Granny here,
Out of the Past by Billie Smith
Chapter 3
Daisy was awakened by the sound of a ringing telephone, she scrambled for te receiver, the voice on the other end sounded as if she had heard it before but it really wasn't familar. "This is Leslie, remember we met on the plane," came the voice that woke up Daisy's memory. "Hi, Leslie, how are you this morning?" Answered Daisy as she threw her feet onto the floor. She grabbed her robe and opened the curtains overlooking the city. "Would you like a guide today? I would be more than glad to show you the city." Came the voice again and brought Daisy back from her drifting. " I would love that, are you sure you have the time?" "Yes, my family is busy with appointments today and I am on my own. I'll pick you up in an hour, will that be ok?" "That would be great, see you then, bye," and Daisy hung up the phone and made a beeline for that gorgeous shower that she needed to fully wake her up.
That was so nice of Leslie to invite me to go sightseeing thought Daisy as she showered. she had her outfit already laid out; she had bought practically a whole new wardrobe for her life in Italy. Today she was going to wear a yellow polka dotted sundress and white sling back sandals; she put her golden locks into a ponytail to keep the maintenance down to a minimum throughout the day. She was just finishing her makeup when she heard a knock at the door, it was Leslie "I see that you're ready, I have the day all planned."" I can hardly wait," replied Daisy, this is so thoughtful of you." "Oh, it's nothing, I'm more than glad to do it, let's get going."
As they made their way through the lobby, the desk clerk, a very handsome young gentleman bid them farewelll and wished them a good day. Leslie unlock the doors to her red sports car and Daisy slid in on the smooth, soft black leather seat, I could get use to this she thought, it was so cute and just the right size for the two of them. "Where did you get this little number?" Asked Daisy as she buckled her seat belt. "Oh, this baby belongs to my brother, Victorio, I borrow it when I come to visit he has lived here for the last five years with my Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe. It gets me lots of attention from the guys around town and makes the girls jealous," said Leslie with a laugh that made Daisy laugh with her.
Leslie slid under the wheel and off they went, up and down the streets, each sight was better than the last. "I'm taking you to the best places to shop, said Leslie, every girl needs that information, don't you think?" As they drove up and down the streets of the city Leslie filled Daisy in on her family history. Her father had met her mother when he was stationed in Italy, they had married and moved to America but had continued to come back and visit on a regular basis through the years. Victorio had come over to attend the University and made the decision to stay. Her mother, Gabriella, Gabby to the family, was one of eight children, four boys and four girls. There was Maria, Anna, Sophia, Antonio, Mario, Vinchenzo and Vito. Aunt Maria had married an American soldier also as many Italians had during the war. Gabby and Maria had remained very close even though Gabby was the only one of the eight that had moved to America.
"How did you wind up with the American name Leslie and your brother ended up with an Italian name?" Asked Daisy. "My real name is Maria Leslianno after mom's sister Maria, but everyone calls me Leslie," she replied. Leslie whipped the little red sports car into the parking lot of what looked like a place Hollywood stars would shop. "This is our mall, Daisy what do you think?" Asked Leslie as she parked the car. "I think I need my dad's checkbook," she said laughing.
They spent the day trying on all the latest fashions by some of the most famous Italian designers with prices to match. Daisy tried on a top with a price tag of three hndred dollars, a dress that cost eight thousand and a gorgeous pair of stilettos that would empty her bank account. She was having so much fun, she didn't purchase anything but it was so much fun just trying it on. Leslie was having just as much fun watching Daisy act like a kid in a candy shop. "You're coming home with me for dinner tonight and I won't take no for an answer," said Leslie as she looked at her watch. "I can't impose on your family, Leslie." "Don't talk nonsense, girl, they will love it, Aunt Maria always cooks too much anyways, now let's get going."
Daisy wanted to freshen up so Leslie drove back to the hotel for a quick change. She wanted to look her best when she met Leslie's family, her mothr would be disappointed in her if she didn't put her best foot forward. As she came out of the bedroom Leslie said, "Wow, are you going to turn heads! You look absolutely stunning." Daisy had chosen a red, sleeveless dress that went around her curves without missing a turn, to accentuate the scooped neckline she had chosen a single strand of pearls given to her by her dad for Christmas. She grabbed a long sleeved lace sweater on her way out the door just in case the night turned chilly before she returned.
The drive to Aunt Maria"s was delightful; the countryside was filled with vineyards, lovely stone houses, and the most beatutifl gardens. Daisy had chosen well, Calabria was everything that she had expected it ot be and maybe even more. Leslie sang all the way there when she wasn't answering Daisy's questions. Just as she hit a high note she pulled into a driveway that stretched before them as if it would reach into tomorrow. It was long and winding with vineyards on either side. As they approached the house, a beautiful mansion that sat in the valley, it stood as if it were a monument to the wine that came from the grapes grown in its soil. It was so beautiful that Daisy almost lost her breath, it was the loveliest home she had ever see.
The butterflies in Daisy's stomach were making it hard for her to focus on the business at hand, meeting Leslie's family. Leslie parked the car in the garage that already had several expensive vehicles parked there, this let Daisy know she was not the only guest for dinner. As they walked up the winding brick sidewalk, Daisy oculd see an older gentleman standing on the verand and assumed it must be Uncle Joe waiting to welcome them. "We've been looking forward to this day, young lady, he said as Leslie introduced Daisy, we weren't sure Leslie was going to make it, she loses track of time when she gets in the mall." "Uncle Joe, Daisy will think I'm an inconsiderate, spoiled brat." "Well, aren' you?" He laughed. "Come on in and meet the light of my life, Maris, this is Daisy, Daisy this is the light of my life, my wife Maria." "Don't pay him any mind Daisy, he gets carried away sometimes trying to convince everyone that I'm the only thing that keeps him going, but, then again he may be right, I don't know where he would be without me," laughed Maria, making light of Joe. "Come here, sit beside me while Leslie freshens up before dinner, it will give us time to ge alittle better acquainted." The two continued talking as Leslie ran upstairs to change clothes, on her way she passed her brother on the stairs. "Where is your dinner guest, Leslie dear?" he asked as she passed by. "She's getting acquainted with Aunt Maria and Uncle Joe in the living room." "Well, are you saving the best for last", he said meaning himself to which Leslie replied, "Go introduce yourself, you're a grown man." She began laughing and ran to her room. Victorio made his way down stairs taking two steps at a time; he caught a glimpse of Daisy as he peeked around the corner, and thought, hmm, not bad. He composed himself and entered the room and suddenly, for Daisy, the world had a population of two.
Victorio, better known as Tory, stood before a speechless Daisy. Standing six feet tall, he had the darest brown eyes she had ever seen, they had the appearance of two chocolate diamonds set in a sea of sunkissed flesh that made her temperature rise. She finally caught her breath and responded to the introduction she had barely heard.
Uncle Joe, making a joke, as only Uncle Joe could, said, "Ok, Tory, you can takae your eyes off her, she's not going anywhere, she has moved to Calabria to make a new life, you'll have plenty of time to get acquainted.' Daisy blushed and affirmed Joe's comment. "Nice to meet you, Tory, Leslie says you have lived here for five years, I will be looking for my own place soon, any ideas?" She askes as she tried to regain her composure, her heart was racing so hard that she could hardly breathe. Why am I reacting to him like this she thought as they made their way to the dining room? Tory pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit down. Leslie had finally trturned and she looked lovely in a pink chiffon dress that would turn any man's head but there didn't seem to be one in her life at the moment. She sat down on one side of Daisy and Tory took the other side making it very uncomfortable for Daisy to enjoy the lovely meal that had been set before her.
