Greetings

Hello Hatters,

Lots of people have traditions that warm the soul. I have one to share tonight that lit up my heart. Normally, when my grammybabies and I get together, within the first few minutes we all gather together and say in unison, “It makes my heart happy to see you!” Sometimes, we’re on the phone and we’re not physically together so we say, “It makes my heart happy to hear you!”

We were so happy to see each other today that we didn’t say our traditional saying. Instead, my lovely granddaughter said to me, “Grammy, you know when you told me other grandmothers do things differently than you do? Other grandmothers cook and bake; you told me that you feel bad about not doing those things, but I like you just the way you are! You be the Grammy you’re supposed to be!” That was her greeting to me as I stepped into their apartment. Then she gave me a big hug. I’m not sure what brought on such a beautiful greeting, but I was so touched. I think I smiled all the way down to my toes.

It was a lovely evening of sharing a meal, playing games, baking cookies with my daughter and grammybabies. We watched the Animal Crossing fire works together on our separate Nintendo Switches. Three people on the same island with bobbles on our heads, balloons in our hands, and smiles on our faces. In Animal Crossing, my daughter taught me how to buy turnips at a low price to sell on Wednesday at a high price. The currency is bells. I like bells! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that’s ok. I’ll need help from another visit with more family! I’m learning.

As I left the apartment complex, my daughter walked me out to my car and her phone rang; it was her husband who asked for my daughter to put the phone on speaker. The grammybabies were on the speaker saying, “Grammy, we forgot to say it!” I told them that we were just so happy to see each other we got distracted. I asked them if they were ready to say it before I left and they said, “YES!” My grandson said, “We have to say, “It makes my heart happy to hear you!” I said ok and we proceeded to fulfill our traditional greeting. Now they could go to sleep. Such beauty in their love for their Grammy. I felt a balm of pure acceptance in my heart, that heart that wobbles from time to time.

I am a writer who wears many hats just like you; we all have our ups and our downs. Today was a great day to be me. Greetings came with a message of it’s ok to be me, followed by family time and the traditional greeting of “It makes my heart happy....”

As I drove home, I called a friend who shares the same faith walk as me and we talked about the ministry for the person in front of us. Sometimes, I have a message to give, but tonight I GOT a message from my family. I am loved as I am. What a treat! Speaking of treats, I brought home some cowboy cookies with raisins... my favorite.

Just remember, sometimes we bring a message and sometimes, we get a message. We just have to listen for the sharing or the giving. I’ll cherish today’s special greeting…

MT Penny