On Her Way

My daughter is 9 minutes away from being "home". I have been tracking her flight and will breathe a sign of relief when I see "landed" come across my computer screen.

She has been in New York City for the past few days; a fairy tale trip she has anticipated for two years with her NHS group from high school. Even though I wanted to call her throughout the week, I held back except to inquire if she arrived safely and to check flight numbers and schedules. But I did get an unexpected call yesterday.

"Mom....guess where I am? We're taking a carriage ride through Central Park!" She went on to describe the sights of the city, how much she loved it there and how Broadway was "Amazing!" I am so thrilled that she got this opportunity, and imagine I will see somewhat of a different young lady when she arrives back home this evening.

I've missed her so....but I know this is just the first step in beginning to let go as new adventures and chapters take her to different places. As it should be, but nevertheless, hard for a Mama to untie those strings and watch her fly away.


Footnote: The plane has landed. And another page added to an already lovely scrapbook...

Sky Watch Friday - March 14th

I'm really not a morning person, but awakening to this wondrous view is definitely worth showing up early to the day. It reminds me of the beautiful hymn, "When Morning Gilds the Skies" and gives me reason to believe that all is well.

And a story comes to mind that I once read: One morning a woman waited at a bus stop where a group had gathered in the pouring rain. Amongst the miserable group was one man, smiling and cheerful despite his place in the cold, gray rain. When she asked him why he was so happy, he looked at her and said, "I ain't never lived this day before!"

So gilded or not... rain or no... go forth and greet the new day that awaits.
Because in the words of the wise, "Ain't none of us ever lived it before!"

Fall and Rise of the Farm

Our neighbors are moving. They have lived on this farm for many years but the toll of bad weather and failing health has rung its bell for the final time....and it's time to move on.

It's evident in the rusted chair where once sat happy memories on back porch steps. The rumpled jackets in reckless abandon tell the story of tired footsteps that no longer care to sing the song of rural life.

The weathered barn, once erected with pride in hopes of golden years, now stands silent....and just barely. The warm breath of cattle and sweet smell of hay no longer resonates through rafters, and its hollowed emptiness echoes loneliness.

The old water pump still sputters a stream of cold water, but stands choked by tall weeds; forgotten in the look towards the future.

I don't blame them. Farming is a tough job, a tough life and there are times when the brave thing to do is to move ahead towards a life without the labor that can break one's back and try one's spirit. With the hope for better health and the need to be close to family, they will make their new home among beautiful hills and quiet respite. And that's how it should be.

In the late thrills of spring, another family will take their place with new energy, new ideas, new hopes. Once again the chair will sing its metalic melody as it glides across back porch steps. Old jackets will be replaced by new ones, embraced in whistling energy and hung on kitchen door hooks. Strong winds will still blow through rusted barn boards, but the sound of singing hammers will echo through the rafters in attempted restoration. Tall grass will fall around the the faded red pump, replaced by morning glories, and new life will take hold.

Still in the family, still in the name....the new generation takes over with hope for the farm, pride in their heritage and strength of the spirit. And that, too, is how it should be.

Thoughts from my youth

Anyone who knows me well knows that I led a very charmed life in my early years. Though money was tight, my home was always filled with warmth and love. I had little experience with pain, struggle, or loss.

While looking through a poetry book given to me by a high school friend, I found a paper I wrote as an assignment in Analogy back in those tender, innocent years. Though I like to think my writing has improved over time, I found those words from my youth interesting and pretty much on target regarding how we live our lives. If you have the patience and inclination....read on!

