My Dad

Well, it was Father's Day yesterday.  I meant to have this post done before the actual holiday, but I'm late, as usual.  I'll just have to fall back on the old saying, "Better late than never," and press on...

This post is going to be divided into two sections.  The first section being a chance for me to rant a bit on the way dads are constantly being portrayed in our modern times.  And the second being a chance for me to tell you that I have one of the absolute best dads in the whole wide world!  (No. I'm not the least bit biased.)  Let us begin.

Section One:

Rant in Progress...

It seems to me that the pervading opinion about dads these days is that they're a weak and helpless lot.  They're always failing their kids and coming up short in everything.  Have you ever noticed how many movies there are containing pointed lessons to dads on how they should behave?  The dad is always the one whose doing things wrong.  He's always the one with the problem.  I know there are a lot of dads out there who are not caring for their families like they should, but honestly there are plenty of moms in that boat, as well.  And what I don't understand is why someone can't make a movie about a dad whose doing things the right way.  That would influence people just as much as a dad whose doing everything wrong but has a miraculous change at the end of the film.  (That's my opinion anyway.)

What really ticks me off is how we dumb down fatherhood even in the church.  This past Mother's Day is a good example.  At our Sunday service they showed a "humorous" video (I wasn't laughing) about a couple moms who go away for the weekend leaving their husbands to look after the children.  (Horrors! Fathers don't know how to look after children!!!!)  The husbands see them off, saying "Go and have fun, we've got this."  But as soon as the car disappears out the driveway they look at each other in the most helpless manner and wonder what in the world they got themselves into.  They're hopeless.  They go bumbling about the house as if the kids and all the duties pertaining to them are completely new and unheard of.  And then of course the children are simply horrible.  As soon as mother is out of the house they turn into little monsters, and the fathers are so weak and incapable that the children trample all over them!  In fact, the dads are so clueless that they end up looking online for information on how to care for their own children!  Seriously?

That movie made us so mad.  We came home from church that day and fairly butchered it with our sarcastic and affronted comments.  Why, oh why, must we downplay fatherhood and make it look like a joke in order to honor motherhood?  It doesn't make sense!  (Actually, my thirteen-year-old brother pointed out to me later that that video really wasn't a good tribute to motherhood either.  If the kids act so horrible the minute mom walks out the door, she can't be doing a  very good job of training them while she's there.  I quite agree.) 

Anyway, a mom's job is a huge deal, it really is, but the dad is just as influential in his kids lives as the mom is.  (And he certainly has brains enough to know what his kids need; and the fortitude to do the dirty jobs in order to accomplish what is best for them.)  It's not just "dad works, mom raises the kids."  No way!  Dads are constantly speaking into their children's lives and seeking wisdom for how to raise them properly.  They invest in their children just as much as moms do.  And it annoys me that dads in movies are constantly being portrayed as the failures.  Like I told my brother in an e-mail, "I am now going to make it my lifelong ambition to make best selling movies all about very, VERY, VERY good, and responsible, fathers!"  (Okay, so that was sort of a joke, but, really, I do feel like that sometimes.)

Thank you for allowing me to let off some steam.  I assure you, I am now putting away my soap box for the time being. 

...Moving on to section two. 

Section Two:

My Dad. 

Unlike my Mother's Day post, I can't think of many dads in movies who could properly represent my father.  He's just so different.  I do often think of Mr. Bennett when I think of my dad, but that's probably because Daddy loves to quote him.  ("No lace, Mrs. Bennett!  I beg you!"  "And yet, I am unmoved.")  But he's not very much like Mr. Bennett, really. 

(Except, he does love to read.  And he's quiet and likes to have time alone.  And he's got that little twinkle in his eye...like Mr. Bennett.)

My dad was a pastor for the first ten years of my life.  He has a gift for preaching and always has something insightful and inspiring to say.  I can sit and listen to him for hours.  His hunger and passion for God's word is contagious. 

