My Greatest Gift

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Patricia Ann

This morning I opened a forward that one of my daughters sent my way in 2012. It was a flashmob rendition of Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee, and numerous other wonderful Christmas Savior songs.

As the music crescendoed from my Ipad, I raised my hands in response to the call for adoration.

Joyful tears flowed as I gave thanks not only for the Baby born over two thousand years ago, but for the babies that have blessed my life over the last sixty years: my sons and daughters, my grandsons and granddaughters and most of all my great-grandchildren; all truly wonderful gifts.

The joy that filled my heart at our family Christmas party yesterday, overflowed this morning in thanksgiving to the One whose presence in my life is my greatest gift.

“Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!”

Herra Jumala

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Patricia Ann

Only Finnish people will recognize this title, or perhaps linguists in general.

For me, these words are a wonderful discovery.

I heard them often when as a youngster, I lived with my Finnish grandparents.

My grandmother often used these words with great passion, and it seemed to me, in exasperation at times. For some reason I always thought she was swearing. Why would I think that? I have no idea because I know she was a devout Christian woman.

Upon investigating the Finnish language last night, I discovered the true meaning of Herra Jumala.

It means Lord God.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…I love learning! TYG!

Have You Seen God?

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Patricia Ann

We have been told that no one has ever seen God.

Well, I’m here to tell you that I saw Him on Saturday at My Precious Life’s successful book launch!

I saw Him in the faces of my church family who worked for hours setting up tables and chairs, food and drink, and nourished me with the gifts of flowers, words of encouragement, and a cuppa tea and a plate of goodies after the books were signed and sold.

I saw Him in the faces of my dear and lovely family, rearranging their day to come to my launch; and in the faces of three of my little great-grandchildren who gave up their play time for GG.

I saw Him in the faces of friends who came from far and near; friends from bygone days who nourished me with warm hugs and loving memories.

I saw Him in the faces of those who lined up to buy copies of My Precious Life.

Have you seen God?

Look closely at those whose lives touch yours in any wonderful way, and like me, you will say, “I saw God today.“

Counting the Days (One)

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Patricia Ann

Today’s the day I tie up all the loose ends of the long awaited book launch of My Precious Life.

I don’t know how many people to expect but I do know that a wonderful group of friends is going to feed the people who do come.

These friends are going to arrive early enough to set up tables, chairs, food platters, tea, coffee, and cold drinks.

How wonderful they are, and how blessed I am.

Some of my family members are also contributing and helping in other ways as well. Again, how blessed I am.

Thank you to those bloggers who have supported this effort with their “likes” and prayers.

And now I’m counting the hours….

A Family Is…

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Patricia Ann

A Family is a deeply rooted tree with branches of different strengths all receiving nourishment from an infinite source.

A Family is where character is formed, values are learned, ethics are created, and society is preserved.

A Family is where all members contribute and share, cooperate and work, and accept their responsibilities toward the good of the group.

A Family is where holidays are celebrated with feasting, birthdays acknowledged with gifts, and thoughts of days gone by kept alive with fond remembrances.

A Family is where each can find solace and comfort in grief, pleasure and laughter in joy, and kindness and encouragement in daily living.

A Family is a haven of rest, a sanctuary of peace, and most of all a harbor of love.

I believe most, if not all, of these quotes were written by Manny Feldman.

On Being a Mother

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Patricia Ann

I’ve recently met a young mom in “Bloggersville” who has three special gifts from God: boy/girl seventeen-year-old twins, and a fifteen-year-old daughter. She tells us that they keep her on her toes and on her knees. I can relate to that, having raised three daughters and two sons, all eighteen months to two years apart except for the youngest who came along seven years later. It was not an easy task, but would I trade it for anything else in the world? Not on your life…or mine! In 1977 after a particularly trying time coping with four teenagers and a ten-year-old (yes, Family to the 5 Power, I know where you’re coming from!) the words of one of my most popular poems came to me. Here then, is On Being a Mother.

Nobody warned you

How great was the task

Of being a mother

How long it would last

It’s no nine to five job

You don’t punch a clock

It isn’t routine

You have to take stock

There isn’t a pension

Or retirement plan

It’s all overtime

You supply on demand

But you know you’ve been paid

When your daughter or son

Softly kisses your cheek

Saying, “I love you, Mom.”

In my opinion, motherhood is the most important job in the world. Someone may argue that point and say, “Well, I happen to think rocket science or brain surgery is the most important job in the world.” Please be reminded that without a mother there would be no rocket scientist or brain surgeon. So Moms, keep on keeping on. Even though nobody warned you how great was the task, it is a great task.

Shadows in the Wind

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Patricia Ann

I love love; not necessarily just romantic love, but love of all kinds. I love babies, animals, friends, family. I love sunshine, moonlight, stars, trees, flowers. I love oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. I love singing, dancing, laughing, writing, daydreaming, night-dreaming, holding hands, hugging, being happy and seeing others happy. I love God and how he spent so much time talking about love in his Book of Books. Love is the most written about topic in the Bible, and the greatest commandment of all time is “Love one another!”

I’m going to share another of my poems here, and what’s it about? Love of course.

SHADOWS IN THE WIND

Perfect love is fulfillment

in perpetual motion,

seeing with the heart’s eye

that which the mind cannot grasp,

acknowledging the human need

for closeness under all conditions,

realizing that aloofness is a

suit of armor worn by those

who fear perfect love

is beyond their realm,

understanding the merest

reaching out of a heart’s desire,

passion and compassion hand in hand,

longing and belonging heart to heart.

Will it ever be reality

or are we pursuing shadows in the wind?

Will it ever be reality? I’d love to think so.

What Would You Do?

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Patricia Ann

You are having a dinner party. You have invited friends, family, acquaintances; and you have invited Jesus as the guest of honor.

Well, upon hearing this, many of the guests begin making their regrets. A party of fifty-odd is now whittled down to a mere half dozen or so people. My question is this.

Do you say, “I’m sorry, Jesus, there are some people who don’t know you, or understand you, or where you are coming from, and I can’t afford to ruffle their feathers–would you mind taking a rain check?”

Or do you graciously accept the sudden declines, and enjoy the company of your Guest of Honor, along with those who are delighted to accept the invitation because He is the guest of honor?

I would enjoy the dinner party if Jesus was the only guest!

What would you do?

Inspired by Bloggers

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Patricia Ann

You know what I love about blogging? It’s the inspiration that comes from other bloggers. I had full intentions of taking a break from this new favorite pastime, and catch up on reading posts that I’ve not had too much time to delve into. But it didn’t work that way, because reading made me want to write! Reading other’s blogs gave me new incentive, and the next thing I know, I’m back on the page.

Yesterday’s post by Katie got me started again, and then I read one of Butch Dean’s poetry posts, The Days of Youth. Well, that got me to thinking about my favorite self-talk: “I miss the me I used to be” and that led to another brand new poem which will be today’s post.

THE ME I USED TO BE

I miss the me I used to be,

the things I used to do,

I miss the energy and verve

the vim and vigor too.

I miss the way my feet could dance,

the way my body bent,

contorted to the Limbo

as ‘neath the pole I went.

I miss the feel of garden soil

where once my hands did dig

while scrunching down to plant the seeds

before my joints got big.

Yes, I miss the me I used to be

and all the things I did,

but even though the body’s old,

inside I’m still a kid.

©July 2014

And you know what else? I have a fantastic family, a wonderful church family, and now feel I have a blogging family as well. Life is good!

My Precious Life

Lessons in Living

Tag Archives: Family