Monday, June 9, 2008

Six Word Memoir Meme

The Meme originated over an idea that was prompted by the book written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. It's a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4 .Tag five more blogs with links.
5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

So here's my six word memoir. Its hard to only write one... Because there is one I could say about parenting, one I could say that encompasses me and the other parts of my life.

Living example. Golden rule. Planned worrier.

Over the years I have tried to be a living example of what I believe in. The love that God has given me and forgiven my sins. I know I have fallen short, but each day my children are a reminder that I can stumble and fall through this course of life, but try and try again.
I don't want to be one of those parents who says, "Do as I say, not as I do." This has been a huge adjustment for me with my language, my choices in music and in some cases my choices in who surrounds my family.
Golden rule: Treat others as you would be treated. (Or something like that). I think this was especially important when I worked as a trader. I wasn't out to cheat anyone. I wanted the trade to make me and the broker I used look good. I wasn't out to screw anyone. Its a tough business to live by that rule though when others are pushing you to do whatever you can to get something done. On the family note, I try to tell Jacob now that if he wants John to share with him, he should share with John. I think that I've done a really good job of raising Jacob to be thoughtful of others (for a 5 year old).
I think I came out of my mom with a wrinkled forehead because I was worried. Anxiety kills me. I'm always thinking about the future and sometimes I need to live for the now. With the birth of the triplets I really have learned to take one day at a time. I don't worry as much because there are a lot of things out of my control. But its been a hard lesson to learn. I think God has taken a lot of that burden from me when I needed Him the most. And out of the worry comes planning. I have a planner, I have lists. Every night when I lay down I think of what I need to do the next day. And I figure out how I can do two or three things at once. Disorganization is a hideous and dark thought. Sure, maybe I have a room or two that isn't clean, but you can bet its on my list to be done by the end of the week.

I'm supposed to tag 5 people.
Feel free to copy and paste this on your blog and play along.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent memoir, not only for a mom, but for anyone. You definitely have your hands FULL with triplets. Enjoy your family, they will grow up fast (even though I'm sure some days seem sooo long) and try not to judge yourself by how many things you check off your lists, but by how many hugs you share and how many times you take a moment to stop, look each child in the eye, and really see them for the wonderful individuals that they are. Just two cents from one old mom to one young mom:)

debi9kids said...

Absolutely WONDERFUL memoir!
LOVED your choice! So fitting and just beautiful!!!

Kelly said...

I love it, Jean. I really just love yours so much.