I heard from my dear friend and fellow fiestaware lover Lea Ann first thing this morning.
She had some happy news.
A new color was announced!
And she signed off saying, “Have a sunny day!”
Have you guessed?
Here is how it compares to the other yellows (although I wish the chart had vintage yellow on it, too):
Happy Day!
PS, Let me know if you need my address so you can send me some.
“From first to last it was crowded with delights.” LM Montgomery
My go-get-’em daughter Grace is on the hunt for a college and she made the decision to go to a Christian one. Weeks ago, it came to my mind that perhaps she would enjoy a college that was very familiar to me as it was a popular option for church students in the area that I grew up. In fact, my father took a few classes there, and Rich’s aunt also attended.
I was especially excited about it because my dear friend Joanna (who is mentioned on this blog about a thousand times) lives not far from the school. So I thought, “Wouldn’t it be neat to visit the college with Grace and then get to see Joanna?”
We went on their website and chose a date to visit: November 11th. Conveniently, this was a vacation day for Grace from school. I emailed Joanna to see if she would be in town that day.
BUT WAIT, there’s more! Not only was she in town, but she was SPEAKING at a ladies conference and asked if Grace and I would like to go with her. Of course we would!
About a week later, as I was preparing our trip details, it came to my knowledge that…..
BUT WAIT, THERE’s more! My son Ethan (who is a Freshman at a college in Vermont) was going to be IN THE SAME AREA for a wrestling tournament!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What???? are the odds? The tournament was on the same day as the conference so I was conflicted. After thinking about how to solve this problem, I thought that perhaps Ethan’s girlfriend would like to come along with us. SHE could surprise Ethan by showing up at his meet and that way I wouldn’t feel bad for being at a Bible conference while my son was literally only 30 minutes away from me (my heart!).
So, eventually, I received a “yes”from Tessa, but she asked if maybe David could go along as well, so she wouldn’t have to hang around at the gym alone.
Our little trip now included two extra teenagers=the more the merrier! I made reservations at a hotel situated in between both events and had good reviews, and a reasonable price.
We headed out of town in the darkness of 4:30 a.m. on Friday morning.
Grace was blessed over and over by the people of this school, and during the tour she was shown many things to be excited about. She enjoyed every minute.
BUT WAIT, THERE’s more!
While we were sitting in the dorm listening to our tour guide explain dorm life, a familiar face walked by. I recognized this young lady as the daughter of an old friend of mine! It was a joy to see and speak with her, and for Grace as well, especially after realizing she was the cousin of her friend Kyle and a best friend of her cousins. “It’s a small world” & “church connections” are the best!
Our tour at the school was over at 3:30. Joyfully, Joanna was able to finish up her work and texted me to ask if we could go to her house for pizza dinner. This was another unexpected blessing: to be able to see her entire wonderful family, see the things she’s done in her home since the last time I was there, and also allow Grace and Dave to meet her husband and children.
Before we went to her house, we decided to head to our hotel to relax for an hour. We checked into our room and dove on the beds, each of us with our own electronic device.
But wait, there’s more! I checked our group text (between my husband, myself, and our three oldest) and saw that Rich had questioned Ethan about where the wrestling team was staying that night. We hadn’t asked him before because we didn’t want him to become suspicious about us going to his tournament.
GUESS WHAT???????? The team was driving to our VERY SAME HOTEL to spend the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can imagine the squeal of shock as I leapt out of bed in my joy. Tessa and I were beyond amazed and thrilled to learn that we would actually SEE ETHAN THAT VERY NIGHT!
You have to realize, we were in a very populated area in PA, there are probably one hundred hotel options, and God put us in the SAME EXACT ONE!
WITH MY FRIEND AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! after two years!
love you, Josephina! 🙂
Steve and the kids were just the sweetest and nicest and we had delicious pizza together before heading back to the hotel.
Using the handy dandy “find my phone” feature on our iPhones Rich was able to let me know when Ethan’s bus was within 10 minutes of the hotel. Grace and I sat in the lobby, and I was still in denial that this whole thing was happening. I felt like “I’ll believe he is truly staying in this hotel when I see the bus pull up.”
AND IT DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grace ran off to get Tessa for Ethan’s surprise #2 and I wasn’t aware of it so I didn’t get that one on video. But he was thrilled to say the least. After the team settled into their rooms, Ethan was able to come back to us and we were able to see each other until almost 11pm.
