Looking back I remember always being in control of myself, and being comfortable in the fact that I knew where I was going and where I was going to end up in my lifetime. Then all of a sudden I outgrew my teenage years and somewhere along the way I got my brain handed back to me, not exactly sure when that happened or even if it has happened yet, but I have come to realize that things sure look different now than they did then.
Looking back everything was so easy, jobs were easy to find and if I didn’t like what I was doing I could always find another job, yeah-right sounds easy doesn’t it? Actually I had a hand in helping my Mom care for my younger siblings, Mom and I went in together and rented a trailer which she paid rent one week and I the next, she bought groceries one week and I the next, Mom had finally gotten up the nerve to end a bad marriage and I stepped in to help her get on her feet so to say, she wasn’t a bad Mom or anything like that she just needed a little help that she never asked for and I was the oldest, I guess it would have been easy for me to move out and leave her with one less mouth to feed but that wouldn’t have been the right thing to do in my opinion.
Looking back we did pretty well, we had food on the table and the rent was paid, my brother who is a year younger than me got married and moved out so that made it a little easier to meet the grocery bill, one of the hardest things I ever had to do was once while buying groceries I had both my little Sisters with me and the oldest loved these Marshmallow cookies, I promised her she could have a pack and she picked one up, when we got to the register I was so embarrassed standing there counting out the money knowing darn well I didn’t have enough to pay the bill, now with disgusted looks and snide comments coming from the people waiting behind us I had to make the choice of what to put back, heck I was just a teenager at the time and the little sisters were unaware fully of what was going on but the thing that made me feel worst of all was that the marshmallow cookies were one of the things that had to be put back, Sissy never fussed but the look on her face just killed me, next trip to the store those marshmallow cookies were the first thing in the basket and I made sure I had the money for them. I finally moved out when Mom found the Love of her life and began a new chapter with a man who treated her well. The girls both grew up and have families of their own and as you all know I have a good life with Cindy.
Looking back I see a lot of life lessons that teach us simple things like life is not fair and others that teach you life is good because of those lessons showing you that life is not always easy. I really have no point here other than Looking back does no more than remind you of where you came from, to be truly happy you need to look forward because there are better things coming your way, looking back you can’t change anything, but looking forward you can adjust to what you see coming and enjoy what you have now.
Always look forward and plan for new things, look back once in a while to remember but don’t dwell on things that don’t matter, Life is a blessing and if you can live it without worry then your life will be filled with joy, if you let worry consume your thoughts then life will pass you by before you know it.
Looking back I wonder if Sis has any marshmallow cookies in her cookie jar right now?
"Always look forward and plan for new things, look back once in a while to remember but don’t dwell on things that don’t matter, Life is a blessing and if you can live it without worry then your life will be filled with joy, if you let worry consume your thoughts then life will pass you by before you know it." - AWESOME
ReplyDeleteYou got it right. The future always has precedence over the past....and if you fill that future with happiness, the world is yours. Enjoyed this Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteI would not be who I am today if not for what I learned back then.. This is a wonderful example of perseverance and determination to have a happy life. I love your blogs, Jimmy (and nice new pic too)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great man you were to your sister about the cookies...and I am glad you mom found a good man as well.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things you always include in your blog is the phrase "so to say" which I love and endears you to me. I have decided not to look back, not to look forward but to look at right where I am today. I find this works best for me these days. But your optimism about the future is one of your greatest assets and is always an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteNever look back, something might be gaining on you!
ReplyDeleteI have real problems looking forward. Heck, I have problems just living in the moment, but I do love the inspiration you provide.
Love that picture of you, you handsome devil. Don't tell Cindy I said that, she might hurt me.
Sometimes I look back and see God's plan unfolding by the choices he gave me. It amazes me what I got out of something that seemed so hard at the time but ended up such a blessing. I don't have any regrets. Looking forward and looking up.
