It's a Bird...it's a what?!

In the car the other day, my son asked which super power I'd like.

I thought about that for a moment.

I don't think I'd like to fly as I'm afraid of heights.

I don't think I'd want to be super-strong. My phone would be ringing off the hook with 'friends' who would want me to move their pianos and sofabeds.

On the other hand, super-flexibility would be neat. I'd be very impressive in a Yoga class. And scratching that hard-to-reach spot between my shoulder blades would no longer be a problem!

But that's not the power I'd like.

I would like to read minds.

"Are you sure?" my husband asked, "Do you really want to know what people are thinking?"

"Oh, I'm pretty confident that I already know what most people are thinking," I replied. "I don't think I'd be surprised."

"Do you know who I'd be?" my daughter asked.

"Batman." I responded.

"That's right!" she sounded surprised. "How'd you know?"

I'd know that little piece of information because we had just searched all over the Mall for Batman pajamas. Found some super hero ones, but no Batman.

"Guess what I'm thinking now?" my son said.

"You're hungry. You want something to drink...not water. Soda. And you want to play video games when we get home. But not just any video games. The ones that you got from Jay on Sunday."

His jaw dropped. He whistled lowly.

"How did - wow Mom. Are you sure you're not a super hero?"

Don't be deceived though. Although I'm pretty pleased with my powers of observation and listening...I'm not always that good.

The other night I was working on about fourteen thousand different projects at once. Didn't even notice if my family was at home or not. In fact, if you'd asked me then what they were thinking...well, my mind was elsewhere. I was too wrapped up in my own stuff to pay attention.

Sadly, sometimes that kind of night can turn into a week...or longer. We can get so disconnected from each other that we almost have to start over and introduce ourselves.

"Hi. I'm Carrie. I'm the Mom and wife."

"Oh...yeah. I thought you looked familiar." my husband nodded. "I'm Steve. Husband and father." We shook hands. "Nice home we have here." I said, awkwardly trying to start a conversation.

"Have you met our dog?"

"We have a dog? When did that happen?"

Okay, so that might be a slight exaggeration, but I think you get the point.

My daughter just got her drivers permit. I think to myself, "When did she get to be this age?" Time is moving so fast! Before long she'll be on her own and everything!

Enjoy your time with your family. I realize that they can be some of the most difficult folks to deal with...on the other hand, they won't be around forever. Make the most of your moments together and listen to each other. Maybe you'll become a mind reader.

As for me, I'm now seriously considering time travel as a super power.

No thanks necessary!

The dream is always the same.

I walk into the kitchen and find Speedy (our big dog) cooking a meal next to Emeril. "Bam!" I hear Emeril say. "Bark!", replies Speedy. What they're preparing looks suspiciously like Gravy Train, but actually smells pretty good. I hear a feminine, delicate "Arf!" behind me and I turn to see Nina (our smaller dog) setting the table.

What follows next is my amazed gazing at a group of hounds and pups gorging themselves on a feast that they've helped prepare. After dinner, a few of them sit around the table and play poker. I take a picture of them. It becomes a huge seller and I become a millionaire. Then I wake up.


It's not a bad dream. But it's not reality.

My reality is as follows: I wake up and stumble blindly into the kitchen. Before I can start the coffee I scoop out some food into the dog dish and give the 'camels' some fresh water. Otherwise, it feels as if I am taking my life into my own hands as I'm surrounded by a pack of wolves!

For some reason, I seem to be the only one in our house that's certifiable....er...certified to feed and water the pets. For some reason, I have to tell the two-legged creatures living with me to do this simple thing. I think that my family believes that 'feeding the dogs' somehow falls under "Mom's Job Description". Listen to me. Just because I taught Speedy to speak doesn't mean I taught him to pour water. I say this over again and again. Speedy is the only one that answers back.

It can be very frustrating, can't it? The feeling of "I am the only one that has to do this!" Each morning I will selfishly think, "If I don't feed those dogs...no one will!" And then the ugliness occurs. I start thinking about ALL THE THINGS I DO for everyone else...and how NO ONE does anything for me!!

It's a lie. I should know better. You should too! Let's face it...we all feel that way once in a while. However, it takes some of us a longer time to stop feeling that way.

Here's something that helps: Do something for someone else without expecting a thank you.

"But Carrie!" I hear you protest, "That's EXACTLY what happens! I do things for others all the time and don't get thanked! How will that be helpful!?"

The problem isn't the lack of thanks. The problem is the expectation of thanks. What's motivating you to do things?

Sometimes I struggle with doing things for others so that they will do things for me. And that's NOT EXACTLY what we're supposed to do.

We're supposed to treat folks the way we'd like to be treated.

My friends, I encourage you to do one selfless thing this week for someone else. Here's an idea: Feed the dogs without being asked to feed them!

If you've taught them to speak, you just might get an unexpected Scooby Doo-ish "Rank Roo" in return!!