The Space Between...work and life.

(the following is a blog a wrote for work, 1 of 2 so far, I liked it so I figured I'd post it here in The Space Between)

Because I’m the mommy, that’s why…

When my boss first told us about the blog on the website, he indicated that he really wanted everyone to contribute. I thought, “Hmmm, ok. Blog. I can do that.” Then I thought again. What would I possibly blog about? Being the Mossey staffer with the longest commute, I could share my thoughts on gas prices...ummm, no. Having two children younger than 5, I could share endless rants about children’s programming…hmmm, maybe. Or being an avid fan of musical theater, I could share my thoughts on the “Hollywoodization” (it’s a word – it’s all over other people’s blogs) of Broadway…ahhh, next month. (Just kidding). One thing I do feel fairly safe in talking about, is what I like and why. I figure if you like it too, then we’ve got something to talk about. If you don’t, then we still have something to talk about. So here’s my first Mossey Group blog:

I pay attention to commercials. (Big surprise!) When I see one that sparks my interest, I can’t wait to see it again. When I hear one with catchy music, look out. To me the most memorable commercials either have great music, star power, or reflect a little bit of real life. (But not too much…we need something fanciful) The spot I’ve attached here has the latter. I love this spot. This video has Spanish text, but the message is unchanged.

So why do I like this? Because I’m a mommy! The little bit of reality here is that my kids would do this every night if they could. And if they could magically flop down and fall instantly asleep…I can’t even finish that thought…there are no words. You see, it’s only been a few months that my kids have shared a room and both been in “big kid beds”.
The novelty is still fresh for them and bouncing back and forth is a nightly ritual. It’s actually rather precious, as they usually try very hard to stay as quiet as possible but inevitably end up giggling or full out laughing prompting a trip up the stairs by yours truly. “Guys, you need to lay down and go to sleep. No more jumping.” “Why?” “Because I’m the mommy, and those are my directions, that’s why.” And every time I say it, something deep inside cringes a little. Do I really expect a 4 year old and a 2 year old to believe this as a reasonable explanation…well, yes! Anyway, when I hear the thumping on the floor and the stifled giggles through the monitor, this spot comes to mind.

So we’ve got the little bit of reality covered. What else? Come on! The kid is cute, the footsie pjs are cute, and the bouncy music is catchy. I also really like that there is no voice over. You get it. I could have done without the snoring sound effects…but that’s minor. Sealy carried this basic principle into their advertising during the 2004 Olympics. You may remember the high jumper, the swimmer, the gymnast, or the synchronized swimming pair, who fall instantly asleep on their Sealy mattresses. Again, no voice over, save for the whispered “Sealy, official supplier of the US Olympic team.”

Bravo, Sealy! (Or should I say, Sealy’s agency!) This is one of my favorite spots ever.

The Space Between...his Word and my life

...is quietly small and amazingly comforting.

This posting is a follow up to my last posting on grace.

Well over a year ago, on my Facebook account, a friend sent me a "flair" with a simple message: Gal 5: 22-23. I used to "rearrange" my flair all the time, but I haven't lately. This morning when I came across that particular one, I had to think..."what IS this verse?" When I looked it up, I was pleasantly surprised.

Gal 5: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I instantly was reminded of my post on grace. This is it. This is what I'm talking about.
How simply wonderful that I've had that simple affirming reminder "at my fingertips" for so long and that I found it again now, when grace is becoming such an important attribute to me.
I'm grateful.

The Space Between...should be filled with grace.

below are some thoughts on GRACE.  i didn't write these, a friend shared them with me...

life is a classroom. we are both student and teacher. each day is a test. and each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace. 

grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence, and the list goes on. it's something money can't buy and credentials rarely produce. being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can't help. being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.

it is not "if" we will lose the things we love, it is "when." with some, the loss comes in a major catastrophic event. for most, love is surrendered one piece at a time. a first childhood, a promising romance, the passing of a loved one and finally a child who leaves home. but as we lose, we can keep a deep knowing that in the presence of grace, love for the sake of love is eternal.

how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us has become one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light.

The Space Between...me and my kids

...seems to great.  In more ways than one.

First, of course, I regret the time that I do not spend with them.  Let's be honest, not every single minute...I do enjoy some peace!  But the time that is spent on my commute, the days that I don't see them at all, that time is the time I regret.  But for now, there really is nothing I can do about that time.  I have to live with it, for now.  Like the closing song in Avenue Q, "It's only for now".

