Mary Pierce

TODAY’S LAUGH: Little Joey-Wh0-Can’t-Say-the-Letter-L said our grace the other day at lunch. “Thank You Yord for this yummy yunch. I yuv it!”

Some of the best prayers are like that: short and sweet. (Just like the kid who said it.)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I’m so grateful today for the little things. A chuckle over “yunch” and sweet little ones to share it with. As the cold descends here in the north country, I’m grateful for warm fires,  the first snow, a decent furnace and cozy pj’s. Oh, and warm toast with butter and strawberry jam.

I’m grateful for this new day–another day and no matter that there are no guarantees of more. I’m celebrating this one.

This year we’ll host my family for Thanksgiving for the 21st year in a row. Those who first came as little ones now have little ones of their own. This will be our first year without DaMama, who is enjoying a different banquet now. We’ll remember her smile and the years we shared.

And we’ll give thanks to the One who makes it all possible, who blesses us with life and love and laughter.

I’m thankful for you, dear reader. Thanks to all who offered encouragement and prayers through this challenging past year. And thanks to all who are just joining the family–I look forward to laughing with you.

May you know peace and joy as you celebrate your blessings this Thanksgiving!

TODAY’S LAUGH: The political pundits predict that life will be very different after today. They’re right. Imagine it: You’ll be able to answer the phone without getting yet another recorded political message. You might actually get mail instead of a pile of political postcards. And television will be running ads for ShamWow again!

Yes, after today life will be different. THANK GOODNESS! I’ve had enough of the political hoopla. How about you?

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Cynical Mark Twain said, “If voting made any difference, they wouldn’t let us do it.” Well, Mr. Twain, I don’t care. I’m voting today.

I get pretty sappy when Election Day finally comes. Maybe it’s because the place we vote is so, well, Mom-flag-and-apple-pie-American. It’s an old building in a tiny village (two corners are needed to be called a small town) with a flag out front, attached to the fire station (manned by volunteers, bless them!).

We arrive before the doors open, hoping to beat the crowd, but even at 6:45 a.m. there’s a line. (We take voting seriously around here.) We see familiar faces and chat with friends as we wait. (We carefully avoid any mention of politics, lest we offend someone within earshot. It’s just not polite, and we take our manners seriously around here, too.)

As we enter the building at 7 a.m., conversation ceases, as if some unwritten rule requires a reverent hush to surround this act. We quietly confirm our identity, receive our ballots and enter the cloth-enclosed booths, transforming as we do from mere residents of the area to Citizens of the United States of America. We become Voters, exercising our civic duty–our civic privilege.

And it gives me a thrill, every time.

So vote today. Not because you must, but to celebrate the fact that you CAN. And when you do, remember those who fought and died, and those who are fighting the good fight today, to make sure you can keep voting in the future.

May God bless America! And may you be blessed as you enjoy your voting privilege today and encourage your friends, family and coworkers to do the same.

P.S. The Spice Rack Revisited. After last week’s post I found this quote from the late great Erma Bombeck- great comfort for all of us spice hoarders: “Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which one I’m taking with me when I go.” HA! I miss Erma…

TODAY’S LAUGH: A quite elderly woman was overheard in a restaurant complaining how her daughters “decluttered” her kitchen, throwing away all her “perfectly good” food, just because it was past the “use by” dates. Any sympathy for her evaporated when she said, “They even threw out some of my spices! And some of those were from my MOTHER!”

(FYI: The government now defines “elderly” as 60 and up. This woman was way over 60, just so you know. And she wasn’t me.)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: I check expiration dates, which is why I recently tossed some spices. (I brought them to Wisconsin from California. Twenty years ago.) Everything has an expiration date these days, from spices to sour cream (why?) to bottled water (really?). I wonder, does this thing really turn to poison on that date, or is this just a plot to make me throw “perfectly good” things away so I’ll be forced to buy more?

One place I don’t find an expiration date is on ME. Trust me, I’ve looked and I don’t see a “best used by” date (well, maybe on some parts) or even a “retire by” date anywhere on myself. (Okay, there is an expiration date, but only God knows what it is. And he’s not telling so why worry about it?)

Here’s my point: The notion that a day comes when we are no longer useful, usable, or able to contribute in this life is nonsense. (DaMama proved that, to her last, sweet breath.)

Or maybe it’s not about age for you, but you feel “useless” because somebody else told you so.  Remember, just because somebody says something to you doesn’t make it true!