After stuffing themselves on pot roast and all the side dishes that would appear on a smorgasbord, Daisy and Leslie's family retired to the back veranda that overlooked the valley inthe distance. Daisy was having a hard enough time breathing and this view was not going to help her, because it too was breath taking. Before she knew it , the evening was gone and the moon had been hung in the sky far above the beautiful valley that lay beneath. "I must be going, I have overstayed my welcome," said Daisy as she broke the silence of the evening. It seemed as if everyone was enjoying the scenery so much that the conversation had been held to a minimum and Daisy was thankful for that, it gave her a chance to bring her girlish emotions under control.
Leslie started to get up to start the car, "Oh, no you don't, said Tory, I'm driving Miss Daisy tonight," and he took the keys. Daisy almost lost her balance, what was she to do now? How was she to handle the drive all the way back to the hotel? "Are you sure?" Daisy interrrupted. "You bet I'm sure, I wouldn't be the gentleman that I am, he joked, if I passed up such an opportunity." He took her by the hand and led her to the car. Opening the door for her as any gentlelman would do he came too close for comfort, at least for Daisy, his cologne made Daisy just a little light headed as if she needed anything else, just being near Tory made her light headed enough.
As Tory whipped along the highway that he knew all too well, Daisy was holding her breath, the sports car made it's way under the direction of what proved to be a very experienced driver. The sky, full of stars lay over them like a blanket. Tory was the gentleman he said he was and they arrived at the hotel better acquainted but there was so much more to know. Daisy couldn't wait to see him again or would she? What was she thinking, she had just met this man and she already wantd to see him again, only time would tell if she would or if Tory had any interest in wanting to see her again.
Tory parked the car and walked around to open the doorfor Daisy, she took another whiff of his mesmerizing colone as he took her hand and lifted her out of the car. They chatted as they walked to the elevator and Daisy was dreading that ride again tht put her in such close quarters with Tory. She was having enough difficulties dealing with her own emotions without these continuos encounters with him but how could she avoid it? She couldn't be rude and refuse his gentlemanly gestures but he sure was making things hard for her.
They arrived at the door to her room and the time had come to say good night, how was she going to handle this? She hoped her diplomacy would kick into gear and it would go smoothly but she had no guarantee that Tory wouldn't see through her act and realize how nervous he actually made her. Even if he did he probably would think if a joke andmake fun of her and that would be more embarrassing.
Tory took her key and unlocked the door as any gentleman would do, he escorted her in and turned to leave. "Thanks for the lovely evening Tory, you have a wonderful family, thank them for me will you?" Said Daisy as she close the door and took a deep breath.
Daisy leaned against the closed door and closed her eyes thinking only of her emotions that were running rampant at this moment. She thought of the evening and what an affect meeting Tory had had on her, she knew that she was letting her feelings carry her away and that she should be in more control tha she appeared to be.
Tory was all that most young ladies Daisy's age dreamed about and Daisy was no different bt now that she had met him how fr was she willing to let her emotions take her? She had only met him, she didn't know anything about him other than he appeared to be well mannered, from a nice family and as handsome as any guy would want to be.
Daisy was too bright and intelligent to be caarried away by the first guy that she ran into, at least she had always thought herself to be. But the heart is hard to restrain when it comes to emotional involvement and it knows no timeline and Daisy knew as she felt her heart beat even faster that this tall, dark, stranger would now haunt her.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Chapter 2
Granny here,
Chapter 2
The ride to the airport was quiet, Daisy was busy in the back seat going through her purse to take inventory of all the things she would need, making sure she had not forgotten anything important, like her passport. Her mother and dad were silently having a conversation with their eyes, small tears made their way down her mother's cheeks, she kept her head turned appearing to be looking out the window so Daisy wouldn't be able to see her so upset before she got on the plane. Daisy's dad was doing what he could to console her by soothing her hand hidden from Daisy's view. "We're just about there, said her dad as he pulled to the terminal and let the ladies out of the car, you girls get ball rolling while I park the car."
Daisy was kissing her mother good by about the time her dad returned, he pulled his little girl into his arms and whispered, "You know where you left us, we'll be here if you ever need us," and he kissed her on the top of her head. They had gone as far as they could go with her, it was now time for boarding and the moment she had dreamed of was finally here. Was Daisy's dream about to come true? Had she planned everything or were there surprises awaiting her that she never dreamed of? Only time held the answers and not even Daisy knew the questions. Daisy waved to her parents as she drifted out of sight, her mother had held back her tears as long as she could as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder and cried like a baby, he knew there were no words to say at that momnet that would take away the pain she felt, he gently held her in his arms there in the airport as they watched the plane lift off the ground. Trying to lighten the moment he raised her chin up, looked into her eyes and whispered, "we need to het home, there's romance waiting." She smiled and took him by the hand, squeezing it as if to say you're right, romance is waiting.
The ride home was quiet but nice until Daisy's mother saw her plane in the sky, "will I ever get use to an empty house?", she said to her husband as she laid her head on his shoulder. :Don't forget you still have me to contend with, I have twenty one years to make up for," he laughed as he patted her on the leg. "Daisy may be gone in body but she will forever live in our hearts, she'll be back before you know it." He pulled into the driveway, opened the door, offered his hand to assist his wife from the van, as they walked into the house they heard the plane go over head, he shut the door behind them and wondered what surprises lay ahed for Daisy and even more interesting was what might lay ahead for him.
As they entered the empty house Tom took his wife Anne by the hand and pulled her into his chest, "I love Daisy more than a dad is required too, but I love you even more, he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers with the tenderness of a soft rain. She felt his hands going over her body giving her invitation to go farther if she so desired. She led him up the stairs where their bedroom was waiitng and so was the romance hat he said would be there, she closed the door behind them and for the moment Daisy had slipped out of view.
Daisy found her seat and was lucky to have been assigned one by the window. As the plane went higher and higher the houses became smaller and smaller until they looked like applique's on one of her grandmother's quilts. Daisy thought it was so cool to see the houses from a sky high view, she wondered which one was hers and if her arents were missing her as much as she was missing them. She leaned back on the seat, closed her eyes and tried to imagine what her life in Italy would be like, but before she realized it she was fast asleep, she was so tired that exhaustion had completely taken over. Sweet dreams Daisy.
Daisy was awakened by the flight attendent's voice over the intercom announcing that it was now safe for everyone to unbuckle their seat belts. She looked out the window to see the billowy clouds that looked like cotton balls and the color of the sky reminded her of the blue in Seth Lawson's eyes, an old boyfriend from days gone by. She intorduced herself to the girl seated next to her, a young woman around twenty five who had an uncanny resemblance to Meryl Streep, one of Daisy's favorite actresses. She loved the movie Momma Mia; she had seen it four times. Just as their conversation was getting started the flight attendent came by and offered them something to drink, Daisy chose a cup of tea with sugar and lemon, and her neighbor had a diet coke. They continued to get acquainted, the young woman, intorduced herself as Leslianna, Leslie for short, Rosanno. She was on her way to visit relatives in Calabria, Italy. She was on a month long holiday, a gift from her parents for her birthday. Was she a lucky girl or what? Daisy thought how hard she and her parents had worked and saved so that she would be able to take this trip and make the new life she thought she wanted. Some people are just lucky she thought, but she knew from experience that having loving parents had nothing to do with luck. She was blessed.
By the time the plane had landed, the two women were well on their way to becoming friends, a flight that long does that for strangers, it makes them friends. Ass they stepped off the plane, they exchanged addresses, they planned to keep in touch during the month Leslie would be vacationing, they woul try to spend some time together if they could. Leslie could help Daisy find her way around since she had visited many times before. Daisy was good with a map and she did know about twenty phraes in Italian, she didn't know how far that would get her, English was now spoken as a second language in many foreign countries and she hoped that would be the case in Calabria.
Daisy jumped into what seemed to be hundreds of waiting taxi cabs, she told the driver the name of her hotel and off she went. She was so excited she could hardly believe that she was finally there. The cabbie, who luckily for Daisy, spoke good broken English, began their conversation by asking what part of America she was from. After the first question there was no stopping him, Daisy thought to herself, this guy is like a robot, he must ask these same questions to every passenger throughout the day. She became amused and began laughing to herself, she was just so glad to be there living her dream that answering a few questions was a small price to pay.
