Love Archives - Ducks 'n a Row

Of course, we are all living in an unprecedented time. Families all over the world are sequestered – quarantined – due to a global pandemic. This is something that most of us never imagined. Wherever possible people are now working from home, mostly online. We are learning how to do our jobs as best as we can while distancing ourselves physically from others.

What I love is the ingenuity that many are using to bring encouragement and comfort to others while living up to the health-based limitations we must follow. It is very cool to see the thoughtful ingenuity going on out there.

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Have you been reaching out in unusual ways? Let’s share some ideas here and see if there are some new things we can do to express loving care for others!

1.A small town where I live has been cheering up the children who are out of school by putting on a FIRE ENGINE PARADE twice a week! The fire trucks drive by, sirens and lights going, while the little ones wave out the window at them! The kids love it and the firefighters do, too.

We can't #hug right now but there are ways ♥ How are you cheering yourself and others up? #love #family #friends #hope #healthyliving #safetyfirst Share on X

2.One little girl was having her 10th birthday but the big birthday party her family had planned was canceled. The families who would have brought their children to the soiree still bought her presents. They drove by in their cars waving, honking their horns and singing “Happy Birthday to You.” They left wrapped birthday gifts at the sidewalk for her parents to bring in. It was so special!

3.Some “anonymous somebody” the other night put on a fireworks display. It was the real deal – professional grade! Just hearing the sound was encouraging. It brought back fond memories of the 4th of July. We couldn’t see it from our house but someone got to see it and we were all smiles in appreciation for the gesture.

4.A family where the mom has some delicate health conditions going on – she is on a feeding tube and cannot risk getting sick – has been struggling with loneliness and a little depression. A best-buddy of the dad wanted to cheer his friend up. So, he came by and sat alone on the front porch. The dad opened the screened window and sat on the other side. They watched a tv show together, the friend watching from outside – the dad inside, and visited.

5.Our local news station showed the reuniting of a very little girl – maybe 3 or 4 years old – and her mother. They had been separated from each other for many days. Her mom is an essential healthcare worker.

When she finally did see her mom- who was wearing a mask for safety – she jumped into her arms and cried the deepest, heartfelt crocodile tears. No words can describe what she must have been feeling, missing her, but it was profound.

What do you do when you cannot hug? #love #hug #family #healthy Share on X

We all need hugs and kisses and touch. So what do you do when hugs aren’t possible? Make a phone call? How about a family video party? The sound of a friendly voice means a lot.

The creative ideas I shared are just a sample of what many people are doing to keep their spirits up and not neglect the needy. Share your ideas in the comments. We’d love to hear from you ♥

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Enjoy!

Guest post by Tyson Cooper of Uplifting Love

My wife and I are expecting our fifth child in May. We’re super excited to have another little bundle of joy join our family. The happiness and fun that children bring into our lives and the opportunities that they provide us to learn and grow, both individually and as a couple, are nearly endless.

I always wanted my first child to be a boy. When we found out that our first child was a boy I was ecstatic! I was going to have an heir! For whatever reason it is incredibly important to men to have an heir, someone to carry on the family name and I did it on my first try.

When we went in for the ultrasound with our second child we hoped that it would be a girl but didn’t really care too much (we have always felt we should have five children so we would have plenty more tries). Another boy! Good, now I had an heir and a spare.

By our third pregnancy we really had our hopes up that it was a girl. No luck. Another boy. Now I had an heir, and a spare, and another spare.

Okay, with three little boys the odds were in our favor on the fourth try…or so we thought.

Now, with our fifth child there has been much anticipation. As soon as we found out we were pregnant I began referring to the child as “she” and “her”. I wouldn’t allow anyone in the family to even suggest it might be another boy. The power of positive thinking was what I was going for. If I wanted it badly enough I would come to pass.

My wife and I started thinking about girl names, I began imagining how much fun the father/daughter dances were going to be, and my wife’s excitement to have a little one with whom she could share the “world of women” grew and grew.

Finally, the day of the ultrasound came. We got in the car, about 90% sure that it was a girl, and drove to the doctor’s office.

The ultrasound technician came in, got the equipment ready, and began the ultrasound. She measured the baby’s legs, head, and stomach, found it’s kidneys and checked it’s palate, and did all of the other routine ultrasound stuff.

Then for the moment of truth. (drumroll)

It’s a boy. What?! It was absolutely unmistakable. It is going to be another boy.

In an instant our hopes were dashed like a dingy against an ocean cliff. I felt myself sinking into a state of resignation…”I’ll never have a little girl to love,” I thought.

My wife was brave and held back the tears but I knew they’d escape later.

After the initial shock of disappointment had faded I began trying to ramp up my excitement to have yet another son. I’m still working on it, I REALLY wanted a little girl, but we’re going to love this guy just like we love his brothers.

Now, please don’t misunderstand, we love all of our boys and we’re excited that number five is coming and that he’s a boy, we just wish we had a girl as well. So, as part of my effort to build up my excitement I’ve been coming up with reasons I’m excited to be the father of five boys. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

I have two decades of camping, hiking, fishing, backpacking, canoeing, white water rafting, and every other outdoor activity ahead of me (good thing I love the outdoors!)
I won’t ever have to pay for a wedding
My family name is pretty much guaranteed
We’ll be able to out vote the women in the family (since there’s just one) on the movies we watch
I don’t have to deal with that especially moody, awkward physical stage of a young woman going through puberty
No sacrificing my retirement to pay for dresses and shoes for dances that will only be worn once
We can sport a family basketball team (we just need to think of a name for the team)
All of the children can share a room their entire lives so I don’t need to give up my office (once I have one that is)
My wife will never have any competition for being the center of my universe (not that she could ever lose that spot but the temptation won’t be there)
My yard will be the best looking one in town for nearly two decades
I should never need to ask for help moving things
I won’t need to learn how to “do hair” (this is both a positive and a negative)
There will be no need to clean my shotgun…or to even have a shotgun really

Five boys. Our house is going to be crazy but it’s going to be awesome. Bring it on!

Tyson, you and your lovely wife, Cami, are obviously great parents. Thanks for this fun glimpse into your family life. Many blessings to you all — please let us know when baby #5 is born! With love … Sinea and the many readers of Ducks ‘n a Row ♥

Tyson Cooper is a husband and father who is dedicated to helping others to have strong, happy marriages. In his own words, “I do not consider myself a marriage expert. I have do not have academic degrees in this field or countless years spent counseling couples. I am a man who is passionate about helping people find happiness and joy in their marriages.”

Visit his blog Uplifting Love

When You Can’t Be There To Give Them A Hug

It's A Boy!