Always Look Out For the Presence of Wonder…

My courtyard is my land of fantasy and wonder

Dear Reader:

This past weekend I designated for myself a ” chill’in” weekend. Don’ t we all need down time after a few rocky roller coaster days where I experienced extreme highs ( Mike and Honey’s visit) and a few health issues that left me in limbo while addressing the next step and waiting for the ” step” to arrive… but it did a couple of days ago… all is well again but it did take a toll in my energy.

But then I came across one of my all-time quotes ( title quote) and realized my new saving grace is my courtyard and looking out my French doors… how did I ever live without them. It is the gift of wonder that lightens my heart daily! It is home… my happy place!

I await the spring season with much anticipation … maintenance is working around the clock to drain the courtyard and then replace all the French doors-including mine in 2024! Oh what a sight watching my flowers and plants grow here! Everyday seeing them grow taller and bloom brilliantly! My heart ❤️ has picked up …just writing this!!!

But one amazing feat didn’t escape me yesterday morning as I pulled out the fifth and last ” Big White” bloom that made up the last five bloom formation in Susan’s winter holiday planter. The other four waited on the last bulb to open before they fell off the stem.

I cut the fifth blossom way back and put it in a flower vase where it has bloomed ever since… but yesterday I could tell I had to cut it way back again but what in the world could I put it in? … And then I remembered… Honey’s home-made ceramic flower vases! Perfect!

These made the best ” thank you gifts” and I was always ordering more from Honey!

I see wonder in the basic elements of life… unexpected visits from the past, the beauty of nature just yards from me to ponder and enjoy… wonder surrounds us and I especially find it in gazing at the stars while feeling God’s loving Presence… His universe!

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! I think one message I heard from him that has resonated and remained in my mind ( paraphrased) was ” I never took the slurs of anti-racial opponents to heart as much as the lack of presence of friends (enduring extreme inequality) who remained silent.”

As a lifetime history teacher today …I shudder at the possibility of future students learning when the greatest democratic country ruled by ” We the People” calmly gave up their rich, hard-fought democracy based on personal rights to a self-proclaimed dictator. The enemy within us is everyone who watches but doesn’t act… just watches it unfold. Democracy forever. Thank you Martin Luther King, Jr for your dream and your greatest sacrifice!

Make sure children today read about America’s greatest heroes … the ones who made sure to remind our citizens that a democracy represents all the people” and dreams do come true … while…the inauguration swearing-in ceremony reminds the President that he will “defend the Constitution! “

Update:

Rutledge was selected as one of the captains in the second round of the bowl tournament. ( Number 18 -first on the left) they ended up beating their opponent and moving on to the championship round tomorrow for the finale! He scored several times! So far so good! 🙌💗

So until tomorrow… We should never let political differences threaten our proud heritage as the greatest power on earth/freedom for all should connect us! Have a great day! Make someone smile today!!!

Shouldn’t we always end a post holding a puppy? ” Sky” …….one of the night staff brought her in to show me since she knows our family has a ” Winnie”

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

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