Ties that Bind

This last week we camped with my sister's children and grandchildren at Garner State Park for five days.  It was Tanya's dying wish that her children remain bonded to one another and to their extended family members.  She asked that we all go together to the place she loved so much and spread her ashes in the Frio River.  We had a great time reliving once again the joys of swimming in the Frio, climbing Old Baldy and two-stepping to favorite Garner oldies.  We laughed and talked and watched as her two grandchildren were initiated into the delights we've all enjoyed for the last fifty years.  Our memories are bountiful, and now we have added to them this trip and the sprinkling of the ashes of our adored daughter, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother.  What a special time it has been.  Thank you, Tanya, for watching out for us even as you faced your own exit from this world.  I love you with all my heart, my most special friend, my sister.

Like Mother, like Daughter...

I arrived home yesterday after spending 12 days with Momma at her house on Lake Livingston.  I'm grateful that I'm free to take this kind of time away from home to enjoy leisurely mornings sipping coffee on her front porch and taking naps on drowsy afternoons.  Evenings are spent having early dinner and watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Bachelorette" when it is on.  Not things I would do if I were at home, but I really enjoy them when I'm doing them with Momma.  It is definitely a throwback to the dreamy days of my childhood, and I cherish every minute of it.

WEEKEND WITH FAMILY

It has been a very long time since I posted to this blog.  That doesn't mean I haven't been grateful everyday for the blessings in my life! Sometimes it is difficult to isolate just one or two to blog about there are so many.

Today, I am grateful, as always, for my beautiful family; Sonny (Vernon), Kate and Abby and Daisy (our sweet boxer).  We got to spend the weekend together.  Kate and Quinn (her dog) drove down to visit overnight on Saturday.  We all enjoyed catching up, watching movies and sipping on numerous cups of coffee.... kind of like the old days when she was still living at home. We had a great time Sunday afternoon at the River Point Restaurant eating fried jalepenos, cornbread and greens, yummy shrimp, and their wonderful signature coleslaw. Food just tastes better when you are enjoying it with your loved ones. Life doesn't really get any better than this.  Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a family of such endearing people. Amen.

Awesome! Pop-Up Hallelujah Chorus at Macy

I am grateful to Handel for composing such a glorious chorus as this! Take a few minutes and watch this unusual performance. Awesome! Pop-Up Hallelujah Chorus at Macy

My Childhood Home

While exploring with the google earth program I discovered this recent street view of the house I grew up in. I lived here with my parents, older sister and younger brother and my Grandmother Pope from about fourth grade until I married at eighteen. It was a great old place with a floor furnace and window a/c units that we only used when the Summer heat became unbearable. With lots of windows and a frequent breeze we could "get by" through June and part of July. I still love an open house when the weather permits, and I purposely built my current home with lots of double-hung windows. Still, the a/c unit provides our comfort most of the year. But I am grateful for the memories I have of lazy days spent lying across my bed reading or daydreaming or even napping while a breeze floated through my window and the sounds of nature provided a peaceful backdrop. I hope the folks who live there now are as happy as I was then.

Early Morning Wake-up Calls

Today I woke up before five o'clock!  

Quickly, I activated the typical "negative" mindset:

"I won't look at the clock."
I "tried" to go back to sleep...no luck.
I went to the bathroom....crawled back in bed...no luck.
I focused on my aches and pains and lamented the lack of a good night's sleep...real progress here!
I rearranged my pillow...
I got up for some water and went ahead and took my morning meds...ate half a banana...back to bed...to wait for my husband's alarm to go off...

Acceptance and surrender...
...now I can actually enjoy, and even benefit from, this "inoppertune" blessing...
...time for prayer, reflection, thanksgiving, serving coffee to my husband in bed, morning reading...

And I haven't even "started my day" yet! 
                                                          ....hmmmm.....GRUMPY vs. GRATITUDE......a nobrainer!

Wouldn't it be awesome if this could happen to me every morning!!  Thank you, God!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Today I join my countrymen in remembering and celebrating a most holy day, MEMORIAL DAY. Although not a religious holiday, Memorial Day conjures a spirit of reverence and gratitude that is akin to that of worshipping God. I am grateful for the men and women who serve to protect the US and other countries; for those who have sacrificed so much to serve the right of freedom. Because of their commitment to something greater than themselves, I get to choose how to spend each moment of my life. Today at 3pm you can join other Americans in a National Moment of Remembrance for all those who have fallen.