The next morning, I drove Dave and Tessa to the college to watch the wrestling tournament. Grace and I continued on to Joanna’s house. We picked her up and had time to go through Dunkin’ drive thru for tea, and then to the church where Joanna was one of three women speakers.
Right off the bat, my soul was being soothed by the songs, the women, and the atmosphere. It was just what we needed to make this weekend away from home PERFECT.
And to see my daughter and my dearest friend together…..Bibles open…..learning, growing, singing praises, loving…..it was such a gift. God ministered to me and my children over and over in the most tangible ways. It was overwhelming, to say the least. I’m still feeling the adrenaline rush as I type.
Joanna’s talk was Christ centered and soulful, I was in tears. One of the stories she told was about the time she and her husband adopted their daughter from Ethiopia, and how moving it was to be able to take the orphanage clothes off her new baby, and, as her new mama, to dress her in a handmade, beautifully smocked dress (made just for her by dear Dawn). This continues to serve as a beautiful reminder to her of the very same way that God clothes us as His dearly beloved children, showing us that we belong to Him.
She even had the dress with her to hold up and show the women. Tears!
(Dawn made Sarah Joy a dress with the same pattern)
sisters in Christ, friends for over twenty years, soul sisters, always and forever
Joanna came with Grace and me to the remainder of the wrestling tournament. This was the first meet she had ever watched, and it was fun to share with her something that is a HUGE part of my life each winter. We had missed out on Ethan’s two matches but Tessa was kind enough to record them for us. He lost his first match by points, and won the second by a pin.
I was able to meet one of the other moms of the team, and two of the coaches as well. It was fun to watch the matches and it made me excited for the upcoming wrestling season for my younger boys.
The meet ended and we took a few photos before Ethan got on the bus for Vermont.
(David took a 2 hour nap in the hallway during the meet, LOL) And Grace (although you can’t tell) was in tears and starting to feel shaky and sick. The excitement was starting to catch up to her.
So Joanna and I dropped them off at the hotel and the two of us were able to go out to eat. She took me to a Greek place that she and Steve go to on their dates. (Thank you to Steve for the suggestion!)
You can just imagine all the talking we did.
I took her home and continued back to my hotel room, completely filled up with the goodness of the day.
The next morning we allowed ourselves to sleep in a little. We left by 9 and made a stop at Krispy Kreme donuts before entering the highway for the three and a half hour drive home.
This post doesn’t even begin to describe all the ways God blesses our lives. But it does give a taste of how what we think will be an ordinary life can become abundantly and richly touched by His hand. It was a *praise and thank you Jesus* sort of weekend! And it is a *praise and thank you Jesus sort of life* for all those who believe on His name.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-25
But there are also many other things which Jesus did–so vast a number indeed that if they were all described in detail, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written. John 21:25
God gave me a book on Saturday. I wasn’t looking for it. I went into the thrift store and aimlessly browsed, I chose the book (and a few others, too) after briefly flipping through it. I started reading it at home and instantly I was mentally thanking and praising God and underlining everything with a nice sharp pencil….this book is solidifies some important things I’ve been thinking about in regards to kinship, belonging, and organized church. At just at the right time, God gave me more words, more ideas, and in the form of a book (He knows how I love to read because He made me). (I payed one dollar for five books and a little box for Grace). So this book cost me about 20 cents. I love it, I love how He operates.
*****
An acquaintance of mine tried to commit suicide. What he did should have killed him, but he survived. I was asked to help. For more than six months I worked with this man in therapy. Even now I recall the session-I think it was the tenth-where I came up with an insight that put so much of his pain into new perspective. I remember him saying, “How on earth did you figure that out?” I humbly shrugged and said, “Hope it helps.”
In the middle of our work together, I happened one spring day to be driving through the local college campus and saw my depressed client sitting on the grass with a friend. They were laughing. I’m not clear why, but I felt a strong desire to join their good time.
Every reason why I shouldn’t join them ran instantly through my head–too much to do, it would be awkward, even unprofessional, to socialize with a client–but the words of my friends over breakfast came back to me. Was I afraid to just be with this man, to take off the Dr. Crabb white coat, to stop being an expert, and offer myself as a person?
On an impulse, I stopped my car, walked over to where they were sitting, their backs toward me. When I got close, they heard my footsteps, and turned. I greeted them both, then said to my client, “How are you?”
