A Trip for the Preschoolers!

Life may be uncertain in today's economy, but we found a wonderful FREE trip for our two little preschoolers this weekend. Orschelen's Farm Center had chick days March 3-12. I decided to plan a trip for my youngest grandchildren ages 2 and 4. We would drive to visit the farm center and see the babies and have a Happy Meal at McDonald's, not free but fun. When we arrived at the Farm Center we were met by the peeeping of baby birds. As we followed the sound through the store their anticipation grew and grew until finally the little girl put her sweet little hands to her cheeks and said "tiny, bitty babies" while the four year old jumped up and down and said "Yook, Yook, Yook." (Look, Look, Look!) We spent about 30 minutes checking out the different types of fuzzy, little peeping chicks, ducks and rabbits. The ducks with their translucent bills and webbed feet were quacking in an open heated container for all to see. The bunnies with their soft fur and long whiskers loved the attention that we had so much of to share. As the children walked circles around the little babies I was reminded that it doesn't matter what you do with a child, it just matters that you do it. You could not have purchased a gift that would have given me more pleasure than watching my grandchildren enjoy the simple wonders of God's big earth. The economy may not be great, but the most important things in life are still free: joy and love.

Joy of Grandparenting

It was an absolutely gorgeous day! The temperature reached the low 80s and for this time of year that is spectacular. All through the day as I worked I couldn't help but be excited because tonight was a "grandma" night. The number 3 grandson was coming over. I love the time I spend with each of them and it was finally his turn. When I picked him up and looked closely at his face I saw all the things that I love about children: freckles, sparkling eyes, joy of doing something fun, and anticipation. Well tonight would be just about him. We stopped for a slush and he did a little "diddy" to decide which flavor - grape seemed best for today. As soon as we were home he climbed the apple tree and played on the swing. Then, as light gave way to evening we built a fire and roasted hot dogs and made S'mores. The end of the evening found our little visitor snuggly wrapped in a sleeping bag watching Hatari! his very favorite movie. Grandparenting is easy when the grandchildren are so sweet!

Poetry by Langston Hughes

I rediscovered this poem today.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes

Snow Began To Fall Today...

and I was reminded of God's great love for us. We are, as the earth, covered with the debris of sin. There are huge boulders that seem unmovable in our hearts based on our unbelief. There are small twigs that seem to trip us up as we walk along, the little sins we harbor. There are huge holes where we've been hit by life and the damage is still present and the vast space it spans is filled with pain. But, as the snow began to fall this morning it covered it all - the twigs, the boulders, and the huge holes. I was amazed at the spotless, whiteness that covered everything. Just as Jesus' blood was shed for our forgiveness it cleanses our hearts when we invite him in and we become as white and spotless as the snow. This thick, white blanket covers us and reminds of us of his vast love - all spotless and white.

Grandma...

always thinks that her grandchildren should be first. When I've spent my whole life messing around in some line or another, shouldn't it be better for my grandchildren? Why should they have to keep standing in life's line? When they play basketball my grandchild should get to shoot the ball because I waited to long to take the shot! When they play baseball every child that gets up to bat should be struck out because I barely could make the ball reach home plate. When they sing, their song should be louder and sweeter than all the others because I didn't have the courage to lift up my voice. When they laugh everyone should laugh with them because I shed so many tears. When they learn to use the power of love that captures a heart, they should never be afraid to share it. Unlike games, love always returns with more than it gives.

The First Sign of Spring...

The sun begins to break through the long, dreary days of winter. Colder temperatures give way to a breeze that just hints of warmer days. As those breezes begin to blow and blue fills up the sky, with the warming of the sunshine everything begins to respond. The trees begin to awaken as the sap pushes up toward the sun and unveils the fuzz that will begin the lush green of summer. The tulips push away the heavy layers of earth that wrapped them warmly through the winter. The forsythia begins the parade of bright yellow fluttering ruffles that adorn her long, willowy branches as the grass begins to shed it's brown for a deep hue of green. Spring envelopes the air with her warmth and the light that brings forth life!

All For Love

What is love? How do you give it away? How do you receive it? After 35 years of marriage ou might think I would know something about the subject, but again, don't be really sure. It could be that when you find your soul mate everything else just falls in place, but you know that isn't true. Love is hard work! You can't always give and you can't always receive love. There has to be a time when you give and a time when you receive. Too many relationships end in shattered lives. It is hard to keep a marriage together and harder to let it go. You have to work and mostly want it to work before it will. Marriage is a perfect union where you work together toward one of life's greatest goals, love.