As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Friday, October 18, 2024

Gathering the Moments | September 2024




September was one birthday (as opposed to August's seven birthdays), and then there is a birthday break for close to six weeks. It may not seem like a long break, but when the breaks between summer birthdays are only a few days long, six weeks feels like a significant breather! 

September was autumn coffees: pumpkin, maple, caramel. (Which would you choose?) 

September was one last summer gathering - a homemade ice cream party with Ron's siblings and their spouses!

September was bunches of limelight hydrangeas, from the front door basket to crocks and pitchers all through the house. I actually like the autumn-blushed blooms as much as the bright summer ones. 

September was noticing each subtle change . . . the slightly cooler evening air, slowly turning foliage, a few falling leaves. We gathered pumpkins and gourds, a few at a time. 

September was a few days away to celebrate our 46 years of marriage. 

September was coordinating many schedules to share an evening with our daughter Kristin's family. We ate supper and pumpkin cake and played games and, despite the subdued faces in the photo I took, we laughed like crazy while we played Cards Christians Like!

September was also the anniversary of my Daddy's passing. Mom, Linda, and I spent the day together. We reminisced and marveled that an entire year has passed. Mom gave each of us a gift: a small canvas of a long-ago photo of us with our Daddy. We visited Daddy's grave and we were so surprised as we drove up and saw that the headstone was in place! We were expecting it to be completed in October, and yet here it was on the anniversary of his death. A gift to us. 


September moments . . . 


























He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11


20 comments:

  1. I scrolled by Alaine's photo and thought for a second that it was Bekah! How very special to see the gathering of Ron's siblings. A sweet gift from the LORD for you to be able to see your dad's headstone as you gathered together on the anniversary of his passing from earth to heaven. Sweet gifts from your mom, too. I love how you intentionally use your home for continued relationship building! All the autumn touches in your home were fun to see. Happy Autumn season to you!!

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    1. It happens frequently that people confuse Bekah and Alaine! Bekah used to think that they did not look like one another, but it has happened so many times that one was mistaken for the other (by friends, family, and total strangers!) that she can no longer deny it. :)

      Thank you for all of your kind words, Ellen! Yes, it was definitely a gift from the LORD, the surprise of the headstone.

      Happy Autumn to you too, friend!

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  2. Oh, we like that card game also! We played it with our two teenage grandsons and it was certainly enlightening on their thinking and humor. Great conversation starters!
    I also like that Fall bucket list with the great sayings. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Oh yes! Great fun and, as you say, you learn a lot! :) Happy Fall to you!

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  3. Your blog is one of those bigger blessings in my own life. I always love visiting you. Your post was, once again, a delight to read - filled with so many sweet moments captured in word and photo. Thanks, Cheryl, and wishes for a beautiful weekend ahead.

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    1. Brenda, you are so very kind! It is always my pleasure to have you visit . . . and to visit you! I believe that we both take pleasure in noticing and enjoying the beautiful moments of life. I hope that a lovely weekend is yours also!

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  4. Another lovely drift through September, many beautiful memories.

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  5. A lovely gathering once again, of moments sweet and beautiful.

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  6. So many lovely photos of the joys of September passed, Cheryl! It's so very wonderful how you document these precious moments. Your photography is always so well framed. I especially like the one of the many ice cream scoops in the wooden dough bowl. And the gift from your mother is quite special. Enjoy these lovely Autumn days ahead!

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    1. There are always joys if you have pay attention! Thank you for your kind words. I really love having a record of the highlights (and sometimes lowlights) of the moments because it is so easy to forget. There have been many times that I have looked back at my blog to see when this or that happened! I will tell Ron that you liked his ice cream scoops! He has a penchant for collecting them. Mom is a very thoughtful person; it was a special gift.

      I am doing my best to soak up the Autumn days! I love them so much and they are so fleeting. You do the same, friend!

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  7. Always enjoy your posts and lovely pictures. What a sweet picture from your mom for a keepsake. Also love the brown bowl with red flowers - I have the same bowl. Neat fall Bucket List, too! Blessings to you and your family . . .

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for leaving your sweet comment, Vickie! It means so much! Blessings back to you!

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  8. I loved each of the pictures in this post, Cheryl. Every single one - for different reasons. The picture of the ice cream scoops is too cute! What a clever display. And the photo gift your mother gave you is so thoughtful. .

    The picture (is that Ron's siblings & spouses?) in your sunroom reminds me that I didn't think to take a picture recently when a group of friends had gathered in ours for an evening meal. I need a little Cheryl on my shoulder whispering in my ear, "Take a picture of this, you'll be glad you captured the memory." You'd think coming in here to see your pictures would be reminder enough, but no... I need you right in my ear. :)

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    1. Thank you for your always encouraging words, Becki! I will tell Ron that you (and Martha Ellen) like his ice cream scoops. He keeps finding them at antique stores and can't resist "one more." At least it's cheaper than vintage ice cream freezers of which he also has a fair number.

      Yes, that photo is of Ron's siblings and spouses. And you have made me laugh imagining my miniature self up on your shoulder prompting you to take a picture! 😂 I'd love to do it if I could!

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  9. You are the most wonderful hostess and all your gatherings look so amazing! Love your September bucket list! Autumn coffees is my choice! How wonderful it would be to share one with you! Hugs ...

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    1. Thank you so much, Rosella! I would love to share coffee with you! Oh, what a treat that would be! Hugs back to you!

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  10. A year already! I wouldn't have guessed that. I'm glad your mom and sister and you were able to be together and mark this day. The headstone was a gift!

    I miss you, friend. Maybe we'll have to go back to an annual Christmas visit? A little antiquing, lunch out....

    Deanna Rabe

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    1. Yes, a year. I can hardly believe it myself. Time passes so quickly, doesn't it? And, yes, the headstone was such a gift!

      A Christmas visit sounds so nice! We will have to coordinate schedules . . .

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