THANK YOU MOTHER

WE LOVE YOU OUR BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY, AMY DAWN, AND WE MISS YOU
TODAY MY MOTHER, I, AND RICHARD DROVE TO AMY'S RESTING



PLACE TO DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS.....



BUT FIRST I WANTED TO SHOW YOU HER PLACE AT OUR TABLE



AT THE RESTAURANT ON THANKSGIVING DAY. IT LOOKS KINDA MESSY



BUT WE WERE LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT PICTURES OF HER.


THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL CARD THAT SUE MADE THAT I PLACED ON



AN EASEL. IT HAD SWEET WOODEN LETTERS THAT SAID, AMY, BUT SOME



OF THE PICTURES WERE PLACED ON THE EASEL, COVERING UP SOME OF



THE CARD.



THIS IS HOW MY SWEET HUBBY AND I DECORATED HER RESTING PLACE



FOR FALL.



YOU CAN'T TELL BUT SHE IS ON A HILL IN A NEW PART OF THE



CEMETERY. IT IS WIDE OPEN AND THE WIND HOWLS ACROSS THERE.



IF YOU WEAR A WIG OR TOUPEE YOU BETTER GLUE IT DOWN OR YOU



WILL SEE IT BLOWING ACROSS THE CEMETERY LIKE A TUMBLE WEED



OR IT MIGHT LAND ON OLD WEEZER'S TOMBSTONE...THAT'S FOR ANOTHER



DAY.




THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL WREATH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCARECROWS



AND THOSE ARE AMY'S SOLAR BUTTERFLY LIGHTS THAT CHANGE COLORS



VERY SLOWLY LIKE A FIBER OPTIC TREE OR ANGEL. THEY ARE SO



BEAUTIFUL AT NIGHT AND THEY STAND GUARD OVER AMY.





AMY LOVES WINNIE THE POOH...



WE TIED OUR THANKSGIVING CARD AND A LITTLE WINNIE THE POOH



ON HER WREATH.

THIS IS MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER. FROM HER I RECEIVED MY LOVE

OF FLORAL ARRANGING AND MAKING WREATHS. IT WAS VERY COLD

TODAY....WE WERE GOING TO GO WEDNESDAY BUT THE WEATHER SAYS

WE MIGHT GET SNOW...I DOUBT IT BUT IT IS GOING TO GET COLDER.

THIS IS MY MOTHERS' PARENTS....BERT AND MINNIE. MOTHER HAS ALWAYS

TAKEN CARE OF THEIR GRAVE. THESE ARE MY GRANDPARENTS THAT BOTH

DIED IN 1976 WHILE I WAS PREGNANT WITH AMY. I WAS THINKING

GRANDMA LIVED 6 MONTHS AFTER GRANDDAD DIED BUT THAT IS NOT

TRUE. GRANDDAD DIED IN JANUARY AND GRANDMA DIED ON MY

BIRTHDAY/MOTHER'S DAY. MOTHER WAS TELLING ME TODAY

THAT MOTHER, AUNT DONNA, AND AUNT PATRICIA BROUGHT

GRANDMA TO THE CEMETERY TO SEE THE HEAD STONE IN PLACE

AND SHE HAD A HEART ATTACK THE NEXT DAY AND DIED 28 HOURS

LATER.

DECORATING THE GRAVES WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO GRANDMA. I

CAN REMEMBER AS A CHILD MY SISTER AND BROTHER AND I

WOULD WALK ACROSS THE CEMETERY AND PLACE FLOWERS ON THE

GRAVES OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE ANY.

AMY'S TOMBSTONE WILL BE THE COLOR OF THEIRS. I LOVE THE

DARK COLOR BECAUSE THE WRITING AND PICTURES SHOW UP

SO MUCH BETTER. HER NAME, AND OVAL PICTURE OF HER, WITH

THE DATES WILL BE IN AN ETCHED HEART.

ON THE BACK WILL BE AN ETCHED BUTTERFLY UP IN ONE

CORNER AND AN ARTIST BRUSH AND THAT THING, (I CAN'T

THINK OF THE NAME OF IT) THAT HOLDS DIFFERENT LITTLE

COLORS OF PAINT.......AND IT WILL SAY:

AMY DAWN OUR BELOVED DAUGHTER

SISTER

GRANDDAUGHTER

NIECE

COUSIN

AND FRIEND.

