My dear friend Stacey came to my home for a visit while my grandchildren were here. She got an extra dose of love, energy and delightful chaordic displays of life. What she wrote when she went home, touched me deeply. I would like to share a glimpse into what she experienced.
     “Today I was reminded ever so gently of a beautiful moment while visiting a friend’s house when her grandkids were outside playing. Carried away in conversation I was, when my spirit felt that little nudge from Spirit, “listen with your heart my friend, as life is creating an invitation for you... behold”.
     … [T]he conversation carried on around me, but I was suddenly aware of the actions of a very dedicated almost, 3 year old and her dolly she had so tenderly placed in the swing. The smile began to slowly envelop my face as I saw her gently push her beloved doll in the swing and then hurriedly scurry about 10 feet away, turn around and clasp her hands in pure amazement and joy.  Literally this girl was beaming from head to toe and with a little squeal of excitement, that gently turned into the softest whisper, she said, “My dolly is so SO happy!” And with that gentle phrase, I saw her whole being exhale the most exquisite and content little sigh I’ve ever seen.
     … [L]ife is always full of opportunities to behold and to learn deep, but little did I know the treasure that was in store for me in this particular encounter.  As the swing slowly lost momentum, she would return and chat a little with her doll making sure she was safely secure in the swing, before another push sent her little feet scurrying to what I had quickly perceived was the “best view” to watch her beloved little dolly.  Her absolute joy in observing her doll in the swing never lost its momentum, nor the consistency of her expression of delight, of the joy her dolly was indeed having. I must admit I was beginning to believe that her dolly was literally smiling with enjoyment. 
     Just when I thought it couldn’t have gotten any more deeply nestled in my spirit, her grandma comes into the scene and secures not just the one dolly but a second one, making the beloved dolly even more secure in the little swing!  Then like any amazing grandma would do, she diligently, and might I say ever so patiently, (remind you she isn’t quite three yet) showed her granddaughter the fine art of underdogs! What a splendid sight indeed, as she mirrored her grandma. Now it was like she was embracing and then launching her beloved dollies into the merriment of the moment, as she herself had a head start on the action of observing!
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     Time after time this little one began to master the art of underdogs as she readily embraced each opportunity to suspend her dollies into flight and each time her feet briskly made their way to the stump as she gazed upon them with absolute delight and purest sincerest of affections. No mistaking the love she had for her dolls and absolutely no mistaking the delight she was having in just “enjoying them enjoying”.
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     I can tell you I observed this precious little one playing with her baby doll later on, but I will never forget the opportunity I was given to partake of her simply delighting in the gift her doll was upon her little life, and the good pleasure it brought her to just be in proximity to that which she most definitely held dear. And for that, I am most wondrously thankful, for the gift she taught me that day and for the years that I will be unpacking the precious moment with the One that loves me most.”
      Through this tender revealing of my friend’s heart in this experience, I saw how parents, grandparents, God and all those intimately connected in relationship can capture that moment of watching their loved ones and entering into their delight as it overwhelms their soul with love….. I know during this holiday season I want to capture each moment of watching those I love delight in all that captures their hearts with joy!

​The days go by so slow, the years go by fast – Capture the Moment
1991 and 2018 – What a difference 27 years makes.  It went by like a FLASH!

     As I was caring for three of my grandchildren for the day, trying to keep the 7 week old happy in the front pack, chasing the 21 month old and trying to find the 4 year old that decided to play hide and seek, I thought, “Oh I remember this, this is hard!”  I had a flash back of trying to keep my four rounded up, get to that game on time, running back in to the house for that special toy…the list goes on.  Being a Mom was exhausting, but the memories, the reward, and the wonderful adults I now have the joy of calling friends is worth it!  I heard someone say ‘the days go by so slow, but the years so fast.’
     There’s a world of truth in that statement.  Embrace the moments, treasure them, for one day it will just be a picture on a page and a fond memory.

       The sweetness of life is overwhelming my senses lately.  Looking all around me, new is sprouting up.  I can’t get enough.  Whether it’s a new sunrise, a new puppy, a sprout of green pushing out of the ground, a flower budding, or the smell of a new born baby.  I’m capturing the wonder of it all.  I don’t want to miss a thing, I want to appreciate and truly see everything for the miracle it is.
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                     Feeling so grateful!  May your life be filled with wonder!

