A SIMPLE BUTTERFLY THAT HELD A GIFT TAG...

The two older grand girls came sleep last night.

Baby J was at school, still rather sleep home than anywhere else.

The two big J's came early and just left a few hours ago to

go Bass Pro with their Dad.

As I straighten up from their visit I am remembering

a story Bean told me yesterday.

Each year I buy them a Christmas book to be read

on Christmas Eve. i brought it to their home a few

days before so they would have it for Christmas Eve.

Yesterday I think Jbean wanted to talk about the book

but no, she wanted to talk about the glittery butterfly

that held the gift tag.

"Mumsie, you know that green glitter butterfly that

was on the book?"

I had not remembered but I did when she brought 

it up. 

"My Mommy wanted to throw it away because my

Daddy doesn't like glitter so much, but

I wanted it because it reminds me of you"

I asked what she did,

"I took it and put it in my room

and every day when I miss you, I take it out,

and you know, when I smell it, It smells like

Mumsie and the cottage"

BE STILL MY HEART

So, no, it's not the expensive toys, the books,

but simply the glittery butterfly that added the 

best story to my blog,

what a way to end the year.

Happy New Year to All!

SNOW DAY!!!

There are many days, many that I miss

getting up, dressing in my nursing scrubs and

joining my fellow medical pals for a day of

hard earned work. To come home at the end of the day,

bone tired, back aching but knowing you did a good thing,

you helped a lot of people by getting out there and working,

you helped lots of children in your 8 hours of work.

You would think, being an early retiree, I wouldn't miss it,

but I do.

Then there are these days, days like today,

when you get the first call at 330am from the gypsy baby

saying its snowing. My first thought is,

"Something happened" 

NO, just that it's snowing. I am thinking three flakes 

and tell her I'm too warm to get up and then go back to sleep.

Two hours later the boo is calling....

Now if the Boo is calling at 530am, something is worth waking for.

I go into my front window and OMG

WHITE EVERY WHERE!

I excitedly bundle up, trying to find

snow gear in south Lousiana is a "needle in a haystack"

adventure... But I get it done

(thanks Randy for having me buy wet boots)

and I am like a kid in a toy store!!!!

My neighbors begin to awaken, iPhones in hand,

all doing what I am, capturing the moment.

I call Kd for the girls to awake as I know they have never

seen snow like this before.

Now I am in my living room, shades pulled back with

the view of snow coming down hard once again,

coffee in hand, fireplace lit.

No Tv needed, the entertainment is outside my front window.

Then I think of all my dear ones, 

the Bestie going to work at the bank,

the other at Ochsner with her hubby for md appt.

The Boo who has to sometimes work outside in 

blustery weather such as this,

And I am thankful this morning.

Thankful that I am able to stay warm and bundled here 

on my sofa watching the snow come down hard now,

 Oliver asleep beside me.

Because of early retirement I am able to savor this 

very beautiful snow day in my warmed PJ's 

with no where more important to be but right here, right now.

I will remember this day for a long time coming...

"THE DAY IT SNOWED IN SOUTH LOUISIANA"

HER NAME IS MARIAH..... MARIAH

WORD OF WARNING, THIS WILL NOT BEA NICE, SWEET BLOG BUT ONE THAT I WANT TO WRITE FOR THIS SWEET CHILD.

Horrifying New Details About The Sexual Abuse 3-Year-Old Mariah Woods Allegedly Suffered By Her Mom's Boyfriend Prior To Her Murder

 Sarah Gangraw,YourTango 6 hours ago 

 
 
 
 
 

Mariah was reported missing by her mother around 6 a.m. on November 27. She and her live-in boyfriend Kimrey told law enforcement that Kimrey checked on Mariah at 11 p.m. the night before and when Hunter woke up, she was gone.

Yesterday was Mumsie day....

I picked up the two older grand girls off

the bus, raining, I went to the bus with

my umbrella. It was cold, I made sure

their little heads were covered as I 

strapped them safely in their booster

seats and locked them in.

