Joy Dancing

“Are you dancing?” “What are you humming?” “What’s the name of that song you are singing?’

These are questions I hear from folks almost daily. I am usually singing, humming, or dancing to songs that have special meaning to me. Sometimes, I don’t realize that I am singing aloud or moving to the beat. When asked why I am smiling while listening, singing, or dancing, I answer with a simple statement:. “I have joy in my heart because of God. How can I possibly be still when I’m filled with His love and joy?”

I recently watched our four-year-old granddaughter Eden dance. She was listening to her favorite songs. Eden sang along as she lifted her hands, twirled in circles, and moved her feet to the beat. Her joy was evident in the ways she moved. Watching Eden express her love for music and dance brings me joy.

Seven-year-old grandson Rowan likes to make up songs and sing while riding in the car. Bop and I have listened to songs about dragons, building towers, games, funny characters, and more. Rowan enjoys making us laugh with his rhyming songs.

Music and dance can bring out feelings such as happiness, love, and contentment. Song lyrics and tunes can also make us recall sad times and precious memories. I have favorite songs that are loaded onto my listening devices. Some songs are upbeat while others are slow. From instrumental to words spoken aloud, I enjoy music and dance.

I sing aloud even though my singing voice isn’t perfect. I dance while cleaning the house even though my steps aren’t professional. God listens. He hears. I believe He smiles when His children show His love through singing and dancing.

At a recent vendor event, my table was positioned next to a creek. The above photo shows the oak trees and hanging moss. I imagined the moss dancing in the Lowcountry breeze. I watched the people admiring the large oak trees. Some folks live locally and others are from various spots around the world. People of all ages were fascinated by the sights and sounds of nature.

During the special event, I read my children’s stories aloud. Folks gathered to listen to me read “Licky the Lizard” and “Grumpy the Gator”. As I read each story, I noticed the tree branches dancing in the background.

Do you sing and/or dance? Is your heart filled with joy when you sing and/or dance? Do you have a favorite song? Share your happiness with others. A song and a smile can bring brightness to the world.

Have a blessed day,

Melissa Henderson aka Mimi

The Blanket Flashlight

A while back, I was startled by a toy lizard that our grandson Rowan had left under a couch cushion. That experience gave me laugh-out-loud, tummy-rolling giggles. Yesterday, I found something that granddaughter Eden had left as a surprise.

There are many wonderful ways to use our imagination. I love how the minds of children work and how joy can be found in the simplest things in life. Ideas are endless and creations can come from anything.

Filling the bathroom sink with water and adding toy sharks so we can pretend to be shark hunters, wrapping baby dolls in blankets and singing sweet songs so the babies can sleep, or pretending to be clowns, there is always something exciting happening at Mimi’s and Bop’s house.

Recently, Eden and I found flashlights, turned off all the lights in the hallway, and started making shadows on the walls. We created butterflies, birds, dinosaurs, and bunny ears. Giggles filled the air each time we shaped something new in the shadows.

Two years old Eden has definite opinions about things. After making shadows, she led me to the living room couch and said, “Sit, Mimi. Sit.” Of course, I listened and sat on the couch.
Eden held her flashlight and looked under the couch, behind the couch, and shined the light on the ceiling.

Then, as children often do, Eden found something else that sparked her interest. “Outside. Outside.” She was ready for a walk through the neighborhood. We would look for birds, ant hills, airplanes, friends, and more.

For our walk on that day, we each carried a baby doll. Eden said, “Shoulders.” That meant I was to put my baby doll on my shoulders. I complied and placed the doll in the right spot and we continued with our journey.

After the time outside, Eden and I went back to the house and found our drink cups and a snack. Putting our dolls on their blankets and kissing them on the cheek, we left them in the playroom and went to the living room.

The afternoon had arrived and a time of rest would be good for Mimi and Eden. We snuggled on the couch and watched a “show”. All was quiet. We didn’t take a nap, but we did have quiet time.

Later that evening, Eden left to go home and be with Daddy, Mommy, and Rowan. I decided to clean the house the next day.

After a good night of sleep, my energy returned. Thinking about all the items that Eden and I had used for play, I noticed one of the flashlights was missing. I searched in the playroom, the bedrooms, the dining room, and the kitchen. No flashlight.

I noticed a blanket on the couch that needed folding. Walking closer I caught a glimpse of a light shining from under the blanket.

Yes! The flashlight that Eden had been using had been left under the blanket. The light was still shining bright. The mystery had been solved. Sometimes we make tents out of quilts, towels, and blankets. We always need a flashlight inside the tent. This one was shining through the darkness and had been shining all night.

