The Day I Apologized to A Dead Worm

Sharing time with grandson Rowan brings joy to Alan and me. Rowan is two years old and full of love and laughter. Everything is a new adventure to him. From running in the backyard to chasing Olive, the Boston Terrier, to giving hugs, Rowan is a precious boy. His interest in everything brings chances for discussion and learning.

On a recent Saturday evening, Rowan’s parents went out for a date night. Bop and Mimi (Alan and Melissa) arrived at their home to play with Rowan while his parents were away for a few hours. After saying goodbye to Mommy and Daddy, we dumped colorful blocks on the floor, arranged dinosaurs in a row on the table, read books aloud and we all enjoyed playing chase and building forts with blankets and couch cushions. A two years old never slows down until bedtime.

Pointing his finger toward the front door, Rowan stated, “Let’s go outside. Let’s go walk.” Gathering our shoes from the closet, Bop and Mimi and Rowan readied for a short walk in the neighborhood. Fall has arrived and many homes displayed decorations. Rowan knows where all the fun pumpkins and spiders and bats are located. We walked and talked as he pointed to stop signs and cars and dogs barking.

At one point, Rowan stopped in his tracks and asked, “Mimi, do you hear that? It’s the birds.” I smiled and listening to the birds singing as they perched in trees and on telephone pole wires.

Another time, Rowan paused, turned his face upward and asked Bop to hold him. We had walked a long way. Everyone was tired.

Turning to head back home, a burst of energy found this two years old and he was ready to walk again.

We walked with a slower pace this time. He pointed out more interesting sights. Flowers, more dogs, more pumpkins and more birds.

The walk halted quickly and he looked at the sidewalk. I wondered what had happened.

“Mimi, you stepped on the worm. Mimi, say sorry to wormy.”  I did not notice the dead worms on the sidewalk. I was busy watching this precious boy and how he enjoyed everything he saw.

After he told me again to tell wormy I was sorry, I did what Mimi’s do. I apologized to the dead worm.

“Wormy, I am so sorry.” Looking at the flattened dead worm that had probably been there all day, I felt the need to follow Rowan’s request and say I was sorry.

Apology over, the walk continued. We arrived home and all was well.

Rowan helped us remember to enjoy simple things in life. Taking a walk in the neighborhood, listening to birds singing, enjoying fall decorations, noticing stop signs and yes, watching for dead worms on the sidewalk.

Thank you Rowan. You make us so happy.

Mimi and Bop love you very much.

Have you paused and enjoyed the sights and sounds around you? What have you noticed lately? Share with us.

Blessings,
Mimi

Unexpected and Unwanted Guests…Blessings in Disguise

Hello friends! Hurricane Dorian has left the Low Country of South Carolina and life is returning to normal. Well…as normal as can be expected for us since Alan and I had to move unexpectedly and quickly. We received notice via email that the home we were renting was being sold and we needed to move. First, worry set in and then, we remembered to pray. We should have prayed first but our emotions got the best of us for a bit.

Praying and more praying. God listened. He already knew His answer. God provided a brand new home for us about three minutes away from the previous home. We keep in touch with wonderful friends from the previous neighborhood and are making new friends here. There was no need for worry. God knew what He had planned for us.

Following the path of “It’s Always A Story With The Henderson’s”, of course, one of the first events in our new home was to deal with a hurricane. We did not evacuate. Some neighbors stayed while other people left town. The winds howled and whipped trees and street signs through the air. Heavy rain beat the windows causing us to wonder if the glass could sustain such pressure. Praying for all affected by this terrible storm. People here and people in other areas.

The hurricane was an “unwanted guest”. Not “unexpected”. Weather forecasters had alerted of the approaching storm.

New neighbors and friends from the other neighborhood texted, called and checked on each other. This scary hurricane brought people closer together. Friends and strangers helping each other. “Blessings in disguise”. Help putting up storm shutters, businesses offering free items to first responders, neighbors helping neighbors.

Moving past the hurricane, we were ready for beach service at Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan’s Island SC. Our church offers the special worship time when the tides are safe and there is room on the beach at Breach Inlet.

Last Sunday, bright sunshine warmed everyone while we watched dolphins jump in and out of the ocean. Seagulls and pelicans flew overhead appearing to try to listen to the music, sermon and prayers.

