Friday a very sad thing happened in our family. A beloved nephew was killed in an off road motorcycle accident. This man was so special to our family, he was kind, loving, thoughtful, friendly and all of the adjectives that describe a person everyone would like to know. We are so sadden at his passing and will miss him terribly but we know we'll see him again someday.
But the thing that I wanted to write about was, you never know when someone we love will be taken in a blink of an eye. I find myself many times "wishing" my life away, such as when we can get our kitchen redone, when the kids move out, when we don't have all of the responsibility we know now. With this happening, which seems way to soon for this young man, it dawned on me, we can't wish on tomorrows but need to enjoy and live each day to the fullest. I have shed so many tears over this as we thought so highly of him and I know how I would feel if it were one of my children, our adoptive children (sons) grandchildren, on and on. I do believe we'll see one another again in the here after but it still hurts to let them go now. I guess I'm really selfish as I want "my cake and eat it too" so to speak.
This has made me realize how much I love my husband, my family, our extended family, etc. We are so blessed and I thank my Father in Heaven each and every day for each of them but I guess I don't have enough faith to let them go even for a little while. Of course, I won't or don't have any say in this but I still keep trying.
I guess what I'm saying is we should take the time to "really" enjoy our days, even the bad parts so someday when it's time we can say, I have lived life to the fullest and I'm ready to let go.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Birthday
Saturday, January 22 my Mom was 94 years young. Wow, can't hardly believe she made it this far. Well, I take it back, I can believe it, she has always taken such good care of herself. She eats really well. She is down to where she doesn't eat a lot anymore but what she eats is so well balanced and good for her. I wonder where I went wrong? Hummmm!
On Saturday we took her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. She was thrilled to be able to go but we had to walk a long distance into the restaurant but she made it both ways but when we got her back to her home, which by the way she is living alone in her own place, she was done in. She stopped at a chair right by the door. Not her usual spot but you could tell she was glad she made it that far. She has had quite a week, on Wednesday we took her shopping to get a new washer machine and coat. Then on Friday we took her grocery shopping and to lunch with her daughter in law, granddaughter and two great granddaughters. She really enjoyed that and then we went to another grocery store, so that was a really BIG day. Then on Saturday we took her out. Usually she only goes on Fridays and if we have a special holiday or she needs to go to the doctor. So this week was really a "killer" week for her and yet it was a good one. I know she really enjoyed it as she is really a social person.
I look at her and realize how long she has lived and the things she has seen come to pass. The changes in our world have been great in my life time but she has lived a good 25 years longer. Wow!
She has had hardships beyond our imagination. In her lifetime she has had three husbands, three children, seen all of her husbands die and one of her sons. That in itself is difficult but she has also seen all of her siblings except her youngest pass on along with her parents and most of her close cousins and so many friends. I know there are times when she wonders why she is still here but if it comes down to it, she will fight to stay. That is the way she is and I think the reason she is still here. She has fought hard all of her life to accomplish many things. To see her children raised and doing well to see 10 grandchildren, many, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren be born and grow up.
Life is not easy but we were willing to take on the opportunity to come here and do all of the things that would come to us. Thank you Father for my Mom and the many things she has taught me. For the sacrifices she has made for me and my brothers. Thank you.
On Saturday we took her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. She was thrilled to be able to go but we had to walk a long distance into the restaurant but she made it both ways but when we got her back to her home, which by the way she is living alone in her own place, she was done in. She stopped at a chair right by the door. Not her usual spot but you could tell she was glad she made it that far. She has had quite a week, on Wednesday we took her shopping to get a new washer machine and coat. Then on Friday we took her grocery shopping and to lunch with her daughter in law, granddaughter and two great granddaughters. She really enjoyed that and then we went to another grocery store, so that was a really BIG day. Then on Saturday we took her out. Usually she only goes on Fridays and if we have a special holiday or she needs to go to the doctor. So this week was really a "killer" week for her and yet it was a good one. I know she really enjoyed it as she is really a social person.
I look at her and realize how long she has lived and the things she has seen come to pass. The changes in our world have been great in my life time but she has lived a good 25 years longer. Wow!
