Hand holding…even after 37 years

Alan and I like to take walks together. Sometimes we walk around the block, sometimes we walk farther around the neighborhood. Whenever you see us walking together, we will most likely be holding hands.

This all started on our first date and now, we have been married for over 37 years. Our first date was a trip to the movies. Of course, Alan didn’t pick a nice romantic movie. He picked a wild, rough, cowboy western. Honestly, I don’t think he knew what the movie was about. He just knew that a famous actor was the star and he thought that guy was cool.

So, there we sat, in the theater in the dark and the movie trailers began. He reached over and grabbed my hand. We held hands during the whole movie. Yes, we both were nervous as that was our first date. Yes, we both ended up with “sweaty hands”. That didn’t stop us. We both knew we were sweaty, but, what do you do when you are on your first date? No one was going to be the one to pull away and say, “Gross… your hands are sweaty.”

True love blossomed. We watched the entire movie holding hands and even today, we hold hands. We hold hands while walking in the neighborhood, while walking in the stores, while praying…. and sometimes just because we want to hold hands. Sweaty or not, we love to hold hands.

People we know and people who are total strangers to us have commented how sweet it is to see a couple holding hands. Love, love, love…..

Have you held hands with your loved one lately?

Have you thought about how God is always holding your hand? He gives comfort and love by holding us in every moment. What a wonderful gift!

Isaiah 41:13 – “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand: it is I who say to you “Do not fear, I will help you.” NRSV

Blessings and hand holding…..
Mimi

 

 

 

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Mouse batteries low….

Have you ever seen this notice on your computer screen? “Mouse batteries low”. I have been watching that little box on the right side of my computer screen for a couple of days now. I am trying to wait to change the batteries and hopefully  squeeze out the last bit of energy from these batteries.

This reminds me of day to day life. There are times when we exhaust ourselves and know that we need to rest, relax and refresh. But, we keep on going, trying to squeeze one more thing, activity, appointment, “to-do” item on our list, and thinking that we will feel better when all the “things” are done.

Not true. When we get that feeling that our batteries our low, our bodies are tired, our minds are exhausted…. God is sending us a message. He is telling us that we need to rest. We need to share time with Him. We need to stop, even if just for a moment. Everything that we think needs to be done right this minute, will definitely be there after we take time to breathe, rest and renew in God.

Can you take some moments today and just breathe and relax? Can you thank God for His blessings? Blessings like the flower in the photo above, the breeze in the trees, the laughter of children and adults, the food and drink you will enjoy today, the laundry waiting to be washed, the love of family and friends and so much more…. I know you have your own list. Relax and think about your blessings… and don’t let your “mouse batteries get too low”.

Matthew 11:28 New International Version
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Blessings, and rest….
Mimi

 

Need a vacation to recover from vacation…

Alan and I recently enjoyed a wonderful vacation. So many great experiences and memories made. We traveled from Virginia to South Carolina, just to see Casting Crowns in concert. Yes, we have seen the group in concert in the past. But, they just happened to be playing at a venue that was on our way to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where our son(Mike) and daughter-in-love(Christine)live. Great concert. The venue was right behind the hotel, so, we walked to the building. No need for driving and finding parking. Great hotel.

Of course, Alan wanted to eat at a certain restaurant that shall remain nameless, because I don’t like that place. I thought that we might as well go there before the concert and let him get that out of his system. I was right. Yucky place. I tried as best as I could not to say, “ITYS”, which is our code for “I told you so”. 🙂 He said it before I could even think to say our code. I am happy to report that eating at that place is officially “out of his system”.

The time shared with Mike and Christine is always wonderful. We went to the movies, had a picnic under the famous large bridge in Charleston, helped babysit their niece, enjoyed time on the beach(yes, even with sunscreen, we all got a sunburn), and even saw a celebrity at a restaurant. We took walks, saw the alligator at the hotel creek(he’s famous), and ate pizza with extended family at our favorite pizza place.

There is always lots of laughter with our family. Something funny always happens. Well, funny to us. Like Alan dropping food on his nice new shirt while we are in the fancy restaurant, Alan sitting in an old beach chair and it breaking; us realizing that the beach umbrellas on the beach were actually reserved for other people(yes, we moved to another area when we finally saw the tags with names on the chairs); me tracking sand into our hotel room and not even noticing until sand was everywhere.  The list goes on and on.

The trip ended and we returned home safely, missing everyone already. Hope to see them again soon.

Returning from a trip means catching up on laundry, checking the flowers to see if they need watering, reading the mail and newspaper, answering emails, working on book launch team tasks, returning phone calls and more. In other words…… I need a vacation to recover from vacation. This feeling is a good feeling.

I know that not everyone is able to have a vacation. But, even if you can’t go on a trip, there are ways to have fun in your own area. Visit local museums, have a picnic, take a walk in your neighborhood, sit outside at night and look at the stars, and enjoy God’s blessings.

Just remember to take time to rest, recover and renew your mind and body. Thank you, God, for all the fun times you give this family. Laughter is truly a wonderful medicine.

Until next time,
Blessings, hugs, laughter….and more…..
Mimi

Fun with neighbors

Tuesday evening, National Night Out was held in communities across the country. Our neighborhood held a wonderful, family friendly event at the pool, including various booths from local businesses. Games were played, water bottles were handed out to anyone who wanted one, there were food trucks with delicious items for dinner,  homemade popsicles, the local fire department brought the big truck and people could look inside and visit with the fire department personnel, the local Sheriff Dept. visited and even the Crime dog made an appearance. A special demonstration by the scuba diver from the police dept. was very interesting and the kids loved seeing the guy in all his equipment. The local news crew even filmed live reports during the evening. Prizes, swimming, games, dinner, family fun and so much more.

We are blessed to live in such a wonderful neighborhood. New houses have been built and that means new people to meet. Families getting to know each other and children finding new friends.

I noticed so many blessings that evening. Blessings of old friends, new friends, laughter from all ages, good food, lifeguards who constantly monitor the pool, volunteers who make the event a success, sponsors, the news crew and the police and fire department. I watched as representatives from each organization interacted with all ages. Corn hole, hula hoops, and mini golf, were just some of the games played.

I sat in a chair by the pool, watching the people around me and I said, “Thank you, Lord, for all these blessings.”

Did you participate in National Night Out? Or do you have a neighborhood where you can show God’s love to others? Remember, when you are outside taking a walk, or just standing in your yard, a simple “Hello” and a smile, to your neighbor can make all the difference in their day and your day, too. 🙂

Have a blessed day and show some love with a smile,
Mimi