Its a Wonderful Life!

It's that time of year again.  Reruns.  You know - the same ole Thanksgiving Hallmark movies we've seen before time and again.  Then starts the "Christmas Story, White Christmas, and It's a wonderful Life all in time for Christmas.  And except for the Thanksgiving Day Parade that ushers in the Holidays, there is nothing but reruns on TV.


I'm not complaining, as a rule we are too busy to watch much TV and Lord knows I have enough VCR movies to suffice for a month or more.  We could just read.  That would be a novel idea.  I love reading.  My husband hates to read.  I love reading to him when I find an article worth sharing, or a scripture I get excited about.  Otherwise his conversations with Cricket are intertaining enough.


We sound boreing don't we?  I've thought lately about how our lives have slowed down to a crawl.  We do so little outside the usual - go to church twice a week and the Senior center once a week.  Then other days are taken up with Doctor visits for blood work or shots.  Exciting, with emphasis mind you!!


I could label our life "Its a wonderful Life".  I love the movie and have to agree with the truth of it.  What would this world be had I not been born?  Mother would not have had my mischief and my sisters would have never known the sincere girl I grew up to be.  Or the missionary I became as a woman.  They would have missed me as a friend.  My husband would not be living in Arkansas by way of Tenn and my children would not be born which leaves 13 more people would not  be alive.


That gets too big for my pea brain to wrap around.  It is an imaginary trip I won't travel any farther than the above paragraph.  The fact is I was born.  Mother did have a third daughter she named Doris.  I was mischievious and enjoyed living.   I am a Mother of 4.  I am a Grammy to 13 and Mother-inlaw to 4. 


For the people whose life I've touched  there are too many to count.  I've known many who have walked through my life, and whose life I have encountered.  It is just too wonderful this life of mine. 

Personally I believe we each one want to leave our mark on the world.  I do.  I'd like to think people will have a good laugh when they think of me; or I'd settle for a word of praise in how I made their life a little better.  I hope you feel that way too.  Christmas can be a gloomy time for some - it seems to be a reminder of Christmases past that weren't so happy.  Maybe even a lost loved one around the season, but whatever the cause for depression, I hope you look around and realize you too have a Wonderful Life.

It is a Wonderful Life after all.

Grammyof13

Behind the Scenes.

For a writing exercise in one of my classes this week I gave everyone the same picture.  My instructions were - "tell me what you see in this picture."  It was a lesson in observation, as well as an exercise to expand the eye to see more than the obvious.

Not everyone caught on.  Naturally even in a small group there is at least one that gets it, and never stops until he's finished.  Otherwise the others saw the two main characters, (a picture I have had displayed here before) of a little blond boy kneeling by his bed with hands folded in prayerful attitude, and beside him is his trusted dog also eyes closed as if praying.

I've thought of this at other times, when visiting an Island anyway.  After we got settled into our room in Barbados, several of us took a walk outside to explore the grounds.  The old Hotel was built on the edge of the water, with little beach to speak of.  Mostly rocky clifts and sand more like crushed gravel only smaller.  I guess it could be considered coarse sand.  The roar of the ocean was deafening so much so that the first night I could not sleep for the noise of the mighty Atlantic Ocean that lapped at the shoreline below my window.

The women that had gone to the shoreline were as varied in personality as there were numbers of us.  We made up a group that had come from all over the US and a couple Islands around.  Even though we had seen the Ocean before, when we visited the Bahamas and Jamaica, the terrain was different here thus having our attention from the beginning.

My friend Elva and I were walking and silent almost to the point of speachless as we took in the vastness of what lay before us.  There was no stopping the miles across the water looking south.  The sky was a beautiful blue that matched the water, only a few white clouds dotted the sky and made for the most perfect day one could imagine.  Here we were down in the middle of the Atlantic surrounded by miles and miles of water before reaching another island, and the idea of it all was so awe inspiring we could do little more than say, "Wow, isn't God good?"  Wow, the ocean reflected its power to me so mightly I tried to measure the power of God to the raging ocean, but fell short.

