"Have I done any Good in the World today?

I found something out yesterday that was rather disappointing. 

 For years I thought I was my Aunt Ginny's favorite niece. 

 I thought I had a special bond with her that no one else had.

I went to her funeral yesterday and spent the day with many cousins and friends of my Aunt Ginny's, and I find out that they were also her favorite..

and that many had that special place in her heart. 

( Even though secretly I know that it was me that was her favorite, I will let the others go on believing that they were.) 

 

Aunt Ginny was special, because of the very thing I'm talking about. 

 She made everyone feel special. 

never seemed like she was in a hurry when she was talking to you

She was interested in what was going on in your life. 

It was because she truly loved those that she came in contact with and made the time to make them feel of her love. 

 Aunt Ginny taught me this valuable lesson. 

She always had time for me..as well as the many others demanding her attention. 

 

She taught me that people were more important than things and she constantly gave of herself.

 

 

She taught me that being cheerful and happy, regardless of our circumstances is a choice.

 

 

She taught me to remind myself to think of others, to go out each day and find some way to improve somebody else's life, rather than thinking about my own.

 

She really made me think. 

I want those I love to know that they are my favorites. 

 I want to make sure that I take the time to cherish family and friends. 

 

 

It's a good question. 

 

It's never too late to set goals, to improve to strive to be better.

I'm grateful for a wonderful family who are examples to me.

Each one helps me want to live a better life.

 

 

 

A few Regrets...These aren't among them.

Yesterday in church our neighbor gave a talk about regrets.  It was a fabulous talk.  He went through life stages and how we have small regrets in our early years, but maybe as we get older there are bigger regrets.  He ended his talk with a letter from a friend who has only a few weeks to live due to illness.  He listed his regrets, which basically had to do with loving more and spending time with those loved ones, expressing his love to them more often.  Of course we think of those things as we get close to the end of our life.  But they are such simple things..things that can be done each day, just a quick hug or an "I love you"  letting someone express their feelings freely..loving unconditionally.  I have so many regrets, but I thought I'd list a few of those things I don't regret this year. 

I don't regret surrounding myself with these guys, seeing their happy faces.

Their smiles bring joy to my life.

   

I don't regret seeing Jim smile.  Especially when he is with his grandkids.  That's when the joy comes out the most.  He's got a great smile.

I don't regret working in my garden.  I love planting those beautiful flowers and seeing them grow.  What a lovely season, barefeet on hot cement, sitting outdoors late into the evening, watching the sun set. Summer, my favorite time of year.

I don't regret travelling.  I always love seeing different places, experiencing different ways.  It makes me appreciate the beautiful world and also the beautiful spot I call home.

I don't regret spending time with family and friends.  These women are my support, They are who I turn to who and who turn to me.  I love them.  Girlfriends are the best. 

 

I certainly don't regret loving and being with "my girls."  We're outnumbered, but a strong force in the family.  Beautiful each one with different and individual strengths.   How grateful I am to be apart of these girls lives. 

 

I have many regrets.  Things I wish I would have done better..things I wish I wouldn't have done at all.  But, spending time with loved ones,  spending time out in the beautiful world,  these things I only regret not doing more of.  So very grateful for these simple, yet most important blessings in my life.

Things will Work Out

Determination

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."

 

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

A Child's Prayer

"More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."

 

~Alfred, Lord Tennyson

 

As I listened to Jake say the prayer over lunch yesterday I was touched by his words.  He prayed for his mom and dad, Sam, Dylan, Gramas and Grampas, friends, Marta, Dan, Benji and Seth.  He thanked Heavenly Father for the grass and the flowers and the blue sky and the nice day.  He blessed his house, he actually went on for so long that Dylan and Sam were eating and making quite a bit of noice before Jake finally said..Amen.  Even though as he prayed it got a lot more confusing in the room, I'm sure that Jake was heard. 

Jake takes turning five seriously.  He tries hard to share and help, because now, he is grown up.  He remembers when he was little and sometimes wishes for those simple days when he could just play. If he forgets to be good, he is truly sorry.  

He is an example to me in taking the simple things seriously.  He helps me to realize that it does matter how I speak to others, that listening is important, that all the little mundane things I do each day, I should do with a flare.  I should smile more, and hug those I love more.  I should serve more.  As I watch Jake and my other little charges, I learn that they are not perfect, they are little, they are learning.  I am old, yet still learning to improve and enjoy life.  I can always do better.  Phyllis McGinley says, "the wonderful thing about saints is that they were human...they lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical, or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them.  Still they went on doggedly blundering toward heaven." 

 

I'm grateful for the example of Saints who are imperfect, yet continue to try.  I am grateful for a little boy's prayer who reminds me to appreciate and be happy with the simple things that this life offers, and inspires me to be a better person.

Going Forward

 

I've posted this particular quote before.  But, I refer to it again and again when things don't always go as planned.  This past week has been nice, having gotten away, yet not without problems. I guess Jim and I are getting old, because we are both having a few health issues.  We'll live, but not feeling totally up to ourselves the last few days.  And then this blog thing.  I feel as though I've lost a bit of myself after finding out that most of my pictures are gone.  So, slowly I will start building my memories and thoughts again.  I'll take the best of what I have..try and restore it and let the rest go.  Just like Goethe's Mother, "if it is too heavy, I go round it." 

