My friend gave me her ticket to the Seattle Women's Show. At first, I didn't feel going especially since I wouldn't know anyone. But since my friend kept saying, "if you are not going to use the ticket, let me know"...and I didn't want to waste it. So I went.
Surprisingly, I had a good time. There were lots of booths with small businesses, and some interesting break-out sessions.
This one break-out session at the end of the day, was just me and the speaker. So I had 1:1 time with her, and it ended up being the most meaningful. She asked me
1) right now I need ____________
2) today I am ____________
3) tomorrow I will be ____________
and 4) when I see myself in the future I am ________
And with those 4 fill-ins that opened the door for very authentic conversation.
My 4 answers were purpose, alone, busy, and ???
So she dove right in to the purpose answer.
Some tidbits from her were:
Whoever creates the narrative tells the story.
I need to control my narrative.
I need to know how I see myself, and to seek & desire purpose.
I need to take baby steps to manifest that.
Who I am helps me see my future self.
I need to groom myself to meet my future self. Be intentional.
I need to understand who has packed my baggage (airport analogy), and to travel as lightly as possible.
All these nuggets were "wow" to me.
I am sure she was expecting more than just me to show up to her talk. But I sure I am glad that I got this personal time with her. She was inspiring. She challenged me to speak the naked truth, to let my guard down and be authentic.
About Me
- DD
- I was born & raised in Vancouver, BC but now live in suburban Kirkland, WA. I love adventure although I seem to be more cautious since having kids. Scuba diving, sky diving, two safaris in Africa, backpacking Europe, soul-searching in Israel, and the list goes on, have all been in my distant past. Now, my life is about family and raising my kids to love God, love people and serve the world. I have got one talented husband, one angel child, one spirited child, and a large, supportive extended family. Life is good.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
No Rest for the Weary
Conversation with kids today:
Me: "Take a rest." (J's ankle has been hurting from soccer and we were kicking around the ball.)
J: "Rest? There is no rest. Rest is homework. It's eat, sleep and lots of homework. And repeat."
Me: "What about your sister?"
J: "Soccer soccer soccer. I Love Lucy. Fool around. And a little bit of homework. Eat and sleep. More sleep than me. Repeat."
M: "NO! I have to do an hour and a half of Aleks."
J: "That's an hour and a half A WEEK." then calculates in her head..."That's 13 minutes a day! I would love 13 minutes a day of homework, even an hour and a half per day! And I would love to get as much sleep as you."
Me: "Take a rest." (J's ankle has been hurting from soccer and we were kicking around the ball.)
J: "Rest? There is no rest. Rest is homework. It's eat, sleep and lots of homework. And repeat."
Me: "What about your sister?"
J: "Soccer soccer soccer. I Love Lucy. Fool around. And a little bit of homework. Eat and sleep. More sleep than me. Repeat."
M: "NO! I have to do an hour and a half of Aleks."
J: "That's an hour and a half A WEEK." then calculates in her head..."That's 13 minutes a day! I would love 13 minutes a day of homework, even an hour and a half per day! And I would love to get as much sleep as you."
There seems to be an inbalance of homework between schools. That's quite apparent.
I am NOT Jesus
On Saturday, for St. Patrick's Day, I made corned beef in the crockpot. I was told later in the day that my dish was the main meat dish for a party of 15 (dinner was at the Tipp's). Worried that it wasn't enough, I said to my kids, "Oh well, Jesus fed 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves. I should be able to feed 15!" Jaclyn's reply was "You're not Jesus!" So there it is. I am not Jesus.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Great Conversations
I took Madison to a puberty class called "Great Conversations" last week. It was 2, 2-hour, evenings. Madison squirmed and squirmed, told me it was the worst class ever.
On night 1, she was surprised that a "pad" was for the TOTM. All these years, she thought it was a pantiliner.
On night 2, she was quite surprised about the mechanics of baby-making. I thought she knew already. But clearly not. Her response was "What? The guy shoves it up..." Oh boy.
