I honor the mothers that are in my family today. When I look at their faces from so long ago, more than anything else, I see strength. And, perhaps that is what has been passed on to me through the years. These are women who raised their families with much less than I have. They lived through dark days. And, yet…their children call them ‘blessed’.
My great-grandmother…Della Delenia Tew
My maternal grandmother…Annie Tew Merritt
My mother, Eloise Merritt Townsend, with me…
…and with Joy and I…
My paternal grandmother, Lillian Esther Hallman Townsend…
My Mother-in-love, Elizabeth Meadows Owens…
Don’s paternal grandmother, Iola Owens…
And the newest mother in my family, my daughter-in-love, Suzanne Horn Owens and Baby Levi…
These are the women who have molded our family through generations. I come from a strong heritage of women who loved the Lord, loved their families, and loved others in their communities. I am blessed.
My beautiful Mom…I miss you every day…
To my boys…thank you for making motherhood an adventure…I love you all…
In case you don’t recognize me…this is my portrait, drawn by Ian years ago.
Last night was a horrible night for those of us who live in Alabama. We had ‘storms of epic proportions’ which caused numerous tornadoes throughout the state. This massive storm started in Mississippi, the went through AL, GA, SC, and NC. Most of the worst of it was in the northern part of the state. We live in the SE corner. All we got here was strong thunderstorms.
I knew bad weather was coming, but not just how bad. I happened to have the TV on the 5:00 news, and the reporters got all excited and started telling us that this massive black blob covering most of the screen was actually a massive tornado over 1/2 mile wide as it was destroying a big part of the city of Tuscaloosa. Many students live here to attend The University of Alabama. The weather cameras they have stationed over the state happened to catch it as it was happening. My heart was pounding as I watched on TV, and I found myself thinking of all the kids I knew who went to school there.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged.
For the Lord your God goes with you.” Joshua 1:9
There was also another tornado hitting in Birmingham, where my youngest lives. And, terrible damage had already been done there from an earlier tornado. And, we know quite a few friends and family who live there, so there was great concern there also.
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5
At present, there are over 200 deaths, and in Tuscaloosa, they believe there are more to still be rescued under rubble or worse.
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host,
the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein,
and thou preservest them all;
and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.” Nehemiah 9:6
What is there to say in time like these? “I’m sorry” just isn’t enough. “Let me know if there is anything I can do to help” is even worse. I think it isn’t what you SAY at all, but what you DO. So many have lost it all….houses, clothes, pictures, books, special mementos, cars, even jobs. There is plenty to DO…but really, it is so hard to say any words that covers this tragedy. There are times when a hug says all that is needed.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion
and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
But, not really. I read a comment on a website today under some pics of the tornado damage. It was like a slap in the face to me. It said, “Where is your god now? If he is so ‘good’,why does he send tornadoes to do such damage? They were innocent people.” I would like to have answered this person. What would you have said to them? I would have to take a minute to control my temper because when people say things like that, it really pushes my buttons.
“I will tell you where He was. He was in the wind, and He was in the tornado. He was in the swirling clouds that were so very powerful. He made the winds. They are His. He was in the bathroom where a gas station worker took cover. He is thanking God today. He was in the huge refrigerator in an empty grocery store where a wife found refuge. Her husband didn’t make it, he dove under a table. God was with him there. Their trailer and everything in it is nowhere to be found. God knows where it is. And, He will be with this husband and wife as they search for a new place to live.
“God is with you in everything you do.” Genesis 21:22
He was with the students who panicked when they knew the tornado was imminent. He followed them to their bathtub where they waited it out by praying. They lived to pray again. He was with the grandfather who gathered his 5 small grandchildren into the small frame house and covered them with his body. Even as the house and all its contents were blown away, the family was untouched. And, He was buried under rubble of bricks with a tiny baby, still in his crib. He stayed with the child until he was rescued.
He was in all 5 states as the tornadoes wreaked havoc. Over 300 died in total, with 3/4 in AL. I hear on the news this morning that this storm is the worst of its kind in recorded history.
And, He will be with those who mourn the dead. He will be with those who look at all they have accomplished in life reduced to a pile of sticks. Perhaps they will realize that the accomplishments that can’t be seen are still there and available. He will guide.
Psalm 33:18
The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his UNFAILING LOVE
, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in HOPE for the Lord;
HE IS HELP AND OUR SHEILD. In him our hearts rejoice, for we TRUST in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as WE PUT OUR HOPE IN YOU!