Picture what it would be like to have your therapist, while you’re in the middle of treatment for suicidal depression, walk up to you in a casual setting and ask, “How are you?”
He wrinkled his face into serious expression, coughed a few times, then said, “Well, maybe a little better. Still really worried about…..”
I interruped. “I don’t mean, ‘How are you doing with your struggles:’ I’m just sociably asking how you’re doing.”
He replied, “You mean, like, ‘Fine, thanks’?”
“Yes, exactly!”
“In that case, fine, thanks. Can you join us?”
“Sure I’ve got some time.”
For the next thirty minutes I didn’t say one intelligent thing. I just enjoyed two friends.
Three years later I met him for coffee during a trip to the town where he was then living. He was doing well. At one point in our conversation he thanked me for my influence on his life. I asked what he remembered that had helped the most. There was no hesitation.
“It was that half hour you sat on the grass with me and my friend and just chatted.” He was warmly smiling.
I was indignant. “Don’t you recall that life-changing insight I came up with in the tenth session of therapy?”
“Uh, no, I don’t. Can you refresh me?”
I believe that the work we did in therapy was important. But I also believe that the time I most clearly led with my heart rather than my head was the time of greatest power.
page 35 of Connecting, by Larry Crabb
“Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”
Christmastime this year has been made brighter by the visit of my precious friend, Hannah. I mentioned a few blog posts ago, when I posted pictures of the blouse she made me, that she is the only friend I have that has battled depression. I have struggled once again with that old curse that I hate so much, and during this time, according to the typical nature of depression, I found myself closing off from almost everyone around me…..except for Hannah. She lives so far away, in the beautiful state of Alaska, but she graciously and promptly answered all my texts, responding hastily with the love of Jesus, verses, encouragement. We talked several times on the phone. I felt comfortable voicing those parts of my heart that needed expression and light.
And then came the moment when she asked if she could come and visit me. She couldn’t take the depression away but she could sit by my side in full understanding. I’ll never forget her words, “If I had to go through depression in order to help you, it was worth it.” We felt the visit was truly God-ordained, even to the price of her round trip, only 36 dollars!
Jesus is always with us, He promised in his Word that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. I believe that He uses His people in tangible ways to love us. What I mean is, Hannah has been *my Jesus with skin on*. I hope that doesn’t sound disrespectful. Jesus is within all believers, we are a temple of the Holy Spirit, we have this treasure in jars of clay, and as we hold one another, sit beside one another, speak to one another, we are experiencing His love through a brother or sister in Christ. He loves me through her. As I spent time with her, I felt as if Jesus Himself was with me.
Hannah is not the only friend I have like this. If you’re reading this and you’re my friend then it is the same with you. God places certain people in our lives whom we cannot forget even if we might sometimes want to. Their names are written on our hearts. I have friends that I will be loyal to until the day I die, I simply cannot neglect the brothers and sisters in Christ that God has brought into my world. I’m thinking of so many people right now that have shared my life with me, and I with them, many of them are my own relatives but some of them are not. Why does He do this? I have to believe that it is because part of the work He has for us to do is to love each other deeply, encourage each other, sacrifice time and energy, so that the journey through life is not without abundant support and meaning. It’s a beautiful thing to see.
The Bible says, “If we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us.”
HOW AMAZING IS THAT?
I found a quote on Pinterest that says it well: “When God puts love and compassion in your heart toward someone, He’s offering you an opportunity to make a difference in that person’s life. You must learn to follow that love. Don’t ignore it. Act on it. Someone needs what you have.”
I’ve been writing about lifelong relationships, but this concept of being an instrument of God’s love applies to the “one time” act of kindness for a random stranger, too. How many people have we unconsciously showed grace and love to, without even being aware that our smile, our small conversation, our politeness, touched someone’s life in a meaningful way at just the right time? How many times did a stranger touch our hearts with kindness that made us thank God then and there?
Surely, God is in full operation at ALL TIMES. Moving, breathing, shepherding us THROUGH EACH OTHER. (and his Word, his World, and so many other ways, too). Praise Him with me!
Oh for eyes that see and give Him glory. And in all things, to give thanks.
A few days ago Hannah and I went to a museum together. We drove into the city, parked in a parking garage, and walked a few blocks to the museum. It was a special time at the museum, too, because of Christmas, there were decorated trees and choirs singing as we wandered delightfully through the rooms. Oh how we loved the artwork! We came away determined to enjoy more art and Hannah wants to study art history. It was fascinating.
