SCHOOL IS OUT!

homeschooling, moving, summer, , , , ,

My grandson just finished his sixth grade online school. There were some delays at the beginning, so he has had to work while his brothers and sister enjoyed summer vacation. But yesterday, he did his final test! And all this while the family was moving into a new house the last couple weeks of June. What a year. He worked so hard and did so well. It was so neat working with him. We have a few weeks before we go at it again, doing seventh grade online. I am looking forward to working with him again. It keeps me young!

For now, I am going to enjoy my summer, too! And a little more time on my blogging as well as having their family in their new house!

The Aquarium

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When my older daughter was 3 years old, we were given a ten gallon aquarium. We loved it. The fish were neat to watch as they swam back and forth, relieving tension in the viewer. We had some mollies, a couple cat fish, some neons, and a plecostomus. A plecostomus is a shy, prehistoric-looking bottom feeder that keeps the tank clean. Wikipedia says: “Plecostomus, pleco, or plec is the common name of several species of freshwater loricariid catfish commonly sold as aquarium fish.” He was very shy and would lose his color when frightened. I remember sitting by the tank one night and he was feeding close to the front of the tank. I moved forward and he moved back, growing pale. When I sat back, he swam forward to feed again. We repeated this action several times. I was fascinated by his shyness.

It only took a short time for my daughter to run around chattering about the plecostomus! It was fun to hear her converse about him!

When we moved a few years later, we gave away our aquarium and our wonderful plecostomus. To this day, he is a special memory.

IN HONOR OF MY MAMA

Mother's Day, Uncategorized, ,
esther & darlene 2012 (3)
My Mama and me, 2012

 

 

This poem is not a new one, but expresses something of who she was. I miss her, but she is happy now in the arms of Jesus!
In honor of Mother’s Day and my second one without her.
 

 

 

GREAT GRANDMA
Your great-grandson is only four
but he’s heard the songs from the forties.
“Abba Dabba Honeymoon,”
“Me and My Shadow,”
“Playmate, Come Out And Play with Me,”
“Teddy Bear’s Picnic,”
songs you sang to Gayle and me
when she was three and I was four
and more.

Maybe someday he’ll get to meet Mrs. Doodenlopper.
She used to come take care of Gayle and me.
She looked like you.
We said, “You’re our mother!”
She always replied, “Oh no,
she’s at the store. She’ll be home soon.”
Then we would have tea and giggle
when Gayle was five and I was six
and more.

He’ll never get to see the doll furniture you made
for Gayle and me from orange crates
with a hammer, nails, and your butcher knife
when you were pregnant with Wayne.
It made a dandy kitchen with
empty thread spools for knobs.
We wore them out playing house
when Gayle was six and I was seven
and more.

(2004)

 

GOODBYE TO MAMA

Uncategorized

May 14 is drawing closer. Two years ago, I said goodbye to my precious mama.

GOODBYE TO MAMA

As I say goodbye to you and all you were,

As I pack the last of your belongings,

Tears deep within my heart break forth.

Overwhelmed, I cry and yet I know

These things weren’t you.

Over the years, you changed, I changed,

Living conditions changed.

But you were still you,

And you lived in my heart.

So as time grows short to pack and say goodbye,

I look to the time when there will be no more goodbyes

And you and I will be the true us,

And we’ll never say goodbye again.

last days, mother, my mom, , ,
Mama and friends at her 90th birthday celebration
Mama and friends at her 90th birthday celebration

My mama passed away May 14, 2014. I’ve been thinking about that for a few days now; that date is coming fast.  It hardly seems possible it has been almost two years! I am so thankful that I got to repay her in her last days in a small way for her care and love for me throughout my life.

We had an impromptu party for her 90th birthday and many friends came to the donut shop, her favorite place, to wish her happy birthday.  She loved it. She didn’t have the energy to do this the next year when she turned 91. I’m glad we did it when she could enjoy it! Here is a poem to honor this special lady in those last few months.

MAMA’S LAST MONTHS

She walks slower now,
unsteady unless she has her walker.
She forgets to use it;
I watch carefully so she won’t fall;
She talks more quietly,
so it is hard to follow her thoughts.
She doesn’t understand when I ask her
to clarify what she is telling me.
Her attention wanders more easily;
The Waltons doesn’t hold it as well.
Her favorite place to go is the donut shop.
She wants to order two donuts,
even though she doesn’t even finish one,
and only drinks a couple sips of her coffee,
even though they are favorite foods.
Arthritis pain assaults her neck;
it is her constant companion.
Time seems a blur to her–
who came and when, it puzzles her.
It seems it is time for her to go home,
but God hasn’t called her yet.
She feels her life has no purpose now,
I must admit I don’t understand either,
but God has His mysteries, dealt in wisdom.
And in His wisdom, He has me here,
caring for her, teaching me through the pain of love
that He does indeed care for her.

THE REASON

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There is a reason for Good Friday and the Resurrection Day we call Easter! Praise God, He provided the way for us to life!

SEEKERS
Fallen from a world of grace,
they turned their faces from God’s face.
Their future dim, no hope unless
they turn to one who wants to bless.
The wrath of God which man deserved
is poured on one who came to serve
the very ones who turned away
so they could find their own desired way.
A God of wrath extends his hand
to draw men from the devil’s land
to life through one who gave His Son
and rose again—the victory won.

HOSANNA!

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Palm Sunday, the 20th, was the time when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Imagine, a king riding on a donkey! The people thought he came to set up an earthly kingdom and they greeted him with the cry “Hosanna,” looking forward to their freedom from the Roman rulers. But Jesus’ kingdom at this time was one of the heart. He came to die. But it didn’t end at the grave. His Father raised him up to life on Easter and one day soon he will return to take his rightful place as ruler of all. Until that day, we worship him as Creator and God, waiting for his glorious day when he will rule as a physical king!

HOSANNA!
“Hosanna! Hosanna!
Our King comes.
Spread your cloaks!
Lift your branches!
Praise the King.

“Hosanna! Hosanna!
Our King comes
In the name of the Lord!
The Son of David!
Praise the King!

“Hosanna! Hosanna!
Our King comes
To deliver, to save!
Lift your voices!
Praise the King!”

“Father!
They celebrate.
They thought they knew peace,
But it is hidden from their eyes.

“Father!
They celebrate
They do not know
My kingdom is not of this world

“Father!
They celebrate
But they do not know
I came to die.”

FORGIVENESS

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As I look forward to the celebration of Easter, I remember that without the cross, there would be no Resurrection. The cross is about forgiveness, for through it, I am forgiven and I celebrate new life.

FORGIVENESS

Come walk with me in fields of white,
in heaven’s place of glorious light,
where dark clouds part and souls wash clean
in Jesus’ blood. Come–see the scene
when He was killed and took my place.
Look close and see His pain-pierced face.
Hear his words, “Forgive their deeds.”

Those words for them beneath the tree,
are meant for us, yes, for all men–
the word of grace men’s hearts to mend.
The stain of sin is washed away,
the darkness gone. Come walk in day.

Come walk with me on paths of light,
cleansed with His blood, our souls washed white.