Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Making lemonade...

We've all heard that expression when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! Sometimes the lemons aren't exactly our own.

Life is funny. You live one way for most of it and then age, circumstance or whatever sends you a giant curve ball and things change. That's when it's time to reassess and make lemonade!

My daddy would do anything for almost anyone but not always will he do for himself. What I mean about that is if you knocked on the door and said you were freezing he'd give you his coat, invite you to warm up by his fire and probably feed you. Make sure you were doing well and then send you on your way. He wouldn't give it a second thought. The next morning after realizing he gave away his only coat he would pull out his sweater and go about his day. COLD but again not give it a second thought. I do love this about him.

The Farm
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

BUT for every golden trait we have there seems to be a flaw. My daddy's flaw is he's a wheeler and a dealer. He can't pass up a good deal. That may not sound like a flaw to you, and maybe it's not in general. But, with all these good deals he brings home tons of stuff that we may need someday. My mom loved to have a clean house and she likes pretty things. So, when they were younger my daddy drug it in the front door and my momma quietly drug it out the back door. Making lemonade! It was harmony.
The Farm
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

Then you have to remember where I started this post. How sometimes the lemons aren't your own. Life, time and circumstance change. My mom is very sweet and has worked hard all her life. She worked in the business world, juggled 3 kids, and took care of her husband and her home. That all changed for her and us in 2001. Something went wrong and she got sick. It's never been the same since. We all still love her and do what we can for her but she can do very little for herself these days. Let alone all the things she used to do like drag that stuff my daddy drags in out the back door! So the lemons began to pile up. I knew they were but I was away and it's easy to think of it as not that bad. Then one day my daddy did something he rarely does. He asked for help. So I loaded up the cleaners and my crew (that would be my child labor and hubs!) and drove out to the farm to see what we would see. All I can say is it took a heap of sugar to turn it to lemonade!
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The Farm BEFORE PIC ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
When we got there we were greeted by STUFF! Lot's of stuff. Memories, old and new. Good deals. Duplicates because the original good deal couldn't be found, etc. So, we embraced those lemons and made them our own. Why? Because I love my parents. Because my children love their grandparents and because sometimes life changes and having sweet lemonade is so much better than just dwelling over a large stack of lemons.

The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey





With a little TLC, a few tears, lot's of laughs, and more than a little hard work we mixed it up until it was just right. Until my mom who rarely says anything took a walk around and noticed her pretty things and touched them, admired them and then said "No, Teresa, I don't want you to move that dresser. I like it where I put it!"
The Farm
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
I laughed and smiled. I cried a little for the mom that she used to be and rejoiced that part of that mom is still there. 
The Farm
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
I can't change my daddy and his good deals and bargains found on the side of the road. Chances are if you need something he's got it!
The Farm
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey

I do fret that I am so far away and not close enough to help more. But, I am thankful for the time spent. I am thankful that I can give back a little of my time, because, they have all ways made time for me.
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey


The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
It took a few days to get the task done. The lemonade was sweet and we all got to enjoy the perks of being at a farm. We saw new life. Baby chicks were born while we were there!
The Farm ©Get Inspired with Teresa Stephens Harvey
So enjoy your summer and the chances to make lemonade. ~Teresa







4 comments:

victoriaavara said...

Great blog - so true!

TJ said...

Thank you, Vickie. I know you can relate.

Ann Jones said...

My inlaws have the same problem. I have to go and clean their house about twice a year in order to keep it from turning into chaos :)

Time to Design... said...

@Ann Jones. It's definitely a labor of love. Your in-laws are blessed to have you!