The taxi darted in and out of traffic as if it were on automatic drive, the traffic was congested to say the least and Daisy noticed the automobiles were much smaller than in America, but there were lots of American made cars too. She held her breath as the cabbie displayed his NASCAR driving abilities; she breathed a sigh of relief as he turned in the drop off lane of the Hotel Italiano Calabria. She would be staying there until she got herself settled in a place of her own which she hoped would sooner than later.
The bellboy retrieved Daisy's luggage which amounted to three large pieces, two smaller ones and of course all that she had carried on the plane such as her valuables, laptop, iPad, iPod and all the other i's she brought along. She was like every other young person her age who feels they can't live without all of today's electronics that make it possible to stay connected in today's world.
The lobby of the hotel was beyond Daisy's wildest dreams, she had nevr been to any of the lavish hotels in America, they always stayed in motels, or a timeshare of their own. Daisy's parents were adamant that she stay in a nice hotel until she was permanently settled. They would be worrying enough over the fact that she was alone in a foreign country and having her in secure surroundings would help them rest a little easier.
As Daisy entered the hotel lobby, her breath was taken away; it was the most beautiful place she had ever see, except on television. The chandeliers hung like enormous jewels from the ornate ceiling with its fresco paintings and filigree work around the perimeter of the ceiling. The furnishings were well able to stand on their own and could grace any mansion in the city of Calabria or anywhere else for that matter. For a few moments she just stood in awe and soaked in the beauty that she would be living in for a few days or maybe longer if she couldn't find a place right away. Was this really true? Was she really here? It was a dream indeed, it was Daisy's dream.
Daisy walked into her hotel suite behind the bellboy, her eyes growing larger as she viewed what lay before her. She tried to compose herself as she tipped the boy and shut the door behind him, alone, she screamed to herself and jumped on the luxurious bed that was so inviting after the long trip. She rolled over and over feeling like a princess of her own domain. After her approval of the sleeping arrangements she opened the double doors unveiling a balcony worthy of Romeo and Juliet. The view was absolutely breathtaking and right now she was willing to give up a few breaths just for the privilege. She had a picturesque view of the entire city that was an ancient, experienced, mesmerizing mystery just waiting for her to explore.
Daisy was worn out and hungry, she called for room service and ordered a thick steak, a baked potato and a large salad. While she waited for her meal she ran her bath and relished in the luxury of the moment. The tub was deep and as she sank herself beneath the bubbles, she felt the hot water soothe her body as only hot water can, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the sea of luxury, but just for a moment and then she heard a knock on the door which brought her bck to reality, she grabbed her satin robe, wrapped her head in the luxurious towel provided by the hotel and opened the door to find her dinner waiting and she was more than ready to dig in.
Daisy had just finished her meal , which was outstanding, when the phone rang, it was her mother. "Daisy, it's mom, how are things going? Don't want to hold you up, just wanted to check and see if you made it safely." daisy smiled, "Yes mother, it was a great trip, my room is fit for a princess, the food is delicious and what are you doing up at this hour?" Her mother laughed out loud and answered "Just being a mother I guess, enjoy yourself dear and don't forget to keep in touch, Love you." Daisy tod her mother good by and hung up the phone. She was feeling exhausted from the trip and decided to take advantage of that beautiful balcony.
The time difference was beginning to have an affect on Daisy so she decided to take advantage of the chaise lounge on the balcony. It proved to be more comfortable than she thought and before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep, after all her body was still on home time. After several hours of sleeping, she awoke to a sky filled with diamonds, the view from her balcony had been transformed, the lights from the city were spread out like a carpet of jewels awaiting her slection. Daisy stood there drinking in the excitement of the city that lay before her, it was hers for the taking but she had plenty of time for that so she made her way to bed where satin sheets were waiting.
Chapter 2
The ride to the airport was quiet, Daisy was busy in the back seat going through her purse to take inventory of all the things she would need, making sure she had not forgotten anything important, like her passport. Her mother and dad were silently having a conversation with their eyes, small tears made their way down her mother's cheeks, she kept her head turned appearing to be looking out the window so Daisy wouldn't be able to see her so upset before she got on the plane. Daisy's dad was doing what he could to console her by soothing her hand hidden from Daisy's view. "We're just about there, said her dad as he pulled to the terminal and let the ladies out of the car, you girls get ball rolling while I park the car."
Daisy was kissing her mother good by about the time her dad returned, he pulled his little girl into his arms and whispered, "You know where you left us, we'll be here if you ever need us," and he kissed her on the top of her head. They had gone as far as they could go with her, it was now time for boarding and the moment she had dreamed of was finally here. Was Daisy's dream about to come true? Had she planned everything or were there surprises awaiting her that she never dreamed of? Only time held the answers and not even Daisy knew the questions. Daisy waved to her parents as she drifted out of sight, her mother had held back her tears as long as she could as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder and cried like a baby, he knew there were no words to say at that momnet that would take away the pain she felt, he gently held her in his arms there in the airport as they watched the plane lift off the ground. Trying to lighten the moment he raised her chin up, looked into her eyes and whispered, "we need to het home, there's romance waiting." She smiled and took him by the hand, squeezing it as if to say you're right, romance is waiting.
The ride home was quiet but nice until Daisy's mother saw her plane in the sky, "will I ever get use to an empty house?", she said to her husband as she laid her head on his shoulder. :Don't forget you still have me to contend with, I have twenty one years to make up for," he laughed as he patted her on the leg. "Daisy may be gone in body but she will forever live in our hearts, she'll be back before you know it." He pulled into the driveway, opened the door, offered his hand to assist his wife from the van, as they walked into the house they heard the plane go over head, he shut the door behind them and wondered what surprises lay ahed for Daisy and even more interesting was what might lay ahead for him.
As they entered the empty house Tom took his wife Anne by the hand and pulled her into his chest, "I love Daisy more than a dad is required too, but I love you even more, he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers with the tenderness of a soft rain. She felt his hands going over her body giving her invitation to go farther if she so desired. She led him up the stairs where their bedroom was waiitng and so was the romance hat he said would be there, she closed the door behind them and for the moment Daisy had slipped out of view.
Daisy found her seat and was lucky to have been assigned one by the window. As the plane went higher and higher the houses became smaller and smaller until they looked like applique's on one of her grandmother's quilts. Daisy thought it was so cool to see the houses from a sky high view, she wondered which one was hers and if her arents were missing her as much as she was missing them. She leaned back on the seat, closed her eyes and tried to imagine what her life in Italy would be like, but before she realized it she was fast asleep, she was so tired that exhaustion had completely taken over. Sweet dreams Daisy.
Daisy was awakened by the flight attendent's voice over the intercom announcing that it was now safe for everyone to unbuckle their seat belts. She looked out the window to see the billowy clouds that looked like cotton balls and the color of the sky reminded her of the blue in Seth Lawson's eyes, an old boyfriend from days gone by. She intorduced herself to the girl seated next to her, a young woman around twenty five who had an uncanny resemblance to Meryl Streep, one of Daisy's favorite actresses. She loved the movie Momma Mia; she had seen it four times. Just as their conversation was getting started the flight attendent came by and offered them something to drink, Daisy chose a cup of tea with sugar and lemon, and her neighbor had a diet coke. They continued to get acquainted, the young woman, intorduced herself as Leslianna, Leslie for short, Rosanno. She was on her way to visit relatives in Calabria, Italy. She was on a month long holiday, a gift from her parents for her birthday. Was she a lucky girl or what? Daisy thought how hard she and her parents had worked and saved so that she would be able to take this trip and make the new life she thought she wanted. Some people are just lucky she thought, but she knew from experience that having loving parents had nothing to do with luck. She was blessed.
