sister

What I Learned While June Sped By

~ Teresa ~ 4 Comments

What I’ve learned in June.  A reflective list of realizations, some new, some rediscovered.  Join the party hosted by Emily over at Chatting at the Sky and see what others are sharing about June lessons.

1.  I like cool spring days better than hot, humid summer days and we were blessed with several of those early in the month.

2.  Hydrangeas need lots, lots, lots of water.  They wilt at the first sign of too much heat.  But they are beautiful and worth the extra maintenance.  I hope the one I planted this month survives.  And I hope it retains the beautiful blue color.  There is much I don’t know about Hydrangeas yet.

800px-Hydrangea_macrophylla_-_Hortensia_hydrangea

Source Raul654

3. Speaking of high maintenance, my brother would rather I call him once with a list of all things going on, instead of calling him randomly.  Then he can get back to me.  Whatever!  Today’s list for him (a list within a list if you will): I love you. How is your foot? Have you seen Dad’s new building yet? Aunt C is in the hospital. Aunt K is in the nursing home. B is going back to Texas for a week and then she’ll be back here for a while. Come see us sometime. Tell T and the kids we love them. If you need me I’m only a phone call away! Come to church with us sometime. So, when I called him, he actually answered. Turns out I’m supposed to mail the list every Friday.  I just might do that.   I know he loves me and I think he was just joking about the list.  Bottom line – he doesn’t like to talk on the phone.  I don’t either, but I do like to keep in touch with my brother once in a while. So, I call him sometimes.  He’ll get over it.  If I didn’t call he’d think I didn’t love him anymore.  And, a list is very efficient, the call lasted less than five minutes.

4.  I did not learn this in June (I’ve always known), but was once again reminded that I love my sister and I love having her home from Texas, she fills in some gaps that are missing when she is not here.  I think I’ll lasso her, tie her up and keep her here.  Can you tell I’ve been catching up with McLeod’s daughters on Netflix?  Sisters are a gift to be treasured.

5.  They killed Claire McLeod off on McLeod’s daughters.  I know this is old news to most people who remember this show. I just discovered this last night and I’m still in shock. She was the pivotal character.  I hope I did not spoil this for anyone, I realize I may not be the only one ten years behind.  (it was just as depressing as Matthew dying on Downton Abbey – oops, hopefully you already knew that).

6.  I should remember that if you attend church business meetings, you will be elected to be the clerk or something like that.

7.  I’m discovering that as much as I love people, I really need a lot of quiet time to reflect and regroup.

8.  I like the idea of owning a first edition book over the idea of selling it for big bucks.  That is a true book lover.  I also have too many books, but I did not learn this in June.

9.  I read lots of blogs in June rather than doing a lot of writing on my blog.  I came to some conclusions that I’m formulating into a post.  I’ll share my thoughts once they are in line.

10. I’ve been seeing that depression is a topic that we need to speak out about.  I have some thoughts brewing about this too that I want to write about on my blog.

11. I’m so over all this equality stuff.   I will not share my thoughts on my blog. There are already too many voices out there espousing opinions.  OK, I will say one thing:  God knows the truth of everything and he knows his designs and plans.  I need to trust him and follow his lead.  OK, two things: words have meanings and those meanings should not be changed.  It is what it is. That is all I will say.  You have to choose your own opinion about all this stuff.  Hopefully you will do that prayerfully.

12. Prayer, even in the little everyday things is vitally important.  It builds our faith. Praying daily helps prepare us for the bigger issues.  It makes us more grounded when they come. And come they will.

13.  After 29 years I love my husband more than ever.  We celebrated our marriage this month – not a new thing I learned, but a good reminder of where we’ve been on the journey to where we’re going.

So, what have you learned or re-learned in June?  You can link-up here to share , or if you want to read what others have learned, just pop on over and read some of the other blogs.

Learning in Grace, Sadie

Lessons Learned From Influential Women In My LIfe

~ Teresa ~ 1 Comment

There are several women who have been influential in my life and I wanted to honor them by making a list of the things I learned from them.

