A Brand New Year... 2009!

Maybe it's because 2008 had more downs than ups, but I am ready to start a new year. I'm okay at being on the brink of a 59th birthday, I have the most wonderful family in the world and am at peace with where I am. I'm too grateful to be anything else.

I want to give a hodge-podge of thoughts about things today. Right now, at the forefront of my thoughts are those in my precious family who have a nasty stomach virus. One of the hardest things for me is to see those that I love sick. I know it is inevitable, but I don't like it! It is the helpless feeling that is especially hard for me. I pray that it is over soon and that no one else gets infected.

Christmas was as special as ever! So much joy as we celebrated our Lord's birth and exchanged gifts as a reminder of His glorious gift to us all. We had a wonderful vacation in Gulf Shores! The weather was beautiful and the look on the faces of the ones I hold dearest was priceless. Being someplace else is great occasionally, but home is good, too.

I have not made any resolutions as such for the new year, but I do want to continue my quest to become healthier, more productive and to grow spiritually. I want to spend more time with people who inspire me and less with the others. I want to focus on the good and positive things in life, and less on the unnecessary. I want to find balance and continue to seek God's will and opportunties to serve Him and others.

I look forward with excitement to the coming year's events and to making more sweet memories with and for my sweet family. I pray that I will face whatever challenges may come with courage and determination. I pray that I will keep the faith and at the end of 2009, will look back with the same gratitude and praise that I feel in my heart today.

34 Years and Counting...

Once upon a time (in 1956), a little girl named Charlotte met a little boy named Leslie when they were 6 years old and in 1st grade together. They sat at the same table and threw a glance occasionally, but nothing more. Charlotte thought the tall boy with the blonde crewcut hair was cute so one day she wrote him a note... "I love you. Do you love me? Yes____ or No____". Leslie looked at the note, made a mark on it and passed it back. The note said, "Yes_X__". This made Charlotte very happy and even though they rarely spoke, there was an "understanding" that they loved each other. When they were in 4th grade, even the teacher knew they were destined and cast them in the 4th grade play as a couple. That year, however, Leslie's family moved away and he went to a different school. Charlotte and Leslie grew up and through the years others came into their lives that they thought may be the "one", but, alas, it was not to be. THEN, one day (17 years later in 1973) Charlotte was talking with some friends about children writing love notes to each other and she told her story about her love note to a little boy named Leslie. Immediately, a friend said, "Was it Leslie Flowers?" Surprised, she said, "Yes, it was!" He grabbed the phone and started dialing a number while saying, "He is my best friend! And I'm going to see if he remembers you." ... despite my protest! It happened that he did indeed remember me and told my friend that he not only remembered me, but was in love with me! Suddenly, I found myself talking to him on the phone and he was asking me to dinner for Saturday night. He said he had been wanting to do that since 1st grade. :-) We did go out on Saturday night and every other Saturday night until our wedding on Saturday night, November 30, 1974. Don't ever scoff at "Puppy Love", it can be real, and it can last through sickness, health, richer, poorer, good times, bad times, laughter, tears ... wonderful children, precious grandchildren, and on and on! Love evolves, but remains, and will live happily ever after!

5 Years Ago...

5 years ago today, I held my daddy's hand while he peacefully drew his final breath on this earth. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life, similar to those when I heard my children wail out their first breath. That may sound strange, but at that moment, all I could think of was Dad looking into Jesus' face, and it gave me joy. Very shortly afterward, however, the emptiness of knowing I would never in this life see his smile, feel his hugs, hear his words of wisdom and encouragement, came over me and my heart was selfishly broken. I have never wished to bring him back here to all that suffering, but until I see him again in heaven, my heart will yearn for those wonderful things that I miss so much. Happy 5th Birthday with Jesus, my beloved Daddy! I love you forever.

I love you, I love you, I love you...

My heart is breaking for a dear family in North Carolina. We were visiting this weekend and were having such a wonderful time, until a devastating phone call which changed everything. We had just finished a very fun tour of Linville Caverns, when my brother-in-law's cell phone rang. It was his sister telling him that his first cousin had been run over and that we needed to get her mother who was with us to the hospital and that it did not look good for her nephew. The hospital was not far from where we were, but before we could get there she called again saying that he had died. As sad as this news was, the worst was yet to come. When we arrived at the hospital, we learned that it was the father that had accidently run over his son and killed him. I cannot imagine anything more devastating. We also learned that the youngest daughter had witnessed seeing her dad run over by her grandfather. The grandfather was hysterical, of course, and there is concern that he can survive this. I do believe that God keeps His promises, and that He will not give us more than we can endure, but how could any parent keep their sanity after such an accident? And how can this child have a day in her life without reliving this tragic moment? My heart goes out to this father, this child, and to this family and I pray that God will comfort their broken hearts and that the trauma of this event will eventually fade. Please pray this prayer for them also.

I know that God's will is perfect and that there is purpose for His plan. My human mind cannot comprehend it, but I know that even this terrible event must be a part of it. I pray daily for the protection of my precious children, grandchildren and family. How quickly life as we know it can change so drastically. Look around you right now, give hugs and tell your family and friends that you love them and treat them as if this may be your last day with them. To those of you reading this that are so dear to me, I love you, I love you, I love you.

A Fitting Day

Seems a fitting day to begin this Ma'ie Life blog. My beautiful and first grandchild, Sydney, turns 6 years old today. She gave me my grandmother name, Ma'ie, and every time I hear it, my heart smiles, as it does anytime I think of my precious grandchildren, Sydney, Avery and Ben. They are all equally dear to me and each in their own special ways. But I thank Sydney for this lovely name and I am honored to have it.

What is it about this 6th birthday that tugs at my heart so? Maybe it is because she seems to be growing up so fast or that she started school this year or that when I look at her, I can already see a beautiful young lady beginning to emerge. How long will it be that coming to Ma'ie and Dad's and sleeping on the secret couch will be the highlight of her week? Will she give us Princess performances in her sparkling costume, hair in a bun and make-up for a while yet? Will she squeal with delight at the sight of us much longer and run to give huge hugs and kisses? How long until she prefers spending time with her friends? These are very precious times and I cherish every moment. I even admit that I feel a little sad that they are passing so quickly. However, I know that all these wonderful memories will remain and she will only add to them as each day, week and year passes. I will continue to delight in watching her grow and change and my joy will increase with each birthday. How blessed am I among all grandmothers, to be their Ma'ie, to have my own special name and hold my own special place in their sweet hearts.