Woven into my Days!

It seems like yesterday, we went to Edmond, and Mom got to meet Bretton.

Recently, I got to be with him, and often thought of calling Mom to share his 

sweet personality and fun times. She loved hearing about her greats!

This past week, I have wanted to call her and tell her about the kids.
Then when I when shopping this week, it never failed that I looked at things that Grando would like.  

As I look through Pintrest, there are recipes I want to tell her about, or cleaning tips, or fun decorating ideas!  

I know she cherished the time when she met Hudson.  I hope that each of her Greats have some of her woven in them.  Her wit, or her giving spirit or her loving kindness to others.  They will always have her heart!
I am thankful that she is woven in my days.  

Honoring Grando

Each day when I think about my Mom, I recall how much she is loved and honored by so many. Here are ones that loved her so!

Alex left the most precious message to tell Grando that he loved her....
it thrills my soul how each grandchild told her they loved her.

Marcus made sure our kids could come without the expense.  He has been so supportive and a true blessing in my life.  Grando was so grateful for him.

                                  Myra shared the sweetest legacy that Grando imprinted 

                       on her heart!  We felt like rejoicing after hearing the

                       tributes of Ben, Jason, Jon & JimBob. 

Kathy showed her love in so many ways.  Grando

told me that she wished Kathy was there to cheer

her up...and she did that and so much more...

Lana loved Grando with such gentleness.

I will forever be grateful to her & Jessica 

for the precious touch they gave to Grando.

Sweet Bella always wanted us to sing "Blue Skies and Rainbows" 

to Grando...A touch of heaven!

Noah would sit quietly and try to figure out this part of life!

I loved that as Grando's body was leaving, Eli ran out and yelled

"Goodbye, Grando!"

Each morning Ben would come by and see Grando.

Kym had a comforting take charge gift, and tenderly 

helped with Grando.

Jon had extra brownie points for choosing Leta as his wife and 

Grando had told me that she wanted to live long enough to see their child.

Jim Bob made us all so proud.  He was the best 

at showing up and giving his best...

I don't have the words for how much I 

appreciate him & Kathy

We didn't have a clue that Mom's journey would end

at Kathy & Terry's home...but it was the perfect ending 

with Darby, Jessica, Lana, Kym Kathy,Kathy Sue, Terry, Ben and Brenda

all honoring  Mom.

I miss her more every day, but she leaves me in awe of how 

strong she was in the face of so many problems...

I love her to the moon and back!

The things they did!

Our life has changed in the last 3 months, since my precious Mom had a stroke.  I have spent lots of time with her, and seen an amazing strength in her.  She has been physically limited and must depend on others.  For the most part, I have watched her concern for others, wishing she wasn't a bother to them.  She would apologize for making their job challenging.  Many times, they would leave with a smile or laughing about something she said.  She has been incredible! 

 

I loved the stories she shared with me.  She talked about her mother, Katherine Beauchamp Ryan. She is to be admired, and I'm thankful that my Mom sees her as her guardian angel.  She was definitely an angel to others, as Mom tells it. As a child, Mom watched her pick up hitch hikers, bring them home and feed them.  In her kindness, she ask about their life and saw to it that they left with food and drink to sustain them.  One lesson Mom learned from her about judging and kindness was the day they waited outside the store, as a young boy was being reamed for trying to shoplift.  When he came out of the store, Katherine gently told him that he needed to get the item the right way. She gave him some money and told him to go buy the item.  That sweet lesson was condemned by adults, saying she didn't teach him a lesson.  But, Mom and I both agree that it was love and kindness, a huge lesson learned.

We talked a lot about Dad.  It seems that Mom is wakened many nights, with the feeling that he is in her bed. If she could only roll over or move, then his knee wouldn't be in her back.  So, she usually wakes to get comfortable, asking that he stop crowding her.  For me, that is a bitter sweet feeling. 

She told of Dad coaching Darby's softball team.  He never tolerated any parents outburst.  He told them he would send them home.  He only had to make that promise good, one time...he made Mom leave when she commented to the umpire that "they are playing baseball, not golf."  In spite of that, they were a great team! 