By the time the plane had landed, the two women were well on their way to becoming friends, a flight that long does that for strangers, it makes them friends. Ass they stepped off the plane, they exchanged addresses, they planned to keep in touch during the month Leslie would be vacationing, they woul try to spend some time together if they could. Leslie could help Daisy find her way around since she had visited many times before. Daisy was good with a map and she did know about twenty phraes in Italian, she didn't know how far that would get her, English was now spoken as a second language in many foreign countries and she hoped that would be the case in Calabria.
Daisy jumped into what seemed to be hundreds of waiting taxi cabs, she told the driver the name of her hotel and off she went. She was so excited she could hardly believe that she was finally there. The cabbie, who luckily for Daisy, spoke good broken English, began their conversation by asking what part of America she was from. After the first question there was no stopping him, Daisy thought to herself, this guy is like a robot, he must ask these same questions to every passenger throughout the day. She became amused and began laughing to herself, she was just so glad to be there living her dream that answering a few questions was a small price to pay.
The taxi darted in and out of traffic as if it were on automatic drive, the traffic was congested to say the least and Daisy noticed the automobiles were much smaller than in America, but there were lots of American made cars too. She held her breath as the cabbie displayed his NASCAR driving abilities; she breathed a sigh of relief as he turned in the drop off lane of the Hotel Italiano Calabria. She would be staying there until she got herself settled in a place of her own which she hoped would sooner than later.
The bellboy retrieved Daisy's luggage which amounted to three large pieces, two smaller ones and of course all that she had carried on the plane such as her valuables, laptop, iPad, iPod and all the other i's she brought along. She was like every other young person her age who feels they can't live without all of today's electronics that make it possible to stay connected in today's world.
The lobby of the hotel was beyond Daisy's wildest dreams, she had nevr been to any of the lavish hotels in America, they always stayed in motels, or a timeshare of their own. Daisy's parents were adamant that she stay in a nice hotel until she was permanently settled. They would be worrying enough over the fact that she was alone in a foreign country and having her in secure surroundings would help them rest a little easier.
As Daisy entered the hotel lobby, her breath was taken away; it was the most beautiful place she had ever see, except on television. The chandeliers hung like enormous jewels from the ornate ceiling with its fresco paintings and filigree work around the perimeter of the ceiling. The furnishings were well able to stand on their own and could grace any mansion in the city of Calabria or anywhere else for that matter. For a few moments she just stood in awe and soaked in the beauty that she would be living in for a few days or maybe longer if she couldn't find a place right away. Was this really true? Was she really here? It was a dream indeed, it was Daisy's dream.
Daisy walked into her hotel suite behind the bellboy, her eyes growing larger as she viewed what lay before her. She tried to compose herself as she tipped the boy and shut the door behind him, alone, she screamed to herself and jumped on the luxurious bed that was so inviting after the long trip. She rolled over and over feeling like a princess of her own domain. After her approval of the sleeping arrangements she opened the double doors unveiling a balcony worthy of Romeo and Juliet. The view was absolutely breathtaking and right now she was willing to give up a few breaths just for the privilege. She had a picturesque view of the entire city that was an ancient, experienced, mesmerizing mystery just waiting for her to explore.
Daisy was worn out and hungry, she called for room service and ordered a thick steak, a baked potato and a large salad. While she waited for her meal she ran her bath and relished in the luxury of the moment. The tub was deep and as she sank herself beneath the bubbles, she felt the hot water soothe her body as only hot water can, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the sea of luxury, but just for a moment and then she heard a knock on the door which brought her bck to reality, she grabbed her satin robe, wrapped her head in the luxurious towel provided by the hotel and opened the door to find her dinner waiting and she was more than ready to dig in.
Daisy had just finished her meal , which was outstanding, when the phone rang, it was her mother. "Daisy, it's mom, how are things going? Don't want to hold you up, just wanted to check and see if you made it safely." daisy smiled, "Yes mother, it was a great trip, my room is fit for a princess, the food is delicious and what are you doing up at this hour?" Her mother laughed out loud and answered "Just being a mother I guess, enjoy yourself dear and don't forget to keep in touch, Love you." Daisy tod her mother good by and hung up the phone. She was feeling exhausted from the trip and decided to take advantage of that beautiful balcony.
The time difference was beginning to have an affect on Daisy so she decided to take advantage of the chaise lounge on the balcony. It proved to be more comfortable than she thought and before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep, after all her body was still on home time. After several hours of sleeping, she awoke to a sky filled with diamonds, the view from her balcony had been transformed, the lights from the city were spread out like a carpet of jewels awaiting her slection. Daisy stood there drinking in the excitement of the city that lay before her, it was hers for the taking but she had plenty of time for that so she made her way to bed where satin sheets were waiting.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Book #1 "Out of the Past"
Granny here,
I will begin sharing chapter installments of a book I have written called "Out of the Past", hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1
As the morning sun came through the window Daisy could feel it was going to be a day to remember. She had dreamed of this day since she was five years old and now it was here with all the excitement she dreamed it would have. She could smell the bacon frying as the odor drifted up the stairs and made its way to her room. Her mother had been up since six a.m. preparing breakfast as she had done for all of Daisy's twenty-one years.
Her luggage sat by the door, ready for the trip she had dreamed of all her life. Great pains had been taken by her parents since she was a child to bring about this day for her. They had planned, worked, saved and sacrificed to make this dream come true, she was the light of their life and anything that made her happy they were willing to help her accomplish. From the moment she was born her parents had put their life on hold and put all their energy into the life of their one and only child, Daisy. They had not spent the years spoiling her, giving her everything she wanted, creating a selfish, unappreciative human being with nothing to offer the world, but they had nourished and molded her as a fine piece of porcelain with a soul for life and a heart that beat with love for those less fortunate than herself.
Since childhood Daisy had loved to travel via books given to her for her birthdays, Christmas' and any event that called for receiving a gift. Before she could read her parents and grandparents read books to her over and over again. When they thought they had read them all she would retrieve them so they could do it all over again. Since she was three years old she had traveled in her imagination to all parts of the world. Her parents had noticed Daisy's interest in travel and began to nourish it and encourage her to learn all she could about the countries of the world.
Daisy's third birthday was the starting point, her parents made the decision that since she was so intrigued with books that took her places they would build on her interest as long as it was the focal point of her life. They would do all they could to stand behind her as she grew older until her dreams came to fruition and today was the day, Daisy was about to step out on the adventure of a lifetime. She had chosen Calabria, Italy as her first port of call.
Daisy's parents had not done all the work to make this day possible, Daisy had worked since she was five years old, first doing chores for her parents, aunts, uncles and neighbors, she would work for anyone she knew and no job was too small. Before she had reached the age of legally holding down a job Daisy baby sat, washed cars, ran errands, pulled weeds, walked dogs or anything that she was asked to do, she did. She saved every penny she could, for a child she had a self discipline that was unheard of and when her family saw her determination how could they not do their part to bring her dream about. On the weekends she worked at the library where she had access to all the books she wanted and then at the age of sixteen she began working as a waitress at one of the local fast food restaurants.
She worked those jobs until she graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class, then to support herself through college she took a job at her dad's law firm. She had chosen to go to college at the local university in her home town to remain close to her parents and her job. Her parents, although wealthy enough to pay for Daisy's education, thought it best for Daisy that she contribute as much as possible to her own future as she could, and Daisy, being the person she was agreed.
Daisy could hear her parents downstairs discussing the events of the day; she could hear the excitement in their voices, an excitement of pleasure, not grief because of her leaving but excitement that her dreams were about to come true and in a way it was their dream too. They had always lived their lives in a way as to set good examples for Daisy. They had taught her good morals, taken her to church and instilled a faith in her that they hoped would carry her through the challenges of life they knew she would face. They could only hope that they had equipped her with all the values that she would need to live a life that would not only be valuable to her tut also to others.