And then… an “unexpected” visitor. Our church welcomes everyone to worship with us, but this was a different kind of visitor. At the beginning of service, a huge pelican flew overhead and landed right in front of the pastor. The pelican sat for a bit and listened and then, attempted to help preach by nipping at the pastor’s toes. Calmness prevailed when a person in the congregation quietly walked to the pelican, reached down and closed the beak and carried the bird to another section of the beach. I had to laugh because the woman appeared to be reprimanding the pelican.

The pelican was not going to leave. The bird had made the decision to attend church and so, at first in the front of the congregation, then, sitting in back of the group of people, this pelican sat and watched.

Laughter was brought to us through a pelican. The hurricane had been scary and had brought back memories of past storms. Hurricanes are “unwanted” guests. This pelican was an “unexpected” guest.

God gives us times to laugh and times to heal from storms in life. Have you found any “unexpected” and “unwanted” guests to be blessings in disguise?

I wonder if the pelican visited the beach again looking for the crowd of people worshipping the Lord. 🙂

Look for ways to find “blessings in disguise”. Let us know what you find.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi

One way to tell you are exhausted…

“Hello, Hello. Hi Mike, it’s Mom.” Not sure why but I always feel the need to announce myself when I call family and friends. The phone clearly displays my name when I make a phone call to our son. Yet, every time I call him, I feel the need to say “Hello, It’s Mom” or something similar.

“Just calling to check in and let you know I’m enjoying the writer’s conference. How are you all?” I wanted to contact Mike, Christine and Rowan to let them know the conference was going great. All was well and I wanted to check in and say hello.

The wonderful conference was the North Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference presented by Serious Writer. Informative classes, inspiring speakers, great workshops, meeting with agents, editors and industry specialists and also, eating delicious food was part of each day of the event.

New friendships, new contacts and a huge collection of business cards are some of the treats of the conference.

The event was filled with fantastic activities from morning to night. Taking notes and learning from presenters were huge blessings.

Yet, at the end of the day, I was exhausted. A good kind of exhausted. My mind was filled with many exciting memories. Thoughts of the event kept running through my mind.

After the conference ended, Alan was waiting in the car to take me back to the hotel. A good night’s rest was needed so I would be refreshed for the next day.

I couldn’t wait to call Mike, Christine and Rowan and share my excitement.

Our son answered the phone and we chatted. Alan drove and I shared with Mike about the day and all the fun.

A momentary pause. I looked down at the floor of the car to make sure I had remembered my briefcase, notebook and bottle of water.

Wait! Wait! Where was my phone? Oh, no!!! Could I have forgotten my phone?

A frantic sound escaped my mouth. “Alan, Alan, where’s my phone?”

My sweet husband looked at me with the strangest expression on his face.

“Dear, do you mean the phone you are holding to your ear and talking on?” Alan’s grin turned into a huge smile.

“Mom, oh my gosh! I think you need to go to bed and get some rest.” Mike had a slight chuckle in his voice.

Silly Mimi. I was so exhausted that I didn’t even realize I was using the phone I was trying to locate.

Folks, that is some serious “exhaustion”.

Once I recognized my mistake and agreed I was exhausted, we decided to end the phone conversation and talk again later.

Lots of laughter from Alan and me. I bet Mike was laughing at his Mom, too.

When you are exhausted, do you look to God for help? Do you try to do everything on your own? Remember His help is always available for you. Just ask.

Also, remember to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi

Do I See What I Think I See?

“Quick. Alan, look! What is that strange looking thing? Could it be a dangerous creature?” My voice quivered as I began imagining all the possibilities.

Looking out of the window by our front door, I was shocked to see an unknown “something” sitting in the pine straw by the sidewalk. Quickly, I ran to the kitchen to find binoculars. Racing back to the window, I stared while adjusting the view.

I was too close to the item for binoculars to work properly. No matter how much I adjusted the dials, I could not clearly focus on the unknown “something”.

“Do you think it’s a snake curled up or maybe a different kind of mushroom?” I asked Alan.

Deciding to gather the shovel and some brave thoughts, Alan headed out of the garage door and made his way to the front of the house. Shovel in hand just in case he needed to chase something away or get rid of the thing in another way, he inched up on the light brown “something”.

Taking the shovel and preparing to take a little poke at whatever it was, Alan readied himself for possible interaction. I, of course, stayed inside and stared through the blinds.