She has had hardships beyond our imagination. In her lifetime she has had three husbands, three children, seen all of her husbands die and one of her sons. That in itself is difficult but she has also seen all of her siblings except her youngest pass on along with her parents and most of her close cousins and so many friends. I know there are times when she wonders why she is still here but if it comes down to it, she will fight to stay. That is the way she is and I think the reason she is still here. She has fought hard all of her life to accomplish many things. To see her children raised and doing well to see 10 grandchildren, many, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren be born and grow up.
Life is not easy but we were willing to take on the opportunity to come here and do all of the things that would come to us. Thank you Father for my Mom and the many things she has taught me. For the sacrifices she has made for me and my brothers. Thank you.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Happy New Year
A New Year for all of us - what are we going to do this year that is different from last year. Are we going to make the same mistakes, follow the same trail that we've done in the past? Or are we going to stop and take stock of ourselves and how we can change for the better. This can be something that will benefit each of us and our families. It has been proven that we can't stay the same, we either progress and grow and learn or we become stagnant and go down hill (so to speak). WHAT WILL BE YOUR DESIRE AND DECISION - GO FORWARD OR DOWNWARD?
I want to change my life and take control of it back. At this time I am not sure what that means but I certainly hope to find out.
Happy New year to each of you!
I want to change my life and take control of it back. At this time I am not sure what that means but I certainly hope to find out.
Happy New year to each of you!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is certainly an important day and one to be celebrated. Then there is Santa, it's in the spirit of giving. Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Nativity
Today I had a shock. First I need to back up, my husband's brother Don, said he couldn't find a nativity scene. I thought he must be mistaking so today when we were out shopping I looked and you know what? I couldn't find one. Of course, we didn't go everywhere looking but the fact that we went to one or two places and there was not one to be found. Not even a picture. What part of CHRISTMAS do people miss? I mean CHRIST-MAS.
This really shows that Satan has been working very hard to convince people that X-mas is the way to go. I am so saddened by this fact. I still find it hard to believe that there isn't one in every store you might go too. Don said he finally found one at Home Depot. Of all places?
I feel so sad for the buyers of the various stores that they don't look - NO DEMAND that they have some to sell. Surely there are more people out there that find this a disturbing fact besides me.
I think we need to talk to everyone we meet and ask them if they understand this? Maybe if we talk it up and call the various stores and ask - WHY? Maybe, just maybe it will dawn on someone that Christ needs to be put back into Christmas.
This really shows that Satan has been working very hard to convince people that X-mas is the way to go. I am so saddened by this fact. I still find it hard to believe that there isn't one in every store you might go too. Don said he finally found one at Home Depot. Of all places?
I feel so sad for the buyers of the various stores that they don't look - NO DEMAND that they have some to sell. Surely there are more people out there that find this a disturbing fact besides me.
I think we need to talk to everyone we meet and ask them if they understand this? Maybe if we talk it up and call the various stores and ask - WHY? Maybe, just maybe it will dawn on someone that Christ needs to be put back into Christmas.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wonderful time of the year
It's that wonderful time of the year - yes it's Christmas time. What a joy it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I think of the difficult time it must of been for Mary and Joseph to go all that way to pay their taxes. Then the time coming for Mary to deliver Jesus. In a stable no less. Our pictures make it look so lovely but even at their best stables aren't what one might think of a place for a human "baby" to be born in. It is definitely a humble place to be born in and the song that mentions Jesus, once of humble birth. I think of that often and how sweet the birth of a baby is. What a learning process it is for the parents let alone the child. As I look back on our family being born and how much I have learned with each of our children as they have grown up. Sometimes were extremely difficult and sometimes were so sweet and even humbling. I can't believe it has been so many years since we first started on this journey. As each of our daughters came into the world, it was both difficult (as I didn't do anything easily) and it was sweet and beautiful. The joy I felt as each was placed in my arms and how I cried with each of their births. The happiness I felt as I checked them out to be sure they were "perfect". Little did I know they were perfect no matter what imperfections might have been on their bodies.