Meanwhile, there were others who had not looked up at the sky, nor payed much attention to the powerful Ocean or its roar as it fiercely pushed the waves to shore making a splash that would reach the varenda of the hotel. 

Instead they had their head down, collecting sea shells, and beautifully shaped rocks.  I had not thought of looking down.  They had not thought of looking up.

It would be interesting to hear their take of our trip to Barbados.  Having been to the same place on the same day, there would be several different descriptions of our stay.

I guess I have a facination with character study.  The nature and character of humankind, and how different we are.  The children in my 5th & 6th grade class did not disappoint me.  Only one saw everything I saw in the picture. 

The others saw the most obvious and overlooked the little things.  Yes everything they named was on the picture, but they stopped looking after they described the little boy and his dog.  They were amazed that I could find so many things that never crossed their mind to look at. 

It is a lesson in life really.  Often we see what looms before us so much so that we fail to see what is in the back ground that is significant to the picture.  Should we take time to scrutinize the picture a little closer, we just may see God's hand at work in our lives.  In the picture I had my students describe, there was a computer screen in the back ground.  I saw that.  However I failed to see there was a snowman on the computer screen. 

As seasoned as I think I am in looking behind the scene for detail, I too can miss the working of His hand in my life situations.  I'm sure I'll have other times to get it right.  Keep seeing the bigger picture, but don't over look the little things.  Then, don't have your eyes so focused on the little things, that we fail to see the bigger picture.

Grammyof13

Pets.

I've attempted to post several times this week, only to lay it aside and move on to something else.  Do you have those days, when what you start to write just isn't what you want to say?  Maybe it is just me but I'd like to keep those who read coming back and strive to have something worth reading waiting for them.

From several posts prior to this, you know we have a pet named Cricket.  He got sick last Friday and we've been in a tizzy trying to take care of him, and know what to do.  Saturday last week I took him to the Vet who lifted our spirits by saying "he has bronchitis".  So with antibiotics given twice a day he should be good to play again.

He really did get better for a couple days, when he tried jumping on the bed and missed.  The bed is too tall for him to jump from the floor, so he jumps first into a small rocker close by, then makes the final jump to the bed.  But somehow he missed and fell pretty hard on the carpeted floor.

Yesterday he started screaming!  I know - dogs tend to bark and whimper - however you just had to be here to understand what I'm telling you.  He screamed - blood curdling screams.  We weren't touching him, he was just on the floor walking when he stopped and just stood there and screamed.  My husband picked him up from the floor, but momentarily he started the pitiful cry again.

What to do?  Naturally I count my money, not knowing what a visit to the vet entails.  I guess in his case I visualize the worst - thinking they'll have to X-ray.

I'm so glad we took him, Dr. Ward was so gentle and found he had hurt his back when he fell.  Poor thing.  He got a steriod shot and some prednisone for seven days, and reminds us to keep him quiet when he does feel like playing.

I'm telling you it is just like having a child.  He came to us at a time in our lives when we needed him more than we realized.  We've become so attached it is difficult to leave him for long periods at a time.  I'm sure he is fine, but we aren't!!!  Aren't we a sight?  Only someone who has a pet could understand what I'm saying.  The rest of you will just have to laugh at me and move on.  Just be sure to come again when I have something else to talk about.

Until then, Cricket and I are going to rest.

Grammyof13

The Passing.

I've never thought too much about the transition between life and death or the passage  we all will travel one day.  My faith gives me hope that it is a matter of closing the eyes here, only to have our spiritual eyes open for eternity.  How else could we see the beauty that awaits us. 

One of my dearest friends, Maxine Goodnight, made her passing Thursday night around 8pm.  A woman who has dealt with much tragedy in her life, is finally free of the grief, pain and sorrow she had endured. 

