Call me old fashioned… I like it that way:)

The other day I was driving my daughter to school and we saw something that left an amazing impression on both of us.  Now before I tell you what we saw I do need to tell you that I believe in teaching youth to be strong no matter what gender.  I feel as though there is a huge difference in trying to prove your strength by being over powering and being strong with who you are and not trying to prove anything.  Some of the strongest people I know are the most quiet.  Now this can be a journey for some and doesn't always come easily.  That being said I also LOVE old fashioned values.  I like a world in which men value women.  I like a world in which women are proud of men.  I like a world where it’s not a “gender competition”. I like a world where we work together… That to me is the most beautiful idea that sometimes gets lost in this confusing world.  But the other day I saw hope in the future as I watched some teenage kids… that’s right, I said TEENAGE KIDS.

My daughter and I were in a rush to get her to school and I was a little frustrated when we had to stop because of a bus across the road that was picking up some Jr. High students.  Impatiently I sat and waited as this large group of kids filed onto the bus.  But I was blown away as a group of about 10 boys or so stood aside to let every girl get on to the bus before them!!!  My jaw hit the floor of my van as these girls politely nodded their heads as they passed these boys.  It was like something out of an old-fashioned movie that makes every girl who is watching go “Awwwwwe!” and then giggle.  This promoted a very good conversation between me and my daughter. 

It can be confusing for boys and girls to navigate this every day when the world teaches them to under-value each other.  It is these simple but seemingly small things that remind them how to value each other.  I don’t think this group of kids did this for the recognition but that is what makes this even sweeter.  They did it when they didn't think anyone was watching.  Another thing that I thought about was it might have been just one boy who decided to do this and the others just followed; or they might all have been taught the same thing and so it was such a habit that they really didn't think it was a big deal; either way, it doesn't really matter.  The fact that they did it is what matters.  Thank you parents, whoever you are, for teaching your kids something that made a difference to me and my daughter.  It left us with an amazing feeling for the rest of the day.

If I did lie... I didn't mean to.

Recently I read a blog titled, "I'm not a liar but Facebook sure is." and I LOVED it!  It made me think about the various things that I post on Facebook and the secret "lies" that I might put out there.  If I did lie I didn't mean to.  I think that most often (when I post things) I'm just trying to hold on to a moment.  The realities of life hit me on a daily basis.  I live with the many imperfections that are mine and humility is a lesson learned at every corner.  

The chaos that is the Zellerszoo isn't a pretty picture at times, but I don't post those moments because I'm trying to lie to myself and others about our situation.  Most often I'm just trying so hard to focus on the good things in a day.  The realities are that I know firsthand about feeling very alone with a traveling husband and the other demands that he has to balance; I know firsthand about the delicate nature of teenage years and the many contemplations that they face that have life altering consequences; I know firsthand the crazy demands of a toddler and her mischievous nature; I know firsthand the realities of change coming our way and the fast approach of our oldest moving on to his own adventure.  With all that said the truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way.  When I say I'm holding on to a moment, I am saying that because I know how quickly those moments are gone.  The realities of life can be difficult, lonely, and sad; but they also can be rewarding, loving and worth it... we just have to find those moments in the midst of everything else.  That is why I love my family every step of the way.