Heart Strings

All visits must come to an end and saying good-bye is never easy, as I proved yesterday :(

When you live on opposite sides of the country to your Mom and you're both getting older, you appreciate even more the time that you are blessed to spend together!!

My mom is no longer able to get around as easily as when she was younger so we spent a lot of time just doing everyday things but doing them T-O-G-E-T-H-E-R which makes all the difference :)

We did dishes, cut up veggies, did laundry, LAUGHED A LOT, made beds, baked muffins, ate muffins, REMINISCED A LOT, talked, listened, went shopping a bit.  She even had fun helping me with some of my crafts and I crocheted her several dishcloths to take home!

She was as excited as I was when I received my very 1st wholesale order for 11 of my recycled Etsy creations for a soon-to-open boutique located FAR AWAY from me.

It's much quieter around our house today .... I miss her already and am off to baker her favourite muffins!!

Blessings to all,

6 Years Later

I can hardly believe it's been 6 years since I received my miraculous heart transplant!!

I had my biopsy yesterday and received the good results this morning ~ the cardiologist on duty has decided to DECREASE my prednisone by 1mg to 5 so I'm pretty happy about that :o)

Every year, different nurses in the Cath Lab [aka catheterization] ask me questions and yesterday I was sharing with one of them that each year at this time is bittersweet ~ while my family and I are celebrating the day we received the wonderful news that I matched with a heart donor, the donor's family is remembering one of the saddest days of their lives.

May I always carry their memory in my heart and may I always give all the honour and glory to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!!

Blessings,

Lest We Forget

Field of Poppies by Ian Britton

The Old Tin Box

When a rainy day made his old bones ache,

And life was dismal and hard to take,
And he couldn't go to the park and chat
With his cronies, over this and that.

That's when he'd ask for the small tin box
With its rusty hinges and ancient locks
And he wouldn't open it, not until
I'd left him alone to look his fill
At its precious contents and then he'd say
"Put it back child, for another day."

I used to wonder but didn't dare
Ask him what treasures he kept in there,
What were the mysteries he hid
Under its scarred and dented lid?
But I never looked and I never pried,
It was Grandfather's secret till he died.

He left me the box with a whispered word
That nobody else ever knew or heard
The he folded his hands on his tired breast
And closed his eyes for his last long rest.

I took the keys and opened the locks
And the hinges creaked on the ancient box
And I saw what it held was more precious than gold
The long ago things of the very old.

Some dried rose petals, a lock of hair
Wrapped in tissue with loving care,
A velvet ribbon of faded blue
A Valentine card and a baby's shoe
And grandmother's wedding ring worn thin
And old watch fob and a cameo pin.

And I thought as I put them all away,
How much they had meant on a rainy day
To a man whose life was ebbing fast
And loved to live in the golden past
Reliving the moments of days gone by
Perhaps with a tear or a gentle sigh ---

I was glad he had left me the small tin box
With its rusty hinges and ancient locks
And I'd keep its dear secrets safe under the lid
And treasure it always ---
like Grandfather did.

~ Alice E. Chase ~

Yesterday's Embarrassing Moment

Ever do something embarrassing that you laugh about later?

I had washed and curled my hair the day before yesterday and last evening just before I went out the door, I was positive I had removed ALL the sponge rollers.

All this was in preparation for going to the local Post Office to mail a small packet for an Etsy customer.

I had a nice chat with the young woman at the counter about our heat wave and for some reason as I was wandering down an aisle to leave the drug store, I happened to put my hand upon my head and what do you think I felt?!!

A green sponge roller that was still firmly attached to the hair wound around it!!

I tried to quickly remove it but you know how it is! When you try to do something in haste, it seems like you're suddenly all thumbs and it took until I was almost out the door before I got it off, probably ripping a few strands of hair in the process :o(

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself . . . and hope that any others who witnessed the whole scenario enjoyed a good laugh themselves!

Sharing Your Own Story

Louisa May Alcott ~ The Children's Friend

Someone once told me that they once *came upon* a notebook that told the story of their dead great grandmother. It was all in her own handwriting and began by recounting what she could remember of her childhood, her early married days and years as a mother as well as tidbits of her day to day life.

They were overjoyed and thrilled to have discovered this old notebook and now treasure it so very much.

All this got me to thinking that writing such a notebook or something like it would be a gift that those of us with children could leave for future generations as there is always at least ONE person in each generation that is yearning to know their family's story :o)

Just think about what you could share about yourself and your own childhood and early married days and your experiences as a mother!

Imagine the privilege of being able to share YOUR story of how you came to know Christ as your Saviour -- of being able to witness to your future descendants so that they realize how much importance you placed on being prepared for eternity and in pleasing God in your day to day experience!