Inch by inch, he walked closer, waiting to see what would happen.

A big smile spread across his face as he looked at me staring out of the window.

“Here’s your dangerous creature.” This man has tons of patience and I am thankful for his understanding of my silly thoughts.

Alan poked the “unknown” and it didn’t move. Lifting the light brown item onto the shovel, we both realized the true identity of the thing that had caused me worry.

The wind had blown strong in the morning and a light brown cracker wrapper had ended up in our pine straw.

No dangerous creature. No “unknown”. Just a simple wrapper for some crackers.

We are thankful there was no need for worry and that Alan didn’t have to dispose of anything dangerous. He did reach down, pick up the wrapper and place it in the trash can.

Another day in the life of the Henderson’s. You know our family motto is “It’s Always A Story With The Henderson’s”. I love how God gives us funny situations to laugh about and to share with others.

Have your eyes ever deceived you? Have you thought you saw one thing only to find out there was actually something else in your sights?

Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him today and every day. God is with us always.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi

When Bop needs to shave…

Grandson Rowan blesses us with giggles every day. Each moment is a new experience for a child who is almost two years old. Playing with toy trucks, toy dinosaurs, blocks and more give him joy. Sharing the day with cousins allows time for lessons in learning and caring. From counting to cuddling his stuffed animals to running and looking in the sky for airplanes, this boy is full of love and laughter and tons of energy.

Rowan loves everyone. He has a special relationship with my husband. I am thankful for this bond between Rowan and Alan.  While visiting son, daughter-in-love and Rowan, “Bop”(Alan) reaches down and gathers this sweet boy in his arms. Sweet snuggles and conversation between Rowan and his “Bop”. What a tender sight!

One of the recent chats between Rowan and “Bop” caused me to laugh out loud. “Bop” tried to snuggle close to Rowan for a hug like usual. This time, Rowan paused, looked at Alan’s face and said, “Bop dirty.”

What could he mean? Did he think “Bop” needed a bath? Hmmm……

No, “Bop” was not stinky or in need of bathing. Rowan was referring to the slight whiskers on Alan’s face. Yes, the whiskers are black with a little white sprinkled in here and there. If you look at those whiskers closely, they do resemble dirt.

Rowan is smart. We did explain how his “Bop” was not dirty, just needed to shave. Whether he understood about shaving or not, the conversation soon changed to other things.

The thoughts of an almost two years old changes quickly. One moment, he was worried about “Bop’s” dirty face. The next moment, he is running through the house chasing the dog.

Ahhh… the life of a child. Love and laughter. Just make sure your face is clean if you want a hug. 🙂

I am reminded that we are washed clean by Him. Have you asked Him into your heart today? Do you need to “shave” and get rid of the dirt in life? Ask Him for help. He is listening.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi

Rain, Rain….Yes, that’s Rain!!!

Temperatures in coastal South Carolina have reached above 100 degrees for many days. The grass is brown and crunchy. Edges of the palm trees are brown and dry. The pond water across the street is much lower than usual. The alligator has moved from a regular sunning position on the pond bank to a cooler shady area.

Neighbors walk their dogs early in the morning or late in the evening. No sounds of children playing basketball. No sounds of neighbors sharing conversation in the middle of the day. All is quiet.

We pray for rain. We check the forecast every morning. We pray for other areas of the country where too much rain has caused flooding and disasters. If only we could have some of their rain and they could have some of our dry weather.

Then, it happened.

This evening, I heard a distant rumbling. Wondering if a delivery truck was close by, I walked to the window and looked at the sky. No delivery truck.

Yes, the sound I heard was thunder. Would rain come next? I imagined the blades of grass trying to stand taller to reach for any moisture that might fall from the sky. I pictured birds with their beaks open wide hoping to catch a drop or two.

Within a few minutes, the first drops hit the roof. Pitter patter, drop drop, plop plop as the raindrops fell harder.

Alan and I were so excited. We walked to garage, opened the door and stood to watch the amazing sight. Rain, rain, rain. From downpour to gentle rain, our prayers were answered.

More rain is needed but we are thankful for the rain God provided today.

Best of all, as we stood and watched the rain lighten, we noticed a gift. A beautiful rainbow. God’s promise. God’s covenant. Amazing.

What’s the weather like in your area? Rain, dry, snow or sleet? Share with us.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi