I had a visitor!

I got hit with a double whammy - I have a bronchial infection and an inner-ear infection. Lovely combination that has put me down - literally. After slurping a steaming mug of tomato soup (made with milk instead of water), drinking a cup of tea, and appropriately medicating myself, I was ready for the comfort of my favorite spot in my home - the couch with my blankie!

Turned the volume down on the television, placed the phone on the coffee table along with the television remote, made sure channel selected was CNN, and snuggled under my blankie with many pillows behind my aching back, under my aching head and legs, and no, I didn't suck my thumb!!!

Awakened to the ringing of the telephone - it was a wrong number. As I settled back into the warmth of my little coccoon, I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. And, Miss Freckles was in her "I'll protect you, Mom" stance. When I raised my head to look into the kitchen, I thought "I know I turned that light off earlier." Then, my brain really became engaged because there, standing at the kitchen sink, was my Gram!

Now, my Gram hasn't visited me in about 12 years. She always seemed to appear over the years when times were really bad for me. I rubbed my eyes, and looked again. She was still there, smiling slightly. She looked exactly the same as she always had - bib type apron with huge pockets, her hair all frizzed up because of the steam or heat from cooking, and a house dress with a high neck line trimmed with lace.

I realize I was under the influence of potent medication, suffering from a fever, and not breathing very easily. But, all I could do was just look at her - I was once again a little girl of seven admiring my wonderful Gram. And, Miss Freckles began wagging her tail, licked my hand, and laid down as pretty as you please.

I recall blinking a couple of times and looked into the kitchen again. The light was off and my Gram was gone! Did the telephone really ring and awaken me? Was it all a dream? Did I really see my Gram with my physical eyes or was she only a figment of my imagination? After laying back down, I swear I could feel her cool hands resting on my forhead just before I went to sleep!

Shortly after midnight, I awakened again. This time, my breathing was easier, my fever was gone, and I felt 100% better. I arose from my couch and went into the kitchen to get a glass of milk - the soup mug, spoon, and tea cup and saucer from my earlier repast were clean and placed neatly on the counter. My reaction was the same as it has been when this happened 3 times before - the hair on the back of my head did a number and the goose bumps on my body would have rivaled tennis balls with their size! Never have I been afraid when this happened in the past - same is true this time. I've always been excited and completely amazed.

Hmm, did I wash those dishes before laying down? Nope - I didn't even bother to place them in my dishwasher! Did Miss Freckles perform a miraculous household chore for me? Not likely - she's domesticated but not that much!

I've attempted to talk about events exactly like this one with many people, and every one has pooh poohed me as if I had a mentality slightly lower than that of a moron!
I hadn't been thinking about my Gram. In fact, hadn't been able to think about anything all day other than how badly I felt!

Say what you will, but I truly believe my grandmother (Gram) has been my special guardian angel all these years. She has looked after me throughout my life just as she did when I was a little girl. Nothing anyone can say can convince me otherwise. It was good that she visited me - wish she had stayed longer.

Unknown Friends

Been rather on the puny side for the past few days - and pain from my fractured pelvis was much more aggravating than usual, which kept me from sitting at my PC to post a blog. Feeling much better today, especially since reading Mama Mouse's posting a few minutes ago.

Seems that great minds DO run together! My offering today is kinda sorta an addendum to Mama's writing about there being four quadrants to her "tree of life" (my description, not hers), as well as to further my previous post.

This past week I've learned a very valuable lesson about some people I thought (or rather knew) absolutely could not stand the sight of me, much less want to have any thing to do with me. I've made many attempts to draw these persons out to ascertain what it was that I had done or said or hadn't done or said for them to show such dislike for me. Finally, I decided to leave the uncomfortable situation alone - in prayer, I turned it over to God to handle for me. Excellent choice for me to make!

Each individual I had worried and fretted about for months either called or spoke to me personally to apologize to me! They had been watching and listening to me more closely than I ever could have imagined. As a result and without my knowledge, they learned to respect and admire me and want to become a friend to me. I've shed many tears of absolute joy these past few days for what God accomplished toward this end.

I would have to add a 5th quadrant (read Mama Mouse's blog) to my tree. It would be the roots and branches of those who are my friends without my knowing. The example we set with our deeds always speak much more loudly than any words we could utter. Although I have always believed this to be true, it was blatantly brought to the forefront and truly touched my heart this week.

Earlier this week, when Hurricane Rita first reared her ugly head in the news, a lady I've never met phoned me from California to make sure I would be okay (she has purchased some of my embroidery designs)! A darling French girl whom I befriended when I was a foreign exchange student in Amsterdam in 1995 phoned me to make sure I would be able to make it through yet another disaster! My youngest son called me to inform me "You should be okay, Mum, as this storm is gonna miss you." My bestest friend in the world e-mailed me to make sure I would be alright. An old friend, whom I haven't seen in nearly 20 years, sent me a short note via snail mail to ask if there were anything he could do to help me in any way.

Friendship is like a silent and invisible ghost who hovers around us during good and bad times to envelope us with a hug, lift us up with kind words, lighten our burdens, and pave a smoother path on which we can travel. The wonder of friendship is not knowing from whence it may come!