A person's life is like a book. There are many people in the world today and every one of them is different, just as the books in our homes and libraries have a different title and story to tell.
Each new life has a beginning; a fresh start with a whole future ahead. You can't start life at age twenty, just as you can't start reading a book in its middle. You must begin on page one and go from there. There are many chapters in the book of life, each with something new and different to learn...and they all must be lived. Some will be happy and memorable and some will be sad and painful, but they are each a part of it for they help us grow. One cannot go back and rewrite or leave out a chapter, just as he cannot go back in time and change things that have happened.
A book is sure to be torn as long as it passes through the hands of readers, and though the tear can be fixed, it's not quite the same. This, too, is true in life. One is bound to get hurt while he is living, and though that pain can be patched, there will always be a scar. Nevertheless, one cannot throw his life aside and just stop living because of a hurtful experience. It would be as foolish as throwing away a book that has a tear on one page.
An author usually writes a book for his own pleasure, but he still wants others to read and enjoy it, too. How unhappy he would be if no one did! One's life is also meant to be shared. How badly we would feel if no one wanted to listen . A life has to be shared to get any joy from it, just as a book must be shared between an author and his readers.
As time goes on and life goes by, one ages and with age comes the signs that tell us we're not that young person anymore. Hair grays and the skin becomes wrinkled like the worn cover and yellowed pages of a book. But though the exterior may be aged and worn, the inside holds that special something that can never lose it meaning, nor every grow old.
Then comes a time in life when the pages left are few. The book that once had its beginning must now come to an end. Sometimes one may look back and feel that he has not put his all into his book of life. But if he looks back and sees a lifetime with pages filled with love and happiness, then he can close his book with contentment, knowing he has written well.

May your chapters be many...and the pages that you write..............be written well.

Sky Watch Friday - March 7th

This fence post is two miles from where I live, along the gravel road that leads to home. The canvas of sky behind it is constantly changing....and I love the stories it tells. This was captured in that moment between day and dusk when the sun bids farewell to the rising moon. Unnoticed by many who travel this road, it's always a reminder to me of the blessings I have received...and of the hope and grace for the new day ahead.

More than meets the eye

Our neighbor's old propane tank reminds me of my childhood on the farm. When you are young in the days before multi-station television, computers and cell phones the world is vast with endless possibilities; a place where a little girl's imagination can take flight in any and every direction.

Our propane tank was located out by the large elm tree and ran alongside an old wire fence. I remember vividly trying to climb its slick side and sliding off more often than not. I'd have to resort to climbing the fence then grabbing on as I straddled it with my skinny little legs, pretending it was a beautiful white horse beneath the canopy of rustling green leaves. Its coolness felt good on hot summer days, and I was anybody but a nine-year-old girl on a small Kansas farm.

I cherish those days - another lifetime ago - when the wonders of the world lay before me.......and I could see forever from the top of an old propane tank.

Sky Watch Friday - February 29th

I posted this photo a year or so ago, but it's still one of my favorite 'sky' pictures.

Our dog, G.T., seems to be waiting for spring.
I join him in that watch...

Taking in the Moment

I remember this day from last summer. The kids, two of their cousins and I spent time out at the river; wading in the water, skipping rocks and soaking up the sunshine. When I look at the photographs from that glorious, lazy afternoon, I'm taken back to the moment when everything was vivid and peaceful........and the clock briefly stands still.

I cherish times like these.
And those memories made will forever be carried in the pocket of my heart...

Weekend Fun

There's no secret about it: weekends go by much too quickly. It seems like we're all celebrating on Friday afternoon and the next thing we know, it's Monday again.

This two-day hiatus was filled with shopping for my daughter's upcoming trip to New York, regional basketball games, sleet and baking.

As always, the kids found time for friends, both on the road and at home. When freezing rain fell mostly on the roads and driveways, they enjoyed sliding on the frozen surface, some staying out longer than others in the frigid air.

Extra sugar cookie dough was brought out from the freezer and made into a 'pizza' whose looks left a bit to be desired, but whose taste was 'supreme'!

There's always laughter in our home when the kids are around and they keep my heart young and alive.

May your Monday bring sunshine and warmth. If not in temperature, then from the joy of having a new week before you.

Happy days ahead!

Sky Watch Friday - February 22nd

I love the "technicolor" of this picture. The western clearing shone brightly on the ominous clouds that had passed over us just moments before, lighting up the field stubble and trees in a surreal golden hue.

To the southeast, white low-lying clouds danced angrily in a misty swirl; an impressive show that eventually dissipated into harmless blue.
Moments later I turned to face the glorious horizon as clouds parted in a shimmering curtain call.

A show of nature, at its best.

Snow Day

This picture was actually taken last year on a *Snow Day* when my son's friend was stranded at our house on his birthday, but it seemed to fit the day.

