When is it Time?

Saturday - April 4, 2009

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

As it is so well written, there is a time for everything. We don't always know when that time might be for these things to take place. This past week has been a time for one to be born and for one to die. I know there are many families who have gone through in a week's time the joy of hearing a newborn baby cry, and then see the tears flow when a close one has left this world for a far better place.

This happened to our family this past week! Bill and I were still starry eyed and in awe at the precious baby girl that was born last Friday - March 27, then we received news that Mom's biological sister had passed away on Monday. Not only did we receive the news about Aunt Olive (Blankenship), but their nephew, Charles Whitman, who was the son of their oldest brother, also passed away on Monday! This news hit Mom pretty hard. She had a feeling that Aunt Olive was not doing well - she was 90. Their nephew, Charles was 74. Both funerals were going to be held in Logan County, at different sites and different times. Mom realized it would be too much for her to attend both, so we went to Aunt Olive's services. It was a beautiful and heart warming message full of hope and one of remembrance.

Mom does have one "foster" sister, Aunt Ruby, who is in a nursing home in Logan. Aunt Ruby's parents were Mom's aunt and uncle who took her in to raise when she was eight weeks old. Mom's mother died the day after Mom was born. Mom was as close to her "foster" sisters as she was her biological sisters and brothers.

As I sat here at Mom's this evening this passage came to me and caused me to reflect back to what had actually taken place this past week. To be so high with your emotions and then be so sad in a matter of minutes. God knows the time for our births and deaths, and we have to trust Him and know that He will take care of everything.

Another thing happened today that made me reflect back on "when it is time" and that God will let us know when we are to reach our Heavenly home. Dink has had several heart attacks and most recently suffered a massive stroke. He has told the story that during one of his heart attacks he felt himself walking down a tunnel. At the end of that tunnel was our Grandfather Layne who had passed away back in 1970. Pappaw met Dink at the end of the tunnel and told him to go back, that it was not his time!!!!! Dink said it was so real!!

Today he told Rhonda he saw Jesus. Jesus told him he was going to be alright and that it was not his time. If you could have seen Dink when he first fell ill, and see him now, you would see how much progress he has made!! Rhonda questioned Dink as to whether he had seen Pappaw, Dad, and John, He said no, just Jesus, and that Jesus told him he would be okay!! The determination he is displaying is one that he knows he will be okay! He is talking more - not fluent, but enough we know what he is saying. He walks with assistance and the use of a brace on his right leg, and a cane. He is now experiencing a tingling sensation in his right arm, which the therapist says is a good sign. He will be in Health South for one more week, and then home he goes! He is so ready to get home!!! He will continue his therapy as an outpatient at St. Mary's.

February 13, 2009 was not Dink's time to go home - God was in charge! March 27 was the date God chose for Cora Ann's birth. So many things to be happy about, and even with the sad events there is happiness in that we know that our loved ones are now walking down Heaven's street and being greeted by all those who have gone before them!!!!

We will miss Aunt Olive and Charles, and we will cherish our time with Cora Ann making memories that will last forever!

Whether you believe in these dreams or not is dependant upon your own experiences and beliefs. I believe Dink, because I believe God does send messages to us, and sometimes we don't listen. We always ask God to watch over us and possibly ask for certain things to happen or not happen. We know "there is a time for everything!" We aren't always privy to "when!"

One Week Ago

Friday - April 3, 2009

Cora Ann a week ago!

Can you believe that this precious baby girl is a week old? She has captured the hearts of us all!!

I know her mother and father have fallen in love with her - actually that started over nine months ago! :):) The joy they must feel for this sweet baby girl I'm sure is overwhelming!

I just wanted to let all who read this blog that Cora is doing well; mother and father are doing fine and adjusting to being parents (and loving it); and that as a grandfather - Bill's head is still in the clouds, and he is floating around on air!!!! I too love this child so much and am so happy that I will be a part of her life as a "Mamaw!"

All grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends have fallen head over heels in love with this angel. The hope you feel when a new life begins is overwhelmimg. We know that Cora Ann will be loved by many, and that she will know the meaning of a large loving family! We love you Cora Ann!

How much do we love? - "Two bushels and a peck and a hug around the neck!"

Molly loves you too!!!!

