2nd anniversary to the 9th birthday

Jillian Grace Riera is eleven years old today.

She is our first Grandgirl and just a tad spoiled but also the 

sweetest, kindest little girl.

When she came to the Cottage on Friday she told me,

"Mumsie, I gave up my iPad for lent."

If you know our Jilly Bean that girl loves her some iPad.

Whether it be TicToc, Youtube, Roblox, its her jam.

For her to give this up it's a big thing.

So I was shocked, surprised and so very proud.

I usually don't let them play on the iPad except when they come sleep 

and I am on my own laptop and even then, its for a very short time.

We also rarely put the TV on and if we do, like Jilly said, its to watch Wizard of Oz.

(oh she knows me well)

This has been a thing since they were babies and toddlers so its engraved in their DNA.

I have always had many things for them to do and if they said they were bored,

I have a list to pick from.

The "No Whining" sign still hangs on the wall but they are so conditioned

now that they rarely have to sit there anymore.

Back to Friday...

I wondered how this would play out, if she would ask me to play with her but we were good.

Saturday morning, I decided I wold vacuum before I brought her home.

As I did this.... I heard the piano... I had taught her how to play DO-RAE-ME

the night before. I went to see what she was up to, and there she was,

pinging to the new tune she had just learned.

Jilly is a perfectionist, she will sit there and practice until she get it right.

I was touched, and so very happy I never made the piano off limits

to them even when all they did was bang on it. 

I went on to vacuuming and a while later I peaked in to see what

she was doing and again, I was so happy I never made my miniature collection

off limits to them either...

there is was setting up, humming, and organizing the place.

She loves her some organizing.

Not long after, it was time to bring her home.

I could not find her but knew she was not far.

when I returned to the Cottage I  saw she had written this on 

a chalkboard on my pantry door...

Once again I was touched by this message.

You see, there are no double digits at the Cottage.

When she turned 10 last year I informed her and her sisters

that here, they will forever be 9.

They will always just have Anniversaries of their 9th birthday.

Through the year when I remind her of this, either she won't play along

or she becomes irritated with me.

However i have heard her repeat it to friends when they visit the Cottage.

To find this, unprovoked, message right there...... 

Yeah it will stay there until one of them erases it.

Soooooo....

HAPPY SECOND ANNIVERSARY TO YOUR NINTH BIRTHDAY 

my sweet girl. 

Mumsie will always, always be one of your biggest fans!

 

You just never know....

 A few days ago, a friend and I were talking

and he mentioned that while in line at Walmart,

and older couple before him was checking out and

he decided to put his debit card in and pay for their groceries.

They were shocked, did not know how to thank him.

We also talked about how we don't do these things for 

recognition nor a pat on the back, but it does make us feel good

to know we have done something for our fellow man.

I also added that sometimes, when others see this happen,

they want to pay it forward, to do something for others

so in that way, it's not always a bad thing.

Which brings me to something that transpired yesterday.

First, let me give you the back story...

When you have a beautician who has been in your life for over 18 years

and you just love her, you will travel an hour to continue to see her, visit with her,

when it's time for hair mechanics.

Nikki and I have formed a strong bond and I can't tell you all the

things we have talked about over the past 18 years.

Her pregnancies, building of her house, her brothers wedding...

Just a lot of things, all in a beauty shop.

So a few months ago, when she told me her Mother was battling cancer

I immediately felt she and her Family's pain.

I asked for her Mom's address to send a card.

If you know me, you know I am a firm believer in sending snail mail.

I love sending and receiving letters and cards in the mail.

I followed through and sent her Mom and Dad a card.

I just wanted them to know that I was a cancer survivor from a long time ago

and that they would overcome this and it would make them stronger.

Then I just kept sending them along with small gifts here and there.

I have never met her but felt like I knew her.

When I received a Thank You card from her, it made my day!

I did not do this for recognition, fame, not for reward,

I did it because I wanted them to know that I was thinking of them all

during this trying time.

Which brings me back to yesterday, it was time for a haircut

and Nikki put me first thing in the morning.

We visited and talked about her family and her Mom and Dad.

I caught her up on the happenings of my own family and life.

Then when I came to the counter to pay,

I was shocked when she said,

"And your haircut is taken care of today"

"What? No Nikki"

"Yes my Mom and Dad took care of it"

I got choked up, Verklempte, GRo-Cud whatever you call it.

