Patience

September 30, 2013

Dear Readers,

Good morning, Readers!  It's a beautiful Autumn day in North Central Texas.  The recent rains have revived my gardens and the roses and mums are heavily pregnant with buds.  I am like an expectant mother waiting for that burst of new life.

Last year, Michael and I were searching for an antique iron headboard for the bed in the cottage.  I found a new one BUT even at a discount it was too pricey.  The salesman kept telling me what a great iron bed it was and I agreed ~ it was perfect.  Something inside me of me said no, not now, and I left without it.  Since then, I have looked and looked never finding anything that came close to that little jewel. A couple weeks ago, I asked Michael if we could go to Waco for one more try.  We checked out several furniture stores then headed back to where I had seen my favorite.

"The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter." 

~Paulo Coelho

I made my way to the back of the store and there in the far corner was the headboard I had seen a year ago.  The tag had faded and the price lowered twice.  I touched  the headboard and quickly the clerk responded: "If you would take this headboard, I could offer you a big discount ~ we've had it a very long time."  I bid, she accepted and I told Michael to take it to the car before she changed her mind.  I couldn't believe my good fortune.  I got a wonderful Charles P Rogers iron headboard at a garage sale price.

“He that can have patience can have what he will.”

 ~ Benjamin Franklin

By nature, I am not a patient person.  When I decide to do something, it gets done.  When I undertake a task, I work non-stop to finish my project. Not only do I want what I want NOW, I also want it done to perfection.  I want to be the best and am willing to put in the work and time to learn.  My dedication and work ethic has served me well in life.  As the years pass, I find myself in a different season which has meant change.  Life is not always what we think it will be.  Carpe' Diem has become my motto mostly because I realize the value of my today rather than putting off until tomorrow.

When I had my first back surgery in 2004, I had to lay on my back for six weeks to heal. Believe me, my Energizer Bunny nature was challenged.  I had to make a decision - do what I was asked to do or get up and risk undoing what took hours for two surgeons to repair.  I watched TV, I read books, I slept, I prayed, and I began to realize that when I healed, I needed to take more time to savor instead of always devouring.  God was teaching me patience.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." ~Psalm 46:10

The degeneration in my back was slowed but the pain in my cervical spine increased and the bones in my feet were rubbing on each other making walking nearly impossible.  I was being slowed down against my will and I went through the grief process as I began to lose my youthful strength and energy.  I had 6 foot surgeries followed by more lumbar and cervical spine surgeries.  The physical trauma of so many surgeries brought on a new malady ... Fibromyalgia.  My body was screaming.  Life as I knew it was gone and I mourned that life pushing myself harder and harder until I wore myself out.

"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."

~Max DePree

The good news?  In all my trials, my faith never wavered and I found myself curling up in the Lord's lap.  He was a great healer and counselor and I was blessed with a new kind of life.  I'm still adjusting and tweaking my activities realizing that if I am not careful, I will fall back into the grief process of wanting my old life.

Michael asked me why I hadn't written a blog in awhile and I snapped back, "If I don't have anything positive and nice to say, I'd rather not write."  That was an aha moment for me ... I was retreating to a place of darkness rather than patiently expecting good.  My Monday needed to be different.

Maybe you're like me, you had a busy life and healthy body then life threw you some curve balls.  How're you dealing with those challenges?  Are you moving forward or are you stuck in the grief process?  I believe that as long as I have breath, God has a purpose for me and I believe He does for you too.  I chose joy this morning and it has made for a brighter day.

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

PS   John Wodden has said, "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." I like that because there are new windows and doors that need opening!  I can still "do," I just need to do differently.

September Morn

"It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring,

who reaps a harvest in Autumn."~~B. C. Forbes

September 17, 2013

Dear Readers,

Come on in and have a hot cup of coffee with me!  It's been awhile since we've shared some time together.

It is a beautiful September morn in North Central Texas.  It was dark when the Sensational Six decided it was time to water the bushes, fertilize the grass, and have breakfast.  Once I got my eyes opened, I so enjoyed watching them chase each other around and enthusiastically devour their kibble.

There's something special about September morns ... temperatures drop into the 90's and then 80's, leaves begin to change and fall, and my gardens give one last show of splendor before Winter sets in.  Today, I plan to assess the gardens and see what's thriving and what needs to be dug up.  I am coming to realize that there was probably a good reason some of my plants were on the bargain tables at Lowes!  The mums are starting to bloom and should give me color on into late November, early December if I am lucky.

I find myself energized and digging through my closet drooling over my sweaters and boots.  I had packed away my Fall and Winter clothes so it's time to dig out my tubs and go through them.  I doubt if I will need many new things.  I like my comfy worn plaid shirts and faded jeans ~~ somehow, they are like old friends.

