Category: family

Change Up

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, family, Insight, mental health, parenting, sportsLeave a comment

A little like a pitcher to a catcher, right by the batter, WIFF!

My older daughter applied that sorta magic earlier today, when my son was going sideways. It was super to watch, super thankful was I for the magic.

I had run up against it, unable to sway his mood, still looking at a couple hours of work from home, a co-worker waiting for my call.

A change-up, tone, topic, tempo, and he was out of his rut and following her down the hall.

So SO thankful.

On the mound and certainly in life, sometimes the situation you’re in calls for a change-up.

Soaked In Joy

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, family, Happy, Insight, lifestyle, mental health2 Comments

So many little things filled the day, many little steps, along the way.

Planned on a little work, set aside for life, after life, after in stride, fit in the work, later.

And so it was,

Pancakes,

A walk with kids and dogs,

Laundry times three,

A little football,

Kids playing in the front until the sun went down as dinner came together,

Pulled pork tacos,

Another baby tooth gone, wrap up Saturday, done.

I think for me it’s clear, there’s always more to do, super important to make time to balance, balance the time, find the joy, realize it’s there, you might even realize, you’re soaked in it.

#halffullallgood #gratitude #dadslife #dadlife

Glimmer

On By jeff ludlumIn art, Attitude, culture, examples, faith, family, Insight, leadership, marriage, mental health, parentingLeave a comment

A glimmer of hope, that’s what I find;

That’s what I find when I look up close, when I’m open, eyes, arms, wide.

A bit of hope, a friendly tone, an unexpected embrace, literally, figuratively, over a screen,

A glimmer of hope, glimmer, not dimmer, brighter still, in a friend’s voice, my kids’ joy, gentle lean-in, hug, love,

LOVE.

Lyrics Post: “Granny” Dave Matthews Band

On By jeff ludlumIn art, Attitude, family, Happy, Insight, lifestyle, marriage, mental health, music, parentingLeave a comment

Have loved this song since I first heard it. Still love it 30 years later. So much love, such a clear path…I believe it’s LOVE…

“Hello, how are you doing today?

Hope I find you feeling healthy

I’m so glad our paths crossed this time today

On our way into the night

I say it’s love, treats us well, keeps us dancing and romancing

Baby, I love you up and down and inside out

Say love when I approach to you, they fall like rain

You tell me, baby, your heart’s into a thousand pieces, dies

Stop, only old and wise with clouded eyes

You can’t see what I can

I blindly throw my faith to the face

Of the next pretty girl to come my way

So here we are, all of us stand around

We’re leaning heavy on each other

Always wondering what is it lies behind

The worried eyes of one another

Well, I believe it’s love that’s hiding there

Deep down inside us all

So baby, I do not understand this twist you have

Love, when I approach, the tears they fall like rain

You tell me, baby, your heart’s into a thousand pieces, dashed

Stop, only old and wise with clouded eyes

You can’t see what I can

I blindly throw my faith to the face

Of the next good thing to come my way

I say, it’s love, don’t keep it down, keep it out, let it out sellin’

Baby, celebrate it all, it’s doing fine

Say love, when I approach you, tears they fall like rain

You tell me, baby, your heart’s into a thousand pieces, dashed

Love

Baby

Love

Baby

Love teach us well, keeps us dancing and romancing

Baby, two of us turn, turn together

Love, oh yeah

Baby

Love, I guess I’ll never stop

Baby, gonna be an eternity in here

Love, each in the light of love with expectations

Baby, aah”

Songwriters: David J. Matthews

Granny lyrics © Colden Grey Ltd

Lego City

On By jeff ludlumIn art, culture, family, Happy, scienceLeave a comment

Our middle child, our solo chico has become increasingly entertained with Legos. I was going to say “obsessed”, but I don’t think he’s quite there yet. But he certainly loves spending time with Legos. One collection is in / around the theme of Lego City.

Is so fun, heart-warming, even gratifying, to see him lost in play. He’s in this own universe in those moments, make-believe scenes in make believe worlds, with Legos far more specialized than when I played with them decades ago.

Maybe that’s just a parenting joy, watching kid in imaginative play. And maybe that’s a life lesson, too. Allow yourself to get lost sometimes. Maybe everyday. In a good way.

Lost in the work; lost in something that your brain really wants to, has to focus on.

Oh, and Lego City? It’s more than just plastic pieces. It’s a whole animated world and series created to entertain; and to teach some life lessons; and maybe sell some Legos, too.

If interested, read more on Lego City here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_City_Adventures

The Hopeful Switch

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, faith, family, Happy, Insight, marriage, mental health, parenting1 Comment

Most every morning I wake up quite early, in the dark, feeling something like despair.

Every manner of negative thoughts flowing in my head: things on my list I’ve not done, mistakes I’ve made, my broken marriage, how I should have kissed the kids good one more time, etc.

Big things, little things, all flow, giving me this start to the day with worry and concern and innate angst.

Meh.

And then somehow I flip the hopeful switch, and somehow things start to get a little better; and the despair recedes, even if only a bit; and I get into the day. And it’s ok.

Flip the switch. Today. Everyday.

Seeking Tender Moments

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, faith, family, Happy, Insight, lifestyle, marriage, mental health, parentingLeave a comment

I find that I really like and appreciate and will prioritize tender moments.

Example? As I write this piece I’m lying in bed while my son sleeps next to me. He came in a few hours ago, upset by a dream.

I listen to him sleep, and I feel really, really lucky. Blessed to have this child. Even more blessed because I have three kids – three super-special relationships.

Another, different, tender moment? Spending time on the phone with an old friend. It doesn’t take long to get into the familiar, old tempo of conversation. As I sit in a chair by the window, alternately listening and talking, covering all manner of topics…

It’s soothing, relaxing, reminding of simpler, pleasant times past, making the present more pleasant too.

Just two examples. They’re all around if you look, if you’re open.

Maybe that was something of what God intended when he came into the world as a humble human, as Jesus of Nazareth. If you believe in that sort of thing. I do, but you don’t need to.

Either way, they’re good for you. Good for your soul.

Tender moments. Take ‘em when you can get them.

New Year’s Day Wander: Liv and Maddie, Bacon, Escoffier, and Bourdain

On By jeff ludlumIn Attitude, culture, family, food, Happy, Insight, lifestyle, mental health, parentingLeave a comment

A gentle wander to begin the day, begin this new year 2021. Thus the day, the year began.

“Kids, let’s watch the New Year’s Day Parade…!”

“Ah Dad, we want to watch kids’ shows…”, and so it’s Liv and Maddie to start the day…

And then I’m thinking about making bacon…I’m in the kitchen…

I turn to Anthony Bourdain’s cookbook, “Appetites”, to check the oven temp for cooking bacon,

then read about Escoffier in Bourdain’s book (who knew!?)…didn’t know Escoffier’s name, or his primary role in French and high-end cuisine overall…

And then there’s some turmoil in the back of the house…my youngest, a little grumpy to start the day…

Then she comes out to the living room, Liv & Maddie help her mood shift up…

And the bacon? Well, it turned out pretty perfect.

Good start to the day, and heck, good start to 2021. I’ll take it. With GRATITUDE.

More on Escoffier here.

More on Bourdain here.