Wintry snapshots...

SNAPSHOT#1-THE SHOVELLER

3 glorious days ago, we had our first big snowfall...on a Saturday night. Hence, on Sunday morning when my sons and I were getting things ready for church, my dear hubby who had woken up early and showered was outside shovelling our driveway...our very long driveway [ it was much shorter in the summer, weird!]...with a kid-size shovel. Every 10 minutes or so, I would part the curtains to wave to him with one hand, the other hand over my heart as I mouthed, "I'm so sorry, honey..." as I watched him conversing with himself or perhaps with the other 'flakes' around..hahaha..(I do kill myself). So that was Snapshot#1..how precious is that!

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SNAPSHOT#2 - THE FATHER-SON SKATING TEAM

..Well...a week before that, my 9-year-old son insisted on going ice skating...with his Dad (his brother was busy suffering from pneumonia). I watched as my hubby patiently looked for old skates buried in our move. I watched them get dressed. They went. They returned earlier than usual. My son said, "Dad so totally wiped out, Mom!". My hubby said, "Daniel fell over and I tripped trying not to run into him." Different perspectives. I am SO glad my hubby can take my boys out for these wonderful winter sports because the older I get, the more winter becomes a surreal event happening to others, thankfully. Snapshot#2.

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SNAPSHOT#3 - PERILOUS SIDEWALK WALKING

Snapshot#3--walking my younger son to school. It is just a short walk, but for me it has become an obstacle course as I spot 3 frozen flows of melted snow right in my path! What to do, jump..and miss..and slide on to my unpadded behind?---or---deftly and agilely hang on to the fence and walk on the pile of snow piled up (it's frozen solid)--I chose the second for two flows and jumped the other, much to the amusement of the crossing guard. I mustered up my dignity and walked as gracefully as I could the rest of the way.

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SNAPSHOT#4 - RAC YOUTH BANQUET( A HAIRY TIME-LOL!!)

Snapshot#4--my big son having his first Christmas Youth banquet. Oh my...ooh!...is this hunk mine? He says, no...the looks skipped a generation...cheeky, huh? I looked over the youth when I came to pick him up. They looked so cute! Suits, strappy dresses, gelled-up hair...and then my son standing out with his mother-inherited looks...oh boy! And then, the protest when I insisted he cover up his new sweater with his winter coat to go outside...his youth leader giving me a sympathetic "Kids!"-with a shake of the head..all the while watching my son and grinning...with his real sentiment.."Moms!"

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Hey, Here is another wintry memory I wrote a long time ago when inspired by my older son who was young at the time..hahaha...a how-to moment..in winter..staying with the theme here....

When your son asks the dreaded question….
Scenario:
You've been waiting for your 9-year-old son after school for 10 minutes. He comes up to the car window, his big and beautiful brown eyes brimming over with anticipatory excitement, and asks the dreaded question: "Mom, can you wait 5 minutes more so I can go ice sliding with my friends?"

What to do:
1. Gulp hard and nod dubiously. Cautiously say, "O-ooo-K, just 5 minutes."

2. As he turns and runs with a whoop of delight vowing he will time it on his hi-tech watch, let your imagination run wild. See those razor sharp peaks on those ice cliffs waiting to pierce innocent puerile bodies. See the 2 biggest kids in his school cruelly plunging their enormous bodies into your son’s still softly moulding yet exquisite physique.

3. Immediately go into prayer warrior mode. Place a hedge of protection around every bone you can remember. If you are a mid-life Mom like me, a lot of those biological bone names have already disintegrated with some neurons. So concentrate on the femur and humerus, (no-no, that’s not the funny bone! ). I think those are the big, important ones.

4. As your 4-year-old sings lustily in the backseat, "I may never march in the infatry, ride in the calorie, shoot the litilery..", silently finish, "Cuz I broke all my bones on the ice..".

5. Boldly chastise yourself for your utter folly in allowing your son to undertake such a risky venture, possibly jeopardizing a future military career. Let your prayers enter the "implore" and "have mercy" mode. Close your eyes and grip that steering wheel with daring power.

6. Open your eyes slowly to glimpse your son’s familiar form approaching the car. "Is he limping?" Thank God profusely for that normal silly walking gait and sigh with a great sense of relief and amazement that your prayers have been so wonderfully answered. You may now breathe without that choking sensation.

7. As he gets closer, you notice red splotches on his face. In horror, kick yourself for forgetting to pray for his face! Who knew he would land on that beautiful face!

8. As he reaches the car, you realize that the red splotches are his rosy cheeks and he is beaming with delight and satisfaction. Emblazon that expression in your heart’s memory album. That moment will never return.

9. Let it sink in that you are the only one who is injured as your foot throbs (remember that kick?). Make a mental note to register for that anxiety disorder seminar at your church next week.

10. Ask ever so calmly, "So, had a good time?"

11. As he responds, "Oh, totally, Mom..they said that I was almost better than anyone else!" totally oblivious to your 5 minute reign of excruciating agony on his behalf. Respond, "I’m so glad, sweetie", because of course, you really are. Not only has your son mastered the science of balance in motion at supersonic speed, he has gained the respect and admiration of his peers.

12. Thank God for the gift of nurturing your son to independence and that you can release him to His care.

Repeat this exercise millions of times in the ensuing years.

Bible reading:
Matthew 7:11 – If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Psalm 103:17-18 – The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting in those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children. To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.