And one other thing

And one other thing to consider about Cinderella..........


Bumps in the road met her at every turn. Obstacles and disappointments, her constant companions. Yet in the end she had the palace, position, and of most value, the Prince's heart....................

                                 And her sisters were left with nothing but broken glass.

Giving up causes you to miss out on the best part, the reward.  

  So don't give up!!!!!!

I saw beyond the glass slipper...

On the subject of Cinderella I have some thoughts...........

 Prince, rich, charming, and rescuer.... that is what people think of him. Forgotten girl, poor, defenseless, trapped, alone.... that is what people think of her. I believe these are just and, in part, accurate adjectives describing these two solitary souls and yet there is more to it.
More to him. More to her. More.......

Cinderella lost her position in life, as well as the love and protection of her father in one moment. It happened at a tender age. She gained in return hateful step siblings and a calculating opportunistic step mother. A cold heart beat within the woman's hollow being, to be certain. Chills.......  In addition, household duties that multiplied with each passing breath became Cinderella's reason for being. Without choice, these truths were thrust upon her. Happiness for this change of circumstance did not swell within the young girl's heart.

 But hopelessness was not allowed to take up residence there either because a determined spirit dwelt in her slender frame. She did not permit herself to grow bitter. She fanned the flame of hope at each opportunity. A true friend she was to all that would receive her friendship; and faithful to them all without reserve. She displayed moxy when the situation required it and tenderness was shown to those that required it and would receive her affection.

Her step sisters are referred to as ugly and indeed we all have little doubt of that being an undeniable fact. Actually, I think they might crack a mirror or two, but what makes us all ugly is not a misshapen nose, an unflattering hair cut, or I dare say an unusually large foot. The heart of the matter is the heart.... period. Behave selfishly, manipulatively, hard, with absence of compassion and you will reap a bitter return.

So, the ugly question ....maybe they were but, their behavior was the paramount detractor.

The Prince, he traveled extensively, his education of the highest degree, privileged, pampered, poised, but not indulged. Excellence was expected in everything. The responsibility to marry and produce an heir, to be 
prepared to rule over the land in due course; all these tasks pressed down upon him. He did not bow under the weight of it, he took it squarely on his shoulders and stood tall. Waiting for true love..... never impressed by the average batch of princesses, all so the same.

True hearts are those that recognize quality at first glance. Out of the crowd the Prince was drawn to Cinderella. 
Not a woman of substantial fortune, but a woman of substance....this is what he was attracted to like the irresistible pull of a magnet. Cinderella found this stranger before her, kind, tender, displaying a gentle strength that was woven into his character. Her heart told her to be near him was a good thing. Her heart that beat with a wild thump in response to his nearness. She was not caught up in the fact that he was a Prince for she knew not, that he was the Prince.

Yes there is more to this pair than we ever think about. Forgiving, open, given to laughter, smart, beautiful heart, beautiful, well developed sense of humor.... that IS her.

Observant, humble, a people person, an admirer...lover of beauty heart deep, attracted to strength, a leader and truly charming.... that IS him.

Ever expectant of the missing piece in their lives, Cinderella and the Prince waited, they each knew their time would come. That the piece would one day fall into place and it did.

When you take the time to look, each person that fills a role of this story, has a lot to contribute. Even if it is just a matter of what not to be, we can learn from each of them. Cinderella is a positive example of believing for the best against impossible odds and up against decidedly discouraging circumstances. The Prince searched out character, heart, and a genuine woman of substance, and found it came in a beautiful package.

Yes, there is more.

It's All the Little Things

It's all the little things that make you who you are and make the big things possible. I have a mother, she is like no other; not exclusively, but partly because she is mine. She taught me to tie my shoes, paint my nails, give a compliment, and a helping hand. My Mother is like no other... she taught me the fine art of making getting lost on accident, into a purposeful adventure. She lead by example that being treated badly did not give me permission to return the treatment in kind. Because of her I know the delights of a sunset, a rose about to open, the value of a warm hug, and the irresistible draw to the 1950's cinema.

 My Mother, the one that gave me eyes like hers, a quick and teasing wit, the ability to turn a phrase, and the satisfaction of drinking an ice cold glass of milk; I love her with my whole heart. My Mother, there is no other, that gave me life. I thank you because you know and I know that giving me life could have and would have cost you your own; but for the giver of all life. Here we are together all these many years later, older, wiser, funnier, and anxious for what comes next.

A new adventure....a new assignment and task. Hmm we could ask?

But no, we will wait and watch, praise our God, raise our hopes and experience His perfect peace in our perfect place.....living free....living blessed. For all the little things I thank you. For all the big things you have done I honor you. For being you I love you.

Happy 75th Birthday.... this one is going to be one to write about.

My Mother is like no other. I would NOT trade her for another. High, low, deep, wide, far, near.
Have I made myself perfectly clear.........I Love You

Now and for Always
YOUR CHARM

Mine Alone

I don't want to know everything. 

It is too much of a burden for my heart; 

it is too much information for my head to absorb.

Let me know only what is mine to know.

Let me do only what is mine to do.

Lord help me do it with excellence

and with my whole heart.

And Beyond..................

Popcorn...........Sunsets

Cheerios...................Sunrise

Wise Thoughts

Tender Words

Complete Surrender

Quiet Company........

Warm Embrace

Insecurity, Heavy Heart

vanished, no trace

Sweet Jesus

Forever Friend.........Not Until, But Beyond The END!

Shallow soil Determined Roots

I stopped and looked in near disbelief the other night at this green leafed, white blossomed "engine that could".

When we arrived at this house the spindly little plant greeted us with a drop of hope. Over time we have watered it and trimmed off the finished blooms and tired out growth. It has thanked us in return with bright, white fragrant flowers to lift our spirits and engage our sense of smell in the most pleasant manner.

This gardenia was planted I don't when, by I don't know who, and I must add I don't know what the mystery planter was thinking. Our weather is what a person might compare to the face of the sun during the summer months. So, Mr. Green thumb took his spade and found a space against the house that will heat up to extraordinary temperatures between the house and the side walk. A space about four inches wide and about eight inches deep. The soil is not nutrient rich and yet it has grown. From it's less than ideal environment, the plant decided to live and to flourish beyond expectation--beyond the norm. It didn't wait for good soil, room to spread out, and weather that was kind. It just did it anyway. It looked to it's purpose, it's reason for being and did that. It ignored the circumstances it was planted into and it bloomed, and bloomed, and bloomed. It bloomed where it was planted.

If this plant can do this special thing, why can't we do ours? This overachieving gardenia is not the only one born with purpose or the only one with what it needs to fulfill that purpose.

 We have all we need on the inside and we have a heavenly father with the ability, love, and patience to bring our blossoms out for the world to see. To make a difference. To cause the world to pause in awe at the beauty of that purpose on display. Take a page from the gardenia and ignore your atmosphere, defy expectations, simply operate in the purpose you were equipped to do--that you were born for, and unlike the gardenia you will alter your atmosphere.

HAPPY TOES

Happy toes, ten of those.
Smile bright....An expression of my delight.
Ears filled with music, heart filled with joy.
What does God have in store for me today?
Can't contain myself.......
Oh Boy!!!

                          

My family...Grandma, Mom and cousins. Reba, Wilma, Janie in the blanket, David and Ivan front and center about to take a leap.
70 years later and he is still taking life one giant leap at a time.