We’ve been spending A LOT of time at the softball park.  Consequently, Soledad has been spending A LOT of time getting to know the mothers, grandmothers, and aunts of the softball players.  Before each and every game, Warwick and I have a long talk with her.

“Now, listen Soli. People come to the softball game to WATCH the game.  They can’t watch the game if they’re worried about talking to you. TODAY, we are going to sit by ourselves, eat our snack, and cheer for your sister. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to go bother anybody during the game. Especially not that lady you really like.”

Of course, Soledad agrees. Wide eyed, and eager she replies, “Okay Daddy. Memba. I’m not gonna eva talk to anybody again. Okay?”  Warwick just rolls his eyes and walks away.

Let’s face it. It’s a proven fact that she is a liar. A fibber. A deceiver. A fabricator. Whatever you want to call it. On occasion, she does not tell the truth.

Her father knows that she is only agreeing to get us to shut our pie holes long enough to get in public where she can do whatever she wants because she knows that typically we don’t like to scream and holler in front of civilized people.

With all that being said, when we arrived at the ballpark Soledad wiggled and squirmed the entire time. She kept trying to migrate over to her favorite fan, but her dad and I kept wrangling her in. There were a couple of puppies at the game, and that helped to divert her attention some. The rest of the time, Warwick and I just pulled on her, tried to talk her to death, so the nice lady could enjoy the softball game.

After the game, when we all started to process out of the stands and back to our cars, Soli pleaded to go and tell the nice lady good bye. What the heck, I thought. How much can Soli bother her in 3 minutes?

So, Soledad ran ahead and caught up with her favorite fan who was pushing her elderly mother in a wheel chair. I could see they were very happy to see Soli, and she immediately began chatting about this and that. Soledad walked along side the wheel chair with her arm sitting on the arm rest as she talked. After a few minutes, all three stopped and the lady in the wheelchair leaned over to whisper something in Soledad’s ear. With a completely serious look on her face, Soli looked up into her eyes and said, “Well of course there is! EVERYBODY has enough love to give to whoever they want!” And then Soledad leaned over and KISSED THAT LADY (A STRANGER) FULL BLOWN ON THE LIPS!!!!!

AAAaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!  OMG! OMG! I’m not sure, but I think that’s in the parenting handbook under, “Things you are NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, supposed to let your children do.”

And as quick as it happened, Soli put her chin up into the air, did an about face and returned back to me. I just looked down at her not knowing what in the world to say or do. It’s like she’s some kind of dissident lover, who refuses to conform to the rules of society. It’s as if she has so much love, she just can’t be contained. Should I contain it? Do I tell her not to love strangers, THAT WAY? Is there a right way to love people you don’t know? I’m thinking, yes. Just a hunch.

I’ve heard her speak about Jesus, and how Jesus loved everybody, and I really think that’s what she’s trying to do. Maybe Jesus can help me now.

Oh Lord, Please Help Me. Help me not to be jaded by the world so that my children can learn to love with open hearts. Let me learn to be ever faithful, ever caring, and ever loving once again. Lord, send us your grace so that we can navigate through this strange place with the deepest of love for all people. Please help me to remember that those you place in my life, are here to teach me lessons that I have not yet learned. Heavenly father, guide us all to love, and to light, and to laughter. Amen.

Now that we’ve gotten our prayers out of the way, today’s item on the agenda. . . .5 minute pumpkin muffins for my sweet pumpkin Soledad, who well  . . . . . . . is very good for my heart, just like these muffins.

5 Minute Pumpkin Muffins

They take five minutes to make, 20 minutes to cook!

Ingredients:

1 Box of Yellow Butter Cake Mix (Spice Cake Mix is also good, but yellow if my fave.)
1 15 oz. Can of Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix – PLAIN PUMPKIN)

*the ingredients above make a very nice moist muffin. However, if you want to make the supreme version of these try adding 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of nuts, and 1/2 cup of raisins for added fluffiness and richness. 

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, mix cake mix and pumpkin (and eggs if using) until well combined. After the ingredients are well blended, you can add the nuts and raisins if you like.

2.  Into a lined muffin tin, spoon batter into each muffin cup. I fill the cups to the brim, so that when they bake the muffins are extra large.  This recipe will make about 12 extra large muffins.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Only cook for 18-22 minutes if you are only filling the cups 2/3 full.