This Time

If there is one thing I savor these days, it is time. I'm actually sitting in our recliner listening to the rain sprinkle the metal on our chimney. I have time to listen these days. I trimmed the rose and butterfly bushes yesterday. I have time to smell and adore their beauty...and thank God for grass and shrubs. Tuesday is Nathan's day off so he's been home. We sat on our front porch today and talked...really talked. I have time to listen. What I've been most excited about is that I have time for a project I've put off since I left TES in 2008: transcribing recordings of my grandmother's storytelling.

My grandmother was a teacher. Her name is Ida Gray Wilson. We called her "Boppie." She was one of the most creative and confident women. She savored learning. Loved to learn...as in, she loved brick mailboxes so she registered for classes in brick masonry and built one for herself. She could sew or cook ANYTHING. She passionately loved the Lord and loved His Word. Sometime in the late 70s she bought a quaint little house in Montgomery and opened a private school: Gray Wilson School. Boppie taught 1st-2nd grade (which sometimes included kindergarten age students if they were ready) and Mrs. Gibson taught 3rd-4th grade.

She died of cancer in May of 2003. I recieved Christ when I was a student in her classroom in 1988-89, my Kindergarten year. I guess most of you reading this know that she was and is more than special to me. Sometimes her death makes me cry. I haven't struggled with grief today. Strangely, I've not struggled with listening to these recordings today. I'm soooooo grateful for the time I have to transcribe them. Thank You Lord for your many gracious gifts. And thank you Nathan for wanting me to be a stay at home wife for this season. Hmmm...the rain and thunder outside sounds so nice. I'm reminded of the hymn Nathan and I chose to be played as I walked the aisle our wedding day:

For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth,
over and and around us lies,
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale and tree and flower;
Sun and moon and stars of light;
Lord of all to Thee we raise;
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love;
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on earth and friends above;
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all to Thee we raise;
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself best Gift Divine!
To our race so freely given;
For that great great love of Thine
Peace on earth and joy in Heaven.
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.

And goodnight. :)