Recently, Martin and I made our usual trip to Target. These trips are usually pretty expensive, and on this particular occasion, our cart was loaded with lots of extras. We were stocking up for our box for my latest and most favorite venture- www.soldiersangels.org. I have adopted a soldier that is deployed, and we are responsible for sending letters and/or care packages at least weekly- those who know me, know this is very near and dear to my heart, but I digress.
As we scooted our baby wipe, candy and goodie ridden cart up to the counter, I immediately noticed the teenager checking us out. She seemed, well, "more up tight than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs". We smiled, and asked how she was, and she said, "Oh, fine, good, I just have a lot going on". Wow. I immediately noticed that she looked about 17 and wondered what in the world she could be THIS stressed about. As I pondered this, said cashier began to mutter under her breath, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" and suddenly, I thought I was dreaming. Really? Maybe we chose TOO many small items- she was clearly overwhelmed.... I began to explain that we were making these purchases for our soldier- through Soldier's Angels.org. Her ears seemed to perk up at this, and she pushed for more information. She said, "I'm the President of the Student Body, and maybe this would be a good project for us". I explained the details, and she looked a little disappointed as she said, "Well, that seems like a big commitment, I have so much on my plate already." I walked out feeling sorry for her, and Martin and I laughed a little as we pondered the future of a stressed out high school senior.
Whew. Just typing this wore me out. Seriously? Are kids today THIS stressed? I asked my Uncle Daniel, who is a youth pastor about this later, and he said, "Teenagers today are OVER SCHEDULED and UNDER CONNECTED." Here's hoping that the adult life of the Target check out girl is smooth sailing.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Marine Portrait
Today I read the moving story of Cpl. Jason Dunham of the US Marine Corps. Today a battleship was christened in his honor, as he is the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He died in 2004,after throwing himself on a grenade in Iraq, saving the lives of fellow Marines. I read the story with tears in my eyes.... wondering how his mother, father and sister felt on such a bittersweet day.
I stared into his picture on the screen- seeing a boy that was obviously barely a man when it was taken.
The picture, of course, reminded me of my own brother's formal portrait. Once you're a part of the extended Marine family- you know the story behind that picture. The straight, smile-less face, and the reason why. You know the secret behind that "uniform" in the picture- that it's really just the top; and that the recruits are hurried through like cattle during the picture taking process at either Parris Island or San Diego. You know that when that picture was taken, your Marine was enduring some of the most challenging and difficult days of his or her life. You know the nostalgia and pride of seeing your Marine's formal picture on graduation day- feeling so proud, but hoping you never see it on the news, or like I saw Cpl. Dunham's today.
But still, Cpl. Dunham's picture today is also a symbol of at least two other Marines who's pictures are not in the news today. And for that, I am thankful. I pray that God will bless his family.
I stared into his picture on the screen- seeing a boy that was obviously barely a man when it was taken.
The picture, of course, reminded me of my own brother's formal portrait. Once you're a part of the extended Marine family- you know the story behind that picture. The straight, smile-less face, and the reason why. You know the secret behind that "uniform" in the picture- that it's really just the top; and that the recruits are hurried through like cattle during the picture taking process at either Parris Island or San Diego. You know that when that picture was taken, your Marine was enduring some of the most challenging and difficult days of his or her life. You know the nostalgia and pride of seeing your Marine's formal picture on graduation day- feeling so proud, but hoping you never see it on the news, or like I saw Cpl. Dunham's today.
But still, Cpl. Dunham's picture today is also a symbol of at least two other Marines who's pictures are not in the news today. And for that, I am thankful. I pray that God will bless his family.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I'll never refold my laundry again.
I try not to use this blog to vent, or tirade. At least not usually. But really, I need to let off some steam. If you read this blog, you probably know me well enough to know that I am an absolute and TOTAL control freak. It never occured to me that this might be a character trait that might actually hurt someone's feelings, or be very disrespectful to others- until today. When I encountered myself- in the form of another human being.
I am on several committees, as I know most of you are as well. Being that I KNOW I'm a control freak, believe it or not- I've actually learned to reign in that "tendency" (I hear my girls snickering) during these meetings and environments. For the most part, I try to sit back and just do what I'm told. I'll offer to do things, but in all honesty, over the last couple years, I've learned it's best for me to just sit back and let someone else run the show so that I don't get dubbed "Hitler" anymore (high school yearbook). For that reason, I have turned down positions on the PTA even.