"Please let me at least leave you a tip"

"Nope they took care of that too!"

I hugged her and was just speechless, that does not happen often, me being speechless...

I didn't want to accept it at first, because as I started this blog,

I did not do it to get any recognition and then I decided to take my own advice,

Accept it as these people are not only appreciative for the small act of kindness

but they are paying it forward, being a disciple themselves.

While relaying the story back to my friend,

I cried and I want them to know....

they made my day!

A THING MY MOMMA GAVE ME...

                                                        "MOM!!! STOP HUMMING!"

 My poor Momma, always humming and always having

to hear me say stop it!

I don't know why her humming irritated me so when I was younger.

Word of caution:

    WATCH WHAT YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT!

So my Momma, always humming or singing.

While I was raising my children and she lived with us,

it would drive me crazy...

Now I catch myself humming all the time!

I hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic,

things that play on my singing clock,

or perhaps the last song I have heard.

To the point that I aggravate myself sometimes.

Even when video taping something I can be heard humming.

Yet most often, I don't realize I do am doing it.

Until recently when, before me feet hit the bed, I found myself humming.

I was brought back to all those times my Momma did the same.

On a hard day I would wonder, 

"What is she so happy about??!

Now I realize, like myself she probably didn't even know she was doing it.

Much like myself.

I want to tell her Sorry for all those times I asked her to quit.

I want her to know that I get it now, As I have inherited this trait

or perhaps from hearing her hum most of my life.

I want to tell the people in my life, bear with me

I know not what I hum....

.... I want to hear her hum one more time...

HOME FOR THE WEEKEND

 It was the first time I have been to my down the bayou,

Lafourche Parish town since Ida in August.

Because I love deep and think deeper,

I knew it would be hard.

I cannot put into words in one blog just how many

things I thought about while visiting with my cousins

to celebrate one of our own's memorial, visiting in my 

Aunt's home from when i was a child,

Pajama parties at my sister then my nieces home

with my sisters.....

Walking the same steps around Golden Meadow Junior High

that I did when I was a girl, that all my siblings did,

as well as my own children. The same places that my Dad

took photos because he was the school photographer...

Supper with the besties that went on for so long that we had

to order dessert after three hours before they asked us to leave.

Running into good friends at almost every place I went.

Most of these were fun and beautiful but the way I felt

riding down our bayou seeing not only the destruction of a storm

but the resilience of our people is hard to explain.

Riding in neighborhoods that I grew up in that are just not recognizable.

The subdivision where my children played, does not look familiar to me anymore.

My childhood home, still standing tall and mighty reminded me of

how many times we evacuated and turning the corner to see

Dursette Lane, hoping we had a home, and each time it was still standing.

Life is just such an odd thing.

HERO!!!!!

This girl right here, my great niece, she is a hero!

Yes people have babies every day and every one is special but this girl...

This boy?? Well they deserve a little bit more praise.

You see these two people, they fell in love in high school.

When she was a senior and he a Junior, they found out they were going

to have a baby. For most teenagers, this would have been 

a hard thing and I am sure it was for them.

Yet, they made a decision back then.

To figure out how to give this little baby the best life possible,

even better than their own. 

Both finished high school all the while working.

When they had their sweet baby girl three years ago,

it was not easy but with a lot of back and forth and hard work,

they found their way. 

I have watched this little momma with her little girl and

the patience she has shown her, the love....

I have watched this little Daddy show his little girl all the finer

things in his life like hunting and fishing, well

whatever he is doing, she is there.

They were able to buy their first home, cars and still

find a way to love their little family.

Then pregnant again, planned.

Yet they didn't plan for twins! 

Their baby girl from day one, said it was two brothers.

They were still surprised when the ultrasound proved it.

Then my little niece, well she did something that has

made my heart even softer for her.

Never in the last 9 months did I hear this girl complain about this pregnancy.

From day one she was tickled with the idea of having twins

and when she found out it was twin boys she knew she was in love yet again.

Never once did I hear her complain about pregnancy issues,

although I am sure their Daddy did.

Each time we spoke or I saw a post about them, it was positive.

When the future was discussed and doctors shared that

multiple births were hard to carry and she may go early and the

brothers may have to be in the NICU for some time,

she was determined to carry these babies as far as she could so she

did not have to go home without her little ones.

