Originally published October 2008.

My friend Genny is hosting a thoughtful project this month, based on a book she read entitled, One Month to Live. Although I certainly won’t know when my 30 day clock will begin, it’s an interesting prospect to consider how I’d use my time.

In high school I made a “life list” and I’ve considered writing a reprise to that — all the destinations I’ve yet to travel, and the goals I’ve yet to achieve. But this project is quite different. With only 30 days, I find myself thinking more about what I wouldn’t do, than what I would do.

I wouldn’t
…go anywhere, see things or fill my life with adventure, like I would on a bucket list that I might take decades to cross off. I wouldn’t achieve, reach goals or buy things.

I wouldn’t watch the news, or listen to anyone who shared the negative side of it.

I wouldn’t answer the phone or sort my email inbox.

I wouldn’t resent, regret, worry, or feel obligated, angry or hurt.

I would
…pick and choose the small things that have brought me joy.

I’d live at the cabin, like we do in the summer.

I’d fill the freezer with filet mignon and shrimp, make fancy dinners with my daughter and bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch with my son.

I’d rise early and go to bed late, watch the sun illuminate the lake as I drank coffee with my husband, and watch it blaze red at dusk as we sipped Merlot.

I’d go for walks.

I’d toast marshmallows with my kids and ride bikes to Dairy Queen.

I’d blog every day, leaving my own “Last Lecture.”

I’d take pictures.

If friends and family visited, we’d talk and laugh, and share good news.

I wouldn’t talk about dying in 30 days.

And I’d thank God if he let my last 30 days be healthy ones.

What would you do with your time, if you knew you only had 30 days to live?

Originally published December 2007.

A couple of years ago, we had just moved to the cabin. Our home was a disaster, and we’d barely finished the addition before the snow flew. As Christmas approached, I had little energy to even find the kitchen countertop, let alone decorate for the holidays. Let’s just say those weren’t the best months of my life.

I remember a weekend when I had a burst of Christmas spirit and I cleaned the kitchen just enough to make some cookies with the kids. When I finally located the hand mixer, I searched in a panic to find the rotary whisks that you insert into the mixer.

I could only find one.

We managed to bake the cookies, even with just the single whisk. And when six-year-old Craig wrote his annual email to Santa, he included a sweet and generous addendum:

“And could you please give my mom a mixer?”

On Christmas morning, we all experienced the excitement every young family anticipates — the rush up the stairs and the noisy rousing of Mom and Dad from their bed. But the first gift Craig looked for, and the first one that was opened, was the one marked, “Mom”.

If it’s possible to fall in love with your six-year-old, it may have happened for me that morning.

Merry Christmas everyone!

It’s been a great year – here are a few of our family’s 209 highlights:

Turning 40
Youth Leader for Literacy
ATV Trails in Utah
Locks of Love
Summer Homeschool
Making a Recycled Boat-Lift Cover
A Third Year for Bookworm Wednesday
Adventures in Budgeting:)
Passing Hunter Safety
Cincinnati Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth Conference

What were your highlights this year?

Feeling the spirit of giving? My 10-year-old served as a Salvation Army bell-ringer for the first time this year, and next week our Bookworm Wednesday crew will help to sort toys for the Secret Santa love baskets as well.

Opportunities abound during the holiday season, so if you’re looking for ways to give, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom. This month’s Positively Speaking column is chock-full of ideas to get your whole family in the mood for charity.

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