What My Momma Did...

I'm linking up with Lisa-Jo with a 5-Minute Friday prompt...here's the task:

In just five minutes. Tell me all about what your mama did that made her yours….{and don’t forget to spend some time commenting on the post of the person who linked up just before you}

Wow. Well, my Momma showed me what is was to be a lady and to love her husband. I never saw her anything less than graceful no matter the circumstances. (Well, other than the 3 cigarettes she smoked during my teen years when my sister and I pushed her to her limit... :/ lol...we knew we were in for it then since she wasn't a smoker!)  We didn't have a lot growing up but she always tried to look her best and take care of herself and she rarely swore unless it was under her breath and never in front of other people. She carried herself with grace and femininity but was strong and independent. She made my dad feel needed but she knew she could take care of herself. She put my dad first and always showed her undying love for him (which he reciprocated, probably a bi-product of her love:)) She served him meals first instead of last and never disrespected him in front of others, even if she disagreed which I'd never knew. She kissed him publicly (which still grosses me out..lol and holds his hands even to this day) She carried herself with poise and treated others and herself with dignity. I wish I had been a better daughter when I was a teenager...I guess we all go through that sassy, bratty stage. I just pray that I can be as graceful as she is and my daughters don't take after me in that respect....I think I'm like her in many ways, though I take after my dad in a lot of ways too. But if I could inherit her grace and ability to act like a lady...then I think I've learned a lot, especially in today's society. Though I am speaking in the past tense because the question was asked that way, she still does these things today! Love you mom! You're one classy lady!

Five Minute Friday: Stay

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back to Lisa-Jo and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Ready? The prompt is Quiet…

Five Minute Friday (on Saturday)

Stay...

Well, being today is the 10 year anniversary of my grandmother's Home Going...I feel it most appropriate to honor her memory. When I first read the word Stay I thought, "I wish my grandma had stayed." More than anything I wish to hear her voice on the other end of the telephone. She was always short and sweet and to the point. We talked often even after I moved from NC to PA and when she ran out of things to say she'd just say "Okay, goodbye." CLICK. It didn't matter if I was still talking, she'd never even wait for me to say "bye". LOL...It'd always make me laugh because I'd call her immediately and say "Grandma! I wasn't done!" "Oh, sorry." :) "I'd chat a few more minutes and she'd say "Okay, goodbye" in her high pitched sing-song melodic Canadian accented voice. CLICK. Grr...."Grandma! Seriously? I am not done!" Laughter..and "Oh sorry. What do you want?" LOL...she was a mess. A cute little Canadian woman who was named Citizen of the Year in our little podunk town. She brought clothes to the needy on a weekly basis. In her downstairs, she had a pool table that was ALWAYS covered in trash bags filled with clothes from the thrift store that she'd gather to bring to those in need. She took me more than once to a little blind couple and brought them some home-cooked food. There were so many things she taught me. But most of all, she taught me to love Jesus. She would stop us in her tracks to pray for us or whoever was visiting her for the moment. (She was always taking in 'strays'...human ones..lol). Being a kid, I'd roll my eyes and then hold hands with them and pray. I miss hugging her petite little body while she was forcing me to take some food with me, no matter whether I was hungry or not. She loved to serve. Loved to feed her grand-kids or whoever came in her path. I still hear her sweet voice tell me "Jessi, you found a good man. He loves Jesus and that's all that counts." She was so right. I found a good man, and I am so glad she was proud of me for sticking with my walk with the Lord. We connected in that spiritual way because it was real for both of us. I am also so happy she met my husband and loved him dearly. It's just a shame she wasn't around long after we were married. She has two name-sake great-granddaughters that I wish she'd have met and a whole brood of great-grandkids that are following. I miss her but thank God that she helped to teach me about Jesus and wasn't ashamed EVER to speak the name of the Lord. Well, I went over my five minutes...oops! I could talk about all my memories forever.

I may just have to start a "Miss Emma" series...lol...I've got a few pretty good memories to share.

Five Minute Friday: QUIET

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back to Lisa-Jo and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Ready? The prompt is Quiet…

Quiet.

Hmm...that word doesn't exist in my life. I know it should. I should have some time in the morning for just me. Just me and Him. Or a backup time at least..one that I actually make it to. It seems like the minute I wake up there's noise. Sometimes I hear the sweet melody that is my life, but other times, the times when I am feeling the pressure (which is a lot lately) it becomes noise. It's kinda like when you're driving your car and you have the radio on and you're listening to some pretty good music but then you realize you're lost and you need to concentrate. Well, the music somehow magically transforms into noise. It's getting in the way of what you have to do. That's what my life is like often. I lose my patience when I need to have some. Sometimes I wonder, is it all really worth it? I know it is, but I feel terrible for my babies and my sweetie. And the problem always comes back down to this....Quiet. I don't ever have it. Not the literal quiet in the house at all times, although that would help. But I mean the quiet that is just being able to sit down and have peace. The minute I lay my head to that pillow my mind doesn't stop. My mind isn't even quiet because all the thoughts of the things I need to do or WANT to do are running at high speed until I enter the land of Nod. Then...I wake up, and it all begins again.

Quiet.

That's what's missing in my life. To feel the warm hands of my Father surround me and give me peace. To tell me that it's going to be okay and that no matter how much chaos is in my life, I will be okay and I can handle it. He loves me and I love Him and know that without Him..all the beautiful melodies of my life become noise and I don't enjoy them the way he wants me to. Lord, help me enter into your Quiet presence and show You the gratitude I should for all my blessings.