Presence not presents

The boys fished yesterday from 5am til 11pm. They got about 100 crappies and blue gills. John brought TJ home and asked if he and Joe could go back out fishin a little longer, but I told him that he probably shouldn't because then he'd be tired for two days, and we're going to try to head to Chicago tomorrow for the John Butler Trio show. Chloe made brownies last night and took them out to the neighbor kids that were playing football in the street. She's such a giver. This morning we were woken up to breakfast in bed again, and Mara played dress up while John and I slept in a little. We went to church at the nursing home, and it kind of seemed like a Saturday Night Live skit with all of the residents either blurting out random things about going upstairs to get a buck or sleeping. It was sweet to watch the girls sit next to Sandy and sing out of the big orange hymnal book and watch TJ take Grandma back to the nurse's station because she wanted to go look for her dad. We visited Barbie and Bobbie who enjoyed telling us about all their beautiful hand made heirlooms and furniture that they're so blessed to have because it feels like the loved ones that made them are still there in their home with them, visited Marge who loved seeing the kids because she wasn't given any of her own grandchildren, and Mara had fun playing with her toy life-like kittens, and Doris who had a picture of our family and Haud on her table which made John cry. We had lunch at the Chinese buffett on Main Street and sat by a teenage girl who was talking on her cellphone to a boy who was just a couple tables away. I think that cellphones and technology have really made relationships less personal and has hindered people's real communication skills. Chloe and Marge were remembering when John used to drop her off on a Saturday morning while he ran a couple calls. I hope that we drop Chloe off there for a visit more often because Chloe is such good company, and her presence is so uplifting. Barbie and Bobbie didn't make it to church because it took him a while to plow the driveway. I was glad that they didn't so that we could chat with them for so long. TJ gave her a red and white lay, and she talked about still wanting to get to Hawaii sometime. She has a very young spirit and great energy. I have a student who is not doing well in Spanish, the same student who I was told stole my hat, and so I have a conference set up with his mom this week, and I pray that we both work together to find a solution and do not waste time or energy trying to blame or dwell on past mistakes. I read a comment from a student on facebook last night that his house is always 40 degree. I wonder if this is true and why and am going to try to see if there's anything we can do for them. My mom never stays for more than a few minutes when she visits us, and I'm not sure why, but I wish that she stayed longer and realized that we would like her presence more than her dropping off some little presents that the kids will lose in a day. I know that our friends enjoyed the company this morning more than the sugar free candies and dried prunes we brought them. Chloe told everyone that if they ever need any help shoveling, or raking, or doing groceries or laundry, that they can just call. I'm so proud of her. She called Jimmy this morning to wish him a happy Valentines Day, and she is so excited to see Tyse this weekend at TJ's birthday party. It makes me so glad that she's more excited to see her aunt than to go to a fun pizza place. My mom told me that my great Uncle Lew is marrying a younger lady from Russia today. I pray that he is wise and careful not to hurt or get hurt. I pray that Callie inspires others at church this morning, her show next Friday, and everyday. I pray that we don't get too much snow tonight that we can't go to the concert, but that if it does, that we have the wisdom d=to not dry in bad weather. I pray that teenage girls have the self worth to feel loved by God and not need to be told by a boy that they're pretty. I love the song by Jonny Diaz that reminds girls that they couldn't be any prettier. I love it that Mara says "Oh, they shouldn't be kissin' cause they're not married", and I hope that she continues to feel that way for another 15 years. I pray that everyone discovers the true, selfless, unconditional, slow tempered, hopeful, trusting love that God gives and chooses to be kind and patient, not jealous or boastful or proud, not selfish or rude, but rather to rejoice in truth, be supportive, loyal, helpful, and faithful. (1 Corinthians 13) This is my prayer.