“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder
Jordan wanted to buy a pet with his own money. So, last Friday night we went to the pet store and Jordan bought a brilliant blue Beta fish on sale for $3.99. He named his new friend “Blue Lava” and set up a fine house complete with plastic plants and shiny marbles. After a day the water appeared murky and Blue Lava would not eat. Blue Lava didn’t make it and Jordan grunted with disappointment, “Well…that was a waste of money.”
We went back to the pet store where the owner graciously gave us a second try with a new fish named, “Blue Lava the Second.” Perky and brighter than the first fish, Blue Lava the Second swam around as if pleased with his arrival to a new spot in life (minus any plastic plants in fear these made the water cloudy.). The next morning Steven went to check the fish’s adjustment only perplexed not to find Blue Lava the Second in his bowl. Looking around with surprise, Steven found the fish in the middle of the kitchen floor. Blue Lava the Second had jumped out of his humble abode, flopped across the kitchen counter and maneuvered to the middle of the kitchen floor.
Back at the pet store the owner told us that fish jumping out of bowls is more common than most would think and we went home with “Stripes” a blue-brown looking Beta fish. Jordan assured me this fish would work out otherwise he would be buying a red-eyed white rat. I am praying that Stripes makes it!
I took my bonus daughters to school this morning. Onie was telling Cajsa about a note Madelynn wrote to Santa and how she couldn’t read the way Madelynn spelled some of the words. Jordan translated for her. Onie said, “Jordan can read Maddi’s language. Fluently.”
My children teach me that things in life don’t always go right. They show me that we don’t always understand other people’s languages or perspectives for that matter. Whatever the situation, we must keep trying. Be honest with ourselves and those around us. I like what Laura Ingalls Wilder says, “…have courage when things go wrong.” I would like that we must seek to understand even if those around us are misspelling the words.