IT WAS VERY OVERCAST, WINDY AND COLD...WHEN WE WERE THROUGH

DECORATING THE SUN APPEARED AND WE WERE AMAZED AT THE RAY THAT

BOUNCED TO THE THE PRECIOUS ANGEL MOTHER BROUGHT.

WE FELT AMY WAS TELLING US THANK YOU.

ON THE GRAVE BLANKET, WE TIED RED BALLS AND SOME BIG

RED BALLS THAT WAS FROSTED. THERE WERE WHITE POINSETTIAS

AND GOLD BUTTERFLIES. MY MOTHER PURCHASED THE GRAVE

BLANKET FROM A FLORIST BECAUSE WE FIGURED BY THE TIME

WE BOUGHT THE TREES AND EVERYTHING ELSE IT WOULD HAVE

COST US A LOT MORE.

THE PICTURE IS OF MY SWEET HUBBY TYING ON ONE OF THE FROSTED

RED BALLS.




I WORE RED PANTS...BECAUSE OF MY KNEES I HAD TO BEND OVER

TO TIE MY RIBBONS. LUCKILY NO ONE CAME WHILE I WAS TYING

RIBBONS LIKE A BOW HUNTER FOR INSTANCE...THEY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY

FOUND A TARGET TO PRACTICE ON.....LOL

WE LEFT AMY'S BUTTERFLY SOLAR LIGHTS BUT WHEN MY MOTHER



WENT TO THE CITY WITH MY BROTHER SHE FOUND THE BEAUTIFUL



SNOWFLAKE SOLAR LIGHTS. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST TO LOOK



AT AND WE ARE GOING WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO LOOK AT THEM AFTER



DARK.









MOTHER AND ME. I WAS CRYING, SO DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION




TO ME.

MOTHER MADE THE WREATH



RICHARD AND I ARE MAKING A WINNIE THE POOH TREE

TO TAKE IN A FEW DAYS.

THIS FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER

DEDICATED TO OUR BELOVED AMY

THE WIND RACED ACROSS THE CEMETERY

SWIRLING FROM GRAVE TO GRAVE

AS "TEARS OF SORROW" FROZE TO MY FACE

I TOLD MYSELF "YOU MUST STAND HERE BRAVE"

THIS FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER

WE ARE ALL ALONE

NO ABILITY TO HUG YOU OR KISS YOUR FACE

JUST CHOKE BACK OUR MOANS

AMY, CAN YOU SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL

GRAVE BLANKET WITH CUTE CANDY CANES

THROUGH THE "PORTALS OF HEAVEN"

AS YOU WALK THOSE GOLDEN LANES

WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU

AMY, OUR BELOVED DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER

WE ARE STILL HERE AND BEING MOLDED

BY THE HAND OF THE POTTER

THIS FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER

SO MANY MEMORIES FROM THE PAST

THEY DANCE THROUGH MY MIND

LIKE RAYS OF SUNSHINE PLAYING ON GLASS

I WILL BE BRAVE AND LIVE

LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME

KNOWING YOU ARE SAFE WITH JESUS

MAKES MY SHATTERED HEART SHINE

I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH LITTLE BUTTERFLY

AND THE VOID THAT HAS BEEN LEFT WITHIN ALL THOSE WHO

LOVE YOU WILL TAKE MANY YEARS TO FILL.

I SO WISH I COULD CALL YOU AND YOU COULD TELL ME IF

YOU HAVE SEEN NOAH OR SONYA OR ALL OUR GRANDPARENTS....

I WOULD JUST LOVE TO HEAR IF JESUS' EYES ARE BLUE LIKE THE

OCEAN OR BROWN. HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR MANSION AND

SET AT THE LORDS' FEET...DO THE ANGELS SING CONTINUALLY.....

OH MY GOD, HOW I SO WANT TO HUG YOU.

I LOVE YOU AMY

MOTHER

THERE ARE SO MANY WHO NEED PRAYER:

THE 4 POLICE OFFICERS THAT WERE SHOT AND DIED AND THEIR

PRECIOUS FAMILIES AND ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN

OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES

WISE COUNSEL TO ADVISE THE PRESIDENT

ROY AND ELISABETH, ASHLEY, LEILA AND KORBI, ANASTASIA,

LADY KATHERINE, CAROL'S SIL WHO HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL

8 X'S THIS YEAR WITH DIABETES, ANDREW, BABY CHASE, ALL THOSE

WHO HAVE LOVED ONES TRAPPED BY DEMENTIA, WILL AND CAS,

PATRICIA, KRISTI, EVERY ONE WHO HAS LOST A LOVED ONE RIGHT

HERE AT THE HOLIDAY OR ARE STILL RAW FROM YOUR LOVED ONE

PASSING AWAY, JOHN AND GLORIA, TOM, EVELYN, DEBBIE, CINDY,

DONNA, BECKY, BONNIE AND RICHARD, CHASITY, DOUG, THE

FAMILY OF PASTOR DAUGHTERY, IRENE,

WE THANK YOU LORD FOR ANSWERING EACH PRAYER REQUEST IN

YOUR WAY LORD, AS YOUR WAY IS PERFECT.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER. SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL

FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

~PSALM 23:5-6

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY


TO SPEND WITH ME. YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL.











