Wednesday’s Ode #8

Today, I’d like to give tribute to my grandmother. She and I share the same birthday this month, and since today is April first (and I’m not so crazy about April Fool’s Day), I think she is a much better subject to talk about! šŸ˜‰

I absolutely love my grandmother! Many people say we’re a lot alike, and I take that as a huge compliment. She is a very loving, peaceful, pleasant, elegant, loyal, diligent, dependable, and noble woman. She is fiesty at times, yet, incredibly feminine. She is enthusiastic and always ready to have a good time; yet, she’s quiet and as easy going as the day is long. 

She fiercely loved her husband of almost 59 years, and she loves him to this day; although, she had to say goodbye to him almost 13 years ago. They were best friends, confidantes, business partners and lovers. Together, they faced and survived being married at the young ages of 14 and 17, the death of their only son, several miscarriages, running a business together, politics and even cancer. She stayed by his side, through thick and thin, until the very end.   

At four foot eleven inches, she is a strong, independent woman; yet, she is there when you need her, and she loves deeply. She is quick to smile and always the first to shed a tear of joy or sorrow. She is kind and gracious, and she is a woman of deep character and deep faith. She trusts in her God to take care of her, and she gives Him praise in the tiniest of blessings. She always looks to the brighter side of things and is able to keep a positive attitude through some life’s toughest storms. She reads her Bible and prays everyday and, even, many times throughout her day. She is faithful to her church family; even when she’s out of town visiting me (or others), she spends some time connecting with those back at home. 

She can spruce up the dullest of rooms or ceremonies with her elegant Victorian ways, and she can bake a “mean” pound cake, fried shrimp, fried mullet and even Thanksgiving dressing! She, also, makes an awesome sweet potato casserole for me during the holidays, and she doesn’t even eat sweet potatoes! She loves to decorate for every season of the year and even keeps a Christmas tree up in her rec room, which is transformed into a “whatever holiday it is” tree throughout the year. …yes, that tree has been a snowman,  an Easter bunny and a pumpkin man! Haha. 

I stayed with her and my grandfather many times, as a youngster, and I cherish every memory I have with her. Oh, and she’s definitely got “young genes!” She sure doesn’t look like she’s about to celebrate her 86th birthday! ļ»æ(…this picture was taken two years ago!)

I am thankful that God saw fit to have me born on the day of her birth, and I will always cherish this honor and this blessing. I pray that I can carry on the legacy she has set before me. 

Thankful for friends

I am currently working on my list of “Gifts of a Thousand” in following the example given by the book, One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. You can read and find out more here. Making a list of 1,000 things of which you’re thankful is not such an easy task. Sometimes, I feel I am making great progress; then, at other times, I wonder if my heart is even grateful.

The other night, I was at a restaurant with about 30 ladies from our church, enjoying a Girls Night Out, and this time of fellowship, coupled with thoughts of those who couldn’t be there that evening, inspired quite a few notes on my ‘thankful list.’ I thought it might be fun to share a little of this list with you today, and maybe it could even inspire you to start making your own ‘grateful’ list…

205. Watching someone be surprised when their meal is paid for
206. Hearing nice, decent men tell a group of ladies, “Have a nice evening, ladies!”
207. One waiter serve 30 women their meals both joyfully and graciously
208. A young mother smile through tears; even though, the doctor has said, “no more babies.”
209. A young wife testify, “The name of the Lord is great!” even after two miscarriages and no promise of a single child
210. An recent widow enjoying time out with friends even while she’s still grieving
211. An elderly widow enjoying time with the girls even though she has a tough time hearing while in big crowds
212. An ethnic friend sharing about challenges she’s facing, trusting God is in control
213. A mom to young girls, whose past could offend, but whose faith in God and surrender to His ways will change the greatest scoffer
214. A young grandmother, new to the event, comes on her own just to meet new friends
215. Young college girls being tight friends through thick and thin
216. A seasoned mom/grandmother whose words of wisdom is a cherished treasure
217. A grandmother whose grown children have gone through various tragedies and trials, yet her faith in God cannot be shaken
218. A vibrant grandmother whose young son lost his fight with cancer, yet through her grief, she’s learned to laugh again
219. A mother to three youngsters, all under the age of five, lead women with grace, compassion and poise
220. A grandmother who has a mother in a nursing home, just lost her daughter-in-law to organ rejection and is less than a year removed from her husband having a heart attack, share exciting news of an upcoming cruise
221. A mom of two teenagers who longed to ‘get with the girls’ and couldn’t due to illness, but sends a text of love and “I’ll miss you!”
222. A mom of three youth, who still grieves the loss of her momma, yet has learned to smile again in spite of the pain