So slowy, the black squares where pictures used to be will disappear.

Gardening in the Early Hours

The other morning I woke up about 5:00 am.  Couldn't go back to sleep, so about 5:30 I headed out to the garden.  Can't tell you how lovely it was.  Nice and cool..quiet and peaceful.  I tackled my perennial garden first, as weeds had sprung up everywhere. It's amazing what you can accomplish when it's not 100 degrees.

I potted the last of my herbs.  I am a slow planter, taking most of June to get everything just so.  The rest of the summer is spent admiring, caring for and loving each plant.

My Secret Garden which is really "Upper Garden"  has been totally neglected this year.  So I plowed into this project which kept me outside far longer than I had planned.  But, oh what a mess!  I finally got it cleared out, swept up and at least a place where I can read a book hidden from the world.

Peeking through the vines into Upper Garden.  In another couple of weeks, no one will be able to see me when I decide to hide out for a couple of hours, although visitors are welcome...occasionally.

Graceful, Calm and Reassuring

Everyone is busy in today's world.  There is so much to be done.  I don't know anyone who is sitting around watching soaps and eating bon bons.

As I have grown older and my husband and I are on our own, with our children having their own families and lives, I seem to only get busier.  Yet I seek to not seem busy or tired.  I want to be calm and reassuring.  I want to be the kind of woman who has time for my family and friends.  To enjoy every minute with those that I love.  I want to step outside of my life and embrace those I come in contact with. 
I have a friend who does just that.  She makes each person she sees feel so loved, and as if she has all the time in the world for just that particular person.  She might have a million things to do, but you'd never know it.  She is never in a hurry,  Her calmness and sincerity brings a feeling of warmth and love to those she associates with.  I am striving to have more of these qualities.  Being interested and taking time with friends and family is just another way of being kind. 
Slowing down in this crazy world to enjoy my loved ones.  I can't think of anything more important than that.

Who we are.

I love to blog. It is the only way I would keep my journal current. I think all technology is fabulous. It helps me keep in touch. Helps to accomplish many things while doing lots of other things. I am grateful for computers and cell phones because my kids are able to work from home alot, with the help of all these gadgets, and be with their children. The only thing that's missing in all this is the beautiful art of handwriting. I was reading an article by Ann Cannon this morning. Her most valued Christmas gifts this year were letters from friends on lovely stationary in their own handwriting. As I read this it made me think. When my mom died, I wanted things that were her.  Her old wedding china, with the little pink roses. So many Sunday dinners and Thanksgivings served on those old dishes .Her portrait of grama Lundgren. But the things that became most precious were little notes found in her drawer, recipes, or letters in her handwriting. That familiar script, when receiving a letter, you knew right away it was from mom. I love the funny letters sent from dad with a goofy poem or advice on the page. Both grandmothers distinctive writing I hold dear and Grampa Bagley's love letters to Grama show what a romantic he was. Jim's architectural training is very apparant in his handwriting. It's who he is. Whitney's artsy side is all over her handwriting.

 Again, I am grateful for computers, for the quick email to a friend. I am in contact with so many that I would never communicate with. I keep in touch with friends and nieces through blogs, so I know about their kids and other activities. We can get a group together for a lunch or party in minutes and can I tell you how I love to Christmas shop online? We stay closer to family and friends because of all these new ways of communication. An occasional handwritten note will help remember these loved ones always. Our handwriting tells alot about who we are. I see a letter from someone I love and immediately am with that person and feel their presence. I love getting emails from those I love, but they are seldom saved and treasured,  I push delete and they are gone. I think I'll write a few letters today.

I Was Outsourced

Recently we switched our internet to a higher speed.  

In the past I have spent time with tech people on the phone who live in faraway countries.  

I have nothing against these people.  

They are usually hard working people trying to help.  

The problem I have is the companies that hire them.

  Last night Jim and I were on the phone for about an hour trying to get his laptop set up to the wireless internet.  

The lady helping us was nice,

 but we both had such a hard time understanding her,

 plus there was a delay going on, because as we found out she was in the Philippians. 

 In the past if I couldn't understand someone,

 I politely requested someone else. 

 I feel it is my right as a paying customer 

to be able to have an easy conversation when having difficulties with a TV, 

computer of whatever I am trying to fix.  

Last night we got too far into the situation. 

 I kept wondering why we were having difficulties with the phone connection when we were talking to someone working for the phone company (centurylink). -

Again, not her fault. 

 In the future when I call to get help,

 I will upfront ask for someone who resides in the US, who can speak English clearly. 

 I ask all five of my followers to do the same. 

 I am sure we will change the world.

Merry Christmas

My first resolution achieved!!!!

I got on a "roll" this weekend!

My first new years resolution was to clean out and reorganize all the closets and cupboards in my house. Happy to say I have achieved just about 99% of that goal. Just a few cupboards in the kitchen and a shelf or two downstairs, and I am on my way!

What a lovely feeling to start out the year with a clean storage room, clean shelves and closets throughout my house! It feels great!

I think I'll just sit for a while and read.