Winter's Cold

I love the quietness of winter, the earth lies dormant, waiting.

And while it waits for Spring to burst forth, I take advantage

of good books, good friends, and family. It's a time

of silence to allow us to hear His voice clearly.

I absolutely love Winter and thank Him for this time.

There are times when we get so caught up in life that we are overwhelmed, frightened, worried beyond belief, and go to sleep and wake up wondering how to solve the problem. He wants us, He urges us to 'be still and know that I am God'. He truly wants us to do this. Wouldn't we want our children to do the same?

This year, this brand new year, I intend to go to Him more often, to thank you more often, and to realize that in all things our cups runneth over. Our blessings far outweigh the sadness, the ugliness, the worrisome ways of our lives. May His blessing be upon us as we enter into this new year with His name on our lips.

This time of year always feels me with such contentment, such delight, and pure happiness. I always know that it's a very difficult time of the year for many. Two families we know and love will have empty spots in their homes this season and my heart cries for them. They are sheltered and covered with His love, mercy, and grace, but there will be an empty spot until we're gathered together with Him in Paradise. Oh, what a joyful thought. My prayer for you is that you have many, many moments of laughter, lots of loved ones to laugh and reminisce with, and the thankfulness that we can say goodbye to the mistakes and the sad and hard days and hello to a brand new year that is dawning. Merry, merry Christmas, dear ones ~

Whose woods these are I think I know.

 His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

~Robert C. Frost

I love winter, as those who know me can attest,

and I love Robert Frost.

Have a beautiful, wonderous Winter!

A Garden

The Garden. While looking for another image in Google, I saw this.

My heart grabbed and except for the difference of the horizon

and the flowers to the far right, this was The Garden.

There was no marks of a mower and there was a graveled path

that went from where I stood and curved around to the left.

Going back past the stand of flowers. There wasn't red. Or blue.

But of all the ones I've looked for, this comes the closest.

It's a place I still go to. And wonder when I'll see it again.

I want to live on this street ~

I want to know those that live here, love here, laugh here ~

Age has nothing to do with it, except

that I cannot go make dreams like this come true ~

there are others now to think of, obligations to consider,

but oh, my dreams still take me here, still stir my soul ~

so I look at pictures such as this and I wonder,

and dream, and ponder, and know that one day

I just might walk down this street. And not in my dreams ~

for it is my dreams of yesteryear that made my life today.

Ah Ian, I read in my journal last night

that this time six years ago your mother

was about eleven weeks pregnant with you.

I wrote of our excitement and anticipation

of meeting you for the first time~

You have brought such delight to our days, to mine.

You are smart, sensitive, loving, and curious.

You love cartoons, Lego's, and brownies.

Noah brings a bit of angst to your days,

but you humor and tolerate him well~

I see the best parts of your mum and your dad in you.

Your father's laughter, your mommy's love,

all wrapped up with his eyes and her nose.

Watching you and Noah brings such contentment,

such happiness to my soul and I relish

each and every moment with the two of you.

Always know you are loved,

you were prayed for,

you were awaited.

And I?

I shall always be

one of your most adoring fans.

Forever, and a day~

To Austin & Ian, With Much Love ~

Do not follow where the path may lead.

Go, instead, where there is no path

and leave a trail ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards.

My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold,

and wear sombreros ~ Paul Freund

Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind ~ Dr. Seuss

~~~~~~~

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss,

you'll land among the stars ~ Les Brown

~~~~~~~

and my favorite,

Wherever you go,

go with all your heart ~ Confucius

Oh my beautiful grandsons, you are loved dearly, prayed over daily, and watched over keenly. There are so many delightful days ahead for you, go boldly into Life and know you will fare well.