What are YOU waiting for?

An Old Blue Vase

This is a very old cobalt blue vase that came into my possession around the time I was newly married ... long after my maternal grandmother passed away.

I don't know about you, but when I was a young girl, I didn't take the time to ask my maternal grandparents what their lives were like as children ... what their own families were like growing up ... what memories they had of their own grandparents :o(

They both had died by the time I was in grade 9 and in later years, I always regretted not being interested when they were alive and were probably more than willing to share their stories with me.

I began researching our joint family tree in 1998 and over the years have managed to put together a lot of our ancestry.

This very old blue vase means far more to me now that I know more about my grandmother's mother!

Blessings to all, this Thursday morning :o)

The Happiness of Life

Daydream by Paul Miller courtesy of AllPosters

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions
--- the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or smile,
a kind look, a heartfelt compliment,
and the countless infinitesimals
of pleasurable and genial feeling."

~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge ~

A Fragrant Memory

Certain smells bring back memories and for me, these lily of the valley remind me of my dear mother-in-law who passed away 6 years ago.

Many years ago she gave us some transplants for our backyard and they have spread all over the back corner. Usually they're in full blossom by now but because of this year's weather, they are all filled with buds that are just popping open :o)

Soon I'll be able to pick fresh sweet bouquets every day and place them in a tiny blue and white vase on my windowsill so that whenever a breeze wafts through the open window as I do the supper dishes, the fragrance will fill my nostrils as the memory fills my heart!!

Blessings,

To Each of My Children

Being your Mother

means that I have had the opportunity
to experience loving someone
more than I love myself.

I have learned what it's like
to experience joy and pain
through someone else's life.

It has brought me pride and joy;
your accomplishments touch me
and thrill me like no one else's can.

It has brought me
a few tears and heartaches at times,
but it has taught me hope and patience.
It has shown me the depth,
strength, and power of love.

Being your mother
hasn't always been easy,
and I'm sure
I've said or done things that have hurt or confused you.

But no one has ever made me as satisfied
as you do just by being happy.
No one has made me as proud as you do
just by living up to your responsibilities.

No one's smile
has ever warmed my heart
like yours does;
no one's laughter
fills my heart with delight
as quickly as yours can.

No one's hugs feel as sweet,
and no one's dreams
mean as much to me as yours do.

No other memories of bad times have miraculously
turned into important lessons or humorous stories;
the good times have become precious treasures
to relive again and again.

You are a part of me,
and no matter what happened in the past
or what the future holds,
you are someone
I will always accept,
forgive, appreciate, adore,
and love unconditionally.

Being your mother
means that I've been given
one of life's greatest gifts: YOU.

~ Barbara Cage ~

LOVE to my children :o)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to mothers everywhere
and to those remembering their dear mothers,
especially those whose mothers
are no longer with them.

On May Way to Heaven for 33 Years

I don't know how I could have missed celebrating it on my blog ... put it down to being busy ... but the most important moment in my life took place on May 3, 1977 when I realized that the Lord Jesus Christ had paid for my sins on Calvary's cross and I was saved for eternity!

That was 33 years ago this past Monday and although there have been many ups and downs along the way as well as years of ill health and being near death, the Lord has been with me every step of the way, just as He promised that day He would, carrying me in His everlasting arms:

"I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee."

~ Hebrews 13:5 ~

He has always been faithful to me though I have not been so to Him ... His grace and mercy are beyond measure and glory of glories ~ it's not because of anything I did, am doing or could ever do --- No! It's ALL because of the cross work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Here's a hymn that I've been meditating on lately that I'm sure you'll enjoy:

I AM WAITING FOR THE DAWNING

I am waiting for the dawning
of the bright and blessed day,
when the darksome night of sorrow
shall have vanished far away:
when for ever with the Saviour
far beyond this vale of tears,
I shall swell the song of worship
through the everlasting years.

I am looking at the brightness -
see, it shineth from afar -
of the clear and joyous beaming
of the bright and morning Star.
Through the dark grey mist of morning
do I see its glorious light;
then away with every shadow
of this sad and weary night.

I am waiting for the coming
of the Lord who died for me;
oh, His wounds have thrilled my spirit,
'I will come again for Thee.'
I can almost hear His footfall,
on the threshold of the door,
and my heart, my heart is longing
to be with Him evermore.

Samuel Trevor Francis: 1834 - 1925

An Impromptu Lunch

I had a surprise phone call yesterday morning from an older sister in the Lord who was coming into town to visit her sister.

