Things Aren't Always As They Appear!

Mart & Garrin

     Things aren't always as they appear.  My dad would always tell me this saying and it really has many meanings.  I'm reminded of this saying almost daily!  I think that we as women should think of this often.  Things aren't always as they appear!  We (women) usually judge others in many ways and think things are a certain way, when in all actuality they aren't as they appear!  Sometimes I think how great it would be if we put down all our barriers and just showed who we really are, instead of what we think society thinks we should be!  I try to live my life, not what society thinks my life should look like!  It's not easy and especially now that my dad is not here physically to encourage me to be who I am, but I'm learning and I will KEEP ON KEEPING ON!  What I would give to hear my dad tell me that...his voice was so strong and comforting and his presence was full of calmness and strength with a little bit of softness.
      I think of my dad and how he was perceived by people when I think of the saying...things aren't always as they appear.  From the outside looking in, my dad was so very rough around the edges.  Most would probably guess his education was high school, that he couldn't quote scripture out of the Bible or philosophize it or many other ideas about life, that he didn't own a suit,  that he didn't take any shit, that he'd fight for all he thought was right, that he didn't know how to design flowers or coordinate a wedding, that he didn't know the proper etiquette about wine tasting or how to set a proper table setting, that he didn't know much about politics, that he served this great country overseas that showed him disrespect when he returned home, that he could sew, iron clothes, cook an amazing gourmet meal, and shop with the best of them.  That he'd take his daughter dress shopping, that he could teach others to shoot a firearm, that he volunteered his time, that he could care for babies and change dirty diapers, that he'd read to his grandchildren or watch the movie Spirit til he could recite the entire movie.  These are just a few things about my dad that people probably thought of him when first meeting him.  Hence, things aren't always as they appear.  So I'll go over my list from above...he had more than a high school education, he knew his Bible and could quote scripture and philosophize it as well as many other ideas (The Art of War), he did own a suit (not that he cared to wear it!), he absolutely didn't take any shit! He never worked a Christmas (that's a whole blog in itself). He did fight for what he thought was right to the very end, he knew how to design amazing flower arrangements and coordinate weddings (he didn't necessarily care to do weddings!), he knew proper wine tasting and table setting, he knew politics and would discuss with anyone that would listen or debate it with him, he did serve his country overseas and was shown disrespect when he returned home, he could sew, iron, and he did most of the cooking and shopping.  He did take me shopping, even for dresses.  He taught many to shoot a firearm, volunteered his time with the sheriff's department, was the best babysitter ever and changed many many diapers, he read numerous books over and over to my children and watched whatever movie they wanted however many times they wanted.  So he absolutely fit the saying, things aren't always as they appear!
     During our visits, dad wanted to make sure that my mom left her legacy with my boys.  He explained that she had many things to teach them.  One of them being manners and etiquette.  So that's why I picked this picture for this blog.  Garrin, my oldest, is 12 and going to Cotillion with his friend Mart.  When I mention this to most people they look at me somewhat perplexed.  I've had a few comment like why is he doing that, he's a farm boy or really what's he ever going to need that for.  So I guess since we live on a farm in western Oklahoma that we don't need manners!  Really!  This has made me realize that my dad's saying THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR is so very true.  So my mom took him shopping and we had a great time.  She's leaving her legacy with the boys just as my dad did only in different ways.  How awesome is that!?!  So come to find out, my dad had manners classes before the navy and while he was in the navy.  And let me just say that if he wanted to, my dad could charm the pants right off you, only if he wanted to!  Otherwise, I think he liked appearing to be rough around the edges.
     Just as my dad wished, we are teaching the boys to be well rounded, independent thinkers.  Now I realize that the independent thinkers part could come back to haunt me later when they grow up and don't think anything like I do!  But that's a risk I'm willing to take.  Because after all THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR!

Trinity