“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!” I know this, just as, I am sure, you do. This is good advice, but sadly, it is wisdom that I don’t always follow. Too often when I am sure that something good is going to happen to me, I learn the hard way that I have set myself up for disappointment. I didn’t wait for the newborn little chicks!

When my kids were young and “just knew” that this or that was going to come true, I pulled out the “count your chicken” adage. But, like me, they choose to ignore the good advice behind the words. Many times, they, too, were sadly disappointed.

Now that I am all grown up and know how the world works I try to refrain from expecting anything until it does, in fact, become a reality. A recent example: I went to dinner with friends to a restaurant that had high reviews. I ordered the specialty dish, which the menu had given a five-star rating. It was expensive, but, I was sure, it was well worth the hefty price. My mind and taste buds worked overtime waiting for my food to arrive. I was about to have the best meal that I have had in a very long time. Finally it arrived. The presentation was everything that I had hoped. I savored the smell as I picked up my fork for a truly great culinary experience. The first bite told me that although it was good, it wasn’t that good. I’m not known for my cooking skills, but I know I could have done equally well preparing this dish. I was so disappointed and my wallet was depleted!

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Posted by Sandra Dalka-Prysby at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That’s a sign! How often I have told myself this when I see, hear or learn something that seems to relate to my current dilemma. I’ve made a lot of bad—and some good—choices in my lifetime because there was a “sign” that pointed me in a certain direction. I have, however, learned the hard way that this method of making life decisions is almost akin to voodoo. My mind and heart—and not SIGNS—should be the only factors in making decisions.

When I was in my 20s and dating a guy named Bill, I thought I was in love. He was great looking, intelligent and treated me very well. There were, however, lots of negatives. He was secretive and unable to share his true thoughts and feelings with me. And, if the truth be told, he was quite boring. But alas! He was really great looking, had a good paying job, drove a red Mustang convertible, dressed well and took me to really nice places. Who wouldn’t want a man like this? I thought I did…especially one night after a really good date with him. I was getting ready for bed and my radio was playing in the background. Just as I was turning the light off a song I had never heard before came over the radio. A woman singer was belting out “Bill, I love him so and I always will…” A “sign,” for sure? I was meant to be in love with Bill! Forget my misgivings, Bill was the one!

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Posted by Sandra Dalka-Prysby at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I was an overwhelmed mother of three small children, who are close in age, I remember saying “I can’t wait” often. I couldn’t wait until they were out of diapers; I couldn’t wait until they could feed themselves; I couldn’t wait until they could walk; I couldn’t wait until they started school; I couldn’t wait until… My impatience was endless. I’ve learned the hard way, however, that I wish I had enjoyed these times—these precious moments in the children’s lives—more because they are long gone and now only far distant memories.

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Posted by Sandra Dalka-Prysby at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I hate it when someone asks me to keep a secret. I can do this, but I’ve learned the hard way that this is one of the most difficult things for me to accomplish. I’m the one who goes crazy when I know a secret.

I’m the type of person who will share anything and everything with others. I am what is known as “an open book.” Ask me about my husband and I’ll tell you what you want to know. Ask about my children and you’ll get the whole story. (Luckily, my husband and children are such exceptionally good individuals and most people don’t want to hear all the good stuff!) Ask about me and well…how much time do you have?

Carrying around a secret someone has shared with me is a great responsibility. If it’s a good secret, I really want to share it. If it’s a secret about something that leads to others making a wrong judgment about someone, I’m tempted to set the record straight. In either case, I’m cooked because I promised to keep my mouth shut.

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Posted by Sandra Dalka-Prysby at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is a big day for our youngest child, our daughter Emily. Today she turns 25 years of age…and I am reminded today, like most days this past quarter of a century, that God has a delightful sense of humor. Sometimes I learned this the hard way, most times, however, Emily’s entry in my life has been nothing less than an immense blessing.

Soon after my husband and I were married, we discovered that getting pregnant and having children might not be possible. When we heard this devastating news we began a nightly ritual, on our knees, praying to God for a child. We also began weekly visits to a fertility specialist and a regime of tests and procedures. The combination of God and medicine worked. We were blessed first with a son and then a daughter. Our family was complete. We had a boy; we had a girl. We had everything we had hoped for…or so we thought.

Having two small children—they are 18 months apart in age—was sometimes overwhelming for an “older” mom and dad. Our energy was challenged, but our joy never was.

Continue reading "A Gift from God!" »

Posted by Sandra Dalka-Prysby at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)