On a recent trip to town, I was disappointed to note the many cars in the Aldi parking lot. What can I say?  I am not a crowd person. My nine year old son Clay was with me, and he seized the opportunity to convince me to take a spin through the nearby thrift store instead. Ok. I am always game for that. I gave him some pointers for navigating the parking lot safely in the rain. He even knows he is a bit flighty...

We did obligatory run past the boys clothing racks and actually found some items, including a wild looking pair of shorts in Clay's size. Skinny as Clay is, he figured fit was preferred to style and the price was right. Oh, whatever. He only intends to wear them in the water trough and whilst jumping through the sprinkler aimed at the trampoline.

The toy section did not yield the treasures he had hoped for, but I made a score in the book section:

The old Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon movie: Blossoms of the Dust. Many years ago, when my older children were young, I happened upon this movie and we watched it several times. I am happy to have found the VHS* so I can revisit the based-on-a-true-story with my younger children.

*I have made it a point to keep a functional VHS player because thrift store shelves often hold old gems that are not found on DVDs. My current VHS/DVD player was a $20 Salvation Army purchase.  I ordered a $10 VHS head cleaner cassette on Amazon, and we are in business! 

Blossoms of the Dust tells the story of Edna Gadney who championed the cause of "unwanted" babies and children, outcasts due to prevailing stereotypes of her era. 

I have to say, I am a fan of stories where the underdog succeeds or at least gives it a fair fight.  Bonus points if the story entails protecting children from horrorific fates.

Finding this movie reminds me of a library book find from years ago called The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss. I am not even sure if I found it randomly or if it had been on some booklist somewhere.  Regardless, my older children and I spent many hours with the Dosses as they built their family from society's "discards". (Note to self: try to find that book again.)

I have already resolved that no matter if my exterior paint is dulling, I shall remain as young and chipper as possible at heart. On this point, I have a lot of help because I am continually surrounded by many younger people.

My recent birthday was a good illustration of this. I sat on my spacious front porch with a covey of my older children and their spouses. The youngsters of the family were bouncing noisily on the trampoline out in the yard.

"And who is that kid in the white shirt?" my oldest Blake was asking.

"Oh, the neighbor kid. He and his sister are here on visitation to their mom's house this week," I answered.

"But, they're here," Blake's statement was more of a question.

"Yeah, I know. They like to play with the little brothers." The youngest of my children are referred to as "the brothers" or "the uncles" by my older children.

Another of my children wondered if the neighbor kids are here twenty-four hours a day when they come to see their mom. I said no. "But, would you notice if they were?" My older ones asked in jest.  They grew up here. They know it is slightly possible a random stray child could be hidden in plain sight in the commotion that many children create.

Uncle Miles taking a break with Shane

Uncles Clay and Trent having a moment with Quinton

I hope we always have children around us.  We need each other.
~Colleen