Then there is the space in our relationship that is filled with rushing around, and frantic dinner times, and time outs, and tears.  This is the space between us.  The space where I'm on one side and they are on the other.  And they are only 3 and 4!!!  This space will grow as they do no doubt. The question is, will we just get used it? Will we all get better at it?  or Will it get worse?

Who knows. The space between me and my kids is full of obstacles, tangible and not, but we also have spaces full of love and laughs, of hugs and cuddles, of hope and faith.  And that's not only for now.

The Space Between...2008 and 2009

The month of January usually causes people to do three things:
1) reflect on the year past
2) conjure up dreams for the year ahead
3) plan vacations - Upstate NY in January is cold, grey, and uninspiring!

On the first two, I'd like to say the following:

1) I don't feel the need to sit and reflect on last year. It's still glaring right in my face.
2) Although I do have "dreams" that are yet unrealized, I'm going to resist the urge to assign them to this year.
I think I'll give this year a break, by letting it have no expectations placed on it. Think I can do it? It's going to be very hard!!! Especially since I'm the romantic type that likes to put all my hopes in the chance that something wonderful will or could happen in any given scenario. But, alas, I shall resist. I want God to lead my hopes and expectations this year. I don't want to develop my own (set up for failure), and then be disappointed in Him when they don't reach actualization.

For me, my only real hope for the new year is that the space between 2008 and 2009 be more filled with grace. And, come what may - that I'll be strong enough to be gracious in it.

The Space Between...Thanksgiving and Christmas

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas so much stuff happens that it's easy to see why the holidays are stressful and bittersweet for so many people.  This year - I'm one of those people.  

Thanksgiving was odd this year, and bittersweet really is the best way to describe it.  Missing spending part of the Thanksgiving holiday with Bramers and with my Dad, didn't really sink in until about 1:30 am on Friday after.  It was then that my body and mind were finally quiet from the day's many chores and stops.  Sharing the Thanksgiving meal with my sisters, my kids, my grandma and the Barbers was really nice.  Especially since we were last minute additions due to weather that stopped us from traveling north to see my Dad.  But those few hours spent in Schoharie were sadly missing for me this year.  And a Thanksgiving smile and squeeze between my husband and I was the biggest void of all. Friday after Thanksgiving found me once again surrounded by family - in a truly wonderful gathering of ALL my Barber relatives.  Hence the sweetness of that day came to remove the sour of the day before.

And now Thanksgiving is over.  My favorite of the holidays for many reasons, but mostly because it comes and goes with little fanfare and, save some cooking and cleaning, little stressful preparation.  Now it's full steam ahead to Christmas and all the little things that have become my Christmas-time routine.  The movies, the music, the decorations, the choosing of gifts, the planning to spend time with everyone.  Fitting it all in has always seemed like a chore, but happily done in the spirit of the season.  

This year though there will be a space...a space between me and those traditions.  I'll probably still do them.

I may watch the movies, I may listen to the songs.  I'll put up a tree even though I expect it will feel like there's a pine needle in my heart the entire time.  So I'll go through the motions.  "Fake it 'til I make it" as a friend would say. And pray that the space left by the absence of a great force, the space between me and this holiday, the space between Thanksgiving and Christmas - is filled with grace and peace and understanding.

And always with love.

Simply - The Space Between

You cannot quit me so quickly

Is no hope in you for me

No corner you could squeeze me

But I've got all the time for you love

The space between

The tears we cry is the laughter that keeps us coming back for more

The space between

The wicked lies we tell to keep us safe from the pain

Will I hold you again

These fickle fuddled words confuse me

Like will it rain today

We waste the hours with talking talking

These twisted games we're playing

We're strange allies with warring hearts

What a wild eyed beast you be

Look at us spinning out in the madness of a rollercoaster

You know you went off like the devil in the church

In the middle of a crowded room

All we can do my love

Is hope we don't take this ship down

The space between

Where you smile and hide

That's where you'll find me if I get to go

The space between

The bullets in our fire fight

Is where I'll be hiding waiting for you

The rain that falls splashed in your heart

Ran like a sadness down the window into your room

The space between our wicked lies is

The hope to keep safe from pain

Take my hand cause we're walking out of here

Right out of here is all we need dear

The space between

What's wrong and right

Is where you'll find me hiding

Waiting for you

The space between

Your heart and mind

Is the space we'll fill with time

 - Dave Matthews