These are the women, and many more, who make up my life. Some of them have been friends for years, some I had just met that night, but I still call myself blessed to be surrounded by them. They are women of strength, women of tears and women of God. They are each a piece of this wonderful tapestry called life, and for each of them, I am eternally grateful. šŸ™‚

I Will Celebrate Your Last

Had I known today was the day

I would have held you longer and sighed

I would have spoken a little sweeter

I would have noticed your last goodbye

 

Had I realized these were the final hours

I would have lingered just a longer while

I would have put off the other till tomorrow

I would have acknowledged your last smile

 

Had I only recognized this was the end

I would have laughed more

I would have loved deeper

I would have cherished to the core

 

So, today is the day I will celebrate

Today is the day I will not lie

Today is the day I will remember

I will not let another moment slip by

 

I will live a little deeper

I will love a little stronger

I will hold a little tighter

I will linger a little longer

 

I will laugh more, love more, cherish more

I will dream more, share more, hope more

No one knows the hour of the coming thunder

No one knows the moment they willĀ be put asunder

 

I will celebrate your last step

I will celebrate your last hug

I will celebrate your last tooth

I will celebrate you with truth

 

I will celebrate your last call

I will celebrate your last visit

I will celebrate your last post

I will celebrate you the most

 

I will celebrate your last child

I will celebrate your last smile

I will celebrate your last love

I will celebrate your life above

 

I will celebrate your last dream

I will celebrate your last hope

I will celebrate your last desire

I will celebrate you and finally cope

 

My heart will rejoice

My mind will cherish

My body will mourn

My soul will not perish

 

You are now home with My Father

For this, His Son did devote

To dance, to celebrate, to rejoice

For had I just known, I could have taken note.

 

penned 11/16/12 – MG

Written on the day a very special person said goodbye to this life…

I didn’t know you very long, Derek Tabor; yet,Ā your impact on my life will be for eternity.

Looking forward to seeing you again one day on the other side…

 

Our Love

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Love is, in life, such a precious part.

It is so fragile;

You could easily break my heart.

Yet love is so strong;

My love for you will never part.

Love will allow me not to turn away

Wherever God may lead us.

It will cause me to stay

Through joy and through pain.

Love will teach us strength;

Through heartache, we will gain.

Love will keep you close in spirit, body and mind.

Even if tomorrow you leave this world,

In my heart, our love I will always find.

So trustĀ me with your heart, for I will tenderly take care.

Now, I give you mine to love and to cherish for the rest of our days.

If you will only love me, to HimĀ we will give our hearts alone to bear.

Penned – MG – 9/93

Passing Time

Time brings about so many changes.

Some good, some bad, some exciting, some sad.

There are times when I wish I was a child again.

No worries, no responsibilities, no cares.

There are times when I wish I was all grown-up;

Then others would treat me like a lady not a child.

Time is like sand slipping through our fingers.

If we don’t wake up and enjoy the moment,

It will be lost from us forever.

So, take this moment, do not let it disappear from you.

Enjoy the time you have.

Enjoy the ones you love

For they may not be here tomorrow.

Penned – MG – 5/1/91