Pinch Me
We say, “Pinch me” when we see something too beautiful or experience something too wonderful to be real. Yesterday I needed you to pinch me more than once.
A great day and I wish you coulda joined me.
Posts tagged ‘sharing’
Wonderful Week
We just had the most wonderful week with my cousin and his wife. Adrian & Laura were such fun to have around.
They are DeAngelis (my maiden name) “of angels” – apropos!!
They are spending a week in Yellowstone
We were privileged to watch the parade from dear friends, Roy & Barbara Washburn’s lovely place. Such gracious, generous people!
Wish you coulda joined us!
Hugs,
JanBeek
TenderToucher
I posted this several years ago on this last day of June. It popped up on my reminders today. I decided it was worth posting again:
“There’s nothing like a tender touch to chase away the blues. You need someone who really cares – BEE the tender toucher!”
I hope you have a tendertoucher in your life!
Have a Tender Tuesday!
Love, JanBee
Hospitality
The gift of hospitality
Cannot be taken for granted
It’s a gift to be treasured
A gift that cannot be measured
and…
Tonight we’re headed to a Pittsburgh baseball game. So, stay tuned! I’ll be back!
Love, JanBeek
Treat from the Kids
Our son, Ty in CA, and our daughter, De in Switzerland , combined forces and bought us a gift certificate for Mother’s Day to one of our favorite Bozeman, Montana restaurants: Dave’s Sushi. Today we used it with great delight!
Who do you think enjoyed theirs more??
Cheers! My Bliss roll was magnificent! But we both equally enjoyed the house red … a delightful blend.
Look at those sushi rolls again.
And we had enough left on our gift certificate to give Thomas , our terrific waiter, a nice tip.
Thank you, Thomas. Thank you, kids! We’re so glad you made me a mother!!
Now tomorrow we’re headed to Chattanooga. Stay tuned, my blogging friends. I’ll let you travel along vicariously.
We’re praying for warmer weather in Tennessee. It’s been a crazy May here in Montana. Today we had gray breezes, restless puffy clouds, snow, rain, and then bright sunny skies…. All within 5 hours in Bozeman. Crazy!!!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Help!
We live in a beautiful place with a beautiful view and wonderful neighbors.
Our property has about 4 acres and in the center of those is where our house sits surrounded by 13 evergreen trees.
The lawn and trees require a lot of care to keep the trees healthy year round and the sprinkler system working in the spring, summer and fall.
This is the time of year when turning the sprinklers back on and repairing broken ones and adjusting the direction of the water’s flow has to happen.
We couldn’t possibly do all this by ourselves.
Thank God for the helpful guys in our “hood” who volunteer their services annually because without their help, I’m sure we would find it very difficult to live here!
Beautiful Springtime
This is National Poetry Month according to BlueMountain e-cards. So, let’s get started:
They are first to hail the season
The slightest bit of sunshine
Gives us hope … and they’re the reason
Popping out of barren ground
They’re ready to add cheer
Wherever they are found
Their faces bring lots of smiles
Whenever I look at them
Joy radiates for miles
Add cheer whoever they are
No matter where those flowers bloom
Whether near to us or far
And send photos to your friends
They’ll gratefully receive them
From now to when spring ends.
God bless you!
Have a happy springtime day!
Love, JanBeek
Easter Week
This is Easter week
Each day’s a time to seek
Greater understanding of the death
And resurrection. Take a peek!
A peek at the message clear
That resonates throughout the year
About the joy and love we share
Living Christ’s legacy here.
Last Sunday’s sermon spoke
To all the tuned-in folk
I took notes (as I always do)
I am tethered to the Lord’s yoke.
The message really resonated with me.
Thank you, Brian Conklin, for your sermon’s artistry.
I hope my readers find it impactful, too.
Here it is for you, my friends, to see:
He is Risen, Indeed!
There are moments in life
When everything changes
Easter Sunday may have been
One of them for the disciples.
Climbing a mountain Easter morning
Was one of those moments – a struggle.
Reaching the summit, I could look down
The town below me was washed in sun.
The hope of a new year dawned
A dark, challenging climb gave way
To a carpet of wildflowers –
The sun washed over me, too.
Today God has opened a way for me.
He has created a turning point:
Death does not have the final word –
The empty tomb brings a transformation.
Jesus’ followers went from hope
To a time of fear and confusion.
