Once upon a time.....they all lived happily ever after

Once upon a time we all thought life would be like those fairy tales we loved a children.  We all dream of the day that we could grow up find our prince charming and live happily ever after.  But life is never that easy but often it is must more cherished.

Once upon  a time I had a favorite teacher, Carrie Batson, who was a wonderful teacher of business classes but more important she was a wonderful teacher of life.  You should find kindness and good in people.  You should love your children to the ends of the earth but don't forget to make yourself a life.  Upon learning of her death I was sad but realized she was so blessed to have left a legacy of happy ever after.

Once upon a time I had a two good friends, Theresa and Sheila, who both lost their Dad's soon after we finished high school.  They were devastated at their lose but were able to go on and live happily ever after.

Once upon a time I had a wonderful Dad,  Orion Lathan, who taught me a wonderful ( sometimes a curse) work ethic.  I can remember hearing him say, "....if your going to take a job be prepared to work a job"...."someone else depends on you to do that".  When Daddy lost his kidneys and had to take early retirement......he continued to live happily.....when he became unable to be cared for at home and had to go to a nursing home .......he still smiled  and never complained.......when I lost my baby all I had to do was remember what he had to face every day and I knew I have to honor him by doing "my job".   The night he died I was at peace because I knew he was with my baby and they were happy ever after.

Once upon a time I married my best friend, Jerry, and like every good fairy tale our life has had fights, struggles, cliff hangers and heartbreak.  The good times have only been made sweeter by the rough times.  He promised me standing before the preacher September 27th 1980, that we would stick together no matter what.  He promised me in a hospital April 23rd 1983 that he would love me and our baby girl forever.  He promised me standing in a hospital May 23rd 2009 that we would make it through all life has to throw at us together.  He promised me from a hospital bed December 13th 2011 that he loves me always will always has.  I know as we wait to find out when they will do his heart surgery that we are stronger together then ever.  We still have our happy ever after.

Hob my once upon a time and Jer my happy ever after.

tears in my eyes

I have found tears in my eyes lots this week.

I knew to much free time was going to be a bad thing this week but had no idea just how bad.  

Sunday we placed a sweet doe with a Holly wreath on my Sweet baby's grave.  How can such a sad place be so cherished to me.....both have the sweetest most beautiful brown eyes ever.

Just miss my baby girl......no Christmas shopping..... now Christmas cookie baking......no deep throaty laugh to match mine and my sisters.....no bright eyed smile at the smallest gift......no dream of future babies while watching children discover Christmas.

I know I am bless.....got to see a child shop for the very first time.....got to watch a sweet mom and dad with their own 14 month old wonder......got to see the sweet face of miller before he gets here......got to watch Christmas carol with jellybean and his 5 year old eyes.........was allowed to pray for two of the sweetest twins I know........

But with all the joy.......I still long for my brown eyed girl..............

Merry Christmas to all and hold the ones you love dear.

Holly the angel wings on my butterfly tree.

Life Happens

I have known that life happens for about 49 years now......I have learned to accept it over the past few.

We have known for some time that my dear, sweet, wonderful husband had a squeaky wheel in his chest (aka heart valve).    After seeing Dr. Larry for about 10 years it has been decided that the wheel needs to be greased.  So we spent the day Tuesday having test ran....some scheduled .....some surprise. 

It was all a little scary but we have an awesome God.  He put in my path a few days before a man who had lost his father in law.  (God had allowed him to die at his own hand)  He was a little scared as to handle his wife and children.  Still do not know if what I said will help him in any way but it did allow me to say out loud the lessons God has taught me and once again give me the strenght to do what has to be done.

So as Jerry and I move through the next month celebrating Jesus' birth and his full filling Gods plan I hope we can all remember....as we prepare for his surgery I hope we are able to share.....that God makes no mistakes....and Thank God every day that Life Happens

His most blessed gift to me is that he allowed my sweet brown eyed girl to be mine.

Sweet Peace

I have found peace is the oddest places lately.  

Sunday morning has always brought a certain peace of its own but for some reason yesterday, while waiting on Jerry to get ready for church, I was looking at the bright lights of my butterfly tree and felt sweet peace.

At church I had to keep the baby nursery for preaching, had the sweetest little boy sleep on my shoulder such peace.

Asked our preacher to add a friend of Holly's 7 month old son to the prayer list.   Mason will have heart surgery tomorrow at MUSC.  He has been on my prayer list for weeks but I have peace in knowing God has his hand on him......just wish I could share my peace with his parents.

Went by the cemetery yesterday to check on my baby girl.  Such bitter sweet peace knowing where my baby is.  Oh what a glorious peace she must feel every day.

Went and picked you some beautiful scarves CAW is making  to raise money for a children hospital......Talked with her Mom and Grandma..........What peace to know that they have raised such a wonderful loving child.

Have been looking at pictures of babies on here......prebirth.......and post birth.....what wonderful peace that innocents and blessing go on.

Once again I find that I am very blessed.