At three in the morning it was hard to tell what my grandson was saying in the other twin bed across the room. Thanks to the nightlight, I could see him sitting up doing super hero karate chops, but when I went over to him, I noticed his eyes were closed. In typical granny fashion, I kissed his forehead and intended to lay him back down, then it began. The fright. The stay calm, but go-into-emergency-mode. Turn on the lights, grab the thermometer, and again, stay calm. Hurry up and beep. Okay, there it is, the sound that means it's ready. I took the thermometer out from under Aydn's arm. 103.4...........where's the children's Motrin? Got it. "You need to take this, Honey." With eyes still closed, "No, it's yucky." Grab the phone. His momma will be right over. "Take his pajamas off, and keep trying the medicine," she said.
Aydn's skin was so hot to the touch, that I was ashamed for not thinking of removing his sleepwear. Praying, "Please, God, make him take his medicine," I didn't want to fail him again; there was too much at stake. Instead of complying, though, my precious six-year-old grandson started crying and shivering as he said, "I think my head hurts because I'm growing so fast." "Oh, my little punkin, take your medicine."
That was quite a night. Thankfully, my daughter-in-law arrived within five minutes of hanging up the phone. She was successful with the medicine. My part was done. Or was it? Even though I had proven to be out of practice in the realm of sick-child care, I knew that my real job had just begun. Ephesians 6:16 says, "In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the arrows aimed at you by the evil one." I desperately needed a shield to stop the arrows of fear and worry that were penetrating my heart to the point of actual pain. No doubt, my son and his wife needed the same, and Aydn needed a shield against getting worse.
Opening my Bible, I prayed that God would show me where to go in His Word. I was looking for comfort that would build my faith, and I found it in Psalm 128, the second part of verse three, and then verse four: "And look at all those children! There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That is the reward for those who fear (revere) Him."
What more can I say? Aydn is back at school today. God is good. I chose to put this week's photo before the story because it has a peaceful look about it, and faith leads to peace.
Peace, there's nothing better.
Before your weary head hits the solace of your pillow each night, it wouldn't be unusual to think about the things and events that made you thankful. Included in that list would also be people. It goes without saying that we are thankful for our loved ones, but throughout the course of the day, did someone positively effect your life, not for personal gain, but out of decency and kindness? Perhaps it's the constant barrage of bad news in the media that causes me to be amazed when someone goes out of their way to be helpful. I don't know. I do know, though, that while in that state of marvel, I want others to see what I've seen in these beautiful people.
Please don't take this as an advertisement, but in this week's post, I'd like to thank some dear souls who have helped me with my endeavors in the art world. Didik Soekarmoen is the owner of Macdonald Drug Store in South Haven, Michigan. He, along with Nancy and Holly, have encouraged me by showcasing my note cards right next to the main cash register at the jewelry counter. There are tons of wonderful gifts in Didik's shop, and he didn't want my pictures to be unnoticed among everything else that's going on. I would have been grateful for a spot in the back, but he was willing to take a chance on me, and I just want Didik to know how thankful I am.
Next, there are the cheerful ladies of the South Haven Center for the Arts, Thea and Emily. To see their excitement over the sales of my little books and cards, one would think they are related to me! It is such an honor to get to know these talented and dedicated women.
Last week I wrote about the upcoming art show at Eclectic. John and Nancy have been incredibly supportive. I am so excited to work with them!
I'd also like to thank Gloria from the 12 Corners Winery in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She purchased sixteen of my note cards for the winery, and I hope to make it over there to check it out. I already know how marvelous the wine is from my visits to the South Haven branch.
Not to change the subject, but as a conclusion, tonight, if you should have trouble falling asleep, try recollecting the details of everything that happened during the last 24 hours that touched your heart or made you smile. Before you are done, you'll drift away and catch your zzzzzzzz's. If not, at least your mind will be on good things, and when sleep finally does fall, your dreams will be sweet.
This one, "Spartans" (for the team colors of green and white), will be featured in a frame at "Eclectic" on May 31st.
You'll find this photo, "Favorite Collection of Driftwood and Glass", and many others at "Eclectic" in South Haven, Michigan. Eclectic, already famous for their tempting coffee concoctions, provides locals and tourists with a comfortable coffee house feeling that is described well by its name. Located at 204 Center Street, Eclectic will be hosting a showing of five local artists, myself included, on May 31st from 6:00-9:00 pm. If you're in town that night, I hope you'll drop by; it would be great to meet you! From my portion of the show, you'll see six framed photographs, one canvas, two 12" x 18"s, fourteen 11" x 14"'s , four 8" x 10"'s, and one 5" x 7" all about beach treasures (driftwood, glass, rocks, crinoids, etc.) collected from Lake Michigan.
What's this? I vaguely remember this happening before. It's been a while, though. Tomorrow, some will say they were beginning to think it would never happen. Ah, yes, it's all coming back to me how great this feels. Not everyone will agree with me; some will complain, but I've waited long enough to be rid of 30 degree wind chills. It's the second week of May, and I am loving this, our first warm night of spring.
The sun has ducked down below the horizon, but there is just enough light left in the sky to see some other signs of spring that accompany a warm night. One of them is a bat. On my balcony, I'm at eye-level with it. Normally, the bat's erratic flying would give me cause to perch elsewhere, especially when I noticed that I could even hear the wings flapping. Instead, I stayed put and played a game of "chicken" with the creature of the night. It payed off. I consider myself the winner because the bat didn't scare me away, and I was able to gaze at the half-moon, smell someone's late-night supper, and with the evening traffic thinning out, was able to hear the first spring peepers. Best of all, was the breeze. It was warm. It gently pushed my hair back away from my face and told me to close my eyes and enjoy it. How could I not?
This is an old beach glass (with a dry-brush filter) photo that I had forgotten about. It's appropriate for this week's post as it is called, "Warm One".
This filtered photo of Lake Michigan beach glass and fossils is called, "Under Water". My week has been so busy that I feel as though I have been trying to breathe under water. I think this picture speaks well for my mood, consequently, there will be no quirky paragraph on what's swimming around in my brain. Hopefully, next week's schedule of events won't be quite as full, and I'll have time to write. Come back, will you?
