Missing Faces at Fingerpainting Time

Yesterday I bought my great-granddaughter a set of fingerpaints. She will be 2 next month. I simply adore her. I remember how my children and grandchildren loved to fingerpaint. I found myself thinking, as I was taking pictures, of the missing faces of grandchildren I would never be able to teach or enjoy the simple childhood pleasures. Those were the faces of the children my two daughters had aborted. I did not know at the time how this would affect me in the future. I did not support their choices, but they did not seek my advice. Through the years, it has been a subject never talked about. But I do think about it from time to time and the older I get, the more I think about missing faces and opportunities. As I write this, the almost 2-year-old paints quietly and intently in the kitchen, her pictures all spread out, the prerequisite handprint with the date set aside to be framed later. Still I am haunted by the little hands I never got to imprint, the little lives never brought to term, and I am saddened beyond words at the loss. And I wonder if there are others out there who feel the same sense of loss at the missing faces.

A Most Remarkable Story

I started to head this A Most Remarkable Young Man, but it isn't just this young man who is remarkable. It is his family, most especially his father, who has dedicated his life to seeing that his son lives to his full potential. I could not help but think that a great many would have chosen to abort this young man. Others would have put him away somewhere, in a home or in the dark. And yes, it still happens. God placed this child with the right family and they rose to the occasion with all of God's Glory. A Most Remarkable Story.

Tired Sunday

I am not going to write much. Some great news, brother Barry is home from the hospital after a two week stay, a week in ICU. Not so great news is that his diabetes has progressed from oral medication to 55 units of insulin a day. He is also on heparin because of his atrial fibrillation, which he no longer has since he was cardioverted but he will be on the heparin for awhile as prophylaxis. He is on three inhalers for his lungs, and a multitude of other medications, but he is definitely glad to be home in his own house, in his own bed. I sent him a ham for Christmas but he never got to taste it before he got sick. He was talking all the time in the hospital about how he was going to fix it. Hospital food...well, you know. I am grate for the prayers of my friends and family. Barry was sufficiently scared enough to not wait so long if he gets sick again. Like the rest of my family, we were raised to not complain and never get sick. It stood us well at one point in our lives, but not now, not at this age.

We had after Christmas get together at Rodger's sisters. I really like her, but can't say that I care for some of the other people in the family. Lots of negative things said about other people in the family, leading me to believe that the minute we left, our names were bandied about. Not a good feeling. It's too bad, because I really do like his sister. Ah, well, families. What can I say.

Merry Christmas Redux

Thinking aloud, I spent a lot of my barely there free time crocheting for people this last year, afghans, baby blankies (Kyla), scarves, lots of scarves, and I have come to realize that is what helps me relax the most. So to all my family and friends, get used to homemade things in the future. I might even get into other crafts again. Years ago, the girls and I used to spend a lot of time at Christmas making Christmas crafts. One year, I did Christmas remembrance boxes with old time toys and doilies. I made a sleigh filled with toys, too. I sold them all or gave them away. I so enjoyed it. It's hard to find good yarn anymore or craft things. I think Hobby Lobby will become my new best friend. When I retire, I have so many things to do. Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS again to family and friends. I love you all. I have about 8 afghans now in various stages of completion all over my house. I have a beautiful one I started for Dawn years ago, and one for Rodger. So much to do and so little time!