Something we all need to hear!

 

Shoes in church I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat............ In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father"..... ........ I thought, "This man with the shoes... has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said............... a quiet "Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best... When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time fo r the offering....... And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep. I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft "clink" as when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie. It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service...... As is the custom here. We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess. But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin. "Let me explain," he said......... Wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'" "I know that my appearance........."Isnot like all the rest. "But I really do try................." To always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk. "But by the time I get here......... "They're dirty and  dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears. As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near. He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight. "But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part; "That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought,................ This shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul. You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I respect you, and truly cherish you. Send this to your friends, No matter how often you talk, Or how close you are, And send it to the person who sent it to you. Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. Remember, everyone needs a friend. Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. Just remember this e-mail (journal entry)and take comfort in knowing that someone out there cares about you..... and always will.

Geaux Tigers!

Hush Little Baby

I have always been lyrically challenged so when my daughter was a baby and I'd sing to her,  I'd have to make up the words to the song because I did not know the lyrics.  There was one song "Hush Little Baby" that I sang to her using most of my own made up words. 

When Matthew, my grandson, was born, I continued singing the same song to him adding the very last verse just for him.  This song states everything (as in the original song)  that Nammy is gonna buy for her dear boy.  Singing it to Brandi for many years, she never and I mean never asked me for any of the things that I was singing about, but Matthew a few weeks ago innocently asked "Nammy, when are  you going to buy me all those things in that song?"  At this point, after having read the original song, I was sincerely glad that I never knew the words because I would not have been able to do what I did for Matthew this past weekend for his 5th birthday.  I will show you with pictures:

I had to give the diamond ring to his mom because boys don't wear diamond rings plus she deserved some of the gifts after all the years I sang it to her!

 

Ummm...boys don't wear dresses either so guess who got the dress?

 

 

Brought him to a Safari (pics follow)

(I didn't get a pic of this but it was a heart with the words "All Nammy's Love" written on it along with a picture of me hugging him)

The Safari Pics:

This was an 11 month old Kangaroo named Jack that was in a play pen with a diaper on.   They were able to hold it.  Talk about excited!

My own little Daniel Cook!

What a birthday Nammy!!

 

My little Angel

My grandson, Matthew, started kindergarten today.  Brandi says he marched into the classroom like a professional student and never looked back.  She, of course, called me, crying like a baby saying her son had no qualms about leaving the nest.

She picked him up at 3 pm and called me.  I was anxious to hear about his day.  He gets on the phone and this is our conversation:

Matthew:  Nammy, I only want to tell you one thing. (this is his way of saying he's not in the mood to talk)

Me:  What? (I know what's coming)

Matthew:  I love you.

Me:  But, Matthew, how was your first day of school?

Matthew:  Nammy, too much happened for me to tell you everything.

Me:  Matthew, at least tell me one thing you did at school today?

Matthew:  We played on the playground.

Me: Matthew, did you make any new friends?

Matthew (exasperated)  Nammy!  I haven't decided who my best friend is going to be because I don't know all their names yet.  You wanna talk to momma?

Brandi:  He's finished with that. 

 

He wouldn't tell her much either and here we were waiting all day to hear his excitement.  Kids!

Love

Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice.

 

- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Elvis

This coming week marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death.  The man was such a big idol of mine.  I was watching his 1968 comeback special tonight and damn!  that was a beautiful man!  To this day, I don't think anyone compares to his beauty.  He sang one of my favorite songs and I found myself crying as he sang it with such emotion.  It brought back many memories of my own.  I think we can all identify with this song in one way or another.

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine

Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories,
Sweet memories

Of holding hands and red bouquets
And twilight trimmed in purple haze
And laughing eyes and simple ways
And quiet nights and gentle days with you

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine,
Memories, memories, sweet memories

Matthew's Birthday Party

Pics of Matthew's 5th Birthday Party although he doesn't turn 5 until August 18th his party was this weekend.  The lucky lil man will have another party on his actual birthdate.  It's nice when you live far far away from family.

I will share with you a whole new perspective he gave me this weekend.  I bought a pair of pants that I planned to wear to his party but I was telling him after I took them off:

"Nammy will have to return these pants because they are way too big!"

He said "No, Nammy, those pants aren't too big, you are too small!"

Ah! What an angel!

The cake was made by his other "Nana".  Brandi's stepmom.   She bakes cakes and does a wonderful job with them.  Not only are they pretty, they taste delicious.  I, being the pig that I am, had to have a piece of each cake.  One was filled with raspberry, the other raspberry/chocolate and one was chocolate.

 

Matthew's other siblings...Michael and Mckenzie.  He also has a brother named Francis who he has never met.  His father is a busy man!

Nana the baker of the cake.  Matthew was out of wind by the time he blew out candles on three cakes.

The pinata'...do you think they hung it high enough in the tree?

Oh boy!  Finally!  Presents!

Ooh boy! See the glow in my eyes?  More presents!

Tags: birthday parties, cakes, and a pinata