As I implied in my last (and first) entry, these may be few and far between. For one thing, I fear some of my memories may not coincide with that of my children's. But then, isn't that true always??? How many problems arise because each side perceives things so differently? ...
But that's not my point for today. Today I want to share my current thoughts:
I have a hot tub - I LOVE my hot tub. - I particularly love it on weekend mornings. It's a perfect place to talk to God ( and I guess myself. ) I got out a few minutes ago to shut off my alarm clock, which, of course,I had forgoten to abort, and heard myself say " I'll be right back." Now I could say I was talking to God right then, but I truly believe He is with always - everywhere- and I can't sneak out of His presence. Therefore, either I was talking to the hot tub, or to my cat who was sitting the the tub steps, or possibly the squirrels??? (sorry, Bec). No, probably the comment was addressed just to me. Usually the squirrels and birds are the focus of my daylight tubbing, but this AM I saw 2 neat new things - that I know have spiritual applications. (Actually, I think EVERYTHING has spiritual applications, if we would just open our eyes --) Anyway, as I sat looking toward the sun, I noticed lots of flying insects, moths, whatever. From where I sat, I could also see lot of spider strands glistenning in the sunlight - traps - just waiting for their prey. The flying things weren't aware of these hidden strands - I was - because at that moment I was looking at the "sun." (Sometimes I think it is no coincidence that sun and Son sound the same. so many analogies!) I'm not sure of all the lessons here - the obvious one being that if we keep looking toward the Son, we can see pitfalls set for others - and help them to avoid those pitfalls - through prayer, and just good ol' everyday helping people. Now, I did not get out of the tub to help the moths, nor do I have a report as to how many lives were lost!
The 2nd observation: I can practically always see the steam rising from the tub. This time I thought I was seeing dust particles - you know- like you do when the sun shing through a window - making you wonder about your housekeeping skills. Then I realized it was the water vapor from the steam. It went a long ways!! Curiously it split into 2 parts, one above the other - separated by plain space. That's when my lightening quick mind discovered that the porch swing canopy was shading the middle droplets from my view. Again, the same lesson came to mind: there is so much going on in the spiritual world we don't see - and even though we may sometimes get glimses, we know, by faith - they are just as real as the things revealed to us.
I have one last thought for today. I'm thinking of one of my best friends (probably the best friend) from high school. Her 60th birthday is today. She died 3 days ago. The same thought occurs to me that we all face at times - why didn't we communicate more than just Christmas and birthdays? - why didn't I tell her how much her friendship meant to me through all those high school years and all the traumas? And another thing - her husband developed a brain tumor just a few years after their marriage - and she had been faithful all this time to take care of him. As I'm writing, I now know she still felt blessed with him, and her 2 sons, and 5 wonderful grandchildren. Her oldest grandchild went to be with the Lord last year - how tough that had to have been for her - but I know she is rejoicing with her now. "Life is like a vapor" ------- hmmmmm - perhaps there is more to my steam story?????
Anyway, let it be known: I LOVE my husband, I LOVE my children (and their other halves), and I LOVE my grandchildren!
Thank you Lord, I am truly blessed.
This is my first entry. And as can be seen from my main title "Memoirs of a Grandma," the entries may be short and far in between!!! I am not a home schooling mom, but I feel I do qualify as a homeschooling grandma as I watch (in awe), as my 2 wonderful daughter- in-laws homeschool my beautiful grandchildren. I don't know that I would have been successful at home schooling, but I am all for anyone that is "called" to do it, and is willing to work at it. I guess it's just like being a parent - it's generally not that hard to become one, but becoming a good one takes constant effort (including lots of trials and errors)!
I am a public school math teacher. Actually for the last four years, I have been teaching at a juvenile treatment facility. These young men are court ordered to be here until they complete the program, or until they age out, or are bridged to the adult prison system. I only wish they could have had family experiences like most of what are talked by other homeschooling bloggers. But this is not my focus for this entry.
My advice for anyone who may happen upon this entry is to value every moment you have with your children and family, because each moment becomes a tresured memory as soon as it has happened. This is my goal: to search for old treasured memories, some that may be buried way deep, and to make new ones. There is also another side to this, of course, which may also be very helpful. There are some memories we may want to forget, some mistakes we have made, some things we wish we could redo. Always correct what you can, BUT don't dwell on past mistakes. In fact, if you've asked God to forgive you for anything you did, or didn't do, even He forgets them!!!! Isaiah 43:25
Happy Valentine's Day to all. Love is the key!!! To you fathers out there - remember :
the best gift you can give to your children is to love their mother!!