Grammy, Put the Phone in Your Pocket!

Happy Wednesday Wisdom Day, TSJ Peeps!

Have you ever had someone say something that echoes in your mind over and over?

Sometimes for me it is things that children say.  I think partly because they are so direct and there are no veiled messages.  Children’s uncomplicated clarity rings through the din of  my intellectual point and counterpoint thinking.

The mind is so deceptive we do not even think it is deceptive.  Hmm.  I guess that is a mouthful, isn’t it?  Perhaps understatement and paradox all at once.

Here at TSJ headquarters, it has come to my attention that SJ (our voice for our inner child struggles)  has learned how to text. Meanwhile, Solomon (our inner wisdom wizard) is concerned.  And of course, part of Solomon’s Wednesday morning job (and charge by Tom) is to keep me courageously honest in things I blog about . . .

I have debated for weeks and weeks about sharing this story. Why?  Perhaps in part because it makes me uncomfortable but even more because I have no answers.

About seven weeks ago, Tom and I were visiting our beloved children and twin grandchildren.

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and the twins wanted me to go play with them in their back lawn.  It was still soggy as spring had just arrived (sort of), so I was stepping carefully and mostly letting the dogs and kids run and play, which they appeared to be doing with great fun. Usually I do not have my cell phone on me when playing with them, but I had taken it out to capture a picture or two. The inevitable happened.  I heard a text come through. I responded.

Yes, I did what I do not believe in.  I turned my attention to the iPhone.  And I got caught.

From the sidelines and out of the mouth of a petite girl came a loud voice, “Grammy, put the phone in your pocket!”  This same little girl then stood feet apart with hand on hip and declared, “I hate it when adults are addicted to their phones.”

She spoke for all children.  And for all of us.  But she spoke directly to me, making it hard to ignore.

I muttered an agreement and apology.

“But,” I shot back, “I actually had brought the phone out to  take pictures of you!”

That made all the difference and she and her brother started doing cartwheels and such to pose for the camera.

Obviously she just wanted my full attention.

Forty some odd years ago when I was a mom of little children, an older mom gave me advice from time to time.  I loved her.  Her children were grown but she was one intelligent and wizened woman whom I respected and from whom I learned a lot. Kind of like a mom to me, Doris Miller, attended our church and was a blessing in my life.

One day, Doris told me half in jest, “If you ever lose track of your children just get on the phone with a friend and your kids will show up.  It works every time you try to steal some moments with a friend and have adult conversation.”

Ask any parent and they are likely to agree.

We, too are children not unlike Rowan.  It is way too easy to listen with half an ear which means we give to others with half a heart.  On top of that we are missing the beauty of gifts of life in front of us.

Of course, being with Tom who is struggling with the waxing and waning of energy due to the cancer journey, has heightened my desire to be fully present.  Solomon is pleased when I “sit with the moment” and just notice things.

Solomon is reminding us this morning that our eternal wealth is in relationships. Let us invest well in them.

We are playing in the pastures today and invite you to do the same wherever life brings you,

Margie and Solomon