The hens were generous today. They gave my daughter two eggs. My daughter wasn't expecting very many eggs. So this has come as a surprise. The hens are sweet and funny.
I didn't grocery shop this week. Maybe you can relate -- when we have a big holiday meal, we often have so many leftovers that there is no need to buy more groceries for a week or more. In fact, I haven't gone anywhere since last Sunday's church service. Now that feels odd to think I didn't leave the neighborhood. The furthest away I went this week was a few houses down from us to visit with the chickens while my daughter added feed and changed their water.
I've continued working in the vegetable and flower garden. Today I planted half of the tomatoes. I'll hold back the other half for a week, as a just in case measure, just in case we get pouring, cold rain, or the critters do damage. I've been planting flower pots with seedlings that I started indoors. This year I started petunias, violas, marigolds, and nasturtiums for flowers. The begonias over-wintered in their pots in the garage. I brought them outside a couple of weeks ago, and they are just now beginning to break the soil.
Today's post isn't just wandering thoughts. I also have a question for you. How do you feel when your grown children give you an expensive gift, or an expensive-for-them gift? Sometimes one or a couple of our kids will give us something that we feel costs more than they should spend on us. We want them to save for their futures. My two daughters bought some glassware for me for Easter. I saw them in the store and thought they were lovely. But I also noted the price tag per glass. They're not super expensive, just expensive for my daughters' stage in life. Oh but they're lovely and go well with our spring dishes. Anyway, I've had a difficult time with this gift. How does it make you feel to be on the receiving end of your grown children's generosity?
I can't believe we're up against the weekend already. What will you do to make this weekend beautiful? I plan on taking a long walk to see all of the neighbors' spring flowers and flowering trees, having a cup of coffee outdoors in the morning, baking a batch of rhubarb muffins, and potting more flowering seedlings on Saturday.
I'm working tomorrow, so making the weekend beautiful will involve providing good care to my patients and enjoying my coworkers. :)
ReplyDeleteOur kids have their own priorities with how and when they spend money, and I have been reminded (especially with my son) that I need to take a step back and let them make their own financial choices. It's helpful for me to recall what I spent money on when I was younger--my choices have definitely shifted over the years. Both of my kids often choose to make gifts rather than purchasing them, but sometimes I have felt badly about the cost of the materials involved in their created gifts. I'm not sure that's a helpful mindset on my part--they seem to be doing fine financially, and I think I should simply appreciate their expression of love. That's a very roundabout way of saying ..... let's just enjoy the generosity they show.
Hi Kris,
DeleteThank you for your thoughts on the topic.
I hope your work day went well and you felt good about your time with patients and coworkers.
My kids are overly generous with gifts for dh and I. We tell them all the time to keep their money for something they want, but it does no good. They are all doing well, so it’s just something I’ve had to accept.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Hi Diane,
DeleteI guess this just might have to be something I need to accept, too. Thank you for your thoughts.
When someone (especially a grown up) gives you a gift, the appropriate response is a resounding Thank You! Not judgement…you’ve raised them well and they are showing you they appreciate it! Keep setting the gracious example you’ve already instilled…😎
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your perspective. I really did thank them and was not judgmental.
DeleteI agree with Anonymous to respond with a "thank you". You raised them well and wanting to give you something extravagant is their way of showing appreciation. I've gotten a gift recently that cost a lot and I felt bad they spent that on me but never said it. I accepted it graciously with a hearty "thank you!"
ReplyDeleteAlice
Hi Alice,
DeleteSo you can relate. Thank you for sharing.