Stupid #1: Years ago when my kids were small, we visited a new pediatrician. I wasn’t impressed with him from the moment we met and as the visit progressed, my opinion bottomed out. One of the kids had to have blood drawn and as kids do, started to cry. The doctor looked at me, saw tears running down my face and said “didn’t you know babies and young children don’t feel pain”? Really?????????? What an idiot!!!

Abby reminded me of that conversation the other day. A few months ago she smashed her finger and as time went on it turned dark and started to loosen from her nail bed. It got to the point it was hanging by a thread and just the thought made me turn green. Ladd came home from work and I mentioned how loose her nail was. Daddy decided he needed to help things along. That thought made me sick to my stomach and thankfully Nana got to go home before he performed his magic. At some point, Daddy managed to remove the loose nail and covered it with a band aid.

Now to the point of this story. Abby was snuggling with me the other day when she said “remember when I hurt my nail, Nana? It broke and daddy had to pull it off. Nana, IT HURT SO BAD I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO THROW UP”. Really?????? My sentiments exactly. So Dr. Idiot, tell me babies and children don’t feel pain. As I said, you can’t fix stupid. By the way, our first visit to that pediatrician was also our last.

Abby went on to explain how very, very bad it hurt and how daddy pulled her nail off, put medicine on it and put a band aid over the nail bed. Of course she is very happy the nail has grown back healthy and mommy can paint ALL her fingernails. So is Nana 🙂

Stupid #2: I was having a conversation with an acquaintance the other day who was moaning the state of our world today. He believes 90% of people are evil, greedy and self-centered. He believes 90% of people are only in it for what they can get and are basically extremely selfish people. I believe he lives a very sad and lonely life and if his theory is true, there isn’t much hope for our future.

I know there are evil, greedy, selfish people in this world. The world is full of corrupt people. But I know there are still many good people left in this world and have been privileged to know many of them. I choose to surround myself with good people and tend to see the good in everyone until they prove me wrong.

That’s why we are so critical in the development of our children and grandchildren because they are our future. I am so very proud of my own kids. They are successful, intelligent and independent. But more importantly they are good, loving, compassionate human beings who have much to offer this sometimes crazy world. They world is a better place because they are in it. And because they are who they are, they are more likely to raise their own kids with the same qualities and values. Therein lies my hope for the future; therein lies the only hope any of us have.

There are far too many people with the same jaded impression of the world as that man. And those kinds of people tend to instill those same ideas in their own children and grandchildren. Life is a journey and we are expected to keep moving forward. Along the way we may experience tragedy, trials and disappointments, but we are still expected to keep moving forward. As we travel we need to sort through our baggage and get rid of the scars, painful memories, grief and baggage that slow us down. Each new day belongs to us and we can choose what we do with it. We can continue along carrying that same old baggage and use it as an excuse to stay stuck in our ruts of disillusionment and disappointment or we can let down our load and vow to make today a better day than yesterday. I’m reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado called Traveling Light. He says it all much better than me and if you haven’t read it, I suggest you buy it or check it out from your local library. It will change your life.

Stupid #3: Children should be seen and not heard. If you are anywhere close to my age you heard this a thousand times while growing up if you heard in once. Back in those days, it seemed to be a popular belief. But how crazy is that? Children are our window to the world and imagine how much we’d miss if we keep them quiet and force them to sit as robots. A child is still spontaneous and while that can be annoying for any parent or grandparent at times, it is their spontaneity that creates some of the most precious moments.

We have also learned this type of training can be dangerous. In today’s world, it is imperative we learn to listen to our children and teach them it is okay to say NO. NO it is not okay for people to touch you inappropriately; NO it is not okay for someone to bully you; No it is not okay for people to steal; No it is not okay for someone to mistreat you or hurt you. No, No, No – it is not okay. The list is endless. And as we teach them it is okay to say No, we must also give them the freedom to speak.

I had put Currin down for a nap in my room the other day and Abby, who was sitting beside me, started rambling in a loud voice. “Hush Abby”, I said – “Currin is sleeping and I don’t want you to wake him up.” Abby replied, “but Nana” to which I replied “Abby please be quiet”. After several tries to get me to listen, Abby said in a loud voice “but Nana, Currin isn’t sleeping – he’s crying”. And he was. Silly Nana.