Ever since I was a child I always seemed to be fascinated with the rich color of the red clay dirt. We would go on family visits to a southern state. When we would take the journey via car I always knew we were not far away when I would see that beautiful rich dirt. Back then there was a lot of building and constructing of roads, etc. going on so you would be able to see that rich soil almost everywhere from the highway. When seeing it through the eyes of a child it would cause you to wonder what it would be like to play in that dirt, you know make mud pies and that sort of thing. Do you remember playing in the dirt as a child. I really did not do much of that for I liked to look pretty and kempt most of the time. I was the sort of child that would have thrived going to charm school or something along that line. You know, etiquette school and things of that nature. I could have spent the day playing with my dolls and dressing them up and making them look pretty. Of course, I would have to create fun things for them to do, make their doll house look very nice, coordinate their little outfits just to make them look just right. Remember when Barbie was fashionable, I had a Barbie doll but I also had a Midge or Madge (not sure of her name now that I come to think about it) doll too. I just loved her auburn colored hair I think it was a page hairstyle or a longer bob cut.
I also had a favorite doll named Chatty Kathy too, she talked and boy did she talk a lot too. One of my fondest memories was when one of my siblings and I had to have our tonsils taken out in the hospital and our mother got us Little Kiddle dolls and a doll house too. Now, I did not like having the surgery but I sure did like the prize for going through it. It was so much easier to go through the surgery knowing that your sibling was there for the same thing too. Made it not as scary being a child. I am sure if you think about it all you guys and gals out there, you probably had a favorite toy or two when you look back on it. Another favorite, Easy Bake Oven. I guess I was a bit domesticated back then or I just liked creative things?
Do you ever associate a thing or object with a certain period in your life? What about the time that you found out for the very first time that you were going to be a parent? I trust that it was a great feeling for you, it sure was for me. We waited several years before having a child and it was as if it was God that said the time is now. This really did happen to me. There was this little thought inside of me that let me know it was the right time to have a child and it was not much longer after that I was pregnant. Something very similar happened to me a little bit before I became pregnant with the second child . It was just this gut feeling that the time was right. I had that very same feeling once the baby was getting ready to go off to school. That time I did not act upon it. As I look back now I wish I had but I cannot go back and undo what was not done right?
No matter how much older you get you cannot help drawing on those memories when something jars your thoughts. I can look at red clay today and still have wonderment in seeing it. No matter how old I am I still am drawn to it's color and such richness in the different hues of the clay dirt. From what I understand this is not the best dirt to plant vegetables, herbs or flowers in. You have to add things like the Miracle Gro moisture control dirt and cow manure to the soil to allow it to grow. Did you ever think of planting a tomato plant this year or maybe an herb garden, what about some hydrangea's or roses or even lavender or why not try growing a few stalks of corn?
I wanted to experiment one year when all the space I had was a patio. I went and purchased good quality corn seeds from a farm supply store and planted them in a pot. To my wonder along with great TLC 4 ears of corn grew. The corn was not used for consumption I used the stalks to be a part of my Fall decorating. Your imagination is only as large as you will allow it to be. If you do not see it first in your mind as growing then how will you ever be able to see it actually grow. I did the same thing with a mustard seed. I received one at church one Sunday and I was curious to see if it would grow. I planted it and a beautiful yellow bloom came up. I did not let it continue to grow I just wanted to see if it would really grow and it grew.
Is there someone that you want to tell that you admire them? Do not be shy tell them. Maybe you have thought in your heart gee I would love to spend some time with that person, do not be afraid spend the time with them. I look at it like this, I shall ask the question and the worst is that they could say No and the best is that they could say Yes. Either way you are a success for you took the chance to step out of your comfort zone and at least ask the question right. Do not let your shyness or lack of courage keep you from possibly the best that God has to offer to you. You know He will do His part if you cooperate and do your part with Him. How many people do you think went to their grave with regrets and thoughts as they were dying, of regrets because they did not take the step to accomplish something that was in their heart?
I have a friend that is elderly and often mentions to me how they are sorry that they never gave a full explanation to someone as to why they did not marry them. I let this person know that it was in the past and to not dwell upon it. I helped this person out once. They really wanted to know if this person ever got married. I did a bit of research and found a phone number of possible relatives and I called them to see. When I called about the person I inquired of, I found out they were deceased for a few years at the time but I was able to let my friend know that they did get married and had children too. Life is too short to live your last years wondering about the should have could have scenarios in life. You did the best you could in those situations and just move forward. When you let go of the regret or regrets in life you are then free and wide open to receive the blessings into your life right now. Do not live in the past or the regrets of the past. Live in the here and now and get ready to receive the blessings. The bible states in Psalms 118: 25 "We beg you O Lord save us! We beg you O Lord give us success!"
One more thought. I did not just sit around and play with dolls or bake things with my Easy Bake Oven. My mother kept us active, swimming, softball, we had gardens that we went to and planted and harvested the vegetables. You know what one of my siblings and I would do on the way home from gardening? We would stop at a local store on the way home and sell some of the vegetable to the owner. We would have probably gotten in trouble if our mom ever knew that, see, even as children we were creative or we wanted a snack for the walk home I will let you decide that one. We were also very active with lessons we had to attend when we were a part of a folk group too. Another thing, we had chores that we had to take care of around the house too.
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