We then took the small drive to baby

grand girl"s day care, we all got down to get her

and bundled them all up once again then

strapped all three in the car.

When we got to the cottage, each little one

had their slippers that had been warmed by

the fireplace for them, they happily removed

their shoes and socks that had been on their

feet all day to get a rub from Mumsie and nice

toasty slippers. We proceeded to homework

and play. Colored, talked, all in the space of 

just a few hours. Later, their daddy texted

if I had "bae" JoJo's blankie that she does

nothing without. Her Daddy came all the way from their

home to get Bae to ensure that his little girl

would sleep comfortably all night with

her "best friend" in her bed.

I say all this because none of this should be abnormal.

This is how little girls should be treated by those

who love them. 

Then I see these most beautiful pictures of 

the sweetest little girl, only to find out she is no

longer of this world. All because her Mother decided

to let some "boyfriend" into this Angel's world,

watched her and her 10 year old brother be abused

by this drug addicted man's hands and 

she still chose him over them.

The biological Dad was fighting to take this 

baby from her as she for sure did not deserve either

when she chose a man over her babies.

I see those pictures, of a beautiful, sweet little girl,

doing the same things my grand girls do.

Dress up like princesses, feed their baby dolls.

I cringe, a picture does not always tell a thousand words.

This poor baby is gone from this world and sadly,

she probably is glad her hell is over.

The innocence of my grand girls is seen throughout

our visit yesterday. They chose to play with their

dollhouse at Mumsies', to color. I am proud

of their parents who keep them young for 

as long as they can. 

I sum this all up with Death is too good for 

a man who can harm a sweet three year old child

like this beautiful girl and her brother.

To sexually abuse a baby such as this is just

hard for me to absorb. The most harmful thing

is that this Mother, in all her issues, chose to keep a man

around who could hurt her babies.

That their Daddy had to fight the court system to 

try and get his babies away from this.

I think of my bb who drove in the cold rainy night

to pick up Bae so his little girl could sleep in 

the innocence  of her bed with no one bothering 

her sleep. I also know that if either of these three

grand girls awake in the night for any reason,

they will go to their parents bedroom and be 

welcomed in for the comfort those parents can give them.

AND THAT SHOULD BE THE  NORMAL.

God rest this beautiful little princess.

May the man who chose a three year old for

his fantasies rather than an adult woman,

I pray his addiction was so bad that in prison

he is withdrawing with the worst pain imaginable

and that no one gives him any type of comfort.

I pray that this Mother never be allowed to have 

more children and that somehow her ten year

old son can find some peace knowing that his hell is over.

That this Christmas, without his little sister with him,

he can gain some innocent fun when he walks

down to the tree on Christmas morning.

By biggest prayer, is that this sweet, innocent little

girl has found some real love in the presence of

Our Father, God or whatever it is out there after

this life, that all that was done to her,

those memories did not follow her in the next world.

I apologize for such a cold blog so close to this

Christmas, but this little girl... well she deserves so

much more than just a silly blog post.

For my three grand girls, I thank God that their

parents love them so much that they will do all

necessary to keep them happy and innocent for as

long as the world will allow.

And this Mumsie, yes, she will continue to

overcompensate their warmed slippers by the fireplace,

the snacks that await them,

I will sit on the floor and pretend I am a barbie-

voice and all, I will make them "Angel Quesadilla's,

fry them Pepporoni chips, I will light up the 

cottage with four Christmas trees and I will let

them play with all those things that they choose to,

 and I will pray that their little lives

are always, always the main thing on their parents 

hearts, that they continue to do everything possible 

to keep them happy and protected from the crazy 

people in this world.

That only this Christmas season but every day of

their lives they feel protected, with no worries.

That all those who love them, keep those three 

little girls free from the harm of the Monsters that

not lurk under their beds but in the World that surrounds them.

