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I feel guilty for not directly answering "my kids". Please don't think I don't love those twins more than anything in this world.
But, what makes me tick is creating things with my hands. It is who I am. Whether it is knitting something to cover someone I love in warmth, cross stitching a design onto a sweatshirt to make my daughter happy, baking a batch of cookies to feed friends, forming chords to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Carl" to my son while playing guitar, or holding a camera in front of my face to capture a memory for all time with one click of my finger, I am happiest when giving a piece of myself to someone through my own handiwork.
I believe that crafts should be passed down person to person, not necessarily through books. Learing something at the hands of another human being, passed down perhaps through generations, is such an important life lesson. I hope to be able to give my abilities and gifts to Carl & Gretchen over the years and have them continue on creating for loved ones
Bear with me today, as I am feeling all weepy and questioning myself.
I always felt that everyone needs to give more then they take. I understand that sometimes that isn't possible so we carry the ones less fortunate then us.
I also know that one thing that my wonderful mom instilled in me was that you should always give from the heart., never regret, never question and never mention it. Today I broke my mom's rule..I questioned...but not for long. A wonderful friends voice reminded me what is important. <3
So...what makes me feel great is giving. Please leave a comment on what makes you tick and puts a smile on your face.
I will choose the next winner for the bracelet from the comments below.
Great advise! Helping others always puts a smile on my face, knowing I did something that in-packed someones life is a amazing feeling!
ReplyDeleteMy children. Seeing their innocence and their joy makes me smile. Hearing their gleeful belly laughs at something an adult would consider stupid shows me the good in life. Seeing the awe on their faces when they experience something new reminds me of how things should be. My kids (the older 2 since Mr Friso Fris wasn't even a thought yet) got me through one of the hardest, darkest times of my life and they are why I keep going and why I am who I am today.
ReplyDeleteSeeing my kids find the joys in life. Witnessing my son grasp the world around him...one little step at a time. Making sure that I enjoy every second with my kids and those that I love because I know life is short and these moments will be gone before I know it. I keep God close to my heart and know that this is all a part of His perfect master plan.
ReplyDeleteoh, my darling girl.......I feel as tho I AM your mom here in Lodi - I love you unconditionally! What is important to me is to ALWAYS love that way & not judge others - we have no idea what is going on in their lives, esp. at that particular moment. I try to ALWAYS give 100% of myself & it is VERY important to me that others love me too, which is why I get my feelings hurt all the time - LOL! (SEE? you ARE my girl!!) My kids and your kids KNOW the kind of loving moms we ARE! look to your darling hubby & sons for total LOVE & commitment. THEY are what is important!!! xxooxx
ReplyDeleteMy 26 year old son makes me tick every morning when I see the smile on his face. I would not wish a brain injury on anyone but the love that
ReplyDeleteLinda Silva
Sean has makes my day. It is extremly hard at times but I know with the grace of god I can now do anything that I set my mind to! Never a day goes by when I wish this would have never happened to my only son but each day that I wake up is a blessing and I cherrish every moment I can spend with the two most amazing guys in the world (John and Sean) I Love them!
Seeing my 9 year old daughter stand up to some of the bullies at school for some of the other little kids that are being bullied makes me smile! I love knowing that she feels secure enough in herself to have the courage and strength in herself to take a stand. I love her more everyday!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that keeps me going through the rough and tumble is seeing my kids bubble over from their constant happiness. I am truly blessed that I have jubilant happy children even when I am not having a "mother of the year" day. I have faith in God that He has His hand in their growth since things have not been so great for me these last few years.
ReplyDeleteBeing strong is a talent that we have to continually nurture to achieve it's peak performance; even buildings of steel crumble under enough pressure. <3
Everyone is putting that it is their children who put a smile on their face and keep them going. I'm not going to say my children don't keep me going but they are at the ages of 16 and 11. Both girls. You see my problem with my children not always make me smile? Oy the hormones are insane!!! But...I do have something that will keep me smiling even on my worst days. Being a Twilight fan and having gone on the Twilight fans cruise in August and planning on the Twilight fans cruise in June...I have met people who truly understand my obsession and love for the saga. No matter what kind of day I'm having...one of them will say something to put my smile back where it should be. They have become my family and a family I know I will never lose. :)
ReplyDeleteMy children, my God and the ability to create.
