THE RETURN ~ An Easter Poem

THE RETURN

What was the unspeakable joy that happened that day

When you returned to your rightful place

What you must have thought, what did you say

As you again saw each other face to face

There must have been

Angels singing and cymbals ringing

There must have been

Trumpets blowing and faces glowing

There must have been

Joyous cheers and joyful tears

There must have been

Leaping, dancing, running and prancing

There must have been unspeakable love

When God’s Son returned to His home above!

Sheri L. Swift

07/26/93

Easter bunny & colored eggs???

I know there are arguments on both sides of the aisle on celebrating Easter with a rabbit and colored Easter eggs when you are a Christian, but I say yes!  Lol!  I suppose it is the fiction/fantasy author in me, but I loved celebrating it as a kid with my parents and grandparents.  I have some wonderful memories of those days with my cousins and uncles and aunts not only hunting the eggs, but all gathered around my grandmother’s table for the afternoon feast.

I included the Easter bunny with my own children and we also colored eggs; as a grandmother, I love the already candy-filled eggs!  Lol!  We especially loved the different ways that you can tell the Easter story through products offered at your local Bible bookstores.  One of our favorites was a dozen colored plastic eggs that had an item within each egg that helped to tell the story.  We even had books that now even my grandchildren are enjoying that help to tell the story to children.  What an awesome opportunity we have, to not only have a fun-filled day for the entire family, but also to celebrate the greatest event of all time.

Our family now celebrates on Palm Sunday because most of our children are involved with ministries at their own Churches on Easter Sunday.  I always say that it’s not about the day as much as the celebration.  I want time to celebrate with my family and also enjoy some quality time.  Lol!  If your family is anything like ours, then everyone is headed in different directions and on a short time-line during the holidays; this way there’s no competing.

How did our day go yesterday?  We began by attending service together and then a wonderful lunch, followed with an Easter egg hunt and for some of us, concluded with a nap!  Lol!  May you have a blessed Easter and as Matt Maher’s new song says, “Christ is risen from the dead!”  :)

WAITING ON PRINCE CHARMING

This is a picture of my youngest daughter at the age of 12 with her dog Frodo.  I am in quite a melancholy mood as I’m preparing for her bridal shower tomorrow.  It’s amazing to me how quickly time flies; I know, a bit cliche but oh so true when you’ve watched your children grow and marry and begin lives of their own.

I can remember some defining moments, with the advice of Dr. James Dobson in hand, my husband and I let our four daughters know pretty early on that we would not allow them to date until they were 16 years old.  When that day arrived we would sit down with the Birthday girl and give her a beautiful skeleton key with a pink satin ribbon tied upon it.  We told her that we had been the guardians of her virtue and now we were handing over the responsibility to her.  It wasn’t easy, but we let her know that she had to make wise choices from the young men that she would date.

I can still hear the voices of my daughters as they would repeat what I had always told them, it was usually accompanied by a roll of the eyes and a smile, “I know mom, every date is a potential husband.”  Lol!  Yep, that’s what I told them.  In fact, one daughter chose not to date until her Senior Prom and yes, a few years later they were wed.  I can honestly say that she saved herself some of the heartache that some of her sisters experienced.

Whether a young girl chooses to opt out of dating or not, the most important point is that she continues to become the sort of young woman that her future husband might want one day.  If you’re looking for a Godly man, then become a Godly woman.  And if you are looking for a Godly man, then don’t be surprised that you can’t find him in a Bar.  Lol!

I know that waiting can be one of the hardest parts.  There were many nights that were filled with tears for my daughters wondering if God was hearing their prayers.  I would encourage the girls to write down on a piece of paper the character traits that they would like to find in a man and to pray about it.  God really does care, right from the beginning He said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Genesis 2:18 (NIV).  Think about it, God knows our need and also who would make a good match for us.

I can remember one of my daughters telling her friends, “If I’m waiting for the right one, then I believe that God has someone out there waiting for me.”  That was beautiful to hear; the fact that my daughter “believed” that God had someone waiting for her. 

God has been faithful to the faithful; He has blessed each daughter with a wonderful husband.  Not all the paths were the same or even easy, but in the end, each daughter trusted God for her future mate and they were rewarded for it.  They have each given their husband's their key upon their wedding night.

Enough said; I have a shower to put on!  ; )

INTERRUPTED BY BEAUTY

When I looked out my window this morning, this is what I saw.  At first glace, you might say that you’d rather see sunshine.  Lol!  But, you cannot ignore the beauty that is before you.  When my children were younger I would love days like this.  Like many families, we led very busy lives.  But here in the Blue Ridge, things tend to slow down on a snow day.

On such days, we’d make some homemade cocoa and bundle up with a comfy blanket and put on an old movie.  We might even get out a jigsaw puzzle or two or a board game and enjoy long conversations with each other; these are the memories that I treasure.

It seemed like just as our lives got a little too busy and out of control, a snowstorm would come and make all of our plans come to a stop; no school, no sports and for some, no work.  It isn’t so pleasant for those who do have to go out to work on such a day.  But for us, it was like a Holiday.

