What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, May 31, 2021

Memorial Day Thoughts and Blessings


"Oh say, can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched,
Were so gallantly, yeah, streaming?
And the rockets' red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free 
and the home of the brave!"


Thank You, Lord, for so many who have gone before us, fighting valiantly for the safety and protection of our great nation, and the freedoms we hold so dearly.
Help us remember and honor them today in our hearts, 
and never forget what it cost those brave soldiers and pioneers so that we could have the blessings of 
living in still the greatest nation in the world.
May it ever be blessed by You, Lord, and let us not take these freedoms for granted.
Help us remember that freedom is not free. It was paid by the blood of those who loved this country so much that they were willing to fight and lay down their lives for our sake.
May we never forget their sacrifice.
Amen.
John 15:13 
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"


Have a blessed Memorial Day, dear friends,
and take a moment to honor the memory of those great men and women
who gave their lives for us.


Meanwhile, I wanted to share a few Bluebird pictures...Yes, father Bluebird is still busily feeding his young family. Mother Bluebird is as well.

These pictures were taken last evening, and the lighting was getting dim, so they are not as clear as I'd like, but they are great close ups of father bluebird with supper in his mouth...ready to feed his hungry brood.


However, I learned that as long as I was sitting there on the porch taking his picture, he would not go to the birdhouse and feed them.


He soon flew away because I had not left yet.


And because of this pitiful face looking out the window, hungrily awaiting his supper, I decided I'd best go inside and allow them to be fed.


Usually around Memorial day we try to plant something in our Memorial Garden in memory of our son Matthew. He passed away from his valiant battle with cancer on May 25, 2014, which was actually Memorial Day weekend that year. And so every Memorial Day brings back those memories to us.

Recently, my sister Doris had given me a lovely new azalea bush, which she intended for us to put in the Memorial Garden. I've had it for a little while, but we just hadn't gotten around to planting it.

So over the weekend our son Scott finally planted it for me. It was starting to get a bit stressed from the heat and needed to get planted.

It doesn't look like much right now, but it will soon perk up and begin growing, and by next spring we should have some lovely azalea blossoms on it. We planted alongside some other smaller azalea bushes that we had planted earlier this spring in the "Secret Memorial Garden".
(Secret Garden and Memorial Garden combined)


When we come and sit in this lovely cool spot beside Still Waters Pond, we know that Matthew would be very pleased to be remembered here of all places. If he were still with us, he'd be out there fishing in that pond every chance he could.


Okay, what are you doing today to commemorate this day of remembrance?

Our church family is going to have a picnic today at the church parsonage.  It is a kind of celebration of coming through the pandemic this past year without losing any member of our church due to Covid. We were extremely blessed and very thankful. Our congregation is made up of primarily senior citizens over 70 years of age. The only person we even know who was diagnosed with Covid was actually a younger person in his 30's, and he came through just fine.  We are counting our blessings for sure. God has been very gracious to us and we give Him much thanks.

Have a blessed and beautiful day today.


 







 

13 comments:

  1. So much to be thankful for...

    Many blessings today...

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  2. Pam: Praise the LORD thay your church lost no members to COVID. We aren't doing anything special for Memorial Day. Hubby is not very active anymore. I will post a video of something he did earlier this month and how he dressed it up for Memorial Day.

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  3. What a peaceful and beautiful spot for your Secret Memorial Garden for your son Matthew. And it will grow in beauty year by year as we all travel towards our heavenly home. And yes, what a "pitiful" face that baby bird has, it would melt a heart of stone. What does Lily Grace think of the fact bluebirds eat BUGS?

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  4. "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
    As ever, I'm loving your bluebird friends. Thank you for sharing Scott -- and Matthew's memory, too -- with us.

    Wishing y'all a super day, filled with sweet camaraderie and lots of yummy food!

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  5. The fact that no one over 70 got covid certainly is something to celebrate at your church. I am so happy that you were able to do this. I love the idea of your memorial garden. Planting something is a great way to remember that person and good for the environment too. Love the bluebird pictures.

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  6. Remembering and honoring our heroes today. Beautiful photos Pamela. Enjoy your church picnic today. :)

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  7. Great pics, like always. I hope y'all have a blessed day of remembrance. Blessings. xx

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  8. Lovely post. Freedom is not free and we need to remember that every day, not just on this day (I know you agree). Great photos and I'm sure the azaleas will be beautiful next year at this time! xo

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  9. Pamela, What a lovely post to honor Memorial Day Weekend - beginning with our treasured American flag, National Anthem, and beautiful scriptures that honor America.

    I was also immensely touched by your son, Scott, planting the azalea bush in honor of your son, Matthew. I am so sorry for your incredible loss, but how precious of your sister to give you this bush and Scott to plant this for you, in his remembrance.

    Hope you enjoy spending time with your church friends, too.

    Blessings to you and your family on this Memorial Day Weekend! Net

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  10. What a poignant reflection on Memorial Day, Pamela. Yes, may we always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms, and never take those freedoms for granted.
    Loved the bluebird photos and glad to know your azalea will add to the beauty of your Secret Garden in memory of your precious son.
    Blessings!

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  11. SO glad to read your church came through just fine with no loss due to covid. That is a miracle in itself Pam. Our church is large and made up from young to old so it's hard I can tell you. But, it seems that we seeing some light now and I pray we go forward. What a beautiful thing to do...plant something like that in memory of your son. How precious. Love the bluebird! Happy week to you dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  12. What a beautiful post. Have a lovely weekend.

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