Her husband died as a result of a fight when she was very young with three little children.  One was only a few months old when he died.  His unexpected death dealt such a blow that her new baby who was being breast fed, cried for days before they realized Maxine's milk had dried up and the baby was hungry.

Maxine took care of her Mother and Father in their last years, even with her children still young enough that she needed their help instead.  She would gladly tell you - she could not have made it without her parents while she worked a full time job at "Timex" and kept life as normal as was possible for them. 

The daughter that was a baby when Maxine's husband died, died when she was in her 40's from an operation gone bad.

Her only son Fred, died of cancer.

Linda, the remaining daughter had a few tragedies of her own.  However she did not have to go through those tragedies alone as Maxine was there for her when her youngest son was killed in an automobile accident.

Then Linda's daughter had a stroke in her early 40's and died as a result.
These were Maxine's grandchildren, so naturally she felt the blow of Linda's loss.

Maxine had a grateful spirit.  She was not a complainer.  She was not old, as one counts old.  In years she had lived quiet long, but in spirit she had not grown old.  I want to be like that with a youthful spirit now and even into my remaining years.

We enjoyed an occasional meal with her on Sunday afternoon.  Occasionally we took a meal to her or cooked when I got there.  My cooking was never to be compared with what she put on the table as far as taste, but she let me get in her kitchen and take over.  It was great fellowship.

I don't think I am ready for her departure.  I'd like to know she felt good and could stay around awhile longer - but that wasn't to be.  In reflection, she is the passing of an era.  Having lived through tumultous times in the 30's 40's and 50's.  Men and women of that era were tough.  They knew how to take the little they received and make it stretch to meet their need.  Not their wants necessarily, but their needs for sure.

She would not talk about her past with pain or unforgiveness.  Instead she told her story like a soldier talks about his place on the battle field. No regrets, just facts.  You may gasp in wonder as to how she made it, but her gentle reply would be, " without Moma and Daddy and the Lord I wouldn't have made it."

This is one of those times when the dash between the year of birth and death, really could tell a story.  One of survival.  One of sincerity and Worship to the God that brought her through.

So Long Maxine, until later.  Keep the light on for us who will follow.  We will miss you but would never wish for you to come back and fill your  place in our hearts.

Grammyof13

36,865 Days and Counting.

Well here I am on the eve of my Dad's 101st birthday and all I have is pictures.  I appreciate the pictures believe me, however I have had my heart and mind at the festivities today that went on without me.  I knew they could pull it off - but I didn't want them to without me. 

Dad and his best friend Pete who is in his 80's.

They met at the nursing home, didn't know each other before.

This is a good action shot for sure.  He is all puckered up ready to blow.

Just couldn't put 101 candles on the cake, it may have put him into a massive coronary trying to blow them all out.

My sister always sees that he looks sharp.  Doesn't resemble the farmer with the brown  hat soiled from dirt and sweat, who wore overalls and dirty shoes and all the signs of being in the field, or cow barn!

Happy Birthday Daddy.  Hope you have as many more as you would like to have.  From the way I see it, we may know when it is time to hang up the hat and wait for the coach.  But until that happens, keep the hat on and continue planning for the years ahead.  Love you

Doris

aka/Grammyof13

The years roll on.

Forty-nine years ago today, Verlon and I got married. Tonight we celebrated at Rio's Gaucho - a place we knew nothing about until we drove by it and decided to go in. It has just recently opened from what I gathered, so maybe we were among its first customers. Everyone is getting in on the food business now days. They all try to have a specialty. Theirs was lots of seafood, which I am allergic to. However, I did enjoy the salad bar and Linguini Alfredo. Messy but good!


I had a Doctor's appointment with my Thyroid specialists late this afternoon, and with the ultra sound, lab work and her exams I was beginning to wonder if we were even going to get to eat today before church time anyway.

