It's 75 degrees and absolutely gorgeous today! I spent a little over an hour in my new "Secret place", ie. prayer/meditation/catch my breath/get away from everyone-place.
Kyle helped me hang my chair swing from one of the pine trees behind our home, and it is heavenly. I have bird feeders between the chair and the house, so I'm able to watch the robins, and a few finches have sampled the finch bag!
Tatum has been spending time with us, and went home with Mommy and Daddy today after we girls had pedi's. I just finished vacuuming my car and need to get back out there and finish the dastardly job!:( Jack went to hit a few balls, and is bringing our kayaks back to do a test run on the lake! Can't wait!
As for baby pool? Haven't had any takers-so…guess we'll all be surprised together, and I'll give the prize to the new mama! You can rest assured the little slow-poke's arrival will be announced here very soon after he/she 'hits the ground', as old cowboy, Papa Jack, says.
Meanwhile, please keep the prayers going for: Jill and baby, Ike and Dawn, Mark and Corine, Jim and Marilyn, Kelli, Betsey, Sandra, Jo and Jon, Greg, and all who are hurting, lonely, hungry, ill, homeless, and/or fighting for their lives.
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9 Day Countdown:
Day 3-
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or
didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
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My dear brother, Harlan, and Barb's children, grandchildren, family and friends said farewell to Barb at her memorial service yesterday. My brother wrote and read a beautiful, powerful eulogy that I want to share with all of you. Remember that rule of mine? Take what you want and delete the rest…it doesn't apply to this. Take it ALL. If nothing else-at least take the first paragraph.
Dear Friends in Christ. We are assembled here today to reflect on our life and times that we had with Barbara. Almost all of you here today have known Barb longer than I have. You see, Barb and I touched hands and our hearts on Feb. 14, 2009. Together we had three years, one month, and five days until death did us part. In the eyes of some it was short and probably too short when compared to my parents, George and Elaine, who celebrated their 67 years together on February 10 of this year. We never know, do we. You see, we don’t have any guarantees in life and we certainly don’t have any entitlements. All that we have is what is here and now, today. Like the lyrics to “Slow Dance”, We better slow down-Don’t dance so fast, Time is short-the music won’t last, Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music. Before the song is over. We need to make the very most out of every day. We can’t reflect on how empty our cup is, but how much Barb, Mom, Grandma filled our cup of life. Her sould is now with God, her body we’ll return to mother Earth tomorrow, but like the song during the slide show, sung by Celine Dion, so eloquently states: Her Heart sill go on and on and on in each and every one of us that she touched.
If I were to describe Barbara, it would be with four words...
Trust, Pride, Happiness, and Faith.
TRUST =
Barb learned early on in her life the importance of family. Her father passed away when she was a little girl and she watched and learned from her mother as she raised her family alone. Barb learned the importance of Trust, knowing that Mom would be there fo ryou at all times. Trusting that your close friends and family members, especially her life-long friend, Carol her sister, Karen, and brother, Woody, would be a support base and confidantes. Barb was always very close to her sister, Karen, and the bond of trust and support they had would rival that of any two sisters.
PRIDE =
Every parent likes to be proud of their children, but Barbara had a special pride for her kids; Brian, Jeffrey, and Julie. She would often speak of how proud she was of their achievements and their successes in their careers. She knew she couldn’t afford the costs of college for her children, but she always hoped that the life she modeled for them would give them the inspiration and motivation to become successful and happy in their life choices, that they would follow her lead. Those of you that knew Barb, knew she had a self confidence that gave her the commitment and dedication to climb through the rank and files of many different types of employment. You knew Barb could be the poster child for the saying; “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” She would more often than not, have two or three jobs to support herself and give her the resources she needed for her modest lifestyle. Barbara was a proud woman and when she would see the successes of her children, it would make her heart smile, because deep down within her, she truly hoped she would serve as an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She often spoke of her granddaughter, Amanda, and how proud she was of Amanda for taking on her role of motherhood and obtaining the job she needed to support herself and baby Ava. Your Mom/Grandmother maybe didn’t take the time to always tell you kids how proud she was of you, but she spoke of it often with me.
HAPPINESS =
There was nothing that brought more happiness to Barbara than her Grandchildren and Great-grandchild. Amanda, Zachary, Austin, Elsie, Cooper, and little Ava; your Grandmother lived for the moments she could spend with you....cuddling and kissing as babies, then reading and playing with you diring your pre-school years, watching you grow and become more independent, each of you excelling in your own skills through your years of development Amanda, your Grandmother always had a warm smile of approval and support as she watched you emerge into a young woman taking on the responsibilities of your life. Zachary, your academic achievements, your successes at the science fairs and your technology accomplishments truly made your Grandma happy. Austin, your Grandma really appreciated your musical talents and your athletic skills. I don’t need to tell you how happy she was to attend your concerts and track meets. You see, she could see a part of her in you. Not so much in your musical sklls, (Grandma struggled with music) but knowing very well that you didn’t get to your level of performance without a lot of hard work. Knowing you made that commitment made her happy. Elsie, You were the twinkle in your Grandma’s eyes. You were her little princess that she loved to dress up in butterfly wings, tierra’s, magic wands and tutu’s. You were her little cooking buddy to help her make cookies. You truly warmed her heart as you listened so attentively to her read you stories while sitting on her lap. Little Cooper; you were the little man in your Grandma’s life. She would often marvel at your successes as you transitioned from that smiling bubbly little baby to the toddler you now are. Grandma knew where those beautiful blue eyes came from and those eyes along with the special little grin often meant something mischievous was about to happen....You truly filled your Grandma’s heart with joy as she watched you, as she held you, and as she kissed you. Baby Ava, you were Grandma’s first Great Grandchild. Grandma didn’t have a lot of time to spend with you, but she always looked at you as the twinkle of her daughter, Beth’s eye.
FAITH =
Barbara had a very strong faith. She knew her Bible well, and she was very diligent in her daily devotionals. She was an excellent reader and looked forward to reading aloud to me the verse and prayers from her devotional each night before lights out. Throughout Barbara’s life, she experienced the loss of a close loved one on four different occasions. With each loss; her Father, her daughter, Beth, her brother, Dale, and her Mother, Barbara’s faith strengthened and she became closer to God. She often told me that God may not give her everything she wants, but He will provide for her what she needs. Barbara believed that death is not so much a loss of life, but a part of life. She knew that the only path to the other side is to walk through the valley of death. She knew and believed that with each passing of her loved ones, they were going into God’s arms. She talked often of her belief in Angels and that the many good things in her life were the result of her guardian angels guiding and moving those pieces. In the short three years that I knew Barbara, God gave us the opportunity to enjoy each other for a lifetime. I know she’s looking down on us today and she’ll be one of those angels that will be looking out for us until we will meet again on the other side. Go in Peace, my love....go with God.
RIP, dear Barb….we will miss you.