My dad is selfless, and humble, and totally devoted to God and His plan for his life.  He doesn't want the easy life.  He wants the growing life.  When God spoke to him about the blessing of children, way back in college, Daddy listened.  He let God plan his family and he has never regretted it.  He often tells us kids how thankful he is that each one of us is in this world--that he didn't miss a single child.  Every child God wanted to give him is here.  Right here.   It adds so much value to a person's life to know that they were wanted.  To know that God planned for them to be here and that their parents welcomed them with open arms.  Not begrudgingly but thankfully.   I'm so grateful to be able to say that that is true of my life.

 

My dad is a devoted husband.  He loves my mom and he shows it every day.  He truly takes the passage in the Bible to heart where God tells husbands to love their wives even as Christ loved the church.  My dad is always giving up his wants for others...not because it's demanded of him but because he wants to.

 

My dad is one of the calmest, most encouraging people I know.  He doesn't mind change, and he doesn't get stressed about it.  He's a rock.  A quiet strength.  A forever dependable, faithful, protector.   I remember many years ago being at a pastor's conference.  There were classes for the parents and classes for the children, and I didn't want to go to my class.  (My siblings and I were notorious for skipping out on classes.  We didn't want to be separated from our parents even for an hour.)  I remember how Daddy took me for a walk around the property and how I hung on to him, clutching his thumb, and wouldn't let go the whole time.  I still remember that feeling of clinging to him--knowing that as long as I had hold of my Daddy's hand everything would be alright. 

 

 

"To her the name of father was another name for love."  ~Fanny Fern

 

 

 

Thank you, Daddy, for being a man of God.  For living not for the moment, nor for worldly gain, but for eternity and the true life that comes in following after God.  You inspire me.  You encourage me.  You make me laugh!  I love you and I'm so grateful to be able to call you "Daddy."

 

 

 

Here is a really sweet song that I just recently discovered.  It's an old one, but I tend to go for old songs over new songs.  It's actually sung from the perspective of a son rather than a daughter...but I like it.  It still says what I'd like to say about my dad. 

 

 

And for the record...and just so there's no doubt about it!  I have the best dad in the world!  (Sorry, to everybody else out there!  But like the experts say, good dads are terribly scarce these days.  There's only so many to go around.  Ha!)

I've been tagged!

Yes, that's right!  I've been tagged again!  This time by Emma, for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!  Thank you so much Emma!  It was so kind of you to include me!  It's fun to be able to participate in what so many others are doing!

Rules for this tag:

1.  Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.

2. Put the Award logo on your blog. 

3.  Answer the ten questions sent to you.

4.  Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer. 

5.  Nominate ten blogs. 

Okay...I think I've got this.  :)


#1.  Do you like county fairs?

Hmmm...I'm not sure really.  I've never been to a county fair.  We have a yearly fair nearby to where we live, but technically it would be  a town fair rather than a county fair.   (Is it County Fairs that have Ferris wheels?  Because I've always thought a fair should have a Ferris wheel, and ours doesn't.)  I guess you could say that I like the idea of fairs--a fun community event with lots of friends gathered together; good food; lots of animals--but in reality...well.  I can only look at so many animals before I get bored, and I never spend money for food when I go to the fair so that's no fun, and I'm not a huge fan of big crowds, so, yeah.  I guess you could say fairs aren't my first choice of activity.  But on the other hand, if I went with the right people and was in the right mood, I'm sure I could enjoy them just fine!  (I'm a very decisive person.  Have you noticed?)


#2.  Were you ever in some sort of club as a kid?

Oh yes!  Dozens!  Nothing official, just little clubs created by me and my siblings.  We never did anything in them, but just knowing we had a club was enough for us!  Clubs were the thing.


#3.  What's one of the first movies you remember seeing?

Oh my!  I don't know! Disney's animated Robin Hood goes back a long way in my memory.  So far back that I can't remember the first time I watched it. 

Also Winnie the Pooh.  I have a vague recollection of dancing around the living room in excited anticipation for watching that movie, back when I was under the age of six.  So,  yeah, those two would have to have been among my earliest movie watching experiences.

Speaking of Pooh, I could really use his "thotful spot" right now.   I'm having a horrible time remembering things.  "Think, think. Think, think."

