Go Fly a Kite

Good Wednesday morning!

On Friday, along with my TV play-by-play, I have a little challenge for all of us. Don't worry. It isn't anything huge or time-consuming. You'll need a paper and pen, and it will probably take only one or two minutes out of your day... maybe less.

Also, yesterday I was reminded of yet another tornado story which puts my own personal tornado story list up to FIVE. (Way too many!) I'll share that tornado story tomorrow, and then the one I promised on April 8. Thanks, LeAnna. I can't believe I forgot that one!

Now for the rest of my tornado story.

When you left me yesterday, I was sitting under a desk in an all-glass insurance company building with three small children. My friend had just crawled down the hall to check on the whereabouts of the tornado which had put us in this precarious position (so to speak).

As a mother, I take great pride in being able to protect my children the vast majority of the time. I spray them with bug spray. I smear them with sun screen. I take them to the doctor the minute something even appears to be wrong. I make sure the food they eat is not contaminated (except by my cooking). I watch them on the playground and make sure they do not go too high, too fast, or have too much fun. That's my job!

How totally frustrating this situation would have been if I had not been able to place my safety and that of my children in God's capable hands. In my mind, my favorite verse kept coming back to me over and over again, "...for I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) I realize it doesn't translate into, "...for I will never let a tornado set a tree on your car." However, I did understand that if a tree was on my car or in front of my car, God was in control... not Miss Belinda.

End of tornado story... it passed on without hitting our building or the van. However, it did do a lot of damage in and around Mountain Brook that day.

With our little adventure over, and the boys tucked into their beds safe and sound that night, I told Mikie, "I don't know what I would have done if my friend hadn't been there to tell me what to do." The minute the words were out of my mouth, I knew and believed with all my heart that if she had not been physically sitting beside me speaking the words I needed to hear, God would have spoken to me (maybe not out loud), and the outcome would have been the same.

How incredibly sad that so many times we don't panic; we just get stupid and forget we may be mothers (and mothers are wonderful creatures), but it isn't a mother who protects us and looks after us day after day. It is the Father.

What's the practical day-to-day moral of this little story you may ask? This one is loaded with them!

1. When in your car during a tornado warning, picking up a couple of Grapicos before trying to make it to the mall 15 minutes away probably isn't the best use of your time;

2. When unable to reach a nearby mall during a tornado warning, taking shelter in an all-glass building probably isn't the safest place to take three small children God has entrusted to your care;

3. Trying to buy $100,000 in life insurance (quick) crouched on the floor of an insurance agent's blacked-out office during a tornado will not leave the children you are trying to keep calm with a sense of security (although it might make your spouse pretty happy); and

4. None of the above really matters because God the Father (not the mother) has said, and I quote, "...for I will never leave you, nor forsake you." AMEN!

(This story was written in May, 1998.)

Go Fly a Kite

I know. I know. You are probably saying, "Are you kidding me? Kite-flying. That's your first SPRING Seasonal Tradition? It's March. That is a no-brainer."

Okay. My question to you would be, "When was the last time you flew a kite with your kids?" Huh? Was it last March? The March before that? Was it on the beach last summer?" Whoever said "simple pleasures are the best" wasn't kidding. This is fun stuff!

Now... since we've gotten over the simplicity of the first Seasonal Tradition, let's talk about making it a special day.

1. Once you have a breezy March day picked out, pack a picnic lunch with a blanket, cold drinks, sandwiches, chicken fingers, etc. and find a shady tree.

2. Before you leave the house, have the kite or kites pre-made and ready to go. Nothing can throw a damper on flying a kite faster than having to wait and wait and wait for the assembly. (If your child can help you build the kite at home, that's great. If they get bored with the activity, they can wander off and do something else. They won't be nagging you to get it up in the air while you're still working on the tail.)

3. Have more than one kite ready to go. Even if you have just one child, take two kites. If it gets stuck in a tree or crashes and falls apart, you will have Plan B.

4. Kite flying is akin to real estate. The three most important things to remember are location, location, location. Find a comfortable place for the picnic, with an open field or parking lot for the the actual flying. If you are near a lake, there is usually a good breeze coming off the water. (For example, Lake Guntersville has a pretty picnic area right on the water and a huge parking lot/beach/open field nearby which would work great.)

5. If you try and try and try, and you are unable to get your kite up, have Frisbees, ball and gloves, etc. in the back of the car for Plan C.

And don't worry. Next week's Seasonal Tradition will be much more complicated!

I hope you have a safe, happy Wednesday. I'll be back tomorrow with a date for Dad and his little guy (or girl). Again, it's kind of local. I know I said I was going to give you a date for anywhere in the Continental United States, but... next week. I promise!

Talk to you tomorrow.