Early this morning I awoke to lightning, thunder and torrential rain that froze when it hit the ground, turning our roads into a slippery skating rink. Since our school is mostly made up of rural students and teachers from out of town, classes were called off for the day and we were treated to extra hours snuggled beneath our covers.

It's always nice to have a break from the everyday activities and have a day at home to rest. And I know I would miss winter if I lived somewhere warm and sunny all year round.

That being said, I'm looking forward to the first green of spring and waking up to birds singing outside my window. The calendar says that's just a month away...and I'm holding her to it!

Sharing a Laugh

I was cleaning out a closet the other day and came across this 'funny' that I'd clipped from a newsletter several years back. It's not mine to claim, but it always brings a laugh.

A group of senior citizens were sitting around talking about their ailments.
"My arms are so weak I can hardly hold this cup of coffee," said one.
"Yes, I know. My cataracts are so bad, I can't even see my coffee," replied another.
"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.
"My blood pressure pills make me dizzy," claimed another.
"I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," winced an old man as he shook his head.
Then there was a short moment of silence.
"Well, it's not that bad," said one woman cheerfully. "Thank God we can all still drive!"

Lovely Beginnings

"Roses are red, my love...

Violets are blue...

Sugar is sweet, my love...

But not as sweet as you."

-- Bobby Vinton

On Valentine's Day the special boy in my daughter's life brought a big balloon to school, carrying it through the hallways with his usual wide grin. Attached to the end of its red ribbon was a cute stuffed monkey with the words, "Our First Valentine".

When you tapped the bottom of the balloon it played "Roses are Red" in an old-fashioned, lovely serenade. As it hovered over her locker for the duration of the day, the melody resonated through the hallway each time a student passed by and tapped the red, floral heart.

My daughter was enchanted. And why shouldn't she be? In a delightful display of public affection, this young man scoffed at the inevitable teasing and stepped out on that high-up limb to offer his heart to my little girl.

I watch the two of them together: the smiles they share, the adoration in their eyes, the laughter and newness of early romance written on their faces. It's sweet, innocent...and utterly charming. In these beginnings there is a loveliness that speaks to the sentimental and ever hopeful.

And though this particular beginning may not stand the test of time, it is still a precious prelude to the everlasting love that I know, awaits her.

A Mother's Love

"A Mother is one who can take the place of all others,
But whose place, no other can take."

The other day a good friend of mine and I were talking about our Mothers. We discussed the unconditional love they feel for us; the way they love us like no one else ever has or ever will. We talked about the connection between a Mother and a child...and the care, nurturing and tenderness only a Mother can give. The following day I found this Valentine in my mailbox:
I talk often about the blessings of my own children, but without my Mother's gentle hand and gracious spirit, I never would've known where love begins.

When I read this note, I cried.
Because truly, there is no other.....like Mother.

Still Winter

More snow is on the way. Though it's been a long cold winter, I have to admit each time we get a new blast of wintry air and snow, it brings beauty to the landscape.

Here's to warm blankets, a good book and a toast to the ground hog. Even though he gave us an extra six weeks, we'll appreciate spring when it finally arrives.

Happy Weekend!

Sky Watch Friday

It's hard for me to keep my camera off the sky. Its splendor never fails to amaze me and I never tire of its kaleidoscope of color that changes from moment to moment.

Life itself is like that. Turn your back for an instant...and you miss something breathtaking, inspiring, lovely.

Turn your face to the day and meet - head-on - the beauty, the joy that awaits...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love old handkerchiefs, but there's something about this one that appeals to my sentimental heart. It speaks of days gone by when it was o.k. for a lady to covet posy-covered linens, sweet smelling sachets and laced-edge dresses. There have been times where I've felt misplaced in this generation; out of step with my old-fashioned ideas and longing for romance. And yet, I wouldn't want to change.

Each February 14th, I set out this sweet reminder of a simpler time. I love its wispy, delicate feel..... and my heart remembers the ladies from my past. It is as dear to me as the Valentine boxes from my youth; other sweet mementos that always give me pause.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate such loveliness. It's a day of roses and chocolate, winged cupids and soulful sentiments. It's not about the size of a bouquet or lavish gifts, but expressions to - and from - those who touch the gilded edges of our hearts.