Daisy ran down the stairs still dressed in her Mickey Mouse pj's, her long blonde hair flowing behind her like a sun kissed blanket. She gave her mother a big hug and kissed her dad on the cheek as he sipped his morning cup of coffee. "I can't believe this day is finally here," said her dad as he took another sip of coffee. "You know Daisy my great grandfather was stationed in Calabria during the war. The story goes that he had an affair with some countess over there, we never believed it to be true, but who knows? The three of us have planned for this day, now haven't we? Came her mother's voice into the conversation. We may have a degree of sadness, seeing you go but we are so glad we could be a part of making your dream come true." "Well, my little girl is about to fly out of the nest." "Oh, dad you are so dramatic, you knew this day would come, now, didn't you?" Her mother gave her a big hug, "now sit down and eat your breakfast, you don't know what kind of food you will be getting when you leave here, it won't be momma's cooking, that's for sure, she laughed, as she set the plate of bacon and eggs in front of Daisy.
Daisy devoured her breakfast as if it were her last and bounced back up stairs to take a shower. Her flight was at one o'clock and she had to be at the airport two hours early for all the preliminaries, checking luggage, buying magazines, and the all famous pat down, she couldn't wait for that. While Daisy was singing in the shower her dad carried the luggage to the van and her mother placed the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. Her mother, having the kitchen back in order, had gone to take her own shower, she knew that no one would see the tears she was about to shed because of the pain she was trying to hide. This was not an easy morning for her although she was doing a good job at pretending.
Daisy had laid out her clothes on the bed, she had chosen a pair of pale blue slacks that made her hips look like soft clouds floating as she walked, her top was a Vera Wang number she had bought at Target, it was white with long lace sleeves and a sexy scooped neckline that would show off her teardrop necklace given to her as a farewell gift by her mother. To set off her long legs she chose white stiletto heels she had worn at her college graduation. She jumped out of the shower, time was getting away from her and she still had too many things to do before leaving for the airport. She heard her dad coming up the stairs two steps at a time as he usually did, she knew he was coming to encourage her to speed up the process that he knew could take hours for most young ladies, he had had some experience in that department over the last twenty one years. He knocked on her door, poked in his head just far enough to say "it's about time, young lady" and he shut the door and was gone. He was the type that always said just enough to get Daisy to do what he ask but never over did it in any way, he was very tactful, but then again being a lawyer he had to be.
Daisy was ready before her dad had gotten to the last step, her mother was still in her room gaining her composure, and she didn't want to upset Daisy on the day they all had worked so hard for. She freshened up her makeup and made her entrance. "You're going to miss us young lady," she grinned as she walked over and picked up a small bag that Daisy was going to carry on the plane. "We'd better get going before dad comes in and drags us out," said Daisy as she made a dash for the front door. Her mother took a deep breath and shut the door of the empty house that would never be the same and neither would she.
Chapter 2 is coming
Granny here, just saying!
I will begin sharing chapter installments of a book I have written called "Out of the Past", hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1
As the morning sun came through the window Daisy could feel it was going to be a day to remember. She had dreamed of this day since she was five years old and now it was here with all the excitement she dreamed it would have. She could smell the bacon frying as the odor drifted up the stairs and made its way to her room. Her mother had been up since six a.m. preparing breakfast as she had done for all of Daisy's twenty-one years.
Her luggage sat by the door, ready for the trip she had dreamed of all her life. Great pains had been taken by her parents since she was a child to bring about this day for her. They had planned, worked, saved and sacrificed to make this dream come true, she was the light of their life and anything that made her happy they were willing to help her accomplish. From the moment she was born her parents had put their life on hold and put all their energy into the life of their one and only child, Daisy. They had not spent the years spoiling her, giving her everything she wanted, creating a selfish, unappreciative human being with nothing to offer the world, but they had nourished and molded her as a fine piece of porcelain with a soul for life and a heart that beat with love for those less fortunate than herself.
Since childhood Daisy had loved to travel via books given to her for her birthdays, Christmas' and any event that called for receiving a gift. Before she could read her parents and grandparents read books to her over and over again. When they thought they had read them all she would retrieve them so they could do it all over again. Since she was three years old she had traveled in her imagination to all parts of the world. Her parents had noticed Daisy's interest in travel and began to nourish it and encourage her to learn all she could about the countries of the world.
Daisy's third birthday was the starting point, her parents made the decision that since she was so intrigued with books that took her places they would build on her interest as long as it was the focal point of her life. They would do all they could to stand behind her as she grew older until her dreams came to fruition and today was the day, Daisy was about to step out on the adventure of a lifetime. She had chosen Calabria, Italy as her first port of call.
Daisy's parents had not done all the work to make this day possible, Daisy had worked since she was five years old, first doing chores for her parents, aunts, uncles and neighbors, she would work for anyone she knew and no job was too small. Before she had reached the age of legally holding down a job Daisy baby sat, washed cars, ran errands, pulled weeds, walked dogs or anything that she was asked to do, she did. She saved every penny she could, for a child she had a self discipline that was unheard of and when her family saw her determination how could they not do their part to bring her dream about. On the weekends she worked at the library where she had access to all the books she wanted and then at the age of sixteen she began working as a waitress at one of the local fast food restaurants.
She worked those jobs until she graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class, then to support herself through college she took a job at her dad's law firm. She had chosen to go to college at the local university in her home town to remain close to her parents and her job. Her parents, although wealthy enough to pay for Daisy's education, thought it best for Daisy that she contribute as much as possible to her own future as she could, and Daisy, being the person she was agreed.
Daisy could hear her parents downstairs discussing the events of the day; she could hear the excitement in their voices, an excitement of pleasure, not grief because of her leaving but excitement that her dreams were about to come true and in a way it was their dream too. They had always lived their lives in a way as to set good examples for Daisy. They had taught her good morals, taken her to church and instilled a faith in her that they hoped would carry her through the challenges of life they knew she would face. They could only hope that they had equipped her with all the values that she would need to live a life that would not only be valuable to her tut also to others.
Daisy ran down the stairs still dressed in her Mickey Mouse pj's, her long blonde hair flowing behind her like a sun kissed blanket. She gave her mother a big hug and kissed her dad on the cheek as he sipped his morning cup of coffee. "I can't believe this day is finally here," said her dad as he took another sip of coffee. "You know Daisy my great grandfather was stationed in Calabria during the war. The story goes that he had an affair with some countess over there, we never believed it to be true, but who knows? The three of us have planned for this day, now haven't we? Came her mother's voice into the conversation. We may have a degree of sadness, seeing you go but we are so glad we could be a part of making your dream come true." "Well, my little girl is about to fly out of the nest." "Oh, dad you are so dramatic, you knew this day would come, now, didn't you?" Her mother gave her a big hug, "now sit down and eat your breakfast, you don't know what kind of food you will be getting when you leave here, it won't be momma's cooking, that's for sure, she laughed, as she set the plate of bacon and eggs in front of Daisy.
Daisy devoured her breakfast as if it were her last and bounced back up stairs to take a shower. Her flight was at one o'clock and she had to be at the airport two hours early for all the preliminaries, checking luggage, buying magazines, and the all famous pat down, she couldn't wait for that. While Daisy was singing in the shower her dad carried the luggage to the van and her mother placed the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. Her mother, having the kitchen back in order, had gone to take her own shower, she knew that no one would see the tears she was about to shed because of the pain she was trying to hide. This was not an easy morning for her although she was doing a good job at pretending.
