Mimmie’s Heart: Lilli’s Letters #7

  My darling Lilli…when you get to be as old as your Mimmie, you might start to realize there are things you wish you’d said more intentionally to your own kids, as they were growing up, or, at the very least, you’ll wish you had said them better. I heard once that grandchildren can be a kind of “do-over.” I don’t agree with that entirely, for you are not mine to raise, day in and day out. However, because I am removed from the constancy of your daily care, I think those things that need saying can rise more easily, and with greater clarity, to the top of my heart. It’s my hope that this letter (and the ones to follow in years to come) will help make your life’s road a little easier...

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His Words

  Every Sunday is for His Words alone around here. Since it's very likely freezing where you are, I decided to include several things about spring, and new life. It's coming, folks. Believe it, or not, IT'S COMING! Look around you: Winter is over;     the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over.     The whole world’s a choir—and singing! Spring warblers are filling the forest     with sweet arpeggios. Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,     and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms. ~ Song of Solomon 2:11-12 MSG Ask the Lord for rain in the spring,     for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain     so every field becomes a lush...

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Life and the Polar Vortex

  It happened yesterday. I sat outside with the intention of reading for a little while until Kevin got home (I've taken some time off this week), but the little while turned into the better part of two hours. On top of that, instead of finishing the book, I mostly just sat there, my eyes drinking in the fine haze of green that is starting to appear in the landscape, the birds fighting at the feeder, the first appearance of one of our roadrunners, and the horses, obviously enjoying the sun and mild temps. It was 75° with a light breeze. What was not to enjoy?? Of course, I snapped a picture of my view from the porch and threw it out to the world of Facebook, noting the peacefulness...

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Bearing the Weight

Bearing the Weight

  See this picture? It's one of my favorites. In fact, I'm looking at it right now, blown up and wrapped on canvas, along with a group of other old and new family photos that hang on my den wall. The girls used to love playing "horsey" with their daddy. I think most kids do. They pile on their invincible dad as he carts them all around the house, their beloved father of super-human strength with super-hero powers. There is nothing a dad can't do where the minds of most young children are concerned. I look at him now, and we all still sort of treat him this way. We expect great things from him. We've come to know his abilities, his skill to solve problems and take care of things. We've...

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Just Live

  I took the afternoon off, yesterday, and did two of my favorite things: cook and catch up on TV shows. Yes, I know that latter part is shallow, but sometimes you just need a break with some fictional crazy instead of your own. Amen? So I was watching a woman talk to her counselor, and she said this... I was thinking I would keep waiting for life to get easier. You know, lower stakes, less risk...easier. But now I'm thinking maybe it doesn't. Maybe the struggle, the climb, one obstacle after another...maybe that's just life. In true counselor fashion, he asked her how it made her feel...if the realization discouraged her. You'd think it would, but it's actually kind of a relief. I...

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