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, July 12, 2021

"Living Life" and Happy Memories


Last week on our way to my doctor's appointment in Gainesville, which is almost an hour's drive,  we stopped half way for an early lunch at a little cafe', "PJ's", where we've often stopped enroute to and from appointments.  It's a small town cafe', with friendly people and good food. A great place to collect our thoughts and discuss the "what if's" on the way and the "so now what?" thoughts on the way home. I've taken pictures of their interesting signs on the walls before, but never this one. We sat in a different spot than usual and this poster was above our table on the wall.  

(By Bonnie Mohr)
I hope you can read it okay. If not, click on the picture to enlarge. I like what it says.
I thought it to be a  sobering and inspirational message for anyone, anytime. I'm not sure which phrase is my favorite...maybe this one:
"Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental~search for your purpose and do it as best you can."  And then the other one, "Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know."
Wow! How many are there? So many I can't count them all...but if I took the time to really think about it, I could probably write a book.  However, to be honest, I'd like to say that YOU are each special people that I've been blessed to know! You each contribute something unique and interesting and inspiring just by being you and sharing yourself with us. Thank you for being you. Perhaps you can share which of the phrases above speaks to you...just a thought.

Meanwhile, this life that is not a race keeps moving forward, one day at a time. Since I last wrote, what have we been doing? Let me think...Oh, on Saturday our church had an indoor "picnic" at our church parsonage. It was meant to be our 4th of July celebration, but really it was just a gathering of people who wanted to be together, sharing food and fellowship and enjoying the day.  We actually call this our monthly "Agape Dinner". 
Agape (Ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agapē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to unconditional love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God".
Once a month we gather on a Saturday for a pot luck lunch, with no special agenda except to just be together. We weren't able to do this during last year's pandemic, so now people are more eager than ever to make up for lost time. Our little group that used to be just about 10 or 12 faithful folk has more than doubled  in size, and probably will continue to grow. We may have to move to a larger space, but for now we are happy breaking bread together and giving thanks to God for bringing us through a long difficult year. I am sorry I forgot to take some pictures...I had planned to, but totally forgot because I was busy eating and talking.  Oh well, you get the picture! 

Speaking about love reminds me that I wanted to show you these pictures. My sister posted these on Facebook the other day, after she took a little ride to our hometown and drove by our old family home:

(Just added this photo...my Dad put the mailbox on this old plow many years ago. )

It still looks pretty much the same as when we closed the door on that house to our family memories for the last time, about exactly 10 years ago, after my father had passed away and we finally settled the estate and sold the house to a lovely older neighbor lady who knew my parents and wanted to keep this house for her own family to come to for visits.  We were all happy that it was going to someone who would love it and take care of it the way our parents had done for the 54 years that our family had lived there.  My Dad built the house in 1957 when we moved to Florida from Pennsylvania.  His Dad also helped him with some of the construction.  It became the family gathering place for most of the holiday dinners  and gatherings throughout all those years. Talk about "if these walls could talk"...what a wonderful story they would tell.


The only real difference in the appearance is that green paint on the eaves and gable. It used to be a rustic brown, like the shutters on that window above and the trim around the other windows. I'm not crazy about the green, but it isn't my home anymore, so I have no vote.

I personally have not been back by my old family home except maybe once. It's just too painful for me.



This is the carriage house/garage/workshop that my dad built out behind the house.  Looks like it is becoming a bit overgrown with trees, but it looks like a fresh coat of paint, so I am sure it's fine...


Below was our first Christmas in that house.  No carpet on the bare concrete floors, the brick walls had not been painted yet...there wasn't even a screen on the fireplace, which was our main source of heat at that time.  And that tree! Oh my!  Something cut out of the woods...Florida scrub pine...not exactly picture perfect, but I think you can tell we were still happy and having a great Christmas. Me with my Doctor kit that I wanted more than anything! LOL.


This might have been the next year, because the house looks a little more finished. We are all admiring the turkey as it came out of the oven.  The kitchen cabinets were all built by my dad, who was a master cabinet maker.  The kitchen was state of the art for the time...a built in wall oven: turquoise!  It lasted for many years before it was replaced with an almond colored oven.

That's me holding my baby doll and admiring the turkey. I haven't changed much.


Just added this photo...my sister Doris and I washing the dishes. The "state of the art" kitchen did NOT have a dishwasher except for us, and also the house did not have air conditioning until years later.