ReplyDeleteSuch a tough post Jimmy, very sad, but what a great ending and I bet she DOES have some kind of cookies in her pantry. :-)
It's funny how you can look back on lifes trials and tribulations, and find perspective... you are the great man you are today because you were taught to appreciate life. I can relate to you on this one, reminds me a little of my childhood (and present) not exactly, but there are similarities, and its funny, I look back and I don't remember the toy my mom wasnt able to buy me, I remember the fun activities she would give us, or the funny little notes in my lunch box...
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written Jimmy! Having the responsibility at a young age, gave you the integrity that you have today. We always have life's lessons, but its great when we remember them. You certainly did! Susan :)
ReplyDeleteThank You Kristy, Life is a blessing but a lot of folks fail to see that
ReplyDeleteAmen Jerry, “The future always has precedence over the past....and if you fill that future with happiness, the world is yours” Glad you enjoyed it my Friend.
Hey Lynne, So many of us have learned the hard way so to say, but that as you pointed out makes us who we are, I’m proud to have you along for the ride here, Thank You.
Thank You Joe, Yes Sir this man treated her very well, I was proud to see her find him.
Hey Susie, I guess I never noticed on that phrase, just comes out I suppose :) “I have decided not to look back, not to look forward but to look at right where I am today” there is nothing wrong with that, I suppose you have to know where you have been to see where you are going but look at where you are to stay on track, Nice way to look at it.
Ms A, “Never look back, something might be gaining on you!” there you go I’d rather wait until it’s here to deal with it :) I am happy for you to see some meaning in my ramblings they work for me and I suppose we are all pretty much the same, gotta love that.
Cindy said she would send me to you but would be afraid you would just ship me back :^0
Hey Ange, It’s funny how hard a lot of things we went through seemed at the time but looking back turned out very good, we make wishes for things to have been different but the Good Lord always gives us just what we can handle, we just have to be smart enough to follow.
I bet she has plenty of cookies now days :^)
Good Morning Sarah, the trials and tribulations we go through either on our own or with our family is a life lesson if we see it that way, we can either be beaten down or see a way around them, stepping over is fun too but in the end we are all going to be just fine and the memories of the fun your Mom gave you is a blessing, she sounds like a wonderful person.
Thank You Susan, Having that responsibility back then just seemed normal, I look back and see how other people lived but would not change what I went through because of the lesson I feel I learned :)
You were a wonderful son to step up and take on responsibility. And the fact that you still think of your sisters face when denied her marshmallow cookies warms my heart. I hope I instill some of these traits into my sons.
ReplyDeletePerspective is a wonderful thing to have.
What a great son and brother you are! And an obviously equally great husband. Great take on "brother's keeper".
ReplyDeleteHey Kerri, Thank you so much I am sure you will instill more into your sons than you realize :)
ReplyDeleteThank You Peg, I guess this could fall into that category, didn't even know about it until I read yours and SuziCates posts
ReplyDeleteAs always, Jimmy....I'm forever discovering treasures of wealth within your life stories!
ReplyDeleteI try and remember my past, but only to recall the lessons. I look forward to the future, but try my best to live in the present. I find that living in the moment, gives me what I need for the future.
"Life is a blessing and if you can live it without worry then your life will be filled with joy, if you let worry consume your thoughts then life will pass you by before you know it."
Right you are, my friend!
Thank you for sharing!
Excellentpost. You are a wonderful person, glad to know you through Bloggyland!
ReplyDeleteHey Ron, I am glad to see you back my Friend and hope you are feeling much better, I am proud you enjoyed the post and I Thank you for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Thank you so much for your help today and for being the Friend you are :^)
I always like to look back at the things that shape and molded me, I also like to marvel in the fact that I made it through and survived, alive to live another day.
ReplyDeleteAmen Heather, Looking back shows us how we got where we are and good, bad, or indifferent it is who we are and we have to appreciate being here :)
ReplyDelete