  The Song “Turn! Turn! Turn!”  (you grandparents remember that song) has been playing in my head since Christmas. We as a family, transitioned my Dad from his earthly home to his heavenly palace during the holidays. He flew home on New Year’s morning just before the last family members arrived for our scheduled family gathering.  We thought Dad would be with us as we pre-planned our time together, BUT instead we were all together to celebrate his life and everything he was to each of us.
     I have been pondering the rhythm of life, the embracing and the letting go.  This world is not perfect, and I don’t get to write the complete script.  Letting go of Dad so quickly hit me a little sideways.  I found the joy in the process, but it was difficult. It was a time of reflection, embracing, gratefulness, grief, sadness…..and so many other emotions.  To top it all off, I watched “This is Us” on my night shift caring for my father.  Watching that show was very emotional, but healing. To get an intimate view of each member of a family living out the joy and pain of their journey, and doing the best they can, gave me a reality check for all I was experiencing. We are born into a family, it is our beginnings on this planet. We’re blessed if we get to do life together, even if it is messy, and are able to say “see you later” as each precious member flies into eternity. 
“See you later Dad!”  You’re loving daughter, Jimetta

​Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven…..

​     My Mom delighted in extending Christmas joy by taking my kids shopping for their Christmas presents after the holidays.  They loved the extra one-on-one time with grandma and spending the day together.  I say that the greatest compliment when someone has a brilliant idea is to adopt it!  So this year, for Christmas each of the grands got a small gift and a gift certificate with a designated amount to spend on their day with grandma! 
     I didn’t think I would get an education and a blessing from my littles, but I did!  I guess the new term is “stuffies,” the bigger the better.  You don’t just tuck them under your arm, you lay on them, carry them on your shoulders and snuggle with them.  We even took one of them to the movies!  No extra ticket required. There is nothing more comforting than a stuffy. They gloried in their giant beasts, and I reveled in watching them enjoy them.  The whole experience warmed my heart.
     I must admit, this New Years was a bit rough.  My 90-year-old father passed into his heavenly home.  However, I was gifted with a new pleasure, that of snuggling with my grands and their “stuffies.”  I might just need to go get one of my own.  I rather missed them after they went home.  I contemplated the puppy, but prefer for the less time consuming option for now.  Stuffies, a beautiful way to receive healthy comfort when missing loved ones, young and old. 

     What a joy this year to have four generations in our home over the holidays!  It had been eight years since we had all of our children together, under one roof, coming from near and far.  
     I have concluded that life can be messy and we proved it. Our holiday season was a new level of glorious chaos!  As a young bride, I had envisioned what my perfect Christmas would look like - calm, beautiful, organized and clean.  I now have 41 Christmases under my belt as a married woman, and the reality is vastly different.  This year was no exception. Children and adults overflowed in all the bedrooms, sleeping mats covered the floor, and a baby crib resided in the master bathroom.  One of the uncles slept outside in the camper, and the other set up his kingdom in the office.  Stories were read in the living room while a rambunctious card game took place on the dining room table.  Kids were on the kitchen counter making pancakes while a team helped my elderly father with the stairs.  “We have to build a snowman,” someone pipes in, as they ran to get snowsuits, gloves and hats out of the closet. A bit later, “We need a carrot!” yells one granddaughter from the door! “We’re done, take our picture!”
     Oh yes, pandemonium it was, but it was so much more beautiful than my young expectations of an orderly Christmas.  For this year it truly was a priceless holiday season.  We were surrounded by family, and those we loved were all together under one roof.  It was real, vulnerable, chaotic, fun and challenging. It truly was a beautiful Christmas.

     It was a beautiful day at the Lake, perfect for picking blackberries.  My family, a few intimate friends and their children had been promised a warm berry cobbler topped with fresh vanilla ice cream.  We loaded up the boat with our picking buckets and fired up the engine. The air was warm as we raced out across the lake, under the bridge and down the river to the familiar hidden berry patch.  With the engine slowed to a quiet idle, we raised the motor and glided onto the shore right up to the blackberry bushes.  Much to our surprise, the bushes near the water were nearly picked clean.  But did that stop us?  NO!  Off we jumped, with our water shoes, right into the mukity muck, and reached through the thorny vines, for our treasure.  After dodging garden spiders, and slipping about in the mud, we scavenged just enough berries to return in triumph with our pickings!  It was just enough fruit to prepare the perfect afternoon treat!  After all, what’s vanilla ice cream without some type of topping, right?