Happy 85th!

My Granddaddy is 85 today. Contrary to how it may seem from this photograph (which is my favorite photo of him by the way), at 85 he is as sharp as ever... though he does enjoy acting goofy every once and a while. As much as I enjoy laughing with him, I also enjoy philosophizing and praying with him. He is a man of great faith and great love for my grandmother, his children and grandchildren, and the small community in which he lives. And we all love him so much in return. Happy Birthday, Granddaddy!

Just, Margaret

A digital scrapbook

This Sunday I volunteered to represent MIH at a Methodist church service.  Apparently they requested that a few students attend the service to talk about their church experiences in their home countries.  What the church will be getting is an American and an Australian... not exactly the most exciting combo at least in my mind.  I guess its still hard to think of myself as an international student.  International students should come from exotic locales and Georgia just doesn't feel "different" enough.  So the last day and a half I've been thinking about the experiences I've had in the United Methodist Church, basically since infancy though I've decided to focus on the last few years (missionary experience and such).  They also asked that we bring any "artifacts"- actually their word not mine- that we may have to share.  Since I do really have a whole lot of material artifacts I could share, I decided to put together a quick slideshow to loop throughout the morning.  I've actually had lots of fun going through photos again.  Finding ones I remember taking in Fargo and then Baldwin, remembering the different events in Georgia before I moved here.  Its cathartic to reassess my life over the last few years in this way.  Reminds me of the blessings, things I should remain thankful for.  Not sure if the photos will make much since to people who haven't lived through the events with me... maybe they'll think their exotic. [smile] 

Speaking of blessings, today is my beautiful grandmother's birthday.  I don't think she would mind me telling you that she is 80.  The women in our family don't tend to freak out about telling their age.  I think my Grammy would say that there is no reason not to share her age because each year has added so much to the joy of her life experience.  That's one of the things I love about her and hope that I can inherit.  She loves people so fully and with such amazing joy and compassion.  I love that I share her name.  The photo above is the most perfect of the two of us together, but I love it because I think we've sat on a porch together talking or not talking, sometimes both intently reading more than any other place.  Love you Grammy and Happy Birthday!

Just, Margaret

Happy Anniversary, Grammy and Granddaddy!

On this day some years ago, my sweet grandparents were married in the little church just opposite of their current home.  I love to think of their beautiful love story.  My room in their house... (yes, I said "my room." It's purple which was my favorite color when they moved into their house.)... overlooks the churchyard.  And I love imagining what their wedding day was like.  I feel certain my grandmother looked absolutely beautiful and I'm sure my granddad was very handsome.  Their life was so full of promise and has proved to be very blessed not because of the location of the wedding, but because of their commitment to loving each other.  Still, I sometimes think that I would like someday to be married in that same little church.  

With love to Grammy and Granddaddy on their special day.  Just, Margaret

Bring a torch, Jeanette Isabella.

Its Advent.  have I mentioned this earlier?  I'm not sure.  Anyway I love Advent.  Really its got to be my favorite part of the Christmas season.  The ritual associated with Advent is lighting candles... one each Sunday until Christmas Eve when we light the center candle symbolizing the birth of Christ.  Well that's just a little Advent primer.  Actually the reason for this post is to share you a poem from a Christmas card I received in the mail from my Grammy and Granddaddy today about lighting candles.  It inspired me.  Consider it a Advent meditation.

I will light candles this Christmas.  

Candles of joy, despite all sadness. 

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. 

Candles of courage for fears ever present. 

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days. 

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. 

Candles of love to inspire all my living. 

Candles that will burn all the year long. 

- Howard Thurman  

Just, Margaret

Around the table

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and I'm here in the UK missing it.  Thanksgiving is such a special day and I've tried to explain it more times than I can count to my international friends, but each explanation seems to come up wanting.  Thanksgiving is a day when we as a nation give thanks for our birth, survival skills, ect., but that's just part of it.  And really I have to say its a very small part of my family's celebrations.  I do remember as a little girl dressing up as a pilgrim or Native American (although at the time we still used the term indian) at school complete with the pilgrim bonnet or indian vest homemade from a paper grocery sack and either a wide brim collar or feather in my hair, but it has been a really long time since I've actually thought about Thanksgiving in those terms.  

