UNDER MY WING

Grandson #4 has just turned three.
We all come into this world with our own personalities.
His is sweet and happy and filled with joy.

He treats us all the same
And is filled with great glee
When you walk in the door
As he runs to greet you

 Arms held high
and yelling out your name
Making you feel as you lift him
 nothing could be better

He can take one little car
And spend long minutes with just it
Bending over and pushing it around
As his little mouth makes the proper sound

Recently his mother was sick
I went to help with the three
For there is never time to stop and heal
When the house is filled with busy bees

Inside and outside--we flitted back and forth
Hungry-thirsty-stop and watch a show
Back to the toy room and then to their bedroom
Never ending movement from all three

As naptime approached we began the prep
Eat you lunch and rest your body
We have more fun things to do
First though it is time for a nap

#4 will not stay in the bed
He is opposed to all naps
Or any form of rest
Too busy-for stopping and resting

I lie down with him
And tuck him real close
To hold him still so he will rest
At least for an hour

It takes a long time
For his eyes to close
But finally he nods off
Sweet sleep has descended

As I stay very still so he will continue to sleep
With him tucked under my arm like a hen with her chick
I remember the story in that great book
Of the closeness we all share as we draw near

Under the wing of the one who holds us all dear.

Today BECAUSE I am thankful for the wise and knowledgeable woman
who teaches the Women's Bible Study 
at church, I took her a mum-MY PLAN
As I checked out at the grocery, there was a man behind me
with a motorized cart filled with groceries and he
obviously is unable to walk -
I unloaded his groceries for him-HIS PLAN.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings"

Matthew 23:37

BLURRED VISION

All the grands went to Weatherford today to swim at the Jennings' beautiful pool.  They are ALWAYS so hospitable and kind, never hesitating to share their lovely home and take excellent care of us all.  Camille is very blessed to not only have a great husband, but also wonderful in-laws.  

While we were there, Adam and Camille made several under-water pictures with his cell phone.  Don't ask me how--I think it has something to do with the cover he has for it--but as you all know, I am a technical dummy.  The pictures are awesome---clear underwater portraits of all the swimmers in action--including the bubbles.

This started my wheels turning--if you are a swimmer and have ever been underwater with your eyes open--then you know that things are not always as they appear when you are looking at them through the water.  Another alteration of reality, but is it?  If it seems real when you have your eyes open and are looking directly at an object--then what it appears to be and where it appears to be---is that reality?    AGAIN with the question---if in your mind--something is reality---even if everyone else says it is not---then IS IT reality to you?

I PROMISE---I am off this subject after today.

ONLY my grands could sit in my chair---without me protesting--pick all their favorites to eat--even if I think it is a little strange--or actually very strange--and pick every silly sitcom that has ever been made without me uttering a word.  THAT IS WHAT Lulu's are for!  I well remember how wonderful my visits with my grandparents were and how much they spoiled me--My ONLY chance at being an only child--even for a brief time!  It's my duty and privilege to carry on the tradition!

OLD HABITS DIE HARD---

I drove back from Austin today with 3 of the 5 grands in tow and all 5 in the same city---COLOR me happy!

It is a three hour trip--and I planned to stop in Waco which is half way for gas and a break.  I had thought of a brand new convenience store/gas station on the beaten path.  It did not occur to me until I pulled in for the rest stop that I had gotten off the interstate that takes you back to Fort Worth and in fact I was headed to Ruston.  Thankfully I had gone a very short distance before I made the stop and it was no big deal to get back on track.

Camille began Baylor in 2001 ---I traveled these roads for 4 years until she graduated.  She then worked in Waco for a year before marrying, and then married and lived there one more year.  SO for 6 years I had driven that path back and forth---forth and back--to see my sweet Camille.  THEN just before she moves to Erie for Adam to attend medical school, #1 son and family move to Austin.    It just so happens that you travel the same road through Waco to go to Austin. SO I have driven this same route since 2001---only for the last 6 years---there has not been a stop in Waco--but just traveling through.

It was second nature to get off that interstate and head to Ruston--and not even think about it.  Many things in life become second nature ---we do the same things over and over--and at some point not even think about them--we just do them.  I was well aware that I would probably always call Ruston home since I have spent 47 years there---but I wonder when it will finally dawn on me to not turn east toward Louisiana since I do not live there anymore.