A Tiny Tree

When I walk out of my front door, I can see a tree at the top of a little hill. Having lived in this house for 21 years, I have watched it grow and change through the years. In the spring, the leaves start to fill in, blocking the afternoon sun from my front window. In the summer, more often than not, there are little children dangling from the branches, dropping to the ground and rolling down the hill. In the winter, the branches dance in the wind, creating shadows on the ground below.
But in the fall, the tree is at it's finest. The leaves start to turn with a bright orange and red glow and for a few short days, the tree seems to shine with an inner light. As the winds begin to blow, the leaves let go of their delicate connection and drift down the hill. And before you know it, the tree is bare once again, gently waving in the wind, waiting for the snow, waiting for the ice and waiting once again for the tiny green leaves.

A Tiny Square of Paper

I am headed to Williamsburg this weekend for a Women's Retreat with my church lady friends. Our theme is, " Go Down to the Potter's House and Be Remade as Seems Best to God". We are going to be doing some crafting while we are there and that sounds like lots of fun.
I was cutting paper last night for a new "paper quilt" and was playing with colors of paper, different values of the same patterns. The next one is probably going to be another cross pattern, I have a couple of ideas I want to work on...maybe I'll take my box of tiny squares of paper and get creative!

A Tiny Little Girl

When one of my little preschoolers wants something, they usually say,
"Can I have?" in a tiny little voice. Hard to resist, epecially when they say,
"Please???"
And usually, what they are asking for is whatever crayon I am currently using or more snack. The crayon is an easy one, I don't mind sharing and more often than not, they are using please and thank you with regularity!
At snack time, I cut up some apples, some bananas, add some little crackers, cheerios, teddy grahams, an assortment for everyone. And like any group of children, some like everything, some only like one thing and they expect me to remember who likes what. Bear in mind that I am the mom of an only child, so remembering what eight little children like can be challenging!
When I first met some of the children, back in June, they would not eat their snack, but would wrap it up. When I asked them why they weren't eating it, more often than not, I would be told that they were taking it home to their mommy. Or a little sister or brother who didn't come to day camp that day. If I handed out lollipops, I would be asked for more to take home.
Now, some might say that this sounds greedy, but the reality is this. Most of the children came to America from a refugee camp. A camp where one family member might be given a handful of food for the whole family, for the whole day. If there was any extra food, it was shared, no matter what it was or how little was left.
At preschool, they have learned that there is always more and plenty to share, sometimes there is lots left over to take home, funny how that works out!
Last Sunday, Josephine came to church with her new baby, Agnes, who is ten days old. When I asked Josephine how many children she had, she said,
"Lots!"
She gently placed Agnes into my arms and as she opened her eyes and softly yawned, the first thing that came to my mind was...
"Can I have?"
Not to keep, but to hold, to nurture, to love, to watch her grow and maybe be a teacher to this Tiny Little Girl!!

A Tiny License Plate

Two of our cars sport license plates that identify my college of choice as The University of Tennessee. I got the plate " 8T6VOL" when I first moved to Virginia and it has been on the pre-baby sporty car, the mini van, the suv and is now on the car Bob drives. The other plate "UTVOL86" ( notice the clever use of the Great Seal of Virginia as the letter O, thanks to Larry Haun for this trick!) is on my convertible. Fun to drive, especially on a summer evening, driving home at dusk, the smell of fresh cut grass drifing by.
Anyway, someone asked me if I was going to change my plates in light of the disappointing football season this year. I was a little surprised by the question, because anyone who knows me, knows that I am not very athletic and didn't play football then or now, so I can't really take credit or blame for their record this year or any other year.
And, surprisingly, did not pick UT as my school of choice because of their football team! Or because I look so good in the color orange!
So, my loyalties are not tied to a school with a great team, a lovely campus or a cute mascot. My loyalties are tied to a school where I got an incredible education, made some life long friends and learned how to stand on my own.
I am thankful to my parents for making this possible, grateful indeed!
So, tag my car that I am a VOL, tag me as a Franklin, as an Edwards, as a Baptist, as a mom, as a friend, as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as an aunt, as a artist and I will remain loyal to those who have tagged me! Tag you're it!

