Making Big Deals Out of Little Deals

Day 27 of Photo Inspirations --
Goodness -- I love these four cuties.  Yesterday was so very special.  That is my godson, Owen, on the left. He's my little cuddle boy. We sit together at church every Sunday and I get so many hugs and cuddles that I love so much. Burnedette, their sweet Mom, invited me over for a Mexican food lunch.  She didn't realize how much I love Mexican food, and, oh my, she knocked it out of the park -- everything was so YUMMY.  But, as most know, I celebrate moments like this day, because I always see them as "orchestrated" -- straight from heaven.

When a group of us were on a missions trip to Mexico back in October, I took lots of photos. That's because I wanted to cherish every moment I could.  And, also, while I was there, I saw a vendor making name bracelets.  I had him make one for my godson and his three siblings.  How perfect!  I get invited over for Mexican food and I get to go there bearing gifts and a computer slide show.  Before I gave them the bracelets, I showed them the photos from Mexico -- letting them see the precious kids there who had so little, but who had been given hope for their future because of loving and caring people that consistently pour into them that anything is possible.   And I wanted these four kiddos to know just how blessed they are.   At the conclusion of my little slide show, I gave them their bracelets.  Their Mom said, "See how much Miss Donna thinks about you -- even when she's in Mexico?"   And that's so true.  My own kids are in Washington and Texas, so having these kids in my life here in Tulsa is another gift from heaven.

Yes, I make big deals out of so many of the little deals that take place in my world.  I do that because I have only one life to live, and if I live it with appreciation, enthusiasm, passion, and making making moments special -- then my greatest reward will be knowing I may have left an imprint on someone's life.  It is absolutely worth the time and effort to make our day count for what matters most.  We'll never pass this way again.  Why not leave some crumbs along the way.....that just might cause others to know that those crumbs may point them in the right direction to go.

My Amazing Dance Partner Makes Every Day Memorable

Last night, was karaoke night on the cruise. I urged my Staci to sing, and she did -- blew the crowd away with her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On". She dedicated the song to me.....and of course the tears flowed, as, once again, I remembered when my sweetheart was her #1 cheerleader and coach. He relished hearing his girl sing, as I, but because he had been her coach for so many years, he loved seeing his protege, and his pride was beyond description. "Train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he's/she's old they'll not depart from it." She continues to thrive in the abilities and skills her daddy taught her.

So here we are in Cozumel, Mexico! My sweet husband and I, our children and grandchildren were on a cruise 11 years ago (there were only 4 grandchildren then) where this Cozumel port was part of the itinerary. I remember that trip well. We enjoyed the beach together, Ryan & Shawntel went scuba diving, we watched a dolphin show and we ate at a great Mexican Food restaurant that had a wonderful band. Staci sang on stage, and my sweetheart and I danced together. Aw! Precious memories! This is the photo of that day on the left -- my Honey and I dancing -- and I still have the family picture of all of us from that day displayed in my home -- still today. Those precious memories are captured in print and in my memory bank.

We made even more memories today. We re-enacted our day from years ago, and, ventured out for, yet again, a great Mexican Food restaurant and my sweet son took the place of his daddy and danced with me (pictured on the right). My sweetheart lives on today in all of our hearts -- we sense His presence with us. How is that? Legacy doesn't die. A word, an experience, a memory, a location, an action, a story, a picture -- precious loved ones are still with us.

My sweetheart is dancing in heaven now, but today my sweet son took his place here. This vacation will soon end. These days will be simply sweet memories that I will carry with me. But the best news is EVERY DAY I have an amazing dance partner– my Father God, and He makes EVERY DAY memorable -- full of celebrations and joys and victories! Who could ask for anything better....or anything more? Most certainly -- not me!