I think the kid is traumatized.
On night 1, she was surprised that a "pad" was for the TOTM. All these years, she thought it was a pantiliner.
On night 2, she was quite surprised about the mechanics of baby-making. I thought she knew already. But clearly not. Her response was "What? The guy shoves it up..." Oh boy.
I think the kid is traumatized.
From the 1900's
Madison played badminton for Kamiakin, her middle school. She and her partner Lucy had been kicking butt and they played and practiced against the Gr 8 varsity players. Last month, we asked her about her school athletic shirts...
Me: "Madison, your badminton shirt is pretty nice, do you get to keep them after the season?"
Madison: "No, I don't like it as much. The other girls got new shirts and I got the old leftover shirts."
Me: "Well, it looks pretty good, what's wrong with them...?"
Madison: "The coach brought an old box from their storage. I think it was back from the 1900s or something. I think it he said 1996!"
I killed myself laughing. My stomach hurt so bad from laughing so much. And she didn't get it. She said, "I know. 1900's!!!"
Me: "Madison, your badminton shirt is pretty nice, do you get to keep them after the season?"
Madison: "No, I don't like it as much. The other girls got new shirts and I got the old leftover shirts."
Me: "Well, it looks pretty good, what's wrong with them...?"
Madison: "The coach brought an old box from their storage. I think it was back from the 1900s or something. I think it he said 1996!"
I killed myself laughing. My stomach hurt so bad from laughing so much. And she didn't get it. She said, "I know. 1900's!!!"
She couldn't figure out why Michael and I were laughing so much....oh, the kids these days!
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
A precious quote from 7 years ago
Madison to me: "I just love you so much, momma. I love you ten, 100, 100 million, all the way up to God, and then all the way to Pluto. Is that a lot? Actually, I love you more than that."
Friday, October 6, 2017
Toddlers are dogs. Teenagers are cats.
“I just realized that while children are dogs—loyal and affectionate—teenagers are cats.
It’s so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, boss it around. It puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.Then, around age 13, your adoring puppy turns into a big old cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.
Instead of dogging your footsteps, it disappears. You won’t see it again until it gets hungry…then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn up its nose at whatever you’re serving, swishing its tail and giving you an aggrieved look until you break out the tuna again.
When you reach out to ruffle its head in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare as if it is trying to remember where it has seen you before.
You, not realizing your dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong with it. It seems so antisocial, so distant, sort of depressed. It won’t go on family outings. Since you’re the one who raised it, taught it to fetch, stay and sit on command, you assume you did something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.
Only now you’re dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now has the opposite result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, wringing your hands, the more it moves away.
Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you must learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door and let it come to you. But remember that a cat needs your help and affection too. Sit still and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it.
One day your grown up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say,
“You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you.” Then, you’ll realize your cat is a dog again.”
The 4 Words That Defeat Worry
I was reflecting on Philippians 4:6-7 this morning. It reminds me of the last time I saw my Uncle Willis at Crofton Manor on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Stephen was there, and then Auntie Maye came later.
This is what I shared with Uncle Willis...
You know we all know the Phil 4:6-7 verse about "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Uncle Willis exclaimed, "CLAIM IT".
Ah, but, Uncle Willis, do you know what the 4 words are BEFORE that verse? (I thought I would stump Uncle Bill when I asked him that question, but he got it.) How about you? Do you know the 4 words at the end of verse 5?
...drumroll, please...
It is "THE LORD IS NEAR."
I told Uncle Willis that we should start that popular verse with "THE LORD IS NEAR...Do not be anxious..." By saying that the Lord is near, it takes us out of the equation because it is not our action to not be anxious. But rather, we are not to be anxious because the Lord is near. So when Uncle Willis is not well (stage 4 lung cancer), the Lord is near. When my husband and I don't see eye to eye, the Lord is near. When my kids drive me nuts, the Lord is near. When I miss Auntie Vera, the Lord is near. When I think of my dad and his challenges (and my mom who has to clean up after him), the Lord is near. THE LORD IS NEAR.
