Mrs. Kolks: They did great today. They sometimes can’t stand each other, but they hate being apart.
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Me (in car): You guys should probably make some new friends so you’re not always fighting in school.
Littlest Ginger (disgusted at the suggestion): But we love each other.
Littlest Ginger’s BFF: I love Jack the most of all my friends.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30
It is so interesting how I can learn something completely differently about a concept I have been reading about for years. The yoke is a reference to all the laws the Jews had to abide by– the laws of the land and the laws of their spiritual leadership. Jesus says “take MY yoke” and encourages us to learn from him and no one else…
Stop trying to please others, stop coping with the burdens of life on your own; the panacea is in Jesus. He is the one who can help us overcome these burdens and live freely.
Me: <Ginger4>, what happened at school today?
<Ginger4>: Nothing
Me: Did you talk back to Mrs. Kolks?
<Ginger4>: Actually, yes.
Me: What did you do?
<Ginger4>: I wasn’t using “bucket filling words.”
Me: Did you apologize?
<Ginger4>: SHE said sorry to me.
Me: Oh, did you apologize to her?
<Ginger4>: Yeah, that too.
Though we might have different approaches to accomplish the same things, Paul is way more amazing at capturing those fun learning moments with our kids. He seizes every opportunity to teach them, much like his parents did for him. He is purposeful in “putting out fires” with the kids, helping them view bigger pictures, choose the right course of action, or even get over themselves at times. He has a different level of caring patience that I admire. This P&G Day with Dad is just a snapshot of one of these opportunities. He juggled his travel and busy work schedule to accommodate this day because he knows its importance to our kids. They had first time, and maybe once-in-a-lifetime, experiences and all three of them look back on this memory as special, impactful, and educational. Time with their dad is never boring! They are lucky to have him. They have so much love for him.
Even while on hospice, my dad sat in his recliner smiling and enjoying the chaos around him, despite his pain. I know he adored being a dad and loved being a grandpa even more. I found some time today to imagine him reunited with the four grandchildren he already knew well and the six more who came after his death. I know he’d still be smiling. Happy Father’s Day to all the smiling dads out there!
I swerved my car a bit and said, “woah!” And the Littlest Ginger asked what happened if I went off the road, and I listed a few possibilities, one of which was I could get stuck in the mud. He asked if I could get arrested, and I said maybe. Smarty pants decided that a tow truck could get here faster than the police and I wouldn’t get captured.
We were at Ginger1’s soccer game and the Littlest Ginger says, “Daddy, I have to go potty.” Paul responds, “Hold on, Buddy. I will take you.” And I said as I was turning around to nudge him, “You better go fast or he’s going to just pee right here in front of and in the middle of this crowd of people.” And sure enough, there was Ginger4, pants at his ankles, peeing right where he was. People looked at me, horrified, and Paul reassured them by saying, “He’s number four,” and it was like everyone immediately knew the implication…
Santa’s presents greeted us when we arrived home. At the end of the unwrapping, Ginger2 announced, “Santa outdid himself this year!”
Sprinkles of Ginger 