THANK YOU.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  This year I am thanking my grandson, my uncles, and any of my relatives who are or who have served in the military.  I grew up in the generation of the Vietnam War and witnessed the way our military was treated when they came home from a war they didn't ask for or did not request to participate in.  Sadly, many of the returning veterans were unable to return to a normal life and became stuck in their memories and the pain they witnessed while serving.

The truth that stands out in war is the fact that so many youth fight for our freedom.  I think the average age in WWII was around 22.

I am thankful there are those who are willing to be my caregiver in times of crisis.  I pray this year that they will feel appreciated and know they are not serving needlessly.

A Genuine Treat! (or 4)

One of the things I remember about my dad and his brothers is depicted in the picture.  Music was an outlet they took much pleasure in.  They would take any opportunity they could find to pull out the guitars, fiddles, etc.  My dad could play any instrument he touched. Every relative I know has a mandolin, guitar or violin he made.

As I get older, I am more and more thankful for the memories my parents made for me.  My mother was a singer.  They created in me an appreciation for music as a release and a refuge. There were many days I have listened to melodies that healed or soothed a painful time.

David played his instrument and eased the torment in King Saul.  Read the books of  Samuel and Kings.

If you are a caregiver, pull out your records, cds, 8 tracks -whatever you have that you love and give yourself a real treat - enjoy 10 minutes of your favorite artist.

Yesterday...

I was putting some things away and found a few pictures.  This one was taken many yesterdays ago.  Jimmy Roger, Mom, myself and Dad.  It looks like I was none too happy.  I probably had just gotten reprimanded by Mom and headed to Dad's lap for consolation.  It doesn't look like I succeeded.

My immediate family has been gone for several years.  It is rather sad to me that my grandchildren were only acquainted with my Mom.  They were not able to experience the heritage I grew up with.  Music was an important part of our entertainment.  Mom and Dad would sing and play every weekend.

I am glad that these pictures exist.  Someday, my great grand children will be asking their grandmother who we were.  I wonder if they will know.

God was very thoughtful.  He left a whole book to remind us where we came from and how much His love looked down through time to make sure I knew just who He was.

The Bible

 Daddy,Granny Treat and Jerry

Jerry and Dad

Behind the Disguise...

Who is this person?



Do I know you?






Around three years ago, life changed for my daughter.  She got married.   The photo booth at the wedding allowed guests to disguise themselves if they so chose.

Have you ever greeted someone and they asked how you were doing?  Were you honest?  Did you tell them how you were doing?  Or, did you hide behind a disguise and not allow them to see how stressed you were?

Don't ask a caregiver how they are doing.  Just find something you can do for them.  Give them a couple of hours to go to Home Depot.  Offer to help them with groceries or a trip to the doctor or anything that would ease the challenge of the caregiver.

Give it forward and when you are in a tight place someone will come to your aide!!!

Homecoming - Senior Year

I remember my senior year (vaguely).  This year Kamri celebrates a milestone in her life.  She will be graduating from High School and venturing into a new phase.  She will experience life in a different way than she ever has.  Her choices will be as wide as the Gulf and the possibilities endless.

God has given us different beginnings as we go from childhood to young adulthood to career to maneuvering aging.  With each new challenge comes the knowledge that His plan for us is to reach Heaven.  His path for us is mapped out through the Bible and any need we might have, He is there to guide and direct.

Congratulations Kamri and Tristan as you both graduate from High School and look to your future!

Proverbs 3:5-6
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalms 23

Thank you for Serving...

When adults face conflict, it is the young who go to war.  I grew up during the Vietnam war.  Our soldiers were dismissed, disgraced and demoralized.  Young men went to a war they didn't choose, doing a job they didn't ask for.

My grandson is 19.  He signed up for the National Guard the day he turned 18.  The picture was taken the day he graduated from Boot Camp.  At the moment, he is in college and safe at home.  But, at any time he could be called up and sent to a foreign country.  If that should happen, he is prepared to fight for my freedom.

I have been watching the tributes to our Military today.  I am proud of our country and the appreciation they are showing these brave, dedicated men and women.  Our values and way of life are only as strong as these warriors,  If we do not appreciate them, they cannot do their job to the best of their ability.

Hug a soldier.  Write a note to someone you know who is part of the Military.  Love on them and let them know that you appreciate their service.

I sent a text to my grandson.  I think he may be ignoring me!  LOL....

Sunrise on Galveston Island's West End

As a caregiver, I found that I could not relax.  I was constantly on guard to make sure my loved one was ok.  I slept waiting for the alarm to go off.  I was continually ready for an emergency or crisis. When I was no longer a caregiver, I found that shutting down was not so easy.  It took time to learn that I didn't need to be alert, but could let it go.

Bermuda Beach.  Several years ago we spent a week on the West End of Galveston Island.  It was relaxing and healing.  The water cannot be compared to Hawaii or California, but it is serene and beautiful watching the sun come up over the Gulf.  There is something soothing and healing in the water as it touches the beach and then retreats.  The sound of the surf can dissolve the stress in me like nothing else can.  When I leave the Island, I am always relaxed and rested.