I hope this blog stays in your mind and heart

for some time, not to make any of us sad but

for the very short life of a sweet, innocent little girl,

MARIAH MARIAH MARIAH

TAKING THE TIME TO JUST BE

If you know anything about me, you know 

my mind is always full of thoughts and questions,

R calls it squirrels as sometimes they throw me completely off

the task at hand, yet it is who I am. 

So this blog will be full of "squirrels"

Yesterday before picking up Jemma-Jemma at daycare

to go get her Daddy at airport I took a little time to read

in my FLOW magazine. (highly recommended)

It is a magazine full of deep thoughts and paper lover dreams.

The particular article I was reading was speaking of how

we are just too busy in this world. We just don't take the time

to just be, to do nothing but maybe read a book, journal without

the guilt of not be doing something 24/7.

Then this Morning the bestie, Laurie says that our daily

devotional that us three bestie all have, thanks to Laurie

is a good one. Ironically it is based lots on the one I read yesterday.

"...LIFE IS BUSY, THERE IS ALWAYS EXCUSES

NOT TO SPEND TIME...."

Yes, it is a good reading. I decide today, it will be the way

I begin each day from now on, reading the same devotional

the besties are reading. 

I think of how when we are young, we just can't wait to grow

up, grow out of our parents home,

But never is life more content, more peaceful than when

you are a child and you have no worries.

No bills to pay, no worries as to where the food will come from,

you just know the table will have it there.

No worries about how the lights work, how the home stays warm.

I remember one specific day, and I am not sure why this

one always comes to memory. 

I am about 14 and at my sister Rosie's home.

I am laying down in the grass by my brother in laws boat.

I am watching a lady bug do it lady bug thing.

I am at peace, have no hurry to move,

I watch the clouds, I think of where my life may be going,

I don't know how long I stayed there but I often think

that I wish I could appreciate those days again.

It will be my 2018 resolution, to spend a little more time

just being. Not rushing to get "it all done in record time"

I am fortunate. I am retired, have a comfortable cottage I call my own.

Money, although not rich, I have what I need.

I want to look at my crafting hours as not time playing but

time of importance. I want to have the peace of a child,

where the worries of life are just not something I even 

know I need to worry about.

I am sure I will falter but it will be my goal for 2018,

to just be.

Thanks Bestie, for the reminder of

"a good reading this morning"

Bravery comes in many forms....

I've this dear friend, Alli Cook.

We always knew each other having been raised in 

the same town of Golden Meadow, all 7 miles of it.

She was a year behind me in school so we didn't know 

each other well. We became good friends when she started

dating one of Ronnie's friends who was our neighbor back in 1984.

We were all so young and spent lots of time together.

Then she got pregnant and asked me to be Godmother.

I take being a God Parent serious, not one who just

gives gifts on holidays. When I accept this, I will be

part of that child's life forever, I will be willing

to pick up the pieces of their parents if, God forbid, died.

So I said yes to her after much thought. 

She miscarried that first sweet baby and

we were both so sad. She was born to be a Mother.

Then just less than a year later she was pregnant again 

and I became the Nannie to her son, Ricky.

Her marriage and my marriage have both ended, 

our friendship has not.

I blog of her today because today, she will undergo 

ANOTHER surgery on her elbow, hopefully last

of many. She is one of the bravest women I know as

she puts forth 100 percent after every surgery

to try and get full or the best function of that elbow

as possible. She battles anesthesia, pain, physical therapy,

machines to stretch atrophied muscles, gives all and more

and yet, it still will not give her the elbow she was born with.

Each surgery she was optimistic that this would be her last.

She tells me last nigh on the phone, this one

truly is her last, she just can't do it again.

As we hang up, I telling her how proud I am of her,

how much I love her and her bravery.

I don't know many people who could undergo so much 

pain and recovery not once, not twice, but ELEVEN TIMES!

So today, I ask all to remember this brave woman in thoughts 

and prayer if that is your thing.