ANGEL HUGS

THE BEGGAR AND THE STAR

SATURDAY MY SWEET HUBBY AND I MADE OUR EVERY OTHER DAY

TRIP TO HENNESSEY TO SEE OUR BUTTERFLY'S RESTING PLACE.

I THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THE LOVE SHE HAD TO GIVE TO SO MANY

PEOPLE. I CRIED FOR ALL THE THINGS SHE NEVER WAS ABLE TO

DO IN HER YOUNG LIFE AND I WAS SO HAPPY FOR ALL THE THINGS

SHE WAS ABLE TO DO.

REALITY HIT ME. IT WAS LIKE WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY HEART

SHATTERED AND FELL PIECE BY PIECE UPON THE FRESH DIRT.

I HAD THE URGE TO RUN BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN

UGLY SITE......SAGGY BOOBS SLAPPING MY EARS AND MY BUTT

TRYING TO PASS ME.....LOL

I DECIDED ON A LESS TAXING ADVENTURE.

MY HUBBY AND I WENT TO A THRIFT SHOP.

I LOVE DIGGING THROUGH THE BOOKS AND ART.

I FOUND SOME AWESOME BOOKS.

ONE IS CALLED:

A COUNTRY SAMPLER

OF SIMPLE BLESSINGS.

A COLLECTION OF

HOMESPUN STORIES

AND PAINTINGS CELEBRATING

THE EVERYDAY MOMENTS OF LIFE

BY~ELLEN STOUFFER

WITH PEG CARMACK SHORT

BELOW I HAVE INCLUDED ONE OF THE STORIES

FROM HER DELIGHTFUL BOOK

IN THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AS MUCH AS I DID.

MY HUSBAND SCANNED THE TWO PICTURES FROM THE BOOK

AND I ADDED A PICTURE OF A LITTLE GIRL THAT CAME TO

MY MIND AS I WAS READING THE STORY

GO GET YOURSELF A CUP OF TEA AND EMBRACE THE SEASON

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE,

GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN

LUKE 2:14

I HAVE GONE THERE OFTEN IN MEMORY----THE ROOM

SHIMMERING IN THE GLOW OF FLICKERING CANDLES

AND TWINKLING CHRISTMAS-TREE LIGHTS, HUSHED

AND STILL.

MY MOTHER SITS IN THE CENTER OF A CIRCLE OF WOMEN,

MEMBERS OF HER SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WHO HAVE

GATHERED AT OUR HOUSE THIS EVENING FOR THEIR

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY. WITH HER SWEET SMILE AND

STRAWBERRY-BLOND CURLS, MOTHER LOOKS LIKE AN ANGEL

TO ME. EVEN AS YOUNG AS I AM, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A

POWER IN HER PRESENCE AS SHE SPEAKS. HER VOICE STARTS

OFF SOFTLY AS SHE BEGINS TO RECITE AN OLD POEM,

"THE BEGGAR AND THE STAR",

BY VIVIAN LARAMORE RADER.

There came to my door a beggar,

In the dim December light,

To ask for a crust and a corner

Where he might stay for the night.

My house was already crowded

My food, a meager store;

So I said, "I'm very sorry,

But you'll have to ask next door."

MOTHER'S VOICE RISES AND FALLS DRAMATICALLY.

SHE GREW UP MEMORIZING POEMS, AND HER RECITATIONS

ARE AN EXPECTED AND LOVED PART OF OUR FAMILY LIFE.

I'VE INHERITED HER PASSION FOR BEAUTIFUL WORDS AND

SPELLBINDING IMAGERY. AS I LISTENED TO THE POEM, I

CAN'T IMAGINE MY MOTHER TURNING AWAY ANYONE WHO

WAS NEEDY. "IT'S MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE,"

SHE OFTEN REMINDS MY SISTER AND ME.