As I contemplate Thanksgiving today, I envision a large table with my family seated around it smiling in the glow of having eaten their fill (and some overfill) of the bounteous feast prepared by the hands of my grandmothers, mother, aunts, along with help from a man or two I'm sure.  Now as they sit and think about the day one of my grandparents is sure to initiate the long held tradition of speaking our gratefulness aloud.  Each member of the family is ushered to say what they are most thankful for this day.  Much thanks will be spoken for the meal and the hands that have prepared it.  Others will remark about the people in attendance and I'm sure my Grammy or Mom will say something about the family who could not be gathered with them this year.  And to close a reading from the Bible or poem chosen by one of our many United Methodist pastors in attendance and read by one of the now grown-up grandchildren, then a prayer, and perhaps even a hymn.  

Then the meal will end and many hands will make light work of all the straightening up the kitchen and eating areas.  Leftovers will be put away waiting to brought out later that evening and the day after for more repast.  And it may seem like the end of a holiday, but it always seems to feel like the beginning.  Its a lovely holiday and a tradition I intend to keep even while celebrating on this side of the pond.  So I've asked members of my friends and family to join in around the table early this year to share what they are grateful for so that I can now share it with you.  

Liz, a fellow Young Adult Missionary serving in Hong Kong

-Communication.  Being so far from my family, my boyfriend and other loved ones, I have realized how hard we have to work at communication.  It is a gift that should never be overlooked.  

-Solidarity.  It sounds funny, but being in an international community, every time we find something that we connect over, it brings our worlds a little closer. When they miss their families, I understand the pain of separation.  When I'm frustrated with a language I can't grasp, they can tell their own stories of language mishaps.  Laughter, tears, dreams, hopes- they are all the same no matter where you are from.  And that is comforting.  

-Every year I celebrated Thanksgiving in the States, we always say grace over the food- reminding us to be thankful not just for abundance, but for the ability to acquire food, to prepare it to our liking, ect.  Last year, I was humbled with a single meal, nothing related to traditional holiday foods (think tofu and rice), and solitude.  And it made me think of all those who work hard everyday to harvest the rice, to prepare the tofu, to raise the chickens, grown the vegetables... their hard work is to our benefit.  And for some reason, last year it hit home even more that my food comes from the hands of individuals.  To be thankful for their hard work and dedication to cultivating food. 

Barbara, family friend

-the chance to start over every day!

-that the Lord is my Shepherd!

Sally, family friend (claim to fame:  being my dad's first babysitter) and fellow LaGrange College Alum

-The presidential election of Barack Obama which few of us could have dreamed of back in the 60s. 

-Knowing your [mine] family and learning more all the time about being Christian from them since 1957.

-Being married to Albert for 47+ years and sharing in ministry with him across the conference and general church.  

-Our son Dennis, his wife Kim, and their three children. 

-LaGrange College and what it has meant to me for more than 50 years.  

-Good friends across the entire world.  

-Opportunities to travel.  

-Living in a country where I can worship as I wish and come and go at will.  

-Having enough money to live comfortable and being able to share with those less well off.  

-Health and the opportunity to grow old.

Uncle Tim, my dad's brother and one of the many ministers in our family (this is a selection from his weekly email newsletter to his church congregation)

-The grace of God that is beyond all logic and understanding.  It is that grace which primarily defines my life.  The most important core value for me is to figure out creative ways of sharing grace. 

-The joy of reading a good book.

-The profound wisdom of children.

Grammy

-I'm thankful that my number one grandchild is getting a chance to fulfill her childhood dream of studying archaeology at Bristol University no less.  

-I'm thankful that we have elected a president who believes that we can be one and is concerned about all people.  

Granddaddy

-I am thankful that I was born into a Christian home.  

-I am thankful that God provided my Margaret [i.e. Grammy] at just the right time.  

-I am thankful that God has provided me with the resources to do some giving to others.  

-I am thankful for new beginnings. 

-I am thankful for our seven grandchildren.  

Daddy

-Always thankful for my family.  

-For good food, pumpkin pies and good soup and peanut M&Ms (you would think that after all these years I would get tired of them, but I don't), dark chocolate, and coffee.  

-For good music, like James Taylor.  

-For my guitar.  I enjoy making music.  

-For a yard to work in.  

Mama

This year I have been especially reminded of my wonderful heritage and for this I am very thankful.  Through my family and Bill's family we have parents very committed to marriage and family life and the Christian faith.  I am so grateful for the long life and good health of Elick and Margaret, my parents, (Grammy and Granddaddy) and John and Bertha Nell, Bill's parents (Mom and Pop).  After helping to clean out the John and Bertha Nell's household as they moved to Macon, I was reminded of many years even before our parents' generation of the love and gracefulness of faithful life.  For those beautiful gifts in my life, I am truly thankful.  

