Mary Pierce

Listen and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: It WAS my best birthday ever and at my surprise party on Sunday, three-year-old grandson Joey asked me, “How old are you, Mamie?” I told him I was sixty.

“Show me,” he said. So I opened and closed my hands, counting out, “Ten. Twenty. Thirty. Forty. Fifty. Sixty!”

Joey, who makes “L” into “Y” said, “WOW, Mamie! That’s a YOT!”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I did the math and Joey’s right: It IS a YOT! Sixty times 365 = 21,900 days, give or take. 21,900 breakfasts, lunches and dinners (that explains a yot, too). 21,900 sunsets and 21,900 sunrises. 21,900 days of breathing in and out. 21,900 awakenings to days of possibility.

I don’t want to calculate the hours, minutes, and seconds that have passed. Some of those hours seemed so long–waiting for Christmas, or waiting in the hospital. Some of those moments so short–riding the carousel with the “baby” at Disneyland on her 4th birthday 25 years ago, or the little time spent with DaPapa, so long ago.

So here I am, “A YOT” but the question on my heart today is NOT what I’ve done with my time so far, for the past is the past.

The important question is: What will I do with the time that remains?

I don’t want to waste one more second worrying about things I can’t do anything about.

I want to never miss another opportunity to laugh or to cry, to be touched or to touch someone else’s life. To tell those who bless my life how much I appreciate them.

“Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” writes the Psalmist. However much time I have left–a “yittle or a yot”–I pray I spend it wisely. And I pray the same for you.

So let me say, “I appreciate you!” Thanks for blessing my life. Now go bless someone else today.

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BEST BIRTHDAY EVER BOOK GIVEAWAY: And the winners are: MaryBeth Peterson, Brenda Jones, Brenda Burnett, Janet Kautz, Amy Bires, and Rebecca Smith. Thanks to all who entered the drawing.

To claim your free book, use the Contact Mary link & let me know which book you want and your mailing information. (If it’s a gift, let me know who to sign the book for.) Congratulations to all and ENJOY!

Listen in and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: Okay, I know what you’re going to say: “Mary, that’s what you get for leaving your Christmas decorations up until May!” Yes, I confess. The evergreen wreath I set on the planter outside the front door last November is still there.

But that’s only because when I went to haul the wreath off to the woods, I noticed a bird’s nest on top of it. The next day when I went to haul it off into the woods, there was a blue egg in the nest. And the next day another egg. And the next day another, and then another–four eggs in all and a mother robin keeping them warm.

Now this nest is right next to our front door, so naturally we can’t use that door, lest we disturb the nervous mother bird.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: How we humans accommodate this little bird! We go in and out the far less convenient back door. We posted a “Do Not Disturb” sign in the driveway, directing all visitors away from the nest. Inside the house, we walk softly through the front entry, lest a heavy tread startle her.

And several times a day I peek out from the window in the front door and I feel like that mother bird looks right back into my eyes, as if pleading, Please don’t disturb us. I offer her my silent promise. We’ll do our best. I’m a mother, too.

We have a ringside seat to a miracle. We wait with hushed expectancy, wondering things we’ve never wondered before. How long does robin egg incubation take? Why do they only lay one egg a day? And where’s the father bird in all of this?

We feel a sense of responsibility to protect and care for this rare and amazing gift. We feel privileged. We feel blessed.

And yes, that IS what I get for leaving my Christmas decorations up until May. And next year, I might just do it again.

Amazing gifts and wonder-filled opportunities are all around. Open your eyes and your heart. May you be blessed in surprising and delightful ways this week!

P.S. I’ll post pictures of the babies when they hatch!

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MY BEST BIRTHDAY EVER GIVEAWAY CONTINUES: My BEST BIRTHDAY EVER is coming up and as a THANK YOU GIFT TO YOU, I’m giving away SIX books to SIX winners–your choice of When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?; Confessions of a Prayer Wimp; or When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?

