Mental Health Monday
National Sibling Day was SUN 4/10!!
Since I published a lengthy entry on SUN 4/10 re: the upcoming Hill family reunion in July 2016, I felt obligated to reminisce about growing up with my biological siblings. Is "obligated" the right word? Not really. It was a privilege. Especially for them. I've included some fond memories involving my little sister Carolyn & little brother Mark. I hope I'm not revealing any family secrets! ** Those of you who truly respect my siblings' privacy will cease reading right now! **
** Well, did you?
- Fond Memory #1: Decorating the Christmas tree. Dad usually bought a live tree from Rohman's Grocery Store, located just a few blocks south of us on Main St. in Concordia, MO. Mom often fussed at him, because sometimes [often?] his choice of trees were, shall we say, "thrifty?" Dad would set up the tree & string the lights. The three of us would help hang the ornaments & put on the tinsel as a finishing touch. And Dad was very persnickety(sp?), too! [Maybe that contributed to my OCD?]
- Fond Memory #2: New Year's Eve celebrations. There was a creamery in Concordia, and we would often get a gift basket of cheeses as a Christmas present from it. Dad would also buy "raw-hack" [hackenpeter] from Alewel's. After we got home from church on New Year's Eve [a VERY well-attended communion service!], we would have crackers & cheese & raw-hack. When we "became of legal age," we got to indulge in a high-ball--but only one! We also played pitch, & things could get a little raucous. [Rumors that Dad would sometimes get frustrated at my wild & crazy bids are vastly exaggerated.] We did have to maintain a fairly quiet atmosphere, since we played cards at the dining room table, & Mom typically went to bed, since she was tired from playing organ for the church service.
- Fond Memory #3: Supper time. Until high school activities began to take their toll, we always ate supper together at the dining room table. Here are three highlights for you. (1) Trying to make Mom laugh, especially when she was drinking ice tea, which resulted in her snorting ice tea up her nose. (2) Passing around the vegetables...Carolyn & I had to watch Mark like a hawk. Vegetables were not his favorite, & occasionally he would be "noble" & pass along the platter of vegetables, saying, "I better let everyone else have some first in case there's not enough." No, we never let him get away with it. (3) Family devotions. Remember the time that the phone rang as we were ready to say the Lord's Prayer? Dad walked over to the phone, picked it up, & started reciting the Lord's Prayer. [I think I've blogged about this before.] After reciting "Our Father who art in heaven," he covered the speaker & looked at us with what could best be described as a face of horror. I seem to remember some of us whispering loudly, "Hang up!" [perhaps thinking that maybe whoever called would think that they had accidentally called "Dial a Prayer."] To his credit, Dad steeled himself, picked up the receiver, & said in a calm voice what he always said when he answered the phone..."Leckband speaking."
- Fond Memory #4: Family Vacations. Several highlights: (1) [I may have blogged about this before, too.] When we went on vacation, Dad & Mom gave us each an allowance. We typically spent it on comic books & candy. Carolyn, being a "shrewd investor," so to speak, hung on to her money for who knows what reason. We would barely get a mile or two down the road, and Mark & I would break out our stash of goodies, & Carolyn would hold out her hand expectantly. We would react with incredulity. Mom would make us share. Solution? Carolyn did not like black licorice. Guess who started buying mostly black licorice candies? To this day I can't eat licorice candy without fond memories of family vacations. (2) Colorado highlight A: In the summer of 1971, we traveled to Colorado. It was the first time my siblings & I had seen the mountains. We spent our first night in a motel just outside Dodge City, KS. As we approached Dodge City, Dad pulled off to view a historical marker. The "scenic view" was not visible from the highway. As we topped the rise, the scene [and smell] that unfolded before us was...the largest cattle feedlot that any of us had ever seen. You might say it was a bit of a letdown. (3) Colorado highlight B: In Colorado Springs, we had supper one night at a pizza place. Dad & Mom let the three of us sit at our own table & order our own pizza. What a treat! Of course, we had to agree on the toppings. When the waitress came to take our order, "Mr. Picky Eater" asked if it was possible to order a pizza w/no cheese. I can still remember the look on her face. I can still remember that Carolyn & I were embarrassed. (4) Colorado highlight C: In "Mr. Picky Eater's" defense, he & I walked from our motel into Garden of the Gods after supper one evening, to hike & scramble around on the rock formations. [Apparently Carolyn was their favorite, as the thought of Mark & I being attacked & eaten by wild animals didn't cross their minds.] Unfortunately, I split open my jean shorts. As we walked back to the motel, my loyal & caring little brother walked behind me, sparing me the embarrassment of the thousands of people lined up along the route.
- Fond Memory #5: Backyard Games. Mark & I played a lot of wiffle ball in the backyard. Although the geometric dimensions weren't ideal, thanks to a fence, it was an almost ideal setting. We had rules. For example, when fielding a grounder, you had to say, "One, two, three, you're out," in order for the runner to be out. Naturally there had to be imaginary runners. And naturally I had to let Mark win occasionally. And naturally I also had to assert my status as the alpha male quite often [i.e., act like a jerk]. On more than one occasion. he would get mad when I made a super awesome defensive play or hit a grand slam homer. He would storm into the house, & I would have to follow closely behind & try to placate him. My siblings & I were also able to use the fence to play badminton. Hey, Carolyn! Remember the time you swung at the birdie, missed, & it landed in your mouth? In my little sister's defense, she wielded a pretty mean racket.
To summarize, I can easily justify indulging myself in fond sibling reminiscences in my Mental Health MON blog because (1) it's still my blog; (2) recalling these memories definitely has improved my mental health this morning; and (3) I love my siblings very much. I feel like that always have & continue to have my back & I can still have "heart-to-hearts" with them about just about anything.
"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16
Okay, on to some token Mental Health MON musings . . .
Reasons for Anxiety & Depression?
You may wonder why I keep including excerpts from the Drudge Report, if they cause me anxiety and/or depression. Well, it's like this. I hardly ever read the articles. While it's possible that an article could reassure me, it's just as likely that an article could add to my mood disorder(s). Also, I have pretty much stopped listening to Glen Beck entirely. He's a conspiracist, plus a little bit of a fruitcake, too. Rush Limbaugh? The only chance I get to listen to him is when I happen to be in the car at the right time. Why do I still listen to him, especially when he can get me a little worked up? He amuses me, AND, many of his insights are quite, insightful. Duh.- From Drudge Report (4/6): "How Obamacare made filing taxes worse . . . "
- (4/7): "Govt will soon owe more money than entire economy produces . . . "
- (4/7): "PAPER: Are robots going to steal your job? Probably . . . "
- (4/8): "Economic growth looks bleaker by the day . . . "
- (4/8): "Tech stress: Mindfulness apps doing more harm than good . . . "
- (4/8): "Dog flies plane . . . "
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