Find your  spot.  Even when I can't get to the beach, I still go there in my head.  I talk to God.  I listen to the water.  I let it go.  Find the place you can allow yourself to find respite.

Jeremiah 29:11


 

Poetry in motion...

I love watching my granddaughter run or boogie board or swim.  She is grace in motion.  I am amazed at how easy it looks when she does it.  She was in cheer leading for years and we spent a lot of Saturdays at competitions.

What comes easy to me?  Writing this blog is easy.  I would break a leg if I tried to boogie board.  Recognizing caregivers and their challenges, that has come easy the past few years.  Appreciating my kids and my church is a no brainer.

I believe that God enlarges our borders as we grow older.  We face difficulty and our muscle for that area stretches.  As we stretch, we recognize that same challenge in those around us.  Maybe that is God's way of showing His love because we pass along what we have learned.  That is true poetry in motion!

A few of my favorite things...

Chasity, grand daughter #2 and The Sunflower Cafe on 14th Street, Galveston Texas.

This picture combines two of my favorite things.  I enjoy going with my daughters once-in-a-while to eat.  I have a chance to visit and catch up on what is happening in their lives.  And, it makes me feel special that they want to have these times.

This particular time, we had gone to THE SUNFLOWER CAFE in Galveston.  It is located across the street from another great restaurant, THE MOSQUITO GRILL, and down the street from THE ORIGINAL MEXICANCAFE (I think that is the proper name).  Any one of these three are great to eat.  The first two have great bakeries and atmosphere.

Usually, it is just the three girls and myself.  This time, however, Chasity joined us.  I think she had a waffle and I had my favorite Quiche.

Take some time and plan a special outing with those you love.  It is important to connect while you can.  There are so many diseases in the elderly that rob the present.  If you are facing a caregiving situation that includes one of these challenges, make the most of where you are with what you have.  Love anyway.  Talk anyway.

Thank You....

I want to say thank you to my Uncles Marion, Russell, Victor and Charles.  They served in WW2.  I like this picture because it portrays the four of them in uniform.

I remember various pictures in my parents' collection of these soldiers.  We had several of Uncle Marion who served in the South Pacific.  I especially enjoyed the one of him in a hula skirt!

I appreciate the Veterans and the sacrifices they have made to make our country safe.  It is the YOUNG who make up the majority of the fighting forces.  The average age of WW2 was 22 years
I believe.  It seems that they pay the ultimate price for keeping us safe.

THANK YOU!

Where is your happy place?

The place I go to when stressed.  

A view of the Pleasure Pier

My favorite spot

Murdoch's is located on the seawall across the street from the Galvez Hotel.  I give them all the free publicity I can!  When they take my blood pressure at the doctor's office, I retreat to that porch and allow myself to hear the waves and be embraced by the breeze from the Gulf.

I also go to my happy Scripture:  Proverbs 3:5,6  Trust...lean not to own understanding...acknowledge Him...Path directed!

As a caregiver, I was walking blind.  Over the years things have changed and there is information out there that was not readily available to me.  If it was there, I had no clue where to find it.  The above two locations were handles that I gripped for several years.

They still sustain me.

Find and go to your happy place today!  Allow your mind and heart to be filled with peace and know that God's plan for you will never be erased.

Rock Climbing

"From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."   Psalm 61:2

I thought of the Buffalo River when I read this Psalm today.  I went back to 2010 pictures and found this solid wall of rock that looks impossible to climb.  I wonder if anyone has tried to reach the trees from the bottom up?
Sitting on the bank of the Buffalo River, watching the canoes drift at the currents bidding, is relaxing and brought this home to me.

When in trouble, there is a way.  When life is overwhelming, there is a way. When I was in need of rescue and lifted my cry to God, I found that rock that was higher.

There have been times I stood before that massive wall of stone and felt utterly lost.  There just was no way.  But, He made a way.  Many times I just turned around and discovered the beach on the other side of the river.

Grandma's House

A few miles down the road from my Granny Treat's house is Grandma's House,  Nancy has opened a bed and breakfast for those who like to fish and canoe on the Buffalo river.  It is extremely comfortable and has everything one would need to enjoy the rural aspect of the Ozark Mountains.  It is located just outside Marshall, Arkansas.

We have been fortunate to be able to spend time there for a couple of the Treat Family reunions that take place every couple of years.  Kamri has spent a lot of time in the front yard swing.  There is a fire pit beside the house with a table and chairs near the bbq pit.

The thing I enjoy and remember are the fireflies that blink on and off across the grass after the sun goes down.  Sitting on the patio or beside the fire, watching the wood burn in the fire pit is relaxing and lulls me to a time that was much easier for me.  I was a kid in the middle of a multitude of cousins, enjoying the wonder of a summer night.

My grandmother was not very tall.  Her legs were short which made her lap not very wide.  But one of the best places to rest was right there.  You could lean back, relax and go to sleep to the rhythm of her voice and breathing.  The wind was cool, the fireflies blinked on and off, and Granny Treat's lap was extremely comfortable...

Hug a caegiver today, maybe it is your Granny!