I like comfort thoughts...

For me, comfort thoughts help make things in life easier and sweeter...

One of my 1st comfort thoughts was when my Dad explained that thunder was the ole potato man in the sky, heading up a cloud with a wagon load of potatoes, hit a hole and out roll all those potato's.  So thunder made me feel 
sad for that old farmer and his loss.

I love thinking stars are windows in heaven!
I love (still) hearing my Dad sing, "Master the tempest is raging!"
I love hearing him say, "Debby, it's going to be o.k.!"
I love thinking Adam requested that Bella come on the saddest day ever for my sister and her family.
I love going to the cemetery, and talking to those I love.
I love hearing my Mom say, "Acknowledge others, in their loss!"  Prompts me to make that call, send that letter, say that prayer.
I love thinking Heaven may be like the greeting Mary gave me, recently!
I love, that in my exhaustion, I thought Adam tapped me on the shoulder.
I love the recent novel, that explained that someone dear, comes to get your love one, at deaths door, and they don't go alone.
I love that my Mom believed her Mom was with her as a guardian angel.

There are times that I know God has made life blessings for me, simply by giving me comfort thoughts.

Lost and Found Pictures!

Christmas Favorites!

 

Cousins and Buds!
 

Playground Fun
  

 

 

Morgandy demonstrated her role as an Angel,
in view of Baby Jesus!

Not sure they loved that Santa wrapped the entrance

Are yiu awake, Dadda! 

 

They love their books!

 

 

Always great getting to treat the firemen!

 

Morgandy is ready for Girl's day shopping!

 

Bretton decorates the tree!

 

Bretton and Hudson watching movies!


 

our craft girl!

 

Makes you think he can read the sign
And the Art room special...face painting!

 

Treasure keeping

As I work through 14 boxes of "Stuff we needed"  and try to give that closet some breathing room, I find such precious treasures, in the pile of mess.  I fill 6 bags and counting with shredded paper.  The organization sites say I can let go of those 5 houses, that are no longer ours.  But, the treasure of seeing our family grow up in those houses, can't be shredded.  Starting on Georgia street, to Grants Parkway, then Apple Orchard Place, Sandy Shore, Mallard Crest & now on Marsh Pointe Dr, (with a few rent houses in between), I have been taking a journey through our life.

Kids school journal's and some special writing assignments reflect their love for our family.  Lana's letter to Santa, asking him to leave a gift in her drawer, Alex wanting him to give to the poor, and Myra's rules of the Girl's Club, are a part of the Treasure Map of the Week.

Piles of unorganized pictures, (that I'm sure I've organized many times), stop me in my tracks. For now, they go in a pile again, and will be sorted and labeled for the stories to be told.

Boxes of "give-aways" are growing bigger, but when it comes to my kids, I keep those things close to my heart.  Homemade cards, special notes, precious gifts. 

It may be a chore for others later, but I am fresh from going through my Mom's treasures recently, and it lightened the load of my loss.  She kept everything that showed the love of her family and friends.  We got to see the way she loved us, and how we mattered.

When will it ever get done.... seems endless, but it reminds me that the journey can be sweeter, and the "Stuff remaining"  has a bit of my heart! Or your Dad might need it :)

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.