ReplyDeleteMy husband makes me tick...he's a compulsive gambler, a liar and an alcoholic and we separated in February. (Maybe a little TMI...but thats my tick.) My 8 children are what makes me smile everyday. Sure it's a full plate, especially now being a single mother raising them. It's wild and hectic and very loud most days. But it's my family and I love them with all my heart. It's never a dull moment thats for sure. I'm very thankful for what I have and could not imagine my life without them.
ReplyDeleteSandra Bell Unangst
Smiles on my face are pretty easy in my line of work. BUT the best is when I show a Mom photos I've taken of her babies and/or family and she cries. Whether it's because she's NEVER seen a photo of her daughter with such a sweet smile, or because it's of her newborn who has already doubled in size and she's grateful to have the itty bitty stage documented. I love my job, and I love that it's something families wil have with them forever.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course my silly daughters put smiles on my face DAILY. I can't look at them without swelling over with gushy Momma grins and gooey I love yous.
And you, you make me smile. I'm happy to have met you, even if you are one of the friends who lives in my computer. I hope you're getting enough food and water in there.....
My kids and the kids at work. I had a mom worrying about me yesterday because I wasn't there when she dropped her daughter off. That reaction let me know that I made a difference, even if it was for just one family.
ReplyDeleteMy kids make me happy of course. I'm amazed by them on a daily basis and without them I dont know where i'd be. I cannot wait to see where life takes me with them but for now i'm just enjoying them as they are and trying to take it all in because it goes by so quickly. Not forgetting my hubby because that man is amazing & I thank God everyday for him. ~DebbieM
ReplyDeleteI feel guilty for not directly answering "my kids". Please don't think I don't love those twins more than anything in this world.
ReplyDeleteBut, what makes me tick is creating things with my hands. It is who I am. Whether it is knitting something to cover someone I love in warmth, cross stitching a design onto a sweatshirt to make my daughter happy, baking a batch of cookies to feed friends, forming chords to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Carl" to my son while playing guitar, or holding a camera in front of my face to capture a memory for all time with one click of my finger, I am happiest when giving a piece of myself to someone through my own handiwork.
I believe that crafts should be passed down person to person, not necessarily through books. Learing something at the hands of another human being, passed down perhaps through generations, is such an important life lesson. I hope to be able to give my abilities and gifts to Carl & Gretchen over the years and have them continue on creating for loved ones!
Even when I am having the worst day in the world I take comfort in knowing that I helped make a family. Being a surrogate mom was the greatest gift I ever received. Most people think that I was the one that gave a gift, but the truth is that I was given a huge gift by being a surrogate mom. Knowing that there is a woman who now knows what it feels like to hold her newborn in her arms, watch that baby take its first steps and hear the sweet voice of her child say "Momma" is the best gift in the world. My children are my whole world and though there are times (and sometimes days!) that they drive me insane, I know that I am doing what I am supposed to do. I am so proud of A & K and their parents and grateful for the gift they gave me every single day.
ReplyDeleteI know that having a big and giving heart can sometimes cause heartache beyond our control, but I always remember that small things can change people in a big way. There is more good and light out there because of you, Cathy. I love you so!
I would have to say my Children & my Grandchild! I'm so proud of them!
ReplyDeleteDoubting isn't a bad thing, sometimes it helps us refocus on why we are doing what we do. :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to all the little things. This week it has been two little plastic bracelets from a missed fall party for my 3 year old. I was so sad to miss that party. I wanted to go so badly, my sons first ever "school party". But as timing was, I had midterms that week at school so I had to miss it. That day, I came home from school and he told me all about it! He gave me what might be the greatest gift I've ever gotten...two plastic bracelets, the stretchy kind. One is bright orange, and one is bright purple. As you can imagine they go with everything in my wardrobe! I've worn them every day since. My mom caught that I was wearing them yesterday and asked me why.....I wear them because they remind me of why I am doing what I am doing. They get me out of bed and give me the strength I need to drive 4 hours everyday, sit through classes, do homework, all the while missing my two little men. I do it for them, so they can have a better life than even I had growing up!
