Wednesday, April 14, 2010

L is for...Living and Loving My Life

Childhood…Growing up in the house I did was difficult to say the least. Children were expected to be seen and not heard, to look neat and tidy, and to behave at all times. My parents loved me; they were just unprepared and inexperienced at being in charge of wee ones. My brother and I are about a year and four months apart, me being the youngest. My brother was the typical big brother in that he liked to play tricks on me, like with the bees I wrote about here . All in all I had a good childhood, my parents loved me, they provided for me nicely, and I felt relatively safe.


Teen yearsAs a teenager I felt alone, and misunderstood. My father and I did not get along at all, and I did not make it easy on him. If a day went by and I was not getting lectured, my dad was probably on the road. He was a truck driver some of the time and a pastor at other times. We were members of mostly conservative Baptist Churches and when I say conservative, I do mean conservative. For example girls did not wear pants, or makeup, and men wore buttoned shirts with ties. I absolutely hated living with all the rules I felt were forced upon me. Most of the rules were unspoken but completely understood by me to be real. Like, don’t voice your opinion, and do as you’re told but not what you see being done. Living wasn’t enjoyable for me as a teenager would be putting it mildly.

Adult yearsAfter I got married and started to settle down, life got a little easier. I learned to make my own decisions and started getting more into my relationship with God. Four children and 17 years later I am starting to get comfortable in my own skin and with my experiences. Having cancer changed me a lot. I now look at life as something to be enjoyed, and cherished, not just observed. It is enjoyable for me to just sit back and breathe in this life I am living and loving right now.


Head on over to tossing it out and check out some other blogs in this fantastic challenge. May God bless and keep you and may His face shine upon you today and beyond.

12 comments:

Beth Zimmerman said...

Excellent L Post, Shannon! I think we had similar backgrounds although I was in a different church. I know exactly what you mean by unwritten rules that you knew were there and had to follow!

Did you have breast cancer? My mom had it so I try to stay on top of the mammograms, etc. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. He's cancer free now but we are still living with some of the results.

Hope you are feeling perkier today! Praying for healing!

Beth

Unknown said...

Theonly difference in our childhoods is my parents didn't go to church. What is funny is my dad knew the bible inside and out sadly he and mom split up hen I was 0 and I never got to really talk ith him about stuff like that...

Lisa said...

Great post and one many of us can relate to. Though religion can leave a bitter taste in our mouth, a relationship with Christ can change all of that and make things fresh and new!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I did so enjoy reading about you,
I'm sorry you had cancer but I think it has strenghened you, My eldest son was diagnosed with bladder cancer nearly 3 yrs ago, he is in remission at present but it has altered his outlook on life.
I look forward to reading your blogs as they are so interesting.
Take care and thanks for sharing,

Yvonne.

B. Miller said...

Great L post! You've had a rich, full life and it shows through in your words. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Great post! It sounds like you and I went to the same chuch growing up almost. I hate things being forced on me too. It took me a while but finally I started walking with God on my own without being forced. It's great walking with Him! Keep up the good work! :)

Gregg Metcalf said...

I trust that the Lord will replace the years that the locust ate. He is a rich and worthy treasure.

unnamed lad said...

oh yeah...the religeous life that i still have to shake off on occasion:) great post

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I think a lot of us went through the same things.

Grammy said...

Wonderful post! Life is indeed wonderful and should be enjoyed and appreciated to its fullest extent!
Ruby

Ella said...

I am sorry for what you have endured; I am glad you are here, to experience more of it and see your kids grow up! Life is meant to be enjoyed not just observed...so well put! (((hugs)))

Rebecca T. said...

A very open post - thanks for sharing. I know I haven't made it over here as often as I would like, but glad to see you're keeping up with the challenge :)

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