Our washing machine is broken so I had to go to the laundromat last week. Drew came and helped me load the clothes into the machines, insert coins and fold clothes. We ate sub sandwiches and chips, drank soda, and played video games. They had Ms. Pac Man and Galaga just like the laundromat I went to as a little girl. Drew preferred the driving game.
We sat on the folding table and let our legs dangle off the end. (I don't know why it still seems exciting to hop up on those tables.) Then we folded and folded and folded, until the baskets were overflowing with clothes. I showed Drew how to place a towel on top of the folded clothes and tuck the edges inside the basket so the clothes wouldn't fall out on the way to the car. We had so much fun!
I had to go back to the laundromat last night and Drew wanted to come so badly, but it was too late to have him out. I called my mom as I loaded the car to come home and one of the baskets tipped over. I said, "Good thing I tucked a towel around the clothes." She said, "You remember? We used to have so much fun."
My family used to take annual summer vacations. I don't remember much about them, other than the long car rides. But I vividly remember the books my mother read me and the games we played. I remember Wednesday night church dinners and Saturday craft fairs. I remember baking cookies and going to the same restaurants so many times that the employees automatically knew our orders. At the Chinese restaurant we were Beef Broccoli. At Pizza Hut we were 2 Personal Pan Supremes. Bic's diner was our favorite. The owner passed away a while back, but I still take my children there.
I think the money my mom spent on Disneyland was mostly wasted. It was fun, but my special childhood memories are of things that were free. Love, warmth, consistency, and safety gave me the confidence to go out into the world, not fancy gadgets and vacations and puffed up, phony self-esteem.
When I look back at my childhood, I see my mother and I together. That made great memories and that made me a happy kid.
I am beginning to see the error in the notion of quality time. Our children don't need occasional spurts of fancy activities, they need large quantities of time with us.
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2 comments:
Jazzy,
As usual, you are right on the money! Great post- I linked to it on my blog. Hope you are doing well- haven't seen you around much on the shed but I understand about taking a computer break.
Just wanted to say- I really like your idea about having your goals posted on the sidebar... I need to do something like that to have more intentionality about doing/learning certain things.
That's one of the 'negatives' about my personality type-- I can tend to flit from one thing to another, always learning, always enjoying myself... but not necessarily making goals and planning on how to reach them.
Thanks for the motivation! I need to do this sometime soon~
~Jess
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