A Week of Goodbyes

 My "babies" left last Sunday...

(Jake did not go with them)

These babies left on Wednesday...

A Glass of Milk

I love this.  This kind of story brings joy to my heart.  I hope you enjoy it.

A Glass of Milk
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.  However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water!  She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.  He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied.  "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."
He said... "Then I thank you from my heart." 
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also.  He had been ready to give up and quit.
Many years later that same young woman became critically ill.  The local doctors were baffled.  They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.  When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her.  He recognized her at once.
He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.  From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.  He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room.  She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all.  Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.  She read these words...
"Paid in full with one glass of milk."
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed:  "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."
There is a saying which goes something like this:  Bread cast on the water comes back to you.  The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time.  If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place ~ And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Sunday Thought

Oh Happy Day ... They Are Back

Casey and Amanda at 16 West ~ May 3, 2013

They are back...
and I am so happy to see them.  Casey and Amanda have another wedding this weekend so they drove into town today.  Starting Friday night they will be busy with rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception, etc., and then will leave to go back to SC on Sunday morning, so tomorrow they are all mine for the day!  We'll go spend some time with Mom and then have lunch together.  We are definitely the 3 Amigos ~ as usual, we will head to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  It is SO good to have them home!

First Bluebird Brood For This Year

 You can barely see the little ones ~ still too small for much activity.

 Checking in.

 A snack for the babies.

 I'm pretty sure that glare is telling me to back off.  I'll check back in a couple of days.

A Good Mother's Day

It was a good Mother's Day.  Mr. Magic took me out for breakfast, I spent time with Mom yesterday, time with Casey and Amanda this month (they are returning this weekend), and even Jake had a few extra kisses for me.  Who could ask for more?

A Mother's Love

My sister Patty, Sister Mary Audrey, Me, My brother Patrick, and my pretty Mom ~ 1951.

My mother's life was always all about her children.  She is a remarkable strong woman.  I pray that the good Lord will give her the physical and mental strength she needs to be able to return home after the effects of the stroke she suffered in April. 

Mother's Day

My beautiful Mother and I a long time ago in my Grandfather's yard.  I love this photograph ~ it is hanging where I see it every day.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!

I love you!

♥

Corita Kent

"NOTHING IS A MISTAKE.  

THERE'S NO WIN AND NO FAIL, 

THERE'S ONLY MAKE."

Sister Corita Kent

1918 ~ 1986

Pop Art

Silkscreen and Serigraphy

 

Have a HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO !!!!

Visitors from the South

Casey and Amanda at Folly Beach, SC

It has been a very good day.  My sweeties arrived from South Carolina last evening.  We visited with Mom for a good while today at the care center, met up with Terry for lunch at Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy, and made a few necessary stops in Roanoke.  There is nothing quite as soothing as time spent with loved ones.  As soon as they arrived and he gave me a gigantic hug, I told him that sometimes a son is the only medicine for an aching heart.
Last night the refrigerator died, so we spent a good amount of time transferring frozen foods, etc., into Mom's refrigerator.  Thank goodness, she didn't have much in there.  It doesn't look like the repairman can come until Monday, so we are going to have the inconvenience of running up and down a full flight of stairs every time we want something from the frig.  But that's ok.  I love having the "kids" home for the weekend, so I'm not going to let a "dead" refrigerator get me down.
Have a great Friday night, my friends.

May Dreamboard Workshop

I spent the evening at Barefoot Studios in Roanoke for the May Dreamboard Workshop.  It seems like we just made April dreamboards a few days ago.  Where did the month go?  I love spending time in Jane's studio ~ it is so very relaxing there.  I picked up a small pizza at Cork and Crust when the workshop was over. SO good.  It was an evening well spent to begin a new month after the worst April ever. 

 This guy was parked at the door when I entered 16 West.  He never even blinked when I walked by.

 Deep dreamboard concentration going on here.

 Jane and I.

 Jane and Maggie.

 Maggie brought her son, Brigger.  He is quite the little artist.  Don't you love his name?

Sweet Jane took time out to play Chinese Checkers with Brigger.  She has a "make people happy" personality!  Brigger made about 4 little paintings tonight and Jane hung them all on her studio wall. How dear of her to make Brigger beam.