The Kids

A couple of years ago, while vacationing in Cape May, NJ, with my sister and her family, I ran across a frazzled mom of one very active 1 1/2 year old boy. She was watching with something between fascination and horror at our five children, my twins and Quinn (Sean stayed at home with Michael), and my sister’s twin girls (the boys hadn’t been born yet). The twins were running around on the beach, playing in the ocean and having a wonderful time. Quinn and I were playing a bit more quietly, picking up shells. We got into a discussion about how hard it was raising just one child and to her surprise I agreed with her. I explained about how having more than one is actually much easier. Of course, it doesn’t start out that way, especially with twins…you never get any sleep the first two years but then, something magical happens, your twins start to play with each other (and their big brother) and you can actually get things done again. *smile*

My friend, Maureen Wittmann, from the Thrifty Homeschooler wrote an excellent article on how larger familes actually are better consumers of the earth’s resources. I wish I could find it online but if you join her Yahoo group (and you should because it offers excellent tips), it should be in the post archives. Anyway, I love how it starts, so here is a bit of it…

Save the Earth, Have More Children by Maureen Wittmann

A few years ago a friend was attending the Earth Day celebrations in her community with her five children in tow. She must have been quite the sight as she pushed her double stroller along with her three older children hanging on. She stopped at the overpopulation booth which provided attendees with an array of literature enlightening them about the dangers of reproducing. She looked up from the literature and into the eyes of the gentleman manning the table and said, “We must be your worst nightmare.” Shocked, the man said nothing as my friend strolled away. Then suddenly she heard him calling after her. He was running toward her, waving his literature frantically, yelling, “Wait, wait! It’s not too late to stop!”

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I’ve never made a fortune,
And I’ll never make one now
But it really doesn’t matter
‘Cause I’m happy anyhow

As I go along my journey
I’m reaping better than I’ve sowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed

I don’t have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going’s tough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I’m rich enough

I thank God for the blessings
That His mercy has bestowed
I’m drinking from the saucer
‘Cause my cup has overflowed

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough
I’ll not ask for other blessings for
I’m already blessed enough

May we never be too busy
To help bear another’s load
Then we’ll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed
~Drinking from the Saucer by John Paul Moore~

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Blog Notes:

Danielle Bean, Catholic mother and author. Nice reads.