MOTHER BELIEVES DEEPLY IN THE GIVING OF CHRISTMAS. ONE

HAS ONLY TO LOOK AROUND THE ROOM TO SEE SHE HAS TAKEN

GREAT CARE TO MAKE EVERYTHING PERFECT FOR HER GUESTS

TONIGHT. FOR WEEKS SHE HAS POLISHED AND CLEANED, COOKED

AND BAKED, AND SPENT MANY HOURS PREPARING LITTLE GIFTS

FOR EACH GUEST. THEY WILL DINE ON FINE CHINA, EAT WITH

GLEAMING SILVER, AND DRINK FROM CRYSTAL GOBLETS.

WE ARE NOT A WEALTHY FAMILY, BUT MY MOTHER EXTENDS

THE BEST SHE HAS TO VISITORS.

MY THOUGHTS RETURN TO THE POEM, AS THE NARRATOR

CONTINUES TALKING TO THE BEGGAR AT HER DOOR:

". . . I can bring you tea I've

been saving

For a special guest."

He looked at me for a moment,

"Not dressed as I am dressed?"

"Oh, no," I said, "to be honest,

I've never liked beggars much,

They've always seemed unworthy,

Unclean in thought and touch."

THE WORDS REMIND ME OF THE SUNDAY WE WENT TO

ST. LOUIS AND MET A BEGGAR ON THE STREET. HE WAS

ASKING FOR COINS AND SAID HE WAS HUNGRY. INSTEAD OF

GIVING HIM MONEY, MY FATHER INVITED HIM INTO THE

RESTAURANT WHERE WE WERE GOING AND TOLD HIM HE

WOULD PAY FOR HIS MEAL. AS WE ENTERED THE RESTAURANT

IN OUR CHURCH FINERY, ACCOMPANIED BY A DIRTY, RAGGED

BEGGAR, SOME PEOPLE LOOKED AT US CURIOUSLY. OTHERS

EYED US WITH CONTEMPT. BUT MY DAD TREATED THE BEGGAR

WITH POLITENESS AND RESPECT, AND DADDY'S DEMEANOR

CONVEYED TO THE RESTAURANT STAFF THAT THEY WERE TO

DO THE SAME. THE BEGGAR DECLINED TO SIT WITH US,

CHOOSING INSTEAD A BACK CORNER TABLE WHERE HE CONSUMED

HUGE AMOUNTS OF FOOD. WHEN HE HAD EATEN, HE NODDED

QUICKLY TO MY DAD AS HE STARTED TO LEAVE. BUT DADDY

WALKED OVER AND EXTENDED HIS HAND TO THE MAN.

THE BEGGAR TOOK IT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND AND COVERED

IT IN A WARM CLASP WITH HIS LEFT. THEN HE SEEMED TO GROW

TALLER, STRAIGHTENING HIS BACK, AS HE WALKED FROM THE

RESTAURANT WITH GREAT DIGNITY.

And I saw that his rags were glowing

Like garments of finest gold,

and his face was young as tomorrow,

Though I knew that the man was old . . .

And I thought of the homeless thousands

Who trudge the world today,

And I said, "Forgive me, Master,

I'm begging you to stay."

BY THE TIME MOTHER REACHES THIS POINT IN THE

POEM, IT IS OBVIOUS TO THE WOMEN FROM HER SUNDAY

SCHOOL CLASS, AND TO ME, THAT THIS POEM IS AN ALLEGORY--

THE BEGGAR REPRESENTS CHRIST, AND THE NARRATOR REPRESENTS

THE WORLD THAT HAS NO ROOM FOR HIM IN ITS HEART. THE

POEM IS MOTHER'S WAY OF REMINDING US THAT THE TRUE

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IS LOVE.

THAT POEM MOVED ME DEEPLY AS A CHILD, BUT IT WASN'T

UNTIL I WAS AN ADULT THAT THE MESSAGE OF THE POEM

CAME TO LIFE FOR ME. IN ADDITION TO MANAGING A HOME

AND RAISING THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, I HAD RECENTLY

RETURNED TO WORK. THAT YEAR THE THOUGHT OF THE

APPROACHING HOLIDAYS FILLED ME WITH DREAD INSTEAD

OF MY USUAL JOY. ALL I COULD THINK OF WERE THE EXTRAS

THE SEASON SEEMED TO CALL FOR----SPENDING MONEY, SHOPPING,

BAKING, WRITING CARDS, AND DECORATING. I COULDN'T SEE

HOW I WAS GOING TO GET EVERY THING DONE IN TIME---

IT FELT AS IF THE ONLY VERSE OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY

I COULD RELATE TO WAS, "AND THEY CAME WITH HASTE. . ."

