❄️ The first part of the month was people-y and busy.
Seven-year-old grandson Judah came for a day of games, shopping, and treats!
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Mom, Ron, and I went out of town for a belated birthday celebration with my sister Linda. (It wasn't Frank's birthday, but he was definitely a part of the celebration. 😻)
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| 🎄 Lunch was Christmas. 🎄 🎂 Dessert was Birthday. 🎂 |
This was the year that grandchild #10, Macie, turned 10 years old!
Tenth birthdays are special! When a grandchild turns 10, she (or he) receives 10 birthday gifts and a Papa-made box, engraved with her name, for her treasures.
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Our son-in-law Brian has a birthday just a few days after Macie's, so they shared the celebration!
After all of the festivities, we put away Christmas, but before it went up the attic, Ron cut off all of the "pre-lit" nonsense from our Christmas tree. None of the original lights were working. Next year, we can put on lights without putting them on over the non-working ones.
A simple look in winter is fine, but I still like a little extra light to brighten dark winter evenings. Battery operated candles on a timer are just right.
One more Bible study before life slowed down for a spell . . .
❄️ The second part of the month was recovery, rest, and restoration.
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I had surgery and was laid low for a bit. But I was well taken care of by my primary nurses, Ron and Bekah, and was well-loved by many. Sweet family and friends checked on me, sent cards, made meals, stepped in to cover my regular duties, and, most importantly, prayed for me.
A few weeks of rest were most welcome. And they came during all of that snow and ice and cold. Good timing, huh? I am slowly easing into my routine, praising God for successful surgery and a good outcome!
A few weeks of rest were most welcome. And they came during all of that snow and ice and cold. Good timing, huh? I am slowly easing into my routine, praising God for successful surgery and a good outcome!
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At the end of January, we got a FaceTime call one morning from a sweet five-year-old who had lost his first tooth! And even though Caleb is grandchild #13, it is his first tooth to come out and so we are excited right along with him!
(Similar thoughts in this post I wrote in 2011.)
(Similar thoughts in this post I wrote in 2011.)
I hope my grandchildren will always call me with good news, knowing that I will rejoice with them!
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January is a month for reflection and contemplation.
As I have done both, these words from Psalm 90 have brought me comfort and fortitude:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
This is a lovely post, Cheryl, with so many wonderful family moments, from parties to smaller, but no less important events such as losing a tooth. I'm glad you are recovering well from your surgery. You were well cared for, as you have cared so often for others.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Lorrie! Taking note of the moments, big and small, is an exercise in gratitude for me.
DeleteHooray for good care givers right in your own home! I'm happy to read that all went well with a good outcome, too. That's fun that you make year 10 very special. And yes, the weather did cooperate with your recuperation! Getting those pre-lit tree lights off was no task for the faint of hear!! Hats off to Ron! Keep taking it easy and enjoying it for now!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed with my caregivers and blessed with a good outcome! I am picking up activities, but still not full steam ahead. That will come!
DeleteWe do enjoy the fun of the tenth birthdays. Ten is old enough for the kids tp look forward to the special observance. So exciting for them and for us!
Ron has patience that I do not have! :)
So good to read your January 'happenings'. I hope your health is improving....its so lovely to have caring people to help.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! am improving every day, and, yes, caregivers make all the difference!
DeleteWhat a fun 10th birthday tradition, and double special that it's your 10th grandchild celebrating it (only one grandchild can fit that slot).
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to have such good caregivers, and it's good to hear you are doing well on your path to total recovery.
You're right . . . only one grandchild can be the 10th to be 10!
DeleteThank you, Great-Granny Grandma, for your kind words, and, yes, I am blessed to be so well cared for!
So many delightful things, but I'm sad I didn't know about your surgery! Glad it had a good outcome! Praise God! That sweet Caleb with his first missing tooth! So many blessings.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings, yes! (I didn't share much about my surgery beforehand. I'll message you . . . )
DeleteSo sorry you had to have surgery, Cheryl. Glad to hear you are doing well. What a lovely tradition to give each grandchild a Papa-made wooden box! Heirlooms! I noticed something here I had forgotten, that you have been blogging even longer than I have!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean! I, too, love that Ron makes the wooden boxes for each grandchild. It is so special, and, yes, I hope that they will be heirlooms for them.
DeleteWhen I read your post about your blog-iversary, I came back and checked my own stats and realized that it will be 17 years for me this summer. How time flies!
Cheryl, I hope you are healing well and feeling improved after your surgery. I'm glad the outcome was good. How nice that you took pictures of the foods brought to you. They look delicious. When I had a major surgery a few years ago I took pictures of all the flowers I received and added them my contacts' listings. For as long as I have this phone, when I call or text someone, I will enjoy seeing the pretty flower friends gave me.
ReplyDeleteHow fun that you have a tradition for 10th birthdays. Ron has made a lot of boxes! What a treasure they must be. And will be for years to come!
Thank you kindly, Becki! I am feeling lots better! Hoping to get the "all clear" at my follow up next week. I absolutely love your idea for putting photos of the flowers you received in each giver's contact listing . . . a continued reminder of each one's love and kindness!
ReplyDeleteRon had made a lot of boxes . . . and there are more to come! :)