Flowers have returned and so have I

I don't know where the last few months have gone. I go outside to enjoy the blossoms of Spring and Summer and can't believe how fast the months pass by. I haven't posted on my blog for quite some time so I wanted to return to write a few thoughts. Every time I have written on my blog I try to send out thoughts and/or prayers with a lot of thought behind them, however today I just wanted to update my blog briefly. I read an email recently that said something like; "you wouldn't enjoy the Summer if you didn't have a Winter" and I think that's true with all aspects of life. In nature we welcome the sunshine and surf in the Summer because we experienced the rain and cold of Winter. The same applies to our life; we can enjoy and welcome good times after we have experienced trials. As we begin a new season of Summer, we can look back on the Winter we had and know that we have grown and enjoy the flowers of today and tomorrow.

Juxtaposition

I read a fascinating article yesterday about the inventions that Corning has been making. It featured amazing technological advances coming down the pike such as; windows that get lighter as the sun rises, stoves that heat up with just the touch of a finger, wall-sized televisions showing programming in 3-D, to name just a few. At the same time reading this I am also doing some research for an article I am writing. The subject matter of my article is enjoying down-to-earth economical activities in this tough economy. For this research I am reading a wonderful book by Sarah Ban Breathnach entitled, Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy. I read this book years ago but I was prompted to re-read it for this article and I am thankful to be reminded of the lessons it brings to the reader. The author tells of a time of difficult economy (much like we are experiencing today) but sheds inspirational light about the wonderful activities that families enjoyed together and the unworldly leisure time they spent with each other. As exciting and thrilling as the technological advancements that Corning and other companies are inventing to make our lives streamlined and more efficient, it is my prayer that this can be juxtaposed with the simple family time of yesteryear.

Wisdom in Your Years

I had the pleasure of traveling up to visit our kids and our grandson last weekend. When you drive by yourself, as I did, you can do a lot of thinking. I borrowed 2 CD's from my husband for the trip which were the Greatest Hits from Simon & Garfunkel. Many of the songs made me time-travel back to my youth but one of the songs I don't remember ever hearing them sing, which is called, That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine. I was driving down the Cajon Pass listening to the words of this song and the tears just flowed from my eyes without my control. I am adding them to this post because they struck such a chord with me. Children hurt their parents in one way or another---it's a given. I never really knew my biological father and my step-father was a quiet man so I relate more of the meaning of this song to my mom. I know that my rebellious childhood caused her heart-ache but by the grace of God I now have the opportunity as an adult to have a wonderful relationship with her. I love her so much and don't like to think of my life without her. As a parent now myself I have experienced pain caused by our kids as well and I pray that one day we will bond together like I now have done with my mom. Here are the words to the song that made me cry. I hope you have the chance to listen to Simon & Garfunkel sing the song. I'm glad the sun was setting when I was listening to these powerful words and that other drivers didn't see this weepy woman crying all by herself as she was driving.

That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine
In a vine-covered shack in the mountains,
bravely fighting the battle of time
is a dear one who's weathered life sorrows,
tis that silver-haired daddy of mine.

If I could recall all the heartaches,
dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear,
If I could erase those lines from your face
and bring back the gold to your hair.

If God would but grant me the power
just to turn back the pages of time,
I'd give all I own if could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

Oh, I know it's too late, dear old Daddy
to repay all those sorrows and cares,
though dear Mother is waiting in heaven
just to comfort and solace you there.

If I could recall all the heartaches,
dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear,
if I could erase those lines from your face
and bring back the gold to your hair.

If God would but grant me the power
just to turn back the pages of time,
I'd give all I own if could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

I'd give all I own if I could but atone
to that silver-haired daddy of mine.

My prayer for this post would be to have wisdom in your years (whatever they may be) to cherish your loved ones, heal those hurts, and make each time spent with them full of love and gratitude for them. Please don't wait until it's too late.

"Letter Prints" from Loved Ones

Just as each of us has our own fingerprint, which identifies who we are, the same holds true with our handwriting, which I call "letter prints." Recently I was deeply touched and moved by discovering the handwriting of two loved ones who are no longer in my life.