I guess the Lord knew I would need five children to learn all of the things I needed to learn. Wow had I only known how many children we would have before we were married I wonder if I would have taken the "journey". Having been raised more or less as an only child, I wasn't prepared for the noise or the conflicts that come with children. But neither was I prepared for the joy and happiness that comes with all of that noise and conflict. We only grow as a result of difficulty or difficult times. When these times comes to each of us, it is frightening. We are not prepared for them and therefore we feel unable to handle what may or may not come.
I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father is there to guide and help us every step of the way, if we but have the faith and trust in Him to do so.
My prayers are with you all as you go through these difficult times of bearing, raising children and the other difficult times that will come your way. Have faith and trust.
Merry Christmas to all.
I guess the Lord knew I would need five children to learn all of the things I needed to learn. Wow had I only known how many children we would have before we were married I wonder if I would have taken the "journey". Having been raised more or less as an only child, I wasn't prepared for the noise or the conflicts that come with children. But neither was I prepared for the joy and happiness that comes with all of that noise and conflict. We only grow as a result of difficulty or difficult times. When these times comes to each of us, it is frightening. We are not prepared for them and therefore we feel unable to handle what may or may not come.
I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father is there to guide and help us every step of the way, if we but have the faith and trust in Him to do so.
My prayers are with you all as you go through these difficult times of bearing, raising children and the other difficult times that will come your way. Have faith and trust.
Merry Christmas to all.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Grandparents
Being a grandparent is one of the greatest things in the world, well besides being a Mom or Dad. We have 11 grandchildren and each of them holds such a special place in my heart. We got to spend some quality time with three of our grandchildren this past week and had the opportunity to attend a concert at our granddaughter's school. She plays the viola and it was a joy to watch these young people as they each worked so hard to do their very best to perform. Our granddaughter practices 30 minutes each day four days a week so she doesn't have to bring her instrument home on the weekend. Now isn't that clever? But she doesn't miss practicing because it is important to her to do her best. Her brothers are so full of energy that I wish I could just touch them and get some of it. One grandson couldn't wait to get into 3rd grade so he could learn to write cursive. I was impressed at what a good job he does considering that he's only been in school a few short weeks. The youngest grandson is in kindergarten and is learning how to type. Wow! What kids learn and know today at such young ages is such a surprise to me as grandmother. But the thing that tickled us so much was they met us at the door as we got there and as we were leaving, they were at the window waving at us.
This would be really impressive if it were just one of our daughter's children but all of them do this. What a joy it is to know we are loved and they look forward to our coming. Sadly we don't get to see all of them that much and that makes us so sad as we love each of them so much.
We have two that are into sports and each play soccer and boy are they good. Just so fun to watch them play and see how much they have improved each time. We don't get to see them much as they live a ways away from here.
Then we have four others that live about five hours drive from here and they are delightful also. The two older ones are into "grown" up things but are still happy to see us and will chat with us and that is fun to feel included in their lives. The two younger ones hang around with us constantly when we go there and that is such fun.
We are fortunate to have two living with us right now and it's fun that they like having us around too. Although, I think they feel like we just belong here because the oldest one really doesn't remember living without us. The youngest one is still too young to know any different.
All and all we are so blessed to have all of these lovely grandchildren.
This would be really impressive if it were just one of our daughter's children but all of them do this. What a joy it is to know we are loved and they look forward to our coming. Sadly we don't get to see all of them that much and that makes us so sad as we love each of them so much.
We have two that are into sports and each play soccer and boy are they good. Just so fun to watch them play and see how much they have improved each time. We don't get to see them much as they live a ways away from here.
Then we have four others that live about five hours drive from here and they are delightful also. The two older ones are into "grown" up things but are still happy to see us and will chat with us and that is fun to feel included in their lives. The two younger ones hang around with us constantly when we go there and that is such fun.
We are fortunate to have two living with us right now and it's fun that they like having us around too. Although, I think they feel like we just belong here because the oldest one really doesn't remember living without us. The youngest one is still too young to know any different.
All and all we are so blessed to have all of these lovely grandchildren.
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