A Tiny Silver Bus

I got a phone call yesterday that one of our friends was moving to Iowa in just a couple of hours. This family came to Fredericksburg from a refugee camp in the Congo almost two years ago. There is Sebastian, the dad, Nantoori, the mom, David, the oldest son, Emmanuel, the 19 year old son, Nanziza, the 12 year old daughter and Irakoze, the 6 year old son.
Sebastian and David have worked very hard, but our town has a really high cost of living ( being so close to D.C.) and it is hard for newcomer families to get ahead. Emmanuel, Nanziza and Irakoze are in school, learning English, making friends. Nanziza was in the Sunday School Class I taught last year and is an amazing young lady. Irakoze played on his first soccer team, The Rush, this fall and I loved to watch him play.
Emmanuel is a senior in high school and went to Passport Camp with our FBC youth group this summer and he and Chelsea have become great friends. They went to the Homecoming Dance at FA a few weeks ago and had lots of fun together.
So, when I got a call that Sebastian and Emmanuel were leaving to go to Iowa, with the rest of the family following in a couple of months, I was stunned. Sebastian has a cousin in Des Moines, had gone there and found a job and it was time for a change.
I picked up Chelsea and went to their house after school to see them. Another friend, Thomas, translated Sebastian's words to me. That he loved the people in Fredericksburg, that he loved his friends, but he needed to go where he could support his family. And while I understand completely why he is going, my heart hurts to see my friends move away.
My heart was breaking as I watched Chelsea saying goodbye to her friend. And as her mom, I wanted to fix it, but I can't.
While we were there, another friend, Faraha, who lives here with her husband and five sons, said she too was going to Iowa...for a visit...and taking the youngest boy, Bosco. That didn't make any sense to me. Why would you ride three days on a bus, stay for five days and then come back. Seemed like an awful lot of traveling for a mom and baby. Later we were told that she was not coming back and the rest of her family was also going to Iowa. Her little boys have taken residence in my heart and I will miss them greatly. Bosco, the sweet baby, who mimics what I say in a funny southern accent. Alexi, who responds to Chelsea like no other, who is sweet and funny and started pre-school a couple of months ago. Manirakisa, who runs and hugs me whenever he sees me and also played soccer this season. Meshack, who lets me help him with his homework and loves to read to me. Wilson, the oldest son, who loves his brothers and takes care of them.
Seeing these friends board A Tiny Silver Bus and head off to a new life is hard. I pray that they will find a good life, meet new friends who will love them and the children as we have and traveling mercies as they begin a new journey.

A Tiny Silver Fork

Wednesday Night Supper at church. An activity that happens at churches all over the world. A chance to gather with church family in fellowship before going to Bible study classes, children's choir, discussion groups and prayer meeting.
Last Wednesday night, just as Janis, Keith, Mikayla, Judy, Dewey, Amber, Chelsea and I were finishing our meal and getting ready for the next activity, Jeanne stopped by our table and said she had a baby who needed to eat, could Janis take him? And of course, Janis opened her arms and Bosco held her tight. Someone got the high chair, a bowl of fruit, a drink, a fork and he was ready to go! Bosco's mom was sick and he and his four brothers came to church to eat. And they are a part of our family.
I love that we are all a part of God's family and when we sit down together, we become one family.
We share a meal, we share our lives, we share our love for Jesus!!! As I am far away from most of my Franklin Family, I am thankful for my Fredericksburg Family and look forward to fellowship and fun and a tiny silver fork.

A Tiny Sad Face

Election 2008.
Enough Said.

Phil Fulmer.
Enough Said.

A Tiny Envelope

Don't you just love to open the mailbox and find a letter,lovingly addressed just to you? Amongst the bills, circulars, political flyers, magazines, and solicitations, s letter pops out, cream colored envelope decorated with a drawing from an artist I love and admire. Gently opening the envelope, a card is revealed. It is a drawing from my niece, Halina. Using my mad skills as an art interpreter, the envelope is showing a house and a self-portrait of Halina, wearing a groovy dress and some kicky heels. The drawing on the card appears to be a picture of me, also wearing a groovy dress and an assortment of bracelets. Or, it might be Grandmother because there is what may be a golf club and golf ball in the picture!
Halina is four, but draws like an older child. Her figures have a torso, but no neck ( that comes later), two legs, two arms, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, hair, feet and fingers. Her people have feet drawn at different levels, depicting walking or action, which gives them perspective.
I think she is pretty talented, has a good use of color and filled the border area.
All in all, a delightful letter!
I like writing letters, sending cards, sharing news with my friends. I like visiting neat stationery stores, the feel of heavy card stock under a fine writing pen.
So, the next time you think about writing a note, instead of an e-mail, pick up your pen, get out your paper, address the envelope, apply your stamp and let your thoughts flow. I am sure the recipient will love opening the mailbox and finding A Tiny Envelope, just from you.