Daisy had laid out her clothes on the bed, she had chosen a pair of pale blue slacks that made her hips look like soft clouds floating as she walked, her top was a Vera Wang number she had bought at Target, it was white with long lace sleeves and a sexy scooped neckline that would show off her teardrop necklace given to her as a farewell gift by her mother. To set off her long legs she chose white stiletto heels she had worn at her college graduation. She jumped out of the shower, time was getting away from her and she still had too many things to do before leaving for the airport. She heard her dad coming up the stairs two steps at a time as he usually did, she knew he was coming to encourage her to speed up the process that he knew could take hours for most young ladies, he had had some experience in that department over the last twenty one years. He knocked on her door, poked in his head just far enough to say "it's about time, young lady" and he shut the door and was gone. He was the type that always said just enough to get Daisy to do what he ask but never over did it in any way, he was very tactful, but then again being a lawyer he had to be.
Daisy was ready before her dad had gotten to the last step, her mother was still in her room gaining her composure, and she didn't want to upset Daisy on the day they all had worked so hard for. She freshened up her makeup and made her entrance. "You're going to miss us young lady," she grinned as she walked over and picked up a small bag that Daisy was going to carry on the plane. "We'd better get going before dad comes in and drags us out," said Daisy as she made a dash for the front door. Her mother took a deep breath and shut the door of the empty house that would never be the same and neither would she.
Chapter 2 is coming
Granny here, just saying!
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Old Age, What's That?
Granny here,
I would like to say although this article is full of truths it is meant to bring amusement to an otherwise serious subject so don't let it bring you down but let it amuse you as it is intended to do. Hope you enjoy it.
I'm tired of being lied to and that's just what the world does to us from the time we're born until we die. In fact the world in general has a way of keeping us from the truth and we usually swallow it hook, line and sinker. Well, my blindfold has finally been lifted and I'm beginning to see the light or the plain truth of the matter and I'm talking about getting old. Yes, getting old. We've always been led to believe that these were the golden years, ye right it's not gold it's plain old tarnish and not the kind you remove with cleanser either.
Oh, of course there are some good things one can say about getting old, I'm still breathing, I get to gain weight every time something worth eating goes into my mouth, I get to lose sleep almost every night, I actually think someone has transfused me with vampire blood on one of the rare moments I was sleeping, yes there are some good things left but for the most part the bare faced truth is that aging is not for the wimp, the faint hearted or those who only wear rose colored glasses of which no one ever gave me a pair so I'm seeing as clear as one can and have often been told that I not only see too clearly but am too willing to help others see too. I forget that some folks like a rose colored world.
The truth of the matter is this has been a trip worth writing about. Ye, people tell us that these are the years that you get to enjoy yourself because you may no longer have to work but you get to live in a manner that comes at the discretion of the government, you'll have your children raised but get the privilege of raising your grandchildren, you have the opportunity to travel but one little problem comes with that illusion Social Security doesn't grant vacations, you either get to be taken care of or you get to take care of someone. Yes, getting old has it's perks.
Here's a few more, you no longer feel like an Olympian jumper each morning when you wake up and make an attempt to stand on your feet once again but rather a stick person whose joints have been locked during the night by some mysterious jailer. A night of rest does not accomplish what it did in former years but sleep is a time when every joint takes it's opportunity to lock, surprise no jumping out of bed for you just getting out is your first major accomplishment of the day.
Remember stick person just because you managed to get yourself erect doesn't mean that your former flexibility has returned. This is a way of life and as you will find that by the time you have worked out the stiffness of the day it's time to go back to bed and let whoever is playing this dirty trick on us lock our joints once again, do they think we're going to escape the next morning. Well, I have news for them, it ain't gonna happen.
Getting old is like life's last hurrah, I gottcha. Yes, it got me alright, right in the middle of my living, I'm 73 and I've got a lot of living yet to do, will I be able to do it? Only time will tell but I must battle for my rights, my opportunities. I must face each new day with as much gusto as I can manage to acquire and use it to get as much out of life as I can. I must squeeze life and not let it squeeze me.
We all know what the alternative to aging is and none of want that now do we? So therefore age is a state of mind but your mind may tell you that you're 39 but your body will tell you the truth. When you're young you tell your body what to do but somewhere down the line the roles are switched and your body tells you what to do and you know what you will obey.
So when you wake up one morning and don't recognize your new boss just remember Granny, she's a truthful old witch maybe with a "b".
Granny here, just saying!
I would like to say although this article is full of truths it is meant to bring amusement to an otherwise serious subject so don't let it bring you down but let it amuse you as it is intended to do. Hope you enjoy it.
I'm tired of being lied to and that's just what the world does to us from the time we're born until we die. In fact the world in general has a way of keeping us from the truth and we usually swallow it hook, line and sinker. Well, my blindfold has finally been lifted and I'm beginning to see the light or the plain truth of the matter and I'm talking about getting old. Yes, getting old. We've always been led to believe that these were the golden years, ye right it's not gold it's plain old tarnish and not the kind you remove with cleanser either.
Oh, of course there are some good things one can say about getting old, I'm still breathing, I get to gain weight every time something worth eating goes into my mouth, I get to lose sleep almost every night, I actually think someone has transfused me with vampire blood on one of the rare moments I was sleeping, yes there are some good things left but for the most part the bare faced truth is that aging is not for the wimp, the faint hearted or those who only wear rose colored glasses of which no one ever gave me a pair so I'm seeing as clear as one can and have often been told that I not only see too clearly but am too willing to help others see too. I forget that some folks like a rose colored world.
The truth of the matter is this has been a trip worth writing about. Ye, people tell us that these are the years that you get to enjoy yourself because you may no longer have to work but you get to live in a manner that comes at the discretion of the government, you'll have your children raised but get the privilege of raising your grandchildren, you have the opportunity to travel but one little problem comes with that illusion Social Security doesn't grant vacations, you either get to be taken care of or you get to take care of someone. Yes, getting old has it's perks.
Here's a few more, you no longer feel like an Olympian jumper each morning when you wake up and make an attempt to stand on your feet once again but rather a stick person whose joints have been locked during the night by some mysterious jailer. A night of rest does not accomplish what it did in former years but sleep is a time when every joint takes it's opportunity to lock, surprise no jumping out of bed for you just getting out is your first major accomplishment of the day.
Remember stick person just because you managed to get yourself erect doesn't mean that your former flexibility has returned. This is a way of life and as you will find that by the time you have worked out the stiffness of the day it's time to go back to bed and let whoever is playing this dirty trick on us lock our joints once again, do they think we're going to escape the next morning. Well, I have news for them, it ain't gonna happen.
Getting old is like life's last hurrah, I gottcha. Yes, it got me alright, right in the middle of my living, I'm 73 and I've got a lot of living yet to do, will I be able to do it? Only time will tell but I must battle for my rights, my opportunities. I must face each new day with as much gusto as I can manage to acquire and use it to get as much out of life as I can. I must squeeze life and not let it squeeze me.
We all know what the alternative to aging is and none of want that now do we? So therefore age is a state of mind but your mind may tell you that you're 39 but your body will tell you the truth. When you're young you tell your body what to do but somewhere down the line the roles are switched and your body tells you what to do and you know what you will obey.
So when you wake up one morning and don't recognize your new boss just remember Granny, she's a truthful old witch maybe with a "b".
Granny here, just saying!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
A Christmas Message
Granny here,
Well, it's that time of year when the world puts on their false face of good cheer for the season. I know that sounds harsh for the beginning of a Christmas message but anyone that knows old granny knows that I pretty well tell it just like it is and that doesn't win me any brownie points with most but there's only one that I have to answer to and He says the truth shall set your free.
This time of year we see all the stops pulled out with all the charming movies, the cute commericals that give us that warm and fuzzy feeling that says go shopping for all those we "love" so much. But really what is going on here in the season of glad tidings and good cheer? For most of the world it is a time when true feelings are buried for the moment and that false pretense is put into place. It is a time when we celebrate the "fake" season that man has invented for themselves.
We go through the motions of loving what is going on, the parties we attend when we really would rather be home in our pajama's doing "our thing" whatever that is. The office get togethers that send chills down our spine instead of goosebumps of joy that we can have that time to really spend time together. And oh, yes the family affairs where the air is so thick with resentments that one can barely see the Christmas tree and the grudges that are being held against one another would make the Grinch proud.
