GOODBYE MRS. PATTERSON.........

Tomorrow we bury our sweet little eighty-three year old Kathyrn Patterson. She's been in our church a long time. When we first came here seven years ago she and her husband were both home bound. I first met them when we went to their house singing Christmas Carols. Eventually, Mr. Patterson went to a nursing home and her family would take her to see him when she wasn't sick herself. He passed away and we went to his funeral to comfort her. Mrs. Patterson got well enough to get on our little church van and come back to services. She was so faithful and loved coming to church.Pretty soon she started coming to church on a walker. She was in and out of the hospital a lot but always came back as soon as she was better. She went into the hospital a few weeks ago and at one point she was improving. I commented that I was always amazed at how she would bounce back from being so sick. However, today, I'm making calls to our ladies to provide food for her family after they lay her to rest tomorrow. She was so sweet. When she saw me at church, she would always say "Hi, Dottie!"I would go hug her and she would kiss me on the cheek. When she saw Rudy, she would say, "Hi, Bro. Tracy!" We would chuckle because she would never get his name right. The one thing I will remember about Mrs. Patterson is her laugh. It was beautiful. She didn't laugh out loud that much, but when she did, it was the laugh of a young woman. She was eighty-three, so you didn't expect that young laugh to come out of such a little old lady. Sometimes Rudy drives the van to pick up the Seniors. When I rode with him I always listened for her laugh because it is was so unique. I'll miss her.

MEMORABLE THINGS AT CHRISTMAS...

Leanne laying on the couch sick as a dog while everyone else is opening Christmas presents...

Devin opening every gift without really looking at what was in the package...He just liked opening the gifts.

Marcus laughing his head off when Devin opened a present of ABC bath letters. He said, "Devin, you know your ABC's. Say your alphabet." Devin looked at his Dad with a puzzled expression and said, "Alphabet."

Leanne looking sicker and sicker.

Ryane opening a present that was a camera, leaning back on the couch and saying, "Well,...I guess this means everyone thinks I'm old enough for a camera."

Ryane taking a picture of each one of her gifts.

Gracie retreating deeper and deeper into "GRACIE LAND" with each gift she opened, especially after she put her earphones on.

Leanne (who loves putting things together) looking at one of Micha's gifts (which has to be put together) and saying "oh, it has to be put together" and laying back down on the couch.

Marcus really getting into Devin's new car that plays 50's music and has spinning wheels.

Micha getting his first Batman p.j.'s

Papaw gettin out his handy little tool to take all the little things out of the kids presents, saying what he always says, "Man! They make these things so noone can get into them!!"

Grandma and Papaw getting gigantic Mr. Goodbar's from the kids.

Grandma and Micah fighting over her Mr. Goodmar. He was sitting in my lap and kept pulling the bow off my candybar. Then he was chewing on the Christmas wrapping. When I finally took it away from him, he threw a fit. Leanne said, "no wonder he threw such a fit, look at it!" He had chewed through the Christmas wrapping in one corner, and then chewed through the candy wrapping all the way to the chocolate. He was going to town on that chocolate.

Leanne wishing we'd all go home.

Ryane trying to get her new slippers on over her new thick fuzzy socks with cardboard in the slippers. "I think they're too little!

Eating Christmas "Speghetti" at Leanne and Marcus's house on Christmas Eve. Give me chapter and verse that says it has to be turkey and dressing. Besides, Marcus makes good speghetti.

Kids are so funny when it's time to open gifts. So honest. You always hear things like...another one?....hey, this is just like that other one!...I really like this and I really wanted a red one...what is it?...just say thank you!!...

Leanne happy to see us leave so she could keep being sick.

These were fun things to observe.

A TWO DOLLAR CHRISTMAS GIFT......

