Don't it make you wanna go home?

Yesterday I went to my Mom's family reunion. I always love getting together with family especially these cousins. There are first cousins, second cousins, third and even forth cousins. There is always lots of laughter, hugs, music and of course good food. We have this one a lot of years in the county where Mama grew up. Going out that road brings back so many memories, even though some of the landscape has changed. There is a new park, several new schools, and even a Civic Center, church and funeral home, but the little church off to the right where some of my ancesters are buried still looks about the same. Oh my what a flood of emotions as I drove along. I remembered going out that road as a very little girl, and then as a teen after I started driving. I am reminded of a song that was popular in 1969-70-71, "Don't it Make You Wanna go Home? He sings, "the whipporwhill roosts on the telephone pole, as the Georgia sun goes down. Well it's been a long time, and I'm glad to say that I'm going back to my hometown." Well this was my Mom's hometown, and we go back every year now since 1987 after my grandfather passed away. Joe goes on to sing, "Don't it make you wanna go home now, don't it make you wanna go home. All God's children get weary when we roam, don't it make you wanna go home?" But there is a four-lane highway down by the creek where my grandpa's cows used to graze, now the grass don't grow and the river don't flow, like it did in my childhood days. (my words not his) In the song there is a dragstrip where Grandma's cow used to graze. But now there is not even the dragstrip anymore. How good it was to visit again with these cousins, who were my friends and playmates as we grew. So many good memories. My daughters and grandchildren came too. I hope they will one day look back on these reunions with Nana and all her cousins with fondness. As I would introduce them to different ones the younger ones would just look and smile, and look to me for approval, then extend their little hand for 'high five' or shake. I would tell them, "this is my cousin, and your cousin too." One of the boys said, "yes I know Nana". One of my cousins plays several stringed instruments, and he with some of his friends entertained us with music. In that side of the family, their was always music when we got together. I especially remember my uncle, Mama's oldest brother, playing the guitar and my cousins would join him in song and playing whatever we could to make music. Another cousin was remembering how her brothers would come to our grandparents when this uncle was there and play football and then 'make music' as my great aunt put it. I ask this aunt once, "how did you and her husband get together?" Well she said, I had actually gone to a dance with his brother, my other great-uncle and her future husband was making music on the fiddle, well he kept making eyes at her and finally got a chance to dance with her, and the rest is history. My great aunt is my grandmother on my dad's side, sister. She married my great-uncle, my maternal grandfather's brother. One sister and brother married another sister and brother. So to recap, so as not to confuse anyone: my Granny's brother and sister, married my Papa's on Mama's side, brother and sister. Back in the 40's and 50's it was not uncommon for cousins to be one's only playmates. This was the case for my Mom. She was visiting her cousins and my Dad was working with his uncle in his sawmill. Well the cousins wanted them to meet, and the rest is history. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of the area where my grandparents lived. I long to go back there as often as possible.
So now, Don't it make you wanna go home?
happy memories till next time.

avoiding pitfalls

"The Bible says we're wise to look ahead. By doing that, we'll be prepared to spot the pitfalls when they come into our lives." There are four specific pitfalls we all will face: cultural distractions, voices of doubt, tempting shortcuts and discouraging delays.-Rick Warren-Purpose Drive Life' devotional for today. so true> Just like driving, we must constantly look ahead.
Saturday night I was driving home from Acworth, I75 S to I285 toward Greenville, merging onto I85 N. I have to say this is always stressful for me, but especially at night. Thankfully I am able to look ahead enough to avoid 'pitfalls' or other people's calamities. Life lessons to be learned on the 'highway of life' as we travel familiar and unfamiliar roads. I am thankful I can still drive along those highways, that as a younger driver, were more familiar to me than they seem to be now. For years as a young wife and then as a young mother, I drove to Perimeter, Cumberland, Northlake and even Lenox Square areas without hesitation. Now however, it is a different story. Fear can engulf me, and my muscles literally are in knots, but I have learned to pray with my eyes wide open and to trust, God Who sees and knows, and then a little of my own "good sense". Not to follow too closely the car in front, and not to become intimidated by the aggressive drivers around me. I try to remember not to get in too big of a hurry that I make careless mistakes. So hopefully, I will continue to maneuver, these highways and avoid potential 'pitfalls'.

