Friday, March 14, 2008

Gratitude


Gratitude is the fairest blossom
which springs from the soul.
~Henry Ward Beecher


I want to thank each of you for taking a moment of your time to send a precious note to a woman whom you will never meet, but a woman who is fighting bravely for her life.
Thank you my dear friends.....

I wanted to share this image today. Years ago Lil & I decided we would attempt to smock. One of my precious friends spent a few patient mornings teaching us. Lil & I each smocked a bishop dress for Caroline who was one at the time.....I made a pink gingham & Lil made the blue gingham.
I loved the colors of this little dress!
I know I've said this many times, but the above photograph is one of my favorites of all time. Such a precious image of her in the dress lovingly made by her grammy.

A couple of years later, another dear friend called to tell me she had a special present she wished to bring to me. She presented me with a 24x30 framed oil painting of Caroline. I was blown away! I sat there speechless for what seemed like forever. My sweet friend had seen the photograph of Caroline & asked for a copy. She spent the better part of a year painting this image for me. She also had two replicas printed to give each grandmother. She had 100 cards printed with a tender text inside. This was one of the most amazing days of my life. She gave me a gift I could never afford & more importantly she gave me a gift from her heart~ talk about a labor of love. Words can not express how special , how treasured that painting is to me. Thank you sweet Fran.

Today I walked by that painting & smiled.
The tulips are again blooming here in Atlanta. I can hear, smell & see all of nature declaring the glory of the Lord.
& I am grateful.....


Thank you again my dear friends in blogland.
I pray you have a blessed weekend
I am thankful for you
xo

20 comments:

  1. That is such a beautiful story! What dear friends you have. I love tulips and both images are breathtaking! I love tulips and I will agree, that as we have suffered through the drought here these pass few month, I am delighted to see the beautiful colors returns to my yard :D

    Your MIL will continue to be in our prayers,
    Ladybug hugs,
    ;D

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  2. The original photo is stunning and the painting is equally beautiful. Nice post.

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. What a lovely way to begin my Friday. Just beautiful!

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  4. What a beautiful photo and the painting -- wow - gorgeous! Have a good weekend.

    Janet

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  5. I love that dress. It is beautiful.

    I will continue to pray for Lil!

    I actually found out today that my friend's grandmother Betty just had a mastectomy. I was inspired by your post and my friend said her grandmother would LOVE to receive comments from people around the country so I wrote a post.

    I said I was inspired by a blog I love. Let me know if it is ok to link to your blog.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for the wonderful idea to write a post for Betty. I know she is going to love receiving comments and prayers.

    Danielle

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  6. I'm been checking your blog everyday to see if you've posted anything new! No, I'm not a stalker - I just LOVE your blog! I was telling my small group bible study about it the other night and it turns out your husband taught some of my friends when they were in highschool! I was so excited because I was telling them I wanted to be your friend!!! We'll have to talk the name game on email! Love the new post!

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  7. Wow! That painting is just beautiful! Caroline is adorable!

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  8. I was delighted to come to your blog page tonight and see a new post. I have been wondering how things were going with you MIL and your family.
    You have no idea who I am and I am not stalking, I just love to come and read the beautiful things you post.
    Love both the picture and the painting. Both are breath taking.
    My continued prayers are with you all.

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  9. Paige! I am sending my prayers to you and your MIL! And love the pic of Caroline with the tulips and love the painting too! What a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing!
    Many warm thoughts for your family!
    Robyn

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  10. What a beautiful little girl and a special friend. The painting is just stunning. Continued prayers for your MIL. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    Karen

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  11. That is a great story!
    I will pray for Lil daily

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  12. What a precious friend and an equally precious subject. It sounds like this friend is definitely one of the angels in your life.

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  13. I LOVE the picture and how sentimental! I love the dress and the painting as well. JUST BEAUTIFUL!!

    I have been and will certainly continue to pray for your mother-in-law.

    Blessings!

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  14. SO beautiful. Hope Lil is doing well. We are praying.

    Glad the tulips are coming up!

    Kim

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  15. What a beautiful post filled with that precious image of Caroline, we continue to lift your MIL and will do so indefinitely:)

    Heather

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  16. Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Webcam, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://webcam-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.

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  17. Sweet story. Sweet labor gifts of love!

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  18. That is an adorable photo and the painting is fabulous!! Wow. When I used to live in southern Alabama smocking I learned to smock...so much work that was. Wow. Then lucky me I found a gal who would smock a dress for me for $35 and I had to only supply the fabrics. My little toddler had a closet full of smocked dresses! My baby boy even had a couple jumpers!
    Keeping your MIL in my prayers!
    Have a blessed Easter!
    Teresa McFayden

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  19. What a wonderful story and such a beautiful painting. Of course, having an angelic subject certainly helps.

    I hope your dear MIL is facing this challenge okay...she is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Linda
    xoxo

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