Timeless Greetings

"Greeting cards have all been sent 
The Christmas rush is through ..."

These lyrics from the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas, Darling" played in my head as I finished addressing and putting stamps on a stack of Christmas cards this year. I wonder what tunes played through my own mother's head as she performed the same ritual sixty two years ago. I wonder, too, what she was thinking when this photograph for their Christmas card (with a three-month-old me on her lap) was taken. Most likely she was longing for a full nights' sleep but wishing good health, peace and the joy that is Christmas to remain in the hearts and minds of her friends and family well into the New Year. I wish you that very same thing today.

In memory of my dear friend, Helen, let me pass along this idea from a former blog post for recycling the Christmas cards you've received from friends and family far and near; we continue this practice every morning. I hope that she knew what a blessed prayer legacy she was creating. Thank you, Helen!

Merry Christmas!

Life is Good!

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Please join me in prayer for a miraculous baby girl who was born early Monday morning. She is the tiny daughter of my daughter-in-law's best friend. Born much too soon, with odds stacked against her, each day is a victory! The specific prayer on her behalf is for her condition to remain stable so that God can heal the holes in her lungs. If you are on Facebook you can go here to stay current on the discussions and to keep up with her progress; please pray for strength for her Mom and Dad (Robin and Brad) too. Ask your friends and family to pray for baby Mary Ann, each and every prayer counts; and we know that God is listening! Thank you so much.

Life is Good!

It's Time...

Our granddaughter decided that the time is now. It's been a busy day, my husband and I spent the day in the mountains and had a leisurely lunch. We got back home just in time to change clothes and make it to a birthday dinner for my sister-in-law at a nearby restaurant, that's when the telephone call came. "Can you come", my daughter asked; "I think it's time". Everyone thought they had a few more weeks to prepare, she isn't due until the 31st; everyone, that is, except this little one. It's after 11 PM now and we're babysitting while Mason sleeps. He has no idea what tomorrow holds for him, his life is about to change forever. And so, we wait; for a call from the hospital. We wait and pray for her safe arrival! Will it be today, will she share a birthday with her Aunt Barbara? Will she hold out another hour and create a birthday of her own within our family? Only God knows, His timing is always perfect.

... and I need coffee...
Life is Good!
Update: Lucy Ann was born at 11:45 PM on October 2, she weighed 6 lbs. 7 ozs!
Both mother and daughter are doing well.
We cannot wait to meet her~ stay tuned for photos!

Making The Best Of A Bad Break...

Thanks to everyone who has expressed get-well wishes and prayers on behalf of my daughter following her fall and resulting broken foot. We're establishing some routine in what was an otherwise well-oiled machine of a household. A patio chair has been placed in the shower for stability, it works great! The newly appointed cook and housekeeper takes at least twice as long as normal to do each and every little task; the child-proof cabinet door locks, doorknob and outlet covers really slow me down. I fold the towels differently and put the dishes away where I think they should go, but so far my daughter hasn't sent me packing for home; she is patient with me and I am sympathetic with the situation of the patient. Our outings consist of those where there are motorized carts for transport; so far Target and Harris Teeter are tops on our destination lists. She will visit an Orthopedist on Monday for a more definitive diagnosis on the fracture and weight-bearing. Right now our prayer is that the baby will stay put for as long as possible, the best scenario is that Mommy will be walking on her own two feet when the little one makes her entrance. In the meantime we're coming to grips with what has happened, counting our blessings and enjoying some unplanned mother-daughter time together!

Life is Good!