Doubting, lives torn apart, they hid.
Weeping, they gathered in the Upper Room.
They didn’t believe the women who told them
“He has been revived! He’s alive!”
But when Jesus joined the disciples
And broke bread with them, they believed.
Do we believe or is it too dark?
Do we have unanswered questions?
Christ brings hope and transformation.
Believe! Step out! Death has lost its sting.
Amen?
… and love… every day!!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Remembering Mona
This week my dear friend, Mona Durham, age 96,
died peacefully with her family gathered round.
Mona’s family and the leadership team of our church
decorated the sanctuary and fellowship hall beautifully
for her memorial service today.
Her ashes, in a container under the purple cloth,
were sent into the hands of God
as Jesus and St. Peter must surely
have welcomed her into heaven.
She was a True Believer.
There was a beautiful display of photos
depicting Mona with many of her beloved family.
She had four children and seven grandchildren.
Four of the grandkids shared stories about how her life
impacted theirs in such loving, meaningful, lasting ways.
I took notes (as is my habit) as I listened to their stories.
Here are my notes:
Mona Durham’s was a 96 year life well lived.
She lived heartily loving and laughing;
Tough, fair, sarcastic, always available,
Humble, reliable, stable, and always hospitable.
Mona wasn’t delicate or sheltered.
The last of three daughters, she was the son…
The son her dad never had! How he loved her!
Oh how she loved him, others, and this Madison Valley!
She was a woman of grit and grace, loyal and hardworking.
Volunteered with church, History museum, blood draws,
Elections, Women’s Club & Cattle Women’s Association.
Her later years were less busy, but never less purposeful.
She gave her life to quietly helping others.
Her strength, honesty, love, and strong values
Were the glue that held the family together.
Also the fact that she always had fresh cookies!
Mona’s strength was grounded and rooted.
Her faith was deep, honest and clear.
She carried struggles quietly with endurance.
Her life will endure in each of us who loved her.
Deemo’s also prepared this beautiful, tasty tray of veggies.
The family extended a special thank you to the caregivers at Home Park and Madison Valley Manor for the dignity, kindness, and care they showed Ramona in her final years. In lieu of flowers, they asked that donations be made to Madison Valley Historical Museum (where Mona was a faithful, treasured volunteer) or Bear Creek Schoolhouse (where she attended 1st to 4th grade and then later volunteered to help with fundraisers to maintain it – and organized pinochle parties every March). She loved playing cards, doing 500 – 1000 piece puzzles, and keeping in touch always with her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by us all!
Mona’s granddaughter, Tori,
summed up what most of her family
would agree was an important take-away:
“I see so clearly that her impact
isn’t simple or singular, it’s generational.
What she has given us goes far beyond memories,
she’s given us a way of living.”
“She never once told me how to live,
but she sure as hell has shown me!”
Your shared love inspires us
to pass it on.
Thank you, Mona.
Love,
JanBeek
Speak Up!
Today I wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper, the Ennis, Madison County Montana Madisonian. I decided it is time to write to my state and federal representatives, too, and write to my friends and neighbors locally about my concerns for the present divisiveness and for the future of our country (and the world). The USA is headed in the wrong direction. We must reverse course and reunite with our friends at home and abroad. We must do our part to stop the insanity. Here is what I wrote:
“Dear Editor,
In the February 12th Madisonian Opinion page, Doris Fischer’s letter to the editor, titled “Ignore the Drumbeat at our Peril” was very inspiring. She warned and encouraged us all. In her final paragraph she cautioned, “We citizens all need to pay close attention to what is happening.” She quoted other local citizens whose cautionary posts reminded us that we need to speak up and we need to choose our federal representatives wisely. Doris concluded that we “…must study up on the candidates running for this year’s Primary and General Elections… (and then) Vote.” It’s never been more important than it is now for us to pay attention to what is happening to our democracy, to our foreign relations, and to our moral base. If you are as concerned as I am about the divisiveness in today’s politics, then it’s time for you to speak up, too. We desperately need fervent voices to promote love and compassion. Join me! Write a letter to your representatives. Tell ‘em what you think. Promote neighborly sanity, world-wide peace and unity, and respect for all. Yes, as Lois Stephens wrote in her letter, “Enough is Enough!”
Jan Beekman”
Hugs and lotsa love to you from
JanBeek
