Blessings Sufficient

Sometimes the wishes we have seem reasonable and within the realm of humble desires.  A second restroom in home.  A visit to family members. A washing machine that works.  But do we ever thank our God in Heaven and revel in the joy and great blessing of having sufficient?  My prayer continues to be that I have sufficient for my needs and enough to share with others.

After having expressed this desire again this morning, I read a book to my children that I borrowed from our public library that seemed to be the sum of my feelings, Just Enough and Not Too Much.  May each of your days be filled with love, the capacity to share, and sufficient for your greatest happiness.

Piggie and Elephant

When it comes to the cliche a picture says a thousand words, nothing could come closer than the artistry of Mo Willems.   Our first exposure to his work was I Love My New Toy! The facial expressions drew us in and we read it over and over, laughed through the whole thing!  The other favorite of mine is when Piggie is determined to fly.  The characters are polar opposite best friends Gerald, I think his worrisome ways are a take off of my husband.  And I, the spontaneous and rather reckless Piggie, find adventure and mischief around every corner.  It's a great first reader book with few words or distraction.  Find your favorite and let me know what it is... so I can read it.

Perfumed with Memories

I often reminisce in the days of childhood books.  I loved the magic of The Purcellville Library, the freedom of her basement.  I revel in the mystic Thomas Balch Library, the echo of her vaulted ceilings and the musty smell of her historic walls.  Listening to read along books on the living room 8-track Hi-fi.  But none of my days immersed in childhood literature was as poignant as were the days where Aunt B entered The Hamilton Elementary School.  The wreak of cheap perfume, the granny shoe, the white beehive.  We were mystified as to who she was and why on earth she would come visit us.  She was warm and welcoming; and came equipped with a book and a great love for children.  We anxiously sat at her feet on the occasional day in which we would be privileged for her to walk through our classroom door.  Tales of fantasy and joy were ours; each story a treasure.  Moments of knowing our value and feeling important were ours to claim.

This year, a friend of mine made arrangement with me so we could swap days to volunteer at our children's schools.  My first priority? to read to the children; to unlock the joy and magic of a book.  Graciously, my son's first grade teacher consented.  What imagination lies untouched, unemployed in their beautiful minds?  Animals past and present, children from the world over, and mythical creations of greatest diversity.  I hope to unlock your own memories and the memories yet to come for your own fairies and giants of the growing generation.

In any of the following blogs please feel free to share your favorite stories of the Aunt B in your life and the favorite tales found between the covers of your most treasured pages.