I know she will handle this one in true Alli fashion, believing

God is in control. If you ever wonder what bravery looks like,

I am posting a picture of the one dear friend I know who

is the "BOSS" of it!

That man beside her? her love, her rock her Husband.

He is part of what makes her so brave and strong.

Thanks Bryan for always taking care of my friend

in a manner she deserves.

Last one Alli, I love you!

THANKSGIVING BLOG... NOT THE TRADITIONAL....

MY WORDS JUST A WEEK AGO WERE,

"I am not putting up all my xmas stuff"

The holidays are just not what they used to be.

Yet bare with this blog as I lead you to where

so many things led to this....

First Charles Manson died. And I was angry....

I was angry because this mass murderer, the devil

I speak of, finally was off our world and the media

thought this was the best thing to report about.

Over all these years he has gotten way to much 

publicity, and now, even in death, he is the number

one thing people wanted to read about.

I understand this whole paragraph is an

oxymoron as I have given him even more publicity

but it is part of my story.

Then, David Cassidy died and I remembered all those

days after school, that I watched 

THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY

and drooled over the legend that became David Cassidy.

Then one more death, the death of a beautiful woman,

one that won't be heard of all over the world

even though she has done more for it than

the two famous people I mentioned.

Pam Alario Gravois died.

No news reports on all she did for so many children

that crossed her path during all her years of teaching.

Unless you are from our little bayou of Lafourche,

the name may not mean much to you,

but to us who grew up around her and her family,

in the prescience of her beautiful life,

her death is more of a loss to our world than the two

I mentioned before. I thought that here was a woman

who has achieved more than Manson or Cassidy,

who gave selflessly, who was beautiful in demeanor,

who I never saw with a ugly word on her tongue.

I thought this is the kind of woman who should be 

showered with news media because of her death.

But it will only be our little community and

the others who know her who will know how big

this loss is.

(Praying her family will forgive me for using her in

my blog without permission)

So, all this is going through my mind yesterday morning

when I am still thinking 

"I will have Bean help me to put my Xmas things

from the shed into the attic and put up one

small tree."

Then something happened, Pam's death was still 

on my heart and my little Bean, helping me

load huge Xmas Totes into the house is so very

excited to open each one to see what is in it.

"Mumsie, this is like Christmas morning because

we don't know what is in these boxes"

I watch her eyes light up as she pulls out each 

new thing that I have saved over the last 30 something years.

JoJo gets wind of it and starts helping unorganize

all my Xmas "Stuff"

I see the magic in their eyes and I once again 

think of Pam whose family is feeling such a loss,

of her little grandchildren who will not sit

with her around a Thanksgiving feast today,

that they will not help her put up her Grandmother Xmas.

I became teary eyed as I see the magic of the season

in my two of three grand girls eyes.

Then it happened, I put a smile on my face and instead

of putting these beautiful treasures in the attic we

begin putting them all over the cottage.

The girls put a small tree with the coolest lights

in their room on their own mantle.

JoJo is so in love with this that she has to lay

in her little bunk to view the lights for a time.

Their excitement becomes contagious with every

new thing they find.

I decide that this is what the holidays are about,

the memories of Mumsie I want to leave in their mind

and hearts. If I am taken from this Earth within this year,

I will not make news like Manson or Cassidy

but I will do those things that will make my loss

felt like the true hero of this story, Pam.

My Grand girls will remember this holiday,

the one Mummies put out every Decoration she had,

for them. The year Mumsie put up three trees, each prettier 

than the last. They will remember that I did not fuss

for anything they touched or any ornament they broke

because, where we go after this World, well we not taking

anything with us. 

I decorate for my girls and I decorate in memory of Pam

and all our other legends of Lafourche lost this year

who will not get the recognition they should.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, make this the year you

put out all the decor, like I decided to do for the 

memories I want to leave with three little girls

who are my life, my

Thanksgiving.