#4.  Which would you rather do: hop in your pickup truck and go for an unexpected adventure, or sit on the back porch with a good novel on a warm summer evening?

I haven't got a pickup truck... But if I did I think I would still chose to sit out on the back porch (I do have one of those) with a  good book.  Sounds more relaxing, and like a nice cozy way to spend a summer evening!  :)

#5. Do you enjoy live concerts?

I've hardly ever been to one, so I can't really say.  I guess it would depend a lot on who I went with and what kind of music was being played. 

#6. Which do you read more of: historical fiction or contemporary fiction?

Historical.

#7. Do you like country music?

Oh, dear.  I don't know.  I'm sure I've listened to country music before, but I really can't remember any specific songs at the moment. 

"Think, think.  Think, think."  Nope.  I'm drawing a blank.  Next question...  

#8. If you could play any role in a musical who would you chose?

First of all, I'd never be on the stage long enough to play anyone. Stage fright would overcome me before the curtain was ever lifted.  But if, by some miracle, I did manage to pull myself together and act...I would choose Mary Poppins. 

I can relate to her no-nonsense personality because I'm a little bit like that myself.  If I were an actor it would probably be a very natural role for me to play (notice I said "if I were an actor.  That's a big "if.")  As to the singing parts--I love to sing, and Mary Poppins has a host of lovely songs.  (It's just hitting those high notes that's the problem.  Ugh.  How does she do that?)

#9.  Do you ever put your feet up on the dashboard while riding in a car?

No, but I wanted to most dreadfully on the way home from work the other night.  I didn't do it because "sink me, I'm far too embarrassed."  (That's a quote from The Scarlet Pimpernel, by the way.  It just came to me, begging to be included, so I included it.  And there it is.)

 #10. Can you tell us a funny story of something that happened to you in the last week/month/ever?

Hmmm...let's see.  I'm afraid any funny story I'd come up with would only be funny to those who had experienced it, but anyway...here goes.  There was this one time, a good many years ago, when my siblings and I were making a movie out in our back yard.  It was a Scottish movie so we were all dressed up in plaid kilts (i.e. pieces of plaid fabric tied around our waists with a belt).  I was one of the bad guys along with two of my brothers and we were disguising ourselves in order to trick the good guys (three of my other brothers).  Our disguises consisted of moustaches  made out of white cotton balls.  We looked very distinguished, in a ridiculous sort of way.  Well, in the middle of our film shoot we suddenly realized that a young boy was mowing the grass in the opposite yard.  Oh no!  Panic ensued. He mustn't see us!  He mustn't!  Not in this getup!  We dashed about, trying to hide from him; ducking behind the trees, climbing up in the trees...but unfortunately it was all too clear that he'd spotted us.  He mowed the same spot of grass a couple times over, peering at us all the while.  It was very embarrassing, though highly entertaining afterward.  I have no idea what he thought of us, but in this case it's probably better to be ignorant.  (Oh, and I did remove my facial hair immediately, so I'm pretty sure he didn't catch me with that on.  Thankfully.)  :)

My Questions:

1.  Do you tend to stay up late or go to bed early?

2.  What is one of your favorite TV shows?

3.  Did you have a special blankie or toy that you loved very much as a kid?

4.  What's your favorite birthday dessert?

5.  What's one movie you would really like to own?

6.  Are you a confident person or a less than confident person?

7.  What is one book that you would like to see made into a movie?

8.  Does it take you a long time to write a blog post?

9.  If you could visit any country in the world, which would it be?

10. What's one flavor of ice cream that you do not like?

And I'm tagging:

Naomi

Olivia

Emma  (Is it okay to tag the person who tagged me?)

Natalie

Evie

Just making sure no one feels pressured to do this.  If you want to complete the tag that would be delightful.  But, please, don't feel like you have to.  ;)

Thanks again, Emma, for tagging me.  It's been fun!

Did you realize this tag could go on forever?  :)

Incoherent Thoughts, Attempting to be Coherent

I'm feeling restless tonight.  I don't know what comes over me sometimes, but I'm in one of those moods where I can't seem to sit still.  There's a stirring inside me, a longing for something...

