Four Score & Five Years

"Birthdays are good for you.
Studies show that the people who have the most,
live the longest."
- Unknown

Friday evening we celebrated my grandfather's 85th birthday. As I sat at my computer late that night my mind was flooded with memories. My eyes stung with happy tears. Wanting to write a post but being so tired, I began a simple list to be revisited later. Now it is later.

The majority of my happy childhood memories revolve around visits with my grandparents, Nannie & Poppie, at their home not far from where we live now. We didn't live here when I was growing up so most of our visits took place over holidays and summers - happy events to begin with.

Words on a blog could never come close to describing the deep, life-changing impact Poppie has had on my life. But, I can honor him as I share with you some glimpses into my memories of him.

These things flash through my mind when I remember being very little and being with my Poppie: hearing him pray, making oatmeal raisin cookies, listening to him tell me Meese’s stories, his Donald Duck voice, rides in the wheel barrow, and whiskery kisses. Meeses were really mice and there was always a Jenny Meese.

Later we often had long talks. Not meaning that the conversations themselves were long. They were carefully chosen words that spread over the time it took to fish, pull weeds, take a walk, plant tomatoes, pick berries or take a drive to go help a neighbor. I only remember the topics of a few of those talks but all of them left me with a sense that I was cared for; that what I had to say was valued and worth the listening.

He taught me how to, among other things: bait a hook, cast a fly, clean a fish and row a boat.

I was called Petunia, Petunia Bud, Hortence, Alice or Ol’ Bean more often than I was called by my given name. I still get Alice and Ol' Bean every once in a while.

To this day I love to see a bright orange salamander or tiny brown toads. Why? Because I can close my eyes and feel the summer sun on my face, smell cut grass and freshly tilled earth, see Poppie walking toward me in the garden saying the familiar with a smile much like the one in the picture above, "Close your eyes and hold out your hands..." then feel a wriggly, miniature reptile in my palm.

The endeavors and accomplishments of any of his offspring (blood-related or by-marriage) bring him more pride and joy than I have ever seen in one person. He is the ultimate bragger in the absolute best way possible.

He helped to care for, with tenderness and love, his mother-in-law for the many years that she lived under his roof until her peaceful home-going in 1995. I'm so thankful for that legacy given to me by both him and my Nannie. That legacy began well before I was born when they also cared for both of his parents in the same way.

It's my turn now. I can never repay what he has given to me. But I can give him unconditional love. Shower him with affection and appreciation. I can slow my pace a bit and just be there.

The ripples of time have begun to smooth out many memories for him. They aren't so quickly called to mind. Some have faded away completely. But, because he loves a good story, we re-visit those memories with him. And we are all the richer for it.

Prayer & Praise

Some of you may know that earlier this year Clinton resigned from his position at our church. Nothing tragic. It had become clear to us that God had him there for a season, to fill specific needs and, those things being done, it was time to be done. We still attend church there and are so thankful for our loving church family. But that's not really what this post is about.

I'm petitioning prayer on our behalf. Our business, CSR Technologies, has been growing consistently over the past couple of years. Things are still moving forward and we are thankful. Now though, we are dependent on this business as our primary source of income. God has been so faithful. We know that it was His leading that brought us to this point. All of our needs have been met and, we trust, will continue to be. For all of this we praise Him!

Here is how you can pray along with us. We are praying specifically for 3 new clients by the end of the month of April. God helped us kick off the month with a bang. On Monday Clinton got a call from a business here in town. He has not initiated contact with this business previously. (However, he has mentioned to me many times that he felt like God was telling him that eventually they would become a client and we discussed the possibility of him going in to offer his services.) Another one of Clinton's clients referred them and they called him on their own. He met with them yesterday, April 1st, and they are very excited to have him on-board. Once he gets their proposal done, it should be all set. Isn't that cool!? Thank you God.

If you are so inclined, please praise God for these things and pray along with us for at least 2 more clients this month. Thanks so much!

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this,
and he answered our prayer. - Ezra 8:23

Tutored

The Far Side by Gary Larson. Classic.

Overheard Surrounding the Recent Event
of Having Our Two Kittens "Tutored" and Declawed

8 yr. old - "...so they rearranged her mommy parts so she won't have babies."

Clinton to Jen - "Should we keep them separated for a few more days? He's acting a little frisky." 10 & 5 year old eavesdroppers replied, "What does frisky mean?"

5 yr. old on the way to pick up the cats from the vet - "I can't wait to see what they look like without their paws."

