March, Already???

Can it possibly be the first day of March? What in the world happened to January and February? Oh, I know, we were shivering through them. Yes, Mississippi has actually had a winter this year. We even had some snow! As you can imagine, that doesn't happen very often in the Magnolia State.
We began the month of January by celebrating the 85th birthday of my father-in-law, O. D. Jackson. It was a cold, cold day, but our hearts were warmed as so many of his family and friends braved the very frigid temperatures to celebrate with us. And our entire immediate family was here, too...me, Willie, Bryant, LeAnna, Lane, Robert, Ellington and Reagan. It just doesn't get much better than having us all together.

For some reason, I have spent a good deal of time contemplating some things recently. Nothing earth shattering, but at the same time important. I have come to realize that small things are often the most important. You know, kindnesses shown to each other, finding time to just help out a little, or time for a short visit. Things like sitting and reading, sharing your wisdom with others and encouraging people you meet....maybe with just a smile, but oh, how important that can be. I hope my children understand that and as they have children and raise families, I hope they can impart that to their offspring. I have come to understand that we do not always have to be on the go and your children don't have to do everything. Of course, we desire to give them opportunities, but sometimes the best thing we can do is just be still. How can we ever hear that still small voice of our Lord, if we are always on the go and always doing the talking? It won't happen. Then we will wonder where we went wrong, only to discover that it was in our busy-ness of life that prevented us from attaining the most important...insights from God. Remember, if the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy....The tyranny of the urgent will prevent you from taking time for the important. I also have come to a greater understanding of the value of friendship. Sometimes I think we feel friends are there for our enjoyment, but oh, how important for them to be there for our trials. Cherish your friendships. Value the old and always look to make new ones. You may need their help one day just as they may need yours. God gives us friends for a reason. As I said, nothing here is earth shattering, but just things we all need to remind ourselves of from time to time.

We continue to find much enjoyment out of our new role as grandparents. We have not seen Ellington quite as much lately and I am sure she will be a different child the next time we do see her. She needs to come to Gigi and Pop's for a couple of days. As soon as I can get finished with some of the classroom demonstrations I am doing for the MSU Writing/Thinking Institute and we get Uncle Windell back to work at Northside Self Storage, we will be in the business of providing Lane and Robert with a couple of days break from parent duty.

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I am so looking forward to warmer weather. I saw some jonquils blooming today on my way home from Meridian where I was doing classroom demonstrations in two different schools. They always warm my heart even if has started turning colder and begun to rain .... again. They say we may have some snow tonight.... Crazy, we have had several snow "events" this year although only one amounted to anything.
Looking forward to spring. It can't get here soon enough.