Chapel of Hope Stories

Dear Reader:

I was so excited yesterday waiting on my friend Cindy Ashley to arrive. We were teachers together-Cindy -science and myself social studies. When she did arrive she held up a bag with a much needed item-a Sammy the Cardinal… grip holder! A MUCH needed item. I must have the weakest, puniest wrists because I struggle so to open soft drink bottles, nutritional bottles, etc.

Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist monastery in Berkeley county outside Moncks Corner. It is located in the diocese of Charleston… at this time of year, they offer displays of crèches ( nativity scenes from around the world.) Cindy selected an angel from Haiti for me. Love it!

The most famous person buried there is Henry Laurens ( founder name of the town ( mother grew up in) and I spent my high school years living there.

Henry Laurens headed up the Continental Congress and was Vice-President. He and his famous revolutionary son, John, killed in the last days of the Revolution, are buried there.

Clare Luce Booth and her husband Henry Luce bought the beautiful land and the gardens are now known Mepkin Abby Botantical Gardens… one of the prettiest places anywhere to visit.

Mandy appeared bringing my mail, … including a box from Mike and Honey with this mountain made glass Christmas tree…. so unique and endearing.

My days are filled with surprises and my gratitude flows over my heart.

And don’t forget… ( I forgot to remind everyone about December 7 ( 1941) ” the day that will live in infamy… the bombing of Pearl Harbor) yesterday…Jo reminded me but I had already sent out the post. It was hardly mentioned on the news… sadly we are starting to leave important historical days behind.

The days are flying … Christmas is coming!

Dear Reader:

Never had this quote, a favorite of mine, ever been truer, than yesterday. Both Mandy and Tommy stopped by and I had such wonderful conversations with both of them -Mandy then adding more Christmas magic to my new home, by putting more Christmas ribbons on a closet door in my comfy living room to start holding more Christmas cards to come!

Later… after they left I felt the same Christmas spirit I did as a child. When you think about it…. every ornament, on a Christmas tree, is symbolic of a part of The Christmas story, including the whole Christmas Tree itself!

The tree’s branches are viewed as an emblem of immortality and are said to be, also, symbolic of the Crown of Thorns on the cross.

We could go on and on… but over the years the selection of ornaments we take for granted today were added with a symbolism attached to the Christmas Story

Even decorative Christmas balls are symbolic…

So until tomorrow … Take time this year to really think of the ornaments you select for your tree… certainly select some crazy fun ornaments to laugh at…but also take some time this Christmas to explain the Holy symbolism too. Believe me… it will stick in the memories of those young excited faces gathered together around you.

“Today is my favorite day “Winnie the Pooh

Dear Reader:

Yesterday afternoon..I suddenly felt weary and laid back in my love seat … my semi-conscious mind started flipping through a Christmas book filled with original scenes of Christmas… funny, beautiful basic nature scenes-some seen through the eyes of many different animals,of nature experiencing Christmas, religious scenes…they soon began swirling together.

For today’s blog-let me share a few favorites of mine!

For every Christmas hero … there is always a villain and none more loveably bad… than than our first artwork- The Grinch!

… and now just glance at artist interpretation and wrap all the drawings in your mind to take to sleep with you

So until tomorrow… Always Take time to stop and let art lighten up your Christmas memories

So glad Tommy and Kaitlyn went on to the mountains -a day later but stayed later too… it was the very best remedy after losing Schatzi so suddenly!

Numbers Play an important role in December -the Christmas Month-both mother/ hostesses and young children especially cross off the days leading to Christmas.

Small children anxiously awaiting Christmas Eve-Santa and Christmas hostesses planning and cooking for the extended family , neighborhood or friends. Everyone has crossed off each day in anticipation and addition ….of the Holy Day!

So until tomorrow… May each day this month bring us inner warmth and expectation…

We are changing my address to here so we won’t go through Mandy’s address anymore

Permanent Address:

937 Bowman Road

The Palm

( Rebecca) Becky

Apt 140

Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Love you Readers! You have helped me more than you will ever know… adjust to my new life situation knowing I am not going through it alone!