I whipped up some tuna sandwiches, pulled from the freezer some muffins and cupcakes that I'd baked for Friday's lunch and also used the cole slaw left from our supper Tuesday evening and put together an impromptu lunch for the 2 of us . . . we had a delightful visit!

All of this made me think about my life growing up in a small town when neighbours and friends would pop over for coffee and a bit of a visit WITHOUT having to phone ahead and plan a date down the road ... I know that times have changed ~ people are busy and their schedules are full.

But you know what I think?

Spontaneity is something that is missed by many, including me!

Blessings,

A Walk to Remember

Our temps have been up and down over the past weeks but last week there was 1 day where the sun was not only shining, but it was actually quite warm :o)

I took advantage of that afternoon and went for a stroll up our street to the top of the subdivision, then decided to wander in the woods.

The last time I had walked through these woods was 4 years ago, 1 year and the 1st spring after I had received my new heart . . . that was a thrill for me as I hadn't been able to walk and wander as I used to for many years!!

Those woods hold lots of memories for our family!

Our children used to play there, the boys builts forts in in, during the winter we often strolled through it because it was a veritable WINTER WONDERLAND.

During those winters, we would take the dog off her leash and let her run while the children would go sleeding down the big hill and laugh with wonder and joy in the icy cold air.

The last winter I remember not only having enough snow and enough physical ability to enjoy that woods area was when my daughter was about 7 years old and we wandered down so all the young children could slide down the big hill.

She is turning 21 this summer so that tells you that it's been a very long time!

I always pray that the Lord would keep me from taking anything for granted because it is so easy to do that when things are going well ...

Blessings,

If you look closely at the top row, you'll *see* my shadow :o)

A Happy Marriage

Garden of Eden by Briton Riviere at All Posters

"The great blessing of a happy marriage I think,
is that a man and woman have time
to discover each other and cherish each other
more as time goes on."

~ Gladys Taber ~

A Special Day to Remember

I was contacted by the Heart Transplant Clinic this past week to let me know that a special clinic was in place for the day after Remembrance Day at one of the city's large hospitals specifically for heart, kidney and liver transplant recipients as well as those presently receiving chemotherapy.

All of us would receive the H1N1 vaccination there so that it could be done quickly ~ we all have *depressed immune systems* as a result of the medications we are receiving and according to the medical community, can't afford to wait.

Other than the usual bruising after I receive any needle of any kind at any time, I'm happy to report that I felt no side effects!

At this clinic, all of us learned that for anyone presently receiving immunosuppressive therapy, there is the possibility that our immune systems may NOT respond like a normal person's to the vaccine ---

For me, that is completely in the Lord's hands ...

REMEMBRANCE DAY itself, although a day specifically set aside to remember and honour all those who have fought for our country at various times throughout history, was for me personally, a day of thanksgiving and a flood of memories.

It was 5 years ago this past Thursday that I received my LVAD, or Left Ventricular Assist Device...a mechanical pump that took over the pumping of the left ventricle of my heart ...

This photo was taken of me holding the part of the LVAD that was attached from my heart to the outside of my body on the left side of my abdomen.

It looked somewhat like a transparent, very large YO-YO and you could actually see the blood actually being pumped. It made a constant CLIP CLOP* noise somewhat like a horse prancing down an old cobblestone street.

The newer ones are virtually SILENT and implanted COMPLETELY INSIDE the body, with only a narrow cord showing outside, which attaches to the battery unit carried inside a fanny pack ~ I'm always in awe of all that the Lord enables doctors and medical researcher to discover!

This amazing LVAD kept my weakened heart pumping STRONGLY so that all my organs began receiving oxygen rich blood once again and were healthy for when the Lord blessed me with another miracle, that of having a donor match me in every way necessary so that I was able to receive the Gift of Earthly Life.

Thankfully for me, there was a moment in my life almost 28 years before, when I received the Gift of Eternal Life . . . when finally seeing my my sinful, helpless and lost condition before God, I realized that the Lord Jesus Christ had paid the price for my sin on Calvary's cross and I trusted him as my Saviour and Lord.

On the Road to Babylon

Remembrance Day in Canada ~ November 11th

My husband has written a song
*On the Road to Babylon*
that we pray will touch many hearts ...
those affected by wars going on at the present,
as well as those
who have lost loved ones in past wars.

Blessings,

The Autumn Days of My Life

May I Have One Too? by Meunier


My little house is very still.
No sounds of running feet
Echo through the quiet rooms ---
The silence is complete.

The swing outside is empty,
The sandbox put away.
There are no scattered toys to show
That children are at play.

My little house is very clean ---
No crumbs upon the floor,
No finger marks upon the walls,
No smudges on the door.

But my little house is lonely.
It misses all the noise.
The bustle and excitement
Of lively girls and boys.

