Happy Mother’s Days ~ Hero’s Come In All Sizes

Happy Mother’s Days!

 

 

 

 

Hero’s Come In All Sizes

Hero’s come in all sizes, my hero came from a harsh background; I think she spent her life trying to work through the difficulties she encountered as a child. She strived to be understanding and kind towards others. Unlike her parents, she achieved her goal. There were painful personal and emotional struggles in her life, as well as great highs. Mother was always optimistic no matter what life handed her. Her motto was: “tomorrow’s a brand-new day.”

She worked hard to put a roof over our heads and food on the table, never giving up or expecting handouts. Although others thought we were poor, I can’t say that we ever thought we were. We always had enough, when we outgrew our shoes and clothing; she made sure we had something new to replace the old. I often wondered how she worked her magic with the budget, but as I look back I realize she went without so that my sisters and I would have more opportunities and a few extras.

Mother loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the ultimate bargain.

She loved her flower beds and gardening much better than house cleaning and often said she felt closer to God outside. She loved to spend time talking to Him in the quietness of the morning as the sun rose on a new day.

We knew mother loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would sustain her throughout life. She taught us daily about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. Through her life, we were able to see how God faithfully protected and care for our needs. My mother has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more to me than silver and gold. 

I felt lost when she passed away and wondered what I would do without her wonderful sense of humor and practical wisdom. But as I look back, I can see a long line of the heroes that God sprinkled into my life. Each one pushed, encouraged, and inspired me to become a better person. To reach for my dreams and never stop, and when I slow down and get discouraged, they cheer me on with their prayers.

To have Godly mentors who showed me that loving God, putting him first and serving him would give the greatest joy in life, each one has blessed me.

The Bible says we need to remember all that God has done for us and lean on his promise. ©

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Look Who’s Talking ~ Can I Call You Dad?

Look Who’s Talking!

A Ventriloquist was touring the clubs in Florida. With his dummy on his knees, he’s going through his usual dumb blonde jokes when a blonde woman in the audience stands on her chair and shoots.

“I’ve heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. 

What does the color of a persons hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It’s guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and reaching our full potential!”

The embarrassed ventriloquist starts to apologize when the blonde yells, “You stay out of this, mister! I’m talking to that little jerk sitting on your knee.  Author unknown

 

 

Reflections: Can I Call You Dad?

As a child growing up, I always wondered about the father I never knew. Did he have blonde hair, was I like him? My mother never talked about him, and I never inquired because it caused her great sadness to discuss that time in her life.

For years, I would think about meeting him, and dream about our wonderful reunion. But that scenario would not happen. I had found out that he had passed away many years before I had started to look for him. I was so disappointed, all my questions would go unanswered.

I remember at church the minister talked about how much God cares for each of us, and he knows our pain and hurt in the secret places where only he can see. And he quoted a Bible verse that I never forgot:

God in His holy house is a father to those who have no father.

And He keeps the women safe whose husbands have died.

God makes a home for those who are alone.

Psalm 67:5 & 6a

I found great comfort in that verse but wondered if it would happen for me.

Little did I know that God had prepared a father for me in Alberta, Canada. When I married Lyle, I not only got a husband but a new father who became my dad.

Trygve was a kind, loving and humble man who loved life and loved me. As the years passed by it amazed me, how much alike we were. We both loved books, collected funny stories and loved humor. He loved to sing, loved people and most of all loved God.

Trig passed away in 2000; there is not a day that goes by that I don’t reflect on all the times we spent together. We would both cry through “Little House on the Prairie”, sad movies and touching books. We liked to laugh, sing in the car, go shopping, eating out and share the important family stories and our walk with God. How I loved and missed him.

I am thankful for the great privilege to call him my DAD.
God gave me the desire of my heart, and his timing is perfect.

Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful gift.  What are some of your favorite memories?©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
My love to all and am praying you each have a fabulous week. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

 

How does that relation go ~ Finding the Clues

How does that relation go? 

Many, many years ago when I was twenty-three, I was married to a widow who was pretty as could be.

This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red, My father fell in love with her and soon they too were wed.

This made my dad my son-in-law and really changed my life, for now, my daughter was my mother because she was my father’s wife

And to complicate the matter, even though it brought me joy, I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy.

My little baby then became a brother-in-law to dad, And so became my uncle, though it made me very sad.

For if he were my uncle, then that also made him brother, Of the widow’s grownup daughter, who was, of course, my step-mother?

Father’s wife then had a son who kept them on the run, And he became my grandchild, for he was my daughter’s son.

My wife is now my mother’s mother and it makes me blue, Because although she is my wife, she’s my grandmother too.

Now if my wife is my grandmother, then I’m her grandchild, And every time I think of it, it nearly drives me wild.

Cause now I have become the strangest ‘case you ever saw, As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa.

Written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe

 

 

 

Reflections: Finding the Clues

I am a History Nerd! I love History, whether it’s my ancestors or the world’s history. Books, movies, research, Museum’s, I like to study and get the facts.  Usually, more facts lend to more questions, and then my obsessiveness kicks in.  I love research and like to think there’s a little Sherlock Holmes in my genes, as I continually search for the next big clue.

Fifteen years ago I started working on my Ancestral tree. I got so engrossed with the research that I couldn’t put it away.  I couldn’t sleep without getting up at night just to find the next hint of evidence to prove I was on the right track. Soon I realized that I was putting all my time and effort in the search.  I finally packed everything in a box and put in the Garage.  Out of sight and out of mind.

Fifteen years later, guess who found the box and pulled out the old dusty files for just a quick peek to confirm information I needed. As I pulled each file out, it was like seeing old friends again. It wasn’t long before I was back obsessing over new data and looking for the pieces of history I needed to complete the puzzle.

Yesterday, while I was reading my morning devotions in my “Daily Walk Bible” I pondered 3 Questions:

  • Where does your mind wander during the moments before you fall asleep?
  • What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you wake up in the morning?
  • Answer these questions honestly, and you will discover the greatest passion in your life!

 

These issues were a scary thought for me, you see like genealogy but I am obsessed with the news too.  As soon as I wake up, I lay in bed and read all the news each morning, and at night I do the same before I fall asleep. I like to think I’m just staying up on world events but in reality, I had come face-to-face with my own failings. The hard fact is the news, and my ancestors had become my idol. What a shocker, I guess God thought I needed to face the facts about my excesses.

The Bible says: Philippians 4:8

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

I have now placed all my genealogy away in a file cabinet and am trying to go cold turkey on the news. Lol, I’ll let you know how it is progressing.  It is not that these are bad, but for me, if they are first in my life then I need to put them in check. My desire is put God first and keep my eyes on Him.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me. Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all, 

Lovingly, Karan