Chocolate Cake, Little Boys and Birthdays!

I just spent the weekend celebrating my little grandson's third birthday!  As a busy person, I can tell you, that time flies - he was just a little bitty baby in my arms a few days ago!

He loves to sing - so we sang "Happy Birthday" several times and lit and blew out the candles each time - what a precious smile on his little face!  I enjoyed every minute of my weekend, but today I am back in my antique shop trying to sort out my life (which I am slowly determining is probably pretty much perfect!).

In trying to sort out my life as an antique dealer, busy church life, Mother, daughter, wife, Grandmother, it seems to me that diversity in life is the key!  If we place too much emphasis on any one thing, it can become overbearing, stressful, and something we think is not satisfying.

I have spent the last 8 1/2 years in my antique shop giving it every ounce of my energy - it has been great - but at some point became overbearing, stressful, and something I just wanted to stop doing.

Now that I have backed off somewhat and pushed the "pause" button, I have found that the diversity I have in my life is the best that anyone could hope for.  I spend four days a week in my shop meeting and greeting and helping the general public and friends in my shop.  We talk about their dreams, their problems, their hopes, their homes and children and grandchildren, their decorating ideas, and more.  In each case I can listen and encourage and hopefully they leave here refreshed and ready to meet life's challenges.  I get a lot of fulfillment from this activity, as I develop life long friendships and in the process offer my beautiful antique and gift shop to my community, my hometown that I love.

My Sundays and Wednesday evenings at my church are most inspirational, fun and challenging.  With my participation in the music program of the church, as I give of my limited talents I get much personal reward and growth as I am continually challenged with my musical abilities.  Whether it is singing, ringing bells or playing piano - it all gives me personal satisfaction and reward for my efforts.  The personal growth I find in worship and fellowship in my church is something that cannot be found any other way.

Life as a Mother does not end when the child grows up and makes a life of their own.  They continually look to their parents for love and guidance as they go through the challenges presented in their lives.  It is continually my job to encourage and help my daughter and step-children as they face life and try to make good decisions about their future.  Never do I tell anyone what they "ought" to do - but I help them to think through all the options, make their choice, and know that I will always love and support them in their decisions.

Life as a daughter continues to change.  When I was small my parents looked after me as I described in the previous paragraph - but as time goes along we have to face the challenges of our parents aging and needing us - and perhaps even the loss of a parent.  This is a roll which changes daily for me.  When we moved back to my home town I still had both parents, and it was wonderful to again share my days with them.  Several years back I lost my Daddy, and it has become my job to sort of  look after Mother.  Not that she can't take care of herself - but I have been available to give the support and encouragement she needs to be able to move on and make decisions and make a "new normal" out of  her life.  I am so proud of her, and am always available to help her in anything that comes up for her - it has been a blessing to be here for her.

My job as a wife is very easy.  My husband loves and supports me, and is very flexible and easy to please.  He does his job well - by loving me, smiling at me, encouraging me, allowing me some freedoms to do the above jobs, and he is always there - waiting for me to come home with his arms open wide.  This is the easiest of all my jobs as clearly he gives more to me than I give in return.  He is the love of my life, and I couldn't be the person I am without him.

Now this Grandmother roll is relatively new - but oh so wonderful!  I am learning as I go!  I want my grandchildren to squeal with excitement when I arrive - and so far, so good with that.  I enjoy spending quality time with them and try to give them things and do things with them that they will remember.  I want them to feel the love that I have for them and always know that they can come to "Mammaw" for anything!

As I go off to my "limbo land" at my shop (I call it that because we have put the building up for sale in hopes to retire or downsize - but there is no promise of that) - I am not sure what the future brings.  One thing for sure that no matter how much planning and dreaming I do, that I can never know exactly what the future brings.  Meanwhile, I will take it as it comes with joy in my heart and a smile on my face.  As my husband says to me "Diversity is the key!"  Well, I already have that!

In addition to my shop at  http://www.hendersonmemories.com/I have added an etsy shop where I am able to show my creative, crafty side http://www.etsy.com/shop/hendersonmemories .  My life is changing just like everyone's does each and every day - every day is a blessing - and my plans are to enjoy this one to the fullest!  Stay tuned!