My Marvelous Mixer

 Tonight I made chocolate cupcakes for a baby shower that I'm helping give tomorrow. As I dumped the ingredients into my silver mixing bowl I thought once again, as I always do, of Mrs. Gillespie. Madeline Gillespie is my best friend Carla's mother. Carla's family was like a second family to me when I was growing up. "Mr. and Mrs. G" as I now call them, were the perfect couple in my book. Especially back then, when my parents were divorced and my "real" life was pretty confusing. They accepted me into their home with open arms, and treated me like a daughter. I must admit that back then I daydreamed about them being my parents. They had a beautiful home, a good marriage, and were strong Christians. Of course my mother was wonderful, but I envied Carla's life and complete family. When I married, Mrs. G. did many things for me, like make my wedding cake right in her own kitchen. She is one of the smartest women I have ever known. For years she taught high school science, yet spent her "free" time sewing, baking, and making crafts. I always felt she really missed her true calling - that of a doctor. She certainly had the ability and compassion. And when I say she "baked" let me clarify. She would have homemade bread just out of the oven for our Sunday dinner after church. Now that I'm grown I have to wonder, 'how'd she do that?" She would make those sugar Easter eggs with delicate icing figurines. Again, when did she have time for that? I watched her use her Kitchen Aid mixer many, many times in her neat kitchen. She taught Carla and I how to make homemade jam one summer. And bless her heart, she tried to teach us to sew but we had boys on our mind and just didn't want to fool with that. I regret that now, but I don't think I would of been very good at it anyway. I did make one sundress, and somehow I made it so big, way too big, that I wound up giving it to one of my friends who was pregnant! ;0)

Mr. G. was quiet but kind. I remember he loved ice cream and cantaloupe - together! He clearly loved his family and was strong and smart. At the time - he was the only real Christian man that I knew. I really didn't believe there were any truly good men until I met him. To say I respected him is a huge understatement. Don't get me wrong; I know these folks aren't perfect. They had pain and loss and problems over the years just like everyone else. But they were so good to me and they really didn't have to be. They chose to let me in there life and I will be forever grateful.

Mr. and Mrs. G also gave Wayne and I a Kitchen Aid mixer as a wedding gift. We celebrated 30 years of marriage this past November and yes, we still have the same mixer and I use it practically every day. Still. Many, many years ago it went on the blink and we took it to Byron and had the engine rebuilt. Since then it runs like a charm. When I think of all the cakes, cookies, sweet potato soufflés, mashed potatoes, and egg white meringues I have whipped up in the past 30 years! And each and every time I use it I think of Mrs. G. I will NEVER be the wonderful cook that she is. But I do make things with love for my family and friends. I know Mr. and Mrs. G love me and I remember that every time I use that mixer. It was quite the extravagant gift back in 1979 and is still a treasure to me all these years later. I don't get to see Mr. and Mrs. G these days as much as I would like to. However, I know they love me and I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them. Some things you just never forget. For me, it just takes mixing up some batter.

Daily changes . . .

It never ceases to amaze me how many things can change in just one day. Time seems to drag along, same ole' same ole', and then BAM! Things change. Working at Hospice and knowing about other peoples pain and loss can sometimes causes a person to view "changes" as always bad. Change is not always bad. Even when it is bad to begin with, it usually works out. As a believer, I do KNOW that all things work for good to those who love God and are called to His purpose. However, that doesn't mean change is always pleasant.

I found out yesterday that a friend and coworker of mine is moving away - to Japan! Now buddy, when you move to Japan from Warner Robins GA, you have MOVED! She is so excited, absolutely giddy over this chance to "travel" and "see the world." All the while I feel sick. I will miss her. Selfishly I will miss her as a co-worker because in case you didn't know it, good, dedicated, smart workers are hard to find.

When my "C" came to work for us she was pregnant, but didn't know it yet. As time passed, we were privileged enough to share her journey of pregnancy with her. I'll never forget the day she came back from the sonogram with the pictures in her hand. She said to me, "do you see anything special?" I stared at the black and white picture, "uhhhhh what?" I asked. "There's TWO in there!" she said in a kind of calm yet shocked voice. OMG! Twins! It turned out to be twin baby girls and we loved being a part of all the excitement. Now, those little butter beans are two years old and I've been to both their birthday parties. The fact that I will not be able to go to their 3rd party makes me feel sad. It's funny, this "work friend" stuff. In most cases you have to be kind and friendly to all co-workers. That doesn't mean you spend time with them after work or that you really even like them at all. And let's face it - we spend more time with our co-workers than our own family during the week. But then there are those friends, like "C" that you don't just like, you love. So, my friend "C" will be leaving in August and I may never see her again. Thanks to Facebook, we can stay in touch, which is a blessing. But it will never be the same and for that reason, I am sad.

I am reminded of that silly, mushy poem about how certain people come into your life for a season and then leave. It's true I suppose. My friend "C" will never be the same either! Georgia will always be where where she spent her first few years of marriage, where he baby girls were born, and where she became born again. "C" accepted Jesus as her Saviour while living here. Although she was a spiritual person and believed in God, she had many good questions about salvation. She approached her questions in a way I'll always respect. She asked us. She wasn't afraid to dig in and ask the hard questions. And then one special day while attending the church of another of my co-workers, she did it! She accepted Jesus and became a Christian. What a change we saw in her life. She had always been a nice, sweet person - but now there was a change. A real honest to goodness change. Jesus can do that. I'm so happy that she made that decision. So regardless of Japan or where ever, we'll always be "family". I hope that she'll always keep "Georgia On Her Mind"

Darlin' Dalton Eats Cake (again . . .)

Sweet Darlin' Dalton eats birthday cake (again) Only this time so Aunt Lindsey can see it. He actually seemed to enjoy the taste this time. I think at his party he was a little overwhelmed with all the excitement!

Still a work in progress

Well, I'm still working out this blog. I consider myself pretty swift on the computer but not so much when putting together what I think is "me". I have to be patient and that seems to be the "word on the street" for me these days! (That comes from watching way too many Sesame Steet episodes this past weekend with my Darlin' Dalton.) Pictures to come if I can figure it out!