Life

Scary Things

Jeanna GLeave a comment

My friend recently sent me a video of a house decorated for Halloween with scary things. The decorations were signs that read things like laundry, rent, taxes, calories, bills, and gas prices. First I was going to react with an LOL emoji, but then I thought the Scream emoji made more sense. They can certainly sneak up on you and cause panic. They are also reasons to want to remain a well-cared for child forever. 

Yes, children, we know you can do it by yourself and you want to be independent, but believe me when I say, adulthood has way more tricks than treats!

Happy Halloween!

Wonder Years

Jeanna G4 Comments

My daughter’s 5th grade year just came to an end, but right before they ushered the students out the door, the teachers delivered the Human Growth and Development Unit. Remember that awkward time when the boys and girls enter separate classrooms to learn about puberty and all the associated topics? And everyone is uncomfortable and embarrassed when discussing what is about to happen to them? My daughter ensured that I had to live it twice by texting me audio clips of the teacher’s messages, and always followed them up with a frowny face emoji. I might as well have named her Peter, because she does not want to grow up. But I know she wonders. She asks me questions and tells me the crazy stuff she overhears on the bus, seeking the truth.

Thinking back on my wonder years, I thought everything was strange and exciting. I felt the angst of coming of age. I felt curious and confused. I struggled when trying to piece everything together and make sense of it all. And I was always wondering about what the future held.

At that age I wanted to be a part of everything, and be the best at anything. I compared myself to everyone. I had unsupported goals and extravagant dreams. Everything was a big deal, but it also wasn’t. I knew I was liked, but I also wasn’t so sure why. Back then I wondered what everyone thought of me. Now I just want to figure out what I think of myself.

Recently, I was chatting with a friend about plans for the summer, and that my daughter would be away at camp for most of her break. My friend said, “Do something you’ve been wanting to do.” I joked and replied, “I’d really like to take a nap!” But then I started wondering, what do I want to with myself? I wonder, if I weren’t a mom, and I didn’t have to work for a living, what would I do? Who would I be? I am having a self-imposed identity crisis!

Now that I think about it, I’m back in my wonder years. And until I figure it all out, I guess I’ll just keep on wondering. I mean, not all who wonder are lost, right?!

Life: An Everlasting Scavenger Hunt

Jeanna G2 Comments

As I checked my credit card statement, and retraced my steps to finally find my credit card in the pocket of my pants, a week after misplacing it, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the many scavenger and treasure hunts I went on as a child.

I went on hunts at birthday parties, on Easter morning, as an event with my youth group and extracurricular clubs. One required us to take a Polaroid picture at each new location to prove we had been there. One was a service-themed hunt, in which we had to collect different types of trash from around town. Some gave us prizes at each stop along the way, and some only had one prize at the end, whether we got there first or last. But all of them had us traveling all over the place, unsure if we were looking for the right thing or going in the right direction. Along the way, we’d pick up random, worthless items to cling to as prizes to prove we could follow directions and solve riddles. Oftentimes we just walked in circles, feeling a little lost, hoping to get a clue.

Now that I think about it, those hunts sound like my daily adult life.

Maybe that’s the whole point of those scavenger hunts: to prepare us for a life of finding what we are looking for.