Saturday, July 9, 2011

Happy Birthday, Little Brother

Sometimes, I must yell STOP and bring the daily grind to a screeching halt.

Sometimes I just have to shout: God is good and life is sweet.

I haven’t posted on a regular basis lately even though the restless leg curse is calming for the first time in a dozen years and sleep--restful, uninterrupted sleep--is returning. Because of that God-intended, beautiful SLEEP, my depression and anxiety and frustration and hopelessness are falling away. Guess what I’m doing with my new-found time????

You have noticed I have not been writing.

I’ve been cleaning closets, organizing clutter, dusting things that were grossly neglected, planning a family-style bridal shower in our back yard for next week, and doing every-day things like cooking cheerfully for my family and going to the grocery story. With a happy heart.

And I’m giving thanks. And I’m not complaining (too much) about out record-breaking Texas drought induced HEAT. Life has been returned to me and I am grateful.

 Many of my friends—both cyber and real-life—have faithfully stopped by my blog to pray awhile in one or another of my cyber praying chairs so I want to share a HUGE thanksgiving with you. It happened today. On just another, routine Saturday.

Today, Dear Heart and Precious Daughter and I drove an hour across the Texas Hill Country to celebrate my brother’s birthday.


He is the only sibling I’ve ever had. Well, except for his wife who is my best friend and Jesus Sister.
I took a store-bought (but larapin-licious) Over-the-Hill cake and the birthday-boy himself drove to the restaurant to bring home ready-made barbeque.

Sister said, “Your mother and mine MUST be cringing behind a cloud in THE Throne Room because all their lovely china and crystal are tucked safely away in the buffet and we are eating store-bought  birthday dinner on paper plates!”

Actually, Eloise and MayBeth were probably thanking our Holy Father that their daughters finally slowed down to grasp the finer things of life: FAMILY and RELATIONSHIP.

Sister served fresh goat’s milk and told about their new batch of Peacocks. Lil’Bro and I—both in our 70’s now—showed off  our cyber skills by comparing  apps on his Iphone and my Ipod. The house resounded with memories of birthdays past and hopes of birthdays future. Listening (or not J) to our stories were Birthday Boy’s only niece, only grand-nephew and only brother-in-law along with one of his three sons, two of his daughters-in-law, three granddaughters, and five great grands (between 4 and 11.)

We laughed. We remembered. Our worlds stood still for a little while.

We were just Family. Without shame and WITH great joy.

Happy Birthday, Jerry


Standing on His primises,

         Liz