A Pocketful of Sunshine

See this smile? It is genuine.
And I got to see it recently,
on a trip to the Gulf Coast.
You may remember,
those of you that follow along,
a post on Heartstrings.
She was venturing into life again.
Bravely, boldly, hopefully.
And now ~
This precious friend of mine,
has met someone;
and he has brought delight,
smiles, & laughter to her days.
To add to this journey of hers,
she has sold her home & is making
the dream of living on the Gulf Coast
her reality, her life.
And she smiles ~
Thank you, Richard, for coming into her life.
From those of us that know and love her,
we welcome you into our homes
our hearts, and we look forward
to many years of laughter,
trips together, and knowing
the one we love
has found someone to love ~

Above his head they placed

the written charge against him:

this is Jesus, the king of the jews.
Matthew 27:37

My child, I've seen your tears

as you read of My death.

Never forget that I died

for all people everywhere.

My own rejected Me because they

did not understand who I was.

When they ask, I will forgive them,

just as I have forgiven you.

Remember always, you are royalty.

You are a child of the King.

Daily in Your Presence~

He was her son, his brother, a friend to many.

He was a former student, a bright

and engaging personality.

It came to an abrupt end at some point this weekend

and we are left with questions and tears.

Kirk loved and was loved.

His death brings us to our knees

and to the arms of each other.

Death can be cruel but it loses its power

when we reach out to others

and turn toward the One that cries with us.

I have long loved the sculpture of the Weeping Angel

and thought of it when I got the news last night

that Kirk is no longer a part of our world.

He will remain in our hearts, our memories,

but he no longer will be on the end of the phone

or share life with family and friends.

We will cry and we will miss him.

We have lost too many in this little community,

in this tight knit place.
My heart aches and hurts for the pain

his mother is enduring. And will forever live with.

The weeping angel. Heaven is aware.

He cares and comforts.

And oh, oh, how we need that now~

No eye has seen,
nor ear has heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared
for those who love him.

~1 Corinthians 2:9

See the sunlight through the pine

Taste the warm of winter wine

Dream of softly falling snow

Winterskol, Aspenglow

As the winter days unfold

Hearts grow warmer with the cold

Peace of mind is all you know

Winterskol, Aspenglow

Aspen is a life to live

See how much there is to give

See how strongly you believe

See how much you may receive

Smiling faces all around

Laughter is the only sound

Memories that can't grow old

Winterskol, Aspenglow

Words and music by John Denver

Aspenglow was written about Aspen, which is a resort town in Colorado. They have a celebration every year called Winterskol where many skiers come down the mountain holding torches, thus the Aspen glow.

Merry Christmas, everyone~

I guess we all have things in our past that create pain, confusion, and hurt in our present and threaten the future. I know I do. Things I kept hidden, you know kind of like a box collecting dust on a closet shelf. Every so often you take a tiny peek to make sure it's still there, then quickly close it and shove it back into the darkness. Maybe that's why I always felt a kindred spirit with certain children and with women that were forced to give what only belonged to them. If you're one of these, you know what I'm talking about without any further words. If you're at a loss and don't have a clue, then I hope it never happens to you and that you never read words like these and think, 'it happened to her, too'.

My devotional today uplifted me and reminded me of the pain He feels when we hurt. He reminds us that the freedom of speaking out, dealing with it, letting go, and moving on is what frees us to step boldly into the future. He is our future. Continuing to hold on and grieve for what was lost only keeps us in the past. And the present is here for such a brief moment in time. I have had the support of a loving family and a Christian counselor, which with my King's unending love, has brought a peaceful ending to the past. The words went something like this~

True freedom is not the absence of conflict, nor is it the release from authority. He came to bring us freedom: freedom from the past that would hold us prisoner; and freedom to embrace the future and all He created us to be. He is our freedom, and His Spirit will bring the truth that frees us to love and forgive. We find true freedom when our past becomes a stepping-stone to a brighter tomorrow.

I pray that, along with me, you release the pain and hurt from the past and step boldly into His arms. In doing so, we are not slaves to those that attempt to control and to hurt. I am a child of the King and I lift my head high and look upwards to what I know awaits me.

This snapshot reminded me

of this snapshot~Little boys have heroes~

and some dads,

really love

being dads~

And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever.