There's the mother who hasn't spoken to her children in months and vise versa, the sister that is so engulfed in her own opinion of other family members that she fails to receive the love that is offered, the son who thinks that is aging father is a joke from the past and needs to move into the twenty first century. The grandchild that doesn't set foot in the grandparents home except on Thanksgiving and Christmas to haul off the loot that is under the tree.
The brothers who don't see that time is slipping away and their time together is just about to run out. Do they cherish those few moments together or are their memories of bad days gone by clouding up their vision. The employers who take advantage of employees who give their lives to make them and their companies who they are. The children who leave their parents in the past while they run into the future believing that parents don't belong in that world. This is a sad picture but it's the real picture.
I know that this doesn't apply one hundred percent to all but sadly it applies to way too many and we are just fooling ourselves when we think otherwise. Don't you think that the greatest gift we could give this year would really be ourselves. By that I mean when we're with mom and dad or grandma and grandpa really be with them, be in the moment, enjoy that moment, listen to the old folks say the same old thing over and over, it's all they have left, it's these memories that fuel their desire to keep living, it's their legacy that they hope you will cherish as much as they do and take it from someone who knows one day you will. You won't always have that opportunity so take advantage of it when it comes along.
A word to parents who brush off their children when all that child wants is an arm around their neck saying "I know you're trying" or "I'm proud of what you've accomplished so far and I know there's much more in store for you" instead of "what do you think you're doing" "when I was your age I was this or that". Take those moments with your children and make those memories that one day will fill your mind during those long hours that you will be alone with yourself and you want to be person that makes good company.
Doesn't this picture set the tone for a season that is suppose to be filled with love and good cheer? Sometimes in today's world we will see that sign that says "Jesus is the reason for the season" and that's the truest statement that we have going for us. With Jesus as the center of your Christmas it will really be Christmas not just another day set aside for spending money. I'll admit I do my share of that too and that's part of it.
I do so love the giving spirit of Christmas. The spirit of giving that seems to overtake the world at this time but is the giving because we love or is it because the world is caught up in the whirlwind of commericalism. Giving is what it's all about God gave us a gift and so we give, but do we give for the same reason that God gave. He gave His Son because He loved us so much that He gave the most precious thing He had and that was part of Himself that we might have the real joy of Christmas and without Jesus Christmas would be just another day on the calendar no matter what we may try to convince ourselves of otherwise. Christmas isn't about us it's about Him. The true gift.
So this Christmas when you look around at faces look beyond those ill feelings, that grudge you may be holding, that jealousy you may be harboring for no reason other than your own opinion and see what really matters, the person behind those eyes, that person that may have those same ill feelings, that same jealousy or that grudge and see that person that Jesus can transform and give them the real reason for Christmas. He can give the real Christmas joy, He can make that gift that you give have the true meaning of Christmas wrapped within it.
May this be the best Christmas you've ever experienced just because you choose to to let it be by giving of yourself to those who need you. Make it the best by giving your best, your best time, your best attention, your best compliment and most of all you at your best.
Merry Christmas everyone
Granny here, just saying!
Well, it's that time of year when the world puts on their false face of good cheer for the season. I know that sounds harsh for the beginning of a Christmas message but anyone that knows old granny knows that I pretty well tell it just like it is and that doesn't win me any brownie points with most but there's only one that I have to answer to and He says the truth shall set your free.
This time of year we see all the stops pulled out with all the charming movies, the cute commericals that give us that warm and fuzzy feeling that says go shopping for all those we "love" so much. But really what is going on here in the season of glad tidings and good cheer? For most of the world it is a time when true feelings are buried for the moment and that false pretense is put into place. It is a time when we celebrate the "fake" season that man has invented for themselves.
We go through the motions of loving what is going on, the parties we attend when we really would rather be home in our pajama's doing "our thing" whatever that is. The office get togethers that send chills down our spine instead of goosebumps of joy that we can have that time to really spend time together. And oh, yes the family affairs where the air is so thick with resentments that one can barely see the Christmas tree and the grudges that are being held against one another would make the Grinch proud.
There's the mother who hasn't spoken to her children in months and vise versa, the sister that is so engulfed in her own opinion of other family members that she fails to receive the love that is offered, the son who thinks that is aging father is a joke from the past and needs to move into the twenty first century. The grandchild that doesn't set foot in the grandparents home except on Thanksgiving and Christmas to haul off the loot that is under the tree.
The brothers who don't see that time is slipping away and their time together is just about to run out. Do they cherish those few moments together or are their memories of bad days gone by clouding up their vision. The employers who take advantage of employees who give their lives to make them and their companies who they are. The children who leave their parents in the past while they run into the future believing that parents don't belong in that world. This is a sad picture but it's the real picture.
I know that this doesn't apply one hundred percent to all but sadly it applies to way too many and we are just fooling ourselves when we think otherwise. Don't you think that the greatest gift we could give this year would really be ourselves. By that I mean when we're with mom and dad or grandma and grandpa really be with them, be in the moment, enjoy that moment, listen to the old folks say the same old thing over and over, it's all they have left, it's these memories that fuel their desire to keep living, it's their legacy that they hope you will cherish as much as they do and take it from someone who knows one day you will. You won't always have that opportunity so take advantage of it when it comes along.
A word to parents who brush off their children when all that child wants is an arm around their neck saying "I know you're trying" or "I'm proud of what you've accomplished so far and I know there's much more in store for you" instead of "what do you think you're doing" "when I was your age I was this or that". Take those moments with your children and make those memories that one day will fill your mind during those long hours that you will be alone with yourself and you want to be person that makes good company.
Doesn't this picture set the tone for a season that is suppose to be filled with love and good cheer? Sometimes in today's world we will see that sign that says "Jesus is the reason for the season" and that's the truest statement that we have going for us. With Jesus as the center of your Christmas it will really be Christmas not just another day set aside for spending money. I'll admit I do my share of that too and that's part of it.
I do so love the giving spirit of Christmas. The spirit of giving that seems to overtake the world at this time but is the giving because we love or is it because the world is caught up in the whirlwind of commericalism. Giving is what it's all about God gave us a gift and so we give, but do we give for the same reason that God gave. He gave His Son because He loved us so much that He gave the most precious thing He had and that was part of Himself that we might have the real joy of Christmas and without Jesus Christmas would be just another day on the calendar no matter what we may try to convince ourselves of otherwise. Christmas isn't about us it's about Him. The true gift.
So this Christmas when you look around at faces look beyond those ill feelings, that grudge you may be holding, that jealousy you may be harboring for no reason other than your own opinion and see what really matters, the person behind those eyes, that person that may have those same ill feelings, that same jealousy or that grudge and see that person that Jesus can transform and give them the real reason for Christmas. He can give the real Christmas joy, He can make that gift that you give have the true meaning of Christmas wrapped within it.
May this be the best Christmas you've ever experienced just because you choose to to let it be by giving of yourself to those who need you. Make it the best by giving your best, your best time, your best attention, your best compliment and most of all you at your best.
Merry Christmas everyone
Granny here, just saying!
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Memories
Granny here,
It's that time again Thanksgiving and Christmas two of the greatest days of the year! They are also days when memories come flooding in like a sunami and fill ones mind to overflowing. Memories that help us understanding the true meaning of Thanksgiving and visions of long gone Christmases that fill us with joy as we go over them on the memory player of our mind.
Memories that may have been tucked away for safe keeping that we thought were put away for good make their way into the present and fill us with longing for days gone by. Memories that fill us with longing for the friends we once knew, that gift that was so special, that dinner at mom's. Memories of those that no longer fill our lives or sit at our dinner table or peek at the gifts under the tree. Those that God saw fit to take from us without asking our permission that left hole in our heart and an empty place in our daily lives that no one or nothing can fill. But we can be thankful for the years we had and the memories we made before they left us.
