My Brother My Friend

Though Dale was six years older than me, we were best friends both as kids and after we were both married. I guess I shouldn't say just friends because he was also my protector. He was the best brother any girl could ask for. I have so many precious memories of him that I really don't know which one to pick, but I guess this time it will be about the bike.

I don't know if I was a tag along or if he just took me with him everywhere, but before I could ride a bike he would put me on the bar of his to ride. One warm summer day that is just what he had done, but he was going really fast and I was hanging on extra hard to the handle bars as we went to turn into our yard. You guessed it! Me hanging on so tight hampered him from making a complete turn and we ended up in the ditch. I was on the bottom, then Dale, and lastly the bike. I remember Dale's first words, "Don't tell Mom!!!" He didn't yell at me, blame me, or just haul his bike out and leave me there to fend for myself. He asked me if I was hurt and then, after looking around to make sure no one was watching, helped me out of the muddy ditch. We were both a mess, but he was worse off than me. We made it into the house and to the bathroom without Mother seeing us. Dale first cleaned the mud off my clothes and bandaged my knees and elbow, and then tried to repair his fat lip and cuts on his face. I get a hoot out of it now as I remember sitting on the toilet watching him try to clean his face up and wondering how we were going to get away with it. Dale was afraid he would really be in trouble for getting me hurt, and I was afraid of getting him in trouble because he had taken me with him. Somehow we got away with it without Mother ever finding out. It never occurred to me to tell on him. You see he was my brother and my friend and you never tell on a friend. Now that experience is just another precious moment in time that I wish I could go back to.

What a Teacher!

Raegan gave me this figurine for my last birthday. It represents two friends who love each other very much, and are working together to keep their friendship alive. It means a lot to me because it truly shows the life Raegan and I are living at this point in time. I'm still mother and she is still my daughter, but we are two adults who share a very precious friendship and who also live together.
There are two thing that I have learned about her that will never change. First, she is a complete perfectionist. If she thinks something she has done is not perfect, she will do it over and over again until it is. Second, she is very stubborn. If she is set in a decision, you can't talk her out of it no matter what.



There is one more thing about her that I want known. She is the best Speech Language Pathologist anyone could ever hope to find. She never takes a break from preparing for her kids to doing the endless paper work that is involved. My spare bedroom has shelves from floor to ceiling of things she has bought with her own money that will help make her teaching more exciting, as well, as, fun. There are times she will spend endless amounts just to help one child who is struggling.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because today is here birthday, and I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be her mother. We have spent so many precious moments together. Thank you Raegan for being a wonderful daughter and an inspiration to me. You continue to teach me what it means to be a true friend, as well as, a better person.

Spring Time Came After the Trials

I've waited days to think over the surgery because it was hard to find any precious moments. I was in a fog for a week because of the drugs, the pain has been rough, and being without my right hand has been extremely depressing, but the blessing of blogging and writing about what is happening in your life is really trying to find those hidden treasures. In doing so, I have found that spring time has come into my life in just one form. See if you agree.

Sis. Lavendar and her daughter came the second night after the surgery with dinner. She is a Spanish lady who speaks very little English, but the sweet spirit she brought into my home was so very precious that it made it through the fog I was in. Clarissa, her daughter, had made me a beautiful bead necklace. I can remember thinking that language wasn't important if you shared the feeling of love. What a precious moment that was.

I have missed being with my primary class and was so happy when Isaac's Mom called and asked if they could come for a visit. He came running in with a bag of homemade cookies and threw his little arms around my lap. I found myself still being a teacher as Isaac played with his little sister and brother. As I sat in my chair watching them while I visited with their Mom, I thought again how easy it is for me to love children. I am thankful for this precious moment in time to remind me of my goal to become as meek and mild as a little child.

Last night I found myself going into depression. I hate that dark, ugly feeling. Without saying a word, I felt like every day was the same with nothing new or exciting happening. Being homebound is not good for someone without a testimony, and I knew that wasn't me. . .BUT what was I going to do about it. In the middle of the night I woke up with the feeling that I was all alone, and that no one really cared. Satan was with me giving me these feelings and I knew that. I started praying (it was more like talking) to my Heavenly Father. Times like this can surely be called "preciours moments" as I called out for his loving care and felt that peace flow over me and heard his Holy Spirit say "and peace I give unto thee."

I've looked back on what I have written and I realize that the one word that sticks out with precious moments is love. Do you agree?