Today’s morning sky was so pretty, turquoise at the bottom where it touched the horizon, then as my eyes gazed upward the sky just got bluer and bluer, a true azure sky day. The air was chilly so Penelope had on her flannel pajamas and as usual hated them and became momentarily paralyzed. When I took the leash off the hook she became unparalyzed enough to enjoy her walk. For some reason she is always friskier in the cold weather. She kinda walks me instead of me walking her. Lots of squirrels and birds today, happy to be out in the warm sunshine and enjoying the bird feeders on this beautiful morning. No bald eagle sighting but the American goldfinches have arrived and they will clean out all the feeders quickly. Oldest brother came by for a short visit this afternoon and said the goldfinches are cleaning out the feeders everyday at his house.

Did a little pondering on the porch today and thought about all the happy Christmases this 123 years old house has celebrated. My mother was born and died in this house. I think that’s wonderful to leave this earth from your childhood home. I love to look at her first Christmas morning from a photo pasted in her baby book. I actually tore the page out and framed it so I could put it out every Christmas with the other Christmas family photos I display. She was born in September so actually this photo is her second Christmas. She’s sitting in a little chair in front of a cedar tree decorated prettily. Santa brought her little piano, two dolls and a little table and chairs. I got a magnifying glass to try figure out what the toys were resting on the table but couldn’t figure them out. Maybe some stuffed animals.

Watched Mother Nature paint a beautiful sunset today. I was walking Penelope and stopped to take several photos. The colors were vivid and bright, passionate in their glorious shades of hard candies, pink and orange and blue and purple. When I turned around for a second look the sky was turning a light pink as the sun set in a blaze of orange and red and turned the day to dusk. Father Sky kissed the sun goodnight and tucked her in under her cloud covers of orange and red. Once again Father Sky bejeweled the night sky with stars twinkling like Tiffany’s diamonds. Didn’t see the moon but I know he was on his stage in the navy sky, waking the night and guiding the night travelers.

Family is such an important part of my life. I didn’t realize how much I missed my family till Chief died and I moved back home to Roanoke. I’ve enjoyed being a part of my nieces and nephews families and love being around their children. But I miss Chief’s sister and her family in Alexander City. His sister lived next to us and we had so many happy times. Loved sitting out in the yard in the swing with her. Spent many happy snow days sitting in her den by the fire. She and her husband were another grandmother and grandfather to my children. I need to go visit her!

We are all part of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 says, “You and I have been adopted into God’s family and have become God’s children.” Regardless of our circumstances in our lives we are all members of God’s household. God blesses our families with children so that they can experience God’s love and we can teach them how to love through our words and actions.

I’ve always thought children were a blessing from God. We care for our children physically and emotionally. And we need to also care for our children’s spiritual life and teach them go to God in prayer and thanksgiving. Teach them to have a generous heart, to be compassionate and kind. Teach them to see the glory of the sunset and the beauty in a rainy day.

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds close together, and the music that brings harmony.” — Friedrich Nietzsche