(Thank you in advance to the Alario/Gravois family for

allowing me to share part of Pam's life)

Thanksgiving words of wisdom

Last night was one of those, 

couldn't sleep, too many thoughts on the brain.

Spent the day with another long term bestie, Tanial

and her sweet grand girl, Roen.

I had Bean and Jo and the three children hit it off

like they had been friends forever.

It was such a great visit, LONG LONG overdue.

They left with promises we will not let so much

time pass again before we see each other.

After Kd picked up Grandgirls I got hooked 

on listening to all the new songs on you tube.

This one hit hard, it says like everything i

would want my grand girls to remember in

a nutshell.

Then I remembered, Thanksgiving wishes don't

get much better than this!

Tim McGraw sings it like a boss,

but this Lori McKenna steals the 

show with her awesome words!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!

"Humble And Kind"
(written by Lori McKenna)

You know there's a light that glows by the front door
Don't forget the key's under the mat
When childhood stars shine,
Always stay humble and kind

Go to church 'cause your mamma says to
Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won't be wasted time
Always stay humble and kind

Hold the door, say "please", say "thank you"
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb
But always stay humble and kind
When the dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind

Don't expect a free ride from no one
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why:
Bitterness keeps you from flyin'
Always stay humble and kind

Know the difference between sleeping with someone
And sleeping with someone you love
"I love you" ain't no pick-up line
So always stay humble and kind

Hold the door, say "please", say "thank you"
Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb
But always stay humble and kind
When those dreams you're dreamin' come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind

When it's hot, eat a root beer popsicle
Shut off the AC and roll the windows down
Let that summer sun shine
Always stay humble and kind

Don't take for granted the love this life gives you
When you get where you're going don't forget turn back around
And help the next one in line
Always stay humble and kind

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME...

There are lots you hear of Private/Catholic school.

Some positive, some negative.

Private school is not a necessity and not right for everyone.

My two of the three grand girls go to

St. John Catholic School.

Bean in first grade,

JOJO in preK 3.

This is the school where KD, their Mom

and most of her family have graduated from as

well as all the cousins who go there now.

Yesterday was book fair day.

I love me a good Scholastic book fair.

I drive up to the school and as I

am walking to the front office, I hear,

"Hi, Ms. Lilly"

Its one of KD's little cousins, now in high school.
Then I head to the office to sign in.
"Morning Mumsie, you don't have to sign in..."
How do they know I am Mumsie?
While heading to the library to wait for Bean's class
it is what I am thinking.
In the library is JOJO's paraprofessional.
"Hey Mumsie, JOJo invited me to come sleep at
your house last week. She told me all about your cat,
your bunk beds that has 'free' (three) beds"
I am beaming as so many know who I am.
The librarian and her helper starts also
telling stories that the grand girls have
shared with those who teach at St. John.
"Oh, we know about the craft you share with he girls,
we know you have a library, a red piano
and a cat name Oliver."
"You don't live in a house, you live in a cottage
just like the three bears and Goldilocks!"
I am feeling very special by now.
Bean and her class enter the library and she and
a few of her classmates come to give 'Mumsie" a hug.
Her teacher, Ms. Jaimie says,
"Hey Mumsie, I know so much about you,
Everything we do, Jilly makes it about Oliver, the cat"
I smile big, my heart overflowing for this little
Bean, her baby sister who sleeps a few doors down
in her PreK class and a school that not only knows
me and all the other family members of the Riera/Guilbeau
clan but everything about us.
I am so proud of Kd and BB for making the
sacrifice to send their little girls to this school.
It is not a cheap sacrifice but I know they work
hard so those girls can have this type of education.
 I realize that this day is one of
many I will be able to share with the grand girls
at this wonderful school  of St. John.
Where everyone knows my name,
MUMSIE

MY SWEET B!

Approximately 12 years ago, I sat in a meeting

as a school nurse where I was assigned at the time.

