I was told when I was born I fit in my grandpa's hands.

I was so small because I was premature.

Grandpa's hands used to be worn and tough, from the farm work

I used to wash my big girl hands with grandpa, back when I needed a stool to reach the sink.

When grandma would go bowling on her league Erika and I would sometimes get to stay up late,

have rootbeer floats, and watch McGyver.  We saw the softy in grandpa too when he would stash

kittens in his pockets and bring them all the way home, so that we could pet them, keep them for awhile

and then he would bring them back to the barn.

Grandpa having a root beer float

Sure he was stern, enough to make me cry, but I stuck around, and he apologized in his own way later.

Once I even saw him cry.  He asked me if I knew what today was and he told me his son died

today, and he sobbed, his body shaking, as he sat in the milk parlor.  I wonder now, How many

moments did he have like this all by himself, grieving? 

When I was older and helping him on the farm, I would walk down the road with grandpa

and we'd hold hands for a little while, once and awhile.  I can still remember how they felt and

how precious the moments were (still are).  He praised me for working with him so long.

I saw my grandpa's hands do many years of work and now they are at rest.

They are soft, baby soft.  His mind is too.

I saw him on Saturday, at his birthday party, and he held my hand for a moment and he said "Hi!

just like he used to.  For a split second I think he knew me, when I looked into his eyes.

Grandpa is really the only dad I ever had in this world.  He wasn't perfect.  But he showed

me he loved me.  Once he actually said it.  I am so thankful for the relationship I had with him.

Grandpa was always a very strong man, a hard worker, and for those who knew him well enough,

He was a jokester, loved to laugh, sing, and now he loves to dance.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! I love you!

I was thinking about how often I think and talk about the things I don't have and someday would love to have.  I realized that it was becoming this negative thing.  It was taking up my time and energy when I could be actually focusing on being content with what I have and the things I'm not fully content with--I could be changing them.  I could be finding the positives in them or I could do what I could to make them better than they are. 

This could be a woman thing but I tend to focus on the things I don't have in or for my home.  I hate my bathroom and kitchen.  I realized that because I don't like these rooms I don't spend as much time taking care of them and using the rooms.  Both are needed and can't be avoided.  So I cleaned the bathroom (more thoroughly than normal).  I put up a shelf I've had and did a little rearranging.  So now I have something to smile about when I come into the bathroom.  The kitchen I'm still trying to decide on.  I think I might repaint the bottom cupboards and sew new coverings for the door less cabinets and put shelves where there should be shelves.  I'm turning my own criticism into constructive criticism.  I'm turning complaining into gratitude.

I've decided I'm going to make a big huge magnet for my fridge and I'm going to continue to list the things that I'm grateful for on it.  For now here is a little glimpse of what will be on my magnet:

• My relationship with the Lord and His continuous Grace, Mercy, Love, and Joy
• My husband-my perfect match from the Lord-for life
• My home-my nice, warm, cozy, old home
• My family
• My church family
• My friends

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:18

When I read this verse today I realized I never thought about how this says "this is God's will for you".  Do you ever struggle knowing what God's will is?  Well this is one place where you can find God saying exactly what His will is! 

I hope you have a great day!