Now my children are gone and living in homes of their own, but I did enjoy a phone call and some Facebook time with two daughters who are now home with their children on a snow day and that makes me smile.  : )

THE FIGHTING McLAINS

My family has always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, because I wanted my girls to not only remember their Irish ancestry, but also honor a man that was such a wonderful Missionary to Ireland; helping to preserve the Bible for us to enjoy today.  The funny thing is that after most of my girls had married I discovered that we weren’t really Irish after all, but Scottish!  Lol!

I was told that my mother’s Scottish ancestry goes all the way back to Lochbuie on the island of Mull in the Scottish Highlands.  The Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie is a fierce bunch whose family crest badge is of a Battle Axe with a branch of laurel and a branch of cypress on either side.  The motto above the axe is: Vincere vel mori (Latin for To conquer or die).  The Mull District tartan is plaid in colors of green, blue and black.  Legend has it that our Clan descendants fought beside William Wallace and against any who would come against Scotland’s right to rule themselves.

My descendants did eventually move from Scotland and settle in America.  My grandfather (Roy Calvin McLain) carried on that fighting tradition and was in the Army during World War II from 1938 – 1946.  He was a very handsome man and always stood tall and proud. I can remember him with a smile on his face, a spring in his step and he always whistled a happy tune.

My nephew is a Marine SSGT, currently serving in Japan.  I know that he continues to carry on the McLain heritage to fight for honor, justice and for those in need that cannot help themselves; as the Marine's put it, "Semper Fi!" (Always Faithful).  I am quite a proud aunt as you can tell!  Lol!  And just as proud of his lovely wife that is there beside him taking care of their children, even in this difficult time.  America will continue to stand strong as long as there are those willing to fight to defend her and for those who call upon her for aid.  As my nephew would say, "Oorah!" 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  : )

COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

To say that my husband and I do a bit of competing, that wouldn't be quite right.  For one thing, he is tall and I am short, so there's no competition when it comes to walking; running?  Never gonna happen!  Lol!  He made 9th in the Nation his junior year of High School for cross country.

When it comes to driving, he's quite crafty; I'm not talking about speeding, just quick minded on how to maneuver.  So last week we met up in town as we do on occasions to do our weekly grocery shopping.  I actually made it out of the store first and in my car; of course he was still at the check-out and then loaded the car.  So I decided to get a head start.  I had parked in a better row, so I knew I could get out first.  I made it to the light in time, but he still wasn't far behind and made it also.  When  I had driven some ways, I was pleased to see that I still had the slight advantage.  Then I was coming up to the light where we make a turn as it was turning red and I remembered what my husband always did, he turned into the corner bank parking lot (always after hours) and saved time that way.  So I did likewise, only to realize that I had turned in too soon and it was actually another parking lot next to the bank with only one entrance/exit.  My husband smiled as he passed me and turned into the correct lot.  I now had to turn around and go back.

On the way home, I thought about how much that was like me and God.  Sometimes I think I can get to a place in my life more quickly if I can just lead the way myself.  I know God must be saying, "Lol!  Never gonna happen!"  But, I try anyways only to find that I have to backtrack and begin again.  He's always teaching me some new lesson in patience.

How did my shopping trip end?  Just like me and God; my husband made it home in plenty of time to unload all the groceries and turn on the outside lamppost so that I could see more clearly when I got there.  : )

#SampleSunday ~ BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN MORNING

I can't help but think of better weather on this dark cold rainy day.  I have to remind myself that this is just a passing season and that the sun will shine bright and warm again.  This week for #SampleSunday, I decided to post a poem that I wrote last July; hope it brightens your day.  : )

B L U E  R I D G E  M O U N T A I N  M O R N I N G

Misty covered mountains

Roll away with the dawn

The sun begins to rise

Now I stretch my arms and yawn

But the beauty holds me captive

As I stop to take a look

The view outside my window

Is worth writing in a book

To stop time frozen

For the beauty that I see

To hold onto this moment

It still amazes me

Green mountains rise up

Ridge upon ridge unfold

They stand firm and proud

And have since days of old

A bright red cardinal

Swoops down upon his prey

A caterpillar crawling

Who had come to greet the day

Now a black crow comes

And attempts to steal the prize

The cardinal is too quick

And away he swiftly flies

The butterflies and dragonflies

Are warming up their wings

They begin to circle my garden

Searching out tasty things

A brown rabbit slowly hops

From beneath a berry bower

He cannot resist the taste

Of a golden dandelion flower

As the sun warms the earth

A speckled fawn begins to play

His white tail mother joins him

And cautiously leads the way

They two enjoy a quiet moment

While the world is still asleep

They love my private garden

Where they find a safe retreat

It’s just a simple garden

With an archway painted white

Where oaks, maples, and pines

Encircle and keep it from sight

It’s a place I go to meditate

A place where I can be alone

I let go of needless worries

Sitting on my bench of stone

I thank my Creator

For the beauty He has made

I sing a happy tune

And there leave my troubles laid

On a morning such as this

There’s no place I’d rather be

Some do like the City life

But the Blue Ridge Mountains are for me

Sheri L. Swift

07/13/10