What I Learned This Spring

by Lois Flowers

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy—or so the old song goes.

Easy isn’t quite how I’d describe what’s been going around here, though. We haven’t eased into summer break; we’ve charged ahead with all cylinders at full throttle. All the cylinders of my minivan’s poor engine, that is—the same vehicle that logged a grand total of 15 round trips to Lilly’s ballet school last week.

possum

Sounds crazy, I know. But that’s what happens when your daughter volunteers at a morning theater camp and then returns later in the day to participate in long rehearsals for the school’s upcoming performances of Cinderella.

It’s all good, but it doesn’t leave much time for focused writing. So today, I’m going to take a cue from all those “What I Learned in May” blog posts I saw last week and offer up my own little summary of recent observations. Since it covers more than a month, let’s just call it “What I Learned This Spring.”

possum on fence• Possums can climb straight up tree trunks and walk along the top of wooden fences. They also don’t mind when you take pictures of them in your backyard.

• Accidentally hitting publish on a blog post that you’ve barely started writing is momentarily embarrassing, but it’s not the end of the world.

• It is entirely possible to break your foot and not feel any pain at all unless you are trying to walk (or so I’m told).

• Perennials in your flowerbeds that originated in someone else’s garden produce the loveliest blooms.

• After you spend years avoiding nearly all forms of social media, joining the Twittersphere (@loisflowers16) is not nearly as complicated or scary as you thought it would be.

• When your OneWord for the year is satisfied, you had better prepare yourself for an onslaught of opportunities to be just the opposite.

• Choosing to outfit an entire basement wall in floor-to-almost-ceiling bookshelves is one of the best decorating decisions you will ever make.

• And who knew that listening to your 11- and 14-year-old daughters argue about who gets to go to Lowe’s with Dad on Saturday morning could bring you so much joy?

• The hardest part of teaching a class for women at your church is not the actual teaching, nor the actual preparing. It’s the mental and emotional battles that sometimes result from doing what you’ve been called to do.

• You might think that when one daughter finishes elementary school and the other daughter finishes middle school at the same time, you would be awash in sadness and sentimentality. But after witnessing all kinds of fascinating growth in each of them in recent months, you might actually find that you are quite looking forward to the next chapters in both of their lives.

• Friendships among people who share a love of books and reading are among the best friendships of all.

• Understanding from someone who was once where you are is a rare and precious gift.

• When you’re all out of words, it’s OK not to say anything at all.

Lois Flowers

P.S. Linking up this week with Katie M. Reid at #RaRaLinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory, Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your Heart, Lyli Dunbar at #ThoughtProvokingThursday, Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday and Dawn Klinge at Grace & Truth.

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26 comments

Aimee Imbeau June 16, 2016 - 8:51 pm

What a beautiful post, Lois. I especially like the part about perennials that had started in someone else’s garden…something I’ll be reflecting on for some time.
Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.

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Lois Flowers June 19, 2016 - 4:43 pm

It’s true, Aimee. When I walk through my flowerbeds and see the peonies from my parents’ former house, or the bachelor’s buttons from my friend Debbie’s house, I can’t help but think of those loved ones and what they mean to me! Have a great week!

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Crystal Twaddell June 15, 2016 - 10:18 am

Let me first say I love opossums! We had one living in a palm tree, and during the hurricane season, when uninvited critters like rats get displaced, this oppossum was a wonderful neighbor. So glad you’ve joined twitter so I can share your messages:) And yes, friendships among friends who love the same books…I so want to join a bookclub!! Love having you share on FreshMarket Friday my new twitter friend:) Hugs, Crystal

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Lois Flowers June 16, 2016 - 8:48 am

So do oppossums eat rats or just chase them away? (So many things to learn, so little time!) I’m so glad you introduced me to your linkup … it’s a bright spot in my week now! And yes, Twitter! You’ve made me feel welcome there too … thank you so much!

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Betsy de Cruz June 12, 2016 - 12:12 pm

Beautiful and cheery, Lois! A breath of fresh air. My summer started with a bang too when we moved. 🙂 I like your opossum! And all the other things you’re learning. (So sorry about that blogging accident. I hope this never happens to me, but I’ll remember you if it ever does.)

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Lois Flowers June 12, 2016 - 9:35 pm

Aw, thanks, Betsy! I’ve never done a list like this before in a blog post so it’s nice to know you enjoyed it! Yeah, the blogging accident was unfortunate but didn’t leave any lasting scars, as far as I can tell! 🙂 So glad you stopped by today!

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Meghan June 11, 2016 - 9:05 am

Louis, this is a great list and I love your perspective! You write beautifully and the possum part made me chuckle out loud. God bless you dear!