Well, that’s just a little play on words…actually I’m speaking about our visit to The Polynesian Cultural Center. The PCC is located on the North Shore of Oahu in the town of Laie, about 40 miles from Waikiki. I developed an avid interest in the history and culture of the Polynesian people after my first visit here when I was about 16. I’m not unusually a history buff, but ancient Hawaii has held my interest for many years. It was on my second visit to Hawaii while in college, that I first visited the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a wonderful place to experience, with about 1,300 employees representing the island people and nations of Hawaii, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tonga, Easter Island, Tahiti and the Marquesas (French Polynesia)—spread over approximately 12 million square miles of Pacific Ocean. Note the map below.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, considered one of the world’s most successful cultural theme attractions, opened on October 12, 1963, to help preserve and perpetuate the more ideal aspects of Polynesian culture, and to provide work opportunities for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University.
Many of the students there are from the lesser known islands in the Pacific, and would never have the opportunity to attend a university without this program. Since opening, over 33 million visitors have been introduced to the Polynesian people, their arts and customs, and nearly 15,000 BYU-Hawaii students have helped finance their educational objectives while working as the friendly guides, performers and other PCC employees serving people from all over the world.
We had a tour bus from the center pick us up at our hotel about 10:00. Upon arrival at the center, we were divided into groups and assigned a tour guide. The PCC is divided into 8 separate areas depicting the island groups in Polynesia. With our tour guide and the rest of our group of about 25, we began our trek around the center. Each of the areas showed some of their culture, their dances, their food or their customs. And, as much as possible, they tried to replicate the differences in the type of housing or shelters they used.
TheRainbows of Paradise canoe pageant, Hawaii’s only water-borne review, takes place near Samoa and Hawaii every afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Skilled dancers show how their respective islands brought the colors of the rainbow into their lives. The pageant provides excellent daylight photography and video opportunities.
We were able to participate in several activities…playing ancient games, learning to hula, getting ‘tattoed’, tasting foods,watching the students showing some of their skills., even doing a simple weaving project. We did pretty good on everything we tried…especially the hula…yeah, they were wanting to hire us for the show! Ha! This seemed to be the activity we did the best in…pineapple, orange, and mango sherbet. On this HOT day…delicious!
This was an all day adventure. So next we were treated to a wonderful luau. Delicious food, fine entertainment, and a nice, cool place to sit and eat.
And, after we stuffed ourselves, we moved over to a huge theater to watch the main show.
Hā: Breathof Life The Polynesian Cultural Center’s world-famous evening show, Ha-Breath of Life, is the pinnacle of the entire experience. A cast of over 100 of the PCC’s finest young dancers and musicians reprise an afternoon in the villages in a powerful 90-minute display of grace, beauty, color, exceptional choreography and unforgettable excitement.
The Polynesian Cultural Center evening show has thrilled millions of people, year after year, for the past 40 years.
The show was an excellent adaptation of just how people came to these islands and how they learned to live here with what was available. One of the best shows we saw anywhere on the trip.
After the show, they allowed about an hour for shopping, or exploring. They had opened up small kiosks all around with native crafts. We had too much time to wander around in all these shops…if you catch my drift. We caught our bus and were back at our hotel around 10:00. The bus was equipped with TVs spaced throughout, and they showed interesting documentry type programming. Sorry to say…I snoozed through some of it. It was a loooooong day!
If you ever take a trip to the island of Oahu, this would be at the top of my list of ‘MUST DO’. Top quality throughout.
Our church had a sunrise service, breakfast, and worship service today. It was a different way of doing things at our church, and I liked it. Our service was Spirit filled. The music was stirring and our new pastor challenged us all! God is blessing our church. We all had plenty of time to spend with family, sit and talk and eat at the table, and hunt and re-hunt those eggs. We all went to Pop’s for lunch…with Joy handling the cooking duties. She does such a great job. We visited, watched JT hunt eggs and snapped a few pics. Sadly, sweet Alex could not get out today, so he missed the fun and fellowship. It’s just never completely right when he is not with us.
Then, Ian, Don and I went over to Adam and Suzanne’s to see them and sweet little Levi. They are having to keep him in for 2 months so his lungs can get fully healed and ready to take on this big, beautiful world. Of course, we made more pics there. And, I got in a good rocking with Levi in the same rocker I rocked all my babies in! Oh, it is just as sweet as everyone says it is! Such a wonderful blessing!
And, I am now in my pajamas, feet elevated, diet dr.pepper next to me. And, here I intend to stay till morning. Except when I have to take ‘ole Finn out. Here are some of the pics of today…I think they speak for themselves….
A wonderful day, full of worship and blessings and love. Hope yours was as well.
