I love the spring flowers and the hint of summer soon to arrive. We are fortunate in the Northwest to have four seasons to enjoy. It reminds me of God’s plan for us to look forward and enjoy the seasons of life also; to be thankful in all things in each season God brings.
On March 15, I traveled to Ephrata in Eastern Washington to attend a cousin’s memorial. Nial put up a grand fight against cancer for over 7 years. I never heard him complain and his faith in Jesus was so strong and it was so awesome to watch him encourage family and friends to appreciate life to its fullest. I loved the story his son told about his dad’s response to his wife, Mary Jo’s, question about what happened to all the left over Christmas trees on the lot in their small town. Such a romantic, he bought every one of the leftover trees and he lined their driveway with all the trees for her as she returned home from work on Christmas eve.
Afterwards, I brought my 95-year-old mother home with me for a visit so my brother could perform some maintenance on the farm house. She continues to live by herself with just a weekly visit from a caregiver and my brother’s constant eye on her. While she was here, she was able to share her amazing skill and childhood hobby at making cornhusk dolls with the kids in Jubilee REACH Center’s after school Art Club. I recently produced a book on “How to Make Corn Husk Dolls” for her which is a step by step guide to the dolls she has made over the years. Her dolls have been on the US Whitehouse Christmas tree, traveled the country in the Bicentennial celebration, and have been on exhibit at Bellevue’s Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. The books are available for purchase at $20.
In the three weeks she stayed with us, I realized another season has passed with her. Her eye sight is failing rapidly, she doesn’t hear well, and she told stories many times as though she’d never told them before even if it had only been an hour or a day since we’d last heard the story. I have been blessed to have such a long time with her. Her unselfish sacrifices for me growing up certainly make it easier to deal with the role reversal that is taking place in our relationship.
Enjoy your season,
Joy
On March 15, I traveled to Ephrata in Eastern Washington to attend a cousin’s memorial. Nial put up a grand fight against cancer for over 7 years. I never heard him complain and his faith in Jesus was so strong and it was so awesome to watch him encourage family and friends to appreciate life to its fullest. I loved the story his son told about his dad’s response to his wife, Mary Jo’s, question about what happened to all the left over Christmas trees on the lot in their small town. Such a romantic, he bought every one of the leftover trees and he lined their driveway with all the trees for her as she returned home from work on Christmas eve.
Afterwards, I brought my 95-year-old mother home with me for a visit so my brother could perform some maintenance on the farm house. She continues to live by herself with just a weekly visit from a caregiver and my brother’s constant eye on her. While she was here, she was able to share her amazing skill and childhood hobby at making cornhusk dolls with the kids in Jubilee REACH Center’s after school Art Club. I recently produced a book on “How to Make Corn Husk Dolls” for her which is a step by step guide to the dolls she has made over the years. Her dolls have been on the US Whitehouse Christmas tree, traveled the country in the Bicentennial celebration, and have been on exhibit at Bellevue’s Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. The books are available for purchase at $20.
In the three weeks she stayed with us, I realized another season has passed with her. Her eye sight is failing rapidly, she doesn’t hear well, and she told stories many times as though she’d never told them before even if it had only been an hour or a day since we’d last heard the story. I have been blessed to have such a long time with her. Her unselfish sacrifices for me growing up certainly make it easier to deal with the role reversal that is taking place in our relationship.
Enjoy your season,
Joy