I NEITHER NOTICED NOR THOUGHT ABOUT THE "homeless

thousands." I RESENTED THE BELL RINGERS ON STREET CORNERS

AND THE CHARITABLE REQUESTS THAT CROWDED MY MAILBOX---

THEY ONLY ADDED TO THE PRESSURE I ALREADY FELT.

THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MOTHER CALLED TO ASK FOR

MY HELP. SHE'D JUST HEARD OF A FAMILY WHO'D LOST EVERY-

THING IN A HOUSE FIRE. THE HOUSEHOLD INCLUDED A FATHER

AND TWO LITTLE GIRLS. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION

MOTHER HAD, THE MOTHER OF THIS FAMILY HAD DIED

EARLIER THAT YEAR FROM CANCER.

MOTHER SAID SHE COULD BUY THE GROCERIES, BUT SHE

WONDERED IF I WOULD SHOP FOR THE LITTLE GIRLS. I WAS

SO FAR BEHIND WITH MY OWN SHOPPING AND PREPARATION,

THAT I REALLY WANTED TO SAY I WAS MUCH TOO BUSY, BUT

I JUST COULDN'T SAY NO TO HER. THEN SHE ASKED IF I WOULD

HELP HER WRAP AND DELIVER THESE GIFTS OF THE MORNING

OF CHRISTMAS EVE. GRUDGINGLY, I AGREED.

WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE FAMILY'S APARTMENT THAT

MORNING, IT WAS SMALL AND DREARY, AND THE FATHER

SEEMED LISTLESS AND SAD. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE

HOLIDAY----NOT EVEN A TINY TREE. ONE OF THE CHILDREN

WAS JUST A BABY, AND THE OTHER LITTLE GIRL, WHOSE

NAME WAS ALICE, WAS FIVE.

AS SOON AS I SAW HER, I REGRETTED MY HASTY SHOPPING.

SHE WELCOMED US WITH A SWEET SMILE, AND HER EYES WERE

WIDE WITH EXCITEMENT AS SHE NOTICED THE GIFT-WRAPPED PRESENTS ALONG

WITH THE BASKET OF FOOD.

"DID YOU BRING SOMETHING FOR MY SISTER?" SHE ASKED ME.

"YES," I TOLD HER. "AND SOMETHING FOR YOU TOO."

"WHAT ABOUT MY DADDY?" SHE WHISPERED. "MOMMY ALWAYS TOOK

ME TO BUY A PRESENT FOR HIM. BUT SHE'S UP IN HEAVEN NOW WITH

THE ANGELS."

I WAS EMBARRASSED, AS I'D ONLY BOUGHT GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN.

"I'M SORRY SWEETHEART," I SAID. "I DON'T HAVE A PRESENT FOR YOUR

DADDY OTHER THAN THE BASKET OF FOOD."

SHE CONSIDERED THAT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN ASKED, "DO

YOU THINK MAYBE YOU COULD TAKE BACK MY GIFT AND GET SOME-

THING FOR DADDY? HE'S BEEN AWFULLY SAD WITH MOMMY GONE,

AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM SMILE."

IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP MY TEARS FROM FALLING AS I

PROMISED I'D BE BACK WITH A GIFT FOR HER DAD. MOTHER DIDN'T

EVEN QUESTION ME WHEN I ASKED IF SHE HAD TIME TO GO WITH ME

TO THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER.

NOT ONLY DID WE BUY ALICE'S FATHER THE WARM GLOVES SHE

HAD REQUESTED FOR HIM, BUT ALSO A SCARF AND A CAP. I

PICKED UP SEVERAL MORE SURPRISES FOR THE CHILDREN.

THEN I ASKED MOTHER WHAT SHE THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING A LITTLE

TREE. WE PRAYED WE WEREN'T PRESUMING TOO MUCH, THEN WENT

AHEAD AND BOUGHT THE TREE, LIGHTS, AND ORNAMENTS TO

DECORATE IT.

INSTEAD OF RESENTING OUR SECOND INTRUSION, THE FATHER CRIED

WHEN HE SAW THE CHRISTMAS TREE. "I WANTED TO GET ONE," HE SAID.

"BUT WITH ALL THE THINGS WE NEEDED AFTER THE FIRE . . . HIS VOICE

TRAILED OFF.