We launched into a conversation about the longevity of any marriage these days, after the waitress seemed to be taken aback when we told her the years. I'd like to have known what she thought we would say. I feel sure there are more couples who can report a lasting marriage than we realize. It may become rarer. Now we are heading toward our fiftieth next year. By the way, you are invited to our celebration. Can't tell you where, but thought I'd let you know in plenty of time to get here!!!

Our marriage has had its moments, as well as its hills and valleys. Raising a family in the 60's and 70's were good years and with God's help, we produced four wonderful kids who have made great Moms and Dads, and productive citizens. They married well and their spouse's have endeared themselves to us - so that we still have great relationships with our children.

Another thing, Daddy has lived to see five generations. Monday the 26th he will be 101. We are not celebrating in a big way this time. My five sisters and I are taking "thanksgiving" dinner to him at the nursing home. They have given us a room for our private dinner with him, and then we will take cake into the dining room for all the residence who might want to help us celebrate. Anytime the six of us get together, we have to sing. Daddy silently demands it. Maybe silently is not the best choice of words. He usually says, “Doris there is a piano why don’t you play for us” or something to that effect. I just imagine he will sing as well – his favorite one at that.

“When the sun comes up tomorrow,
Lord, I’ll be praising you,
I’ll always give you glory in everything I do,
If the storms fierce winds are blowing.
Or if the skies are blue,
When the sun comes up tomorrow,
Lord I’ll be praising you.”

Grammyof13

Flea Markets?

It was good to have someone go with me to tour our many flea markets Saturday.  Some of them call themselves Antique stores, but believe me they can't disguise the fact they are flea markets.  The 10 miles that separates Conway and Greenbrier has more flea markets than most any other ten mile comparison.  Add a few more miles beyond Greenbrier, and there are even more.
Of course it is a great location for them, as Hwy 65 is the, "Route 66" for Branson, MO.  And most everyone, from southern states anyway, takes the  US hwy 65 route.

I was surprised that my daughter's two little boys wanted to go.  Of course I had some fun when they asked "Whats a flea market"?

Their mother explained to them  it was a place that sold old stuff before I could finish my line of "It is a place that sells fleas"!  She is always spoiling my fun!!
I don't always purchase anything.  Don't even go with buying sometime on my mind, but it is always good to find a bargain.  We enjoyed watching two videos we purchased (VCR ones), which I'd rather see.  Parker and Preston each had $5 they could spend, so we found their Mom a little pair of pumpkin earrings, and a ceremic nativity set.
While the lady was wrapping them carefully before putting them in the bag, Preston was standing (not on tiptoes this time) holding on to the counter, watching each move she made when he had the urge to tell the cashier what the purchase was for.
"My brother is having a birthday party, and Mama's birthday is the same day.  So I got this for my Mama!"  He understood how Mama always gives the party for little brother who was born on her birthday and somehow is forgotten in the festivities.  Not really, her husband never forgets, but I'm sure their little fellows could forget. 

Anyway, I did fine a free standing paper towel holder that had a rooster on the holder.  I won't throw my "well worn" one away, for it was a gift from another daughter.  It was a tomato holder (free standing of course).  On the tomato it had a peg with a set of four numbers.  On the tomato it read, "Grammy is busy, take a number!"  I thought I'd retire it for a rest anyway.  May bring it out again, as Preston asked, "What are you going to do with this."  I think he might have wanted to take it home with him, but I'm sure it would not match his mother's well organized and coordinated kitchen!

Now and then my husband may give in to go with me, and really I don't suppose there is a rule stating I can't go alone.  Most usually I had just soon shop alone, but Antique/flea stores are different.  I reminisce while I'm there.

I'll have to get him to go again soon, as I have my eye on a ceremic bread box that would just fit in my kitchen.  Sorry I didn't make any pictures.  Actually I did make two, but don't have them downloaded yet.  May add those later.
Blessings,
Grammyof13