That she did, when she was threatening to deliver early, she went to

bed and stayed there. Their Daddy, worked long hours but still

came home and did Momma and Daddy duties so that they

could give these boys the best chance possible.

Even when the doctors said it was safe to deliver, she still let the babies

decide when they would come knowing this is what was best for them.

When, one a day that would have been so cool to deliver, 2/22/22,

she held on, letting them deciding on their birthdays.

Though the extra weight to her body, the enormous size of carrying twins,

she saw only positive, often seen posting about how miraculous a woman's body is.

Yesterday March 2, is the twins birthday.

She so wanted to deliver vaginally as many twins must be C-sections,

those babies turned their little heads down and she gave birth to 

both of them just the way she planned with their Daddy right near her

supporting, encouraging his babies' momma.

I am just beaming with pride for this couple and their beautiful family.

 I want to send them words of advice from their Aunt Lil:

You two, have a lot to be proud of,

two of them being yourselves.

The World, it can be hard on a young couple,

DO NOT FORGET JUST HOW IN LOVE YOU TWO ARE RIGHT NOW.

Time will have you forget all the special feelings and times

through the last 9 months, do not let that happen.

Plan that wedding you guys have waited for,

make it a bond that will not be broken.

When marriage gets tough, look into the eyes of those three children

and remember the promises you two made to them when 

you brought them into this world.

Don't let anyone or anything come between your little family.

When things get hard, and it will, turn to each other, not anyone else.

Don't let outside influences break you little family.

No one will ever love your children like you two do.

They were given this little family by you two and

they deserve to have it a unit, take divorce and separation out of your vocabulary.

When you are wrong, admit it, When you are right shut up....

I love you five and although I may not be in your lives daily,

I am always cheering from the sidelines and never far away if

you need to talk or a shoulder to cry on...

or Aunt Lil advice....

I am in awe of you two!

 

A RETURN VISIT....

 Yesterday a returning client who has become a friend

came to pick up his second home portrait.

He surprises his beloved wife twice this way.

The first time we met, he had one baby in a carrier 

and the other, holding his hand. 

I remember going out to his truck to help him with his little babies.

Yesterday he and his 4 year old son are coming through the back door

he tells me that when driving up his little one said,

"I remember coming to this house"

He was just two back then and the Cottage was gray!

How can this little mind remember such a thing.

We ask him, "What did you come here to do?"

"Pick up a picture of our house"

I am shocked this child can remember such detail.

"... and guess what you are here to do today?"

As he shrugs, I explain I have another picture for him.

I walk him over to their home portrait and his eyes grow big.

"What is this?"

"It's our house!"

We go on talking and as we point to the windows,

he tells me that there is his brothers room and

the two big windows? That is his momma and daddy's room.

I ask, " what will I see if I go through that door?"

Putting his tiny hands on the painted door that is so familiar to him,

"You go through there and take about 5 steps then you turn this way...

Then you will see it. My room"

All the while making hand motions.

Amazing that this sweet little boy is so animated and comfortable

because " he has been here before"

Knowing that somewhere in his little memory

there is this Cottage that paints people's homes.

When I repeat the story to my friend I get choked up.

Ya just never know when a little sweet boy will visit and bring you to tears.

PRAYING CLOCK

While searching for the blog about my clock that

sings every hour to share with a friend,

I realized there is a part two to that blog from January 2021.

Allie and Bryan gave me a clock and during my Covid days

I prayed each time it sang, every hour on the hour.

Once I was better, I told the Grandgirls the story 

and whenever they are here and they hear the tune,

they all stop wherever they are and pray for someone. 

They keep their prayers silent but if you hear the music

you can look around the cottage and will see each of them

stopped wherever they are with heads bent, eyes closed.

Yes, this would be enough for me, but it goes further.

During their Christmas party with friends,

as we sat on the floor of the dining room the clock began to sing,

And not Jemma, who I would expect an outburst from,

but Jilly announces to the 12 girls, " oh every time the clock goes off

we have to pray, and for the whole time the music played everyone 

was silent and yes, jemma had hands in prayer.

I love all the special things that are in their heart.

I hope when the Cottage is being emptied after I die

that one of them picks up that clock, remembers the story 

and puts it in their box of treasures to bring to their own adult home.