John 14:16 kjv

From the Father's Heart ~ My child, I know when your heart is breaking, when you've said good-bye to the last dreams of your heart. I'm here for you, and I will hold you as long as you need to rest in My arms. My Spirit is ever present as the Comforter to speak peace to your heart and soul. In every sorrow, and for every tomorrow, I will be there. No one else can make that promise to you.

A Grateful Response ~ Lord, I never need to look farther than the comfort of Your arms. There You wait for me with expectant heart, longing for my fellowship. How many times I've felt Your strong arms and quiet whispers to my aching heart! Where else could I turn? Lord, You are my Comforter.

Simple Truth~ Just when we think all hope is gone, Jesus fills our hearts with song.

Today, as I was reading my daily devotional,

I remembered the grief stricken families

of the Scouts killed in the tornado.

I remembered the family of Audrey Caroline

and Luke of Bring the Rain.

Our Lord is our Comforter,

He is so in love with us,

and He promises

to always always be there for us.

What else, who else, do we need~

I look at these little ones,

and I see

the good parts of me,

and sweet shades of him~

And, of course,

the best parts of them.

Parts that will nurture

these little ones

to grow to be

mirrors of all of us.

And I know

that no matter where they go

or who they grow to be

or how they get there

they will always be

the best parts of those I have loved.

Little pieces of our hearts,

our souls,

our lives,

walking around

in another time,

another century,

another life.

And so we continue

to love,

to laugh,

to live~

I wonder

if she knows,

this child of mine,

just how much

I watch her.

And laugh.

And learn.

This life,

the one I dreamed of

for myself,

the one I prayed

for her.

The one she now holds

close, and tight,

to her heart.

Boldly she steps forth

to embrace,

to laugh,

to learn.

With him there,

she's never alone.

So I watch,

and I wish,

and I am thankful.

I am so thankful.

I am my beloved's,and my beloved is mine.

~Song of Solomon 6:3 kjv

From the Father's Heart: My child, we have a wonderful love relationship that I want to guard at all costs. I am your beloved, and I feel the same way about you. In that sacred romance, I long for you to stay close to Me. There is no one else who will meet your needs like I will. There is no one who will ever love you like I do. Come, sit beside Me. I love to share My inmost secrets with you.

A Grateful Response: Your love is like no other, Lord. With You, there is a belonging and a warm sense of security. I love to walk and fellowship with You in the cool of Your garden, or by the warmth of a fire. When You speak, my heart and spirit leap to join my beloved One. Wherever You are, Lord, is where I want to be.

Simple Truth: If love were heaven's only gift, it would be enough.

Please go to Christianity.Com to sign up for a daily devotional. To spend additional time with His Word and Love is only a good thing~

He Was

He was the first thing I noticed,

standing there just off the path.
I curled my toes inward, I remember,

not sure why I did though~
maybe to make sure it was real?
The gravel was the small kind,

a bit rounded, not sharp~
but He says there's no pain, right?

He looked younger, healthier.
I don't remember him ever looking such.
Watering various heights of cascading flowers~
he loved his flowers

and bored us by giving saplings or seedlings

or seeds from huge conifers he found out West~
the ones I wish now I'd saved.

There didn't seem to be a sun,
although it was bright, a fresh kind of light.
The breeze on my face was so perfect,

not hot, not even warm,
but not cold nor cool~just perfect.
Although I saw the others there,

it was him I wanted to see,

this time that seemed to last for minutes~
but then, only moments.

There was a time
when I thought back to the one I left,
yet there was no sorrow~
but He tells us that too, doesn't He?
I knew where I was, I knew I wanted to go to him,
to be closer~but I couldn't.

Not yet. I had to come back.

Come back and share the beauty that is there,
what perfect health looks like,
that what we read is beyond what we can imagine.
One day, though, one day I'll go back~
and I'll hug my dad.
Then we'll sit at the feet of the King.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My daddy~

November 27, 1929 - July 3, 2004