In Joy and in Love

In Joy and in Love

Written September 18, 2012

In joy and in love

I serve my God above

Another year has come and gone

Yes, time surely marches on

I sit here on my porch and commune with Mother Earth

In quiet celebration of my birth

So in love with life

Eternally grateful to be Allen’s wife

Happy to be Ashley and John’s mother

They cherish each other – sister and brother

Thankful for each and every friend

Loyal to the very end

I give thanks for my family whether near or far

I love them wherever they are

I’ve known my share of suffering and loss

And I know Satan’s not my boss

For I know whom I have believed

Many blessings I have received

This past year God blessed me with “Nan’s Goodwill Bears”

Because He knows just how much this “bear lady” really cares

I pray for many more years

And I pray for bears to dry little ones tears

I pray for the sad, the sick and the suffering

I’m thankful for my life – a humble offering

Thank you, Jesus for seeing fit that I was born

As I celebrate my Mother’s life this morn

My Mama went to Heaven many years ago.  Had it not been for her I could not, would not celebrate this special day.  Happy birthday to me.  Happy birthday to me.  Happy birthday, dear me.  Happy birthday to me.

No, I’m not full of myself, just happy for the opportunities God gave me this past year and happy for those opportunities to serve Him in the coming year.

Birthdays are for celebrating, not for pretending we’re not getting older …..or on the other hand, “I’m not getting older, I’m getting better

Including the teddies I will deliver to the hospital this week, it brings the total  given since July 22, 2011 to 1,225 teddy bears!!! To God be the glory!!!!

September Celebration

This poem is a tribute to a special life

Mary Diane Cates Watt
August 18, 1955 - August 29, 2012

Imagine with me if you can
my dear friend named Diane
strong in faith, but weak of heart
truly, her heart didn't wholly do its part
heart attack at age twenty-four
one tough cookie, that's for sure
not to content to merely survive
she knew how to live and to thrive
one Sunday in church she scared the guest speaker
defibrillator went off as her heart grew weaker
Diane was in the hospital for the month of December
I gave her one of Nan's Goodwill Bears; yes, I remember
for six months she used the Left Ventricular Assist Device
a will to live, no matter the effort or the price
by June she was on the heart transplant list
thanks to her donor who is surely missed
the transplant was a success, but then came the infection
during one late August night she attained perfection
Diane's new heart stopped, but her spirit lives on
Jesus by his side, Kenny is never alone
the teddy bear was placed in her coffin
she comes to my thoughts quite often
today we gently laid her body to rest
I believe she passed each and every test
into the mysteries of eternal life we delve
Diane was buried Labor Day, September 3, 2012
truly we grieve and the loss of our loved one we mourn
she loved the Lord since before she was born
with no room for doubts or speculation
today was truly a September Celebration

I love you, Diane

Sunflowers, teddy bears and a little blonde

One of the most magnificent sights I've ever seen has been one of my greatest pleasures this summer.  I just love the fields of my beloved Iredell County in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.  A breathtaking display of literally huge fields of sunflowers has graced the horizon of nearby farms in recent days.  Honey bees have delighted in tickling the tender buds of millions of sunflowers.  Shutterbugs of all ages and expertise have constantly dotted the landscape searching for that "just right" spot along the outer reaches of the fields to capture the perfect bloom.  A young bride in full wedding attire, not sure who was beaming more brightly, her or the sunflower blossoms being photographed for her wedding album.  Luckily, my daughter was with me one Sunday afternoon.  Naturally, I had to snap a few shots of Ashley with the sunflowers.  I will include a beautiful photo of her soon.
And of course, I, on my way to work, stopped by the roadside to snap a few shots of the radiant blooms with a teddy bear hanging on to a stem.  One glorious morning I just had to stop for one more effort to capture the perfect specimen for my 2013 teddy bear calendar.  The parking lot of a large church ended where the sunflower field began.  Naturally, I had several teddy bears tagging along.  As I took my photos, I noticed a beautiful young mother and her little daughter with blonde hair, both barefooted a few yards away.  Mom was taking photos of her little darling, Kayleigh.  As I had time to linger, I asked Michelle if she would like for me to take some photos of her and Kayleigh over by the sunflowers.  She beamed, delighted by my offer.  It was a rare treat for me to photograph such a sweet, loving moment with mother and daughter among the sun-kissed blooms.  I gave Kayleigh one of my little teddy bears and she held it as I snapped the photos of her and her mom kissing and hugging a few feet into the field of flowers.
Though we had never met before, as we talked about the fields of sunflowers, children and the teddy bear ministry, I felt as though we had known each other all our lives.  I treasure each and every day and all the wonders God reveals to me as the day progresses.  What a great pleasure to go out and truly live life to the fullest.  Don't just think about "it".  Do it.  Whatever it is that motivates you and inspires you, do it with zest and enthusiasm!! You'll be glad you did!!