Luca Richard, sweet precious baby boy born on February 15 to my amazing daughter Grace and her husband Brogan.
He’s a marvel.
“We all live off God’s generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.” John 1
Introducing……
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2025 year in books
These are the ones I read cover to cover….
we got the assignment
“Dress like the bird you want to be.”
Aunt Mary
I love how you called us kindred spirits. I love how you showed me your journals and photos and art and gardens. I love that you used words like “whimsy”, and that you were silly and fun and loud. I love the way you dressed and how you came alive around people. You were a treasure. And now I smile to think of you with Jesus. I’ll see you “soon”.
Sarah is fifteen
She stayed home from school and we went to Evergreen walks to Sephora and The Paper Store (for her crown). Then the mall and crumbl cookie.
We had lilacs in the car because we love the scent and they won’t be in bloom much longer….and our two bushes at home are loaded with them.
Sarah is a darling, full of personality and joy. I am so thankful for her; I see her and am in awe of her. She’s got a good heart and a good head on her shoulders.
She had her boyfriend Cash over and also Alayna came later on and we all had pasta (made by David), cake and ice cream.
Caleb-Ethan-Seth-Cash-Sierra-Sarah-David-Aleyna
I’m writing this from the mall of all places.
Rich and took Sarah and Aleyna shopping and I’m just so tired that I decided to sit and people watch while they all wandered around having fun.
In other news, I need announce my latest grandbaby…Jacob and Brittnee had their second daughter on February 13 and named her Eloise Josephine. She’s a darling and I get to watch her and Lucy once a week for the whole day.
every spring
Thanks to David notifying me I was able to go down to the small pond and say my yearly hello Mr and Mrs Duck. They are a harbinger of spring as they fly over and land every year on or around this date.
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They always ask that I stand behind a tree so they don’t feel uncomfortable.
From here I was able to carry on a pleasant catching up sort of conversation with them. They did ask why it was just me this year, me and one solitary cat, and I had to explain to them once again (they are forgetful) that Parker (“that dog who always used to bark at you, remember?”) died a few years ago, and that the children all grew up. Soon we were all crying about it. Then the ducks cheered up(rather too quickly) and confessed, “it’s better this way.”
Ducks like quiet ponds.
I explained to them about how I have grandbabies now and that…… (I dried my eyes and smiled) …..”really I’ll always have all sized children to love and enjoy” and they said “Well as long as they don’t visit”…..
And I said, “Oh, they’ll visit.”
I’m confused now
Lucy hasn’t been feeling well so her parents took her to urgent care and when I got the update I yelled upstairs to David:
“Lucy has an ear infection!!!”
(David) “Lucky?”
(Me) “No! LUCY! ……Who’s LUCKY?”
(David) “Not Lucy.”
a good mama
Indeed, she is much more than a mama. Are their words to describe the vastness of a woman? All she is and does, so quietly, loudly, energetically, gently, mindfully, and naturally? So natural that only God notices? And notice He does. Smiles down. Lifting her up higher. All is grace. All is good which comes from above and how can we say thank you enough?
Thank you for Brittnee.
Thank you for the way she loves.
Thank you for the wife she is to our firstborn.
Thank you for the ways she cares for her daughter, our first little grand-baby.
Thank you for her smiles and joy and wit.
For her honesty.
For her work.
Why are birthdays so grand? Because they celebrate life, one of God’s greatest gifts.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” says Jesus, in John 10:10
A rich and satisfying life that started years ago on this day for my precious daughter in law.
Happy Birthday Brittnee!
She came inside yesterday evening after a long day at work and swooped her sweet girl up with love and kisses. I snapped a quick picture because I’ve loved watching her become (so much more than) a good mama over the last year.
The astute observer will notice a second little babe growing …. won’t Lucy have the surprise of her life come February, when a new sister appears?
thoughts after the election
“Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.”
“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption……… (examples of corruption: religious busy bodies, meanness, dirty talk, nasty sexuality, bad temper, wanting your own way, etc)……. guard against corruption from the godless world.”
“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.”
“It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.”
“Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom.”
“Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom.”
“Twisting the truth to make yourself sound wise isn’t wisdom–it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving.”
“Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.”
“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.”
“It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”
“Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.”
“Purify your inner life.”
“Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out.”
-book of James
And then, rise and shine.
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I imagine a woman, poor in spirit, broken and struggling, used and abused, pregnant over and over, multiple abortions…….seeing a poor soul lying homeless and suffering on the streets calling for someone to help them, the self-righteous are walking by, over and over, they are on their way to church, or a political rally, busy with “importance” but she, with her little, reached out a hand to help. Sat down by the poor soul’s side, stayed and listened, loved.
I imagine a person with set-in-stone morals and ethics. Nothing would sway them from their beliefs. They work hard and make money, and are involved in church or politics. Meanwhile their own precious child is crying and lonely and emotionally neglected.
