The Klutz Sisters

Road trip!  Road trip!!  Don't you just love a road trip?  My best friend, Kathy, and I went on a road trip to the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina.  The Biltmore House was decorated for Christmas and we couldn't wait to see it.  Kathy had been before, but this was my first trip.  I was so excited.

We had absolutely no problems getting to the Biltmore Estates.  The Christmas snow was still on the ground and it looked like they had seen over 8 inches.  The roads were fairly clear, but the parking lots were slush with ice.  We walked very carefully.  The Klutz Sisters had arrived!

We got our name the old fashion way--we earned it!  Every bruise, stitch, and broken bone had come with a price.  We even laugh our pains away, but today we were concerned that the Klutz Sisters were in for a two-fer.  You know a two-fer-the price of one deal.  We were trying to help each other over the ice and snow by choosing our steps very carefully.  Each had a hold of the other.  Instead of taking a shuttle like sensible, over-the-hill ladies; we decided to walk and enjoy the snow and view.  This is where you are sure that we fell, or slid on our "embarrassments" right?  Wrong!  We made it!  Very confident in our accomplishments, the Klutz Sisters had arrived at the Biltmore House unscathed.

I will admit to stepping on my coat a few times as we climbed the steps from one floor to the other in the Biltmore House.  Kathy reminded me that she couldn't believe she had depended on me, the Klutz Sister with the most stitches and the recently mended broken wrist, to help her over the snow and icy slush.

We may be the Klutz Sisters, who trip over their own feet, but we made this delightful and memorable road trip without a stitch.

It is me again Lord thanking you for a best friend who shares laughter and tears and who makes life a little easier when the road gets bumpy.

A little bit of Georgia Wisdom:  Enjoy your friends, and if you don't have a "best" friend, make one.

Granny's Legacy

Christmas is over.  The pretty paper is in strips and shreds in plastic garbage bags and forgotten boxes.  The family has been here and gone.  It is over until next year.

A life's lesson is found in Christmas gifts.  It is the one time when all the presents are under the tree at the same time.  As we call each name, one at a time, we enjoy  the excitement in the eyes of the children, and then it happens.  One child got a present or two more than another. It doesn't matter how much their presents cost; it is the "quantity" of presents under the tree that counts.

In our lifetime we search for "quantity" sometimes and forget about "quality."  I saw this first hand when my grandmother fought so hard with cancer.  The doctor asked her if she wanted a "quality" life or to take treatments that would give her "quantity" of life.  She chose "quantity."  Sometimes she was so sick she could barely sit up.  She knew that there was no chance of recovery at her age of 84 and the severity of the cancer, but she decided to fight it as long as she could. It did give her, at age 84, a few more months.

Even though she suffered with sickness and pain, she got to see her first two great-great grandchildren.  I have the treasured picture of five generations together.  She may have missed them had she chosen quality.

Only our Lord knows what our future holds.  It is like the brightly wrapped presents under the tree; the person who gives it knows what it is and how much it is worth.  It is only when it is opened that the receiver can decide what it is worth to him or her.

Thinking about my grandmother as the anniversary of her death, January 1, approaches.  She was a brave woman who loved her children and grandchildren and fought a brave battle to stay with them as long as possible.

It is me again, Lord, thanking you for a wonderful legacy of a strong grandmother.

A little bit of Georgia Wisdom: Enjoy the moments you do have and search for the "quality" of life you want. It could be your "quality" of life is hidden in the "quantity" of life God gives you.

Putting out the shoes...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."  I am reminded of Christmas when I was a little girl.  The house was dark and I just couldn't wait until morning!  I would sneak into the living room, with a flashlight in hand, while trying to be as quiet as possible. The toy I had asked for would be there.  It was a wonderful feeling!

We didn't have a fireplace to hang our stockings, but we did put our shoes under the tree.  The shoes would be filled with an assortment of nuts just waiting for us to crack open and dig the sweet meats from each shell.  Our shoes would be topped off with an apple on one shoe and an orange on the other.  Santa was a wonderful man.

It didn't matter how much we believed in Santa Claus, We always knew the reason for Christmas.  It was the birthday of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I can't remember a time that I didn't know about Jesus; my mother made sure we knew the real reason for Christmas.  My prayer for you is to know the real reason we celebrate this wonderful time of the year and share Jesus with your children.

It's me again Lord, thanking you for the memories of Christmas.

A little Georgia Wisdom saying make memories with your children and grandchildren and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.