May you remember those who have brought - and continue to bring - joy to your life, and may you be touched by the soft tip of Cupid's loving arrow!

The 100

I've seen the "100 List" at other sites since I began this blog in 2005 so thought it was time to put mine up...for whatever it's worth!

1. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a ballerina.
2. Though many find them creepy or annoying, I love hearing cicadas singing in the summer trees.
3. My eyes are hazel.
4. I had an appendectomy when I was 16.
5. I don't like being cold. OK...I hate being cold! And it seems like I am all the time.
6. I lived on a farm when I was a child where we raised hogs and grew milo, corn and wheat.
7. Someday I want to ride in a gondola.
8. I make great cut-out sugar cookies, courtesy of my Grandma Slater.
9. I played drums in my school band.
10. Daisies, pansies and iris are my favorite flowers.
11. I love the rain in the city. In the country, not so much!
12. I'm pretty good at tongue twisters.
13. I cry at the same scenes in "Anne of Green Gables" every time I watch it, even though I've seen it countless times.
14. I have yet to see an ocean. (Does the Gulf of Mexico count?)
15. I still love dressing up for Halloween.
16. I have a small scar under my left eyebrow from hitting my head after fainting when I was 17.
17. I really like clocks.
18. When I was in the 8th grade, I won a creative writing award.
19. I've never been east of Chicago.
20. I don't like being the center of attention.
21. When my daughter was 18 months old, I started sewing on a second-hand sewing machine I bought for $50. It's the same one I use today.
22. I've always loved to climb trees, though it's a lot harder now...and I can't remember the last time I did.
23. I have three brothers, two sisters and ten nieces and nephews.
24. For my parents' 50th wedding anniversary we all spent a week in Colorado. It was one of the best weeks of my life.
25. The people who have understood me the most in my life have been male.
26. I miss living where there is some concrete.
27. The person who first inspired me to write was Sibyl Carey, an older neighbor woman on the farm. I was about 8 years old.
28. I prefer doing laundry over doing dishes.
29. I have a dream to write and take photographs for a magazine one day.
30. I have a tremendous sweet tooth.
31. I prefer dogs over cats....but it depends on which dog and which cat!
32. My BA from college is in English.
33. Fruit pies are my favorite food in the world (see #30!)
34. My sister and I wrote stories when we were small based on our cats, Calico and Numpy. (I still have one of them)
35. I can remember birthdays of some of my kindergarten classmates, though I have no idea where they are today.
36. My favorite pop is Vanilla Diet Coke.
37. I have lived in Kansas all my life.
38. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
39. I still get excited when I see deer in the roads or pastures, even though I've seen them all my life.
40. Despite life's circumstances, I am a hopeful romantic.
41. I'd rather receive a card with hand-written, personal sentiments than a gift.
42. I procrastinate far too much, but seem to do better under pressure.
43. I am rarely early to anything (see the previous statement!)
44. Though both are spectacular, I prefer the twilight over the dawn. I'm more of an evening person.
45. I don't understand people who don't like their families.
46. I love flying.
47. I have only flown seven times, including a helicopter ride, a trip in a pontoon plane and a stunt ride in a Red Baron Squadron Bi-plane. (I lost my eqilibrium for a week after that last one!)
48. My first ride in an airplane was when I was 26.
49. I have a pretty high level of patience.
50. I've been wearing contacts since I was 17.
51. I get motion sickness easily.
52. I rarely get really angry but when I do, I get quiet.
53. I could donate blood everyday if need be, but I'm terrified of the dentist.
54. My middle name is Lynn.
55. I like a made bed.
56. I got pecked on the face by a chicken when I was a child and I've hated them ever since.
57. Chicken is now my favorite meat.
58. My children grew up way too quickly.
59. Autumn is my favorite time of year.
60. I'm not career-driven.
61. I'm very family-oriented.
62. No wonder I have no money. But.....great kids!
63. I miss the music from my old home town.
64. I love the peacefulness of the country.
65. I'd rather have a few close friends than a plethora of acquaintances.
66. I love birds flying around outside....but they're creepy as inside pets.
67. I have a freckle on my nose that people are always mistaking for dirt.
68. I can't drink a bottle of pop in one sitting.
69. Thomas Kinkade paintings do something to me.
70. So does Josh Groban's voice.
71. I think you can find God anywhere. It has less to do with the building than it does the soul.
72. I'm terrified of losing people I love.
73. I'm uncomfortable in formal settings.
74. I'd be a terrible socialite.
75. I wish I had more time at home.
76. I've become more interested in football this year.
77. It was boring before.
78. And I rarely get bored.
79. I wish I could take my kids on a vacation.
80. I wish I could have more fun time with my husband. Too many grown-up worries...
81. I love to laugh out loud till it hurts.
82. I think we should do away with Democrats and Republicans and just have an American party. How are we supposed to get along with the world when we can't get along with each other?
83. In some ways I really miss the 1970's...
84. I love the smell of puppies.
85. I'm probably a better mother than I am a wife...and I need to work on that.
86. I really want Big Foot to be real!
87. I think that ordinary people are far more interesting than celebrities.
88. My favorite class in college was Anatomy and Physiology.
89. I think shopping at Goodwill is fun.
90. One of my favorite old movies is "Friendly Persuasions" with Gary Cooper.
91. I dream of traveling: New York City, France, Italy.
92. I was 35 when I got my first new, "all my own" bicycle.
93. I'm not big on crowds.
94. I'd rather spend time with my family than anyone else.
95. I love warm tomatoes right off the vine.
96. I have been a Methodist all my life, but I think something good can be learned from almost every religion
97. I feel closest to God when I'm completely alone.
98. The first time I got in trouble was in third grade when I had to stand out in the hall with Carol Peavey.
99. Eight years ago the doctor found a bleeding lesion in my brain. After lots of worry, prayers, tests, hospital visits and the Grace of God, I'm fine today.
100. In everything that's truly important, I think I'm one of the richest people I know!