The Nine, my best friends

-Reconnecting with old friends.  (Meghan)

-I'm thankful for blogs.  They are another wonderful way to keep in touch.  I like writing mine and reading others.  I makes me feel connected. (Katie)

-Our house:  I remember when Meghan got her house.  Chuck and I walked by it one day, and I remember us saying how much we would like to have a DASH house one day.  I honestly never thought it would happen.  (Noelle)

-The opportunities I have to work to really get to know my kids and what they struggle with. (Courtney)

-The internet! How many times have we said that in the last year?  Yes it is easy, but it allows us to be in relationship.  I was sitting in class the other day and we didn't have an opener that week (something to center our thoughts).  The discussion leader told us about an exercise that AA and other recovery groups use.  She asked us, "Do any of y'all write grateful lists?"  (They ask recovering individuals to remember life is more than addition.)  I perked up in my chair and slowly raised my hand.  "Each week," I responded.  The class looked at me with amazement.  I smiled and explained our weekly routine.  It happens because of the great invention that is the internet! (Blair)

-Charlie Brown- my fave four legged friend. (Jane-Marie)

-Being able to do the Turkey run on Thanksgiving morning with my sister, mom, matt's mom and dad and matt!!!  It is going to be so much fun... it is a 5K downtown. (Laura)

-For friends who appreciate my appreciation of cadavers..... of rocks in our heads..... and of other such 'weird' things.  (Amber, med student)

And me... what am I grateful for?  The above individuals and the revelations that their demonstrations of thankfulness bring to my faith journey.  Thank you all for participating.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Just, Margaret

Georgia On My Mind

So the last couple of days have had me thinking of home and Georgia quite a bit... at the beginning of the week I received a pound cake, yes a homemade pound cake, in the mail from my Grammy.  I literally could not believe it, but leave it to my grandmother to defy the postal service.  I mean I thought it was awesome when I received pecan pies in the mail when I was living in North Dakota, but I never expected to receive a cake in the mail.  And of course it still tastes amazing!  I shared it with some of my housemates and I think I've convinced them all that they need to visit Georgia if only to get another piece of pound cake from my Grammy.  (I will say in addition to care packages of grandparent love, I also had the treat on Monday night of receiving a lovely Skype call from Mom and Pop.  So much fun to speak and see them at the same time.)  It has turned into a week of care packages... yesterday I received one from my friends in Louisiana.  I was almost in tears while I read Kayla's letter begging me to come back.  And the Twizlers were a special treat as I've not been able to find them in the UK yet.  I also have to say a thanks to my faithful blog readers in Louisana... I'm so glad to know that you guys are following along on all my adventures.  It really makes me feel close to you.  

Then this morning I received an emails from Blair and Megs about a recent post on Blair's blog Curbside Conference.  It was all about my friends (the girls, The Nine, ect.  I've talk about them at least once before).  Lovely post and the best part is that the sentiments could have been written by any of us although I have to give Blair props for her eloquence.  I especially loved how she wrote about "living in overlapping forms"- thats exactly how it feels.  And the post that inspired her by Sara brought up such great memories of college.  After checking my email and feeling so close to my fellow alumni, I noticed that the predicted temperature here and in Warner Robins, where my parents are was exactly the same.  So as I walked to class, I imagined for a bit that I was walking through Georgia.  It is so nice to connect in small ways with home.  Especially since Thanksgiving is coming up so soon.  

Anyway, there are so much about my archaeological adventures yesterday that I want to share, but as my photos aren't loaded on my computer yet that will have to wait for tomorrow.  

Just, Margaret

Promised photos

Have you ever turned on the shuffle on your MP3 player, iPod, iTunes, ect. and the exact song you needed to hear but didn't know it began to play.  I was getting ready to write about how these photos are the best ones I've shared on this blog so far and was kinda feeling down about it and then what begins to play through my headphones but the sweet sounds of Nancy Griffith's "This Old Town."  The song has these crazy lyrics about a town "that should have burned down" after all these things that happened there, but "it still stands."  I don't really know why it connected with me tonight, but it totally put me in the best mood.  So glad that I accidentally turned my iTunes on... now I'm jamming out to Indigo Girls.  I'm listening by genre.  Some James Taylor and Kathy Mattea is sure to turn up shortly.  You can blame my obsession on folk rock music on my parents, but mostly my dad. [smile]  I miss them.  I consciously try to keep this blog upbeat, not that I'm really depressed or anything (although we have had the awful British half rain weather pattern today), but I try to stay positive on my blog because it helps put my mind in the right frame.  Ah... Derek Webb, "Love is Not Against the Law."  Lovely.  Anyway I don't think missing my family really qualifies as a sign of not enjoying my UK life.  So I miss them... and thats okay.  Finally some James Taylor from his new album Covers.   

