Monday, December 26, 2011

Joy Days and Joy Nights


 Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands and take it when it runs by.
           ~ Carl Sandburg

 Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.
                      ~ Madeleine L'Engle
 You have to sniff out joy. Keep your nose to the joy trail. 
                             ~Buffy St. Marie
 The grownups are tired, but the children dance!



We've had a lot (I mean A LOT) of food and happy fun and now Granny needs a few long lazy mornings and plenty of fruits and vegetables.  
Our four kids gave us a priceless gift.  Remember the "I Am From" poems?  They each wrote one and Jeff framed them all.  Bill and I wept and wept.  Here are a few excerpts:
Brad writes:  "I am from the adventure lived out. I walk as my father and mother walked before me hand in hand with the living God."
Kelli writes: "I am from nightly family dinners made by hands that never requested applause."
Jeff writes:  "I am from hammocks along the Mekong, to frigid Denver winter mornings.   I am from a family often spread around the world, all moving towards Jesus, in their own way."
Jenny writes:  "I am from trips to the Happiest Place on Earth.  I am from bad decisions that were forgiven.  I am from parents who never stopped loving."
They wrote more, all personal affirmations of their connections to us and each other.  Oh, I love them SO much and I am so thankful for our family.  
I am thrilled to watch the little dancers dance.
Thank you for popping in today.  It's so very nice that you are interested.  It really is.







25 comments:

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

How very beautiful, Pom Pom. Such wonderful family blessings. And...I LOVE your new red background!

Travel With Lulu said...

What a sweet gift!! Looks like a wonderful day of family and fun. Happy New Year! XOL

Elderberry-Rob said...

The gifts from your children are amazing and wonderful. I have been working every day except Christmas day! looking forward to a day off tomorrow and have a craving for a big plate of fruit!
I have the urge to Spring clean and decorate - can't wait for new year! Blessings to you and your beautiful family PomPom. x

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

What cherished gifts. I can see why you were teary! Your children must be very lovely folks!
Happy New Year!
Courtney

melanie said...

Hiya Pom Pom :) I hope you had wonderful Christmas and would just like to wish you all the best for 2012 :) xxx

Anonymous said...

Words are such wonderful gifts, especially ones as precious and meaningful as the ones you have received from your loved ones. What treasure. xxx

Leslie said...

What a precious gift! I see why you are overcome with joy.

Unknown said...

What an amazing gift, made me all tearful reading it...your children must love and value you so much.

M.K. said...

I'm with you, regarding the fruits and veggies! During the holidays, I quickly become "sweeted out!" and my body cries out for salad, or anything that won't convert to sugar right away. Those poems from your kids are priceless. What a joy! You and your hubby have done a great job. Take joy in knowing those children are yours for eternity, no matter how many days you might be apart here.

Lisa Richards said...

You are blessed! :D Now eat your fruits and veggies and get some rest! lol!

Angela said...

how utterly precious

and well deserved

now rest!

Farm Girl said...

Wow what amazing gifts!! I bet you did cry. I sat here and cried as I read your excerpts. Yes, eat lots of fruits and veggies and rest.

April said...

Such nice words from your wonderful children. Love you!

ann said...

Your beautiful little grandchildren are the really gifts, aren't they? And are they not the real Who Am I? I am my grandchildren. Happy New Year, PomPom.

Alex Lynn-Smith said...

Dear PomPom,
Your family poems were so touching. They were a reward for you for all that caring that you've done!! All the best in 2012 to you and your loved ones.
xxx Alex

The dB family said...

Look at all those precious gifts! Beautiful grands and gorgeously framed poems wherein even the excerpts brought tears to my eyes!

I'm thinking that it's time I get off the couch and DO something!

Merry Christmas and blessings to you, dear Pom Pom!

Deborah

Happy@Home said...

Wow, I would have cried too. Beautiful and thoughtful gifts from your children ... the very best kind, IMO. How nice that you have framed them and can re-read them often.
The dancing grandchildren are precious and most definitely cause for great JOY!
I can relate to the need for healthy food right about now. I'm craving a nice hot bowl of soup chock full of veggies.

Gumbo Lily said...

Oh those joyful children!!
What a gift of love from your own kids with the "I am from" poems. YOU are blessed.

JOdy

Gigi said...

Happy Days, Pom! Your littles look like they're having the grandest time, and no doubt, their "I Am From" poems will include memories of such happy days with you. Our cups runneth over, don't they?
♥ ♥ ♥
p.s. It's 10:30, and I'm still in bed drinking coffee and wandering around blogs on my laptop, so I'm right there with you on the long lazy mornings. All this fun and merriment is exhausting ;)!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh wow...what a gift...one every parent would be so honored to receive...and yes, receive with tears of gratefulness

Children dancing..I so look forward to days of grandchildren dancinc, for now it is just one little guy at the end of our train dancing...22 years span

Precious pictures...this whole post is just priceless!!

Bradley W. Maston said...

It was lovely! Lovely time! I love you Mom!

Attic Clutter said...

such precious little ones (:)
Not sure if I've Holiday ..will look into it..(:)
YA love those cottages we do -we do(:)
hugs,Patty

Patrice said...

The I am gifts had me tearing up. How incredibly sweet! The children are so sweet.
Happy New Year!

Choate Family said...

I'm thinking that the apples don't fall far from the tree!

Kit said...

Oh your gifts are wonderful! So very nice when our children tell us in different ways that we did good! Kit

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