My mom gave me her beautiful sewing machine a couple months ago because she does not sew any more. She knew how much I love and enjoy sewing so she gave it to me when my sewing machine froze up on me. As I was going through the drawers in the sewing cabinet to begin organizing notions, etc. I came across an envelope that my grandmother had addressed to my mom. At that very moment the tears flooded my eyes. Like fingerprints, her individual cursive writing identified that this was written by my sweet grandmother. I was the last of my 3 siblings to get married and my grandmother passed away 6 months before I got married. She worked hard all of her life and I don't have any recollections of ever seeing her with idle hands. She cooked, canned and did beautiful crochet. I remember many evenings as she sat in her chair in the living room crocheting. As we were going through her things after she passed away I found a beautifully wrapped wedding gift for me and inside was a crocheted tablecloth and napkins. I think of her every time I use this on my dining table. One of my regrets is that I never asked her to teach me how. Now that I am older I have started to crochet by myself but what I would give to have her sit beside me and teach me her craft. Seeing her handwriting on that envelope touched my heart like a warm caress from her hand across my cheek.

Then, last night I was going through some books. My mother-in-law was another dear sweet person in my life. We shared a lot of times together both in church and family gatherings. After she passed away I became a lucky recipient of some of her craft books. I sat down last night and decided to peruse a small stack of her books and there inside many of them were little notes that she wrote in her distinctive handwriting. Once again my heart was touched and seeing her notations brought tears to my eyes.

It is hard to describe the feelings that flooded me as I saw these handwritten words of loved ones who have left my life but it is a definite reminder that they had an impact on me and the memories I carry forward in my life. I loved these two women, I miss them very much and I am going to keep these "letter prints" as a cherished gift.

Happy New Year

I haven't posted on my blog for a while because my life has been a whirlwind of activity. I finished my accounting class, which I am happy to say I scored a 99% on the final and I'm glad I persevered and stuck it out. I hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law and was a sewing maniac making baby gifts and Christmas gifts. My husband, Mert, and I are now proud grandparents to a precious baby boy, Landon Merrill Foltz, and I must say that he is perfect in every way. Who knew that becoming a grandparent would be such a joy and the instant expansion of love you feel for this newest member of your family? Just holding this healthy beautiful boy brings back tender feelings I had when I held his father 27 years ago. I am now reflecting on this past year and express my gratitude for both the trials and the joys. I know that 2011 will be a wonderful year full of promise and possibilities.

Simply RetroGrand

I was made aware recently that one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, is celebrating it's 45th anniversary. Upon hearing this news I sat down and watched our VHS (remember them???) movie and was once again moved and reminded as to why this is such a wonderful, endearing, and classic movie. It was also brought to my attention that this movie won 5 Academy Awards. I could really go off on a tangent right now as to my thoughts on why I don't watch the Academy Awards any more (the Academy has gone downhill in my opinion) but I will save that for another forum. I chose the title of this post to remind the reader and myself of the simple times, in retrospect and how grand they really were. When a family could go to watch a movie, such as The Sound of Music, on a big screen. like I did with my family in 1965, and walk away feeling like we really could "climb every mountain." The messages in this classic movie speak to the good in all of us and if reminders of these qualities are presented with re-visiting this delightful musical, so much the better.

Advocate for Education

I was one of those "older" (or should I say more mature) graduates from college. It wasn't until my kids were in their teens that I went back to school to obtain my bachelor's degree. As such, I had not only a greater appreciation for my professors trying to teach the classes but also a greater appreciation for the learning process and the knowledge I was picking up in these classes. I am one of those students who absolutely loves school. With that in mind, I am back in school with some Adult Ed classes. One of the courses I am taking is computers, which absolutely fascinates me. My other class, however is Accounting and I have to say that I am struggling. I unfortunately do not operate on that side of the brain too well---math and science and accounting is indeed a science. As challenging as this course is for me though I am tenacious and I am not going to let it defeat me or my purpose. I am told that having this accounting skill will be appealing in the job market but aside from that I am determined to persevere. Thankfully we have wonderful instructors in this adult education system who are patient and supportive of their students trying to grasp everything they are teaching. I graduated from college in 2004 and have not gone back to school until this past spring in 2010. The moment I stepped back onto the campus I realized how much I missed the world of academia. I truly love learning new things and want to continue educating myself the rest of my life...no matter how difficult a course could be, like accounting.