It’s Been A While…
Yeah, like, what…three months? Almost four? For those anxious fans out there who check this site daily for updates, thank you for your undying loyalty and I’m sorry for my silence. I know you hang on my every word and I certainly don’t mean to let you down.
So you all are probably waiting with baited breath to hear about all of the incredibly relevant goings-on that have transpired over the course of my absence. What wisdom does Mitch have for us this time? What has been so consuming that he has virtually disappeared from the radar of SomethingCooley.com for so long? What has been absorbing his time so? Surely he is going to spew something crafty, something sage-like, something that will change the course of our lives forever.
The truth is, I’m not sure what to say. I just didn’t want to leave you all hanging any longer.
It’s not like there hasn’t been anything going on. I mean, life has its twists and turns and in a blended household with five children, there is never a dull moment. School has begun again so the kids have embarked on yet another year of the meaningless chaos that is public school. My frustrations in that arena are only increasing and I am hoping beyond hope that we will be able to bring the kids home soon for the remainder of their education. In the meantime, however, the kids are enjoying some extra-curricular activities this year that are a little better thought out than last year. Our eldest has taken up the cello and we are very excited about the proposition of her pursuing the arts, especially in music. Consequently, her competitive younger sister has also decided she wants in on the action and has picked up my guitar and the “how to” book I have used. She actually is doing a decent job of teaching herself. Time will tell if this is going to be more than just a passing fancy though. Apart from that, she has joined the culinary club and is learning some tricks of the trade in cooking. She seems to have taken a strong fancy to cooking and I’m glad to see her pursuing something she enjoys so much. I am encouraged by the girls finding their feet a bit and pursuing their interests. It is what I have been trying to instill in them for years now; to own their educational pursuits. To watch it begin to happen is immensely satisfying.
My oldest son just turned the corner in his childhood; moving from little kid to big kid and is now 7. He is still in that awkward transition phase and is still struggling with motivation and focus. We are trying to remain patient in the process though. Parenting small children is chock full of hassles and challenges. It’s still the most rewarding job in the world, but the difficulties can be unmatched at times. Add to that the blended family dynamic and needless to say, we have our share of stresses.
So apart from that, we are just trying to get through the day to day. Our respective histories continue to haunt us, we continue to struggle through the emotional issues attached to them, and hopefully along the way, we won’t exasperate our children too much. Life has been rather exhausting of late and I don’t mind telling you, I could use a break. With the autumn here in full force, I’m hoping to have some time for a little relaxation. This is, after all, my favorite time of year and often a cause for reflection. Hopefully, in the midst of the craziness, the insanity of modern politics that continues to rage on in the news, the ludicrous assertions made by the prevailing education system and scientific community, and all of the things in our culture that serve to distract a rational thinking person from being able to focus on what is important; there will be some moments of silence and solitude where the world turns a little slower and things are just quiet enough to hear the wind dislodge the leaves from their moorings.
Every passing fall I wish a little harder that we could afford some land in the country where I can hear myself think. I long to raise my family in a place where you don’t hear the traffic rolling by every few seconds. With so many voices clamoring for attention, I long to just shut it all out, quietly work with my hands, and raise my family in peace. Lord willing, the time is coming when that peace will prevail. Then again, I also have to remember Jesus’ words, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world!” Ah yes…true peace…
Peace be with you.