On nights like these I have an irrepressible urge to run through a field of flowers.  To feel the wind whipping through my hair.  To sing at the top of my voice until I'm exhausted and can sing no more. 

 

 

I want to write.  There are so many feelings and emotions inside me; all I can think of is getting them down on paper.  But I can't.  I don't know how to convey the thoughts churning in my brain.  I want to write words that stir people's hearts and make a difference in this hurting world.  But words fail me.  All the time.  I can't hold on to them long enough to put them into any sort of coherent order.   

 

It's a helpless feeling.    

 

When I hear certain strains of music, when I read powerful words which other people have written, when I see the beauty all around me in God's creation, my heart responds.  Something leaps inside me and I wish that in turn I could pass those feelings on to someone else by the words that I write. 

 

 

But maybe that isn't the point.

 

Maybe I will never be a real writer.  Maybe expressing myself in words never will come easy to me.  Maybe writing is not the area in which God will truly use me. 

 

It doesn't matter.  If I never get beyond wishing to be a writer, it's okay.  All I truly want is to fulfill God's plan for my life.  Wherever He sends me, whatever He tells me to do.  I want to be doing that with all my heart and soul. 

 

Okay.  So now you're probably wondering, "What's she babbling on about?"  Your guess is as good as mine.  I really don't know.  I told you, I don't express myself very well in writing.  Even I don't understand what I'm trying to say.  :)

 

Let's just end this incoherent post with a song that's a whole lot more powerful than any words I could ever write.  (And no, this post was not written merely as an excuse to include this video.  But really, if I can't share my feelings in my own words I may as well use somebody else's.)

 

 

 

 

Ten Movie Characters That I Like Very Much

I've been tagged by Olivia!  I never expected to be tagged this soon after starting a blog, so naturally this is very exciting!  I was actually in the process of writing a post about ten of my favorite heroes when Olivia tagged me, so at first I thought I would simply combine the two posts.  However, I've decided not to do that.  It was taking me too long to get my heroes organized, so instead I'm going to put off talking about them and do a more random assemblage of people. 

As there is an endless amount of good characters in movies I find it impossible to choose ten absolute favorites.  Therefore, these are just ten movie characters that I like very much.  This is a very random list, and I am leaving off most of my favorite heroes and heroines because I'd like to do a more specific post devoted to them later on. 

Okay.  Here we go.  Ten of my favorite characters...in no particular order:

1.  John Chivery
From Little Dorrit

John Chivery is just sweet.  I don't know how anyone could not like him.  He's got an innocent boyishness to him which is totally endearing.  He is also a very tragic character, which makes for some extremely sad and emotional scenes; but I have to admit I enjoy those parts because they're so well done.  (I do love to cry over movies.)

2.  Jeff Stone

From The Donna Reed Show

My siblings and I just recently discovered The Donna Reed Show.  We've only watched a handful of episodes (mostly in the fourth season) so I can't speak for the entire series, but so far I'm very much enjoying Jeff's character.  He's a little cocky--and a bit of a smart-Alec--but you can't help overlooking that in view of how genuinely fun he is.  He's a cheerful, energetic fifteen year-old who dances while sweeping the living room; teases his sister; complains about all the work he has to do; eats bananas before breakfast because he "needs" more energy; and flunks his English assignment because he thinks it's too pointless to bother about.  In my opinion, he's just plain hilarious!  And I love his facial expressions!

3. Minnie

From Larkrise to Candleford

The first word that comes to mind when attempting to describe Minnie is "cute."  She is just the cutest little person ever.  I love her character.  She has a propensity for making silly-headed mistakes, but she never loses heart.  She's unfailingly cheerful, and totally sweet.

4. Paula

From Random Harvest

I love the way Paula takes "Smithy" under her protective wing when he's lost and bewildered, and how she believes in him and encourages him and laughs away his fears.  She has the most beautiful, twinkly smile.  I feel so bad for her when "Smithy" doesn't remember who she is, and I totally admire her strength in continuing to love him and cling to the hope that he will one day come back to her.

