Favorite Thing.

I woke up with some grumbling inside.......little thorns, yup, those physical & emotional challenges that tug and pull and threaten to bring me down.  So this morning I want to try again.
Can I change my focus?
I thought what was my favorite thing yesterday?
Laughing - the gift of laughter - when I used my new spin brush contraption- it was a coordination test and I did so-so.......managed despite myself - my hair was so shiny and bouncy.......man, talk about body!  I laughed from start to finish. (it's a conair infiniti hair dealy and I need more practice on the hair range.......some people learn to play golf when they "retire", I learn to spin hair........lol, yeesh!)
And that reminded me of earlier in the week when my old hair tool broke.  One minute I was sitting on the couch innocently drying my hair and the next minute the top half of the dealy broke off and went f l y i n g - hit the wall and skittered under the couch.  That made me laugh too. Good medicine laughter is! (a little nod to Yoda.....)
Sam is coming over today (happy chair spin begins NOW) to help bake.......so I'll ask him to go on a search and rescue mission for the broken part!
But before we bake we are going to church at 1 pm!  Get to hear an uplifting message which will balance my thinking........and the music.......I love to hear the music and especially love hearing my daughter Sara sing! And I get to share church today with my all growed up adult kids.  A heart happy gift for this Momma.
But back to my favorite thing - yesterday I made it to Aunt Martha's.  Aunt Martha & her man Wesley live 7 minutes from my front door in the loveliest log cabin.......which is wonderful in and of itself........and it was great seeing my son-in-laws family as always.......see how the favorite things are mounting up?........I do. 
After we feasted on a variety of homemade soups/stews.......(I LOVE homemade soup so I was in heaven.....plus the funniest little thing......I didn't know the menu & Sara always tells me not to bring anything......) but I made muffins - honey cornbread & cinnamon crumble muffins and they were just right with this lighter holiday fare........there's nothing better than coming in from out of the cold night air and smelling good healthy delicious warmth emanating from a kitchen.  Almost my favorite thing, but no.
A family member arrived and opened a BIG WHITE BOX.....out of it came 4" frosted squares......supersized Petit Fours.........each square had a letter or symbol.  He said it was a PUZZLE CAKE.......everybody was to unscramble the message!  Two of the kids have just graduated from college so it was a special congratulatory message to the two new grads!  It took up the whole middle of a large round table.  It was so thoughtful, so beautifully done......a nice moment for the graduates and all of the family! His wife is quite the accomplished baker!
But that's not it either.........I saw a plain white business envelope going from hand to hand across the room.  And then another & another & another & another.............I assumed that it was a money gift from one of the relatives to family members.........but no.......inside were messages......."sayings that their Dad used to always say".........things that probably wouldn't mean that much to a stranger, but to the adult children who miss their Dad very much it was the just the most wonderful lovely thing..........to see, to hear, to feel the impact as loved ones opened up these envelopes. 
I wish you could have heard the laughter, the giggling, the hugs and yes quite a few tears were wiped away from faces lit up with the memories of their wonderful Dad...........he was quite the character and left a long lasting impression on his offspring.  As Dad's Children explained the background and meaning of the remarks more laughter and more happiness ensued..........that's the way of happiness......it spreads quickly, it's contagious - it warmed my heart up to the very brim.
I want to do that too.......capture the zany funny things that my Dad said.........his colorful kooky endearing zest for life and for us...........he was someone who didn't have a lot of advantages when it came to family support or help or material things.........but he was strong (of heart), resilient (with hope) - found reasons & sought ways to seek laughter and find contentment in the smallest things......."Dad, I had no idea how much your life, your outlook would help me deal with so many challenges especially these last 3 years.  I hope you are listening Daddy..........I love and appreciate what you taught me with your patient guidance.....leadership..... outlook of hope, simple faith and a do what it takes attitude always tempered with laughter. 
"When laughter and hope seemed IMPOSSIBLE you sought POSSIBILITIES."
Those simple little phrases shared amidst loved ones.......the gift of words, the delight in honoring loved ones we miss.....the joy of the holidays are best and brightest for me with these favorite things......hugs & hope for your holidays........for many of us the physical challenges make it very difficult to overcome hurdles.  Many of us are missing loved ones, we face hardship and adversity - we know what hard means, we know pain.......may we continue to say nothing is impossible.......all things are possible and for me, a quiet woman with a deep abiding faith......all things are possible with Christ who strengthens me.......
Time for me to get ready for church.......as Dickens Tiny Tim said........"God Bless Us Everyone!"