Cora Ann Hardin

Friday - March 27, 2009 (12:05)
Cora Ann Hardin was born weighing in at 7 lbs 12 1/2 oz; 20 1/2 inches long

Pictures will tell the story of how all are doing!!!!

We're Waiting

Thursday - March 26, 2009

We came up to Hillsdale, MI yesterday so that we would be here when Jeni had the baby. We are still waiting:):) We all know babies tend to have a mind of their own when they want to make an appearance into this world!

They gave Jeni a "pill" which was to help her contractions start as if they were completely natural. She was to be given a second pill if nothing happened by this morning. Around 3:30 AM her water broke and she has been having some pretty strong contraction according to David and Ruthie (Jeni's sister who is acting as a labor support - doula). we got a call around 3:30 that they have decided to give Jeni an epidural since she has been in labor 12 hours. They said this will relax her and help her dilate - hopefully faster. She has dilated to a 4!! Still a ways to go before we reach that magical number of 10!!

We are praying and asking for your prayers that the delivery will be a safe one for Jeni and the baby, and that they both will be healthy with no complications. All that are here are anxious to hold this precious baby girl!

Hopefully the next posting will be baby pictures with a name attached that will be introducing our grand-daughter! (We know her name - just can't tell it yet!!!!) :):):):)

Spring is Here Upon Us

Friday - March 20, 2009

Can you believe Spring is here? According to the calendar it arrives today! I've seen the buds on the trees seem to just appear. The croaking of the frogs from the creek has been a pleasant sound this week, and the color of the flowering trees seem to brighten the outdoors. The green grass is an indication that we soon will have to crank up the push mower (since our riding mower caught on fire last fall) and start smelling freshly cut grass - look out allergies!!!!

Spring represents new beginnings - preparing the ground for a new garden - the nutritional ones with the vegetables, or the aesthetic ones with the lilies, tulips, pansies, begonias, and roses to name a few. Both require a lot of hard work, but the efforts put in them are worth it!!

Spring also starts the ending and beginning for the students graduating from one phase in their education and moving towards another aspect and uncharted waters for them. For the seniors - high school and college - it represents a challenge for which they have been preparing. It is a little daunting and frightening to think about the future and what is in store for us, but we must forge onward and do what we have studied so hard for the past years.

Spring reminds me of new life. Easter is around the corner and we always have baby bunnies, ducks, and chicks ready for a new home!. Dad and Mom use to go to 14th street and buy the four of us a "baby" for Easter. We were all so thrilled. They were eventually taken to my grandparents farm where they joined their "country" cousins!! We always saw the young calves staying close to their mother, foals still wobbly on their feet, and tadpoles galore which eventually turned into the croaking frogs we love to hear.

If you've never been on the farm in the spring, then you don't know what you have missed - but then again you might be glad you missed one part of the spring ritual in preparing the soil for the crops. Some of the "city" folks might wonder what that is - it is cleaning out the barn stalls and putting it on the garden to be turned under in the soil - a means of "natural" fertilization! Some things I don't even miss! :)

Spring also remind of a very sad day in our family. The patriarch for the Layne family was my grandfather, William J. Layne. He passed from this earth to enter heaven's gate on March 20, 1970. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I felt it was symbolic in him leaving us here on earth and entering a new beginning in heaven with all who had gone before him. My grandfather lived a long full life and was loved by his family so much. He had several strokes in his later years and loss much of his speech, but he regained enough speech to be able to communicate. It was always the twinkle in his eye that told us he was up to something - usually playing a trick on us.

This year spring means a couple of things for me. One is that there will be new life for the Hardin family. Jeni and David will be parents for the first time within the week! New life - new beginning! We are all so anxious to greet this precious baby girl! To be able to see those tiny feet and hands, to hold her and cuddle her, and even to hear that first cry. This spring will bring such joy for Jeni and David. (and the grandparents too!)

Spring also makes me realize that Dink is having a new beginning. By all doctors reports, we are lucky that Dink is still here. We are so thankful for and blessed to have him to be a part of this family here on earth. God was not ready for him to go home yet! He is able to walk - with assistance of two therapist, a leg brace, and safety belt. He works so hard and is so proud of his accomplishments!! We are so thankful for this progress and are praying he will continue so that HE can get out in the garden. We are so proud of you Dink, and we love you!

Stop a moment and think - "what does spring mean to me" or "what memories do you have of spring?" Share them with us if you have a special spring story! Stop and smell the roses and have a great spring!