Brothers, Sisters, and Favorites

Brothers, Sisters, and Favorites
By Janeal Mulaney
I come from a home where my parents wanted a large family. However it was not meant to be, my mother had several miscarriages, and a premature baby who didn't live for long after her birth. My father had to go buy a baby doll at the store so they would have clothes small enough just to bury my oldest sister in.
They finally got lucky the next child they had was full term and she is my other sister, and then one more time they got lucky and had me, almost three years later. Which is a story within its self. (Maybe at another time I will write about it.)
All through my childhood I heard how I was the favorite by my sister, and to tell the truth I always felt she was the favorite. We were as different as night and day, my sister was very feminine, she liked to cook, sew, and read. She was also great in school and a wonderful artist. She looked like mom and dad; never caused hardly any problems so she hardly got into any trouble.
I was all tomboy and didn't look like either of my parents, I never really applied myself in school, after all it took up eight hours of my day, when I could have been at home with the animals, climbing trees, working on my bikes, and getting my jeans all grease soaked. As I got older, I did the chores that were set for us as quickly as possible, so I could do what I wanted to do, I didn't want to spend any time at all in the house until the sun was down, or there was a blizzard outside. I bucked every rule my parents ever set, if I asked why I couldn't do something, and the only reason I was given was because they said so, then I did it anyway. That answer just wasn't a good enough reason for me not to do what I wanted.
I grew up grounded, spanked; and with more time outs then there were days in a year. I was literally my parents’ worse nightmare, and that was before I became a teen. Heck my heroes were Bonny and Clyde, which my friends and I played at being daily, in an old van my parents owned. (I still say that was the reason they sold it.) Ha, Ha!
As I grew up I helped my father in the shop, and on his jobs where he needed someone small to crawl in and out of tight places.
The one class I did start liking in school was art, but I was always compared to my sister, who according to my mother was so much better, so I soon started doing poorly in it too. What the heck I wasn't any good at it, so why bother wasting my time on it.
Still I was told I was the favorite, and I still couldn't figure out how my sister felt that way when I was never good enough, always in trouble, getting yelled at and compared to her. To make things even worse even the teachers in our small town would ask how I could be related to such a wonder student when my schoolwork sucked. That was when I truly became rebellious and mouthy to everyone.
I looked my teacher straight in the eyes, and asked. if she was truly an idiot, or if she had to work at it? Then I told her, you know my parents, both of them have black hear, dark eyes, and are over five feet seven, do I really look related to them. I'm adopted you twit.
I was just starting my first year at high school. My homeroom was called the principle office for the next three years. If I wasn't ditching classes, I was roaming the hallways this was how I spent my eight hours away from home. Some how I managed to graduate from school, personally I think the teachers got together and said, if we don't give that child higher then an F, we may never get rid of her so I made the D honor roll; what the heck, D is still the forth letter in the alphabet so I came in forth, right. Not bad if there is three hundred and some students, right!
That was along time ago now. Since then I have raised three of my own children, and now have four grandchildren. I've heard from each one of them how another one was my favorite, at one time or the other. My oldest and my youngest thought my middle child was the favorite, at one time, my oldest and the middle child thought I favored my youngest, at times. My middle and youngest thought my oldest was my favorite.
I can honestly say all three of them are my favorite.
How can I have three favorites?
Very easily, my oldest is a girl and she grew up a carbon copy of me. I know her inside and out. She is full of spirit and love; she is loyal to her family and friends, even though she has been let down by them at one time or the other. Sometimes she forgets while doing for some she lets others down, but her heart is always in the right spot. Sooner or later she will come back and be there for those that were neglected at an earlier time. So yes she is very much my favorite because I see myself in her every single day. I know she will have bad times, but she too will make it out on top because of her spirit, and the love she has for her own children and life.
My middle child is also my first son, who is about as far from my personality as anyone can be, he thinks everything through before he does anything, and his patience is so awesome. He has been my rock, my mentor, and my teacher, throughout my adult life. He is like the big brother I always wanted, but never had. He reminds me of the man I admire most which is my father, and he has the same easygoing attitude. He too has a heart that is filled with love and although he does not show it as often as the other two of my children do to just anyone, you can bet he shows it to his wife, the lovely woman who saw the stunning man he really is. He is excellent in everything he does. He has great morals and standards as well as takes great pride in himself and everything he accomplices. He is most definitely my favorite. He is who I always wanted to be.
My youngest is also my baby boy; he is a mixture of his grandfather, himself, and me. He is and will be one of the best men I know he has a heart of pure gold, but like me he lets his emotions rule and thinks later. He too reminds me of my father in different ways then my oldest son, he loves and cares deeply for his family and friends, he's not afraid to show his feelings for the ones he loves. I take pride in seeing him with his wife and baby girl every day. I know for them he will become the man he has always wanted to be. I see the same look in his own eyes that I still see in my own father's every time he looks at me. He's had hard times and good, but the thing that I admire most is no matter what happens he takes the blame for his own actions, wether they were right or they were wrong, he takes the fall then picks himself back up, and dust himself off. So yes he is very much my favorite.
So that is why I ask, are you the favorite? The answer to that is yes, in some way or for some reason you are your parents’ favorite, but then again you too will have to share that title with all your other siblings. For in some way they are just as special as you, and your parents love them unconditionally also.

