MY CHILDREN--ALL GROWN UP

Giving birth to five children in seven years was either a remarkable feat or just plain insanity in my case.  I loved my little ones, but at times the experience was very taxing and pushed me to the edge.  Having little children has its pluses though.  If they acted up, they were disciplined.  Time out was a good choice for one or two of our children, and not beneficial for others.  A disappointed look might be all it took for one daughter in particular, and totally ineffectual for most of our other children.

Discipline is necessary with any child, but with a brood, it was mandated.  I remember thinking, "I'll never have children like that," when I heard one mother relate a story about her three sons.  Seems as though this young mother had accidentally locked herself out of the house and went around to the kitchen door.  There to her surprise, were her young sons and a commercial sized can of peanut butter.  They were going full force with their hands into the peanut butter while laughing at her as she pounded on the kitchen door demanding to be let in the house.

Dipping hands into peanut butter jars would not be acceptable by any terms. Jumping on beds was also something we just didn't do.  Not that jumping on the bed wasn't fun, but that beds were for sleeping on and we took care of our furniture, because it had to last us a long time.  Trampolines are for jumping and running was to be done outdoors.  I taught my children as I was taught, and it seemed to work for me.

We had guidelines to go by and for a family of seven, it helped to keep the chaos down.  I learned quite early in my child-raising that once a child was finished playing with a toy, they should put it up and get another one.  This concept made for a cleaner home, and children do better with some form of structure, than to live in complete chaos with toys strewn all over the house.

Now that our children are grown and have families of their own, one might think all our troubles are over, but this is not the case.  As parents, we never stop caring about our children.  We only hope that they have the ability to live healthy and happy lives, and are able to deal with their own issues as best they can.  We try to be there for moral support as they experience life's challenges.

I don't know of any family that doesn't have issues from time to time, and it is also true with our family.  As the Tim and Charlotte Garland family has grown to 24, there is a equilibrium that has taken place.  Each one of our children and their families begin to incorporate their own ideals and beliefs within the whole.  Sometimes there may be resistance to differences, but overall, a balance takes place, and we learn to respect each others boundaries.


I think the most important aspect of keeping the peace in such a large family is coming from a place of love, looking out for the other, and looking kindly on our family members.  This may be a tall order, with so many personalities and ideals.

It is my belief that wealth has little to do with how much we have in our bank account.  For me, wealth is having my needs met, having a comfortable home, food on the table, and being able to pay my bills and also includes our children and their families.

Our children, son in laws, daughter in laws and grandchildren are the part of my life that gives me the most joy.  Cheerful, happy faces, loving hugs and kisses, laughter to the point of tears, is what makes me a wealthy woman. Good loving relationships with my family is paramount, and makes my early years in motherhood worth every minute.

I can not say that I was the world's best mother in raising our children, but I did all I knew to do, and I did my best.  Sometimes I think I should apologize for what I lacked, but how can I make up for what I did not have in the first place?  I have seen mothers that were so much more equipped in dealing with their young children, and were able to cope with life much easier than I did.  It took me almost a lifetime to understand that comparing does little to no good.  We all have our trials for our particular purpose, and my trials have strengthened me in the ways I needed them most, and I continue to learn and grow with each new experience.

Be well my friend,
Char