Uncle Willis said that he learnt from me, and yes, that he would dwell on the words that THE LORD IS NEAR. I am inspired by his positive spirit, and I know that comes from Christ within him.
That would be the last time I saw my Uncle Willis. He passed away August 23, 2012.
This is what I shared with Uncle Willis...
You know we all know the Phil 4:6-7 verse about "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Uncle Willis exclaimed, "CLAIM IT".
Ah, but, Uncle Willis, do you know what the 4 words are BEFORE that verse? (I thought I would stump Uncle Bill when I asked him that question, but he got it.) How about you? Do you know the 4 words at the end of verse 5?
...drumroll, please...
It is "THE LORD IS NEAR."
I told Uncle Willis that we should start that popular verse with "THE LORD IS NEAR...Do not be anxious..." By saying that the Lord is near, it takes us out of the equation because it is not our action to not be anxious. But rather, we are not to be anxious because the Lord is near. So when Uncle Willis is not well (stage 4 lung cancer), the Lord is near. When my husband and I don't see eye to eye, the Lord is near. When my kids drive me nuts, the Lord is near. When I miss Auntie Vera, the Lord is near. When I think of my dad and his challenges (and my mom who has to clean up after him), the Lord is near. THE LORD IS NEAR.
Uncle Willis said that he learnt from me, and yes, that he would dwell on the words that THE LORD IS NEAR. I am inspired by his positive spirit, and I know that comes from Christ within him.
That would be the last time I saw my Uncle Willis. He passed away August 23, 2012.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Normie Kwong clipped barriers - first Chinese Canadian football player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4lsZ8MbLC8&sns=em
Youtube video. Love hearing Uncle Normie's voice.
Youtube video. Love hearing Uncle Normie's voice.
"Living Legend" was My Uncle.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/norman-kwong-dies-1.3747346
It's been just over a year since Uncle Normie passed away. More and more of the Lee family are slipping away. And this saddens me. Yet, what a special and significant influence all of my aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents have had on me. They have each made me who I am today.
Uncle Normie was special. He was super funny, always teasing me. And yet he had a quiet-nature to him. While he was well-known and famous, he had a "homebody" nature to him. He was content staying at home, watching TV, baking bread and being a devoted family man.
We would go to restaurants, and people would approach him all the time. And he would always greet his fans cordially. Must have been overwhelming for him, especially someone reserved by nature.
People would say, and still say today, I come from "royalty". Or "you're like the Kennedy family but in Canada" because there are so many successful, community-oriented family members of the Lee Clan.
But to me, my family is my family. My Uncle Norm was just my uncle. Football fame was long before I came in the picture. Uncle Normie never flaunted his fame (he didn't have to). He never gave the impression that he was better than anyone else. He was simply someone who worked hard, even with the prejudices he encountered, and succeeded in the process. He had a blessed and fulfilled life.
My kids never knew him in his heyday. They just knew him as a "great uncle". They realized the influence he had on Alberta when they attended his "state funeral". We were driven in limousines with police escorting us on motorcycles. Streets and highways were barricaded for our caravan of limousines. One of my "nieces" said she felt like a rockstar.
Speakers at the service included the current Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, the Premier of Alberta, Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, Wally Buono (football coach), Jim Peplinski (former hockey player). My cousin, Brian, was the emcee. I read Psalm 23. My cousin, Peter, gave the message. It was quite the event. What an experience for my kids. What an honour I had to be his "favourite niece"!!!!
What I have learned from Uncle Normie is that family comes first. That is what stands out most to me. Secondly, dreams can come true if you work hard and overcome your obstacles. Thirdly, greet everyone warmly, kindly and with lots of humour.
Miss you, Uncle Norm. You will always be my "Living Legend".
