Funny words. My mom used funny words. I had forgotten them until last night during Bingo, when Beulah was clarifying how a particular game was to be played and said, “So it’s this line that goes cattywampus?”  Ahhhhh, yes, there’s my Mom. She is not here any longer, but she is. If only I could hear her trying to “find that doohickey” and when finally locating it, saying, “Well, I’ll be hornswoggled, that thing had me flabbergasted!” Or to listen to her tell one of the girls that the part in their hair is “cattywampus” or to ride in a car with her in the backseat when a sharp turn is made, only to hear her giggle as she slid into the unfortunate victim while saying, “Hold ‘er Knute, we’re headed for the pea patch!…” That would be heaven to my ears.

I am grateful for funny words that make me laugh and cry at the same time.

I am grateful for those automatic deodorizer spray thingys in public restrooms, especially the one in the first floor bathroom here in the building. Oh my goodness, can I move my desk in there?

I am grateful for the opportunities my little grandchildren have to experience new adventures. Last night, I received pictures of four-year-old Anissa conquering her first indoor rock climbing experience. Look at her! That’s MY GIRL!! I wish I could “squeeze her guts out!” as Mom would so lovingly say…

I am grateful for my car. It’s been in the shop for two days, and I have been privileged enough to drive a brand new loaner SUV in the meantime. When I got into my vehicle this morning, it was so much nicer. I am very blessed.

I am grateful to have seen independent little bunnies hopping in the yard last night. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to leave them alone? I just want to hold that cuteness so much.

I am grateful to have been awakened at 2:30 this morning by what I believe to have been a spider on my arm, although I really have no idea since it was dark. But “Charlotte” allowed me the time to get up and spend some quiet time in the still of the night, listening to a soft symphony. And then I watched a pretty cool documentary about the Egyptian soccer team. And then I began praying for our pastors in Kentucky and Minnesota, Cari, our girls and their families, Adam, our Dads, and a young lady who faces months of recovery from an accident. And when I was ready to try sleeping again, God put this melody in my mind as a lullaby:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

And that’s no hullabaloo.