THAT AFTERNOON, MOTHER AND I PUT ASIDE OUR OWN HOLIDAY

PREPARATIONS AS WE HELPED THE LITTLE GIRL AND HER DAD DECORATE

THEIR TREE. AS WE WORKED, WE SANG CHRISTMAS CAROLS. AFTER WE

FINISHED THE TREE, MOTHER HAD A CUP OF TEA AND CHATTED WITH

ALICE'S FATHER WHILE ALICE AND I SLIPPED OFF TO HER BEDROOM TO

WRAP HER GIFTS AND MAKE A CARD FOR HER DAD.

WHEN WE LEFT THAT DAY, I TURNED BACK TO SEE ALICE LOOKING

UP AT HER DAD AND HIM SMILING DOWN AT HER. THEN I LOOKED

AT MOTHER, WHO WAS SMILING AND WATCHING ME. SUDDENLY I

FELT AS IF A HUGE WEIGHT HAD BEEN LIFTED FROM MY CHEST, AND

FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT CHRISTMAS SEASON, I HAD A HAPPY

HEART.

And I felt a soaring gladness

No language can impart,

For Love itself lay cradled

In the manger of my heart.

And a thousand bells were ringing

From a thousand towers tall

Glory to God in the highest!

And peace be unto all.

DOESN'T THAT STORY JUST MELT YOUR CHOCOLATE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING A STORY WITH ME FROM MY NEW BOOK.

THE PRICE OF THAT JOY WAS BOUGHT FOR .75 CENTS AND IT IS A

HARD BACK BOOK.

I PRAY EVERYONE OF YOU HAVE A WARM AND FUZZY DAY.

SO VERY MANY PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF PRAYER. I PRAY ESPECIALLY

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LOYAL TO FOLLOW MY BLOG AND HAVE

BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS VERY

DIFFICULT TIME. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS AND DEAR TO ME.

BLESSINGS

MAY WE ALL REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

THIS YEAR AND KEEP JESUS THE HEAD OF IT.


ANGEL HUGS

TWO TRAVELING ANGELS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

I AM THANKFUL FOR SO MANY THINGS TODAY. I AM THANKFUL FOR

MY SAVIOUR, JESUS...MY HUSBAND OF 36 YEARS...MY SON RICHIE

AND HIS WIFE MEGAN...ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL SOULS THAT I BLOG

WITH...MY PARENTS AND RICHARD'S PARENTS AND ALL OUR FAMILY...

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL THE PRAYERS THAT WENT UP FOR AMY

DURING AND AFTER HER GOING HOME...AND THE PRAYERS FOR US.

IT WAS YOUR PRAYERS THAT GOT ME TO THE RESTAURANT. IT WAS

A VERY EMOTIONAL MORNING. I WAS BLESSED TO TALK TO MY ONLY

SISTER. SHE WAS BUSY WITH GETTING HER THANKSGIVING READY.

I MADE LITTLE PLACE CARDS AND HAD FOUND 4 LITTLE PUMPKIN

PLATES AND 4 LITTLE LEAF PLATES....VERY SMALL....AND I SET THAT

AT EACH PLACE SETTING. WE HAD A PLACE SETTING FOR AMY WITH

A CANDLE....A CARD MADE BY SUE SETTING ON AN EASEL, AND PICTURES

OF AMY. WE TALKED ABOUT AND TO HER.

MY DAD IS A MAN THAT WOULD BLOW UP BEFORE HE SHOWED ANY

EMOTION AND HE DID NOT LIKE SEEING THE PICTURES OF AMY. IT

WAS VERY HEALING TO THE REST OF US. AND I KNOW HE ENJOYED IT

BUT IT WAS TOO EMOTIONAL FOR HIM.......MOTHER BROUGHT LITTLE

CHUBBY SCARECROWS AND BEAUTIFUL NAPKINS. WHEN IT WAS OVER,

RICHIE SAID, "I AM GLAD YOU DECORATED. IT WAS MORE LIKE BEING

AT GRANNY'S HOUSE AND AT HOME."

AMY ALWAYS BOUGHT LITTLE UNIQUE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR EVERYBODY.

SHE WAS VERY CLOSE TO MY BROTHER TED AS WELL AS MY SISTER.

ONE YEAR SHE WAS SO EXCITED BECAUSE SHE FOUND THIS CUTE

LITTLE LIGHT THAT FITS ON YOUR FINGER AND SHE JUST KNEW THAT

WOULD BE THE PERFECT THING FOR UNCLE TED. HE WORE THAT

LIGHT ON THE END OF HIS FINGER AND TURNED IT ON FOR AMY TODAY.

