pulling weeds

Pulling weeds can become very addictive.  I found myself pulling them along the route Sarah and I took for a walk the other day... just to see if I could.  She was only a little embarrassed because she knows, understands and accepts her mother.  I wish it were as easy to pull out other things along the way.

Judy's birthday is in two days.  She gave me a nice present when she told me not long ago she never had to forgive anyone, because she refused to take offense.  She forgave as quickly as the deed was done or the unkind word was said.  We are getting up there in years, you know, and yet she still manages to teach me a thing or two from time to time.

How nice it would be just to spray my heart with a no-offense spray, like a pre-emergent weed killer.  Then the hurts and offenses would never arise and there would be no anger and nothing to forgive.

But on the other hand, it does feel good to pull up a deep rooted weed and toss it away.  Some of them look pretty grandiose waving their fancy little flowers in the air like brave and wanton flags.  But when you get close to the ground and give a good tug, they just come up - sometimes with a big whoop that knocks you over with the surprise of the ease with which it was done.  And joy of joys, there underneath the smart aleck weed is always nice clean dirt or  a little tiny new leaf from the vinca I have tried to encourage along the edges of the grass, or at least something that was being hidden and choked out from lack of water and sun.

Yesterday I was reminded that forgiveness was important with regard to anxiety and frustrating feelings I was experiencing at work.  I pondered that and decided that maybe that was true and I should try.  It surprised me how easily it was done and what pleasant things happened afterwards.  I am kind of glad I had the weed to pull, because the relief is so pleasant.  If things were always just easy and happy I know I would not appreciate them as much.  I may even begin to believe that I deserve a weedless, trouble free life.  Then if a problem came along, I may decide that I have been treated unfairly.  Whatever.  too deep for me on this beautiful morning.

I wish all my family a weed-free day today.  Grams

My Sister

Happy Birthday to my sister Judy  ... October 10

I only ever had one sister, and her name was Judy.

She was my first friend.

She played dolls with me.

She taught me how to sing, play the guitar, crochet, and sew.

She taught me to laugh.

She taught me to love flowers.

She made my wedding dress when she was still just a girl herself, and then -

She sewed soft things for my babies.

She taught me to bottle anything that grew on a tree and

To make mincemeat out of green tomatoes.

She taught me that you could not handle bread dough “too much”

Or pie crust “too little”

She taught me to love beauty in all things and

To work to make something beautiful out of something plain.

She was always kind, never thoughtless or impatient with a “little” sister.

She was my protector against the harsh realities of childhood.

She taught me to pray and to know that my prayers were heard.

She taught me to love going to “church” and to have faith in the Lord.

She taught me to love the Scriptures and to believe them.

She taught me how to change diapers (when we used pins) and to care for a wee baby.

She taught me patience in trials.

She taught me faith in people and affirmation of their goodness.

She taught me never to stop loving people.

She taught me to believe in Christmas.

I only ever had one sister, but that was all I ever needed.

My Sister Judy -

From her Sister Susan, Christmas 2008