My first child, Jill, was born in on a September morn as well as my second child, Jane.  My granddaughter, Madison, arrived in September as well as my grandson, Zachary ~~ oh my, what mother and grandmother can ever forget the birth of those awaited children and grandchildren.  My heart is full just thinking about my September blessings.

Last Friday night, we were invited to my oldest daughter's surprise birthday party at Mama's Pizza.  I hadn't celebrated her birthday with her since the 1990's so it was an extra special event to look forward to.  I knew she liked Halloween so my neighbor drove me to Mansfield Friday morning to HomeGoods (a 2 hour round trip).  Michael didn't know if he was going to get off work early so about noon things were looking pretty "down" about my attending.  My neighbor knew how much I wanted to go so she offered to take me to the party.  Bless her heart!!!  Eventually, everything worked itself out in the nick of time ... Michael got off work a little early and by the time I got Jill's gifts wrapped, he was home and we headed for Dallas (a 4 hour round trip).  Thanks to some skillful maneuvering by her sweet husband, Jill was surprised and for the first time in years, our family gathered around her to celebrate.  By the time I got back home late Friday night, I was one tired lady...

Before I knew about the party, I had promised my grandsons that we would come watch them play baseball on Saturday.  I knew I was pushing it to make so many long distance trips in such a short time but I kept putting one foot in front of the other and God was faithful to give me strength and energy.  Never underestimate the love that a mother has for her children and grandchildren!!  The boys had some personal bests (Zach's team lost by 1 pt and Nicholas's team won their game) and I relished every moment of cheering them on.  I took this photo of Zachary batting (he made a great hit!) and little brother, Nicholas, looking on.  These brothers share a great love for each other and for the sport of baseball. I hope one day they will be able to play on the same team.

As September morns head toward October, I am perusing my magazines for the Fall Festivals going on around us.  Looking forward to some great caramel apples and a few colorful adventures!!  For now, Happy Tuesday and Happy September Morn.

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA every single one of you!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." ~Lee Maynard










  

Zach is 10

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.~Proverbs 17:6

September 5, 2013

Dear Readers,

At a time when Americans are sitting on the edge of their seats wondering if the United States of America is going to take military action in Syria, it is nice to refocus on something and someone who is happy, confident, and good inside and out.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children. ~Psalm 103:17

Today is my grandson Zachary's 10th birthday.  How many grandmothers can say they were with his parents when the doctor told them they were pregnant?  What a gift that was for me!  Zachary's mother was in the hospital ready to have surgery when they did that last pregnancy test before scraping the womb.  He is our miracle baby and God had a plan for his life.

 I remember the day of his birth so vividly.  It was a beautiful warm day and I was at work waiting for "the call."  What a beautiful moment later that day to hold my first grandson.  He was so beautiful ~ I gazed into his face and wondered what kind of a boy he would be and what kind of man he would become.  What grandparent doesn't remember that time when you can finally hold that newborn and realize that word grandma has taken on real meaning.

Zachary had serious asthma as a baby and toddler scaring his mommy, daddy, and grandma to death. Through his trials, he has grown stronger overcoming breathing difficulties to play soccer and now baseball.  He excels in school, life, and on the baseball field.  He has a faith that runs deep, praying openly (giving poignant 5 minute sermons!), and raising holy hands to his Lord.  I watch him and he reminds me of his father ... sensitive, driven, and positive ~ a real chip off the old block.

I love spending time with Zachary.  He has a zest for learning and loves adventures.  On his last visit, we went to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco which opened up new avenues for teaching and learning about the various animals, birds, reptiles...  As we passed Baylor University, he spoke up.  "I am going to live in the cottage and drive to Baylor for college."  Now, where in the world did that come from??  He seems to have this uncanny knowledge of where he is and where he wants to be.

My relationship with Zachary changes with each season and year.  It was such a joy to walk through my garden with him and handing him the hose to water as we chatted about the various plants.  It was such an exhilarating joy to work on the Fall Tree in the cottage together and to be a part of his graffiti adventure (something he'd been looking forward to for a long while).  Being with him allows me to be a kid again too ... a kid with gray hair no less.  (smile)

This weekend, I will be driving up for opening day of baseball.  Zach is the starting pitcher for his team.  Go Zachary!!  It's such a privilege to sit in the stands and cheer him on.  I love the determined look on his face when he is undertaking something important.   He studies the great athletes and mimics their strengths while developing his own style.

Ah yes, it's been quite a ride these past ten years.  What an honor to come alongside of him to encourage and edify.  I am one thankful and proud grandmother.

For those of you who are grandparents, you know the deepness of the joy I am talking about as I travel this journey of life with the son of my son.  I wear my badge proudly!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!

Miss Dottie

PS

  

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.  ~Welsh Proverb

Or, I might add with the second, third, fourth, and fifth!