Are you in the habit of celebrating milestones?  How about celebrating seasons changing?

I know some of us change the decor in our house with seasons, inside and outside, and with holidays too.  Had you thought to celebrate those changes of seasons?

I read this past week that in some countries they celebrate children as they grow—have special ceremonies and celebrations when they reach certain stages.

I began to think about it, as I had never even considered it.

I was raised pretty by pretty strict parents, and my actual goal when raising my three children was to raise responsible adults.  That was pretty-much my only goal besides keeping them clothed and fed.

I appreciate the way I was raised.  Mostly.  But honestly, I was never really raised to think about celebrating my children.  And it never entered my mind.  I wish it had.  We all missed out on a lot.  Yes, a lot of celebrating … but a lot of appreciation… which is what they missed out on. 

And me too.  I missed out, by not appreciating them more.

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Mom used to “celebrate” Saturday by fixing us baked beans and hotdogs, with bacon on top, and always with home made slaw and usually cornbread too.

She made sure we always had a birthday cake, and our favorite meal on our birthdays.  (I did learn that, and always had cake and their meal)

We celebrated Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.  Those are the celebrations I remember.  Not any big celebrations, just a great meal and deserts, and usually family getting together.

If we think along that line, what other things could we celebrate?

I’d say, Anything at All!  Anything can be Special!

I have trouble thinking HOW to celebrate, the same way I have trouble thinking of ways to “reward myself” when I reach a goal.  But I’m working on those things too.

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When we sold our house about ten years ago, after our big move-in day, we sat in the midst of everything with a “to-go box” of enchilada salad and a glass of wine, and celebrated.  And felt great with it.

But typically, I don’t think to celebrate things.  We’re thankful for each day we’re given; thankful for our family; thankful for where we live, and our friends.  I just never thought to celebrate all that.

I decided I would celebrate our children.  I messaged each of them, and asked if they’d like to come for a spaghetti dinner.  This was Grammy and Grandad’s secret recipe, and it was a special meal when we had it.  Grammy would cook the sauce for a day and a half.

Even though one daughter lives close, two of my children will have to travel 2-3 hours to come, and both of them will probably travel home the same day.  But they’re coming.

They don’t know it’s actually a celebration, but I know.  And they’ll feel it.  And that’s perfectly fine.  I hope this is the beginning of more of these celebrations. 

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I’m also going to celebrate the changing of the seasons, with the weather getting cooler. 

My plan is to spruce up the back yard, and get it ready for sitting outside in the evening at the fire pit.  What will we eat?  I have no idea.  It won’t matter.  We could even sit outside and have home-popped popcorn.  That sounds like a good idea.

Who would help us celebrate?  Anyone.  Or No one.  Just the recognizing of the changing of the seasons, and marking it with the enjoyment of it in any way.  That’s what I want to do.  Simply recognizing it with enjoyment.

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There’s a new recipe I want to try.  Looks like a lot of trouble.  But looks like it will be REALLY good!  One day next week I’m going to make it—I’ve already gotten the ingredients; and when I do make it, it will be a celebration meal.  Celebrating what?  Celebrating the good meal!

My husband and I both have been using our dining table these past few weeks for paperwork, receipts, bank statements, and all kinds of other tedious things.  We’re done with the work, but all the “stuff” is still there.

I’m going to clean off that table today.  And we will have our meal there on that table.  It’s going to be Special.  And we’ll celebrate it.  The Table will be Clean!

We both stay busy doing more than we can do.  It’s a flaw in each of us.  We both love what we’re doing, and just keep doing more of it. 

So my plan is, in the next 2-3 weeks, I’m going to pack some healthy snacks in a bag, and we’re going to take a 4-wheeler ride in the evening, and find a nice spot for a cozy little picnic, and I’ll find some good music on my phone, and we’ll enjoy a special picnic. (Where he won’t actually have to leave his cattle. lol)

And I’m going to find the perfect healthy recipe, and one Sunday soon, I will take some healthy snacks to my Sunday School class for us to snack on during our class.  Just to celebrate all of us being together!

See, this doesn’t have to be hard.  Just appreciating life, and deciding to celebrate it.

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If I had young children, I would plan celebrations much more with them.  I would celebrate lots of markers along the way.

If I had young children, and I wanted to do that, I could say, I don’t have time.  How in the world could I squeeze in another thing!

But it really doesn’t take more time.  Only a little bit.  The main thing is to think in that direction.

Starting School.  Celebrate.

Starting 2nd grade.  Celebrate!

Changing to larger school:  Celebrate!

Middle School, then High School:  Celebrate!

Getting a job: Celebrate!

In addition to all the other normal celebrations.

How to celebrate?  It really doesn’t matter.  Something “different” from your normal day.  An ice cream cone would do!

It sounds like fun to me.

I missed out on a lot of fun growing up.  My children missed out on a lot of fun in their growing up. 

Life is serious.  But Life can be too serious.  And we can enjoy much more of it along the way, more than we do.

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I wonder how it would be to celebrate REST. 

Sunday we were both very tired.  Overworked, and Overtired.  So we rested.  I almost never nap.  I slept in my chair for over an hour.  When we got up, we rode the 4-wheeler checking the cattle, then came back and had ground beef nachos.  With cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and sour cream on the side.

Something was mentioned about how great the food was.  We decided it was a celebration meal for such a great day!  A day of naps!

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I know you realize how hard life is; there is stress and overwhelm everywhere you look.

Let’s look for ways to lighten it up a little bit.

Life is Better with Fun in it.

Life is Better with Celebration added to it.  And the people who get to share the celebration with you, will feel every bit of it.  So share it.

Look for some Ways to Celebrate this week… see if it adds to your life.  And maybe someone else’s life.

Hope your week’s been not only productive, but fun!

And I hope you make room for some celebrations in the next week!

Thank you for reading! I appreciate you!

Sharon