A New Addition

Well, we have opened our home and our hearts to a new addition. "Cassie" is a nearly six week old kitten that our friends have been raising since two days after her birth.

She arrived at their home, orphaned, but was taken in, fed, loved and cared for.

We have visited her several times - once or twice before she even had her eyes open. Sunday evening, she arrived at our home for the first time.

My daughter has claimed "mom" status (with the contingency that "Granny Lin" be responsible for litter box duty). Her brother will be "uncle". I, of course, will be "Granny Lin". Jake-the-Dog is something along the lines of The Big Bad Wolf in her eyes. (Honestly, I'd put my money on the cat!)

She is sweet and loving, and we are grateful to have her in our home. I can tell already, by the way Amelia so sweetly prayed for her tonight that the itty-bitty-kitty will be a blessing to my daughter especially. Having to feed her in the morning MIGHT even motivate her to get out of bed without a struggle.

Thank you God for loving hearts, gentle spirits and the willingness of people to reach out to those in need.

And the Blessings Continue...

It was one of the longest days ever. I'd woken up in a foul mood, and nothing seemed to be going right. Had I been able to just SIT, and do nothing, and others need nothing, it would have been much easier. But, to complicate matters, there were things that needed doing, and it seemed like the kids were especially needy that day. "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom!" I tried to inhale before each reply, but know that it didn't always succeed in lessening the frustration in my voice.

We'd been to the store, had lunch, and now we were beginning our walk. Delay after delay - one wanted a sweatshirt, the other wanted to take hers off. I just sat and waited. Bike, scooter and dog prepared, we were finally off.

After the first turn, we saw some neighbors coming up the road in their red truck. As they approached, they slowed and rolled down the window. A son, sitting in the back near an extension ladder nodded and waived. "Have you called anyone about your roof yet?" I shook my head, "not yet..."

You gotta know when you live at the top of a hill, in the middle of a treeless field, on a street that has the word "Wind" in it, there's gonna be a breeze. Sometimes it gets a little carried away and so do my shingles.

"Mind if we take care of it for you?" I just stared for a minute before I could reply, "Not at all." In my head the mantra began: "don't cry now, don't cry now, don't cry now..." He nodded and drove away.... Just in time! As his truck turned up the hill, the tears spilled down my face.

Even - or especially - in the midst of a difficult day, God provides. He has surrounded me with people who love and support me.... again, and again, and again....

As we completed our walk, his wife and eldest son pulled into our driveway. Apparently one of my shingles was completely missing, and they had just returned with one from their house. "So, now you have one a different color" he said. "...To remind myself of your kindness", I thought to myself. I could only nod...

"Don't cry now... don't cry now.... don't cry now...."

Thank you God for the blessings that continue to flow into my life.

Beyond my wildest imaginings, I am blessed.