Small and Wonderful things . . .

 

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

 

 

 

 

MY DIL reposted this old photo of my middle son's two older boys taken at Christmas a few years back.  That year I got all of my grandsons matching pajamas.  To this date this is the only photo I have seen of any of my grandchildren wearing anything I have sent them, and I can't tell you how much joy it brought to this grandmother's heart at the time, and still does.  Jon is going to be 13 this year, and Josh will be having his 10th or 11th Birthday in just a few days now. (With 7 grands I sometimes have a difficult time keeping the ages straight in my mind. Doesn't mean I love them any less, just that my brain is aging.)  I got to facetime with all of them (Jon, Josh and Jacob) on Christmas Day and it was wonderful!  Love my son, Kayla and their boys very much. 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Amanda posted this photo of her two the other day. I am assuming it is Christmas Eve as there are no gifts beneath the tree.  Love their matching pajamas.  I have never gotten to meet Cameron in person yet.  Maryn is 7 and Cameron is 5. They are beautiful children.  I don't really know them, and they don't really know me, but it is not for lack of communication on my part.  It is my deepest heartfelt wish that someday that will change, but for now it is what it is and I accept that. I am just very grateful that from time to time I get a little glimpse of their lives.  

 

 

 

Luke enjoying a candycane on Christmas morning.  I did not get to facetime with these two this year as their father's phone was broken, but I did get to see a few photos of Luke and Gabe in their matching Jim Jams.  Unfortunately the one of Gabe is a video and I don't know how to post videos on here to show you.  In any case getting to see these two did my heart a world of good also.  I hate being so far away from my family all of the time, but especially at special times such as Christmas.   Love them all, and am very grateful for my two oldest sons who do their best to make me a part of their and their children's lives all the year through.  It means the world to me. 

 

 

 

 

This is my mom and dad with me at Christmas in 1955. I was about 4 months old.  I cherish this photo.  They are both so young here.  (me too!)  I love my parents so very much. 

 

 

  

 

Flash forward 63 years and this was my mom and dad this Christmas.  My heart aches.  I am so grateful that they are both still with us. My father has facetimed me twice in the past week, and I have gotten to speak to my mom a couple of times on the telephone.  One time was a great conversation and she was very talkative.  She was very talkative yesterday as well, although her speech/memory was not so great and it was a bit of a struggle.  I know she gets frustrated because she can't spit the words out.  My Christmas package for them has arrived.  (I sent it by courier)  We are trying to figure out where it is however.  I hope they can get it today. 

 

I don't know how much longer we will have our parents with us, but I am grateful for every year with them we are given. I love them with all of my heart.  I miss them so much and wish I was able to live closer to them.  I am ever grateful for modern technology which affords me the contact that I do have with them.  I wish I had the means to help my sister (who takes amazing care of each of them) more.  I just don't.  If wishes were horses  . . . 

 

 

 

I am so grateful for the lovely childhood my parents gave us.  They did the best they knew how to do. We were always well fed, clothed, sheltered and, most importantly . . .  loved.  The three of us are all  kind, decent, giving, caring, trustworthy, reliable and honest individuals.  This is a credit to our wonderful parents.  I honor them.  I love them. I am ever grateful for them.  Its a funny thing, but  . . .  I think that the older I get, I appreciate them that little bit more. 

 

  

 

Our Christmas Tree.  It will probably be coming down tomorrow.  I am glad that we were able to put up the larger one this year rather than the smaller one.  It has filled my days with light and joy.  I love to sit and look at it and I have enjoyed sitting in its glow with Todd and Mitzie most evenings.  I love the way the Nativity sits next to it and helps to remind us of the real reason for the season.  I will miss it when Christmas is all down and put away for another year.  The lounge always seems empty with all the decorations dismantled and back in boxes.   

 

 

I am not one much to make New Years Resolutions as such . . .  but I think that in this coming year I want to start my Christmas Preparations for 2019 in January, lol.  I think that might be the only way I am ready by the time Christmas rolls around again in December!   

 

On Friday this week, this new Diet food company is sending me a week's worth of food to try and see if I can shift a few pounds in a week.  I am kinda looking forward to that.  I will still have to cook for Todd, so we will see how that all pans out! I am grateful for these little opportunities that come my way and make what is essentially a pretty plain and simple life, a tiny bit more exciting!

 

 

 

I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Happy New Year.  I hope that 2019 is kind to each of us.  I thank you for your faithfulness in having visited me throughout all these years and I look forward to this continued sharing with each other in the coming year.  You all mean the world to me!!  Happy New Year! 

 

 

 

There is a New Year's Eve nibble in the kitchen today . . .  Toasted Cheese Rounds.  Simple and delicious.  Perfect for enjoying with cold drinks as you watch the fireworks! 

 

Have a wonderful day and evening.  Be blessed and don't forget! 

 

 

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And I do too!   See you next year!