A Cup of Tea With Gail
Grab a cup of tea or coffee. Light your favorite Mia Bella Candle,
and visit with me for a few moments.
When we have finished chatting,
I hope you will feel more informed,
but most of all, refreshed!
What will be your's?
What will be your legacy? That is a deep and challenging question. Perhaps it has caused you to stop in your tracks. I hope so.
This summer I felt compelled to take a vacation back home to spend some time with my 92 year old grandma. At the time of my decision she was still driving, still living on her own and still working in the nursery holding babies during Vacation Bible School. Even though Grandma Gertie was still able to do all of these things she was beginning to experience occasions where she would be a little short of breath and a little unsteady. I thought perhaps I should go spend some time with her because you never know how quickly things will change
Much to my surprise, during my two week visit we moved Grandma Gertie into my aunt’s house and the very next night she had a heart attack. Seven days later we (my four sisters, three cousins, my mom and dad and aunt) sang her favorite hymns as she exited this earth and entered heaven. I was there as she took her last breath. This was the most bitter/sweet experience of my life. Such a vibrant lady 7 days ago and yet now she was no longer with us. I looked around the room at those she left behind and felt completely blessed to have been a part of this Godly woman’s legacy. Because of Grandma Gertie’s choices I have been part of an incredibly close, loving, thriving, Godly family. As we grieved we also celebrated all that she was and all that she gave.
Grandma Gertie’s life was so full of giving that her funeral could not be held at the funeral home. The funeral was held at the big church she had raised her children and her grandchildren in. Most pews were full. I don’t know too many 92 year olds who still have that many people in their lives. But Gertie did. Her life was filled with visiting shut ins, driving the elderly to church (she never considered herself elderly), going to her great grandchildren’s sporting events, visiting her grandchildren, mentoring young women and much, much more. Grandma nursed two husbands and most recently, a boyfriend through their final days. Gertie’s life was full and she spent her days blessing others.
On the day of Grandma’s funeral I stood at the back of the church and saw all of the many lives she had touched. I thought about the legacy she had left behind and was inspired to create the same kind of legacy for all those that I will someday leave behind. I want my choices to reflect well on those that come behind me. I want to be able to consider my life a blessing to them.
As you ponder your legacy I encourage you to think about ways you can breathe life and love into those around you. Make your choices count.
Recommended
Reading
August COTM: Pumpkin Cheesecake
This has become my new fall favorite. You are going to want to purchase one of these. Get it now at
www.HomeWithMiaBella.com.
Projected Future COTM Scents (Subject to change)
Liquorice and Grape Seed
Fig and Wild Berry
Hazlenut Coffee
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Recommendations
Check out this wonderful artist. Give the very best and purchase an original greeting card or have a something special commissioned for your home.
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Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
25 NABISCO Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash ground cloves
PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Mix ginger snap crumbs, pecans and butter; press firmly onto bottom and 1 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.
BEAT cream cheese, 3/4 cup of the sugar and the vanilla with electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Remove 1-1/2 cups of the batter; place in small bowl. Stir remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the pumpkin and spices into remaining batter. Spoon half of the pumpkin batter into crust; top with spoonfuls of half of the reserved plain batter. Repeat layers. Cut through batters with knife several times for marble effect.
BAKE 55 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut into 16 slices. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.
Do you have a
recipe you would like me to share with our readers? Forward it to me and
I'd love to share it.
--------------------------------
Of Gertrude Mentink
God looked around his garden,
And saw an empty space.
Then he looked down here on earth,
And saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you,
And lifted you to rest.
His garden must beautiful,
Because he only picks the best.
A million times we'll miss you,
A million times we'll cry.
If love could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a special place,
No one could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
~ Author Unknown ~