Is This The End?

We received the dreaded call on New Year’s Eve. The children’s Grandmother had a few days to live and the hospital now moved her to the nearby hospice.

Happily married for 60 years this year, Granddad looked at his daughter with deep, sad eyes and asked, “Is this the end?” when she drove him there that afternoon instead of the hospital.

Every day he sat next to her, held her hand, read her the newspaper,

or stood over her…everyday he must have thought will this be the last day I gaze on my bride.

Blind for the last 2 years, Grandma looked forward to hearing Granddad read to her.

We are proud of our son’s great strength and love of his grandparents.

Our daughter could stand for hours and just lovingly adore her grandmother.

 (This photo was taken 2 years ago)

We’ve explained to our 5-year-old that Grandma is growing her angel wings for her flight to Heaven.

She understands that when Grandma’s an angel, she would get her sight back and then she can fly into her playroom or room and watch over her as she has fun or sleeps. She would be the children’s special Guardian Angel. She could see us but we couldn’t see her. That gave our little one great comfort.

As these days grew longer with sorrow and Grandma’s breaths grew shorter with life, our little one would ask, “Is Grandma an angel today?”

With a very, very, very heavy heart and cheeks stained with burning tears, I write this late hour with the hopes of healing my aching heart…….Grandma took flight early today.

The Bright Spot  – Good God, unbelievably, I have a Bright Spot even in this darkest hour…I was able to tell her again, just 45 precious minutes before her passing, what an extraordinary, wonderful, incredible mother, mother-in-law and grandmother she was and how much I loved her, adored her, looked up to her, and how blessed I was to have her in my life, to model my marriage after hers, and to raise my children with the love she showed us. I was able to say good-bye.

(**Please see the next 2 stories, as a favor to me tonight, about love and time.** They are important to this story and, hopefully, important to you in your life.)

Oh, my heart grieves for Granddad. They shared every moment together for 60 years; Grandma’s cozy chair beside his in the den is now empty.

When You Thought I Was Not Looking…

A message every adult should read because children are watching you & doing as you do, not as you say.

Each of us – parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend  – influences the life of a child.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING…

By Mary Rita Schilke Sill

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.  

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

Just a Mom?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk ‘s  office, 
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. 

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.   

‘What I mean is, ‘ explained the recorder,   
‘do you have a job or are you just a …?’ 

‘Of course I have a job,’ snapped the woman. 

‘I’m a Mom.’ 

‘We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation,

‘housewife’ covers it,’ 
Said the recorder emphatically. 

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, 
Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 
‘Official Interrogator’ or ‘Town Registrar.’ 

‘What is your occupation?’ she probed. 

What made me say it?  I do not know.   
The words simply popped out.   
‘I’m a Research Associate in the field of 
Child Development and Human Relations.’ 

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and 
Looked up as though she had not heard right.   

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.. 
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, 
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 

‘Might I ask,’ said the clerk with new interest,
‘just what you do in your field?’ 

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, 
I heard myself reply, 
‘I have a continuing program of research, 
(what mother doesn’t) 
In the laboratory and in the field, 
(normally I would have said indoors and out).   
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) 
And already have four credits (all daughters).  
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, 
(any mother care to disagree?) 
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.’ 

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she 
Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. 

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, 
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.  
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, 
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, 
Testing out a new vocal pattern.   
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than ‘just another Mom.’  

   Motherhood!   

What a glorious career!  

The Birth of a Hummingbird!

 THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD
 Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest!  This is truly amazing.
  
Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all.
  
It took 24 days from birth to flight.
  
Because you’ll probably never in your lifetime see this again ~ enjoy ~ and please share. 

CLICK HERE: http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

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