The child in question was a three and a half year old

little girl who had been pretty sick since birth

and now was adjusting to medical issues that would

be part of her life following a Small Bowel, Pancreatic,

liver transplant as a baby. 

Her condition was nothing simple,

she would need a nurse numerous times of the day

to help with those things she could not do.

As her Mother and Grandmother argued their point

as to the reasons this child should be in school

and the school was leary as to at 3 1/2 year old,

with so many medical issues was ready for Pre K.

There was lots of fear on the side of the teachers.

I sat quietly and listened. Her Mom at one point

made a statement to the fact,

"I know the records and her medical needs seem

scary to you all but you have not met Bailey yet,

she is just a little girl who wants and needs school."

Since that day this Mother has always
been admired by me.
.Being the voice and advocate for this

child since she was born ill with a twin brother

who was more than healthy, I have believed
it is due to this Mother and the "village" she has
allowed to help her that Bailey has done so well.
After talk had gone around the table a few times

I was asked my opinion.

My point was,  I feel like all Bailey needs medically

can be met here and on a personal note,

Having also been a child who grew up with

chronic illness known as cancer,

Had my parents not fought for me to be in school,

I would not right now be sitting at this table as

a nurse arguing this point. I say let her in."

A few wet eyes and the decision was made.

Since that day, and the 5 years that I was her

"Nurse Lilly"

She has been my hero.

She is now a smart, funny, beautiful 15 year old.

A child who is now a teenager who has

learned to care for her medical needs all on her own.

Who has far exceeded all of our expectations,

Whose Mother remains her biggest fan,

her advocate, making sure her little girl always

gets what is her right to have.

It is years now that I have retired,

yet the bond between Bailey and I have remained strong.

I have to be honest in saying she is actually

much better than I on keeping in touch,

Facetiming and texting me a few times each week.

So that is the background of this blog.

Saturday is homecoming, Saturday is Bailey's birthday.

Saturday is even a bigger deal because My sweet Bailey

has been nominated for HOMECOMING COURT!

The only Freshman to be nominated!

She is so very excited, it would be a big deal for 

any child yet, for this child, something that perhaps

she never believed would be part of her high school years.

While I speak of her excitement, I want to take

a little time to say how very excited I am for her 

Momma. An accomplishment that maybe she never thought

her dear child would experience while she argued 

for just equality for her.

Her excitement to do the whole homecoming thing,

Hair, nails, dress, date....

and now, the court.

Yes, this child so deserves this feat, probably more than most.

Her Mother deserves this coming Friday as they prepare

for the big day.

I want to say to my Bailey:

"My sweet girl, since the very first day I met you,

I felt a bond to you. We did not have the same

medical issues, but we were chronically ill children

who beat the odds and won Life.

Not only am I so very happy that you are getting

to enjoy all these normal things of the teen years,

but I remain one of your biggest fans.

You have seen so much in your 15 short years of life

and now you are getting to experience those things

that many people take for granted, the

'normal' teen years.

So on Saturday evening, as you stand, on your birthday,

with your peers as they announce the winner of the court,

know that you are already a winner.
 You have been since the day

you were born. Whether you come home with the crown 

or not, you, my dear child, are and will always be

the Queen in my heart.

I love you my sweet B, enjoy all this night has to offer!"

Oh, and happy birthday!

!

BUILDING A FOUNDATION

Most know I do repurposing scrap art,

some may not know I also teach the art to

tweens. Lots happens at these classes and

it is not just art.

This Thursday, was one of those days.

My sweet student, 11 is talking to me about

her grades.

"I've done really bad in Math, but Ms. Lilly,

I don't need that stuff they want us to learn,

like when will I ever go to Walmart and use

fractions..."

I use an analogy on her that I use in many 

instances. The "Lilly Theory of building a foundation."

After she blows off her steam I tell her,

"You are so very right, you will never go to 

Wally World and use fractions but how often

do you think of the cement, the foundation 

under your house?"

"What??" she asks me, wondering what this

has to do with Math."

