Why Explore the Tree...The Nest is So Comfy?!

It starts with diapers.  And tiny feet, wrapped in tiny socks that won't stay on.  The soft, downy head cupped gently in your hand...smelling of baby shampoo and newness.  Hands that seem to belong on a doll clutching your finger so tightly you wonder where that strength comes from.

Then, you wake up one morning, roll over bleary-eyed, look at the alarm clock and blink back shock that it's not 4am and your little one actually made it past 7am.  What seems like a week later, sunlight streams into your room, and when you check the time it's past 8...you smell toast...hear the happy chatter of kids discussing the best plan of attack to squeeze every bit of joy from their Saturday.  You sit up, shake the sleepies from your head and reflect back to the time of diapers and tiny feet wrapped in socks. 

Time in the nest is skewed.  At times you want to rush the daily routine that has you feeling exhausted...but when it slips by it's hard not to miss.  The nest is warm, safe and home.  But like all young, the call of freedom rings loudly over the treetops.  The pull of stepping out of the nest is normal, and trying to explain to the little ones that the timing has to be just right to encourage them onto that first branch.  Family traditions will have to evolve to allow for some first flights.  But right now I can't let go.  My Peach, Pickle and Coconut belong snuggled in the nest, under the wing of a watchful Mom and Dad.  One step at a time.

The moment, I know, is around the corner.  The moment when they look back with a smile and step off the branch - wings spread wide, confident and prepared.  Until then I will try and cherish each moment and each day. 

I can't believe it but...I miss diapers!

Happy cherishing,

Kathy Pettit

GivingThanksGiving

Forget the turkey, the stuffing, the potatoes, the gravy, the pumpkin pie, the cranberry sauce (hard to do - I know - but I am going somewhere with this!)...try to conjure up an image of something else that represents Thanksgiving....  It's hard to do, but hopefully what you are left with is "family."  Family is an all-encompassing term representing all whom we hold near and dear to our hearts. People who may either be in our lives by choice or chance - but are here nonetheless!  

I have a thankful heart.  I truly appreciate what I have, where I come from and who I have in my life.  There are some pretty special people who have joined my adventure.  People who have helped me grow, those who reached out a hand when I stumbled, took the time to show me the sunshine when all I saw was rain, who laughed at me and with me, and who guided me towards what was right. 

I have a father.  A warm-hearted, loving, hard-working father.  A father who raised my brother and I when my mother didn't want to.  A father that was humble enough to ask for help when required.  I grew up in Ontario housing, in a neighbourhood that selfishly cycles it's poverty to the next generation.  It's difficult to get out unscathed.  My dad pushed us to finish school and pursue a secondary education.  We listened.  Although I will be eternally grateful to The Food Bank and their contribution to our meals, I wanted more for my future and my family.  I worked hard because I wanted to live so that I could become the giver and help those in need where I could.  A kind of Pay-It-Forward feeling.  I look around at my house that we own, at our stuff, at my kids, at my loving hubby - and FEEL the appreciation right in my bones.  I am so blessed.  God has blessed me in abundance.  I will NEVER forget where I come from.  It is humbling to share with others that I was a recipient of The Food Bank.  It is not a dirty secret, but a fact that helped us survive.  Sometimes, putting a face to an organization helps one realize that their donations do matter, that they are making a positive difference in someones life.  

One thing I have learned along the way is: Be happy and joyful in everything you do.  Remain humble and appreciative.  Don't forget where you came from and how you got to where you are today.  For me, it was a fabulous journey, and the lessons learned along the way were invaluable to my future. 

Thank you everyone for reading.  And - hey - pass on some good deeds to a charity near you!  It will come back to you - I promise!

I can't believe it but...I feel good about having shared my humble beginnings.

Happy happiness,

Kathy Pettit

   

The Future - My Version

A gum commercial that advertises what a "taste experience in the future" will look like, got me thinking.  You know that creepy one where they're in a grey room and some weird black shapes appear in the sky?!   (And before you ask - that's my fireplace smoking - not my brain...seriously you guys are harsh!!)

Why do authors, film makers, and the general public visualize the future as bleak, stark and grey?  There seems to be excessive amounts of metal and concrete associated with our future, along with big random numbers painted on the walls.  The "futuristic" people are typically decked out in dismal colours, all looking alike - and no one appears "happy" in these circumstances.  Why?  Think back to the movies and commercials that reflect the future.  Is there one that I am missing that spins the future in a bright and sunny manner?  Are we so certain we are on the path of destruction and tree killing that we portray the future in that clinical way?  At that point have we used every can of yellow, pink, blue, and green paint that all any store has left is fifty shades of grey (totally included that randomly and then re-read it proud of my literal reference to literature - if you consider that literature...jury's out!)?

On all accounts companies, people and organizations are starting to take a more environmentally-friendly approach to life.  Which is great!  But should these changes not start to have a positive effect on our prediction of the future?  Can we actually attempt to paint a wall yellow in the next futuristic movie?  I would like us not to have to be living in a spaceship and eating some chemical concoction of a sea slug genetically altered with corn!

Here's my challenge to you:  Jot down what your future would look like.  Look around your home and imagine what will change, and what will stay the same.  Picture yourself there - with a smile.  I imagine in 1950 they predicted 2012 to be pretty dim and depressing.  Yet here we are.  And now we drive orange cars, have energy efficient lighting, plug our cars in to charge, recycle our paper and waste products, and the majority is not choosing grey as the sole colour to decorate their home!  (Although - on a side note - grey is hot right now.  Not for me though...if I'm going to be stuck with that in my future I'll surround myself in some colour!)

My future is bright and sunny!   Reducing the chemicals we use in our gardens and farms.  Eating more natural, whole foods and avoiding over processing anything into unrecognizable bundles of garbage.  Having neighbours of different cultures, beliefs and backgrounds all respecting each other and supporting each other.  A world where the populace recognizes that stealing, violence and hatred fuel a negative and unsustainable model of survival.  A community where we share the plenty with those that need it so they don't have to resort to the negative measures to meet their basic needs.  I may just write a book about it.  My Little Utopia.  Impossible...nah!  Nothing is impossible.  Difficult, yes...impossible, no! 

I can't believe it but...I referred to 50 shades of grey (paint) and the future in one posting!

Happy jotting,

Kathy Pettit

Weaving Words

Best Designed Library Kansas City

I have a tendency to exaggerate.  I have always been a self-diagnosed story-teller.  Not the kind of tales that car salesman and fisherman make us all raise an eyebrow to.  (Sorry to my car-selling friend - totally NOT referring to you, ahem.)  That was awkward....!  But rather, I like to SEE stories in the mundane and everyday.  One tiny moment triggers a bit of a chain reaction in my squidgy brain.  The event may be something my kids or hubby says...it may be something I see or hear.  All these tiny little threads are weaved into a story or memory that I feel the need to share.  All of your threads have made their way into my tale.  Whether you are the reader, the crossing guard, the person who sells me my coffee, or even someone from my past, you have been gently woven into my being and my tale.  You fit in perfectly.  Especially after a nice glass of blush wine...because everything is better with wine.

If you are reading this, you and I are linked across the time space continuum (I don't know what this really means, but sounds smarty-like).  Thanks for being a part of my story.  Especially you.  Yeah -YOU!  You're awesome! 

I can't believe it but...I am admitting to a teeny tiny, barely noticeable, smidgen of a flaw in myself. 

Happy story sharing,

Kathy Pettit