Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Much to Smile About!

Last Monday morning my Pa Pa went to be with the Lord. He is no longer suffering and is having a blast in Heaven with Jesus! When a loved one crosses the other side to be with the Lord, we have much reason to celebrate. And when I think of my Pa Pa, I can only smile. His life was blessed. It was full and abundant here on earth. He was a blessing to many. Now he is reaping his rewards! To look into the face of Jesus! There is nothing better! To literally hold God's hand and to live with Him in His house....Pa Pa is resting in His eternal home where he belongs!
After the funeral in N.C. I went back to Ninety Six with my parents to spend time with them. What a great memory! I went to stay with them in hopes of being a help to them in some way. However, the blessing was mostly mine as I enjoyed several days of quiet,enjoying the scenery of the lake and flowers in bloom. I mainly enjoyed spending time with my precious parents!
In Momma and Daddy's yard is a huge Camellia tree. The petals were beginning to fall off the blooms and they graced the lawn with their beautiful hues of pink! It was breathtaking.
This is one of the Camellia buds just beginning open.
This is one of my favorite photos. The skies were blue every day I was back home except one day which was party cloudy. The birdhouse is where the purple martins stay when they fly in from South America every year to breed in the spring. My daddy told me that the martin comes back to its birth place every spring. In July, they leave and go back to South America for the winter. Look at the blue sky....sigh...I love the simple things in life!
This is the lake view out of the bedroom window in which I grew up! I was one blessed kid!!
One thing I am smiling about right now are my two precious nephews Allan and William. I knew I loved them, but this trip just did something to my heart. I am just crazy about these two. I could just take them home with me. This is William. He is 15 years old and a freshman in high school. He is the sweetest and kindest young man!!
This is my other nephew Allan. He is 21 and such a joy! I love his quiet demeanor and his laugh! He giggles just like my brother!

My brother Chris is such a blessing. He is my only sibling and we are only 13 months apart. We were always close growing up. He is a wonderful man and father! I love him dearly!
Momma and Daddy! They have to be some of the sweetest and most loving people on earth! I am so blessed to have them as my parents!
Daddy and Momma again with my sweet sister in law Mandy. We had the best time laughing and cutting up!
Another wonderful blessing that came from my visit back home in Ninety Six was my visit with some of my former classmates. This is Angie. She was my first friend when my family moved to Ninety Six. I was in the 6th grade. She and I have remained close through the years. She was one of my very best friends!
Here I am with Rinda. Rinda is such a strong and godly woman. When we moved to Ninety Six, many of the kids were mean to me because I was the new kid. Rinda always stood up for me. An amazing lady!
Debbie and me. Debbie was always one of my closest friends too. This lady always kept me laughing and smiling! She is such a precious person!
And here we are together. Rhonda (middle) was one of my best friends too. She was in my wedding and we are also still close. I love her dearly. She is a faithful friend!

Here is another beautiful lake view from my parent's home on Lake Greenwood.
Raisin, my parents' little doggie. He is the sweetest dog in the world. When I started missing my babies I would just cuddle with him!
This was one of my favorite things about my trip...sitting out by the fireplace on my parents deck after dark. We would wrap up, make a drink, prop our feet on the hearth, and just talk and laugh!!
Another lovely lake view!
More pretty petals!
I took this photo laying in the hammock. What a gorgeous blue sky. I have so much to smile about! I am a grateful woman. I am rich with family, friends and faith. Life is to be celebrated and treasured moment by moment. I celebrate my Pa Pa as I know he lives in peace and joy with God now. And it is moments like these that bring a little slice of heaven into view.

1 comment:

Robin said...

So glad you had a nice visit. I had hoped to catch up with you while you were here(it looks like you all enjoyed the Mexican food, we love that place!)but between JV baseball games for Land, Easter and everything else it was just not possible. Be sure and le tme know when you are back this way.

I know you have been hugging those babies like crazy since you got back home!

Blessings,
Robin