Decisions That Matter

"Carroll Boys" was intended to be a journal for and mostly about the two of you.  There are so many happy and funny things to write about.  But now and then, serious topics crop up.....  like this week.  Several times, Sasha, you've told me about kids who committed suicide.  It started with a boy in Nanticoke who took his life last weekend.  Since then, 3 more teenagers from our area have died.  We've talked about bullying, the challenges of high school years, mental illness, and about the current era of instant communication via Facebook, texting, etc.  And about the horrible consequences of suicide, including the trauma inflicted on family members.

The Citizen's Voice has an editorial that you should read.  

          How many children must die?

You've agreed with me that there is so much to live for.  Know that you are loved, and when things in your life do get difficult there are many caring adults who will help.  In appreciation for our beautiful world and the wonder of life, here's the dramatic beginning of Franz Joseph Haydn's oratorio "The Creation":

Recently Overheard.....

• "They're hard as a rock!" - You, Brock, referring to gummy vitamins offered one morning when I decided we really must start taking our vitamins faithfully.  The (very) old bottle of vitamins has since been replaced with a fresh one.  For all to note, we have been doing much better lately with our daily vitamin routine.

• "1,2 Skidoo Quickie" - Our new term for brief (and completely inadequate) teeth-brushing effort.  Even shorter that the "1,2,3 Quickie" which has sometimes occurred late evenings e.g., on a Friday night.

• "A kid at school owes me $70", Brock said to me. (What?)  Upon further inquiry it was revealed that you Brock and your friend Stephen made a $10 bet, which Stephen lost.  When I asked you what the bet was over, you said "It's complicated".  OK....  Brock, you further explained that Stephen did not pay up - so you're now charging him $10 in interest per week, recently accrued to $70 total.  Yikes!!  Maybe you will go into banking or, though I sincerely hope not, organized crime.

• "Are you a Marine or a little boy??" - Steve's question to Brock, who was ready to turn back after only a three quarter mile walk & scooter ride on the dike behind Midway Shopping Center. Brock's reply?  "A little boy!"  When Steve asked his young daughters the Marine question (substituting "girl" for "boy"), amazingly enough, he always got the same answer.

• "Maybe they can make a fashionable pink one for you!" - Text from Steve received as I was going for an x-ray on my hand, regarding potential cast if it was fractured.  Thankfully, turned out not to be broken (just bruised).  Yahoo!  Lesson Learned: especially when past age 40, avoid falls in rocky creek beds. 

• "..., My Love" - Brock's very affectionate wife talking to him on the game Skyrim, which Brock and Sasha play regularly.  Skyrim is a video game, which impresses me all the more having realized how complex it is (Read here -->  The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim).  I've watched you fighting dragons, ogres, and trolls, as well as talking to various characters.  In my opinion, Brock doesn't appreciate wife Lydia enough.....  you say she "blabs", but to me she seems quite loyal.   You've also told me about your dog Viglance, and more recently a new dog Barbos.  I was quite disappointed to find out that your name on the game is Robby (!) - thought for sure it would be "Dogmar" or something equally old-fashioned.  You've further told me the you are a Redguard (Redguards) and Sasha is a Wood Elf (Wood Elves).  Very cool, and what-a-ya know, here's Lydia!

Funny Conversations Etc.

Coming right up.....  here is a posting about funny conversations we've had recently!

• A few months back, you Brock wanted to know what I would ask for if I had 3 wishes.  My response was incredibly boring, on the order of wanting both of you to have happy, productive lives.  When I asked you what you would wish for, your response was "No Gravity!!"  (Wow!)

• Brock and I went to church about a month ago and listened to the children's sermon about Saint David's Day - celebrated on March 1st.  Saint David is the patron saint of Wales, who lived in the 5th century.  Pastor Laura explained that there are relics of St. David - including his forefinger - at St. David's Cathedral.  Later in the day, Brock's question to me was "If we still have (our gecko) Hermie when he dies, can we keep his tail?!"  So of course, I've since searched on-line for a picture of St David's remains.  I found an interesting article about the authenticity of the bones including a photo!  I imagine you'll want to check it out -->  BBC Article

• Not long after that, I had an odd dream....  The doorbell woke me early, and I came downstairs to discover that you both were up already (I was not happy, as it was something like 5:45 a.m. and I knew that getting up so early would result in very cranky children later).  You were in the living room together when I answered the door.  A young man walked in, and I said "Hi, are you Gage?" (Gage is an actual friend of Sasha, and lives a few blocks away).  The visitor was offended and said "NO!  My name is Battery!"  Sasha, when I texted you about this, your comment something like "Mom, his name is not spelled 'Gauge' (as spelled in my text), it's 'Gage' !!")  I am quite sure I was dreaming about vehicle repairs and somehow got my car instruments/parts confused. 

• A couple weeks ago, Brock asked what I'd want if I had LOTS of money (such as I had won the lottery, or was visited by the Money Fairy).  I told you my first priority would be finding a larger house, so each of you would have your own bedrooms.  Sasha, when we asked you this afternoon what you would do with a windfall your response was to buy a fishing cabin along a lovely trout creek in Montana to use for vacations a couple times a year.  And Brock, you said that you'd want a sample of every Lego Ninjago set ever made, a place to display them all, and workers (with excellent eye sight to keep track of all them little pieces) to build the models for you.  You have a very active imagination!!

For a final chuckle, around President's Day Brock and I watched this funny Geico commercial on YouTube.  The moral of this Abe and Mary Lincoln clip?  Per Sasha, if your wife asks you whether she looks fat always say NO.