Her Mona Lisa Smile

That smile is 100% her during the rare quiet moment.
The following are true events and are about the above angel. Grandma's wrapped present which was on top of the bookshelf (which is taller than me) was obtained by dragging a large step ladder out of the laundry room into my bedroom, then the said present was unwrapped and the packaging styrofoam was picked into a million little static clinging balls. Where was I, the responsible parent? I was blissfully thinking that at 7am in the morning my daughter was entertained while I took a shower. I came out of the shower wrapped in a towel to find my bedroom had experienced a snowfall of styrofoam. "Snowballs, Mommy!", she exclaimed.

And you have it now!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
-- e.e. cummings


Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
-- Dr. Seuss

Originality is... a by-product of sincerity. - Marianne Moore

Thanks Loralee for sending me this email and photo today! It really made my day!

"You had it in you then..."

Green Christmas Card

Merry Christmas! We are going a bit greener (and saving on postage!) this year with our Christmas card by sending it via email. If you would prefer snail mail, please email me a request!

A Shepherd in Overalls

This past week, my great uncle Bill died after many brave years of being on dialysis. For most people I know, they are lucky to even know the name of their great uncle. I was lucky enough to get to know a bit of this wonderful man who always brought a smile to my face. He and my aunt Caroline are easy to love.
I will always remember Uncle Bill in blue denim overalls and a plaid shirt. I'm sure he will ask for white ones in heaven. He was a gardener. He and Aunt Caroline had a vegetable garden bigger than my whole yard! I am impressed that despite multiple draining trips for dialysis miles away, they kept such a beautiful garden with rows and rows of veggies!
Uncle Bill was a shepherd. I remember getting bum lambs from his flocks to raise. I wrote about these experiences here; I'm grateful for what I learned from raising sheep.
I think Uncle Bill's experiences here on earth made his heart tender. The shepherd in overalls is now with the Shepherd. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.