Blue Winter

This is the road that we take to school each morning. I love to see how the trees change from day to day, even in the midst of winter.

I wanted to linger this day, to aim my camera at the blue iciness around us instead of continuing to the morning spent inside around a table. So I snapped this quickly out the windshield as a reminder of this beautiful morning and a new shot at another day...

The Lighter Side

The new year started out a bit sobering with winter storms, illnesses and the death of a friend. Looking back through pictures of the beautiful Christmas holiday I decided to forego the darker mood accompanying today's drizzly weather and post a couple of pictures from the lighter side.

Our little guy was here for a couple of days over the holidays and captured our hearts anew. He is growing quickly and each time we see him he brings something new and fun for our memory's keeping.

Following a big dinner, his auntie swung him high on her shoulders, parading around the house with him at bird's eye view. The jaunt proved a bit much for the little fellow....for within a minute his dinner made a second appearance down her pretty brunette head! I snapped this picture as Grandpa rescued both......and mama's look at the side of the photo is priceless!

Daddy's Train

My dad loves trains. When we moved to town from the farm, a busy railroad ran two blocks from our house. When he heard the whistle blow in the distance, Dad would be out the door, walking down the street to watch the train as it passed by. In later years he would take his video camera and photograph different trains as they came through our little town. Our basement was home to a little model railroad that wound its way through plaster mountains on a plywood base. The grandchildren would watch from the stairway or try their hand at the seat of engineer, and colorful pictures lined the wall that they had designed and drawn for their "Pop".
Several years ago my parents were able to take a trip on the Silverton/Durango train in Colorado and awhile back my dad was invited to ride on a little two-man car on a track near Topeka. But in his heart of hearts, dad has always wanted to be at the helm; to drive a train.

At 80 years old, my father still rides his bicycle around town. Just two blocks from the house where they now live runs another railroad track. During his outings he has paused there to watch, befriending some of the workers who run the train and switch engines. One day, shortly before Christmas he was talking with them when they asked if he'd like to come along while they went to the edge of town to switch engines. His bicycle was loaded onto the train and he got on board for the short ride. The engineer must have felt the longings of a fellow traveler and asked my dad if he'd like to drive the train. In this picture he stands beside the engine that took him from being an observer on the sidelines to a participant in a wish granted. I won't soon forget the look on his face when he showed me the photograph, nor the thrill in his voice when he described the adventure. With one small gesture, these kindly men made a grand act. On a cold day in December, they made my father's dream come true.