Happy Day

Ok. I know. Two posts in one day. Can you handle it? I had to show you my cake and share a couple more of my cards. Like this one from Mr. Smartypants Clinton and the girls. "You're in Our Thoughts at This Sad Time. Beyond the darkness, light...Beyond the sorrow, peace. At this time of loss, please know that we're thinking of you and holding you close to our hearts." And then he writes "We mourn the loss of your youth along with you." And has all the girls sign it. Cute.

And Virginia gave me her card. I have to share it just as she wrote it. I love it. "Happy Birthday MOM! You are the best...gratest funest Mom ever in my life (thanks for being so great!) Happy St. Patrics Day 2! love you Virginia."

Back to the cake. We had dinner. The kids had their baths. The girls had decorated the dining room for dinner and we all gathered there again for "no dessert." They had been trying to keep the cake a secret. They stink at keeping secrets. It was especially hard on them because all evening Abigail would wail, "Where's da cake!?" And all three of the girls would feel obligated to shush her and say in their loud whispers "remember we're having the cake later..."

Ok. I'll be done now. But there is more. Maybe on the family blog tomorrow.

happy birthday to me

Happy Birthday To Me

Before my eyes were completely open I had a large construction paper card thrust in my hands. It said, "Happy Birthday Mom! I 'heart' U Mom! Happy Birthday Mom 'Smiley Face' To: Mom Love: Anna" It made my sleepy heart warm.

Lily made me a card too. Well, the oldest helped quite a lot I was informed. Still, Lily is in kindergarten. The effort was lovely and so was seeing her little signature. Just looking at it makes me happy.

My Sweetie made a me a wonderful cup of coffee and was just about to bring it to me but I shuffled into the kitchen before he could.

It seemed I had at least 35 kisses - ahem. thirty-five. - before the 3 older girls twirled out the door to school.

My in-laws called last night with birthday wishes, wanting to be sure not to miss me today.

My grandparents, in their beautifully sweet 83 year old voices just called me and sang Happy Birthday. Tradition.

And my day is still beginning.

I feel old. But I feel very loved.

Talk about irrational love - my girls demonstrate that to me so often. Some days I peck at them fiercely like a mother hen. "Peck-peck-peck-up your clothes. Stop peck-peck-pecking your nose. If I have to peck-peck-peck-up your shoes one more time.... NO! You can't have it, stop peck-peck-pecking at me!" (Use your best shrill, chickeny voice when you read those.)

So, with all that pecking, sometimes it amazes me when they fly freely to wrap their arms tightly around me with an I-love-you and today, Happy-Birthday, Momma.

I guess 35 isn't so bad. It's just a number, right? Although it is a half-way kind of number. Half-way to 40. Truth be told, just saying 40 gives me a cold chill. I don't feel 35. Most days I don't even feel 30. Maybe it's all the little people around me and especially all the love, sometimes irrational, that makes me feel so young. So, Happy Birthday to me. sigh.

**unrelated: For my family blog readers...there are some new posts up. ;-)**

New Blogger & Long-time/Far-away Friend

Technology often amazes me and sometimes it thrills me. Each time I am able to re-connect with and keep in better touch with a friend, new or old, I am thrilled. Recently my friend, Betsy, invited me to her new blog, My Five Men.

There are so many things about Betsy that I admire. She is one of my heroes.

She has a killer decorating style. You can see a bit of it in the many photos that she posts such as here and here.

She can bake like nobody I know. She isn't afraid to play with or display her food. (Tiff, it's Betsy who is responsible for that cookie recipe that Tim loves so much!)

Oh, and she makes and sells these great vintage charm bracelets too!

Here is where she ranks as a hero with me. All her gifts, even her decorating/own personal style, she uses as ways to express her love for God, her husband, her teenage son and her 3 boys who have autism. This is a particularly poignant and wise post.

So, check out My Five Men for inspiration, thoughts to reflect upon and often a good drool.

Home

We left on the 15th for my brother & sister-in-law's with the plan of hanging out, shopping in the big city, and eating in the big city until my Dad returned on the 18th. Then we would travel home on the 19th. As we headed out the door we got word that he would be in on the 16th! That was an amazing surprise. It gave us 2 more days with him. And we still got to eat and eat and eat and eat in the big city.

His trip went really well. Thanks to all of you who were praying for his safe return.


Waiting.















Mob hugs.

















Home.
This is one of the few shots where his eyes are open. He had been up for about 24 hours.















More pictures and more of a post up soon over at our family blog.