Fast forward to about the year 2000...and here is my Dad, "Grandpa Choo-Choo", showing my first (and only) grandson Noah and my son Matthew his toy train collection. Yes, my Dad was really into trains, and his collection was something people came to see from all over...but the grandkids and great grandkids loved it the most, and he loved showing it to them and running the trains and making them do all their special things...Choo-choooooooo, chugga chugga choo choo....
(doesn't Noah look impressed? As impressed as any 4 month old baby could be!)
That same year: four generations, My parents, me, my son Matthew, and his son Noah...now they are all in heaven except for Noah and me. Noah will be 22 years old this October. Wow, time sure flies.


Easter 2005, my parents and my siblings.
Russell, (RIP), me, Clifford, Doris
Dorothea and Bill Mursch


And the majority of their grandchildren and great grandchildren, Easter 2005. There were a few missing from this picture.
(You can see the corner of the Carriage House in the background)


Yes, if those wall could talk...they would hear the love and laughter bouncing off the walls of that house...and most of all the "sweet nothings" that my parents whispered to each other every day and night that they spent together in that home.




I'll just put this picture here again to think about...
















 

30 comments:

  1. Those must be such happy memories for y'all. My adopted Dad & Mom moved from western Pennsylvania to Titusville, Florida in 1954, I think. I was adopted in 1956. He also built the concrete block house I grew up in. Yours and theirs looks very similar in layout. Such a small world, isn't it.
    Really enjoyed the photos.
    Blessings. xx

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    1. Yes, it IS a small world. I'm wondering now where in Western PA? My father was from the Pittsburgh area, grew up in a suburb (Crafton). Then we had a farm in Clarion, PA. Moved to FL. in 1956. So very interesting. Yes, it is a small world. Now I'm wondering what your adopted parents' last name was, but you don't have to tell me. Just so strange that we were almost crossing paths...Blessings to you and yours as well. (((hugs)))

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  2. Such beautiful memories, Pamela...albeit, a bit painful (I'm sure and just tell me to hush already). I love that house, grin. Keeping you in prayer. smiles

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    1. Thank you, Linda. The painful part is that they aren't there anymore, so that is why I don't want to go back. But I do know where they are, and I'll see them again, up where there will be a permanent home in gloryland that outshines the sun! Way beyond the blue... Thank you dear friend.

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  3. How nice for you to be able to see photos of your childhood home, and thank you for sharing all the fantastic old family photos with us too! I love the Living Life picture, so true.

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    1. Thank you, Martha. I really don't live terribly far from there, about 1 and 1/2 hours. But I just don't want to go by there because I would want to see my parents waving at me from the front door like they used to, and so I just don't want to go there. Moving upward and onward where there are no more good-byes...only welcomes! Thank you...

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  4. Yes, that is a beautiful saying. Also how nice that your group has gotten bigger and that people are so excited to gather together. The pictures of the house are so special to have. The family photos of days gone by are so nice. I love your dad's train collection. Unbelievable!

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    1. Thank you, Debby. Yes, I am thankful for the pictures...but the ones in my memory are even better because of who was there. My Dad's train collection was quite amazing. He loved that hobby so much, and so did everyone who came there to see it. He had so much fun with those trains! Happy memories.

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  5. What an amazing and accomplished man, your father! These holiday images are too precious. Despite not having any siblings, I can sure identify. And that turquoise oven ... yes! I wonder what folks from our parents' generation would think of today's modern designs and stainless steel appliances. (Nope, not a fan.)

    That "Living Life" piece is powerful! What a conversation starter! I'm going to see if a smaller version isn't available on line.

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    1. Thank you, Myra. I liked your letter to your home address idea so much. That gave me the courage to go ahead and share these pictures today. I was going to pass on them, but then I thought, why not? And yes, that turquoise oven was gorgeous. There was also a cooktop the same color. Quite modern!!And the cabinets were so nice...lots of lazy susans and drawers for pots and pans rather than having to dig into hard to reach places to find things. I've thought about going and ripping those out and bringing them with me...but I guess I'd get arrested, wouldn't I? LOL. Yes, the Living Life is online. I looked it up.

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  6. Pam: I love the poster. That message is timeless. We all should learn something from it. I love those types of posters. I enjoyed looking at your family pictures. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Thank you Cecelia. Yes, I agree that message is timeless and inspirational. Some good food for thought for all of us. Hope you are having a good week. Blessings.