This morning before church I went to the ladies room. When I came out of the stall to wash my hands, Gracie came out of the other one. We looked at each other...Grandma! Gracie! I said, "Gracie, you look so beautiful this morning." She said, "I know." She washed her hands, and then took time to primp. She fluffed her hair, straightened her new little shawl, and fixed her little silver necklace.
I watched her for a few seconds and briefly took a little trip back in time. I felt that special Christmas feeling and while Gracie was seeing a princess in that mirror, I was seeing me in Gracie. I remembered what it felt like to be a little girl at Christmas again. Then Gracie said, "Look, Grandma." She showed me her little silver necklace with the heart. She opened it and there was a picture of her Mom and Dad on the inside. She got the necklace yesterday and that was about a dozen times she had said, "Look Grandma," while she opened up the necklace. Then she said, "and look at this." She took her little fringed shawl and flipped it so that the fringe whirled around. I said, "that is so pretty, Gracie." She said, "I know." So, she was looking in the mirror and I knew that she was seeing a princess. I also knew the shawl came from the Dollar Tree because I was with her Mom when she bought it. The necklace cost a dollar as well. When Leanne showed me the shawl at the store, I raised my eyebrow like, we-l-l-l? I could only envision the fringe flying away with the first breeze. Leanne said, "No, Gracie will love it." I'm so glad she bought that shawl anyway. She knew Gracie would not know nor would she care that it cost so little. So, for two dollars Gracie got to feel like a Princess, and I got to feel like a little girl at Christmas again. Priceless...

MORNINGS! UGG! WHERE'S MY BLANKIE!!

I've always envied morning people. Both my sisters are up at 5 and 6 am every morning. (Is there really a 5 am? Betty swears there is.) I have even spent the last 35 years with a morning person. You would think some of it would have rubbed off on me. Not really. We've tried all kinds of systems. Our current one is for Rudy to get up, turn the T.V. on, and bring me a cup of hot tea (now that is service!). It still takes me a while to get out of bed. Sometimes he teases me or throws things at me. I eventually get up, fix him some oatmeal, and make the bed. I move very slowly in the mornings. Here it is 10:30 am and I'm sitting at my computer in my pj's eating a brownie. I couldn't think of anything to write about, so I decided to write what's on my mind. This is what's on my mind. I don't like mornings. I know that's terrible, and by that statement people may call me a lazy bum and tell me I'm awful. Leanne and I had a conversation about the Proverbs 31 womam this morning. I said, "I think she eventually ran away and became the "Prodical Woman." Then her husband welcomed her back and put a ring on her finger because he was tired of doing all those dirty dishes." Well, whatever. The Psalmist surely gave us examples of early rising. Psalms 5:3 says, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

INSPIRATION ALL AROUND ME.....

I continue to be amazed and inspired by my family. Rudy had the choir do the Contata, "Meet Him at the Manger." So beautiful. Leanne had the female solo. They had so many setbacks it was unreal. The pianist was gone for two or three Sundays of practice, and we were gone for two. Leanne had knee surgery. People were sick. Rudy was even told, "you should cancel this Contata." Rudy's "spiritual" response was, "FORGET YOU!" He said, "I'm not cancelling this musical. These people have worked to hard." So they pulled in extra practices and hours. Rudy has a way of drawing out the very best in people. It was great. They did so good. And Leanne. What can I say. She said in her blog that she botched her solo. Maybe she did the first part, but she stayed with it when others would have set down, and when she finished, especially when the choir came in behind her, it was so very pretty! Leanne has a lovely voice, and apparently a lot of her Dad's determination. I was so proud of her!
I love my family. I'm so proud of the way we "come back from adversity." Look at what all we've been through. Individually, and collectively. As I set at my computer, my mind is reflecting back on each of our lives and the crisis' and events we've each experienced, or are going through at this time, as in Kelly's life. Have we not all come out stronger? Issues, yes, but doesn't everyone have issues? Have we not all learned valuable "treasures" to pass on to someone else who is going through these things? I'm so inspired by my husband who has more determination than anyone I know of, by Leanne who just this past Sunday was telling a friend, "you do not have to put up with that from him," by Kim who fought her way back and now not only receives, but brings joy to a great relationship, and to Kelly, who has always, always, been able to get back on her feet and continue giving of herself to others. I have no doubt her situation now will bring the same results. I truly continue to be inspired by my family, and I give thanks to God who has made us what we are. Philippians 4:13..."I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

MEN.......