So if you think you’re already done or going to “done” at X date in the future, think again. As we move through life, we bring the wisdom and experience we’ve gained from one season into the next. Someone out there needs to know what you’ve learned. (Thirty years of mothering must be worth something! Fifty years of marriage must have some value!)

So write a book. Teach a class. Model marriage. Build houses. Serve the hungry. Show someone how to clean. Or parent. Or pray. Whatever you’ve gained, share it. Somebody out there needs you!

As the saying goes, “It ain’t over till it’s over”–and neither are you!

So now, go bless somebody today!

P.S. BOOK DRAWING WINNERS: Congratulations to the winners of They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti: LYNN FISCHER and SUE WIESE. Cynthia will contact the winners and everyone who entered with a special message of encouragement. Enjoy!

P.P.S The Last Laugh: Speaking of retiring, the caption reads, “Church Honors Retiring Employees,” but I’m filing this one under “Never Gonna Happen!”

TODAY’S LAUGH: Relationships have been turned cattywampus by technology. The other day one out-of-state daughter posted a message to me on Facebook (FB): “How come you never call me? I miss you!” (Since when does a daughter give her mother one of those “You never callllll me” guilt trips?)

So I called her cell. She didn’t answer. I wrote on her FB wall: “K so I cld u n u wr nt ther wazzup widdat?” (Huh? Mom talking in text? English translation: “Okay, so I called you and you were not there. What is up with that?”)

Daughter called me later. I was busy. She posted again on my FB: “K so I cld u bk n u wr BZ wl cl agn l8r” (“Okay so I called you back and you were busy. Will call again later.)

The world is turned upside down and time-honored roles are out the window! Old moms are texting! Young daughters are kvetching! Sheesh!

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Technology really is a wonderful thing. We can connect with those we care about, whenever, wherever we are.

Of course, nothing beats face to face, but with so many so mobile, it’s hard to do that. Next best thing is voice to voice, of course. But, with so many so busy, that’s not always easy either.

What’s left? The quick connect via Facebook or Twitter. I love the immediacy. We see the grandkids on vacation, while they’re on vacation. We get the latest on the surgery, or the plane trip, or the soccer game, instantly.

A young mom posts a question about her toddler and six other moms offer advice and encouragement. A father requests prayer and two dozen assurances come his way. Somebody shares a funny story. Another shares a word of spiritual encouragement.

This is not cold technology. This is community. And you are welcome to join, anytime.

So Daughter just texted, “wat tim sat n wat shd i bring.” Ah, she wants to know what time the gathering starts on Saturday and what she should bring.

I’ll text back: “n e tim n jst ur swt slf” (Anytime, dear daughter, and just bring your sweet self… home to your mama.)

Like I said, nothing beats face to face.

BFN. May u b blsd as u connect 2day!

We are thanking God today for the life, love and laughter we shared with DaMama, who left us to be with Him on Sunday morning, July 18th at the age of 96.

She loved poetry. A favorite was Longfellow’s “The Children’s Hour,” which not long ago she could recite flawlessly. The closing lines capture the love between parent and child and the desire to hold on to those sweet moments we share. The words touch our hearts today.

“I have you fast in my fortress
And will not let you depart,
But put you down in the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

“And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away.”

Thank you for your support and prayers during this long and challenging journey. May you be blessed with sweet moments with those you love today.

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Life has slowed at our house and I’ve had lots of time to think lately, taking care of DaMama. The world has shrunk for her to her bedroom and the family, hospice workers and other helpers who bring comfort.

I sat with her one recent morning, holding her hand as we talked. I answered her oft-repeated questions, filling in the blanks of who and where she is.

“And what kind of a day is it?” she asked. “Beautiful,” I said. “Perfect.”

She fell silent then and closed her eyes. The briefest conversation tires her. So we sat in silence, looking out her window, watching sunlight and shadow play through the woods.

A thought–God’s, not mine–whispered, This is a fine moment–one of the finest.

As I think back over life–mine and hers–the big events stand out. Weddings, births, deaths, and a hundred other milestones we’ve experienced together.

But I see now that some of the very finest moments for any of us are the simple moments we spend together, holding hands and just breathing. Knowing in those moments that we are not alone, and that we are loved.

May this day be filled with fine moments for you and those you love.

Thank you, friends, for your support, encouragement and prayers for our family. We appreciate you!

Hello Friends

We’re going through a rough patch around here. We appreciate your support and patience and your prayers for DaMama and our family. In the meantime, may you and yours be blessed.

Mary