From my mother, I have learned that…
1. I should be myself and not worry what others think of me
2. it is ok to play with paper dolls when you are an adult
3. dreams and using your imagination are essential
4. I need to love the people in my life unconditionally no matter what
5. it is important to speak the truth and stand my ground
6. it is ok to defend yourself (like kicking boys who try to kiss you when you tell them not to)
7. helping others is a way to help ourselves
8. even in our deepest hurt there is balm
9 forgiveness takes courage and grace and is its own reward
10. there is joy in embracing the woman that God designed me to be.

From my mother-in-law, I have learned that…
1. perseverance is important
2. you can be friends with your mother-in-law
3. good husbands come from good mothers
4. our attitude is what colors our world
5. you don’t want to be taken to the apple tree for a talk
6. Christmas is for kids of all ages
7. time spent in the swing or on the back porch is time well spent
8. deer and birds are worth watching
9. family sticks by each other no matter what
10. love conquers all

From my sister, I have learned that…
1.  Life is an adventure to be enjoyed
2.  Fear is conquered by doing
3.  Making friends is necessary
4.  Dancing is good for the soul.
5.  Your work should be something you love
6.  Wordplay keeps your mind sharp
7.  You should vacuum only when absolutely necessary
8.  Affirmations get more results than anger
9.  You can’t allow anyone else to define who you are
10. Sometimes you need to retreat from the world

From my maternal grandmother, I learned that…
1. it is ok to eat crackers in bed
2. I should love everybody the same, but make everyone feel like they are the most important person in my life
3. prayer is powerful and sometimes it takes a long time to name every family member
4. life is fun and it’s ok to stop in the middle of a busy day and play
5. no matter how many things you have to keep up with they will all get done.
6. going to church is important
7. feather beds are comforting, but hugs are even better
8. family stories should be carried to the next generation
9. opening your home to others is a privilege
10. children are to be heard as well as seen

From my paternal grandmother, I learned that…
1. sometimes you just need to stay on top of the hill and mind your own business
2. being quiet is graceful and sometimes necessary
3. taking care of your family is more important than other “stuff”
4. you should always take time for a good book
5. you always provide for your guest and make no apologies for that provision
6. keeping notes for the future helps you look back and appreciate what you have been given
7. snow gives you time to hibernate and retreat for replenishment
8. husbands are the head of the house even when they let us do things our way
9. keeping the peace is more important than proving points
10. quilts tell their own stories and bring comfort

From my aunt Nancy, I learned that…
1. we all need a safe haven from the world
2. life is too short to worry about the small stuff
3. music is made in your heart and played loudly on an accordion
4. it’s ok to try new things, like painting a room bright orange, or learning all the words to “Harper Valley PTA”
5. it’s ok to talk freely without fear of being judged and to let others do the same
6. dreaming out loud helps you plan for your future
7. sometimes it’s ok to break the “rules” if nobody gets hurt
8. falling in love is wonderful when you listen to your heart
9. sharing special moments with others makes them even more special
10. in our hearts we never really lose those we love

 

Gracefully learning from others,

Teresa

chatting in the car with my sister

~ Teresa ~ 1 Comment

I had an opportunity recently to chat with my sister. In the car. While traveling down interstate 64.  Well, she did nap for a portion of the trip, but that’s ok. Apparently spending time in KY makes one tired. But we chatted. And it was good.   We didn’t discuss anything breathtakingly profound, just chatted.  You know, how sisters and friends (of which she is both) do when they get together.  They just chat about everything and nothing.

She flew in from Dallas on a Tuesday evening for a quick visit with the parents.  We were her designated chauffer service.  And literally, my time with her was mostly in the car.  We drove her to destination A to meet the brother, where we all chatted in the parking lot of a certain sports store for a little while (the brother had to stock up on ammunition for his redneck ways which is another story), then on Friday we made the round trip to pick her up and take her back to the airport (this was the part of the journey in which she took a little nap; Until we were almost run down by a semi and I yelled and she woke up).

I always enjoy time with my sister.  I don’t get to see her on a regular basis and to be honest I don’t call her as often as I should.  But when we do see each other we chat.  We are real with one another.  And that makes for a good relationship.  Quality time with those you love cannot be measured in terms of location; it is measured in time well spent.  Even time chatting in the car can be memorable.  And hey, if that’s the only way I get to see my sister, I’ll take it.

Maybe it’s time to take a drive with your sister, or someone you love. Just to chat.

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my brother and sister back in the day

Go in Grace,

Sadie