Flowers are the earth's Amen!

With a few warm days behind us, my mind drifts into a field of flowers as I anticipate spring. Today while driving down the road, I spotted a small blanket of wild violets creeping along the floor of a wooded area. My heart jumped with joy! I love flowers; it's probably the most "girlie" thing about me.

The detail of a flower simply fascinates me. It is so intricate, both huge and small at the same time. Please take the time to visit this website and behold the amazement of a simple flower:

http://ninipixel.aminus3.com/image/2008-06-03.html

One of my favorite things to paint are flowers, but an artist can not do justice to what God has placed on this earth.

One of my favorite sayings goes like this:

"If I love each budding tree, each flower petal, bud and stem, then how much more I should revere the God which has created them."

My hope is that your heart too is stirred by the miracle of a simple plant.

A House is Not a Home Without a Dog

This is one of my all time favorite email go 'rounds. As a dog lover, I know there is much to learn from our pets. They calm me, listen to me, and are always concerned for my well being. I truly hope to learn to love as unconditionally as my Lucy and Lola love me.

Things I've Learned From My Dog

When a loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a car ride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it’s in your best interest; practice obedience.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Sometimes you have to make noise to get someone’s attention

Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the cool grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a tree.

Be patient-the first lick doesn’t always do the job.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often or severely you’re scolded…run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it!

When someone is having a bad day, be silent and sit close by.

Get outside and run around everyday

The Last

We always celebrate firsts...take a look at your child's baby book and you have undoubtedly recorded the first smile, first haircut, first tooth, first step and first word.



The most difficult "first" I think I endured was watching my baby (Lyndsay) drive out of my sight alone and driving all by herself for the first time. I held my cell phone in my hand the whole time she was gone, just in case.



What I truly wish I had held closer to my heart though are the "lasts".

I don't recall the last time I held one of my kids in my arms and rocked them to sleep. I have no recollection of the last time I held one of their hands to cross the street, or the last time they sat in the grocery cart seat. If I had known it was the last fort built with blankets on the dining room table, would I have crawled in there with them?

When you lose someone you love, your mind naturally returns to those "lasts". The last time we talked, our last visit, the last time we ate together.

The day before my Mom died, her sister brought a strawberry cake to us. My Mom and I sat up in the bed and laughed while we ate cake. I somehow knew it would be a "last" and enjoyed it with the heart of a five year old.

We don't always get that lucky though. We don't always have warning signs indicating trouble ahead, or even a heads up that change is on the horizon. And while I don't want to live in a morbid state of "what if this is the last kiss, last, hug, last talk, last phone call, last email, last time...", I do hope those lasts will live on in my heart.

What I am certain of is that when my grandchildren want to build a "cushion city" in the living room, I'm in. They may never ask me again!