One of Hubby's Seedlings!

Titus 2sdays

Today I'm linking up with Darlene Schacht over at Time-Warp Wife

 

1000 gifts #20

191.  co-leader in D4Y

192.  Sunday newspaper (delivered to our doorstep)

193.  hubby moving furniture despite being exhausted

194.  a day to be lazy

195.  anticipation of hubby's arriving home

196.  talking to hubby before he comes home

197.  seeing van pulling in the parking space when hubby arrives home

198.  talking to nephew on the telephone

199.  hubby's smile at the door when he arrives home

200.  dishwasher fixed

Things Heard in the Driveway

The nieces and nephew walked down to visit this week.  As we were in the yard talking, a green tractor could be seen coming up the road toward the house.

The nephew started jumping up and down, "It's Papa!  It's Papa!"  He and his sisters frantically waved in hopes that Papa would see them and stop to say hi.

My sister knowing that Papa is not able to drive the tractor right now told them that it wasn't Papa but probably the man that he gets to help him.  So still frantically waving & jumping up & down, they started shouting, "It's Mr. Dan!  It's Mr. Dan!"

As the tractor came closer we realized it was the highway department mowing the sides of the road.  But that didn't stop the excitement.  "They're mowing, Aunt K!  They mowed your yard!"  (I secretly wished they had been able to mow the whole yard).  "Let's watch them mow our yard!"  And off they took to see the highway men go past their driveway.

But let me say the men driving the tractor & the truck following had smiles on their faces when they saw how eager the nieces and nephew were greeting them.  They both waved as well they could while operating their respective vehicles.

Wordless on Wednesdays!

1000 gifts #19

181.  7 children first full night of D4Y

182.  internet

183.  maintenance men who care

184.  fixed dishwasher

185.  dryer vent fully attached

186.  dumpsters emptied twice a week

187.  yard work being done

188.  spending an hour in prayer for my husband

189.  finding this list after I misplaced it

190.  10 children second night of D4Y

Family

As I sat in the shelter Saturday and looked around, my heart was full.  I felt at ease.  I knew I was with people who loved me.

It was our turn to host the reunion held every 3 years.  Weeks, months, years had gone into the planning.  The nights leading up to the event had been sleepless ones.  Would everything go as planned?  Would the food arrive as scheduled?  Would...?  Would...?  Would...?  But sitting there that morning, I realized it didn't matter.  If the food didn't arrive and we had to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that would be okay.  If the cake frosting melted that would be okay.  Whatever happened no one would be upset...everything would be okay.

Before I go any further let me say I do so love the aunt and uncle who have been my parents these past 39 years.  Thank you for letting me call you my parents.  I appreciate them blending us (my sister and me) into their family.  I know they love us as their own.

But yet sometimes I miss my Daddy so much.  I've often wondered why I miss him more than Mother.  Is it because I was a Daddy's girl?  Is it because I was raised by Mother's sister so still had the connection to that side of the family?  Is it a little of both?

When this reunion happens, I know I'm going to be with people who grew up knowing my Daddy.  (Daddy was 16 years younger than his brother.  He was 8 years older than his oldest nephew.)  They will be able to share stories of Daddy.  They also can tell me about Grandma and Grandpa.  Grandpa died shortly after I was born.  Grandma died when I was 3 years old.  I only have one memory of Grandma so I love hearing about them.

I love hearing that Grandpa made doughnuts.  I'm glad to find out why Grandma was in a wheelchair.  It's nice to hear Grandpa & Grandma loved their boys and their grandchildren.

This year my cousin had typed a diary that Grandma had written.  In the back she had a name index.  She put every name in the diary with a brief description of them.  If they are family the name and description is in bold print.  This is a treasure I'll enjoy for years to come.

I love all 3 families in which I was raised.  Nothing will change that.  Spending time with my birthfather's family is a special treasure - a brief glimpse into 1/2 of my DNA make-up.  The 1/2 I don't know as well.  

Max & Stasia Rose

F.T. & Neva Perry

Lessley & Theo Newland

I now have the desire to look at pictures from this weekend, read Grandma's diary, talk to my sisters and parents.  So I'll see you in another post.