I took a few photos of the trees. The first picture in this blog post is one that an older lady did. She lives in a nursing home and knitted every single ornament and garland for her tree. I loved it. I loved imagining her working on it.
A bird tree, a tree decorated with origami which reminded me of my David who loves to fold paper, and another view of the “yarn” tree.
A Harry Potter tree! (David is reading all the books these days, he’s now on #6)
And then we made our way into the art exhibits. There was a folded card which showed the details of each painting so we took advantage of that and studied each one.
There was so much spiritual depth in the works, some we understood, others we felt as if there was more to learn….which I suppose is one of the purposes of museums and art…to create a thirst for knowledge as we appreciate the beauty.
And, by the way, we both wore blouses that Hannah made herself~art from the sewing machine!
that beautiful blue color
Book of Hours from the 1400’s. Imagine the work that went into this amazing book and all the hands that touched it through the years.
Egyptian cat
Amazingly carved linden wood.
“Still life with Ham”
a GORGEOUS silver center piece which we stood and looked at for a while
This too! A birdcage!
made entirely of porcelain (I think…or something similar)….amazing detail and beauty
God’s art….above and beyond anything we could even imagine!
God made Hannah, too, a beautiful work of art, and He made YOU as well…so special and unique, truly one of a kind.
After seeing as much as we could possibly absorb in one day, we made our way to lunch at the cafe and then shopped the gift shop for Christmas gifts.
It was a memorable day with a dear friend.
You are LOVED!
“friendships multiply joys and divide griefs” HG Bohn
My Alaskan friend is sleeping off her jet lag this morning so I have a few blessed minutes to tip tap on the keyboard now that the children have been fed their pancakes, cleaned up, and gotten on the bus. It’s a misty morning. Caleb woke up and said he had dreamed that it had snowed, and without missing a beat he cried, “WHY WON’T IT SNOW!!!!!” He doesn’t want a green Christmas but I said it’s better than a blue one.
Hannah and I went for a walk yesterday and just as we were stepping off the lawn onto the road an ambulance came slowly down to park at the end of the trail by our woods. A uniformed man got out and started striding up the trail purposefully. We *needed* to know what was happening so I went over to the window to ask the man in the passenger seat what was going on, imagining that someone was in trouble in the woods. He laughed, “He needed to go to the bathroom.”
You never know what God is going to bring across your path just when you needed a nice laugh. We left the men in peace and continued on our walk quite amused.
There is a delightful little thrift shop in town so we headed there to do a little rummaging. Hannah loves to sew and she enjoyed going through all the patterns which cost 25 cents a piece. She found four to take home and use. We looked through the household goods and for the very first time EVER in this shop, I FOUND FIESTAWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two ring handled periwinkle blue mugs! Another gift from God to put smiles on our faces. Two mugs! One for me and one for Hannah to take home with her.
All these things for five dollars. (books, something for Dave, an ornament, a piece of pretty fabric, a hand crocheted jingle bell wall hanging, a lidded glass jar with lily of the valley on it.)
AND THE TWO FIESTA MUGS.
So then we put the box in my car and walked up the sidewalk to the coffee shop for a nice lunch. We had bean sandwiches and quiche with water to drink.
After lunch we walked up to our favorite shop. When Hannah came almost three years ago on her first visit, the two of us visited this particular shop together for the first time. It was in my own town but I had not been inside yet. It was delightful, full of charming items and decorated very nicely. It has an “Anthropologie” feel to it, a feast for the eyes and nose because there are fragrant candles in the shop, too.
We asked the shop keeper to take our photo in front of her beautiful Christmas tree.
We headed back home, stopping for small caramel lattes at the Dunkin Donuts drive through.
We watched a movie and then it was time to go get David from newspaper club.
The afternoon flew by as we sang at the piano, played with the kids and worked on a Nativity puzzle while listening to music. We made chili for dinner.
We brought a table in to the dining room and set up a Nativity set with Seth and Sarah’s help.
The kids aren’t allowed to play with it so Sarah sits in front with her own little dolls, which is why Cinderella has made an appearance.
After some TV and a little reading, the first full day of Hannah’s visit was over.
*****
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” third stanza, by Edmund Sears
I hope my friends who happen by this blog today have a blessed and peaceful day. You are loved.
