Linda, it was so nice to hear your voice after almost 40 years. Your family is beautiful, and I especially am blessed by your statement that you are passionate about your relationship with Jesus. I’m not good at staying in touch except through our Christmas letter started back in 1981 when Laurie was born, so I’m not sure how faithful I will be in reading your posts, but I will try.
Oh Gail, I'm so happy we've connected! 40 years. Wow. Who could ever imagine what technology would become in 4 quick decades. I hope you have a very blessed Christmas and a new year defined by Christ's compassionate lovingkindness.
It would be wonderful to have you join us in conversation here from time to time. Really.
I'm not a big fan of - is it vlogging? But I love listening to you sharing your messages. What a beautiful year - and such beautiful grace in how you live life - in the hard stuff, too! Praying blessing, refreshing, and goodness for you and yours in this new year! ~ Maryleigh
You're so right, friend, God gives us beautiful grace, blessings, refreshing, and goodness as we move ahead. I hope this holiday is filled with delight for you and your gang.
Linda, I think Barb does have mementoes put back. When we met, I was used to living in a hootch, in which the only real memento was Miss September nailed to a piece of plywood and propped against a packing crate.
Barb's Mom saw this truth and said that she chose me to marry her daughter because I didn't have the ability to pretend. She was fed up with high-talking suitors.
Linda, the ironic thing is that I started writing sonnets as a joke, something different. I got tired of leaving bland prose comments on blogs, especially literary blogs, where I had a feeling I didn't have much to offer. So I put stuff in verse, and people liked it, and I couldn't really back away. I've probably written over 7000 Shakesprearen sonnets by now, with an aggregate word count surpassing War And Peace.
It had turned into a discipline, with a formal structure that made me collect my thoughts and deliver a message subject to fourteen lines and an inflexible rhyme scheme.
It's helped me, in terms of keeping focus. I hope that now and again, my words have helped others.
love all these photos. One of the best yearly reviews is going through our photos on our phones. I go through my journal too but do take the time to savor my pictures too. great memories aren't they?
It's funny, I just went through my phone picking out the best picture for each of the last twelve months. Yes please to using our phones, journals, calendars, checkbooks to travel through the months past. Each gives another nuanced glimpse into the dailyness and loveliness of life as we know it. Some good reminders, some lessons learned.
Merry Christmas to you, dear Jean! And welcome home.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful family photos, Linda. You are a living witness of finding beauty in the midst of the "hard stuff" and regardless of the pain of loss in your family. His mercies are still new every morning! Love and blessings of abundant hope and peace this Christmas and always!
Love your family photos! They radiate so much love and happiness. It’s wonderful to see your beautiful family growing! Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!
"It’s all in God’s most capable hands and we’re just called to love lavishly and pray often." Looking back on our year can be like a power surge filling our hearts with gratitude, cheer, and especially God's grace! You've done that here, Linda!
Oh I love that whole idea of a power surge of God's grace showing up in gratitude and cheer. Thanks for painting such a powerful picture this morning, Lynn.
Merry Christmas to you and those you love, friend ...
Loved the photo gallery Linda & hearing your voice for the first time!
Blessings, Jennifer from Tea With Jennifer 😀
Oh I'm glad to connect with you in this fresh way, friend. The wonders of technology, right?!
So glad you're here.
Linda, it was so nice to hear your voice after almost 40 years. Your family is beautiful, and I especially am blessed by your statement that you are passionate about your relationship with Jesus. I’m not good at staying in touch except through our Christmas letter started back in 1981 when Laurie was born, so I’m not sure how faithful I will be in reading your posts, but I will try.
Oh Gail, I'm so happy we've connected! 40 years. Wow. Who could ever imagine what technology would become in 4 quick decades. I hope you have a very blessed Christmas and a new year defined by Christ's compassionate lovingkindness.
It would be wonderful to have you join us in conversation here from time to time. Really.
Hugs to all your family from all of ours!
xo
I'm not a big fan of - is it vlogging? But I love listening to you sharing your messages. What a beautiful year - and such beautiful grace in how you live life - in the hard stuff, too! Praying blessing, refreshing, and goodness for you and yours in this new year! ~ Maryleigh
You're so right, friend, God gives us beautiful grace, blessings, refreshing, and goodness as we move ahead. I hope this holiday is filled with delight for you and your gang.