"Right we don't think of foundations much but

if the foundation of a home, a relationship.

even the Math that seems so useless,

is not built strong, they will fall."

She is quiet while absorbing this in.

"If the things you are learning now are not 

learned then you cannot build on it to get to 

the part of Math that you will use daily as you get

deeper in to the important stuff."

I think I may have gotten through to her a tad.

We then go on, making our art, eating popcorn

(this gal loves some popcorn)

We have a great afternooon.

After she leaves I wonder if she will keep

what we said in her little mind,

did it make a difference.

I go into the bathroom after class is over.

There on my bathroom chalkboard is a message

from none other than my little student:

Of course I've heard this saying before but never

directed solely to me.

More than art, happens at the studio 

of Mummies' Cottage!

RIGHT DECISIONS

You know those days?

When you have a few decisions to make

and you want to make the right one

but you are not sure which is the best one?

Yesterday was one of those days.

Tuesday was Randy's Mom's birthday and her

sisters were visiting from Texas.

It was my first time to meet them so I wanted

to be there for the birthday celebration.

It is an hour drive so I spent the night.

Yesterday was Blessing of the pets at

the grand girls school, St. John.

Their Mom knew I probably would not make it

so she had me print pictures of Oliver for

the girls to bring to school.

I hunted my computer so they would have

each a special picture of them with Oliver.

I knew they had those pictures as I laid in bed

in Paulina, La. and I knew they would be okay

with that for the blessing but I was not 

going to be okay.

I could not sleep knowing driving the hour and 

bringing the real thing, Oliver to school

would just make their day.

So its what I did.

I awakened and was on the road for 6:15 am.

As I am driving towards home,

I am thinking,

"They would be fine with the pictures"

"It's so early, will it really make a difference that

I and Oli are there?"

Still, I get home, put Oli in the pet carrier

and go to school.

I beat them to school. Bean's teacher is so

excited, telling me that cat is all she talks about

and every lesson left to their own accord,

for her, it's about Oliver.

Then the children start to come out for the blessing

and first it is Bean,

"MUMSIE!" 

The picture goes on the wayside as I

place Oliver in her lap. He is content there,

 one of his favorite places.

 None of the other animals

bother him in the arms of his Bean.

Then JOJO comes out and I get another,

"MUMSIE!"

She places her butt in my lap and her

hand in Oli's fur.

Her picture goes on the top of her sisters.

They no longer need the photographs, they 

have the real thing.

Each child that even glances our way,

Bean points to Oliver and says,

"Look, its our cat, Oliver!"

They are so well behaved as Oliver and the other

pets get blessed. As we get ready to leave, 

Bean's whole class lines up to pet "the cat"

as they march back to class.

Bean is in that line, her face is beaming.

When it comes to her turn to give her cat that last

rub, instead, she gets out of line and gives me

the biggest hug ever.

That hug says so much,

"Thank YOU, I love you"

My heart is full.

As I help JOJO back to her little classmates

my heart is full.

JoJo wants to cry but I remind her,

"It's Mumsie day, I will see you this afternoon!"

She wipes her little eyes and gets in line like a 

little soldier, with her other three year old friends.

I walk to my car, with a content heart.

Yes, Mumsie, you made the right call, 

the right decision. The early morning drive,

the ride to St. John, I made the right decision;

Because those two little girls, 

Well they will always remember the 

DAY MUMSIE BROUGHT OLIVER TO SCHOOL.

They, and their baby sister, they will 

always, always be the right choice,

the right decision.

TRAGEDY ABOUNDS

Seems like most days, we wake to some new tragedy.

This morning, it is the shooting at the Jason Aldean concert,

an open area in Las Vegas.

At least 50 dead, 200 injured and the shooter, dead.

We will not know his thoughts before this tragedy

he caused but does it really matter?

Yes, I think it does.