reflecting

Friday night I spent the night with Lisa. I could not go to sleep right away so I got up and wrote some things down, that I wanted to remember.
"As I was laying there, contemplating, I was inspired to jot down a few thoughts. I am recalling this summer. As some of you know, Kimberly's family hosted a boy from Ukraine, Yura, and his chaperone, Iryna stayed with me the last week they were here. Yura not only lived in their home for a month, but will live in our hearts for a long time to come. I have to say I found myself caring for her as a mother. I was reminded of when my daughters were welcomed and treated while they were so far away from home a few years back. Lorie lived in China for a year and Kimberly in Salt Lake City for almost 2 years. I remember Kimberly saying, "a new friend, named Cheryl was like her Mom away from home" And knowing she had Cheryl as a friend, 'this Mom' really appreciated her. And Lorie being in China, there were a couple of people who 'mothered' her.
I was just telling Lisa tonight, "how hard it was to send them so far away, but that I also remember having such a peace about it about them being there. I had a telephone plan to call to China for a little less, so on Sunday nights I would call Lorie and then do 3-way to Kimberly. It was always so good to hear their voices. I recall talking to Lorie one morning vividly. The phone rang and the person on the other end did not speak right away, but it was as if The Holy Spirit, (if you will) spoke to me, prompting me to wait, and sure enough soon, I heard Lorie's voice. What a beautiful sound. Another sweet and vivid memory, on Mother's Day weekend, Kimberly and Todd surprised me by coming home. WOW! God is so faithful. And now Michael lives in Atlanta, and has a motorcycle. Some ask, "don't you worry about him?"
Surprisingly, I have the same peace about him. I know God is taking care of him, just like HE did for Lorie and Kimberly. I never wanted to make him a cripple and dependent on me. (to borrow a line from a graduation card) I gave them roots, so they know where they came from, but I give them wings so they can fly. God really is my refuge, and strength. I don't have to worry. When I start to worry, I am reminded,"Well what if this or that happens?" What will I do? Most likely I will eventually turn to God, so why not go straight to HIM in the first place and lay it at HIS feet?" Beth Moore used this in one of her books. All my 'what ifs' might not ever materialize, so by worrying what have I gained.
I am reminded, 'we do entertain angels unaware', getting back to Yura and Iryna. God placed them in our lives at this strategic point. We are blessed to be a blessing. I often think, "why am I allowed to go through certain things, because in so doing, maybe what I experience can help someone else along the journey.
Refection is good therapy, so love till next time.

weekend with family

We returned from Gatlinburg today, well actually Pigeon Forge, we stayed in a cabin. This is a tradition Daddy and Mama did for a lot of years, So since Mama's death, we have taken Daddy just about every fall. He really likes it and doesn't mind too much that we almost 'freeze' him. I hope I did not stress anyone too much, since I am so hot-natured and had ceiling fans and ac going. The first night Daddy did not find a blanket so he did almost freeze. However we found him one for Saturday night. After all he is 80 and he cannot help he is always so cold. Another thing, Daddy is an early riser, but he did wait until 6 o'clock to come out of his bedroom. Fortunately we were not far from the Cracker Barrel so we ate breakfast between 7-8 both mornings. We laughed and ate, then ate and laughed some more. Played a lot of pool and even walked and shopped some. Rode up toward Sievereville (not sure about spelling)Saturday night after stopping by the Krispy Kreme for "HOT" doughnuts. Yummy. That place does the business. I bought some cute Christmas presents, even, at a little community called Olde Mill, and of course we had to get some fudge at the Fudgery. Also watched some football, Dawgs vs Vols, yeah Dawgs. and then watched SC beat ALA. too bad, hoping it would have been the other way around. Well so much for the update, love till next time, I keep track all over again.

keepingtrackalloveragain: starting all over

keepingtrackalloveragain: starting all over: "'Starting over at what?' you might ask. Well Larry has a new job again, 3rd one in 2 years. He stayed with the same one for 20 years, so why..."

Not sure how to start a new page, so here goes. I think I will write and share how God is dealing with my heart. Maybe writing it down, I will be able to see when and how HE answers and where my priorities lie. So bear with me and thanks for journeying with me.

Most days my most urgent prayers are for family, who just have not gotten "there" yet, in their relationship. So as to not be judgmental, I want to be "about the Truth, with Grace" as our Pastor so eloquently put it one Sunday recently.

For example my prayer today began, (as always I try to remember), Praise- to our Lord and Savior. HE is the only True King! {Revelation Song} HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is the Lord, God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, Who was and Is and Is to come.

Forgive me Lord, my unbelief. I know and am persuaded that YOU, Oh Lord are able to keep that which have committed unto YOU against that day. Lord I lift YOU up, and as we lift You up, You will draw all unto Yourself. Thanks be to God. For it is YOUR will that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. So Lord, I pray, "open their eyes to see clearly, open their ears to hear with understanding. Soften their hearts to receive YOUR Truth, Holy Spirit". With a grateful heart, I lay them at your feet, knowing YOU are faithful and just! God You are Mighty to Save.

starting all over

"Starting over at what?" you might ask. Well Larry has a new job again, 3rd one in 2 years. He stayed with the same one for 20 years, so why not? I have been providing childcare again, 'full-time' for the last year. It looks like I will keep on for at least another three years, just agreed to keep another newborn next school year. After 35 years of taking care of children in my home while their parents work outside the home, has been my life. My oldest was just a baby when I started. After a short stint at teaching preschool and then substitute teaching in the public schools, I got back in to childcare in 1991, took a short break in 2006, and restarted in 2007. So here I am starting all over again.