Flashlights remind me of the ways we can shine the light of Christ and help lead others to know Him. We need to replenish the batteries from time to time. God doesn’t need batteries. His light shines forever.

When the night seems long and darkness comes, trust in God.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

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Leaping Lizard Under the Cushion

Yes. Leaping lizard under the cushion. How could this happen? A normal evening of household chores turned into a momentary frightful experience.

Being a Mimi to Rowan and Eden brings many unexpected surprises and joys. Those two sweet children sometimes ask to take toys from our house to play with at their home. Bop and I always say “Yes, if it’s okay with Mommy and Daddy. Be sure to bring the toys back.”
Sometimes a teddy bear stays at their home and other times, a bear or doll baby will make the return trip in the car to the home of Mimi and Bop.

Having fun items to play with and make unique creations is fun. From modeling clay to blocks to bubbles and more, there is always something special to do at our home. Bop and I enjoy playing as much as the kids love to play.

After Rowan and Eden have left to return home, clean up time begins. Glancing in each room, I often notice paper, crayons, markers, stickers and other things we have used for making pictures. Another room sometimes has toy cars, plastic dishes for playing restaurant, baby dolls and a toy stroller so Eden can be the Mommy, and plenty of dinosaurs and sharks for Rowan to be a paleontologist and a scuba diver. Yes, the imaginations of children are inspiring.

On a recent evening, the house was quiet as the children had left for home with Daddy and Mommy. Bop was taking the trash bag outside. I noticed the couch cushions were crooked. Deciding to lift them and arrange the cushions and pillows so everything would look nice, I reached down, pulled up a cushion and…

I screamed. “Yikes!!!” My high pitched scream and what I saw caused me to jump back. There, sitting under the cushion was a lizard. The thing looked real and actually wiggled when I moved the cushion. Then, I realized the creature was yellow and not a real lizard.

Sweet Rowan had hidden a squishy toy lizard under the cushion. I’m not sure when he hid the lizard, but the thought of how long the toy had been hiding under the cushion made me think. When was the last time I had looked under the cushions?

After I calmed my breathing and knew the lizard was not real, I began laughing. Bop had no idea that I had been scared by a toy lizard. The evening continued and I shared the story with Bop.
We both laughed and shared how happy we are to live near our grandchildren.

I’m thankful that the lizard in the photo above was not the one under the couch cushion.

God gives us the gift of laughter and the ability to find joy in everyday moments. Have you laughed lately? Share your story in the comments.

Have a blessed and laughter filled day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

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Friend of a friend…

A deep breath in…and then, a quick jump backwards with a shout of “Wow! Oh my goodness! What are you doing there?” That was what happened on a recent morning at our home in the low country of South Carolina. My usual morning activities were completed and I wanted to sit in the rocking chair on the front porch. I looked forward to enjoying the beauty and quiet part of the day.
The sun had risen and the temperatures were forecasted to climb into the 90’s later in the afternoon. A nice time of relaxation before taking care of more things on my “to do” list would start the day in a positive way. Prayer time and listening to the birds singing. What a glorious morning!

As I walked to the white rocking chair, I reached my hand to adjust the location of the chair so I could see the beautiful hydrangea and plumbago. At the same time that I held out my hand, a bright green lizard appeared from under the red cushion that had been placed on the seat for decoration. Imagine my shock and surprise! I’m thankful that I didn’t sit on the lizard. I’m glad the lizard didn’t come crawling up on my neck. Yikes!!

I started laughing when I considered that this bright green lizard was a friend of a friend. Yes, this green creature must be a friend of the lizard in my book for children, “Licky the Lizard”. Remembering my first encounter with a lizard on the porch at another house, I continued laughing.
Yes, this was a friend of a friend.

“Hello, little lizard. You sit on the other chair while I sit on this one, okay?” The conversation with a lizard was nothing out of the ordinary for me. I talk to everybody, even lizards. His color changed to brown as he tried to secure his place on the rocker. Thankfully, he finally moved along to another spot on the porch.

When the coast was clear and the lizard had left my chair, I sat and relaxed. I thanked God for His creations and how He brings joy and laughter to my life every day. God reminded me of the importance of taking time to share conversation with Him. That little lizard could have distracted me from my morning time with the Lord. But, I persisted in getting that lizard to move off of my chair. Then, I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of His creations.

Have you been distracted lately and made a decision to put off sharing time with God? Pause right now, even if you have a lizard in your chair, and share your praises, joys, concerns, and thoughts with God. He is listening.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

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