At a time when so many are taking a kneel or 

a sit during the National Anthem,

especially NFL players, and the commissioner and

coaches not taking a stand to stop this,

instead they will no longer televise the Anthem 

prior to games, something that has always began

every sporting event is our Country, reminding

us that we are all one, having the freedom to 

attend these events.                                          

A time when people are boycotting sporting events to

show how sickened they are,

a bigger problem hits Vegas. 

The loss of human lives,  it did not matter the 

color of your skin, where you were from,

how old you were, what country you call home.

It did not matter that you live in a country where 

you are free, free to attend an outdoor concert

no matter who you are.

For me,  I am angry.

 It makes the whole disregard for the 

US Flag and the freedom it stands for so significant.

 We need to wake up as a country and realize

that if we do not become a United Nation,

the same thing our ancestors, our own parents,

family fought for, freedom, then we deny 

the fact that this freedom is not being

taken away from us by other countries,

but by our own people. If we don't stop

giving so much attention to those 

NFL athletes that are millionaires due to

the money we pour into the the sport, then we may miss

the signs of those people such as this shooter,

who are a threat to our lives. 

We need to pay more attention to the people who surround

our lives, the evil that lives in some of these Americans.

We are not paying attention to our surroundings,

the important ones, not who is sitting or standing

during the anthem but

the signs that men and women such as this may have given

to those around him.

As I sit here listening to our President Trump,

speaking eloquently about how we must

come together as one,  the realization hits me

that our freedom is being taken 

from our very own, not foreign countries.

Lets wake up,citizens and realize that

until we all become one, standing for a flag 

that represents unity and freedom that very

same freedom will be taken from a senseless act of

some crazy American who did not care your color,

race, age or gender.

May our God Bless all those affected by this 

ridiculous act and may those who think they are making

a point by kneeling or sitting during OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM

realize they are doing nothing to stop evil from our very

own citizens.

I apologize if this blog is randomly all over the place 

and may not be written very eloquently,

My heart is just broken by this tragedy.

Moments worth dragging out.

Yesterday was a "MUMSIE NEEDED" day.

BB at work and Kd, after a day's work had to take 

the big grand girls to dance so I was asked to help.

"Here I come to save the day...." NOT lol

Anyway, it's hectic on Thursdays at the other Riera home.

Was at the house when the big girls got off bus and

Kd brought me Jemma while she brought the girls to dance.

Jemma and I have come a long way.

She now acknowledges me, "MUAZIE"

and will stay with me without too much fanfare.

Yesterday though she was wanting her Mommy as

she has not been up to par.

To calm her I pushed her on her bike while I got in some

walking. She sang while I hummed.                                             

 

As the afternoon wore into evening, she started to be cranky

so into the bath where all the Riera grand girls can be 

brought from unhappy to happy with the run of a bath 

of water. She played for a bit then wanted out.

Then came for the best part.

After eating her fave, a big bowl of grits  

she wanted my lap..... my lap!! 

Oh BE STILL MY HEART

As we rocked and watched TV she nodded off.

I could tell her temp was becoming elevated but

not going to bother her sleep until her Mommy got home.

I rocked, what I love to do, and I stared into the 

beautiful face of this child.

Many memories of other children past rocking

in this very lap, my own babies, many nieces, nephews,

great nieces and nephews.

Just a few weeks ago, I rocked Gypsy's love as she was

having a hard day. 

Oh what a lap and a rock can do to ones soul.

I stared into sweet Jemma's face and thought.

I will rock at two, I will rock at three, I will rock at 6 

and I will rock until their feet drag the floor.

I will rock because I know that sooner than later,

these moments will become far and few between.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Never will I ever say no when a grand girl or an adult ask

"Can you rock me" or just look like it is what they need.

For selfish reasons as well, I get as much out of rocking

as the Rockee. 

I challenge you to do the same, whenever you get the chance.

It will never disappoint you.

.....Oh and if you give the rock a nice push with your foot,

its a good calf exerciser, you can tell a "rocker"

by the size of their calves.

Happy Weekend to all!