Merry Christmas!
Tohru, welcome and Merry Christmas to you, too!
I love getting a glimpse into your family!
Christine, thank you. May this be one of your loveliest Christmases ever, friend. So grateful to do the Substack life alongside you.
We have got no albums here,
there's nothing of Remember When,
and even things we held most dear
succumb to flames of Way Back Then
because each day now holds too much
to want to keep in memory,
and there is no human touch
that will let us turn and see
a past that's fading from our view
even though we bid it wait.
The only thing now that is true
is being hostage to a fate
that puts nostalgia in a grave
whose dry bones only God can save.
I can't help thinking Barb has some momentos squirreled away somewhere ...
May His peace be yours amidst the pain and uncertainty that each day brings you, friend.
Barb does have this framed quote above her bed... with my picture...
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
Linda, I think Barb does have mementoes put back. When we met, I was used to living in a hootch, in which the only real memento was Miss September nailed to a piece of plywood and propped against a packing crate.
Barb's Mom saw this truth and said that she chose me to marry her daughter because I didn't have the ability to pretend. She was fed up with high-talking suitors.
I bet your mother-in-law never dreamed her daughter would married a highly lauded poet!
* smile *
Linda, the ironic thing is that I started writing sonnets as a joke, something different. I got tired of leaving bland prose comments on blogs, especially literary blogs, where I had a feeling I didn't have much to offer. So I put stuff in verse, and people liked it, and I couldn't really back away. I've probably written over 7000 Shakesprearen sonnets by now, with an aggregate word count surpassing War And Peace.
It had turned into a discipline, with a formal structure that made me collect my thoughts and deliver a message subject to fourteen lines and an inflexible rhyme scheme.
It's helped me, in terms of keeping focus. I hope that now and again, my words have helped others.
Sounds like maybe a book in the making.
love all these photos. One of the best yearly reviews is going through our photos on our phones. I go through my journal too but do take the time to savor my pictures too. great memories aren't they?
It's funny, I just went through my phone picking out the best picture for each of the last twelve months. Yes please to using our phones, journals, calendars, checkbooks to travel through the months past. Each gives another nuanced glimpse into the dailyness and loveliness of life as we know it. Some good reminders, some lessons learned.
Merry Christmas to you, dear Jean! And welcome home.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful family photos, Linda. You are a living witness of finding beauty in the midst of the "hard stuff" and regardless of the pain of loss in your family. His mercies are still new every morning! Love and blessings of abundant hope and peace this Christmas and always!
The hard stuff doesn't daunt, throw, or alarm Him. What a mighty God we serve! As I love to say, all will be well.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, dear one. I'm so grateful for your steady presence of encouragement in my life.
Love your family photos! They radiate so much love and happiness. It’s wonderful to see your beautiful family growing! Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!
Veronica, thank you. You're so kind. Merry Christmas to you all, too.
"It’s all in God’s most capable hands and we’re just called to love lavishly and pray often." Looking back on our year can be like a power surge filling our hearts with gratitude, cheer, and especially God's grace! You've done that here, Linda!
Oh I love that whole idea of a power surge of God's grace showing up in gratitude and cheer. Thanks for painting such a powerful picture this morning, Lynn.
Merry Christmas to you and those you love, friend ...
What a beautiful family, Linda!
God has been so very good.
I love the one with your evident shock and/or surprise! Sounds like wonderful family and a lovely year.
Yeah, the next generation loves their selfies!
Linda, your year in review is wonderful. Your family photos warmed my heart.
I so appreciate you sharing your sweet year with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
And Merry Christmas to you, Paula. May there be encouraging pockets of joy in each day.
Love it. May next year be just as full of happy moments.
A happy Christmas to you, Debbie ...
Linda, the family photos are beautiful!! I see love oozing from each image! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! Our Father is good and faithful!
Pam, have a wonderful celebration at your Sunshine Cottage! I bet the kiddos can't wait.
https://everydayliving.me/2024/12/09/christmas-on-the-cottage-porch-a-big-change/
Great pictures and great adventures! There's more to come in the new year!
Ain't that the truth!