Aren’t there so many different memory perspectives of our imagery ( from childhood on) of the Wisemen kneeling before the newborn king. And still true… if we are spiritually ” wise” … then we understand the secret of life, love, and happiness … how they can dwell within us because of a little baby born in any environment.

With my health issues…cancer, a new pill ( cancer medicine) began causing my overall health to rapidly deteriorate -decisions had to be made quickly to try restoring my overall health with no meds…. I don’t know who was more confused …. my head or heart or body!

But now I have received so many God Winks reassuring me to simply follow the newborn king’s path and all will be well… even including new surprises ! What a gift Christmas is… and we can surprise ourselves and others when we keep the faith.

Even though the Greystone Inn ‘s planned trip for Kaitlyn by Tommy was dampened was Schatzi’s unexpected passing … still they are getting a chance to rest and enjoy Christmas decorations!

Have fun and breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy those delicious meals… my mouth waters just remembering them from our Thanksgiving adventure there! You both deserve this hiatus!

Dear Reader:

There is a lot of activity going on ( SATURDAY) -yesterday-with new residents moving in …. busy and hectic.

But thankfully for me … long-time friend…Anne Peterson arrived …bringing a surprise-Pam Stewart-both from my church -Dorchester Presbyterian Church pastored by the amazing Reverend Jeff Kackley! 😘

Before Anne and Pam left…we went outside to introduce my friends to ” my” Rebecca at the well.

This very last story I told at our Christmas Eve Children’s Service ( 2 years ago) was Gloria and so this story will always be special … deep in my ❤️!

And this weekend has Tommy and Kaitlyn finally ( late but off ) to their favorite mountain lodge ! They already have Christmas trees going up in the lodge with delightfully scented cabin wood.

Tommy and Kaitlyn ( and Susan) Kaitlyn’s mother … all together had to put down one of their oldest dogs ( Schotszi ) picture above/( visiting me in 2018 when I was going through six months of wound care on my ankle)

Mollie texted from Florida where Rutledge has a live LaCrosse tournament this weekend ( their team has won their first two games today! 👏🤞Good luck tomorrow! Mollie sent some video of Rutledge hitting the ball in the net but I can only transfer photos!

Susan Cadwell sent this special pop-up Christmas Bouquet!!! Arrived today! 💗 Thank you Susan!!!

And Linda Carson sent a sunflower pop-up!

A lot of friendship and surprises popping out everywhere! It is my prayer for all of you that delightful surprises keep coming your way also!

Dear Reader:

Thursday Mandy and I went outside into my backyard and patio. Mandy started cleaning out broken planters and debris. As I strolled around I stopped … there was a statue of Rebekah ( Rebecca) from the Biblical story ” Rebecca at the Well.”

I felt a shiver run through me. What are the odds that a Rebecca ( Becky) moves into a ” new home” …only to discover that the statue ( bearing her personal name ancestral derivative ) has been erected and … perhaps waiting for years on her arrival?

The Hebrew spelling is… Rebekah… but the more modernized is Rebecca.

Rebecca was the wife of Isaac -together they had two sons… Esau and Jacob ( the younger son) who would start the amazing linage tying into the birth of Jesus Christ.

Even though some of the tactics to accomplish this achievement appear underhanded… the lesson is that God realizes that there are no perfect people, marriages, families… God forgave Rebecca and Jacob their roles in the conspiracy to trick Esau of his birthright. He forgave Jacob his sins and still used him to begin the legacy that would later send Jesus into the world!

The name Rebecca ( as a verb) means to join together, knot or tie together! Rebecca was known for her ” strong individuality and lively nature that constantly tied events and people together as God foresaw.

Rebecca represents the Christ and church in eternal life! Father Abraham , in his search for a bride for his son Issac , sent a senior steward to his homeland, Mesopotamia. He arrived at a well completely exhausted .

The steward began praying for guidance and direction… Rebecca had come to the well to gather enough water for her family’s camels but seeing the exhaustion on the steward’s face … she generously told the stranger she would take care of his camels -giving them water, also!

The steward immediately recognized Rebecca as the selected bride for Issac. He gave her a gold earring and two bracelets .