To enter the drawing, “CONTACT MARY” with “MY BEST BIRTHDAY” in the subject line, SHARE A STORY of YOUR best birthday and you’ll be eligible. (Was it your 20th, or your 35th, or maybe your 75th?) I’ll post your stories in the comment section of the Today’s Laugh blog.

This giveaway runs from May 12, 2009 to May 23, 2009. ONE ENTRY per verified email address and US mailing addresses only. I’ll draw the SIX winners on my birthday, May 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Listen and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: We bought a bird feeder that was advertised as “ABSOLUTELY SQUIRREL PROOF”! Metal mesh and double-lidded, it had so many latches I had trouble figuring out how to get the bird seed IN; I was confident no mere squirrel could get it OUT. I hung it from the deck post and left for the afternoon.

Behold! Yes, that is a squirrel TRAPPED INSIDE the squirrel-proof bird feeder! The lid that couldn’t keep him out now wouldn’t let him out! (Hear my evil laugh? Mwah-hah-hah…busted!)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Oh, the temptations of life. The squirrel saw the feeder and instead of just walking on by, thought he’d indulge. He figured he’d get away with it, but NOOOOO… before he knew it he was trapped.

Isn’t that how it is with temptation? A little of this (no harm done), then a little more of that (we’re not hurting anyone), and then just a little more (we can handle this!). Before we know it we’re overwhelmed–or worse. Addicted. Hooked. Trapped.

We need a rescue.   The squirrel needed help to get free. His need for help was obvious. For us, admitting we need help is hard, but it’s the first step in getting it.

We call out–to a friend, to family, to God–and help arrives.

What’s overwhelming you today? Call–YELL–for help. Rescue is only a holler–or a prayer–away.

MY BEST BIRTHDAY BASH GIVEAWAY: My birthday’s coming up and it’s going to be my BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! As a THANK YOU GIFT TO YOU, I’m giving away SIX books to SIX winners–your choice of When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?; Confessions of a Prayer Wimp; or When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?

To enter the drawing, “CONTACT MARY” with “MY BEST BIRTHDAY” in the subject line, SHARE A STORY of YOUR best birthday and you’ll be eligible. (Was it your 20th, or your 35th, or maybe your 75th?) I’ll post your stories in the comment section of the Today’s Laugh blog.

This giveaway runs from May 12, 2009 to May 23, 2009. ONE ENTRY per verified email address and US mailing addresses only. I’ll draw the SIX winners on my birthday, May 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

Listen and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: One morning last week, DaMama and I sat at my kitchen table having coffee. Well, she sat while I jumped up to brown some hamburger for that night’s dinner. Then I sat long enough to have a sip before jumping up to move the laundry from washer to dryer. I returned for another sip before jumping up to take the dog out.

On my fourth landing, DaMama said, “Hey! Jack-in-the-Box! Can’t you just BE without fussing?”

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I wanted to sputter excuses (and I know you know what I’m talking about.) Just BE? Well, that’s easy for YOU to say! Somebody has to make dinner. Somebody has to do laundry. Somebody has to take the dog out!

I wanted to say all that–with just the right sarcastic tone–but I didn’t, because she was right.

How often I rush, rush, rush and for no good reason. How hard it is for me to just BE, without all the fretting and fussing. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“You’re right,” I said. “More coffee?”

“Sure, since you don’t have any moonshine,” she said, deadpan.

God reminded me in that moment that I have many friends who would drop whatever they were doing to just sit and have coffee with their mothers once more. You are blessed, He whispered.

We can all benefit from DaMama’s wisdom this week: Slow down.  Take your time. Stop rushing through your life. Stop your fussing and fretting.

And in honor of Mother’s Day, sit down with your mama–or your memories of her–and for that little while, just be.

Just be.

Happy Mother’s Day! You are blessed!

P.S. I’d love to hear/share your stories about your mother. Log in and use the comment form or use the “CONTACT MARY” link with “MOTHER” in the subject line.

P.P.S.: Last week’s “Balance” free book drawing winner:   Barb Daye. CONGRATULATIONS!