~ Alice E. Chase ~
[I have left off the last 2 stanza
as they were not applicable in this case]

This month was the 1st time in almost 29 years that there were no children, tiny or grown, in my home, needing my care and attention and although I dearly miss those days, I realize that the Lord always has something else around the corner!

The days of being needed for every little trauma and boo-boo that come into my child's day may be in the past, but the times of being needed for advice, counsel and company will never be complete, this side of eternity and for that, I am thankful.

As I mentioned before, my husband has recently begun working days after an almost 5 year stint of nights and commutes a total of 2 hours daily which means that I no longer have a car at my disposal.

My sphere of *apparent usefulness*, at least in my eyes, has decreased much more than I ever expected.

Though my immediate circumstances are being altered, isn't that what happens to all of us, whether we have children or not; whether we are women or men!?

Although I am not fond of change, it's something that is necessary in my life as a Christian for God is changing me and moulding me more each day into the image of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful that the Lord is in charge of EACH CHANGE that HE ALLOWS to take place in my life. That in itself, gives my heart peace about what is taking place, in spite of how it appears to my natural eye, which is so short-sighted.

I am learning to lean more on Him and to take even more delight in my home and making it a refuge for my husband when he arrives home from a very long day at work and a long drive afterward. We now have more time for each other and after all, the Lord brought us together before He ever blessed us with little ones to care for :o)

I am more dependant on where my own 2 physical feet can carry me in terms of visiting and such and now when I bake or cook, I am even more conscious of wrapping up and freezing for taking to others when I DO have the car :o)

I guess I am in the AUTUMN days of my life . . . and with the Lord on my side, I am content with where He has placed me and remind myself to keep my eyes focused on Him and His will for each individual day :o)

Blessings,

Recent Days

This last week of September has been busy around our home!

My husband had his birthday this past weekend and to celebrate, we went out for our favourite Chinese dinner on Friday evening, consisting of Beef and Broccoli, Fried Rice, Almond Chicken Soo Gui with Sweet and Sour Sauce on the side ~ mmmmm!

A friend of mine and her husband had a wedding to attend Saturday afternoon but couldn't find a sitter for their 6 yr old daughter, so I offered to do the honours after checking with my Mom that she didn't mind spending her last Saturday afternoon that way :o)

I guess I had forgotten just how busy a child that age is! I sure discovered that I'm not as energetic as I was when my own 3 children were that age :o)

I used some of my cardmaking supplies as well as some of my scalloped circle punches and we made all sorts of neat things.

Monday morning rolled 'round and the dreaded hour came when I had to take my Mom to the airport!

It was raining so heavily that I could barely see out of the windshield and was going slower than most of the traffic simply because I don't like the feeling of losing control in that kind of weather on the highway.

We passed the scene of a recent horrendous single vehicle accident where the top of the car was sheared right off and have heard since that a young 19 yr old male was killed instantly at the scene.

Seeing something like that reminds me all over again just how fleeting the moments of life are!

The most important thing is that I had a moment in my life when I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord ... anything else I might do or be or accumulate, will do NOTHING for me at that moment of death. Praise His Name!

Good-byes are never easy, especially as both my Mom and I are getting older and as my mother-in-law told me a few days before she died, you never know what a day may bring forth.

When she visited us when our children were toddlers, they always cried so hard when she left and I always told them that was the small price they had to pay for the privilege and joy of seeing and visiting with her ~ I had to remind myself of that yesterday :o)

Blessings,

When Children Cry

A mother does not hear
the music of the dance
when her children cry.

~ A German Proverb ~

PHOTO CREDIT

I read this last week in my used book of prose
and can remember how true it is!!

Blessings,

Tucking the Little Ones In

Bessie Pease Gutman

"The clocks were striking midnight,
and the rooms were very still,
as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed,
smoothing a coverlid here,
settling a pillow there,
and pausing to look long and tenderly
at each unconscious face,
to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed,
and to pray the fervent prayers
which only mothers utter.

~ Louisa May Alcott from Little Women, 1868 ~

As I read this quote from a little 2nd hand treasure that I recently bought, so many similar scenes danced across my mind as memories flooded in . . . of times that I tiptoed into dim, quiet rooms and stood transfixed by the soft breathing of sleeping children, nestled safely in their beds.

I would stand by their beds and listen, knowing all the while that those days would all too soon be memories as time passed and their lives moved on.

After a time of silently praying for them, I would smooth the covers and their tender brows, then plant kisses on soft, warm cheeks, tiptoe out and gently close the door.

I'm sure many of you have similar memories that keep you company when you are in a reminiscent mood such as can be brought on by a quote such as this :o)

Blessings,