Site Updated - Today!

Hey, I just noticed there were some widgets and fun sidebar items I could add that you might enjoy, so I thought I'd let you know they're on the right side. Just take a peak and enjoy all the newest parts of my blog. I'll be updating my blog more frequently now. Don't forget to stop by and take a look.

Meanwhile, stop by and take a look at Bliss - my book about art and poetry.

April Fool's Day Story

April Fools Day Mom
By Janeal Mulaney
I was expecting my second child in April, and actually the doctor had declared the due date around the sixteenth of May. I knew the baby would come before then I just was not entirely sure when. I awoke for some reason in the wee hours on April first and decided I would play a prank on my mother, like I usually did every April fools day. Just usually not quite that early in the morning. So it was three o'clock am no big deal she would get over being woke up at that time of day by the time I saw her later. So sweet little me punched in the numbers of her line and waited patiently for her to answer her phone. She said, hello in her sleep-induced voice, and I moaned extra long for her benefit, before I said."Mom, I'm in labor, we need to get to the hospital fast.""How far apart are the contractions?" she asked."They're only a minute apart, they're coming fast, I must have slept through most of them," then I let out another moan. I heard the phone drop and my mother's voice franticly calling to my dad to wake up. I tried screaming into the phone, but she was already gone. My father heard me, and picked up the phone. Through my laughter, I told my dad it was just an April fool's joke. My dad started laughing with me as we both heard my mom's van start outside of their house. All of a sudden we heard the door slam as she rushed back in to get my father to hurry up, and find out what was keeping my sound asleep husband, who should have already been out to the car with my bag. Through his laughter and tears, my father told her it was an April fool's joke and I was just fine. She went out shut off the motor to her van, came back and told me after I had my child she was going to shoot me. I still don't understand why, she would want to do such a thing? I guess she did get over it, because I'm still here, and all three of my children are grown.

