An Amazing Love

Recently I had the opportunity to see the movie entitled "Nights In Rodanthe" starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. The story unfolded about two strangers (both gorgeous) who met by chance in an incredibly romantic setting (a beach house with multiple balconies facing the ocean on an isolated strip of beachfront), who discovered they were "soul mates" and shared a brief encounter that resulted in an amazing love. Like most of the women in the audience, I enjoyed the movie not just because I was watching it, but because I was living vicariously the part of the beautiful woman swept up into the arms of the dashing stranger, dancing on the pier, sharing moments of in-depth conversation and crazy abandon in the blue room. I experienced the whole range of emotions with the actors and when the movie ended caught myself thinking about their relationship as it pertains to real life....my real life.

My thoughts went back thirty-three years (from today, Oct. 5th, 1975) to when I first met my husband. No one was more "swept up" into a relationship than we were. He was a tall, handsome military man with a smile that lit up my world. He held my hand and stole my heart. We were young and neither of us had ever had a serious relationship before. Our first few months together was a whirlwind romance that turned into a brief courtship. Just four months later we exchanged vows in a military chapel witnessed by a few friends and family on Valentine's Day in 1976. Although our courtship was brief, our romance has lasted. Unlike the movie where the characters weathered one storm, we have stood strong through many. We've endured times of great affection and moments when we hardly spoke to each other. We welcomed three babies into the world and cherished every moment with those children throughout the years. Although our life together has been free of major catastrophes (no terminal illnesses, no direct hits by hurricanes, no separations, etc.), it has not been without struggles. Our difficulties came with everyday things like jobs, finances, schedules and attitudes. Our challenges were met with a spiritual strength derived by a faith we had in common from the start. Now that our children are grown and we are pretty much alone together again, we find pleasure in the little things and the quiet moments we share. We now have history with cherished memories. We've shared the joy of seeing our children become the responsible adults that they are. We treasure our grandchildren and the moments spent with our family. Whereas the movie portrayed a couple that enjoyed a very unrealistic "romance," their fantasy love had little in common with our extremely real, and truly..... amazing love.

ON BEING "GiGi"

Wow....a grandmother....at my age??? Yes, and I've been proud to be one almost three years already!!! Of course, I was a child bride....or at least very, very young! They say age has its rewards and I can't think of a better one than being a grandparent. When my son and his wife brought home little Ethan, a new world opened for my husband and me. Since they lived north of Atlanta, it was difficult to visit very often and their new bundle of joy became an active little boy before we knew it. Almost two years later Ethan's calm little sister, Laurel, came into the world just happy to be here. Not even a complete year passed before my daughter and her husband had their first baby, a beautiful little girl named Hannah.

Watching my children grow into the wonderful parents that they have already become has been incredible. Hannah is just three weeks old today and her parents seem like experts already. They handle car seats like pros, change diapers in a snap, and are up on all the latest handling-a-new-baby techniques. I promised myself long ago that I would always respect my children's decisions when it came to their own parenting. Sure, I want to be helpful and offer my advice WHEN ASKED FOR IT, but the wealth of information that is at their fingertips keeps them pretty informed. A lot of things have changed since I first became a mom; but one thing hasn't changed. The most precious sight in all the world is still the way a baby's whole face lights up when they break into a big smile. And nothing is more precious than seeing my own grandchildren smile. I am so proud and delighted to be Grandma Ginger - or GiGi!!!

ART - Not Something I Do - It's Part of Who I Am

Art has always been part of me. Inside I have a desire...even a need....to create. Through the years my creative bent has manifested itself in a variety of ways. From writing, to cake decorating, to interior design, I find great pleasure in the process as much as the completion of a project. Now that I find myself an "empty-nester," I am focusing on teaching myself to paint. I want to paint on everything. I've done a few oil paintings....about thirty years ago...but I am finally back to it. The photo of the camp at Rock Lake is my most recent endeavor. I know I have a long way to go...but for a beginnner, I am pleased with the results. My work never really seems to be finished but at some point I just have to put down my brush. As it hangs in my foyer, every time I enter my front door is another opportunity to critique my work. I see many things that still need to be added, or changed. Each critique adds to the list of mental notes I will use when I approach the canvas the next time. Each piece is a new opportunity to learn and improve my technique. When I paint I am immersed in the experience and I find it both exhiliarating and relaxing. I will be posting new works as I complete them. Although the photo representation is poor at best, feel free to comment about the artwork, I would love to hear what you have to say.

Showers of Blessing

This weekend we hosted a baby shower for my daughter, Meredith. A mixture of her friends from high school, her husband's family members and a few of my friends gathered to congratulate her and wish her well with becoming a brand-new mom. The event went very well with all the expected games (like cutting string to the length that we guessed would just fit around her pregnant belly), dainty treats, and a cake fashioned into a baby-carriage creation. Amidst the chatter of women excited about the expected arrival of a new little baby, I stood in awe of my "baby"....now a woman. Her path to this point in her life has be well planned and carefully chosen (with much prayer). Meredith is more excited about becoming a mom than, perhaps, anyone I've ever known. Still, I am left wondering, "how did we get here?" More accurately, "how did we get here SO FAST!?" Wasn't it just yesterday that it was me opening all those onesies, blankets, and baby booties?? What happened to that little girl who brought such joy into all of our lives? All the memories come back like an avalanche that causes me to choke back the tears. Tears of joy, most definitely, but not without a small sense of loss. Oh...things are just as they should be, and I know we are so very blessed...but, still, my little girl will never sit on my lap for a story or scare me by running full speed to the edge of a cliff (whew...that's a good thing!) My lap is waiting for her little girl now. It will be a wonderful thing to watch Meredith as she grows into this new role of being a mom....one she will, no doubt, grasp enthusiastically. Watching my new granddaughter grow up will be a whole new delight. So the small sense of loss is actually a huge gain.....and this whole baby shower thing is a pretty good picture....of the showers...of blessing.