Book of the Day~

Favorite Book of the day.

I can’t wait to start reading this to Brooklyn and Gabriel!

Corduroy, and its’ eternal message of kindness, friendship and unconditional love.

This is one of my favorite children's picture books that my boys grew up with, and I always enjoyed reading it to them. I still have it on my shelf, just waiting for Brooklyn and Gabriel to fall in love with it also. It is about a stuffed bear (Corduroy) who lived in a department store. One day a little girl comes in and wanted to purchase him but her mom said that he was missing a button so they left without buying him. That night Corduroy goes exploring the department store for a button so he could fix himself. He ends up in an area of the department store that had sofas and lamps and beds. He tries to take a button off from the bed and falls on the floor with a big bang. The security guard then hears this and finds Corduroy in this area and takes him back to the toy department. The next day the same little girl comes and buys Corduroy with her own money. When they get home she sews on a new button and he is perfect to her. I think this is a sweet book that shows the power of unconditional love. Corduroy discovers that someone loves him with his imperfections.

God loves us this way, unconditionally. His love is very different from human love. God's love is unconditional, and it's not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn't love us because we're lovable or because we make Him feel good. He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship.

We do not have to be perfect for someone to think we are wonderful. The little girl liked Corduroy even though he was missing a button.

 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
 Romans 5:8

 In this verse we find no conditions placed on God's love for us.

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
- Mother Teresa

Memory: ~ The act or an instance of remembering, recollection ~

Our memories are steeped in smells, feelings and flavors. I remember my own grandmother lifting me up on the bathroom sink right before bed to wash my face with a soft, warm cloth. I can still feel that warmth - smell the scent in her soap. I can also remember the smell of her linens, freshly dried on the clothes line as I climbed in her tall squeaky bed.

Over the holidays Greg and I had a special day with Brooklyn to decorate gingerbread cookies. She is only two, but she understood what we were doing, and enjoyed this "memory making" event just as we did.

I as a grandparent may be the most fortunate person on earth. I have the time and tools to create joy and memories in my grandchildrens' lives, like reading a story slowly -- not skipping any words because it's past bedtime, then I wrap these memories in love. As I grow older, I have time...it's a privilege of age.

I can't spoil my grandchildren by giving these sorts of gifts: experiences, treasured mementos, and a piece of myself. I believe if I make time to be a strength in my grandchildren's lives, with open arms, open ears, and an open mind, I will make many memories for them.

Someday we may take them to Disneyworld,...that will create a lot of memories...but in the long run, they'll remember me more as trusted friend and someone fun to be with..who makes beautiful memories. Fancy price tags just don't matter!

Remember the days of old: consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.  Deuteronomy 32:7

A new year ~ 2012

So, today on this first day of 2012.  I started to think about Joy… I am so expecting a great and wonderful 2012, to see what God has planned for my family. My son took a leap of faith yesterday in his life, we are planning a summer vacation with our children and grandchildren...and I am so joyful today for my New Song family - 2012 is going to be great. But....

What is Joy? A deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment, something causing such a feeling; a source of happiness, an outward show of pleasure or delight; rejoicing!

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalms 28:7

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalms 32:11

Other than my relationship with the Lord, there is no greater joy in the world in my opinion, than grandchildren. One cannot tell someone about the joy of grandchildren.One must experience the joy to know what a grandparent is talking about.

I loved being a mom but being a Nana is a blessing beyond my expectation. It isn’t as the old adage says that grandchildren are better because they can be sent home. Being a Nana allows me a growing  friendship with my grandchildren that isn’t the same as with their parents. The boundaries of Nanahood are much different from those of motherhood. I enjoy closeness with my grandchildren that I have never experienced before. I am the soft pillow they run to. I want to teach them that Nana is always there to cuddle, and encourage. That Nana will always listen and is very interested in what they have to say.

In the presence of my grandchildren, my soul finds refreshment... joy! My wonder in life renewed. Their tiny hands are a sure comfort when folded in mine. Playtime on the floor with my grandchildren is like a walk back in time. I also see in them bits of my own sons and relive those happy days again.

God is good to allow this special time of life to witness the cycle of human life repeat itself. In a way, an extension of mine and Greg’s unending love. In my grandchildren, I find continuity of life, joy and a completeness that takes me by surprise. It is said that grandchildren nourish the soul and I’ve found that saying true. Some days I may feel old but in the company of my grandchildren, I am once again very young. They are my reason to laugh, play, and act silly. I even find myself giggling again and singing childhood songs that my mother taught me as a child. When I am with them I find, once again, all the simple pleasures of life. Joy.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” - Psalm 92:12-14.