147th

Today is Kansas Day. For as long as I can remember, I've marked January 29th in my mind as a day to take note of my heritage; a day to be proud of where - and whom - I come from.

For 147 years, she's looking good. Happy Birthday Kansas!

(As I've been battling the flu the past two days, I don't have the energy to write much so have linked an earlier post above. )

The Sunrise to come

One of my favorite parts of being a Kansas girl is the never-ending horizon. I once heard that a sailor from the prairie feels at home adrift on the sea because of the endless sky and wide open spaces.

Each morning as I leave for work, I'm treated to a canvas that is never the same; a gift that transforms from minute to minute with prismatic bursts of color. I'm always checking through the window to see what waits outside the back door...and rarely am I disappointed.

Tomorrow brings a difficult day. With a loss of a friend and a trip back 'home' we will spend our day shrouded in gray. May the winds of time bring peace to us all, sweet memories to sustain us and new sunrises of hope for the future.

Eventide

I found this old post from September of '05 while going through some of my writing. It makes me long for the lazy nights of summer...


I love this time of day: twilight, dusk, sunset, eventide.....when everything is edged in rims of gold, silhouetted against an everchanging canvas. All are still, all at rest. A time to lay down worries, a time to be at peace. The witching hour...

Enough Love

There's something about this picture that I love. I think it is the candid moment of sharing between my children and their dad - being oblivious to my shot - that warms me.

They love their father. Even though he lives three hours away he has been a big part of their lives through the years, traveling to ballgames, plays, concerts and simple 'moments' so he can share in those steps that they're taking.

They've never had to choose whom to love. From the time we separated 11 years ago they've known that there was an abundance of love, not only for them, but from them. I remember saying, when they were very young, that the wonderful thing about love is that it never runs out; that there is always enough for everyone. Because life - and love - isn't a competition, and the differences between a couple should never overflow to affect the heart of a child.

So when my daughter and son talk to their dad on the phone....or when they see him in person, share a hug and a kiss and say to each other, "I Love You," I feel it too. Because they are loved, and because they are given the freedom to love, their world will always be a place big enough to share.

A New Look

Some of the most ordinary things can look special from a different perspective. Sometimes you have to digress from the beaten path to see things in a new light. Even an old battered windmill can become a thing of beauty on the hush of a stilled wind against an azure prairie sky...

Taste from the past

When I was a little girl living on the farm, we used to go up the hill to Sam and Sibyl Carey's house. There Sam would let us children have a sample of Horehound candy; a cross between tea, molasses and root beer. I loved it and savored it, as candy wasn't something we had often back in the 1960's.

In a nearby town at a small dollar store, I found this beloved sweet hanging on a rack amidst the Twizzlers, Lifesavers and Starbursts. It is my choice of candy over the newer tastes with their bright colors and fancy packaging. I'm not sure if it's because of the actual flavor or because of the loving memories associated with its introduction into my life. You cannot find it at the large superstores or name brand shops. But once in awhile it shows up at the hardware or tractor supply stores; places that too, bring back fond moments of childhood.

I took some to school so some of the students could try them. Most made a face and threw them away, but one or two enjoyed their unique flavor. Like the Littmus Lozenge in the book, Because of Winn Dixie, it carries something extra underneath its sugar-coating. For me that is simpler times on the farm, the innocent joy of childhood and the love of good neighbors.

And all that in a small piece of candy...

Staying positive

When I first started this blog I wasn't sure what I was doing or what I would post here. I loved to write and take pictures and with the encouragement of a friend, I stumbled into this new and amazing world.

Everyone posts for a different reason, but it didn't take long to decide that I wanted this to be a positive place; somewhere that people could go to read words of encouragement and hope. A place that would reaffirm their own blessings....a light in a sometimes dim world.

A few days ago, I wrote about a couple of things I've been battling. Nothing major or life-changing, but inner struggles that tug at me emotionally. And I made a friend cry. She was so upset, knowing that I was upset...and I hated that.

