Have You Checked Your Messages Lately...

Like many others, we have an answering machine for our home telephone. I know, just the fact that we have a landline is sort of cool in an old fashion way. Anyway, just the other day, my answering machine told me I had only 2 minutes and 38 seconds left of recording time. Wow, I thought, what is taking up all the recording space?

Answering machines are wonderful devices that can be used for all sorts of things. Screening calls, actually taking messages when you are away from home, and my favorite use, as I have recently come to realize, saving messages from grandchildren, children, parents and other family members.

I listened to the most recent messages from dutiful office assistants reminding me of doctor appointments; a caller asking me to press “1” now and they will reduce my debt if it’s over $2,000; and a wonderful call from an old college schoolmate of my husband’s checking in for the first time in about 30 years.

Then there are the calls that make up more than half of the messages that have been left for us. Those are the culprits taking up all the recording space on my machine. These are my favorite calls. I have numerous calls from my grandchildren when they were much younger and had little bitty voices and left preciously cute messages. I have a call from my aunt who is now 86 and not in as good of health as she was when she left the message several years ago. One message is from my Uncle’s sister checking in and leaving a message with her wonderful little scratchy voice. I have a message from my mother that I love listening to, knowing that I won’t always have her voice with me. One from my father too, same thing, just the wonderful, reassuring sound of his voice that won’t be with me forever. I have a saved message from my daughter to my husband, her stepfather, which is just too cute and sassy. Each of my son’s has left either a Happy Birthday message or other message of love. Every one of these messages is there because I never want to lose the message nor the voice.

The realization that I am so short on recording space simply because I am saving these messages out of love and the pure enjoyment of re-listening to them, has made me wonder how many other people might be saving their loved one’s messages as well.

There are messages, and then there are voice messages. To me, voice messages mean the messages that touch my heart, bring tears to my eyes, and pull me back into the sweet and loving arms of my family.

Have you checked your voice messages lately?

Laura

Have a Heart

I'm enclosing a link to my parent's blog. I've included the latest update on my Dad's surgery this coming Monday, February 1st.

http://standingstrongwithfaith.blogspot.com/

Please say a little prayer for my mother and father.

love, Laura

2010

Happy New Year! I mean this with all my heart.

Last year seems to have been a hard and heartbreaking year for many, many people that I know, including my family. While I fully understand the principle that hard times strengthen us, I hope that 2009 gave everyone all the strength that they will ever need!

LauraBeth

Trust

Today was the second time that I've been with my sweet one-year-old granddaughter and felt like I've betrayed her! The first time, she had to have blood drawn and was absolutely stunned and confused that her mother and I let it happen to her. She cried and cried, sobbed actually.

This time she just got a shot - one of the many required vaccinations for little ones. When they put her down onto the table - she knew - she just knew it wasn't going to be good. She looked at Mom and then looked at me (Granna) and cried. The nurse gave her the shot and put on the band-aid and Granna scooped the little crying girl up and over to the window to look at the CARS! Voila! It worked. 

That's when I started thinking about trust. There is nothing like having a little baby around to remind you how much we rely on each other. A little baby sure couldn't last long without its parents to care for it. Children start out trusting without even knowing that they do. It's only when they get a little older that they realize how much that mom or dad means to them and that they sure need that person. 

My daughter-in-law, Melba, and I were talking about families and how I've always wanted to have my whole family on one street - they on the other hand - have found that a little horrifying! Melba said that much of her extended family all live on one street down in Mexico! How wonderful. Sure there could be disagreements, but how much LOVE! 

I know that not everybody has love in their family - I'm always sad when I learn that - but if you do - wouldn't it be great to all be together for the love, support, and trust.

LauraBeth

Breathing

The first time I really learned to breathe is when my first child was born. Back in 1977 childbirth classes were just beginning to become vogue. I wanted to have my children by natural childbirth - so I took the childbirth classes! 

Well, my little girl surprised us and barreled her way into the world early - three weeks early. I had only been to three of the six classes, the last three the most important -- Do Not Miss Them -- classes! I had only learned "first gear" breathing. Breathe in through your nose slowly, while focusing on a point beyond your nose, breathe out through your mouth slowly, while still focusing on that same point. We had even practiced it quite a bit for which I am eternally grateful. With 36 hours of sweet, natural labor, that breathing thing really came in handy.

Recently my husband and I began taking Yoga classes. Once again I learned the importance of breathing. Apparently we are all rushing through life, seldom taking the time to sniff let alone smell, the roses - and therefore we don't breathe in the correct manner. Shallow breathing, the kind that starts small and fast, and then ends up with hyperventilation - that's what we mostly do. 

So next time you feel stressed, breathe. Breathe deeply into your stomach, not your chest, and breathe slowly. Count in to four and then let your breathe out to the count of five. 

Try it. It sure helped me -- at least a couple of times!