All posts by Lucy Anne

Dear Grampa Schalk,

1.Thank you for loving me so much that you always took time out for me

2.Thank you for giving me the tools, scraps, and freedom to experiment with my own little projects beside you in the garage

3.Thank you for adding bonds to my savings each year since before I could say your name, let alone understand what that meant

4.Thank you for teaching me to delight in homegrown food before I figured out that not all food came from grampa’s or dad’s garden

5.Thank you for growing the sweetest sweetcorn I have ever tasted (and ever expect to taste) in my life.  No one can beat the way you roast it over the fire.

6.Thank you for actually encouraging me to “harvest” the berries by poking them into my mouth.  Your strawberries and raspberries, still warm from the sun and bursting on my tongue, remain the measure with which I judge all berries….. and I don’t think I’ve had a decent one since you lived on 53 (which also strangely coincides with the last time I had your berries -lol)

7.Thank you for your way of telling stories.  You always choose the right time and you take your time and you bring us back to the time.  They’re almost always new stories that we never heard and could never have imagined until you shared them.

8.Thank you for your hugs and your profoundly genuine words of encouragement

9.Thank you for a million cherished memories that I will never be able to capture or contain in one place…. times at the woods, shelling popcorn, helping make homemade ice cream at the convent, driving the mower, taking care of the kitties, riding bikes, skating, PLAYING CARDS, and… no one who has had them could forget- your grilled breakfast potatoes.  Yum.

10.Thank you for the man you are, Grandpa.  You have been an amazing influence in my life and I am blessed to be your granddaughter.

Love,

Lucy

Tuesday

1.Understanding what friendship is for

2.Having a friend, the best kind

3.Flawless weather

4.Seeing my first Goldfinches of the year

5.Clarity

6.A friend who can still be caring as she gives it to you straight

7.Learning to be more gentle

8.Finding the dishes done and bed made

9.Patience

10.Feeling a bit better

Sunday

1.All the moms in my life

2.Celebrating Mother’s Day even though I don’t have kids- Hey, I have the power, I’m choosing not to use it :)

3.Starting the day with the best breakfast ever and the best company ever!!

4.Andrea and Logan and sunshine and perfect timing and chickens and memories and knowing I’ll see you again soon

5.Family get-togethers

6.Bearing a surprise that strikes the recipient speechless (in a good way -lol)

7.Feeling good about the way you used your time

8.Compliments

9.Stopping yourself when you realize it’s enough

10.Taking care of yourself.  At the end of the day, really taking care of yourself.

Friday

1.David

2.Patience

3.Family time

4.Safe driving habits

5.Planning ahead for cake

6.Warm days

7.Phone calls from dear friends

8.Cute haircuts

9.New workouts

10.Seeing results of diligence in every area of life

Thursday

1.Carol overthrowing my original #1 by calling me with the best words of caring and encouragement- Just what I needed!  Thank you Carol!

2.The way I felt riding my bicycle today- hair flying and glinting in the sun

3.Days at the park

4.Flying kites

5.Reading Rainbow theme song

6.Already getting a tan

7.Seeing lots of hawks

8.Deoderant that works

9.Invitations

10.Lilacs

Tuesday

1.Finally not taking something personally (after it has gotten me so many times in the past)

2.Patience

3.Pushing yourself because you know you can do it

4.Being able to recognize hurt when it’s masquerading as superiority and blame

5.Handling it with love

6.Having the supplies you need when you need them

7.My health

8.Trust

9.Cleaning up and cleaning out

10.Ultimate support of the universe