1, 2, 3!

1, 2, 3!

Guess who turned 3 this week? Of course, if you ask him, he still says 2.

The shirt says it all....."His Buh" wore the same shirt, created by Mommy, 11 years ago at his 3rd birthday "robot" party!'

the gift wrap signifies a birthday event.......

blowing out #3 candle affirms it......

.......the smile while in his birthday suit says it all----but he says, NO! 2!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STINK-O-POTAMUS!

CONSIDER HERITAGE-SHARING

Of all the influential women in my early years, several stand out. Mother, enough said. Gena, a grandmother who nurtured my love for reading at every turn. Mrs. Munday, my 4th grade teacher who helped me, a crying 10 yr. old, with "complicated" division. Christine, my across the street neighbor, who was like a grandmother to me.

But...it was my maternal grandmother, Mama Davenport, who was my spiritual mentor, before I even knew what that was. With her gnarled arthritic hands clasped in prayer and her humming in the kitchen as she stirred up stewed tomatoes in her white enamel saucepan with the red rim, her quiet gentle spirit spoke volumes. Her willingness to "walk" up that 2nd street hill to church every Sunday because she didn't drive and Dang-Dang would not take her. 

I've not known many women I could label as "never complaining," but Mama was a the top of that list. (1Timothy 6:6)

Her well worn Bible is one of my treasures and her underlined verses have offered much insight in to her suffering and her trust in the Lord. My other treasure is my heritage snowball bush.....

...which had its beginnings from her childhood home in Hampton Station, Kentucky. From there to Clarksville, TN, to my parents' home in Hopkinsville, Ky to my home in Memphis, TN, the bush is a living legacy of a small graceful woman who was and still is in many ways, my spiritual mentor.

A snowball  bush that has been propagated and cultivated throughout Memphis and to our son's home in Texas and most recently to our daughter's home in Richland Estates.

Not only do I love that this bush will be cultivated with love and spiritual memories, I love it that Molly and Corey's dog who is checking it out is named Millie. Millie was Daddy's pet name for mother. If he was getting really sassy he would call her Millie Lou.

What a legacy of love came to my mind as I typed. What a great heritage I have been given.
My "heritage snowball bush" is but a reminder to open her Bible and consider the best underlined passages to  share---not only with my children but also with my "grands," (Proverbs 13:22) as the heritage of the upright will abide forever.(Psalm 37:18, AMP)

HERITAGE TRIPS: COMING AND GOING

Heritage---something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; something one person gives to another---an inherited lot or portion.(dictionary.com) 
A man's lot in life. His heritage can greatly influence his ensuing life.

Godliness passed down from generation to generation is not a guarantee but it certainly enhances the "chances" of a continuance of a spiritual heritage.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,...(Proverbs 13:22) 

Eleven years ago,son Buddy started "heritage trips" with his "first born" son. This year was his last "trip" year as he brought son #5 to Memphis to "show" him all his special childhood places and included a day on Liles Lane at Pickwick (fishing, shooting, swimming) and exploring the lake with extended family. 
It involves an air flight---just daddy and one son. That, in and of itself, is a big deal when you have 4 brothers who remain at home.
For me, I love the anticipation of this time.

"Coming"-----"the BEST part!!!

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6)

The "going"----NOT so much.

So......I have to remember to cherish all those "in-between" times. 
But I.....still "puddle" when any of my "grands" leave!!

But God......reminds me, "What a blessing to see your children's children." (Psalm 128:6)
It is a BIG earthly blessing!!!! 

Nos-TEA-algia

A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: 
(Proverbs 13:22, KJV)

Memories can warm you from the inside out. Other memories hold the pain of loss or loneliness.
Today's arrival of my class of '64 group picture, had recent memories of that "fun" event flood my mind. But recalling those whose faces were missing from the picture, tugged at my heart.

Not only that, but the memories, from that place where so many of my yesteryears were spent, are buried deep......but not so deep that they don't surface. Family memories.

Those memories had started surfacing as we turned toward "home" at least 24 miles out. I felt them in the pit of my stomach. No longer was a family home available in "my hometown."
No longer would Daddy dance with me at my reunion as he had done just 5 years earlier. I would visit Riverside Cemetery, not 2211 South Virginia though I would drive by.

Yet, when I visited the Christian Village homes of my parents' friends, we shared memories of happy times with Mother and Daddy. Bittersweet, yet somewhat healing. I indeed had a rich inheritance and it was therapeutic as I shared and recalled special events and funny times with their friends. Sharing was a two-way street and I think each of us took a little edge off the loneliness we all felt.

Sometimes a cuppa nos-TEA-algia is easier to swallow than at other times. 

Sharing that cuppa with "old" friends helps.