First a couple of photos of my babies…not really babies at all…they are five and six now.
But they are the closest thing to babies I have. Well, besides my kitty.
We were waiting for the bus at 7:40 am this morning.
I feel pretty! (do you know the song from West Side Story? Grace and I sing the phrase “I feel pretty” whenever we feel especially pretty. And I’m singing it today because of my tunic.
My friend Hannah made it for me. She lives in Alaska and we have been pen pals for a long time now, and she came to visit me for a week a few years ago. I think I owe her a visit, don’t you? I’ve never been to Alaska before. I love learning about her life and her days.
I met her when we were both blogging on xanga. The first thing I read on her site that made me think she was possibly a kindred spirit was that she was currently reading through the James Herriot books. Eventually we learned that we had a lot more than that in common. We were homeschooling moms, the same age, loved the same books, and each had a bunch of children that were all about the same ages. We both got married in the same year, too. She and her husband have 6 children, four girls and two boys.
Our temperaments are a lot alike, as well. For example, we both have suffered from depression and have been able to help each other through dark days.
We both love Jesus.
Hannah is a very talented seamstress, she made Seth and Sarah each a baby blanket when they were born. She’s been sewing her own clothes and asked if she could have my measurements and if she could sew me a shirt.
Jacob and I went out to run errands all morning and as soon as we got home I ran to the mailbox and it had arrived!!
For you ladies who sew, here are some of the details: The pattern is the Schoolhouse Tunic from Sew Liberated. She ordered the fabric, which is voile, from fabric.com. The fabric is by Art Gallery Fabric and designed by Katy Jones. Maybe Hannah could answer questions in the comments if you have any.
She also made a tank to go underneath. It’s a soft, thick stretchy fabric with a nice wide band around the hem. She did a quality job and I’m thankful and humbled by her generosity.
She also sent these little goodies. I especially like the mushroom earrings. Her mom made the scrubbies and the earrings so you can see that amazing talents have been passed along from mother to daughter.
Today has been so unusual. Not only did Hannah’s package come, I also got a letter from Gina, and Wilma! The cardinal is a postcard that Dawn sent me a few weeks ago and I never did tell her I received it which is really sad…so hopefully she’ll see this post…and I’ll be writing to you four ladies ASAP, I can’t wait, and I bought some Halloween stickers today to decorate the envelopes.
Last but not least, here is a picture of Ethan (my senior 17 year old son) right after he got off the bus this afternoon. He dressed up for school because he has an away game tonight for soccer.
Happy Friday!
What do I look for in my friend?
Someone who can feel what I feel. or
Someone who doesn’t have as much emotion as I do, and can balance me out and tell me the logical facts, and calm me down. or
Someone who likes the same things I do, whether it be books, nature, fiestaware. maybe
Someone very similar to me. what about
Someone who tells me when they are hurting and struggling, so I can help.
Or, someone who is almost my opposite who can teach me things I never thought of before. perhaps
Someone older, someone younger.
A listener. A person with heart and soul. or
Someone who lets me love them.
A person who cares, loves, is kind and patient.
But most of all, the person I want for my dearest friend is a woman who has Jesus in her heart.
Not a pretender, not a “head knowledge” of truth, but the heart that is just like mine, a Jesus-heart.
In other words, I have found in my own experience of friendships, that there is no formula whatsoever but a foundation through Jesus Christ, for the purpose of “whatever reason”–that certain something she can give to me, or I can give to her to help us both be better people and keep pressing on the upward way. The Holy Spirit draws us together, He writes that woman’s name on my heart, or my name on her heart, and we have a relationship to enjoy for as long as we can.
God has put women in my life that I simply cannot forget and will not forget. We will be as loyal as the day is long. I know this because we annoy each other at one point or another – – but we can never do anything to cut the tie of friendship we feel is ours to keep.
I do have my own very priceless circle of friends that is written in stone, but there is room on the stone for more. I am always open for more kindred spirits. But I don’t go searching for them, God puts them in my path, whether at church or wherever.
Some of my friends even live “in the computer” and even if it sounds far-fetched, I know it’s true and I love it! I love that I have friends whom I have never seen face to face, yet can share common interests, encouragement, prayers, and so on.
Social media is the modern age’s pen pal system!
