Paths

When I was a little girl we had "a path" that started at the back of our yard and led into "the woods." My sister and I often followed it down a grade of the hill and to another path that we took down the steeper part of the hill to the creek.  If you followed the creek down to a dead end you could go left and go to a place we had named, Clay Town.  If you turned to the right you could venture up to a tree that hung out over the creek which we had named, Look Out Point. We could pack our lunch and stay for hours back there.  When our cousins would come from "the city" (Cincinnati) we would head into "the woods" to see what excitement awaited. It was always an adventure.  

I remember one particular time when my cousin Kame and I went on a MAJOR adventure through the woods determined we didn't need to follow all of the known paths that would lead back home or to Papa and Grandma's.  We walked and walked and walked.  Now I don't recall being scared or panicked. We probably thought together we could conquer the world.  We did finally emerge from the woods but it was not anywhere near home.  It was at the end of a road I only knew because my school bus picked up kids there.  We kept trudging along now down the known road but we were tired hikers!  Once we arrived at the main road we'd decided we'd had enough walking and walked right across the road to George & Billie Carr's house.  We told them our story and after a drink of water George told us to hop in his truck and he took us to Papa's.  

The important part was that together we made it out of the woods and we made it home.  Traveling paths, be they familiar or new, can mean we embark upon an unplanned journey.  The joy may be found in our sojourners as mine was that day or an assurance that eventually you will arrive home - as we did.

It'll be 35 years this year that Kame's path led her to her heavenly home.  This time she arrived before me and most of her family.  The joy along our journey is knowing that we will have eternity together - where I hear the paths are made of gold!

Pajama Days

I remember as a teacher - and even as a student - special days at school when students could wear their pajamas to school.  These days could have been during Spirit Week or for a special reading day.  I loved those days whether as a teacher or a student.  Pajamas have changed a lot since I was in school dare I say more than 30 or even 40 years ago.  One thing that has not changed though is that pajamas are made to be comfortable.  I believe I could stay in my pajamas for a long time - even ALL DAY.  One of the greatest gifts of this season is time to rest, relax and stay home.  Those are the perfect days, in my humble opinion, to declare a Pajama Day!!  Now, I'm not going to tell you how many days during this vacation I've declared such.  But, I will say this I've been very, very comfortable many days of this vacation.  

Pajama Day for me isn't so much about being comfortable as it about the idea of a day to rest and relax.  I can spend as much time on whatever I choose.  Choosing well may be a challenge - but I get to choose.  

Finding joy along one's journey is another choice we all have.  Sometimes it's as simple as realizing the blessings that come from PAJAMA DAYS!

Wind Chimes Ring in a Message of Love

I was sitting on the end of the couch at Mom's when all of a sudden I heard a beautiful sound.  It was the wind chimes hanging on the corner of the porch.  They were given to mom when my Dad passed away now more than four years ago (hard to believe).  After some strong winds a couple of winters ago tore them apart another friend lovingly took and restrung them.

The chimes always remind me of Dad because of when they were given and where they hang - on the front porch.  Dad could sit out there for hours and watch the squirrels, the traffic or play with the dog.

The chimes provide such a beautiful sound as the wind blows.  You know...God works in so many intricate ways and interweaves them perfectly.  His love moved friends to give the chimes and another friend to restring them. He then sends the wind to move them to create the music.  How often do I slow the pace of my life enough to take time to listen, to notice and appreciate how God works?

God's gentle breezes stirs the chimes just as His love stirs my heart - just as His love moved the hearts of others months and years before this day that provide the music of today.  I'm confident He'll continue to send the breeze and not just that chimes might ring out a lovely melody.  If we listen carefully we'll hear His reminders all around us of Him ringing out his timeless message of how He loves us so!