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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

If You Ask A Five Year Old To Get The Mail...


You might never see it again. This is yet another little lesson I am learning as I continue lying in bed asking my kids to do things I normally do.

Earlier today I asked my 15 yo to get the mail. He left with his friend and forgot to do it.

Then I asked the five yo to get the mail. He didn't for reasons that remain a mystery.

I asked the 8 yo to get the mail but she got started talking to me about some girl at school who has dreadlocks and dyed bright red hair and the story distracted her, which is understandable.

I asked the 13 yo, but she was on the computer and couldn't do it because she had already done so much for me.

Later, I asked her again-- after she had been on the computer for a bit. Because she did have some time coming to her, seeing as how she has done so much for me lately. This time she did go out to the mailbox, only to come back and say that it's not in there. I figured perhaps guilt had gotten the best of the other folks I asked and someone had gotten it after all. I sent her in search of it. She came back and said she doesn't see it.

I feel most certain we have mail-- it is rare that we get none at all. This is just an example of how life (and the house) has gotten out of control with me out of commission. Also, we have lost two library books since I fell. We never lose library books because I am the library book nazi when I am up and around and can keep up with such things.

In the meantime, I am learning to let go of my urge to control my surroundings. It is a hard lesson. Especially when getting the mail is one of your only contacts with the outside world. Oh well, it was probably just bills anyway.
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9 comments:

Amy L Brooke said...

So sorry you are in so much pain and can't get the mail! Broken bones are not fun. I will pray for you and for all the young 'ins that they find those books, the mail, and whatever else is AWOL before you can get up and have to chase them(the items or the kids) down.

Alyce said...

It just goes to show how important we MOMs really are! Even if the dads do a wonderful job when we are "down", wierd things still happen.
When I was in bed sick all day Sunday, my 7 yo couldn't take it. She moped and moped. She needed a nap after church and could not rest easily on the couch. She had to get in the bed w/ me, at a good distance in order to not breathe in the contagious germs, and hold my hand until she went to sleep!!!

Gotta love em!!

Take care..
Blessings~Alyce

Smileyface said...

Hang in there!!
Keep shining, trusting, hoping, believing and smiling....you are a beautiful wife and mama!!!
Love n prayers....

N said...

Marybeth,
I've enjoyed reading your blog for several months now, and felt compelled to write and share a little hope. I've been there, done that!

Several years ago while pregnant with my daughter I fell while dancing with my then 2 year old son, and smashed my wrist in several spots. I had it surgically pinned with a strange extender contraption attached for 2 months while pregnant. But it was all healed by the time my daugther was born.

1 year later, while we had our house on the market, I was diagnosed with a bone tumor in my knee. In the month before we closed on the sale of our home and moving, I had 3 surgeries to remove the tumor and deal with some complications. I was down and out! My mom and sister came in and packed our entire house. I had friends that helped in amazing ways!

All this is to remind you that this short season will pass and God is preparing you for a testimony of his love and faithfullness.

I just posted this verse on my son's CaringBridge site . . .

Psalm 121
The Lord will keep you from harm - He will watch over your life; He will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.

May God bless your day with love and laughter,

N.
http://naturewood.typepad.com/our_everyday_talk

Anita Ann said...

My oldest is eight. HE gets the mail all the time, in fact he is on a first name basis with the mailman Domingo. Bills, never fun mail.

Cindy Swanson said...

Hi Marybeth! Just wanted to let you know that I gave you an award today on my blog. You are under NO obligation to pass it on---just smile and enjoy it if you wish!

April said...

I am so sorry to hear about your foot! I am convinced that breaking a bone as an adult is worse that when you are a child, especially when you're a mom. Last Summer, I had a fall at my mother-in-law's house and broke my knee in three places. When I fell, I KNEW it was broken, though no one believed me. My hubby and I spent 5 hours at the emergency room and the Dr. comfirmed what I already knew. We just started laughing, I call it more like hysteria, I had been through the tears and think that my poor body and emotions were just really confused! We, too thought How is this going to work? We have four children and a very large, very hyper dog whom our kids could not take out to do his business, (not to mentionm, how was I going to take him out on crutches?) Well, needless to say, we got it all worked out and it was the longest 5 weeks of my life. I healed way faster than originally expected and didn't even require surgery though most knee injuries do. But, I have to tell you, I learned a lot about myself through this experience. God showed me things about myself that I either didn't know or was in denial about. I have to say, that putting the pain aside, I am thankful and have come out of this experience stronger than I was before it happened. God has a wonderful habit of turning things around for good! I will be praying for a quicker than expected recovery for you, and that God will reveal Himself to you and refresh and renew you through all of this.....(and that he will help your children to remember to get the mail!) ps- some advice, when this is all over, DON'T overdo it, I did and am still experiencing some knee pain today, I had an issue with being helped and feeling that others could do my job way better than I could so I had to take over and be supermommy.... What can I say, some lessons are harder to learn than others! God Bless! April

Jenny said...

Sorry that you are having so much trouble. The mail is the highlight of my day at times!

My husband does not share the love of the mail as I do. He would check it once a week, if it was up to him.

Must be a girl thing!

Jennifer said...

Hey Marybeth,

It sounds funny to say, but I'm sorry surgery wasn't an option. I'm sure you did feel deflated leaving the same way you came. But you're making it one day at a time.

I like getting the mail too, although I usually wait for my husband to pick it up when he drives home. It's a long walk down the driveway and across the street. I can't send my six year old for that job, yet! But then it usually turns out to be junk, with perhaps a bill thrown in for fun...

Hmmm...trying to think of something positive to say...

We'll take good care of you at Easter lunch and promise not to step on your foot! I hear there will be ice cream cake! Hope that gives you something to look forward to!

Happy Healing!
Jennifer