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  7. I love that paragraph under the tree picture. Much to think about and so true. I loved seeing the pictures of your old home. The kitchen was really snazzy for the time period.

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. Yes, it was a "snazzy" kitchen for 1957. But I remember my mother still had a refrigerator that had to be defrosted, and we did not have AC in that house until I was a teenager, and then it was just a wall unit until much later when we kids were all gone from the house and they could afford to put in central AC. Those were the days!!

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  8. Another wonderful family story for us, Pam! Beautiful memories and wonderful photos of so many loved ones! Keep us posted about the doctor visit, please! I love Living Life!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Terri. I am very thankful for these wonderful memories as they helped me to become who I am today. As far as the dr. goes, I am having my first therapy session today. Hope it helps! Thank you!

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  9. Lovely post Pamela. Beautiful family and beautiful memories.

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    1. Thank you, Penny. I am very thankful for these wonderful memories of home. God was very gracious to me and I am very very thankful.

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  10. Such sweet memories. I know we will all be so happy when we get to see our loved one in heaven! After meeting the Lord of course!

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    1. Yes, seeing Jesus face to face first is foremost. Then we can let the celebrations begin!!!

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  11. Such precious family memories, Pamela, and I found them to be particularly touching and poignant today; Mom passed away peacefully yesterday. Thanks so much for all your prayers during this time.
    May God continue to bless you and yours with happy times and memories.

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    1. Oh Martha, I am SO very sorry to hear of your Mother's passing, even though you knew it was coming, it is so very hard when it happens. Praying for you now and lifting you and your family up to the Lord for comfort and strength and peace for the days ahead. May the Lord bless you and keep you. (((hugs))) to you now, dear friend.

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  12. I like the whole verse on the first picture. I know I am guilty of trying too hard to please everyone and thus missing out on what may be best for Ruth. Precious memories in these old family pictures.

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    1. Oh Ruth, I totally understand what you are saying above. I tend to be the same way and sometimes it ends up causing me physical harm. I am trying to learn to be a little less gung ho on some things and let my body be my guide, as well as the Lord. I am glad you enjoyed the journey back in time with me. (((hugs)))

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  13. I just found your blog and I'm so sorry about your mother's passing. I know your grief. My precious Mom died on April 14 and it's been very hard to carry one without her. You are in my prayers for comfort.

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    1. Thank you Brenda. I appreciate your kind thoughts. My mother passed away in 2006, but I think of her in some way every day. I am so very sorry for your very recent loss of your mother. I pray that God will comfort and keep you in His loving arms and give you peace. Thank you for visiting. I do hope you will come back again!

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  14. Hi Pam, I don't usually comment but I sure do enjoy your postings. The picture of you by the tree with your dr. kit is just adorable. I loved it. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories with all of us. GOD bless you !!

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    1. Thank you so much! It is wonderful to meet new people here and make new friends! I am so glad you enjoyed this. I enjoyed walking down memory lane and I am happy it made others smile too. Have a blessed and wonderful day. Please drop in any time!

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  15. What wonderful happy memories for you and your family! It took me a long time to be able to "close the door" on my grandparents' home. We moved a lot when I was growing up and their home was the one constant and in my mind was "home" more than anywhere else. It is bittersweet to go home again after a house is no longer home.

    As for the poster, of those sayings I think "Laugh often", "appreciate the little things", and "forgive", are the ones that speak to me. Laugh often, because laughter really is good for the spirit and mind. Appreciate the little things, because learning to do that, the counting of blessings, really helped me to reset my thinking a decade or more ago and get my focus more completely on God. And forgive, because hanging onto anger eats at you and turns into bitterness.

    Thanks for sharing a lovely post, Pam!

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    1. Thank you, Stacy, for understanding how I feel about my family "home". My kids felt the same way as you about my parents' home, for the same reasons. We moved a lot and our kids never really knew where their "hometown" was, so Grandma and Grandpa's house was the one constant that they felt connected to. Thank you for answering the question about what sayings spoke to you in the poster. You chose some very good ones, and I agree with you wholeheartedly about each of them. I hope you are having a good week. I need to get caught up with my reading and commenting. Please take care!! I know you are working more again. Thinking of you and saying a prayer or two! (((hugs)))

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