Love is in the air....

Valentine's Day.
It is a holiday said to have it's origins long ago stemming from a man named Valentine who married young couples illegally. You see, Roman emporers had outlawed marriage in an attempt to lure the youngest, strongest men to fight in their war. Valentine gave young couples the marriages they desired. Love prevailed!
In later years, Valentine (who is also said to have had the ability to heal) wrote a note to a woman named Julia. He had cured her blindness and had fallen in love with her. The note was signed "From your Valentine."
Thus, a tradition was begun.
Valentine was executed on February 14.
He was made a Saint.
Our holiday, Valentine's Day, stems from Valentine's desire to let love prevail.

My family has faced many adversities the past several weeks. I think about my sweet mother-in-law, Kathy, sitting at home tonight. It is her first holiday with out her "valentine." I cannot imagine what she is thinking and feeling, but this has given me reason to reflect on my own loves. I have family and friends whom I love very much. There are people in this world who spend their days alone...alone in a sense we cannot even begin to fathom in our very rich lives. I get upset because my husband is working on Valentine's night. What I should be doing is counting my blessings because I have a husband who loves me and he has a job that helps support our wonderful family. I get irritated with my mother who gets more involved in my life than I would like at times. What I should be doing is thanking God that my mother and father are both alive and healthy, and that they live nearby and would do anything for me. I get annoyed when my children whine, but what I should do is take them in my arms, hug them, tell them I love them, and treasure every moment I have with them.

Live is transient. It is not permanent. My life is rich. I may not have a big bank account. I don't drive a fancy car or live on the lake. I don't carry a designer purse or wear expensive clothes. But I tell you what....I have more than most people in this world.

For that, I am eternally grateful.

Seeks has spoken.

Outside the snow is fallin' . . .

Faith is believing all power can't be seen.
Thank you, Josh Groban! I have come to believe so many things in these past several days. My father-in-law, Ray VanderHoek, passed away January 29. There were many times we did not see eye-to-eye. His conservative Christian-Reformed background did not always gel with my liberal views. He "flew by the seat of his pants" while I live by planners, calendars, and sticky notes. He was a creative soul, able to see something out of nothing, while I like predictabily. Like I said, Ray sometimes drove me crazy but one thing is certain: I learned so much about life from this man in the last twelve years. . . and it was not until the last twelve days that I become truly cognizant of it.
On his death bed, Ray voiced his faith with the clarity many of us will never experience. He faced death without fear, and with an excitement and anticipation that we are taught to have. His physical body was failing him by the moment, but his spiritual self was at its peak. In days when we family members were at his side to give him comfort, it was Ray who was providing us with the strength to cope with our loss.
Ray, thank you for all you taught this stubborn girl. Thank you for making your son what he is today - a loving, caring, affectionate husband and father; a skilled builder, repairman, and woodworker; an unselfish friend. You will remain in my heart forever.

Seeks has spoken.

Welcome

Well..I have welcomed myself to the world of blogging!
Traci, Amy, and Abby have led the way for me. Why not join in? I always was the follower of the crew! ha ha!
I will use this place to inform the world about all my soon-to-be-famous insights on a variety of topics. Writing has always been a passion...and now that I am an English teacher, it is literally a way of life.
So...sit back, click on, and enjoy! I welcome you to my blog!