Sunbeam has a dress that she always refers to as her garden dress, because it is covered in three different types of flowers and reminds her of a flower garden.
She wore it to go to church and soon after we found our seats she started coughing. After going to get a drink of water she came back and immediately started coughing again. I knew she doesn't have a cold and was simply having what I used to have a problem with when I was a child. I used to hate coughing in church so when ever I sat down on our bench my throat used to start tickling and I had to cough.
As Sunbeam coughed some more I leaned over and whispered. "Count all the purple flowers on your dress." She started counting and forgot all about her need to cough. My attention returned to the service and I had forgotten about her counting until she nudged me and asked wearily, "Do I have to count all of them? I already counted 163 and there are still a lot more to count."
I told her she can stop counting. Those 163 purple flowers did the trick though because she didn't have to cough for the rest of the day.
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I recently did a guest post on my friend Saloma's blog. You can read it here.
Hi MaryAnn,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a clever mom ... counting the purple flowers.
I just read your guest post and I can relate to how violated your parents must have felt. We too have had to deal with a family member "going behind our backs" regarding a situation that we solidly objected to. Our trust was violated and even now, many years later, I am ALWAYS wary of that person.
Mrs.B
Very resourceful :-) brought back some memories of my oldest counting in the car (to himslef) on a long trip, to see how high he could count. It stopped the whining, gave him something to do and over an hour later, (no exaggeration) he announced, proudly: "1000!" We were shocked! I had forgotten he was even counting!!
ReplyDeleteRead your guest post and found it very interesting and a troubling subject for parents (not just Amish.) Thanks for posting for Saloma ... I found her blog (and a few others) from reading yours several months ago and enjoy both very much!
Thanks for stopping by my blog....I look forward to reading about your Joyful Chaos from the beginning!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll stop in again!
Have a blessed day!
This was a cute story. I couldn't help but laugh when Sunbeam wondered if she would have to count all the flowers on her pretty dress.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I just wanted to say again how I really enjoy your writings. :)
Blessings,
-Lady Rose
Oooh, you are one smart mama! I love it. She looks so happy in her dress ~ now it'll be called the "math" dress. LOL
ReplyDeleteI used to have long braids like Sunbeams...in fact growing up conservative Mennonite, braids were pretty much all we were allowed to wear. Some of my friends or cousins were allowed pony tails - but not us. Not until later... as we got less and less conservative.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a funny memory for me, when I saw this picture of Sunbeam, was that say when we had our school picures taken I always wanted to make sure that my braids were hanging in front. I doubt this is what Sunbeam was thinking about here... but for some reason, I thought that was "cool"...even though I hated wearing braids... but I hated french braids even more. NOW. I love them all....
Your Sunbeam is beautiful...those long blond braids remind me of my youngest daughter...Now,all grown up!Thanks for sharing your sweet story...Many Christmas blessings to you and yours....Shelley
ReplyDeleteOh, JC, she is adorable! I love those long beautiful braids ... takes me back to my childhood..
ReplyDeleteDiversion often works ... how sweet!
Christmas hugs & wishes ~
TTFN ~ Marydon
She is so cute and those braids! Yeah mom, what a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI went over and read your guest post. Very interesting. I don't blame your parents about getting upset especially after they told her they did not want any part of it.
Oh by the way, Thank you so much I did receive the book, have not had a chance to read it yet, hopefully things will settle where I can. Right now I have a stack that I have to do reviews on.
I do enjoy your posts I always read them may not always post but I do enjoy all of them.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas.
until next time...nel