Men are so darn funny, and they are their funniest when they are'nt even trying. Rudy got a phone call today from a another guy. Gary wanted to know if he knew anyone who could "fix" something. Although I could only hear a one-sided conversation, apparently it went something like this. "Hey, Rudy, how'er you doing?" "Okay, buddy, how're you doing?"... "Okay, say, Rudy, do you know someone who can do some work for me on my house?"..."yeal, I've got this man in my church who can do most anything."..."yeal?"..."yeal, he can do any kind of work."..."well, is he honest?"..."naw, he's not honest, but he can do anykind of work you need." Now, this was said without any laughter, or any indication of a joke. Totally dry. I'm in the other part of the house hearing this conversation. Apparently, the conversation ended, and Rudy hung the phone up. I said to myself..."huh?"... Men can do stuff like this and never miss a beat. I love to hear men talk to each other. Wonder if they like hearing women have conversations? Probably not. We'll never know, though, will we. Ask a man a question like that and he will "not" give you an honest answer. Why? Because he will definitely think it is a trick question. My husband quit answering those types of questions a lo-n-g-g-g time ago. He'll either say, "of course!" or he'll say, "ARE YOU CRAZY? I'M NOT ANSWERING THAT QUESTON!" But, I can promise you, "whatever" answer he gives to a question like that will not be the truth. That's okay, though. I just smile and ask anyway. I love putting that pressure on them. Men are so funny.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY....

Today Rudy had to go to the ER to get four stitches in his hand. He banged it on the Pantry door at Church and cut the top of his finger at the joint. Pastor said, "Oh, just put a butterfly bandage on it, that'll keep it closed." I just kept remembering the staf infection he had. That's what we base things on. Do we take a chance or do we check it out just in case? I knew it needed to be cleaned good...better than we could clean it. It cut up under the skin. He was headed to Walmart to get some butterfly bandages. Leanne and I consulted each other (as Medical Professionals i.e. Wives and Mothers), and said, uh,uh..he's going to the ER. So, off he went to the ER only to come back with four stitches and a "T" shot. It got cleaned twice..once by the nurse and once by the Doc. I feel better.

That really causes me to reflect back on when he was laying in that hospital bed so sick with staf infection. One little slip up, one oz less antibiotic than needed, one tiny shift in a germ, one mistake by a nurse or dr. and that staf could have started traveling. He had so much infection. It could so easily have started moving to his vital organs. I really think the drs expected it too. So many drs were called in. So many specialist that we lost count. He could so easily have died. There can only be one explanation. God simply was not ready for him. Job 12:10 says, "in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Wow. I'm glad we don't have to come up with explanations for everything. It's right in the Scripture. Now, if I would just apply that on a daily basis.....(:

IT'S ALL WORTH IT.....

I loved being with my family again. We have to try harder now to spend time together as a family. Jobs, distance, responsibilities, kids, school, church...so many things make it more difficult to get together. And when we do get together, we all have to try hard not to get on each others nerves, or offend someone. Close quarters and hectic goings on tend to fray our nerves somewhat. Occasionally, I would slip off to another room to steal away a few minutes to myself, only to find someone else beat me there, EVEN THE CHILDREN! I think that was the funniest revelation I've ever had... realizing that kids have to get away from the hubbub, too. I went into one of the kids rooms and found one little one in bed under the covers watching a few minutes of a movie, and another one's legs sticking out from "under" the bed. That kid was playing a handheld game under the bed just for a few minutes of alone time. In another bedroom, an adult was sitting up in bed with eyes closed, and in the basement someone was spending time by himself on the computer. Hectic, yes...but so worth it. I love my family. I stole many glances at everyone this week. I saw funny things, sweet things, thoughtfulness, efforts to overlook petty differences. That's how much we want to be together. And those goodbyes! They say so much! Other people must look at us and say, "that family hugs way to much!" What they don't realize is that we are communicating. We're actually saying things with those hugs. I love you, I miss you, I forgive you, thank you for always being there, thanks for giving me your last dime, thanks for accepting me with all my flaws, thank you for loving me unconditionally, etc. We aren't afraid to say I love you out loud. I'm so glad for that. But, those hugs are priceless, too. They speak volumes. It's all worth it.