It's been just over a year since Uncle Normie passed away. More and more of the Lee family are slipping away. And this saddens me. Yet, what a special and significant influence all of my aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents have had on me. They have each made me who I am today.
Uncle Normie was special. He was super funny, always teasing me. And yet he had a quiet-nature to him. While he was well-known and famous, he had a "homebody" nature to him. He was content staying at home, watching TV, baking bread and being a devoted family man.
We would go to restaurants, and people would approach him all the time. And he would always greet his fans cordially. Must have been overwhelming for him, especially someone reserved by nature.
People would say, and still say today, I come from "royalty". Or "you're like the Kennedy family but in Canada" because there are so many successful, community-oriented family members of the Lee Clan.
But to me, my family is my family. My Uncle Norm was just my uncle. Football fame was long before I came in the picture. Uncle Normie never flaunted his fame (he didn't have to). He never gave the impression that he was better than anyone else. He was simply someone who worked hard, even with the prejudices he encountered, and succeeded in the process. He had a blessed and fulfilled life.
My kids never knew him in his heyday. They just knew him as a "great uncle". They realized the influence he had on Alberta when they attended his "state funeral". We were driven in limousines with police escorting us on motorcycles. Streets and highways were barricaded for our caravan of limousines. One of my "nieces" said she felt like a rockstar.
Speakers at the service included the current Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, the Premier of Alberta, Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, Wally Buono (football coach), Jim Peplinski (former hockey player). My cousin, Brian, was the emcee. I read Psalm 23. My cousin, Peter, gave the message. It was quite the event. What an experience for my kids. What an honour I had to be his "favourite niece"!!!!
What I have learned from Uncle Normie is that family comes first. That is what stands out most to me. Secondly, dreams can come true if you work hard and overcome your obstacles. Thirdly, greet everyone warmly, kindly and with lots of humour.
Miss you, Uncle Norm. You will always be my "Living Legend".
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Today I have a teenager!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Old words that still touch my heart...
After what Johanna said to me about Madison tonight, it reminded me of this very touching moment...
A few days after my dad passed away (wow, almost 4 years ago), Madison saw me paralyzed with grief. I remember she looked me straight in the eyes and held my cheeks and said...
"I am so sorry, momma. Gung Gung is still with us. He was so good to everyone. And he loved everybody especially you. But it was his time to die. He was in the hospital too long. Sometimes it's sad but Gung Gung doesn't want you to be sad. I know it's very hard.
Momma, when you cry, I cry, too. I don't know why. When I see people cry, sometimes I cry too."
Madison was only 6 years old.
A few days after my dad passed away (wow, almost 4 years ago), Madison saw me paralyzed with grief. I remember she looked me straight in the eyes and held my cheeks and said...
"I am so sorry, momma. Gung Gung is still with us. He was so good to everyone. And he loved everybody especially you. But it was his time to die. He was in the hospital too long. Sometimes it's sad but Gung Gung doesn't want you to be sad. I know it's very hard.
Momma, when you cry, I cry, too. I don't know why. When I see people cry, sometimes I cry too."
Madison was only 6 years old.
Teacher Compliments
Johanna, Madison's 5th grade teacher, said such wonderful things about Madison tonight. She even got teary-eyed talking about Madison.
Johanna said, "I know you must know this already about Madison. Madison has such a grounded moral compass and yet she is spunky & fun. I can trust that Madison will do what is right, even if she was in a closet by herself. I am Madison's biggest fan and I am going to miss her when she leaves."
She also said that Madison has a high EQ (emotional quotient) and is very generous.
THAT'S MY GIRL!
Johanna said, "I know you must know this already about Madison. Madison has such a grounded moral compass and yet she is spunky & fun. I can trust that Madison will do what is right, even if she was in a closet by herself. I am Madison's biggest fan and I am going to miss her when she leaves."
She also said that Madison has a high EQ (emotional quotient) and is very generous.
THAT'S MY GIRL!
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