Mama Didn't Raise No Dummy

Smiling as I remember Steve's comment to his father, who wanted to know if he knew what he was doing, when he decided to quit college after just one year. "My mama didn't raise no dummy," he quipped.

Judging Others

Do not judge lest you be judged. Matthew 7:1

My Gramma

Today I found myself thinking about how Tommy would come up when I was holding one of the kids, put his arms around me and start an argument. "My Gramma," he would say, knowing that it would prompt a rebuttal. "MY Gramma," they would argue. Back and forth they'd go until Tommy finally gave in and said, "Okay, your Gramma but my Mommy."

The Lord Helps

I've always said, the Lord helps those who help themselves - so get your hands out of your pockets!

Forgiving

Practice daily forgiveness.

Favorite Son

Today would have been Tommy's 33rd birthday. I'm thinking about how he would call the office, ask for me and when asked who was calling would say, "Her favorite son."

Dreaming of Tommy

I woke up early this morning, about 3:50 a.m. I had dreamed that I was in a large furniture superstore with the family and although I can only remember specifically seeing David and Travis, I sense that Warren, Steve, Connie and possibly Gavin & Gabriel were there too. It was very crowded, similar to a warehouse and had multiple floors of items accessible by elevators that more resembled cages and really wide moving escalators that looked more like conveyor belts. We looked at a desk and chair then a saleswoman took Travis by the hand and started to lead us to another area. She and Travis went towards one conveyor belt that was going downstairs and everyone else, I vaguely remember seeing Steven's head over the crowd, went the opposite way towards another downward belt. I stood and looked both ways and then hurried towards Travis and the saleswoman, telling her that Travis needed to be where his parents were at all times. When we got downstairs there were a lot of people and it was noisy. I looked around to find everyone and David walked by me. I called his name, but he didn't see or hear me and kept walking. I turned when I heard what I think was Steven's voice say, "Look who's here!" and I saw Tommy walking towards me. He was tall and slender and I could see his face above the crowd as he worked his way towards me. His hair was cut like it was at Todd and Casey's wedding, his eyes clear and bright and he had a broad, open smile on his face. I moved towards him and we "melted" together and sat down. The right side of my face was against his right chest and shoulder and I closed my eyes. I heard his voice say, "I know I moved," as I rested against him. I felt comforted and, for a moment, at peace.