FYI TO MY READERS: This is the recounting of a recent day, spent in my backyard…with Finn and Lucy Jane. It will be made into a book for her. I know it’s a mite on the longish side, but I just had to get it all in. Enjoy!
Once upon a time there was a funny little dog named Finn. He lived with a Mom and a Dad and his very own boy, Alex. The family had lots of friends who came to visit. But, Finn was happiest when Patty and Little Lucy Jane would come over to play.
One day, in early spring, Finn heard the doorbell ring. And, soon, he heard a voice he loved…it was Little Lucy Jane! He started shaking all over with excitement. He always had such fun when she came to play. He could remember making turkeys out of pumpkins together, and blowing bubbles together. Well, she blew the bubbles, he just tried to catch them. He remembered going to catch the sticks she threw, and chewing on the baseballs she tossed in the yard. She was a little girl…not a big girl like Mom. So he had to be careful not to jump on her cause it would make her fall. He just wanted to give her kisses, but he had to be very careful and just kiss her when she was sitting down. Oh, he could hardly wait!
He wished Alex would open his door and let him out. She needed to be greeted properly. But, he couldn’t reach the door handle…and he couldn’t turn it if he did reach it! She would be so glad to see him. Sometimes, she would call him ‘Wild Man’ instead of Finn. That was OK with him because he knew she loved him.
Finally, Alex opened the door. He hurried as fast as his short little legs would go. “Where was she?” “Where was she?” , he thought. And, then he saw her. Well, he was so excited he ran to her and jumped with all his might to give her lots and lots of kisses! “OW, Finn!”, she said, “that hurt.” She was rubbing her arm where one of his toenails had scratched her. OH, he felt so bad. He felt so sad. He forgot that she wasn’t big like Mom. Awww, he was so sorry. So, he just stood next to her as still as he could be. Then she bent down to hug him. And, THEN, he could give her kisses. He did, and she laughed and laughed and laughed. He liked to hear her laugh. It really made him happy.
Mom suggested that they go outside for a walk around the big, back yard. That was a great idea! There were so many things in the yard to see and chase and smell. Oh, it was a very fine back yard! They walked a while, and then they ran a while. They rang the windchimes, and checked the water in the pool. They sat in the swing and went back and forth, back and forth. UGH! He had to get down. Lucy threw the ball and he chased it. And she threw it again and he ran and ran and ran. Right about then, Finn caught a whiff of something wonderful. What was it? Little Lucy Jane and Mom didn’t know…they didn’t even smell it! But, he did. And, it was wonderful! And, he was going to find it…and smell it and smell it and smell it! And, he would share it with Lucy Jane and Mom.
“There it is! I think it’s down here!”
“Yeah! Right down there!”
“Lucy Jane, can you smell it? Can you?”
“Whew! This is hard work! But, I’m getting close.”
“AHHHHHH! there it is! It makes me swoon!”
“Lay in it? Are you sure? Well, OK, then!”
“It’s great! Don’t you think it’s great? I think it’s great! Really, great! Just really great!”
“Here stick your head in…right here!”
“Now, just roll around in it like this!”
“Told you! Wasn’t that the best thing ever?” I’m one happy dog!”
“What? Dirty? Who’s dirty? Filthy? What does that mean? Why are you looking at me like that, Mom?”
“See? I can wash off right here in the pool…just like Lucy Jane. Relax, Mom…we’ll be fine.”
“Uh Oh! Mom’s got that look in her eyes. Think I’ll hide over here. Oh no! She went to get Patty! Run, Lucy Jane!”
“Aw, man. This is a bad,bad idea, Mom. Why do you want to go and ruin my good day? Hey! Four hands is way too many! It doesn’t take four hands to wash me! ”
“Hmmm…I’m kinda liking this smell, too! Hey, Patty, how about a kiss?”
“Look at me, would you? I’m clean…I smell like a coconut…and when they let me get down, I’ll shake the rest of this water off. Why do people think you can dry a dog off with a towel? We can do it lots better ourselves!”
“Let me down, now….please…I’ve been good!”
And, when the Big Dig and the Shower in the Sun were all finished, Finn was ready to go home with Alex and take a nap! Which he did. Oh, he had the best dreams of the most wonderful hole and the most wonderful smells, and the most wonderful friends. But, NOT the most wonderful bath!
And Mom, and Patty and Lucy Jane, and Alex talked about the day’s adventure and laughed again. And, they all looked forward to being all together once again.
THE END
FYI…I do not usually wear headbands with yellow bows on them…unless Lucy Jane brings it to me and asks me to.
I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Boys
"All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
Read their stories... Adam Alex Ian
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.