Finding a Welcome. A Note From Jan.

Down they went. Off their rusty hooks. Two Christmas wreaths. Woohoo!

I shoveled the rest of the deck wearing only a sweater. Well, you get what I mean. Wouldn’t want to lower property values.

Felt good to finally get the greens and lights off the deck railings. Too much snow to get near them until the last couple of days. Front porch now sports a Forsythia wreath. Cheery. Springtime…almost.

But can’t find the WELCOME rock. Can’t believe winds were strong enough to blow it off the front porch. But, then, I was in California, hiding out with the kale and hearty folks. Piles of snow still need melting Maybe the rock will surface in a few weeks. Don’t want to lose my welcome.

Some folks are making bets on when the last bit of snow will disappear. Most say July. Some, August. Not gonna wager.

Dede met me at the BMW today when I dragged myself in to “work out.” Really, I wanted to watch ESPN to see if the Patriots signed Revis. Watching while riding a bike makes me feel better about my time use. Dede told me she sang “Father Abraham” with the motions…and taught one of the other staff. Exercise comes in all forms.

Donna sent me a link to hear James Ward on Youtube sing my favorite version of Rock of Ages. He used to come to Gordon to do concerts. Hope you’ll check it out. I think you’ll like old lyrics set to a new tune.

Took the car to get it washed. Got called “Sweetie.” “Sweetie, just put it in neutral.” Now, I know I’m old!

Must’ve looked like a NASCAR driver on tranquilizers as I maneuvered around serious potholes and tried to avoid puddles. Didn’t want to get the car dirty. Again. Not easy to keep your distance from the splashers and spritzers. Dirty beasts that hog the highways. I, a clean coward (Sweetie behind the wheel), inching along, dodging the potholes.

Met Chad, Kristina, Maggie and Poco for dinner. Poco drew a picture of her Popo … eyes wide open, smiling, standing tall, wearing the hat he wore when bowing to his two granddaughters. The British looking cap that Chad bought for him. She drew me standing beside Jud, not as tall, but smiling and starry eyed. We were holding hands. I like how she sees us.

Felt so loved by one small child and her sweet family. Welcomed. No rock needed.

As I head to bed, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. So many ways God showed up in one ordinary day. Holy Tuesday!