Dear Reader:

When I think back on my childhood. with so many early tragedies… I have to stop and remember that, in spite of the losses, God provided adult family and extended family members as strong examples of mentors who fell into one of two categories-lessons and blessings. And oh what strength they displayed on a daily basis.

In one of Mitch Albom’s books, Finding Chika, he shares the true story of the battle to save their adopted five-year-old daughter, Chika, who developed a brain tumor.

As her illness spread Mitch carried her everywhere. One day Mitch told her he had to stop coloring with her to go to work. She insisted he must stay and play. When Mitch tried to explain that this was his job, Chika disagreed. ” Your job is carrying me.”

Her words stuck with him-she taught him a lifetime lesson-” What we carry defines who we are.”

Don’t we all admire people who seem to carry more than their share of burdens, yet remain strong and filled with Hope, Faith, and Love-enough to fill everyone’s pail?

So until tomorrow…Whatever or whoever carries the full weight of our attention and devotion defines us as a person. We should take time to think about what and who we are carrying.

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

What fun we had at Scarecrows on the Square Friday and picking out pumpkins-so Eva Cate could do her creative artwork!

The dew was still heavy on the grass when John, Mandy, and I went to watch Jake play soccer!

After leaving the Turners I stopped by Wellmore to take Ben his Pepsi’s and cheese crackers-and pick up another referral for another doctor for Ben to see-endless list it feels some days…

Then onto catch up with the Dingle boys and their games-look who is missing a cast now? A football memoir for Rutledge to remember his first football injury came in and I got to deliver it finally!