Holly J Campbell

I open with a disclaimer that my credentials and experience that warrant giving advice come only from having lived on the earth for a number of decades. So in no particular order, here goes…

If you are a parent, pray for your kids. Pray with your kids. In the car, in the grocery store, on walks, when you wake up in the middle of the night. You get the idea, right? There is never a wrong time to pray for or with your kids. They may remember those times, they may not – that’s not the point. Pray!

Take the scenic route. If this means leaving earlier, so be it. Seeing a different landscape, landmark, or landform can add joy and curiosity. It’s not always possible, there may not be a scenic route available, time and responsibilities are factors. I get that. But if possible, whenever possible, take the scenic route.

Use the paper. Does anyone else collect paper? There is just something about handmade papers, scrapbook papers, all of it! The colors, sound (yes, that crinkly sound – you know what I’m talking about!), textures are all beautiful! But don’t save it for that “some day” when you have time to plan out your project and have the table organized and no interruptions, and… Have fun. Create. Make a mess. Why did you buy the paper? Was it for a specific purpose? No? Even better! Tear it up, paint your thoughts on it. Use the paper.

Use the _________[fill in the blank] – nice pens, good silver, cloth napkins, guest towels, expensive coffee, etc.

I know others have said this. What is the point of gathering supplies or having nice things if we can’t use them. Or really, we don’t allow ourselves to use them. Nice pens will run out of ink. But was the ink used to write a thank you to a friend who dropped off a meal when you were sick? Was there a check written to pay for utilities to keep your house warm so you could have guests over? And when those guests were over, did you pull out the cloth napkins and good silver to show your appreciation for their friendship?

We – I’ll speak for myself here, assuming I’m not the only one – I know I have things that I’ve collected but hate to use. What happens when they’re used up or gone? What if I can’t get them again? Is the point of having them just to look at them, dust them off every now and again, try to remember where I put them? Or is the point to enjoy them for the purpose they were created.

I have a cut and assemble paper model of Paul Revere’s house that my mom got for me a couple of years ago. I don’ t know if they make them anymore. Should that keep me from cutting up the pages and piecing them together? Until recently I would say, yes. But the reason Mom sent it was because I like working with paper. I like putting things together. I have since I was little. I’m not an official collector of anything, so I don’t think I’m in the school of “this will grow in value”. I’m in the school of the thought for this gift was so I could have fun putting it together, and I can thank Mom for the joy, curiosity and gratitude I feel while putting it together.

Make that phone call, send that text, or email, or letter. Now this is a little more cautious. If you have a friend or sibling, or relative that you haven’t heard from in a while, and there isn’t anything serious preventing it, send a “hello” or “thinking of you” message (in your format of choice – or their format of choice). Literally just a “Hi, you came to mind recently and I wanted to just say hello.” When all is said and done, life can be short. Some of us are blessed with more days than others, but don’t let too much time pass before you reconnect. Even if they don’t respond, you’ve taken the step.

Read children’s books. No, seriously! I’ve collected children’s books since I was in college. Before I had any inkling of getting married or having kids. They are so many things: beautiful, colorful, funny, fun, serious, historical, magical, imaginative, and on and on. They put into simple words and images, so many human emotions. They help us understand each other. They give us an opportunity to disappear into a world of imagination and adventure. If you read them out loud (to your kids or grandkids, or kids at the library) you get to have fun making up voices that will hang in the memory of those kids. It helps them see that grown-ups don’t have to be serious all the time. I still remember one of the books my grandma would read to me when I was little.

For Mom: Go to the library. Don’t just find it, visit it. Regularly. Get a library card. Get a museum pass. Ask questions. Explore. This is one I have to work on myself. I know where the library is in the town we recently moved to, but I have yet to visit it. There are so many resources available, events they sponsor, and you know, books to read (or listen to)! In the next few days my plan is to go and get a library card, explore the building, and maybe check out a book or two!

Is there anything I’ve missed? Anything you would offer?