The lonely might sit in a church every sunday but find their comfort and sincere friendship from beautiful strangers — deep, thinking. creative, full-of-life humans who come from anywhere, perhaps a drag queen, a gay person, addict, perhaps someone in deep poverty, and the lonely are shown mercy and grace from God, through that generous soul.
(every good and perfect gift is from above)
In fact, I know of a woman who was actively using her body as a prostitute, when she took action to help God’s spies escape, she believed and acted; her name lives on in the Scriptures. RAHAB
A handicapped person faithfully volunteering their time to help others, while receiving practically nothing in return from whole-bodied people, not even a look or a glance.
A child, skipping through Trader Joe’s, handing out flowers after her dad paid for them. I witnessed this with my own eyes, and I would rather be that child today than involved in today’s seemingly cut throat political arena and media reporting.
Give to the government what is the government’s, your vote, your taxes, but live the life you are meant to live.
Look for a way to help someone else. Spread kindness. Heal and be healed.
Listen to your heart, see with it, and take action when you are able. Keep what you do to yourself. These are your pearls. But give a loud testimony of what you see someone else doing. Light hearts on fire with stories of crystal clear and joyful goodness.
You won’t find most of God’s most beautiful people easily, you have to search them out, because they are the ones that are almost completely hidden, ordinary and plain, quiet to the point of silence, exhausted, yet glowing with that certain something in the eyes.
taking joy
It’s Friday. A golden September day. Leaves just beginning to slowly fall from some of the early changing trees outdoors. My life is full. My heart is full. There have been some significant discoveries in my life over the last month. I had covid in August and I just couldn’t shake it. I began to get weak, so weak that I could not do stairs without having breathing difficulties, I was very sick. I started wondering if it was long covid, so I went to the doctors. I was so sick that I cried throughout the appointment. My heart was racing fast. He had me do breathing exercises but it made no difference. I was truly miserable. Hot all the time, weak, shaking, sweating, and no energy or mental clarity to do much more than what I had to do in a day. I never gave up though. When the blood results came back the doctor called me that morning at 8:30. He asked me if I had any family members with thyroid problems and I said yes, my mother and aunts and some cousins all had been diagnosed and put on medicine. And he told me that I had hyperthyroid and to start taking the medicine that day. It’s been a little less than a month and I feel better than I have in a long time. Rich and I wonder if my thyroid has been acting up for years……it would explain a lot. I don’t have any regrets though. I can see God’s hand guiding me along and always remember that beautiful Bible phrase…..”at just the right time”……at just the right time God will show and reveal and give grace and move and guide. And yes, even each moment is a blessing-moment from above. My bare feet on the floor, the oversized striped shirtdress that I bought myself yesterday making me feel cute, the sounds of my son moving in his bedroom, the anticipation I feel knowing that the other kids will be coming home from school soon, on and on it goes.
My husband honoring me (briefly, during an introductory talk he gave) at work yesterday, and I was there in the front row next to Ethan. Bringing people to tears with his kind and loving words. The way it made me feel so loved and cherished once again, by my husband of almost 29 years (in three days). The sunshine sky above us as we had lunch together. Visiting his office, looking around the room at the many family photos he had printed on canvas. Our little ones.
I’m in my grandma era. Brittnee gave me a sweatshirt for christmas that says so. I wore it last night because the nights are getting cooler. I miss the babies because they have gone on vacation together with their parents over the last week. How lovely it is to receive texts and photos on a daily basis. Lucy and Rorric dipping their toes in the ocean, the bright happy smiles of Jacob and Brittnee, and Brogan and Grace……I love that they can spend time and make memories together.
Ethan and Sierra are doing so well….they have been married for over a year now. They have a dog named Winter. I love them so much.
Caleb is in his second year of college at Liberty University. My darling son.
Seth is in 10th grade, Sarah in 9th. They even have a couple classes together this year. It seems to have given them something to bond over. I love hearing them ask each other about their work and teachers and assignments. Seth is playing football and Sarah is cheerleading; first game tonight! These two younger ones are now 14 and 15 and bring me so much delight and laughter in a day.
As for me, I am taking joy wherever I can reach for it. By God’s grace I don’t ever have to reach far, and often the joy just falls into my hands effortlessly. All this from thyroid medicine! I have to laugh at the difference it has made in my life….so thankful. I have energy again. I feel 10 years younger. Whether good or bad times, God has a way of working in our hearts and minds that makes use of the moments and days and years.
I read books, I feather my nest, enjoy nature, keep close to my circle of friends, went on a trip to NYC with Joanna last week, I cook and clean, and I’m saying and enthusiastic yes to life…..the life God gave to me, eternal life that in some ways began the day I was born and will never end.
PS, oops one more family member to write about—I realized after I posted that I didn’t mention Dave. So here I am to remedy the oversight. David is home and doing great. He’s working for fed ex and is also very helpful when I need an extra driver to run errands. he has a girlfriend named Natalie and she’s a wonderful girl.
Good to be Home 