Sweet Potato Pie And Lumber

I had sweet potato pie for breakfast in memory of my Mamaw (who made the best ones ever) and Daddy (who loved sweet potato pie as much as me). 

Mamaw died February 2000 and yesterday would have been her 100th birthday. Daddy died November 8, 2010 and tomorrow will be rough for me and my family. I miss them both so much. 

Mamaw was the glue that held our family together. She knew everybody's secrets and never breathed a word to anyone. She taught me to bake biscuits from "scratch" and let me mess up her kitchen experimenting with recipes. 

Daddy was strict and overprotective of his girls, but it was out of love. It took me a long time to realize that. He taught me to love creating, both the process and the end product. He did woodworking and I still love the smell of sawdust and lumber. I can walk through the lumber aisle in Lowe's and be transported to his shop. I still have the first piece of furniture he made for me and hope to pass it on to my oldest son. 

Because of Dad, I can do basic troubleshooting on cars--except for changing a flat, which for some reason I never learned. 

My gift to my children is to teach them the things my mamaw and my dad taught me. And I tell them where every lesson was learned. My dad even started writing a few months before he died. He said I inspired him to do so. They both may be gone from this earthly existence, but they're always in my heart. Memories, both good and bad, are a gift. 

Fiercely Protective

My oldest child came home with a card he'd made me.  He drew a pattern of crisscrossed lines and a heart. He wrote, "The first pattern represents your fierce protectiveness.  The heart represents your love."

I couldn't have put it better myself. That is the essence of motherhood for a good mother. That fierce protectiveness and love for your child(ren) is beyond anything you've ever experienced. 

When you become a mother, your heart lives outside your body. Forever. And I AM fiercely protective. I don't apologize for it. I never will. 

Let's Talk Attraction

What do you find attractive when you're searching for a significant other? I know I'll hear about good bodies, hair, eyes, and the rest of the physical attractions. But that's not what I mean. Of course, you want to be physically attracted to your significant other. But that can't be all of it.

The physical attributes fade. That tattoo of a hummingbird on her hip that's so attractive now, will turn into a screaming vulture that travels on a downward slope to her thigh....or her knee....or ankle. Gravity will take over, don't doubt it. The head full of think hair will recede until his head looks like a cue ball. And those flat stomachs and rock hard abs will turn to "spare tires" and "love handles". Or c-section scars and stretch marks.

What else do you find yourself attracted to? For me, it's intelligent conversation, a sense of humor, an open mind. It's trips to new places, getting lost and discovering something new. It's quiet walks on the beach or up a mountain trail. It's finding a "mountain lion sighting" sign and racing to it, giggling, snapping pictures in front of it. It's getting lost on a "shortcut" home and finding a little cabin in the middle of nowhere to stay the night.

It's watching him play silly games with a baby. Hearing him sing to quiet a frightened child in the middle of a barbershop packed with men. Watching him sleep with a sick baby on his chest so the little one can rest. It's patience and soft words. It's a quiet strength. It's security and belonging. It's her voice singing a lullaby, slightly off tune. Whispers and kisses to take away bad dreams or hurt feelings. It's knowing without a word, what someone needs from you. It's giving that attention when you have nothing more to give.

I find those things more attractive than physical appearance. Do you agree?