Journeys

Sunrise and my eyes were opened

Earth's crammed with heaven,

and every common bush

afire with God;

But only he who sees

Takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
(Elizabeth Barret Browning in Aurora Leigh)

Sunset and I believe!

Bummin

Way back when my first grandkids were little I started taking them "Bummin". The word "Bummin" comes from the fifties era and means going to do something fun together. So, when I ask my grandkids if they want to go Bummin, they are eager to go.

When I first started bummin with Jordan, Jaymen, Logan and Jade we could go get something at the store for a dollar. Now days, that price is up to $5 or $10, which just goes to show you how things have changed. When I was a kid we could get something really cool for 10 cents! But, regardless of price, this is one tradition I am trying to keep up, because these experiences with my angels are priceless!


I can remember when my kids were little and their grandma Dora gave them $5 in their birthday card. By the time my kids came along she had many grandkids and that was alot for her to give each grandchild. Mom came up with a different plan and then only gave them $5 in their birthday card until they outgrew her. Once they could look her in the eyes standing flat footed, she then gave them a dollar in their birthday card. My mom was a towering 4'10". Most of the grandkids outgrew her by the time they were in fourth grade, but it was a great occasion for all of them and I don't think there was one of them that minded getting just one dollar from then on.


When the time comes that I have too many grandkids to afford bummin, maybe I'll make them take me bummin and they can all chip in to get their old old grandma something fun!



GOIN' BUMMIN'



Joban, Britain, Gaby, Ryan, Micah, Joah, EJ

The Bummin' Cousins

All Smiles

Checking Out

EJ making sure Joah gets latched in.

There! I got it - let's go Grandma!

How can any one person be any more blessed than I am?











Blessings

Today is my birthday

I am sixty years old

The real blessings in my life

began forty one years ago

on September 10, 1969.

I was 18 and only 19 days

away from 19 years of age.
I wandered in the shadow
of my life
questioning what
I should be.

I had been blessed with a loving family.

I had been blessed with good health.

I had been blessed with talents.

I had been blessed with good friends.

I had been blessed with intellect.

I had been blessed with love.
But, I wasn't really happy.

Then, on September 10th, 1969

the biggest blessing

in my life came

to me
and I changed
inside my heart.
I knew who I was and why I lived.
I stepped out of the shadows and
into the light
of an angel.

Her name was mine to choose {and spell ;-)}

She was so tiny, only six and a half pounds.

She was perfect in every way.

She was mine only.

She is my only daughter.

MaLeisa Maurine Angel

I felt her angel presense and thus

she became my very first angel and
I started on the road
walking toward the light of
Heaven.

She and I spent many nights together

just the two of us

she liked being up at night

and then sleeping in the day.

Her Grandpa Veater

took her in his arms

and said,

"This is my little girl!"

Then he took her to every neighbor's

house to show her off.

She was never far from

her Grandpa's arms.

This is my little angel with

her Grandma Dora and

Grandpa Clark at the

Grand Canyon.

Or her Grandma's arms either.

She made me so very happy

and I couldn't believe how

much I loved her!

It was indescribable!

 

When she started school she was barely five

I remember having four dresses made

just for her.

She looked like a little angel with her

pretty blond curls, heavenly  blue eyes, and her sweet smile.

I cried after I dropped her off at Lehi Elementary.

Time sped by so fast and my little angel

grew in beauty and grace.

She was kind

She was loving

She was funny

She was still just mine.

Her eyes so blue, her smile so sweet

and her hair just a little darker.

My daughter, my girl.

I didn't know I could love her more,

but I did.

Zip - Zap

High school at Mesa High

came way too soon

and my girl is

a gymnast and a cheerleader.

 

She is organized

She is athletic

She is oh so smart

She is more beautiful than ever.

When she graduated from High School,

what did she do?

She joined the US Navy

and served with honor and integrity.

All too soon, there came four more little angels

Each sweet and special in their own way.

Jordan Ann Angel

Logan Laine Angel

Britain Alexandra Angel

Ryan Elisabeth Angel

                My little angel is all grown up

and has little angels of her own!



This is my daughter with the love of her life.

(and he is awesome)

I can share my angel with him because I know he loves her, just as I do.

To see my beautiful angel happy, loved and loving

is

the greatest blessing of my life!