Jesus said to his disciples,

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Countdown to Remembrance

My Sentiments on 36 Years of Marriage to Sonny Long

Thank you, Sonny, for being by my side for the last wonderful 36 years. Our wedding day is still vivid in my mind and my emotions as if it happened only yesterday. I can still see your face as I came up the aisle to join my life with yours. I would do it all again.

This song is dedicated to you... my brave, strong and steadfast Knight in Shining Armor.

Happy Anniversary
 May 19, 2009

DITTO FOR MAY 19, 2010     Very, very grateful for another year together navigating this thing called "life."

Introducing Kari Jobe...

I am grateful for Kari Jobe and young women like her; young women who have a discovered the joy of singing for the Lord. As Kari says, connecting people to the heart of God through song has been my single highest joy in life. Holding my newborn babies is the only thing that compares to that experience. My daughters are grown now. They are both beautiful women. God has given each of them the gift of song as well with distinctive voices and expressive ability. God give each of us "the gift of song" with which to praise Him. I challenge you sing a song of praise today, even if it's where no one else can hear. God hears and He is present in the praises of His people. Blessings to you, Kari, and to all the young women of faith!

Life Begets Life

My niece, Allison, and her husband, Derek, welcomed the newest member of our family on February 24, 2009. I got to hold him when he was only hours old! What a joy! I haven't held a newborn since my eighteen year-old presented herself.

I find myself envisioning the fun times he will have at his Great-aunt Lisa's house; fishing in the lake, swimming in the pool, jumping on the trampoline, baking cookies, playing the piano just to name a few. Happy Days are here again!! I am grateful for Elliot and tiny fingers and toes, healthy delivery for Allie, amazing support from Derek. I am especially grateful to witness my sister, Tanya, become a grandmother and Allison's dad, Chester, become a grandfather. Oh the years, they come and they go...and life goes on...and life is good!

NOT JUST ANOTHER SEPTEMBER

We've all been blasted from complacency here in Southeast Texas by Hurricane Ike. I, for one, am extremely fortunate to have suffered only minor setbacks because of the storm. My house and property are intact, and we are very comfortable even though we are still without electricity on day 15 of the aftermath. You won't find me complaining about having to camp out in my own home when others have lost their homes and everything they owned including their beloved pets. Of course, there are also those who have lost family members or friends or even their own lives. The distress and anguish of many is beyond any comparison to the inconveniences of being ranked with the "lucky" ones. I am grateful for time spent with dear friends and for generous hospitality given to us for ten days. We love you, Susan. I am grateful for loved ones who cleared our long driveway of fallen trees, limbs and debris so we could reach our house when we returned home. Thank you Derek and Allison for lending your help and strength while Uncle Sonny was recovering from surgery. Also, thanks for letting Abby stay with you for almost a week. It may have preserved her teenage sanity during this time. It is no surprise to anyone who knows my sister, Tanya, that she spared me a great deal of stress by helping me gather the valuables from my house on the day of evacuation. She took an entire carload of things back home with her, including my two dogs, Yeti and Daisy. She picked them both up from the kennel on her way out of town, and they are still with her at my parents home. This is after she spent the entire day before from 5am until 9pm at the hospital with me during my husband's surgery for prostate cancer. My sister seems to always be there when I need her the most. How blessed I am to be her little sister. I'm also grateful to Mom and Dad and my brother, Carl, for their love and support during this difficult time and for helping take care of my dogs. I'll continue this tomorrow because I don't want to leave anything out. I have soooo much to be grateful for. Til then......

THE POWER OF COMMITMENT?

Have you ever noticed how the minute you "commit" to something, like giving up chocolate or coffee, brushing your teeth three times a day, keeping a journal or, of course, the universal "diet and exercise" you not only fall off the wagon immediately, you break both legs in the process! I think the latent willfullness from childhood rises up and says to our subconscious minds, "Nobody is going to make me do anything? Not even ME!" Anyway, this is my current explanation for self-sabotage. Kind of embarrassing now that I've seen it in print; so much for 53-year-old maturity. On the bright side, now that I've figured out the villain behind this mind-boggling phenomenon surely I'll manage to get more than one gratitude entry a week posted to this blog. One can only hope. I am grateful for my sister's and brother's healings from cancer this past year. Our God thinks of everything. Thank you, Father and Our Lord Christ Jesus. I am grateful for Abby and Kate and Sonny who fill so much of who I am. I am grateful for solitude and peaceful, quiet times like now, with no TV. I am grateful for God's provision through my wonderful husband. I am grateful that all of my close family members are still living. I am blessed, truly blessed.