HE SAID, " SOMETIMES AT NIGHT i SHINE IT TOWARD HEAVEN."

WE ALL HAVE LITTLE THINGS THAT WE DO TO MAKE US FEEL CLOSER

TO THE LOVED ONES THAT HAVE GONE ON TO HEAVEN.

TONIGHT IT IS US FOUR....MY DH, RICHIE, MY SON, ME, AND MY DIL.

WE HAVE SOME FUNNY MOVIES TO WATCH AND POPCORN TO POP.

I HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN IF MY HEART IS NOT IN IT.....IF I GO

AHEAD AND DO IT....EVEN IF I EXCUSE MYSELF TO CRY...IT WAS WELL

WORTH THE EFFORT AND IT IS WHAT AMY WOULD WANT. TODAY

WAS A TINY STEP OF TIP TOEING AROUND THE SHATTERED PIECES

OF MY HEART AND EVERY OTHER FAMILY MEMBER'S BROKEN HEART.

TODAY AT THE RESTAURANT I HAD QUITE A MEMORY ABOUT AMY.

THERE WAS A LINE WAITING TO GET IN TO THE RESTAURANT.

(I MUST SAY I HAVE NEVER EATEN OUT ON THANKSGIVING DAY. I

TELL YOU I NEVER KNEW SOOOOOOOO MANY PEOPLE WENT

OUT TO EAT ON THANKSGIVING DAY. THERE WERE SEVERAL

GOLDEN COUPLES THAT I KNOW THE WIVES HAD COOKED AT

LEAST 30-35 MEALS THEMSELVES OVER THE YEARS. ONE OF THESE

LADIES ASK MY MOTHER IF IT WAS ALWAYS THIS BUSY.....MOTHER

SAID, "I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE NEVER EATEN OUT ON THANKSGIVING

BEFORE.")

WELL BACK TO MY MEMORY OF AMY. WHILE WE WERE STANDING IN LINE

THERE WERE TWO OF THE SWEETEST GIRLS GIGGLING AND WRITING

ON THE SIDEWALK WITH ROCKS.

WHEN AMY WAS 5 SHE WAS VERY INTO WRITING HER NAME....SHE

WOULD WRITE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AT THAT TIME I HAD

JUST GRADUATED FROM NURSING SCHOOL AND WE HAD BOUGHT A

NEW CAR.....(THE ONLY NEW CAR WE HAVE EVER OWNED BEFORE OR

SENSE.)

WE WERE GOING SOMEWHERE AND AMY WENT OUT SIDE BEFORE US.

WHEN RICHARD AND I CAME OUTSIDE OUR DARLING, ANGELIC, LITTLE

PROUD SHE COULD WRITE HER NAME DAUGHTER, WAS WRITING HER

NAME ON THE SIDE OF THE "NEW" CAR WITH A NAIL......A M Y.....SHE WAS

SO VERY PROUD OF HER WORK AND WE WERE BOTH LIVID OVER HER

WORK............SHE NEVER GOT A SPANKING BUT YOU COULD TALK TO

AMY AT THAT AGE AND SHE NEVER DID ANYTHING LIKE THAT

AGAIN. WE USE TO LAUGH WITH HER OVER AND OVER AGAIN ABOUT

HER WRITING HER NAME ON THE ONLY "NEW" CAR WE HAVE EVER

OWNED. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU AMY. MY COUSIN GINGER SENT ME THE STORY BELOW.....IT IS QUITE INTERESTING........

Two traveling angels...Keep reading to the bottom of the page -- don't stop at the feet (You'll see).Two

traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.The family was rude and refused

to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold

basement.As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, 'Things aren't always what they seem.' The next

night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing

what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow,

whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the

older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she

accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. 'Things

aren't always what they seem,' the older angel replied. 'When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I

noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and

unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.' 'Then last night as we slept in the

farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they

seem.' Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should.. If you have

faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until

sometime later... Oooo Some people ( ) come into our lives ) / and quickly go.. (_ / oooO ( ) Some people \

( become friends \_ ) and stay awhile.... leaving beautiful Oooo footprints on our ( ) hearts.... ) / ( _/ oooO ( )

and we are \ ( never \_ ) quite the same because we have made a good friend!! Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! I think this is special...live and savor

every moment... This is not a dress rehearsal!

