Christmas Smiles...

I remember as a child visiting my great grandpa and grandma's house on Chritmas Eve. We would all be together and laughter would ring out from every corner of their little home. My grandmother had treats prepared for all of us - cookies, cakes, and candies. The tree was cut from the field and the lights were constant colored lights and the ornaments were foil or handmade. The tree was then covered with tinsel. The gifts were stacked deeply for everyone brought their family gifts there for exchanging, and the sight was mere magic to the eyes of a child. The anticipation of what they held inside was more than we could imagine.

Go forward some 45 years and 2010 Christmas finds my house full of family with gifts stacked up under a tree. The ornaments are all gifts from years of friendships, children, and trips taken and collected then each one placed on the tree with love and memory. They decorate the small tree from top to bottom with anticipation of the families celebration of Jesus' birth. The family, children, and grandchildren all gather in on Christmas eve. We share homemade treats and goodies that everyone brought in for the celebration. The gifts still fill the hearts of the children with wonder. The food is still good. The laughter still rings out. The traditions of the past live on again. The memories we make today will one day, in 45 years or so, pass down to another generation. How wonderful to be a grandmother.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve...

I've been so busy with life that I've forgotten about living. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and my birthday. It is exciting and almost too soon. There is a little secret that I just have to share with you. My sweet, little grandgirl is going to get a junior baking set and a Paula Deen children's first cookbook. She loves to "cook" with her momma.

Christmas is always so much fun. Time spent with family and sharing the reason for the season, Jesus Christ, is so wonderful. I'm blessed, its my birthday!

A Special Time...

Anytime you can spend a few hours with your grandchildren it is definitely a special time. Today I was blessed by the opportunity to spend time with all five of my grandchildren. They made me laugh, look in amazement through their eyes and remind me of the blessings our Father in heaven hands down to his children. The tickles, the blowing out of candles, the jack o lanterns, and the ride on the gator - ahhhh grandma. I love the sound of that word!

They Never Grow Far From Your Heart

No matter how old your children are you never stop caring about their feelings. When one of the children are hurting you are hurting. The pain travels some unknown, unseen cord that is wrapped around their heart and is somehow connected to your own. Love is that way. It is not easy, nor is it for the faint of heart. Love is hard. Losing it is harder.

Good Morning...

Do you just love the morning? As a child I loved the morning, my favorite time of day. I am again loving the morning. I love the time when darkness subsides into daybreak. Just that few moments between night and day. I often remember those days as a child. I was always walking to my great grandparents during this time. They lived down the road from me and were of course already up. The light from their kitchen window gave me guidance through the last bits of darkness. I would keep my eye on their light and was never afraid. I would walk there often, leaving my parents in bed asleep. When I arrived I was greeted with hugs and often a warm breakfast. Their love encircled me with everything I needed: guidance, love, laughter, encouragement and acceptance.

Now as I think back I am reminded that like my grandparent's light, Jesus is the light that I follow now. In just those few moments when everything seems the darkest in my life, I lift my head up and see his light in the distance. If I choose to follow it and obey his word I am greeted with love, acceptance, encouragement, and all that is good. If I choose not to follow Him, he is still by grace shining his light for me so that I can turn around and find my way home. I am thankful for my life and Jesus' love.

Loosing Teeth...

Why is it that losing a tooth is so exciting? Especially that first tooth...the grandchildren come running with finger on the tooth and wanting everyone to wiggle it. Is it almost out? Will the tooth fairy come? Losing a tooth is a rite of passage.

I begin to think about all the teeth that have fallen out and all the rites of passage I've seen with my own children. Now, I'm watching my grandchildren. Seems to me that they grow up so quickly. Why can't time hold off for a while and let them enjoy the carefree days of childhood just a little longer?

Time...when you are young you usually have too much of it...too much time. Now, I can't seem to find enough of it. Is it a rite of passage, too? If it went by any more slowly could we as adults handle it?

Are you wiggling that tooth again?

The Show Must Go On...

As I look across the room and see pictures of my children, grandchildren, parents, and grandparents I am reminded that the show goes on. It doesn't stop with me. It goes on. So this is my greatest challenge, my commission, if you will. I must insure that God's great love continues through the generations, shared by my grandmother with me now I must share it with my grandgirl, too. So that down the road when my walk has weakened and my light is barely flickering she'll be able to pick up the torch and light the way for the families that are sure to come and follow along behind her.

I encourage you today to share your "light" with those you love.