Mammy and her Church Collage

Note to family members: No rolling of the eyes, first part of this story.

I woke up really early this morning and did a few "morning" things, went back to bed and slept for two hours, something I don't usually do.

When I did get up, I kept thinking of all the things I would like to do today, but none of them seemed right, so I just drank a lot of coffee.

I kept remembering a dream I had during those two hours. I always try to explain my dreams, finding a logical explanation for them. Yesterday I dropped off my neighbor girls for cheerleading and my car was full of "stuff". Rachel had to move everything and Sherry did too. One of the things was a big frame that PJ had given me.

Anyhow, the dream was that I had made a picture and used the frame for some of my grandmother's "church" stuff. I'm sure I have thought about that before but today is the day.

In the lower left corner is her certificate from the Women's Society of Christian Service, a lifetime member she was, and her little emblem pin she was awarded.

The fan in the center was our "air conditioner" during those hot summer services and kept the bugs away too. We would giggle to see them buzz the hats the ladies wore.

In the right corner is a page from an old tattered Bible. Folks like her wrote down important dates there. I love it that she says "married June 17th, 1909, went to keeping house, Dec. 23rd."

Upper right corner is the little church she loved so much at Easter and one of her bookmarks. Upper left were some cards she always had ready to give and a letter from a young man that she baby-sat during his growing-up. He writes "You helped to make me the Christian man I am. Your continued prayers that God will let me be worthy of the love of others." He wrote this after he had grown up and moved to Ypsilanti from Kentucky.

Lastly, in the center is a little card that she wrote. I have carried it in my purse for years. If someone tried to take my purse I would probably give my life for it. It is from Joshua, Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with you, whithersoever thou goest.

Of course she would add something--"Read your Bible daily and talk with God. He is always there to guide you if you only ask, believing and give Him humble thanks."

I am often accused of trying to be a "Life Coach". Well, I come by it naturally, only she did it better than I ever could.

Friends and family, sorry for the long post. I hope your day is reflective and hopeful.