c is for...

Yes... Coca-Cola. The summer we vacationed in Georgia, my husband indulged me. It was not on our list of things to see... we had already decided to forgo it in favor of Stone Mountain and the Georgia Aquarium... but while we were at the aquarium, there is was... across the grassy common area... and I really wanted to go... to the Coca-Cola museum. I didn't say a word... until the night before we were leaving. And, because he loves me, he said we could go on the way out of town. I was really stunned... and so very happy. Crazy... I know. But I love Coca-Cola. Yes, the beverage (although I am a Diet coke fan now!) but so much more than that... the commercials... the way they are a part of Christmas (Santa Coke!)... the shape of those glass bottles... their participation in the Olympics... the way they make me have a Coke and a smile! And so... we went. It was amazing to see all of the memorabilia. And before you really enter the museum part, they make you watch a movie... and okay, I'll admit it. I cried. It was those little construction workers working inside the Coke machine... and it made me cry. Eric just rolled his eyes, and shook his head. But I think he knew... how much it meant to me that we were there. There wasn't any part of the place that I did not enjoy (I did not taste the Beverly flavor of Coke like Eric did!) We sat and watched old commercials... and we laughed, and I cried... and we sang along... I'd like to teach the world to sing... It was a great day... it is a great place. So, yes, my "C" is for Coke. What other company loves their consumers so much that they would admit their mistake, and give them back their Coca-Cola Classic in just 79 days?


Happy A to Z Monday!

i almost didn't go

This morning... all snug in my jammies, I could have just stayed home. I felt the urge to write... to relax... to do nothing at all. But when Cam came in, bundled in his blanket and wearing his Santa Stitch hat and asked Are we going to church today? I said Yes.
Thank you, God... for the whisper. As usual, You were right, and I am so glad I went.

I was inspired from the moment I turned on the radio in the car and heard a pastor speaking. He asked How much of the Holy Spirit has God poured out on you? And then he provided the answer. All of it. As parents, we dole out a little responsibility at a time... but not God. He gives all... lavishly.
Thank you, God. I needed that reminder.

And then there were the songs in church...
Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are to worship.
Come, just as you are before your God.
Thank you, God... thank you for not expecting me to be perfect... or even close. This heart of mine is messy... and I am so thankful that you find me right where I am, and allow me to worship You, just as I am.

There is none like you,
No one else can touch my heart like You do;
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You.
Thank you, God... for touching this heart of mine... for loving me like only You can.

Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
Thank you, God... for giving me a heart that loves... and for giving me words to express my love.

He sighs, He dies,
He takes my sin and wretchedness.
He lives, forgives,
He gives me His own righteousness.
Worthy is the Lamb
Whose death makes me His own!
The Lamb is reigning on His throne!
Thank you, God... for Jesus. For knowing that I can never be enough without Him... and for having a plan.

Someone Special, God and man, You were there when I began,
You'll be there when I depart, For You live within my heart.
Someone special now I see, that someone is really me.
Thank you, God... for thinking I am special... even when, or especially when, I don't feel particularly special.

You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek.
You are my All in All.
Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool.
You are my All in All.
When I fall down You pick me up,
When I am dry You fill my cup.
You are my All in All.
Thank you, God... for whispering in my ear this morning. Thank you... thank you.

as close as we will get

Living in the southern part of Florida certainly has it's perks... warm weather being at the top of the list at this time of year when we see all of the below zero temperatures on the weather maps! It does get cold here though... sometimes. Yesterday morning, walking out into the world, there was a layer of shimmering frost... adorning the tops of the cars... clinging to the fresh green blades of grass. It was beautiful... and as close as we will get to the snow that my kids are always hoping for. The first year we lived in here, Laura waited at the window on her birthday. Just leaned on the window sill and waited... for snow. It was all she wanted... and of course, it was something that we could just not make happen for her. She has seen snow... played in it and loved it. Camden, too... When we have travelled to Virginia for Christmases past, they occasionally got their snow wishes granted. The last Christmas there was the opportunity for snow was the year Eric was stationed in Charleston. Though it was very cold... and snow was predicted, it never came. And so it has been a long time... since we have had the chance to play in the snow. But... we have our memories...


Gosh... it really has been a long, long time...

can you ever go home again?

Last night, gathered around a blue denim ottoman, I shared a lively conversation with two wonderfully funny women about home. You know... the home you start from. That place where you began life, and no matter how far you wander, will always hold that place in your heart as home. I laughed with them about how things are still the same... and the funny things that make your hometown home. And it jogged my memory... I didn't share too much about my trek back to Scituate... some of it was just needing a little more time in my heart. But after chatting and laughing last night... my heart is ready to release a little more...




I was expecting big changes... in my hometown. People had told me of things that were different... places no longer there... changes. So I was expecting the change... and while there were some, what struck me more was the things that were the same. When we drove into the harbor, it felt... the same. Walking down Front Street felt... familiar. And gazing out at the lighthouse and the Coast Guard boat house felt... as close to my heart that day as the the last time I had seen it. It was a comfort to know that the homes we passed still had many of the same last names on the wood carved signs. My heart felt full and happy when we climbed on the rocks where I had once fed ducks with my Grandpa. Yes... home is where my family is... but once, my home was there... and part of my heart still lives for that salty new England air. There was only one part of my weekend that brought me to tears... a change that I knew about... but refused to believe the truth about. Our little ice cream shop... the place our family put our heart, soul and sweat into. The awning still bears our name... but it is torn and weathered. Inside my Mom's artwork remains... but it has grown dingy and the love that was there cannot outshine the negligence. It was... heartbreaking. I wish I had not returned, but had instead, just kept our dream living on in my heart. So going home? Yes... you can visit... and enjoy... but go back? I don't know. As hard as it was to leave there, it was just as nice, perhaps even nicer, to come home to my family... the ones who make my home... home.