Old memories made return from time to time but there are new memories to be made, memories of new blessings to be thankful for, new friends around our Thanksgiving tables, new faces of new additions to the family either by birth or marriage. God's blessings never cease we just have to recognize them. For all of us just having another Thanksgiving and Christmas is a blessing within itself. Not every family will be priviledged when the holidays arrive.
So when you sit around your table on Thanksgiving and you open your gift on Christmas a memory may make its way into your celebration welcome it as a member of the family, give it its rightful place of honor and enjoy what was with what is to be.
Happy Thanksgiving
Granny here, just saying!
It's that time again Thanksgiving and Christmas two of the greatest days of the year! They are also days when memories come flooding in like a sunami and fill ones mind to overflowing. Memories that help us understanding the true meaning of Thanksgiving and visions of long gone Christmases that fill us with joy as we go over them on the memory player of our mind.
Memories that may have been tucked away for safe keeping that we thought were put away for good make their way into the present and fill us with longing for days gone by. Memories that fill us with longing for the friends we once knew, that gift that was so special, that dinner at mom's. Memories of those that no longer fill our lives or sit at our dinner table or peek at the gifts under the tree. Those that God saw fit to take from us without asking our permission that left hole in our heart and an empty place in our daily lives that no one or nothing can fill. But we can be thankful for the years we had and the memories we made before they left us.
Old memories made return from time to time but there are new memories to be made, memories of new blessings to be thankful for, new friends around our Thanksgiving tables, new faces of new additions to the family either by birth or marriage. God's blessings never cease we just have to recognize them. For all of us just having another Thanksgiving and Christmas is a blessing within itself. Not every family will be priviledged when the holidays arrive.
So when you sit around your table on Thanksgiving and you open your gift on Christmas a memory may make its way into your celebration welcome it as a member of the family, give it its rightful place of honor and enjoy what was with what is to be.
Happy Thanksgiving
Granny here, just saying!
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Live and Learn
Granny here,
Everyone with ears and over the age of ten has heard the old adage "Live and Learn", well I am here to tell you that is one of the truest statements you will ever hear in your lifetime. Please pay attention.
Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with seeking an education and it's a necessary element in everyone's life but book learning is just the tip of the iceberg. We need it because it's a requirement for the tangible side of life but your real education will come with each passing day and the experiences that you have within that twenty-four hour period. And let me tell you some days can be real eye openers.
I have come to the realize that:
I have not accomplished all that is listed below but again I'm still learning.
Learning (not education) comes to you, you don't have to search for it.
You will learn even when you have no desire too.
Experiences don't ask your permission.
You did not form your children they were formed when you got them it just takes a few years for their real shape to be revealed. Surprise!
When you're young you tell your body what to do.
When you're old your body tells you what to do.
You do not choose your friends, they choose you, you just have to be receptive.
Life is one big classroom and the teacher is Experience.
Your classmates are not wimps, they are fierce, challenging and at times brutal.
Armor is necessary equipment for this journey that you have been thrust upon.
You didn't ask for this trip but since you're on it, get the most out of it.
Ditch the word "retirement", it will never happen, oh, you may quit the 9-5 but life goes on. Work comes in other forms believe me.
Live while you can, when you have the stamina, the strength, the drive, the want to.
Don't wait! Remember you do not control your future and life is waiting to happen and it will happen to you.
You will not always be able to do what you have planned because "life" has other plans and believe me "life" has control.
"Life" is happenings that you didn't see coming, things that say "here I am" and you say "who are you and what are you doing here."
We all dream and that's a good motivator for anyone but we must not forget that with every dream there may be a nightmare or two so be prepared for the unexpected.
Take each day as a new canvas and by bedtime you will either love your painting or you will find that it will have be smeared by time and circumstance. (in or out of your control)
My mother's favorite saying " the best laid plan of mice and men have often gone astray" has proven true more than I want to accept.
Life can be cruel so we must be tough, remember the armor clause.
Life can be full of devastating events but they don't have to leave you in devastation. You have been given the shovel of will and determination for that, don't forget to use it. Dig, Dig, Dig.
"Where there's a will there's a way."
Happiness isn't on the outside but on the inside, if you don't have it you will not be able to share it, so look deep.
Material things gather dust, internal things realize that.
Remember you have something that someone else needs don't be stingy.
The time that you waste could save someone else from mental disaster so when someone is begging for attention have a heart, it could be you.
We all talk about love but "God is Love" so do you have love?
Age can travel faster than any of us so don't waste your energy running you will be caught.
Make friends with age because it will be your constant companion and the sooner you understand each other the better friends you will become. Don't make an enemy of your future, living with enemies is hard.
And last but not least by any means and I'm sure I've missed a lot but there is another blog coming, don't blame, hold grudges, and judge, these are cancers that will only consume the person possessing them. And remember if you're still breathing you will be learning. Experience never retires.
Granny here, just saying!
Everyone with ears and over the age of ten has heard the old adage "Live and Learn", well I am here to tell you that is one of the truest statements you will ever hear in your lifetime. Please pay attention.
Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with seeking an education and it's a necessary element in everyone's life but book learning is just the tip of the iceberg. We need it because it's a requirement for the tangible side of life but your real education will come with each passing day and the experiences that you have within that twenty-four hour period. And let me tell you some days can be real eye openers.
I have come to the realize that:
I have not accomplished all that is listed below but again I'm still learning.
Learning (not education) comes to you, you don't have to search for it.
You will learn even when you have no desire too.
Experiences don't ask your permission.
You did not form your children they were formed when you got them it just takes a few years for their real shape to be revealed. Surprise!
When you're young you tell your body what to do.
When you're old your body tells you what to do.
You do not choose your friends, they choose you, you just have to be receptive.
Life is one big classroom and the teacher is Experience.
Your classmates are not wimps, they are fierce, challenging and at times brutal.
Armor is necessary equipment for this journey that you have been thrust upon.
You didn't ask for this trip but since you're on it, get the most out of it.
Ditch the word "retirement", it will never happen, oh, you may quit the 9-5 but life goes on. Work comes in other forms believe me.
Live while you can, when you have the stamina, the strength, the drive, the want to.
Don't wait! Remember you do not control your future and life is waiting to happen and it will happen to you.
You will not always be able to do what you have planned because "life" has other plans and believe me "life" has control.
"Life" is happenings that you didn't see coming, things that say "here I am" and you say "who are you and what are you doing here."
We all dream and that's a good motivator for anyone but we must not forget that with every dream there may be a nightmare or two so be prepared for the unexpected.
Take each day as a new canvas and by bedtime you will either love your painting or you will find that it will have be smeared by time and circumstance. (in or out of your control)
My mother's favorite saying " the best laid plan of mice and men have often gone astray" has proven true more than I want to accept.
Life can be cruel so we must be tough, remember the armor clause.
Life can be full of devastating events but they don't have to leave you in devastation. You have been given the shovel of will and determination for that, don't forget to use it. Dig, Dig, Dig.
"Where there's a will there's a way."
Happiness isn't on the outside but on the inside, if you don't have it you will not be able to share it, so look deep.
Material things gather dust, internal things realize that.
Remember you have something that someone else needs don't be stingy.
The time that you waste could save someone else from mental disaster so when someone is begging for attention have a heart, it could be you.
We all talk about love but "God is Love" so do you have love?
Age can travel faster than any of us so don't waste your energy running you will be caught.
Make friends with age because it will be your constant companion and the sooner you understand each other the better friends you will become. Don't make an enemy of your future, living with enemies is hard.
And last but not least by any means and I'm sure I've missed a lot but there is another blog coming, don't blame, hold grudges, and judge, these are cancers that will only consume the person possessing them. And remember if you're still breathing you will be learning. Experience never retires.
Granny here, just saying!
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