ANGEL HUGS

DEBBIE

STOP BY AND SEE ME. I LOVE VISITING WITH YOU. I CHERISH YOUR FRIENDSHIP. I WAS

TRYING TO REDO MY BLOG FOR CHRISTMAS...I LOST MY BLOG ROLL.....I AM COMPUTER

CHALLENGED. I DON'T KNOW ALL THE INS AND OUTS SO THIS BLOG IS

"SIMPLY DEBBIE."

WHAT WAS, IS NOT

"CHANGE IS A MEASURE OF TIME AND,

IN THE AUTUMN, TIME SEEMS SPEEDED UP.

WHAT WAS IS NOT AND NEVER AGAIN WILL BE,

WHAT IS IS CHANGE."

~EDWIN TEALE

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, BEAUTIFUL



CARDS, AND THE SWEET GIFTS. THEY MEAN A LOT TO ME



MY HUSBAND AND MY MOTHER HAVE RECEIVED MUCH



JOY READING YOUR CARDS.



IT IS VERY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE PRAYING



FOR YOU .



I KNOW MY DAUGHTER, AMY DAWN, IS IN THE SAFE ARMS



OF OUR JESUS AND I REJOICE....BUT FOR 33 YEARS OF MY LIFE



I HUGGED MY DAUGHTER ON THANKSGIVING DAY. I WATCHED HER FIX HER



DELICIOUS CRAB SALAD TO TAKE TO GRANNY'S HOUSE, AND I WATCHED



HER LAUGH AND TALK AND THIS YEAR...THIS THANKSGIVING.... MY HUSBAND



AND I WILL VISIT OUR DAUGHTER'S GRAVE AND TRY TO EMBRACE THE



WIND, WHERE JUST ONCE MORE WE MIGHT CATCH A FAINT SMELL OF HER.



THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT MAKE IT BETTER...THERE IS NO PAIN PILL



THAT WILL DULL THE PAIN, AND NO ANTI-ANXIETY PILL THAT WILL STOP



THE PANIC ATTACKS THAT CAUSE YOUR HEART TO HAVE PVC'S.



PRAYING TO JESUS IS HARD SOMETIMES...NOT BECAUSE I AM MAD AT



HIM....I LOVE HIM MORE THAN EVER....BUT I HAVE NO WORDS. RICHARD,



MY DH AND I PLAY A LOT OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC.



I SAW THE SOUL OF MY DAUGHTER LEAVE HER BODY AND HER BODY JUST BECAME



A WAXY SHELL......AND SEEING IT, MAKING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS,



PURCHASING HER PLOT TO REST IN, AND THE FUNERAL....WATCHING THEM



SEAL HER VAULT...........I STILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE SHE IS GONE.



WHAT IS, IS NOT.



WHAT WAS, CAN BE NO MORE...AND IT HURTS SO BAD.



LET US REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING IN PRAYER...........


PASTOR MARNEY, AUNT JEAN, ASHLEY, ANDREW, KERRIE AND BILL, IRENE,

OUR TROOPS AS THEY SERVE TO KEEP OUR COUNTRY FREE, BECCA, TAWNA,

MIKE, DORIS AND RICHARD, PAM, PATRICIA, ROY AND ELISABETH,

SALLY, CAROL, MILT, HEALING IN FORT HOOD OVER 11/05/09,

ANASTASIA, DONNA, ALL THOSE WHO ARE HURTING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

OVER THE LOST OF A LOVED ONE


DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER,

I THANK YOU LORD FOR LOVING ME AND FOR TAKING AMY HOME, TO BE

WITH YOU WHERE SHE IS PAIN FREE...I KNOW HEAVEN IS A LITTLE

DIFFERENT SINCE SHE GOT BACK HOME BUT OUR LIFE WAS DIFFERENT

AND GLORIOUS FOR 33 YEARS. I PRAY LORD THERE WILL BE HEARTS

HEALED THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND MAY THERE BE A REVIVAL

LORD FOR PEOPLE RUSHING BACK FOR YOUR SAVING GRACE. MAY

PEOPLE REALIZE THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MATERIAL BUT TO

BE YOUR HANDS EXTENDED. I THANK YOU LORD FOR BLESSING THE

ANGELS IN MY LIFE. I PRAISE YOU JESUS BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTHY

TO BE PRAISED. PLEASE LORD, REMIND PRECIOUS AMY HOW MUCH HER

DADDY AND I LOVE AND MISS HER.

LET NOT ONE PERSON GO HUNGRY LORD.

AMEN AND AMEN


ANGEL HUGS