Know how sometimes bad things seem to happen all at once? We had a week like that two weeks before Christmas.
On Monday we found out that a good friend had been killed in a farm accident. Wednesday we found out that good friends were having marital problems. Thursday a good friend told me that her (barely!) 15-year old daughter was (GULP) pregnant! Then Friday, a very good friend collapsed and died, totally unexpectedly.
I still do not understand (and probably never will) why all of these events happened, and I don't know why they all had to happen right before Christmas (every one of those things is hard enough to cope with any time of year, but I always think it's more difficult right before Christmas) . . .
When we went to the visitation of one of the men who died (he was only in his 40's, has two kids still in high school), his wife looked at us and said, through her tears, "Do not ever, ever, take anything for granted!" I guess that is one lesson that we all need to be reminded of.
The unexpected pregnancy totally shocked my kids; they knew the girl years ago. I hope and pray that it brings home to my kids something Tim and I have been telling them for years--doing something they shouldn't (not "just" sex, but drinking, texting while driving, cheating, etc., etc., etc) even "just one time," can have life-long consequences. I pray that my friend and her daughter will make the best choices for the baby and themselves! I'm thankful that they are honoring the life of the baby and didn't take what might seem the "easy" way out in abortion.
The pregnancy also reminded Tim and I that we need to talk to Cody and Morgan about these things, even when it's difficult and maybe embarassing (for them and for us!). We need to tell them in no uncertain terms what our beliefs are and what is "right." Of course, that is no guarantee that our kids will do (or not do) what we want them to . . . it's a rather scary part of being a parent to realize that no matter how much we talk to our kids, how much we check up on them, and so on . . . they are becoming independent and making their own decisions. We pray they are wise decisions, and pray that we are setting a good example for them.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Spring sunrise in Nebraska
It was a long, cold, wet winter!
Surviving the middle stage of motherhood--the teenage years!
About Me
- Editor and Publisher Shelly Burke
- Central Nebraska, United States
- The Nebraska Family Times is a monthly pro-family, pro-life newspaper. We cover local, state, and national news and events from a Christian point of view. We feature articles by local and nationally known authors, who write about topics ranging from home organization to family life to spiritual life. The Nebraska Family Times also features book and CD reviews as well as news about upcoming Christian events. For a FREE sample issue of the Nebraska Family Times, e-maail shelly@shellyburke.net
More about me . . .
I have always loved being a moms. And I've enjoyed every stage my kids have been through . . . but I don't want to go back to any of those stages, either.
Our kids--a 16 year-old boy and 14 year-old girl--are at a neat age. They each have their own point of view and can discuss current issues and life plans. It's a little scary sometimes to realize that my time with them is almost over . . . my husband and I have worked hard to instill our values in our kids, but they're to the point where they're making their own decisions . . . we pray that they make wise ones.
As well as a mom, I'm an author, and a nurse. I've worked in many areas of nursing, and was blessed to be a mostly at-home mom. I currently work several short shifts every week at a private duty job.
I've written several books; see "About Shelmar Publications" at the bottom of this page for the titles of the books, or go to http://www.shellyburke.net/ to read excerpts. Check out my blog for beginning writers there, too!
Our kids--a 16 year-old boy and 14 year-old girl--are at a neat age. They each have their own point of view and can discuss current issues and life plans. It's a little scary sometimes to realize that my time with them is almost over . . . my husband and I have worked hard to instill our values in our kids, but they're to the point where they're making their own decisions . . . we pray that they make wise ones.
As well as a mom, I'm an author, and a nurse. I've worked in many areas of nursing, and was blessed to be a mostly at-home mom. I currently work several short shifts every week at a private duty job.
I've written several books; see "About Shelmar Publications" at the bottom of this page for the titles of the books, or go to http://www.shellyburke.net/ to read excerpts. Check out my blog for beginning writers there, too!
Spring sunrise in Nebraska
My Favorite "Mom" and Parenting Books
My Favorite Books--Just for Fun! (OK, some are 'useful' and educational, too!)
- Sink Reflections (full of simple but very helpful organizing and housecleaning tips)
- Fantastic after 40! The Savvy Woman's Guide to Her Best Season of Life
- Fork it Over; The Intrepid Adventures of a Professional Eater
- Is it Hot in Here or is it Me? The Complete Guide to Menopause
- The Woman Who is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach
Ice storm
It was a long, cold, wet winter!
About Shelmar Publications . . .
I've always dreamed of being a writer. Somewhere, there is a manuscript for a novel I began when I was in gradeschool! It's written in pencil in a wide-ruled spiral notebook. I don't remember what the book was about . . . but I do remember the joy of writing it.
My dream has come true now, in that I've written and published three books! Check out my website at http://www.shellyburke.net/ to read excerpts of How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing, Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home, and What Should I Say? The Right (and Wrong!) Words and Deeds for Life's Sticky, Tricky, Uncomfortable Situations. There's also a blog for aspiring writers. Check it out!
My dream has come true now, in that I've written and published three books! Check out my website at http://www.shellyburke.net/ to read excerpts of How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing, Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home, and What Should I Say? The Right (and Wrong!) Words and Deeds for Life's Sticky, Tricky, Uncomfortable Situations. There's also a blog for aspiring writers. Check it out!
No comments:
Post a Comment