He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

About my brother. 

 Jimmy was a Marine who served in Vietnam and received a purple heart.  

He doesn't do well with life in general...  he's had addictions, several marriages that ended in divorce, and health problems.  

He's lived in shacks, hotels, houses and cars.  He's always been a hard worker but has never known quite how to 'have a life'.  He has a beat up old car that barely runs and lives a few hours away from me.

  He is now disabled.  

His medal might be purple...  but his true heart is made of gold.  If Jimmy had ten dollars to his name and you asked him for it... he'd give it to you.  His generosity is probably why he has absolutely nothing to this day. 

I love my brother Jimmy, and I missed his birthday last week.

That is why I'm baking his favorite cupcakes and sending them out to him tomorrow.

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Muffins

Action shot

Another action shot

Shhhh...  don't tell Jimmy I'm sending him cupcakes.  It's a surprise.

Ready for the oven

Golden and Delicious.  

Happy Birthday Brother!!!

GRACIE, NO!

My Day

by Gracie Phillip

Before today I didn't know what a Dog Park was.  There's a new one that just opened in Frostburg and today I was enlightened.

We entered into the gates that said 'Small and Senior Dogs'.  I'm not sure which one I am... but it didn't matter.  I was the only one there.

I ran... and I ran... and I ran

Then I took a break.  

I was parched.

Rissie and I bounced around and played a while, then I got tired.  

Dear Diary,

Today I went to a Dog Park.  I had fun until another dog came and wanted to be friends.  She was fluffy and white... quite pretty she was...  but I didn't like her eyes so I snapped at her.  Mom smacked my butt then muzzled me with her hand.  I hate it when she does that!  All the way home in the car all I heard was...  'Gracie, you're bad', 'Gracie's going to go to obedience school', 'Stop drooling on my neck, Gracie!' 'Gracie doesn't play well with others'.  Gracie, Gracie, Gracie. 

 Hey, I didn't ask to go to the dog park.  

I think they're serious about the obedience school thing and I'm going to try to be on my best behavior.  Just in case.

Glad this day's over.  Gracie.

Weddings

I love weddings.  I love the ambiance and happy people.  I love the decorations that reflect the time of year.  I love singing YMCA and tossing my hands in the air to make the letters...  

The dancing, the food, enchanted children, and the hope for a future of living happily ever after for the new bride and groom... I love it all!

Today my friend Christie got married.  Good times.

Late to the church.  Hurry, Christie!

Is this the same seventeen year old that used to come to my office for advice and to read her horoscope in my newspaper daily? (I made her read the Bible Digest first... it was our agreement.)  

No...  It's thirteen years later.  Did we lose a few years along the way??

She used to say I was her second Mom.  

I liked that title. 

 One day she brought her best friend Vickie to my office, and then Vickie started to come to me for advice as well.  I was more of a listening ear than anything.  I was a teenage girl once myself, so I could relate.

Now Vickie is married with a little girl of her own.  Brooke was the flower girl.  

Beautiful Brooke

Every good deed or kind word that we speak today can make an impact on a life.  I'm thankful for a chance to be there for the girls at a crucial time in their lives...  when they needed someone.  And I'm thankful that these beautiful girls include me in their lives today.

I am truly blessed.