The story reminded me of an incident a few years back. Libby ( Tima) has a granddaughter named Rebecca (who as a baby) was about to be baptized …so I reread the ” Rebecca and the Well story.”

An idea of what to give Libby’s second granddaughter immediately popped up.

Libby said I gave her baby granddaughter a ” Rebecca Pitcher” that actually had water from the Holy Land brought back by a sister-in-law…. ( Betsy had to freeze the water until the Baptism and then it was mixed with water from Lowcountry rivers -( Congaree, the Black River and Pawleys.)

She will always be a child of God and a child of the Lowcountry-” What a God Wink” …Libby remembered! ”

And now… ( today) the ” Rebecca Pitcher” remains on their living room mantle. A God Wink… no doubt!

And look who came to see me yesterday -my wonderful sisters-in-law ( Doodle and Lassie ) love my plaque and left a sliced lemon pound cake that I am enjoying so much!

Mandy picked up Winnie from getting her hair cut and Christmas bow… Doodle, Lassie and I loved her new look!

“Today is my favorite day” – Winnie the Pooh

And you never know who you might find on a patio table…. a man and a wooden duck! 🤗😂

Dear Reader:

Even though a series of health disasters coupled to make it necessary ( for me) to go off all cancer medicine but daily necessitate more intensive vital check-ups…. ( with all kinds of different medicines with someone responsible for keeping track of it all… and helping me with daily routines I once took for granted doing ) … it was more than any friend or family member could sustain for long.

Now, however, I realize everything at the time, was steering me here and daily I am adjusting to my new life…. God and my angels are bringing my ” grown” family back ( even closer)together. Already we have shared memories of our family growing up and laughing over reminisces .

Did any of you see the National Tree Lighting? My television , ( Murphy’s Law) started cutting up but caught it yesterday morning on the news. Magnificent!

This 2023 Rockefeller ” National Christmas Tree ” ceremony is the 91st celebration of officially ringing in the Christmas Spirit to NYC … and the rest of our beloved country. The 86′ foot Norwegian Spruce holds 50,000 ornaments hanging from 5 miles of wire. Happiness is…

And don’t forget! Today is the first day of December… It’s Rabbit Rabbit Day!”

And don’t forget to say it first thing today… good luck and fun loving fulfillment will follow you throughout the month. Certainly in December we all want to fill our stockings with love!

Dear Reader:

I must admit I have felt the presence of angels here more than anytime in the past that I can remember …and that ” presence” has brought me such comfort!

So I told Mandy that the little artificial Christmas tree we were planning on putting up together this year at my new ” home” will be our family Angel Tree! And yesterday we put it up in my new abode !

( And one immediate change …Ruthie the Angel doll ( from the children’s favorite Christmas story The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree now is sitting low to watch over the other angels instead of at the tip tip top ! )

Tommy stopped by and brought a cord that would fit the appropriate plug so no one would trip over a floor cord!

The Christmas Cactus I gave Susan Cadwell one Christmas long ago had gone through some ” health” problems … now is back… and beautiful! 🙏🏻

So until tomorrow… May we all embrace the special angels sent to us through all our troubled detours … there is a reason for each departure. We just need to keep the faith!

PS Susan -hope I can follow this cactus’s health path!!!

Have you ever stopped to consider that most times the rather rare feelings of exultation and exhilaration, don’t appear as a ” product” but as a ” process?”

Giving Tuesday inspired me throughout the day with varied creative ideas among different programmers ( that simply amazed me in how ” good” humans can be when they set their goals and sights on others -not themselves! ) Giving selflessly promotes the highest feelings of altruism… once you feel it-you want to repeat it!

Mandy and Walsh both dropped by… yesterday…to start bringing holiday decorations for Christmas …Walsh for hanging tall paintings and replacing ceiling globe lights. Mandy for decorating

The sense of teamwork with adult children is euphoric… it produces such a sense of renewed unity and excitement.

Then yesterday the major water pressure, cleaning, lawn cut and hedge trim commenced… the outside of my apartment is sparking white all over with crystal clear window panes! Just in time for the holidays!

So until tomorrow… May we all think of a way to help someone over a gift product… just needed hands of help! Let the Christmas ” Altruism” spread throughout our hearts and souls!