As we moved Mom to the nursing home, she only requested that 2 pictures be hung on her wall.  Both are of her grandson, Adam.  I know at this time in her life, she feels very close to him.  He must be her connection to what lies ahead.  

However, she always wants to know what the great grand kids are up to.  That does brighten her day.

I do think that sweet little Darby and Mom have a special bond.  Not one made from time together, but just maybe from a common heart of sweetness, with a little orneriness.  That sweet girl does have a heart for her Grando, a blessing that shines in all this upheaval.  

Even in her hardest struggles, I love that Mom can recall the things they did.  

In Case Of Emergency!

No worries, Morgandy has control of this airplane!
No emergency card needed....but...

For the last 2 years when we fly "Papa's Planes" together,
she takes great interest on reviewing the pictures on the Emergency card.
You know that card in the seat back pocket in front of you.
She has studied the emergency procedures in her 5 yr old detail. No fear
about what might be, just being prepared. So last night she reviewed
the pictures as we prepared to take off. I pointed out the photo of how to
brace yourself in an emergency landing. She doubted that she could
bend her head to her knees, but I assured her she could. Later, in flight through the
clouds, I realized that she had her head between her knees. I ask if she was o.k.
and she assured me that she was just practicing.
As we waited to take off, I told her how the controller in the tower,
told each pilot when it would be their turn to go. She took the card
out of the seatback pocket of the seat in front of her, and proceeded
to show me the picture of the flying wreckage that would block opening
the emergency door, and said that's why planes had to take turns.
She is a smart one, she is!
Just sorry I didn't have the camera and couldn't use my cell phone.

The Beauty of A child with a Question....

 

 

No doubt this day of celebration in October will forever 
claim a special place in Morgandy's heart.  And it should!


However, today, I got to peek into a special place in Morgandy's 
heart.  We were driving down Lake Shore Dr, on our way to church.
My favorite drive in Chicago, where you can see Lake Michigan on one side,
 and 
downtown Chicago, on the other.  As we watched the activity lining Lake Michigan, 
Morgandy noticed a huge group of runners.  Then she simply ask, 
"How will all those people know God if they don't go to church? 
 Maybe they are making the wrong choice."


On another day, I will tell her that maybe they have gone to church, or
 may go to church later,  or may get to know God by seeing someone who 
shows God's love.  But, seeing her sweet nature and true concern, 
left me speechless, but so encouraged and proud of her.


During, worship, another question grabbed my attention.  
The preacher shared a tight spot he was in, and tried to find the 
solution with this question.
"What is the God honored thing to do?"


I need to ask myself that question daily.
But for one sweet 5 yr old, she sees going to church, 
as an answer for those runners, and all of us.

My tug of war!

I was introduced to a concept called, "The Word Project" by a lady at church.

It is simply choosing your own personal word or phase that can be a road map to make your life better. I delight in giving to others, and like my Mom, I know it is a apart of my love language.

But, I realize that I am having a huge giving problem in my relationship with God. I don't give Him my concerns and problems. I am the giver, so I will fix things. Just watch me give enough love, or words of wisdom, or tell it like I see it.

I have been stewing with this faith issue, thinking I had control to change things. But, all I did was fail miserably. I realized that what I need ....even now I pause because this is so hard for me to do...what I need and have to do is to give it over to God. NOT take it back and tell God, "Here, let me do it!" I have to stop living like that, so my phase for this year is....

HE WILL

Sure, I know God will, but my actions don't show that I believe it. So, it is my intention this year to stop and watch what HE will do.

Here are a few truths that I will claim as I go on this journey:

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"And God is faithful: HE will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, But when you are tempted, HE will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it." I Cor. 10:13

"The Lord your God goes with you; HE will never leave you or forsake you." Deut. 31:6

"The Lord your God is with you, HE is mighty to save.

HE will take great delight in you.

HE will quiet you with HIS love.

HE will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17

Busy Boy!

Watch out! Here I come!

He sure looks familiar!

Hitching a ride with Momma!

Bouncy! Bouncy!

Lets see what I can find!

Start the engine!