And a Happy Birthday to my Sister, Kelly Ann!

Fifty-three years ago today I got up for my last day of sixth grade at Fruitville Elementary in Sarasota, FL.  My mom was standing at the stove stirring fudge she was making for my end-of-school party, counting her labor pains as she was stirring.  I helped get my other two sisters ready for school, and we all got on the school bus with excitement, hoping it would be the day we finally got a brother!

My grandmother called me at school later in the day to tell me that we had another sister.  I had a moment of keen disappointment; but I was the oldest, after all, and had the good sense to know that I wasn't supposed to be disappointed--unlike my sisters who wailed that they still wanted a brother instead when I went out on the playground to tell them.

Little did I know that this blonde-haired, blue-eyed angel would become my little pet!  I loved dressing her up in ruffles and doing her hair and taking her with me on the Kensington Park VW bus to Ringling Shopping Center to give her 10-cent rides on the mechanical horse outside of the Rexall Drug Store.

After another sister, we finally got our brother 4 years later; and I'm so very thankful for the siblings God gave me!  But today, here's to you, Kelly--a great friend and kindred spirit as well as a sister to be proud of!  It's been fun sharing grandparenthood with you this year; and, as you said, glad they're a boy and a girl so they could be the uncontested cutest of each!!

Stepping out of the Three R's

Nothing has been more freeing in my adult life than to know that I can choose to leave those attitudes behind of Resistance, Resentment, and Revenge.  My testimony may have been at one time "What's a Nice Girl Like Me Doing in a Place Like This?" but oh the truth of that little poem my mother taught me:
There was a little girl who had a little curl,
right in the middle of her forehead;
And when she was good, she was very, very good;
And when she was bad, she was horrid!
Suffice it to say that I strongly relate to the poem even though my hair is straight as pins!

Along with other challenges, I have committed to the study of Your Whole Life with a friend, addressing my much needed weaknesses of diet and discipline!  I guess you could say my stomach flu over the weekend was a blessing in disguise, since I lost 7 pounds!  Today in the devotional from the book, she had us list people who were influential in my life.  I've done this many times before and expressed gratitude to those on the list, but it seems we're always the old dogs learning new tricks!

My mom is always at the top of that list, being the first influence in my life; and I thank God again for giving me such a nurturing and loving cheerleader in my corner, instilling in me a sense of right and wrong and morality that is sorely lacking in this day and age.  Her creativity and encouragement were always a huge thing in my life!  I was reading my distant cousin's blog a few minutes ago http://thekarin.net/, whose mom was spared from death after suffering an aneurism late last year, and I rejoiced with her that she does still have her mom with her and for all the things God has proved sufficient for in that whole process--because you do miss the phone calls; the sharing of your latest news, good or bad, with someone who will unconditionally share the laughter or tears; and the hugs when you see them after a long separation.  The only thing that could possibly increase the joy I feel with my granddaughter, Sofie, is to share her with Mom--Mom loved her grandkids and greatgrands dearly after raising six kids of her own, and I'm glad she was still here for them to know and love back!  Thanks, Mom--I hope I was always there for you like you were for me, even though I was often that horrid child!

And some new understanding of "seeking the face of God" today.  Scripture has some concepts that we just take for granted because we've heard them for years, but it really is a treasure trove of new and fresh life lessons!