So that post now sits in my draft pile as a reminder to keep things positive and to remember that I truly am fortunate for all that I have, for those whom I love and for those who love me.

It's cloudy outside, but here on the inside, the sunshine has returned...

Lingering...

The Christmas decorations are still up at home, including the tree. I can't bring myself to take it all down just yet. The holidays were such a special time - a respite from the craziness of the world outside our front door. It was so nice to sit at home with my family, having no place to go. I guess I feel that once the decorations come down, it's "business as usual."

This picture is one that lingers with me as well; two smiling faces of a Christmas past. Like a sweet bouquet, I love to savor the fragrance of those innocent days when I could fix their problems with a kiss and a cookie.

Though time moves ahead - and rightfully so - it's OK to steal a precious moment from yesterday....then STILL a moment from yesterday....and linger there for just a little while.

New Year's Eve

Typically on New Year's Eve, we gather at either my sister's or brother's house to celebrate the past year and ring in the new. It is always a fun time as we pass out hats, horns and confetti to the kids and indulge ourselves with merriment at the prospect of seeing another new year filled with joy and love.

But this year, one of my daughter's dearest friends was in the hospital, recovering from complications from her December 1st appendectomy.

It was nearly 8:30 when we stood outside her room, waiting as her
mother, one of my good friends, talked with her father and the nurse. Her twin brother and my son were also with us and we stilled the laughter bubbling over as we anticipated her joy at having New Year's Eve visitors.

I wish I had a picture that showed the smile that spread across her face as she saw my daughter walk through her hospital room door. But then I would've missed the moment. They are very close - these two girls - and it is a friendship that is a blessing to them both.

Our two families are connected in a way that never fails to warm my heart. Our sons are in the same class and play basketball together, sharing their friendship since we moved here in 2001.

Cathy and I both work at the school and have shared many moments of laughter and togetherness with our children and their activities, and she is a friend whom I value and treasure. Even our husbands have a history. When my husband, James, was a child, he lost his home and all his belongings in a fire. Cathy's husband, Jim, gave him a new truck that he had been wanting, unknowingly prefacing a family friendship that would resume in the years ahead.

We donned silly hats, watched the celebration at Time's Square and brought in the New Year with sparkling grape juice, lots of hugs and shining confetti. It was a very special night that will long be remembered.

But then, with friendships likes these and a smile like that, where else would we be on this New Year's Eve?

A Happy Anniversary

Originally written in 2006, this is a repost for my wonderful parents...who today, celebrate their 59th anniversary.

Fifty-seven years ago on January 1, 1949, my mother and father slipped off and were quietly married in a small church with only the minister and his wife as a witness. Neither wanted the production of a large wedding and truth be told, I'm not sure they would have married under those circumstances!

Mom was a secretary working at McKesson's in Wichita when she met my dad; a soldier returning from the army where he had been stationed on the Aleutian Islands. They began as friends, getting to know one another first, then love followed, resulting in their marriage and setting the course for this journey.

From 1951 to 1964, six children were born; my siblings and me, and we began weaving the tapestry of our lives. Each child remembers things a little differently, from different places in our pattern, but from my view, life was enchanting; a never-ending circle of love, warmth and happiness. We were safe, valued, encouraged, taught and wanted. We were our own community of entertainment and merriment and that continues to this day. Even if we weren't family, we would choose one another as friends and companions on this sometimes joyful, sometimes difficult path through life.

As the years went by, grandchildren were added to the mixture; twelve bright, beautiful people who now range in age from 11 to 24. There are countless photographs of Mom and Dad with each and every one of them, but this one captures the essence of the relationships; Mother holding little hands and in the midst of what is going on while Dad smiles and is ever near for guidance and reassurance.

Because of them, we are us; a family rich in faith and hope and love. We are bound to one another through blood, but close to one another through our hearts.

If Webster were living and could re-define "family", there we would be, in living, brilliant color. How blessed we are that out of all the people in the world, an ordinary man met an ordinary woman and from their love came an extraordinary life.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.....how fortunate we are to have our path lit with your example of what it's all about.