This blog includes the uplifting, light-hearted writings of Renee Hawkley, a Christ-centered parent and grandparent, US patriot and life-long learner.
Written for family, friends and strangers who wish to wear out their lives "In Joy!"
Sometimes I've wondered which comes first for me, faith in God or my country? America was founded under a banner of religious freedom. "My people" were searching for religious freedom and found it in America. Without America, the story of "my people" and their faith in God would be very different. I will be ever grateful for "my people," their story and the country I love.
For Roberta by Renee Hawkley The November air had a bite to it as I walked to work this morning. The sky was full blue, and nature was showing off in a thunder of silence. I picked up a leaf among many strewn along the sidewalk and, on closer examination, was stunned to discover its exquisite blend of design, color, shading and texture. My coworkers must see this! I chose a prominent counter and displayed it on a background of yellow construction paper. Word spread, and the "perfect leaf" was visited by admirers throughout the day. Our graphic artist even borrowed it for a brief photo shoot. On the afternoon walk back home, I noticed all the other leaves that had escaped my attention earlier. Most are on the ground now. I think of them as colonies and collections -- the leaves raked into a pile -- the leaves huddled together blocking a storm drain -- the leaves filling a leaf bag. Suppose there is such a thing as a "plain old" pile of leaves, but no such thing as a...
My mother-in-law, Sarah Ellen Adkins Hawkley, was born on May 3, 1916 just prior to the era of the flu pandemic that killed millions of people. I especially admired her unflinching resolve to move forward in complicated circumstances. For example, living with her parents during WWII while her husband was serving in the military, she received a telegram that he had been shot down over Germany and was possibly a prisoner of war. She subsequently gave birth to Daniel Leland Hawkley (my future husband) on September 14, 1944. Not that she had much choice in giving birth, but knowing Ellen, there was no "woe is me" or blubbering while awaiting the eventual joyous return of her husband. Later, Ellen served the community of American Falls, Idaho for decades as a nurse and hospital administrator. If she were alive today, she would be among the first of the first responders and the last to give up on any patient in her care. Her lifetime of service to her parents and eleven sibl...
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