My children like McDonald’s. When we travel they ask to go to the ones with the Play Place. McDonalds’ Play Place is the bane of my existence. They harbor all kinds of germs. Being a momma of a large family means I avoid germs with all intensity. One exposure to the flu means we are out of commission as a family for weeks.
I have never figured out why, my children, though exposed at the same time, always stagger their illnesses. The first to come down with the flu suffers the worst. They are the guinea pig for all of my herbal concoctions. By the time the fifth child, contracts the flu, I have perfected my herbal treatment and they have less severe symptoms. Though I must admit, my children do have miraculous healings depending on which herbal remedy I use. If I bring out the oil of oregano, they press their hand firmly over their mouth and proclaim they are not sick anymore.
So, I hate the Play Place. Yet, it is winter. And, yes, it is winter. That means two things. My children have been cooped up indoors and I am feeling the aftermath of cabin fever. I have to weigh the advantages of the Play Place with the disadvantages. There are germs. Then, there are five crazed kids with storehouses of energy pulsing through their veins.
Sometimes I cave in and take the children to the Play Place. In fact, that is what I am doing right now. I am computing wireless compliments of McDonalds, while my children ingest toxic mega farm food all for the sake of deferring the agony of cabin fever. Okay, you may judge that it is a poor choice and it doesn’t line up with my all natural small family farm professions. But, believe me hypocrisy is worth the price of maintaining maternal sanity. Just ask my kids.
My oldest son accompanied us on our trip today. He stood in line with the midget terrorists closely in tow. Each of them went through the dollar menu and changed their minds several times before giving big brother their final order. Despite their indecisiveness, the children conducted themselves with decorum. A woman stood behind them and marveled at what she saw. In the meantime, the cashier rolled his eyes, hoping the five-year-old would stick with a McDouble after changing her mind ten times. First is was a McChicken, then a McDouble. Then she had to confer with her brothers to see what they were getting. This took place while the line grew longer. Ah, the power of a five-year-old child who is oblivious to the lunch hour rush. Finally, the five-year-old settles for a McChicken. The cashier gasps breathes a sigh of relief. He quickly blurts out the total before the little girl changed her mind again. The woman pressed through my group of children and handed the cashier a twenty dollar bill. My oldest son looked at her shocked. She smiled and said, “God bless you and Merry Christmas!”
My children soaked it all in. This is not the first time they have witnessed this. In fact, my husband took them to Lowe’s while he shopped for building supplies. Before he could pay a man watching him stepped in and paid for his eighty dollar purchase. I am thankful for the spirit of kindness that exists in the hearts of people today. My children will walk away from these experiences enriched. When we receive the benefits of someone’s generosity, I encourage the children to keep the legacy alive by identifying ways we can give and bless others. I don’t know who these people are, but I can guarantee you that my children will carry out their legacy by continuing random acts of kindness. The children are generally very creative and sensitive in finding others to bless. It is a joy to keep this legacy alive. Sometimes there is a glitch in my children’s giving. The twins decision to give away their younger sister to a stranger did not go over well. They insisted since she was named Charity, she should become charity and was fair game to give away.
In a few minutes, I will leave this building with significantly calmer children. They may have some turbo virus pulsing through their veins, but they gained something else from our trip to the Play Place today. They saw the loving kindness of a stranger in action again. May God grant me the ability to raise these children to be giving adults just like those who have given so generously and spontaneously to us.
Udderly His,
The Kansas Milkmaid
Thursday, 10. December 2009
That is something that makes me go “wow” too- I become overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers. Then there are events like the one I witnessed at the local Stuffmart that cause you to hide in shame. I was in the 10 item and under line, alone. A man with a little daughter was in front of me, he had nothing to buy in his hands; as his turn drew near he called for his wife, she came and joined him in the line… Only thing was they had noticably more than 10 items in their cart. I had only one item, but neverminded, as I had no children in tow, I was happy to wait my turn. All of a sudden a woman with the group behind me, bolted around me and walked up to the little family and was scolding them and the clerk for allowing such a travesity! I was truly embarrassed for the outspoken woman who obviously shared her displeasure. I rejoiced, as the little family and the clerk politely ignored this act of rudeness. Soon it was my turn and off I went. The sad part is I’ve been the rude customer before, making sure that everyone in the line is following the “rules.” - I saw how foolish doing that makes one look, I actually prayed for forgiveness for all the times I may have been rude in a shopping line - even worse is that in those times I certainly was not being a light in the community as the Word calls us to be. Bless the woman who shared with your family today.