5. John Lawless

From The Happiest Millionaire

John is a one-of-a-kind Irish butler, who loves a good fight (so long as he's not painfully involved), enjoys a good drink (so long as he's not the one drinking), and knows just how to handle his eccentric and often overbearing employer.  "You yelled, sir?"   I like John.  He makes me smile.

6. Diego de le Vega 

From Disney's Zorro

He's Zorro!  What's not to like?  He's also charming, witty, and a perfect gentleman.  I love how he passes himself off as a book-loving scholar who can't abide the thought of fighting--when all the while he's the best swordsman in the country!

7. Sally Rogers

From The Dick Van Dyke Show

Sally is such a cool character.  She's always complaining about how she doesn't have a husband, but for all that she's not unhappy.  She has a lot of great one-liners, and is just about the only person who can advertise for a husband on live TV.  :)

8. Caleb Witting

From Sarah Plain and Tall

Caleb is adorable.  He has a very open-hearted, trusting nature.  He doesn't bat an eye when Sarah comes to be his new mother.  He simply welcomes her with open arms, fully confident that everything is going to be great.  "Will she like us?  Of course she will like us.  We are nice."

 9. Bert

From Mary Poppins

He's a fun-loving, easy-going, jack-of-all-trades sort of fellow; who "does what he likes and likes what he does."  He's happy and content with his life and has time to look about and notice the people around him.  I love how he cares for the children when they're lost and how he makes everything so much fun.

10. Sparkler

From Little Dorrit

Poor Sparkler.  No one gives him the time of day.  He's so devoted, and so tender-hearted, and so sweet, and so jolly, and all they can ever say to him is "Sparkler, be quiet."  But the cool thing is, he takes it all on the chin and still remains devoted, tender-hearted, sweet, and jolly.  He may not be up to the mark on all subjects, but he certainly knows how to take a pleasant view of life.  (Sorry.  This picture does not do justice to his happy-go-lucky nature, but it was the best I could find.  He must have been feeling something very keenly in that particular scene...or at least attempting to feel something.) 

 Whew!  I'm done!  Finally.  This post took me much too long to complete!  Thank you for tagging me, Olivia.  Despite my expert pickiness, which made this a very long and tedious process, I really did enjoy doing it.  :)  

And now I'm curious to know, are these familiar characters to anyone else out there?  Are there any in this list that you've never heard of? What do you like or dislike about these particular characters?  (Was that too many questions?  Probably.) 

Blessed to be the Daughter of a Most Excellent Mother

This is a late Mother's Day post.  I got the idea for it a day or so before the actual holiday and did not have time to properly think it over and compose it, so it's a few days late.  But that's okay, really, because every day is mother's day.  There should never be one single day throughout the entire year when we do not think about and appreciate our mothers...and fathers, too!  For they are truly one of the greatest gifts we have ever been given.

 

Okay...so I was thinking (I do that sometimes) about some of the excellent examples of motherhood depicted on film, and I thought I would liken them to my own mother. 

Caroline Ingalls:

 

Mrs. Ingalls particularly reminds me of my mother in the episode where she stays up all night making party dresses for her girls, Laura and Mary.  My mother would be just the sort of person who would do that; and despite the lateness of the hour and the difficulty of the task, I know she would so enjoy  it.  Because she loves giving pleasure to the members of her family.

Marmee:

 

 

Like Marmee, my mother is always available for confidences, but never forces them.  She will stay up into the wee hours of the night listening to our little woes and cares, and she always has something to say that puts the world back into its proper perspective.  She encourages us to do what's right not only by the words she speaks, but by the life she lives.  She is faithful and steady and constant and true.

 

Sarah Witting:

 

My mom is not as headstrong as Sarah, but she does have her own opinions and she doesn't mind stating them.  She is strong, like Sarah, and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty when there's a job that needs to be done.  She is very loyal and devoted and will stick by you through thick and thin.  She also loves to have fun and be adventurous, though she doesn't always think so.

 

 

I love you, Mommy.  You are one of the most generous and forgiving people I know.  Thank you for your patience with me and your constant example of how to live a Christ-centered, eternity focused life.  You are the sunshine in our home!  And not one of us could do without you!  :)