Your #freshmarketfriday neighbor~

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Lois Flowers June 12, 2016 - 9:32 pm

Hi Meghan … thank you for your sweet encouragement this week! I’m glad you got a chuckle out of the possum part … it was pretty shocking to see those creatures (there were two of them that day) waddling around our suburban backyard! Have a wonderful evening!

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Sue Donaldson June 10, 2016 - 11:31 am

loved all your list! some day i’ll make one myself. but loved yours in the meantime – satisfied is a great one word. we could use that every year. mine is winsome and it’s time i write on it again. blessings on your kidlets – mine are older and its fun seeing them grow and blossom (but still fight on occasion – that part’s not fun.) Next to you this morning in CA

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Lois Flowers June 12, 2016 - 9:27 pm

Sue, “winsome” sounds like the perfect word for this year … I love it! I need to write about mine again too, more than just a passing mention. Thanks for your kind words … I hope you have a wonderful week!

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Ifeoma Samuel June 10, 2016 - 9:15 am

Lovely reflections for the spring time…wondering how much more you will learn in summer///hmmh
How have you been Lois?
Have an awesome weekend.

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Lois Flowers June 12, 2016 - 5:52 pm

I’m not sure what the summer holds, Ifeoma … I just know that was a lot to cram into the spring! 🙂 So nice to hear from you this week!

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Lisa notes June 9, 2016 - 1:55 pm

I relate to so many things you share here, Lois. Including this: “Choosing to outfit an entire basement wall in floor-to-almost-ceiling bookshelves is one of the best decorating decisions you will ever make.” I wish I had done that! 🙂 Instead, I’m deciding I should start getting rid of books I no longer read to make room for books that are piling up elsewhere.

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Lois Flowers June 9, 2016 - 8:48 pm

Getting rid of books is hard, isn’t it, Lisa? Even if you haven’t cracked them for decades … but maybe it is better to surround ourselves with the ones we love the most and donate the rest someplace. Our shelves aren’t quite done yet, but I think I will keep that in mind as I start filling them up. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!

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Sarah Donegan June 8, 2016 - 3:08 pm

You have certainly been busy! I love hearing that you are looking forward to your girls’ future. We get so caught up in wanting things to stay the same, but there are lots of good things ahead of us!

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Lois Flowers June 9, 2016 - 11:09 am

I think that’s true, Sarah. It’s also easy to dread what’s ahead based on all the terrible things people say about parenting middle schoolers or teenagers or whatever, but I’m learning the good usually outweighs the bad. Plus, I also have to remember what I was like growing up (not always so pleasant, I’m told) and extend grace as much as possible!

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Valerie Sisco June 8, 2016 - 9:57 am

Hi Lois,
I love this post with your grab bag of things learned and especially that pesky possum! What great photos you grabbed of him and welcome to Twitter – -I think you’ll like it once you get going! 🙂 Can’t wait to read what you learn this summer! 🙂

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Lois Flowers June 9, 2016 - 8:45 am

Thank you so much, Valerie. The coolest thing about the possum was that there were actually two of them back there that morning! 🙂 Now that you mention what I’m going to learn this summer, I’m thinking maybe this SHOULD become a seasonal (rather than monthly) list for me. Thanks for the idea!

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Trudy June 7, 2016 - 12:14 pm

You have learned some beautiful lessons this spring, Lois. Thank you for sharing them. I love the possum photos, too! Blessings and hugs to you!

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Lois Flowers June 7, 2016 - 5:27 pm

I thought you might like those pictures, Trudy! It was quite a sight to see them in the backyard (and by “them,” I mean two at the same time)! Have a great week!

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Katie M. Reid June 7, 2016 - 12:11 pm

Have a great summer Lois! Thanks for adding this post to the #RaRaLinkup 🙂

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Lois Flowers June 7, 2016 - 5:26 pm

You too, Katie! Thanks for hosting today.

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Linda Stoll June 7, 2016 - 7:24 am

What a thoughtful monthly review, friend … many lessons and joys all crowded together.

Beautiful.

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Lois Flowers June 7, 2016 - 5:29 pm

Thanks, Linda. It was kind of fun to put it all down in a list … it somehow made the tough parts seem a little less hard, I think! Praying for you and yours today …

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Julie Lefebure June 7, 2016 - 6:31 am

Beautiful lessons, and so true. I’m thankful you shared them with us. I particularly liked the one of your daughters arguing to go with dad to Lowe’s. Precious! Wishing you a great summer! Following you at Kelly’s (or Kate’s) today. Blessings.

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Lois Flowers June 7, 2016 - 5:30 pm

I like that one too, Julie. Trips to Lowe’s are rather frequent around here, so they have plenty of chances to make the trip with him! Thanks for your kind words today. 🙂

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