Thursday, 10. December 2009
I read your post but didn’t get around to commenting this morning. I too am a bit concerned about all the germs out there…but I don’t let it get me to a point where we don’t “live” because of fear. We do carry hand sanitizer around…and once in a while we will use it LOL….but I know that God will take care of us if we do our part.
We have a daughter who is deficient in two out of three components in her blood…so if anything goes around she catches it and truly loves to pass it along LOL. She is special needs and doesn’t fully understand the whole concept of washing your hands every few minutes:-). So, I am truly thankful that God has cared for her and protected her from H1N1….because that could be deadly for her. We did our best, but God is in control and we know that He never allows anything that is not to be. We just enjoy every day.
Have a blessed evening.
Connie
Thursday, 10. December 2009
OH…. you always make me LAUGH OUT LOUD!
Thursday, 10. December 2009
Wow…several long posts in a row!! Good thoughts and enjoyed reading them! SO happy for your joy and peace in your new life and new family!! It is so encouraging to hear that such families are out there…we have a little of it, but not like we wish we had. Maybe someday!!
Blessings, Elizabeth
Friday, 11. December 2009
Okay, but these are the same children I have seen gather eggs fresh from the chickens, clean up after the “ladies”, help move manure and have a great time in the good old mud. I’m have no doubt their immune systems are much better than the average kids that some people worry about not getting dirty and whose mothers keep them pristine and the germ-ex close by. I say, “Let them eat dirt!!!!!” Loveya
Saturday, 12. December 2009
Kimberly:
I appreciate your humility and tenderness of heart that caused you to reflect on that situation and see how you erred in the past. That makes me go “Wow” again. It is disconcerting to see the lack of patience people have. I have also found myself getting irritable with different aspects of shopping and being unkind toward those who were serving me. I am guilty too and often feel remorse for treating others poorly.
Connie:
We tend to be more home oriented naturally. At times it seems unintentional. Specifically, we have times where we aren’t in public play areas whether it be waiting rooms or other play areas. It is odd to me that my children inevitiably get sick a few days after being in those situations. This was particularly true last year. The children were sicker last year more so then years prior. We spent a lot of time in speech therapy which had a waiting room and also other therapy with a children’s play group. They were sick a lot. Despite the correlation with sickness and play areas, we still get out and circulate. How bold I am depends on how forgetful I am of the last illness. I have also found that using Young Living’s Thieves helps prevent illnesses when they have been exposed. I have taken to carrying that with me and giving it to the children PRN.
Ma: It is good to “see” you. I need to stop by your place sometime and see how you all are doing. I am sure excitment is building for your new arrival.
Elizabeth: I had a few posts in rough draft form and finally got to edit them. And, then daily experiences combined with the opportunity to write allowed me to post a few in a row. Thank you for rejoicing with us in our new life. May God be glorified through our lives. My husband and I both experienced a lot of pain and tremendous losses in our former lives. God has truly raised us out of the ashes and built new lives better than the former. It speaks to the mercy and compassion God has on His children who suffer. I am thankfulful for my husband and the tenderness he shows toward me. I am even more thankful for his leadership and how he sees to it that we are daily built up and washed in the word.
Mandy:
I think their immune system is better but we still catch a few colds. As I explained above, they seemed to get sick after being in play areas in offices and McD’s as well. We need to get back to farming so they can get that immune system built back up again. It is good, though they get sick, we still manage to deal with it through natural remedies. Love ya too. Umm…Christmas. We need to talk about getting together or something. Are you guys up for a trip our way???
Blessing to all,
Christina
Thursday, 17. December 2009
I worked in Pediatric Urgent Care for years. I cannot count the times a mother would tell their child, “If you hold still for the nurse to give you your antibiotic shot, then I’ll take you to McDonalds…” Ummmmmm, if your child is so sick that they need a shot; they probably don’t need to be going to McDonalds–both for their health and that of the other McD’s customers!!
However, due to the mutually-beneficial contractual arrangement between the local fast-food chains and the Pediatricians; no one discourages this behavior!! TICLOL