Today is a dual post for Spiritual Journey and Poetry Friday. Ruth Ayres is our host for the Spiritual Thursday link up here. Heidi Mordhorst has the Poetry Friday gathering here.
Ruth chose the topic of “wholeheartedly” for Spiritual Thursday. When I looked up the meaning of wholeheartedly, I read “with complete sincerity and commitment.”
Due to the invasion of Hurricane Francine, I wholeheartedly jumped into protection mode. My daughter sheltered at our house with her two littles, Leo (5.5) and Stella (3.5). Combine that toddler energy with a 6 month old puppy and you get an equation of full on energy. We baked, we colored (Albert ate a few crayons), we read, watched a fun Disney movie “Brave”, and played and played and played. My daughter said to me as they took all the plastic containers out of the cabinet, “They never get bored.”
My teacher heart was happy when Leo wanted to write a book. We folded a zine, and he wrote and drew. It was fun so see him making the connection between letters and sounds and words. His first page read “Mat is soopr hro.” He couldn’t stop laughing when he decided that Mat would sit on a pear. I loved seeing his face shine with pride.
I’m happy to report that Francine came through with little fanfare here in the arch of the boot, New Iberia. She skirted by to the east and only dumped rain and some leaves and branches. My grandchildren have learned about earning cash for chores, so they happily helped pick up sticks (a penny a stick) and swept cypress needles off the deck.
This post is neither very spiritual or poetic, but I felt I should post something. There’s a reason I didn’t write much while my children still lived in our home. I am wholeheartedly a mother and now a grandmother. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, the role of mother and grandmother is such a sacred bond. You are doing the Lord’s work wholeheartedly and that in itself is a blessed role. I am thankful that Francine did little damage to your area. I thought of you last night when the news talked about the storm and Louisiana.
Leo and Stella are adorable and it looks like wonderful bakers. Mamere school is a wonder-filled place to shelter in place.
Thanks, Carol. I am so blessed, but I can admit that when they left, I collapsed into my sofa. Energy spent.
Margaret, I am WHOLEHEARTEDLY loving this glimpse into your grandmere life! The best poetry doesn’t live on paper. xo
Love “The best poetry doesn’t live on paper”!
Love your busy household!
Love this post. Such cuties!! Glad Francine didn’t do much damage in your neck of the woods. Wonderful to read about precious memories that’ll last a lifetime. 🙂
No fun to have the threat of heavy storms but the kids make it worth it. I love the kid activity! Our Little Man was here yesterday instead of school. There was much sculpting with Hey Clay and then he made his own take home folder for school for his pet stuffy snake called Pepper. He did add that this snake was non venomous. Got to love little ones! Enjoy those little ones!
Leo loves to scare Mamere with his mechanical snake. Stella does not understand why I cringe. She says, “It’s not REAL!”
funny – Little Man also love to scare people. I am waiting for that phase to move on. 🙂
Being ‘wholeheartedly’ in the kids’ swing of things is spiritual to me, Margaret. I love that you show us what’s happening, and this time, glad you all are safe from the hurricane.
This whole post is poetic and spiritual, Mamere. Even banana bread is spiritual and poetic when it’s baked with pixie smiles and puppy dust. Glad you’re unscathed and sated with snuggles.
I’m wholeheartedly in love with how present you are and were with your daughter and her littles. This drips with joy. This is what family is all about. Someday, those littles will be outstanding grandparents because of you! What blessings and miracles you get to enjoy.
All in, Margaret! Whole-heartedly…what a joy, to spend this time with your family.
A wholeheartedly beautiful, joyful post, Margaret! So glad you and your family are safe.
So glad you only got rain! And the blessing of kiddos in your house. 🙂
Like I said, Joy is an act of resistance! Keep the joy and love flowing both inside and outside of your poetry!
Oh, Margaret, so beautiful — the post, the grandkids, your heart. ❤️
Margaret, I’m so glad your family and you are safe. What a wonderful grandmother you are! Thank you for sharing your joyful treasures-your grands, your activities with them, and those beautiful smiles! 🙂