A short list of things I’ve learned this spring…in random order.
1. Strawberries “breed like rabbits.”
We put in 50 free strawberry plants in May of 2015. This year, we harvested around 20 gallons of strawberries. For most of two weeks, I picked almost every single day. It was insane. And yummy. And I can’t wait for next year. 🙂
2. I don’t have to try so hard
I spent much of the last 3-4 months learning this powerful, deeply revealing, and much-needed lesson. My entire life, in things spiritual and mundane, has been entirely based on “trying.” And I had a massively uncomfortable spiritual crisis. But it has been very good, too. Instead of doing, I can actually rest. Instead of living self-ordained penance, I am already accepted. Instead of thinking it all depends on me, I can actually accept grace. It’s been huge and hard and holy. I’m still learning (slowly), but it’s already made a marked difference in nearly every part of my life.
3. More energy is not always helpful.
I am a high-energy person (no kidding, right?). But sometimes, okay, most times, pouring more energy into a situation actually works against the outcome I’m looking for. Stopping Megan’s meltdowns. Engaging Eric. Getting the to-do list done. Using a less-frenetic, more-focused energy has been much more effective than my spastic, frustrated, random energy. It’s not easy for me to do this. I have to be strategic and intentional. It requires deep breaths, many prayers, and patience. But it can be done. And when I do it, we’re all happier for it.
4. I learned how to coach softball.
I have never played a game of softball in my life. Just last year, I learned to keep book for my daughter’s softball team. This year, both girls are playing together, and (long story short) the woman who was going to be the assistant coach ended up not coaching. And that left me. We finished the regular season games this week, and it hit me. I actually became a coach along the way. I can describe what they need to do. I’m learning the rules. I’m able to rally the girls who are definitely sweet and fun to hang out with 2-3 times a week. I don’t know enough to be totally in charge, but I somehow turned into a coach, nonetheless. How fun!
5. PSA: Rawleigh’s medicated ointment is absolutely the best remedy for a bad sunburn ever.
It’s an old, little-known ointment my family has used for years. It’s amazing. I got horribly burned at my kids’ field day at the end of school (they did not, thankfully). I went home and rubbed a thin layer of this on my skin right after school and again before bed. I had almost no pain and none of that pulled-tight feeling I get when my skin burns. Yay!!
And now, on to a summer full of more growth, more learning, more fun…
