Grandparents

Dec 02 2017

The Christmas Concert ~ It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

The Christmas Concert

Some children, all in their early school years, got out of line while putting on a Christmas pageant in church. It was disconcerting.

Thirteen of them were to walk across the stage, each carrying a letter-placard.  All together–if they were in the correct order and in line –spelled:  B-E-T-H-L-E-H-E-M   S-T-A-R.

But the “star” bearers got turned around and went in backwards, so to speak, spelling out:  B-E-T-H-L-E-H-E-M   R-A-T-S! Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections:

Have you caught the Christmas spirit yet? I usually have trouble getting started every year, but this year I decided to start my Christmas baking in November. A first for me, I must be getting older!! I figured I would try to relieve the stress from the dreaded Christmas rush.

Over the years I would put so many expectations on myself with unrealistic to-do lists. Many years it wasn’t a pretty picture, setting up all night sewing, and working faster and longer than any other month of the year. By the time Christmas came, I was ready for a long winter’s nap. LOL

When life gets crazy, it seems hard to catch a breath. Over the years as I have matured, I am thankful for the opportunities to many life lessons. Some I looked forward to with high expectation, others I dreaded thinking it would be too hard. Sure I make plans, but there are times when life’s interruptions cause long delays. Have you ever felt like your life is a series of pauses especially when you are in a hurry trying to get things done?

Many times during those interruptions I have wished God would send me an email to alert me to what is coming next. Do you ever feel like a memo would be grand gesture too? I don’t know about you, but I like to prepare, and have a schedule with everything penciled in. But Life is not like that, is it? At least not mine.

I am praying that that I have started a new Christmas tradition for myself, starting earlier!

Although there are many ups and downs, I can look back and realize how each season has put amazing color in my life. Giving me meaning and enriching everyday life with faithful friends who pray for me, a trustworthy and compassionate God who loves me, and a Savior who forgives me.©

When we are on hold, waiting or paused, we need to take the time to breathe and see each opportunity to learn to walk in God’s light and presence.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
What is your favorite Christmas recipe?
Nov 18 2017

No One Diets on Thanksgiving

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”
~Reba McEntire ~

 

Stuff The Turkey

Baby Bruno was sitting in his grandmother’s kitchen, watching her prepare the Thanksgiving meal.

“What are you doing?” Bruno asked.

“Oh, I’m just stuffing the turkey,” his grandmother replied.

“That’s cool!” Bruno said. “Are you going to hang it next to the deer?”

 

 

 

 

 

No One Diets On Thanksgiving

I love The Thanksgiving season, anticipating the cherished times with family and friends that no amount of money could buy. And besides no one diets on Thanksgiving! 

The smell of a turkey baking, pumpkin pies and the beautiful fall colored trees of November is my favorite time of year.  I love the family gatherings as we remembering each loved one who joins us and the cherished ones we have lost these past years. We can also reflect on God’s love and grace. 

Over the year, there have been many tears, frustration, and fears as I have tried to learn God’s love lessons in waiting. I think waiting is going to be a lifelong pursuit for me because I seem to be such a slow learner. I am so thankful that God doesn’t give up on me, as he lovingly helps me to understand his purposes in my life.

And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is.  Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love.  Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.  

Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV

As God’s peace fills my soul I know that everything is all right. God’s plans are deeper, wider, and higher than anything, I could imagine, and in the loving arms of a faithful and trustworthy God, I know we will be safe.

As I reflected on this last year, I am reminded of all the love, encouragement and prayers of family and friends. What an extraordinary year. I read a little quote that said, “Dark fears flee in the light of God’s presence”. What a beautiful thought of comfort and peace as God brings us soon to another year.

Praying you have a wonderful Thanksgiving season with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week, Travel safe
Sending love to you all. HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan 

***What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

****And yes in Canada we have snow, Burrrrrr. LOL

Nov 11 2017

What Does Bravery Look Like?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

We Will Not Forget!