I've doubted going to school many times, it's hard, especially when I miss them so much. It's always helped me to refocus on why I'm going in the first place. ((Hugs))
I don't really know how to answer this question. What makes me "tick" changes every day. There are always moments that come out of nowhere and bring me to tears. Sometimes I feel so silly, but then I remember that it doesn't matter because there are really amazing moments that I get to experience and sometimes they aren't even my own. Sometimes I just stop and watch people...strangers even and you catch an old couple holding hands, couples with a loving stare, children giddy with excitement over something as simple as a piece of candy. I watch my 7 year old kiss her baby sister and tell her that she loves her...for no apparent reason. There are moments when I stop and realize that I am quite possibly, the luckiest person on the planet and that I am so blessed. I get to stay home everyday with my children. I love every second of my life and wouldn't trade it for the world.
ReplyDeleteBeing in this life, taking advantage of each day, enjoying my children, taking care of my family...enjoying the small things and reminding myself daily of how blessed I am!
ReplyDelete-Lisa M.
I could copy Jill's answer and use it as my own, almost word-for-word (without the twins, though; there's no way I could handle twins!).
ReplyDeleteWhat make me tick is creating. I dream about it. I daydream about it. I'm rarely happier than when I'm sewing, crocheting, building, designing or even singing. But I only enjoy it when I'm creating for someone else. I love to picture someone's face as they open a gift or picture a little girl wearing a dress I made. I think about the person it's for the whole time I'm making it. There's just nothing like making something with my own hands and giving it to someone I love. Gah, just thinking about it right now makes my heart beat fast.
I don't have money. If I did, I'd give freely. When I do, I will give freely. For now, though, I can give what's in my heart.
My husbands unconditiinal love. My kids giggles and my faithful companion maddie. My dog.
ReplyDeleteSleep is what keeps me going. No seriously it is! Without it I barely make it through the day without wanting to put my head through a brick wall.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me smile is watching my children interact together. Now that Trevor can read on his own, watching him willingly sit down on the couch, curl up with Victoria and read her book after book just melts my heart. Watching her look up at him with those big eyes of hers - you can see that she thinks he hung the moon. Listening to her ask him to go play cars or babies with her makes me smile. They have their moments like all siblings do, but there is so much unconditional love right here. I think the greatest gift we could have ever given either of them was their sibling.
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ReplyDeleteI commented before I read the entire thing...I'd get a lot of flack for this if my family could see this--but it's my little boy. He is the sweetest, kindest little boy with such a huge heart. Recently someone was picking on his best friend Kenya and he stood up to these boys to protect his friend. It's got to be hard when you are 5 to stand up to boys for a girl. He has a really difficult time in school and even through his frustration he always wears a smile and tries his best. I do love that boy of mine!
ReplyDeleteI guess for me it is the happiness of those around me and hoping that I played a tiny (or sometimes big!) part in that. I love being with my family and friends and it reminds me how very blessed I am. <3
ReplyDeleteEven though people tell me I do too much for my adult children, doing just that makes me tick. If I don't help them, who will?
ReplyDeleteI did go back to school this year and that interferes with helping them, I have guilt over that. I need to work on that I guess...
while I was at work the other day I noticed that the customer that I was talking to was a nurse and wearing her pink ribbon scrubs and was wearing the same pink ribbon bracelet as I was,and I told her that I support the cause even though I personally really do not know of any one that has breast cancer,and she said in reply ,"well now you have,I just have been told that I have it. and we we need more people like you to help!" It was really nice to be able to meet someone in person like that to know that I do make a differnce in helping.ata the end of our conversation,she gave me a hug in gratitude.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me tick is making awareness for the children of Chernobyl...
ReplyDeleteI "adopted" a child that is affected by the event and she writes to me once a month. I plan on adopting more. The country (Ukraine) will not let outsiders really adopt children so basically all you can do is donate supplies and such to them to live in a group home. I would love to take a child home and raise it as my own and to get them out of that horrible place where they will never be able to live independently.
And for anyone who doesn't know Chernobyl was a power plant in Russia that exploded (due to stupid mistakes)and the government hid it from the people that lived there for days (thus causing them to receive major amounts of radiation)When the government finally told them to pack their stuff, they only told them they would be leaving for a few days. And since then (1986)they have not been allowed to return due to radiation living in homes, trees, etc...