God’s people are everywhere and He can use all kinds of ways to draw us together. He wants us to have close relationships with others. It lifts my spirits to hear from my friends, and it’s wonderful to be a blessing to my friend, as well. I need it in order to live because life gets so heavy at times. The burdens are great. Things happen to shake me, and I can reach out to a friend and see how it is….she stops what she is doing and prays for me in love and concern.
It’s such a beautiful thing, I cry.
Anyway, one of these friends is someone I am blogging about today. Her name is Bridgette and we met years ago at church. Some of the fun things we have in common are the love we have for our families, pinterest, and fiestaware. We also have the foundation, which is Christ. Bridgette’s friendship humbles me because I can’t always see why she cares for me so much. I feel shy around her at times. I love that she encourages me by sending me happy emails of chickens wearing sweaters, or by sending a text message of a picture she took of a spider. She loves keeping up with me by reading my blog and she remembers things I wrote even a long time afterward and that means a lot to me.
We had years of time together as members of the same church, talking and visiting at those functions and also getting together, just the two of us. I remember one night after church we went to Crackerbarrel together and drank ice tea with our meal…I didn’t sleep a wink that night from the caffeine. Also, we were pregnant at the same time…several times..which was fun. And, when she and her family moved away I was heartbroken, as a matter of fact, I’m still sad about it. But such is life.
Mostly what I sense around this special woman is the quietness of a life lived close to God, and a heart warm and open to love anyone and everyone. She truly has a grace-filled heart for encouraging other people, and what a gift that is!
When Rich and I took the children to Georgia recently I was able to arrange a long-overdue visit with her. She was a lot more excited about it than I could have imagined. Thank you, B, for your faithful friendship to me. I love you and care about you and yours. I’m here for you anytime you need a friend, day or night.
We met at a pizza place. She has five children, one of the girls is hidden next to Sarah.
She talked about Sarah to her daughter so much that it was love at first sight.
We only had the time it took to eat the pizza, because we had such a long drive ahead of us. Bridgette and I would have liked to have a longer visit of course, but were thankful for what we managed to squeeze in. She sent me on my way with snacks, a journal, coffee, and chocolates, which I am still enjoying.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
“Dear Jesus, please bless any woman reading this today with friendships that will lift her spirits, make her laugh, and help her along in whatever plan you have for her life. Help her to be a good friend to others, too. Give her someone she can trust, in Your timing and in Your way. Help us to obey your prompting when you place someone on our heart. Thank you for supplying our every need. If we need a friend, you will give us one.”
This is why Colleen and I are at home at each other’s houses. Because we have a touch of the crazy in us, and so do our husbands and children. Crazy good times happen.
Colleen is my Aunt and we grew up together as next door neighbors on a quiet farm road in New York. We went to the same school and the same church. Like all good family, she is a lifelong gift from God. She and her husband have four girls who are about the same ages as my children and what a fun time it is when we can get together.
The kids really want to be with us most of the time, but once in a while we can convince them to run off to swim or jump on the trampoline or what-have-you.
Rich and I live four hours from our families and honestly, I was feeling quite lonesome and homesick for “my people” the other day. I am very content being here in Connecticut but there comes a time when a woman just needs to be with her mom….or, an aunt. To sit and visit, talk about all the memories, relax, forget the housework, and be together again.
Colleen’s visit this week came at just the right time. Uncle Roger was on a business trip so she came to see us.
She and the girls arrived yesterday and we sat and talked on the porch, made dinner together, sang hymns, and watched a little TV. Today we talked on the porch, went downtown to the coffee shop and thrift store, had lunch, visited some more, and then she and the girls left for home again. It was a short but very sweet visit.
(We missed her daughter, Madelynn. She was busy doing her summer missionary work with children. My Jacob isn’t in the pictures, either, because he was sick.)
Molly’s shirt says, “Bacon: just another reason why I know Jesus loves me.”
They brought their little chihuahua dog, Reese, with them. Seth, Sarah, and David could not leave the dog alone, they fell right in love with him. He was such a good and patient dog.
(day one)
(day two)
Dave was a good boy, talking to Aunt Colleen all about turtles and the fact that on September 27 he has a birthday and wants his parents to get him a tortoise. “Once you see a tortoise eating a strawberry, you’ll want one, too” he assured us. He came to the porch with a female garter snake. He has Aunt Colleen convinced he will be working in a zoo one day.
Dave was trying hard to get Reese to love him so he put peanut butter on the bottom of a glass.
