Ahhh.....

So, I AM pleasantly surprised this morning. We got our first snow day in at least 5 years. Last night it put another 6 or so inches down and I got the call that school was canceled -not just a two hour delay start-but canceled. Yeah baby! Chuck said I should go back to bed. But hey! I've got to relish the day as it could be years before I get another such treat. I had pics to post with yesterday's entry but I didn't want to hassel with the time sucking, slow internet. I'll try to endure and put up a few with this one. I have a snow day after all!

On Saturday I actually got up and put in a half hour on the treadmill -my first foray into “official” exercise since my surgery. I didn’t do anything drastic, quite the opposite. It was a tame little walk whilst listening to my ipod. I was watching the birds out the window, strolling and enjoying my fine music (courtesy celiac sis’s extensive music library) when one song ended and something else began.
There was some laughter, a few unintelligible words and I thought “What the…” Is this one of the comedy tracks? As I listened I struggled to place the voices and realized it was my grandma, mom and probably one of my sisters. Once I clicked into who was speaking I was flooded with tender feelings that are inextricably connected with my memories of her. I think I can safely say that gramma H. holds a special place in the hearts of all my siblings and probably anyone who knew her. I listened, fascinated to hear her voice again so unexpectedly and feel the love that welled up within me. She had a very distinctive voice and way of talking. I listened to her talk about her teaching school, about grandpa, her siblings and children and it felt like she was right there with me. I still miss her.

I wish my children had had the opportunity to really get to know her. But, I guess that’s what the eternities are for. It was a lovely experience and I felt I was right in the center of a generational chain from her down to my own grandchildren and it hit me full force that the tender feelings I have for my children and grandchildren, my parents and siblings are just as strong for her as they are for me. That description sounds kind of lame and I wish that I could somehow express the strength of the emotion that I felt. Just thinking about that feeling brings a warmth (no, not a hot flash).
Do you ever get a flash once in awhile of the overall scheme of things? When it seems like for just a moment you get a glimpse of the BIG Picture and how it all fits together. On rare occasions throughout my life I have been blessed to sense that moment of fitting in the final puzzle piece, of it all coming together and seeing how it all could/will be. It’s an awe inspiring moment and I always want to grasp it, hang on to it and remember every detail. It is however, fleeting and perhaps that makes it all the more precious. I suppose it’s just as well I can’t cling to it or I would find it very hard to concentrate on the here and now. And I already have a difficult enough time doing that as it is.
On a similar note, I was very touched by the funeral on Saturday. I hadn’t had a whole lot of sadness at Pres. Hinkley’s passing because I thought how thrilled he must be to be reunited with his lovely Marjorie. But, when Pres. Monson first got up to start the services and had to take a few moments to compose himself before he could begin, the loss came full force to me. I know that he touched countless lives with his kindness, service, humor and integrity. He was such a gentle soul – but tireless. I loved him, admired him and will miss his kind and gentle guidance. It IS reassuring to know that though he is gone, the Lord has an overall plan and we will not be left without the guidance we need. The trick is to follow it!

Ok. So, who is that cute little baby I've posted? None other than my sweet baby girl! I've actually started to scan in some of the bazillion photos in the albums and I thought it might be appropriate to use a visual of one of the girls in the generational chain I was talking about. (ok, I just wanted to show how cute Miss Kelsey was(is), even though when Chuck saw it he asked if it was a dwarf (I suppose because of the shifted up dress and no neck look- Chuck's real sensitive that way :)
Ok, I think that is about enough rambling for one day. Besides I have to go and take full advantage of the snow day! I’m not sure just “exactly’ what I’m going to do – but it’ll be marvy.
On that note I’ll leave you with a pic that I took of one of the last of this year’s best fruits- the orange delight. The lil cuties. I think I have personally eaten at least 15 pounds of these sweet wonders in the last 2 -3 months. I’m sad to see them go. Although I don’t feel the compulsion to peel them all in one continuous peel like my celiac sis – I don’t seem to be able to resist eating one whenever I am in arms’ length of them. Perhaps that’s why I haven’t had a cold so far this season?n Note the sticker - I DO love Cuties! Whether they are of the orange fruit type or one of the cuties in my family.