Cathy...I have also always been a huge giver...Then 2 years ago my husband and I lost our restaurant business when I broke my elbow then 10 days later he broke his ankle...niether of us could work and couldnt sustain the business. Things got really bad and when I had finally reached my breaking point I was crying in church on sunday... My now wonderful friends wife came to ask me what was wrong and to give me that much needed hug!!! I told her we had car insurance due the next day and I did not have the $$ to cover it.. LA few hours later my friend called and said him and the pastor would like to meet with us...They payed the insurance and our electric and our gas bill... Then we prayed because I still had no job ...well 4 days later I did get a job and now 2 years later I am still there and slowly getting back on our feet... What is so amazing to me is how my friend Rick who runs a charity here in our smmall town and the lady that runs the community ffodshare constantly thank my husband and I for OUR help...we do help them move furniture that is donated and help w/ the food giveaway...but THEY have helped us sooo much ...It is really nice when they say that I am a blessing to them.. So for now that is how I must bless people through kindness of sapirit and willingness to work...I am working right now to start a charity here to help people who cant afford extracurricular activities for their children...I believe children gain such self esteem from Dance and Music and Sports and that NO child should be left out of that because of any circumstance...So soon hopefully I will be able to help others The way others have helped me!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your funny posts also alwasy make me smile!!
I used to be an overly negative person, the one the bad things always happened to (or so I thought). I listened to the teachings of my grandmother, but I never put them to use. The time she died to cancer, the second time she was fighting it, I was in an abusive relationship, just living day to day. And I would often try to ignore her, try to ignore everything that was going on around me. But her death brought about new beginnings for me. I divorced him, looked out into the world and after a couple years I met the man I am with now, moving out to California to be with him. We got married, had a baby. And now, learning from my past, I try to live every day the best I can. I never thought I would enjoy cooking, cleaning, taking care of a baby and a husband. I now put so many of my grandmothers words of advice to use, in my every day. Often spouting them out myself now, trying to turn the lives of my sisters around. So I guess, what makes me smile what makes me tick is everything I am trying to do for my little boy, to be someone he can look up to just as I did my grandmother, only hoping that he won't make the same mistakes I did. What makes me smile is hearing how good of a job I did on something around the apartment, receiving the kiss from my husband. And thanking God every day that he has made it home okay. That we're okay. And it fills me with so much joy sometimes that I cry. :) Something I always thought was a myth.
ReplyDeleteMy kids make me tick and put a smile on my face. It's almost like my little one who is 3 knows if I'm having a bad day, he says "I LOVE YOU", well he yells it lol. My older one helps me with dinner sometimes, he will make mac and cheese. He will stir it when it needs to be stirred. He even mixes the sauce with cheese, all I have to do is strain it.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me tick? Drugs. What makes me happy? Drugs. I am bipolar and a mother. Life right now is crazy, I am symptomatic and finding a new drug cocktail scares me- the waiting, the side effects, that what if this one fails? So much of my life has become about drugs that I must take to have a life, that I feel like a pharmacy tech. Yet I know I am lucky and blessed- I have insurance that pays for the bulk of my treatments. I have a spouse the loves me unconditionally through the walks into the abyss. I have friends who care about me even with a stigma that I carry. The reason I am saying all this is to help end the stigma of mental illness- millions of people have mental illness' and live normal healthy lives. We don't end up on Law & Order as a crazed murderers.
ReplyDeleteMy family- the small group of people I live with make me happy and blessed. They walk through hell with me daily, sometimes hourly, and they still love me. Sharing my photos and other art works makes me happy. So that's MJ in a nutshell. I better win that dang bracelet ;-)
There are a lot of things that make me happy. My life is good. We are healthy (I do have a cold...but it could be worse). My husband and children, and other family and friends. Making "stuff". Even my job makes me happy (though I am really enjoying mat leave...lol). But you know what I really love? Curling up under a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a good book - that is what really gives me the warm and fuzzies. Yep...it's the simple things.
ReplyDeletep.s., I'm stacie...lol
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me tick? Well we have kinda discussed it. Right now its the horrible situation of a marriage (if you call it that) that I am in. Just the mere idea that I am tied to this drug addict, lying, gambling, cheating, sex addicted, lazy person makes me sick. I am so thankful that I will be leaving soon.
ReplyDeleteBut what makes me smile means so much more to me..
The love I receive from my friends melts my heart. The true friends I have that text me just to see how I am...it means so much more than words can ever express. They know the trying time I am going through, yet they take a few moments out of their day to just say hi or to say they love me. It always makes me smile. And it melts my heart.
OOO!!! Thanks, Cathy!!!!!
ReplyDelete