My aunt brought me some homemade blueberry jam made from Candy L’s berries, and some bread n butter pickles, too.
She gave me this pretty painting that she did of “my peaceful place”. I told her that Rich would be finding me in front of it very often.
The flowers looked so pretty in the early morning sun as I left to take Grace to her babysitting job this morning at 7 a.m. On the way home I picked up 2 dozen donuts to go with breakfast. Okay, I admit they WERE breakfast.
The children played in the warm earthy pond together just like Colleen and I used to swim in our old pond, too.
We took Molly downtown with us and bought iced teas and an entire bag of books. (2 dollars for the books!)
forever friends
Meg showed us Reese’s tricks. He sat, he shook his paw, he rolled, he practiced playing dead. He did a great job.
Marissa, Dave, and Meghan
Today I am extra thankful for all my crazy family!
They are my best friends.
“Should I live a long life, bless me with my true friend to take the journey with me.”
(i took this picture while flat on my back)
I ask myself this hypothetical question often, “What would the Wise Woman do?” and I asked it this morning after dropping a child off at school for a final exam. I would have to return to the school after 2 hours to pick him back up.
I like to pretend that the wise woman is my Mom, my Grandma, or my dearest friend. What would they tell me to do when faced with a certain decision? Somehow it makes it easier to find the right thing to do when imagining what they would do.
I felt depleted physically and run down mentally, from days of rushed activity. So I asked myself.
What would the wise woman do with two hours?
She would drive into town for a favorite drink and an apple juice for the preschooler, find a quiet table near the window and sit for as long as she wanted.
She would write a list of thankfulness with a pen on a paper napkin.
She would say “yes” to walking to the empty park nearby.
She would lay back in the grass under a bright blue sky and let the hot sunshine melt away that sinus headache and listen to the birds and her little daughter singing as she played.
She would loiter everywhere she walked…slowly…taking everything in.
Sh would really taste that iced chai tea, down to the last drop.
That’s what the wise woman told me to do. And that’s what I did. Thank you, wise woman!
thank you
for calling me
thank you for praying with me
for sharing the things that hurt you,
because then I remember that I can be brave with my hurt, too.
thank you for laughing with me so much
Thank you for those journal bits you send in the mail.
thank you for traveling so far to spend time with me
thank you for loving my children
thank you for understanding
for being gentle
for the blanket you crocheted for me
the scarf you crocheted
the potholder you crocheted
For watching Mr. Rogers with me.
for teaching my daughter sign language
thank you for letting your children visit my family
for the letters
for the gifts
for spoiling me
for being yourself around me
snickerdoodles
for being warm and friendly so I know you truly care
making me forget about my phone
for not noticing my faults
for noticing my faults and being amused by them
for noticing things I didn’t think anyone saw
for leaving a comment on my blog every single time
hugs
giving my daughter essential oils for her headaches
forgiving me when I cancel our coffee date, again
talking nonstop
letting me cry it out
making me pee my pants
memories
thank you for the fabric napkins you made me
thank you for the quilts you made my babies
for being faithful
for telling me your morbid stories
for telling me when you wear the earrings I gave you
Thank you for teasing me.
Thank you for not pushing me too hard.
for knowing I love cherries, and owls, and cats.
for those pins you send me on pinterest
for the encouraging texts
being real
inspiring me
letting me in
inviting me over
letting me hold your baby
being quiet with me
singing with me
thank you for the vintage cookbooks
all those emails when I needed your guidance and experience
sharing your favorite people with me
sharing your favorite books with me
for saying yes
for being the one to pay for dinner
for making apple pies with me
for making my daughter that purse and filling it with goodies
for thinking of my son when you see something about snakes
the lilac disc pitcher
for all those long walks outside up on the hill
for all the random information about Norway because you know I want to go there
for finding me on Facebook so we can reconnect
Thank you for continuing to love me, and for not treating me any differently, even though I started going to another church.
Thank you for the poem, drawing and bag of truffles you left on my doorknob when I was away.
for the meals you cooked when I had a baby
for the recipes and tips for depression because you know I get that way sometimes.
***
Thank you for showing me GRACE
I don’t deserve you.
I can’t ever repay you.
But I want to love you back.
And be your friend, too.
This post is for all my friends,
and the pictures are from a day this summer when Joanna drove miles and miles to meet me at a park.
Good to be Home 