A winter Memory

My Favorite Winter Memory
By Janeal Mulaney
Of course I was still a kid, and our Christmas vacation had just started. Three whole weeks without school what could be better, I awoke to falling snow, and not just the tiny flakes without moisture but big gigantic flakes the kind that make the best snowmen. It was still early and the snow had yet to cover the ground adequately, but I had my hopes. We had not been able to build a snowman yet this season, nor had we been able to make snow angels, or have a snowball fight. What good was winter without all those things?
Bause of the bitter cold, I had been trapped inside, it was a fate worst then death to this tomboy. I grabbed my jeans and sweater and headed for the bathroom. Today I was going to be outside and able to play in the wonderful white powder. I looked outside once again and smiled with delight. The snow was already over three inches high with more on the way. My daddy met me as he headed toward the kitchen; "hey spunky are you ready for a snowball fight?" he asked, as he passed me in the hall.
"I can't wait daddy, I'll be ready to head out in just a minute," I said, knowing that the chores had to come first, but even they got me out the house.
Side by side Daddy and I feed the horses, cows, chickens, dogs, and cats. Then headed to the barn to milk ole bossy our white-faced Hereford, she'd been with the family longer then I could remember. I loved all our animals, and enjoyed the time I helped with them, most of our animals we had raised from babies, so all were friendly the same way with Bossy's twin calves, that had been born the spring before, I had named them Randy and Sandy, and taken care of both in the small corral on the other side of the barn until they were big enough to join the tiny herd we had. If you can actually call three cows, and two bulls a herd. Dad gave me the honor of going out to break the ice in the water tank, while he milked Bossy. As I walked out of the barn into the corral both calves came to greet me, they were as ready to play in the snow as I was. Sandy nudged me on the right shoulder then Randy would nudge me on the left back towards Sandy making me their human basketball. We walked and slid all the way to the water tank that way, and then I took the small hammer out and with my child strength I hit at the three-inch ice to break through. I had just cracked the ice across the tank when the calves decided to both nudge me in the back as I was applying the hammer to the ice once
again. I somersaulted straight into the tank the ice split and I went head first into the iciest water I'd ever felt. I came up stuttering and sputtering over my ice cold shower. Randy and Sandy must have been worried, because as I was trying to get my footing to get out of the icy pool of water. Both calves grabbed a hold of my coat and were pulling me up and out of the tank. My dad must have heard the splash and looked out to check on the noise, then ran to get the old blanket before leaving the barn. Randy and Sandy had pulled me out as I lay on the ground both of them laid down beside me and put their heads across my back, to keep me as warm as possible, until my dad was there to lift me up and carry me to the house. I caught a severe cold and was in bed for the next two weeks. The snow had come and gone; right along with Christmas before my over protective mother would allow me to get out of bed. The minute I was up, Dad told me to go check the stock with him, I dressed and we went out to the corrals where the cows and horses stayed, everything was normal the horses were frisky and running around absorbing the suns' rays, most of the cattle were still eating all except two calves who stood looking at the house expectantly.
"Why aren't they eating, daddy?" I asked, as we neared Randy and Sandy.
"The only time I've gotten them to eat, since the day you went into the water tank is when I put the hay in that corner where they can see the back of the house. I think they are worried about you, and until they make sure you're well, their going to stand right there."
I walked up to the fence where both calves moved me around with their heads, just like they had that day two weeks ago. I started laughing and hugging them back, and then after one more nudge they walked over to the rest of the herd and started to eat. My dad and I just looked at one another.
It's been years since that time, but I will never forget Randy and Sandy and how much they meant to me for years, they were always there, and I know they loved me as much as I loved them. I have many more fond memories of all my animals, but this one I hold dear, because you hear and see about dogs and cats even horses who take care of their masters, but never about cows. I think all animals can sense a person's need when they are in trouble and instinct takes over. God knew what he was doing when he made animals, and he made man. God made a connection between the two, and I think God for that connection every day. ©

The Empty Christmas Stocking

The Empty Christmas Stocking
By Janeal Mulaney
I’ve noticed every Christmas, presents get more expensive
Everyone wants more and more.
Are we forgetting what Christmas is all about?
On the twenty-fifth day of December, we celebrate our Savior birth,
Jesus Christ was born.
Do we remember that it’s His birthday we celebrate?
Do we put a gift for Him beneath our Christmas tree?
Do we hang a stocking for Him for the entire world to see?
You might wonder what we’d give him even if we did.
Well, here are a few ideas to fill His stocking with.
There kindness toward each other, and the rest of our fellowman.
Peace on earth, and joy throughout our land.
We could also reach for understanding and forgiveness,
For the people we feel have done us wrong.
Compassion and caring we should give throughout each year.
Is his stocking getting full, or do we still have room for a whole lot more.
We could put in gentleness and tenderness, for they should go hand in hand.
Let’s not forget the love he gives us each and everyday
I still feel LOVE is the most important gift of all.
So, hang the empty stockings on the mantelpiece.
But don’t forget the most important one.
The empty stocking you hang for Jesus Christ.
Don’t forget all the items that make our Christmas bright.
Our Love for the Heavenly Father and our fellow man
For each time we show our love for another.
We show our love also for our savior
Let’s add all the other feelings that God gives each of us everyday,
Not just once a year.

Why do I like you

By Janeal Mulaney
Sometimes I smile, Sometime I cry

When I think of you often I sigh

You're oh so cute and very sweet

I find your smile can't be beat

We talk all night, we laugh out loud

To stand by your side makes me proud

You share your dreams and your past

I know our friendship was made to last

The way you listen makes me like you more

Your deep rich voice touches me to my core

But most of all I like the way your hold me tight

Oh yeah that is why I like you!

Field of Flowers

This is a close up veiw of Field of Flowers, which I also rotated to the side. One of the wonderful benefits to having a abstract painting. You can have four painting in one. I like that idea. Thanks again Janeal.