Well in the last couple months, I've worked on a couple of committees (which why do we really NEED 6 people to decide what color table cloths to use anyway, but I digress), and at one point was given responsibilities which align with the business I'm in. Makes sense. Being that I am probably OVER EFFICIENT, anal, control freakish and insecure (call it what you like), I poured my heart and soul into my research- aiming to bring the best possible scenarios to both organizations. On both occasions, I spent literally HOURS checking and rechecking myself. The first one, a lot of my ideas and things I brought to the table were shot down once someone else decided that after my hours of research, more research- on their part- was in order. Okay. FINE. (Freaked-out-Insecure-Neurotic&Emotional). I actually took that one in stride pretty well, under the circumstances, because I could tell that the spirit in which is was done was not bad.
However, today, put me over the edge. After shelving several important work projects in order focus on this particular upcoming deadline- I found out my two hours of research/work would once again, be dumped in order to be double-checked. This chick (me) did not take it well at that point.
What about my time? Wasted? Did someone else feel that I am not capable enough to handle the situation? Then why did they give me the project to begin with???? I felt like my time, efforts and energy had been abused and dis-respected. I wanted to cry, and almost did. I was angry. I wanted my two hours back, because I was then buried under my other work that wasn't done! (As I write this, I hear my friend Jenn saying, "Pride, Amanda, Pride", and you're right).
Since Martin was unavailable, I had to vent, or I WOULD cry. I called my sister, and unloaded the story. I even told her, "I KNOW I'm a control freak, but I would never hurt someone's feelings or waste their time that way, I mean, I know I refold my laundry, but really!"
I hung up feeling better, but still mad because at this point, I'd exerted so much energy and time in the project that I was now late to get my very important work package to the post office. As I drove, I realized it. I'm just as bad. How many times has Martin been kind enough to fold the laundry for me, only to have me go behind him and re-do it. I've disrespected his time, his efforts, and energy. My strive for perfection may have potentially hurt his feelings. Now, he's never said anything about it. But boy, he doesn't need too now. I've had the mirror put in front of my face, and I'll never re-fold my laundry again. And, I'm sorry if I've ever refolded yours.
I am on several committees, as I know most of you are as well. Being that I KNOW I'm a control freak, believe it or not- I've actually learned to reign in that "tendency" (I hear my girls snickering) during these meetings and environments. For the most part, I try to sit back and just do what I'm told. I'll offer to do things, but in all honesty, over the last couple years, I've learned it's best for me to just sit back and let someone else run the show so that I don't get dubbed "Hitler" anymore (high school yearbook). For that reason, I have turned down positions on the PTA even.
Well in the last couple months, I've worked on a couple of committees (which why do we really NEED 6 people to decide what color table cloths to use anyway, but I digress), and at one point was given responsibilities which align with the business I'm in. Makes sense. Being that I am probably OVER EFFICIENT, anal, control freakish and insecure (call it what you like), I poured my heart and soul into my research- aiming to bring the best possible scenarios to both organizations. On both occasions, I spent literally HOURS checking and rechecking myself. The first one, a lot of my ideas and things I brought to the table were shot down once someone else decided that after my hours of research, more research- on their part- was in order. Okay. FINE. (Freaked-out-Insecure-Neurotic&Emotional). I actually took that one in stride pretty well, under the circumstances, because I could tell that the spirit in which is was done was not bad.
However, today, put me over the edge. After shelving several important work projects in order focus on this particular upcoming deadline- I found out my two hours of research/work would once again, be dumped in order to be double-checked. This chick (me) did not take it well at that point.
What about my time? Wasted? Did someone else feel that I am not capable enough to handle the situation? Then why did they give me the project to begin with???? I felt like my time, efforts and energy had been abused and dis-respected. I wanted to cry, and almost did. I was angry. I wanted my two hours back, because I was then buried under my other work that wasn't done! (As I write this, I hear my friend Jenn saying, "Pride, Amanda, Pride", and you're right).
Since Martin was unavailable, I had to vent, or I WOULD cry. I called my sister, and unloaded the story. I even told her, "I KNOW I'm a control freak, but I would never hurt someone's feelings or waste their time that way, I mean, I know I refold my laundry, but really!"
I hung up feeling better, but still mad because at this point, I'd exerted so much energy and time in the project that I was now late to get my very important work package to the post office. As I drove, I realized it. I'm just as bad. How many times has Martin been kind enough to fold the laundry for me, only to have me go behind him and re-do it. I've disrespected his time, his efforts, and energy. My strive for perfection may have potentially hurt his feelings. Now, he's never said anything about it. But boy, he doesn't need too now. I've had the mirror put in front of my face, and I'll never re-fold my laundry again. And, I'm sorry if I've ever refolded yours.
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