 

 

 

 

 

What Does Bravery Look Like?

Bravery reminds me of the day I watched my husband and my son-in-law walk ahead of my daughter and me towards the restaurant for an early morning breakfast.

I still remember the feeling I had knowing this would be our last breakfast together for a while. Our brave soldier would be leaving for a 15-month deployment.

My heart filled with respect and admiration as I looked at this fine young man, and wondered what would cause a person to volunteer so freely to serve his country and willingly go into harm’s way for others.  

To stand and fight for people he does not know so they can enjoy safety and freedom too.  Is it the brave determination of character to serve God and to do what is right because he loves his country and family?

They say “Freedom is never free,” but there is always a price… physically, mentally and emotionally.

In our country, there are various opinions on how our government and military should run. Or how we should help in other countries far away and remote from our lives.  Have we forgotten what Bravery is, or what life would be like for us if this war were fought here in America or Canada?

Every Country, even our own has paid an enormous price for freedom, and our friends far away are learning what the cost is with their suffering.  But once they have tasted it, they will not stop until they have it for themselves, their families, and country. 

        “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.” Aesop

The Canadian and American spirit is the heart and soul of our soldiers, and the people in these countries will never forget them.©

Thank You to all who serve, I am praying for you!

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend. What does the word Bravery bring to your mind?

 I’d love to hear from you.   Hugs

Sep 16 2017

How does that relation go ~ Finding the Clues

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

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

Sep 11 2017

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

Grandparents, Can We Live Without Them?

One child wrote the following school paper:

We always used to spend the holidays with grandma and grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but Grandpa got retarded, and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people.

They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don’t know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don’t do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don’t know how to swim.
At their gate, there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts.

My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds.

Some of the people can’t get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center and call it pot luck.

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren. Author unknown 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Can’t Live Without Them!

My daughters loved their grandmothers and learned many incredible life lessons from them.

Grandma Frances was from California, who was funny, curious and as they said in ‘Star Wars” “To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before.” Grandma always brought fun adventures!

She was eccentrically independent with a generous heart and loved a good deal, so thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales and flea markets were thrilling when she found the perfect bargain.

She always saw beauty in everything and especially loved the times she spent with her granddaughters in San Diego when they were visiting. Sandy beaches, seashells, sea world and Mexican food.

Even now, I miss her laughter, her friendly smile, and beautiful green eyes. I admired her strength and accomplishments against insurmountable odds. Mother often said, “With God nothing is impossible.”

We knew mother, and grandma loved us and loved God too. She trusted Him, leaned on Him, and believed His promises would keep her through the ups and downs of life. She taught us every day about God’s grace, forgiveness, and love. Through her life, we could see how God faithfully protected and cared for each of us.

Grandma Gleddie lived close by, in fact, she lived in the same yard. Every day after school My daughters would stop at Grandma’s for cookies and tea, play a game of Sorry or Trouble, and then come home. She always had a listening ear and encouraging word and many hugs. It was as though it was their private time to have Grandma all to themselves.

I remember the joy on their faces as they came home telling me they had beat their Grandmother in their chosen game today. Such confidence and happiness, although I am sure that she allowed them to win much more, then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, her willingness to love and teach her granddaughters how to bake and enjoy recipes as they hunted for something new to try and sample.

She was a beautiful pianist, organist, and singer. And her gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house and quietly enjoy their private concerts and singing.

She endured great physical pain and showed grace throughout the illness. She always knew God loved her and her faith knew he had a perfect plan for her.

The cherished gifts these two different grandmothers gave their grandchildren gave them a lifetime of wonderful memories that are worth more than silver and gold. My daughters are blessed. ©

Proverbs 17:6 The Message

Old people are distinguished by grandchildren;
    children take pride in their parents.

Thank you for sharing your time with me dear reader, I pray that you have gotten a giggle and a blessing at the same time. Hugs
Lovingly, Karan