Happy 16th Birthday, Lucky 13!

Today I want to wish my "baby" a very Happy 16th Birthday!!!

Where does the time go? It seems only yesterday that he was toddling around with his musical Barney, singing "I love you, you love me..." Barney is almost a curse word now. Just hearing the name makes him, and his brother, cringe in horror! I have an adorable picture of him with his Barney, but since my computer and scanner are not working I'll have to post some pictures at a later date. I'm using Lucky 13's computer till mine can see a doctor.

My youngest has grown in to an amazing young man. He's smart, caring, funny and loving. He is a blessing to our family. Here's a quote dedicated to my son. I love the message. It's been floating around the internet and has been credited to Saint Theresa.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you...

May you be content knowing you are a child of God...

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul

the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

- Saint Theresa's Prayer

My Lovely Mother's Day

Well, I'm at the end of a very lovely Mother's Day. My family treated me to breakfast and surprised me with some gifts. PJ, my dear husband, picked them out. They were an Eva Cassidy CD (love her music), and two early Bette Davis movies, both favorites of mine, Dark Victory and Now Voyager. I also have a promise for Season 7 of the Gilmore Girls. Yay!

For the afternoon, I just puttered around the house from one little project to the next. Called my Grandma to wish her a Happy Day. We had a nice conversation. I'm looking forward to visiting her at the assisted living home tomorrow. She cared for me, raised me, prayed over me most of my life. Now that she's nearing 90 years old, at the end of this month, I find she is still a source of great blessing. She has days that aren't so good, with her memory and health failing. Then, there are those days like today. A few minutes of great conversation, where she knows who I am and asks about PJ and the boys. Reminds me that she loves me and is praying for me.

My Grandma has always been a powerful woman of prayer. Five years ago as I sat by my mother's side, knowing her time was nearly done in this life, I felt like I was at rock bottom. The doctor had told me there was no coming back, but it might take several days. I knew she was suffering from the cancer. I had prayed with her and talked to her, even as she lay there unresponsive. I knelt by the bed and told her it was ok for her to go. That I didn't want it, but I knew it was for the best and that we'd all be ok. She focused on me with those intense brown eyes of hers and I knew she was present with me for a moment. Then she was gone again.

I waited and watched and prayed. I knew I could not keep this up for "days", so I phoned Grandma and told her what was happening. I asked her to pray, with me, for my mother to be released to go home to her heavenly Father. She said, I'm hanging up right now and I am going to pray. That was at 5:00 pm. At 5:10, Mom drew her last breath and exhaled, and as she did I felt her life force leave her body. It was agony, it was horrible, and it was beautiful. God had heard the prayer of my Grandmother. I knew, that with the wisdom of her years, she had been able to pray with the sincerity that I had not been able to. And, when I called her back to tell her, she said, "You'll be alright" as she cried with me. I have been so blessed by both of the mothers in my life. My Mom and my Grandma. So blessed.

I am also blessed by my two sons. They are shining bright lights in my life. I cannot even begin to express what they mean to me. I was told I might never have children, but God intervened. I have much to be thankful for. I have tried to be a good mother. I know I could have done better. I hope I have given them enough to equip them for all life may bring. I've tried to pass on my love of God, of family, of church, and country; of learning, and reading, and games; of music and laughter and love; and of never giving up or giving in.

I feel very blessed and very loved. It's been a Happy Mother's Day even though it officially ended about midway through this post.

This quote sounded like me...

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." -Anna Quindlen

Reminiscing, Brunch & Yard Sales

My telephone rang at 7:30 am today! I wanted to answer, "Who died?" but thought better of that. It was actually a wonderful surprise. I got invited to go along to a Mother's Day Breakfast with my cousins Ramona and her sister Shelley, their girls, and their mom.

Ramona and her girls picked me up at my house. We had JB's breakfast buffet. I hadn't done a buffet in years. It was a treat. Reminiscing was so much fun. Our mothers were friends from childhood and it was so nice to hear stories about my mom. I still miss her. Always will.

We talked so long, that we doubled the tip to make up for monopolizing our server's table. She was all smiles over that. We enjoyed the beautiful, sunny morning by sitting on the patio and chatting for another half hour or so.

On the way back to my house we saw it... Yard Sale! Ramona's van just naturally turned that way while we ignored the groans of the two teens in the back seat. My mother was the yard sale Queen! She found so many amazing things when she'd go. We found a few little treasures, and the girls ended up getting a very expensive paint ball set for a very low price. They were ecstatic!

I believe Ramona and I are doing are part to pass on the great Yard Sale heritage to the next generaton! It was a very nice Mother's Day Celebration.

My Mother

A Lady, Both Lovely and Bright.

- Sir Walter Scott

All 13 Gone...

At noon today I peeked at our Mama Duck. She was quietly sitting on her nest. Lucky 13 came home from school about 3:35, so I wandered out front. There was nothing to see but broken eggshells and no sign of our little duck family. There were cars in and out all afternoon for yard sales. Even the neighbors across the street, who were doing yard work, did not see them go. I'm a bit afraid something (snake, dog, cat, magpie!!!) got to them. A snake took a couple last year.

PJ stopped by the canal where all the ducks and ducklings went last spring, but there were none anywhere in sight.

I'm so disappointed not to get even one picture. We'll keep checking for the next week or so at the canal. They may just be well-hidden by the overgrowth. I hope we get a chance at a picture of our 13!


Now for todays quote:

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

- Walt Disney

I don't intend to ever quit dreaming.

Life is Grand!

Another Sunday at home. This will be five in a row. Finally, feeling a small improvement today.

During her break my niece came home, and we had our own little church service. She played guitar and sang choruses, then switched to the piano. It was a nice time of song, prayer, and meditation on what God has done for me. I am so blessed. Life isn't easy, but who said it would be. It's not easy, but it's good!

I'm enjoying waiting for the ducklings to hatch out. I have had to run a neighbor cat off several times, but so far there are still 13 eggs intact. There are also baby birds in my little birdhouse. It sits just a few feet from the duck's nest. They've been chirping a lot, which may be why the cat is so interested in my garden this year! I just hope I don't have to experience some "graphic nature" in my own front yard!

Today's Quote:

"Just to be alive is a grand thing." - Agatha Christie