Okay on to a brief explanation of my photos:  The first three are from my service night with the Bristol Rotary Club.  (As a side note I did give my first Rotary presentation today to the Bristol Rotary Club and it went great!  Wahoo!)  So on the service night we visited the Water Survival Box Depot belonging to the Chichester Rotary Club and got to put together several boxes... actually 26 total.  It was so nice to meet some more Rotary folks and hang out with some of my club members in a more relaxed setting.  Also totally reminded me of my time in Louisiana packing health kits with my Grammy, Grandaddy, Mom and Pop.  More Nancy Griffith, "From Clare to Here."  I'm so loving this impromptu mix.  The service project was exactly what I needed Thursday night.

Okay so these are the best photos I have of Bonfire night and I know they aren't great, but maybe they'll give you an idea of what I was doing.  Any confusion left after looking at the photos... join me next year for Bonfire Night in the US or where ever I am.  I'm thinking that some where on West Point Lake in LaGrange will be a perfect setting for a bonfire and fireworks.  We'll see... 

Now more Indigo Girls, "Multiply Life by the Power of Two."  About to change so I'll tell you what's up next... James Taylor's cover of "Why Baby Why."  Could it get any better?  

Just, Margaret

Moongazing

Summer nights make me restless. I think it must have something to do with the extra daylight. I remember my parents reading me a book when I was little about a mother attempting to put a child to bed during the summer. I don't remember all the mishaps that occur, but eventually the mother paints a night scape on the child's blind to make it appear the time it felt. But I don't think my restlessness is that problematic. Plus I'm not sure whoever moves into my apartment would appreciate my painting skills.

Instead for the past couple of evenings I've been spending time at the gazebo on the bayou. Being outside and watching the night come helps bring me that rest I seek. Last night I was outside for 2 hours... reading until the daylight was gone and then watching the sunset, which was beautiful especially reflected in the bayou. Before I walked back to my apartment, I had to spend a few minutes gazing at the moon. My grandmother has this infatuation with the moon and practically insists on looking at it every night (and bringing me outside with her when I'm visiting). I'm not sure what she sees in the moon, but it attracts her like it does the tides. I think that as long as I live whenever I see a moon I'll think of her. I also like the thought of being contemplative when I look at the moon. Moongazing is observing something that changes yet remains unchanged. It's definitely an interesting philosophy to consider.

Just, Margaret

Two happy fools

I've been trying all day to think of an April fool's joke to put on my blog. But I've not figured out one that people who don't necessarily know me would understand and there is definitely no way I could work up one as intricate as Gmail's this morning. Custom time stamping for emails... talk about an ethical dilemma! I will admit that it did take me a few minutes to get what was going on. So, Google, you got me! I thought instead of trying to play tricks I would share with you one of the reasons I love April Fools Day.

Fifty-five years ago today my Grammy and Granddaddy were married. They are still together today and I think they would be proud of the title I've given this post. In many ways they have been fools in love. Whenever I visit, I can tell that their affection for each other has grown with each passing year. Their love has a great story... one that I've always loved to hear. I'm not going to share all of it now, but I do want to share with you one of my favorite anecdotes. This encounter happened not too long before they were engaged. My granddaddy, Elick, paid a visit to my grandmother, Margaret, in her hometown of Broxton. Margaret was engaged to be married... dress purchased, invitations ordered, and announcement already in the local newspaper. Elick knew of the engagement, in fact he was in a pretty steady relationship too, but he decided to visit anyway. Margaret did agree to go out for a drive with him around the county. They stopped on the local college campus to talk. And this is my favorite part-- I can hear my grandmother tell me this part of the story right now. She told Elick, "My mother always said, 'you can't have your cake and eat it too.'" With that she decided to call off her engagement to Ross Lily and Elick decided to end his relationship too, the rest as they say is history.

My grandparents were married on April first in the small church next door to my grandmother's childhood home. And if you were wondering, their were no jokes played at the altar. Margaret wore the dress she had already decided upon and Elick stood next to her as the grateful bridegroom. During those fifty-five years, they started a family of which I was the first grandchild and eventually settled back in Broxton across from my grandmother's home and the special church where they began their lives. I love them... I'm sure you can tell. Happy Anniversary, Grammy and Granddaddy.

Happy to be among a family of fools, Margaret.

Thanks to Benjamin Chia for letting me share your fun photo of old playing cards through Flickr, titled Le Forgotten.