Sep 25 2015

I Don’t Remember what I Remember!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

Super Granny–Defender of Justice

An elderly Florida woman who was doing her weekly shopping returned to her car and found four young men in the act of stealing her car.

She dropped her shopping bags, drew her handgun and started screaming at the top of her lungs, “I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car! The four young men didn’t wait for a second invitation. They got out and ran like mad.

The elderly woman, considerably shaken, began to load her shopping bags into her car and slid into the driver’s seat. So shaken she couldn’t even get her keys into the ignition. She tried and tried and then it dawned on her why the keys didn’t fit.

A few minutes later she found her car parked a few spaces further down. She loaded her bags into her car and then drove to the police station.

The sergeant to whom she told the story could barely contain himself. Trying not to burst out in laughter, he pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale young men were just reporting a carjacking. They described the elderly woman as mad, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun. No charges were filed! (Published by “USA Today” newspaper)

I Don’t Remember what I Remember!

I laughed when I read about the Super Granny story, I don’t know about you, but I too have forgotten where I parked my car in a large parking lot.

I was visiting my sister in San Diego, California and need to go to the mall for some items. My sister was busy and suggested I take her car for the afternoon and enjoy a little retail therapy. I was thankful for the time to just browse the shops seeing the different stores and shops that we don’t get in Canada. I needed to be home by 4:30 to meet my sister, so I gave myself plenty of time and headed for the car at 3:00 pm. As I Headed to the parking lot, I could not remember where I parked my car. I walked up and down all the aisles of that lot twice and couldn’t find my car. I started to panic; I thought I might have to contact the police and report the car stolen.

After having a total meltdown, and no cell phone I began to walk down the aisles one more time. And suddenly there was my sister’s car, a white Buick. I was looking for my car a gray Chrysler, which was in Canada. I was two hours late; my family was about to send out a search party. Whew, what a day.

A funny thing happened on the journey to maturity. I am learning that “normal is just a setting on the dryer” and aging is not a scary process but an extraordinary adventure. I can look back at the love lessons God has given me learn, both the hard and enjoyable. I have seen how he has been faithful to his promises and walked with me every step of my journey. I have never been alone.

Although my Blonde hair is becoming whiter, and my body isn’t the same as it once was, I am never to old to serve God. I can still encourage, love and help others. God has blessed me with many memories and experiences to share. And besides, today is a fabulous day, I don’t feel so old! Lol©

What have you learned about getting more mature? Share your thoughts with me, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a fabulous weekend. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Sep 18 2015

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

“These are a few of my favorite things”

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knittin‘, Walkers and handrails and new dental fittin’s, Bundles of magazines tied up with string, These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac’s, cataracts, hearing aids, glasses, Polident, Fixodent, false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favorite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, Then I remember my favorite things. And then I don’t feel so sad.

Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food nor food cook’d with onions, Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin’, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’. And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so sad. THEN I REMEMBER THE GREAT LIFE I’VE HAD AND THEN I DON’T FEEL SOOO BAD! Author unknown

Quilting Reflections from a Novice:

I have often admired the beautiful quilts that people make and all the intricate patterns and colors they use. When I sewed my first quilt it was many years ago, it was called a rag quilt. It was so easy I never made another one. Lol.

But as time passed, I decided to help my granddaughter make a T-shirt quilt. She is a T-shirt expert and loves each T-shirt she buys and wears. So for her, having her favorite T-shirts near was comforting. We cut, spliced, pieced and sewed blocks all the while trying to keep everything squared. It was difficult because I didn’t know what I was doing and was trying to learn how to quilt from the internet.

Working on this quilting project, I talked to some wonderful quilters in our area who were encouraging and helpful. And seeing some of their beautiful quilts and pictures I started to become a little wobbly in my abilities. I wondered if my quilt would look alright and be acceptable. In my heart I knew it would not win any prizes, all I could see was the flaws. I worried about everything on that quilt. Could I do the binding right, would my hand stitches be even, would anyone even notice?

Do you ever doubt your abilities when you look at others and admire their talents and perfection? Only to find yourself grumbling how your talent doesn’t measure up to their perfection. Instead of thanking God for the privilege that he gave you to serve him in your special way, and enjoying the process.

When my son-in-law came for a visit and helping me to square the quilt preparing it for the binding. He helped me to see a new quilt perspective. Pointing out all the flaws and mistakes I had made, he said,” it adds character, everyone will know it is an original homemade quilt made with love.”

Thank you, Lord, for those words of wisdom to remind me that love can transcend time and eternity because of you. My son-in-law was right, every stitch began with the love for a special granddaughter. And it was fun to see the process unfolded. I wonder if God loves to see the process of our lives unfold too. ©

Lovingly, Karan

How do you deal with doubting your abilities and comparisons to others? Let me know if you do that too.

Thank you, dear friends for sharing your time with me today, Wishing you a wonderful weekend with your friends and family. Hugs to all!

Sep 03 2015

IS GROWING UP OPTIONAL ?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

Is Growing Up Optional?

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?” I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze.

“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?” I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…”

“No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. “I always dreamed of having a college education, and now I’m getting one!” She told me.

After class, we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this “time machine” as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon, and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up, and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester, we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Embarrassed, she leaned forward into the microphone and said, “I’m sorry I’m a little nervous. I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.”

As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success.

You have to laugh and find humor every day. You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know it! There is an enormous difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything, I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.”

She finished her speech by courageously singing “The Rose. At the year’s end, Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s never too late to be all you can be. Author unknown

Reflections:

I love this story, especially now as I am maturing. I pray I will always have an attitude of wonder, joy and curiosity in each new day’s activities. No matter what age I am or how I am feeling. And I never want to get weary of meeting new and interesting people, I think this keeps us young. I want to age as graceful as I can and keep them guessing.

We make a Living by what we get,

We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it – He will bring you through it.

Thank you for sharing your time with me sweet friend, What do you do to keep a young perspective,

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have a great week, Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 20 2015

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?

I have often said, “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart”. I believe it. As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to difficult situations, so I just laughed. And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh! Can you relate? But I learned early if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crises driven world.

Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada. The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day. It was a little big around, but the button on the skirt seemed secure. Besides it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say?

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day, it could have been just a pantyhose day. I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can truly say they have seen everything!

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises. I often do that myself. Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Then running back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too? I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness and love to fix that which is broken. That is his speciality. The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. ~ Nehemiah 9:17

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, dear friend. If you find and inspiration, love or laughter here please share with the ones who might enjoy a giggle.

Have a Great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 13 2015

Grandparents, How We Love them!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

Grandparents/Retirement???

A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation.

One child wrote the following:

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.

Reflections:

I have three daughters, and they loved their grandmothers and learned wonderful life lessons from both.

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 excitement!

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 wonderful 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 all daily about God’s grace, forgiveness and love. Through her life we could see how God faithfully protected and care for each of us.

Grandma Hedevig lived close by, fact she lived-in the same farmyard.

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 special 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 win much more then they lost.

I always admired her gentle ways, with a willingness to loving 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 that gift passed on to her granddaughters. They would go over to her house, and quietly enjoy their own private concerts and singing.

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

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

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

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope

Thankfulness

I Don’t Remember what I Remember!

I Don’t Remember what I Remember!

Is Laughter The Best Medicine?