Anxiously Awaiting...

I'm still getting everything ready to go. Can anyone say last minute? Ah well, I think I work well with organizing when I am on a time limit, and a short one at that. I have confidence all will be well and I will get everything done that I need to. Mom and Dad are coming to pick up Andy and me around 3pm to begin the drive to Albert Lea, MN where we will eat with Uncle Peter and Aunt Sandy. Then Andy and I are on to Farmington, MN to stay at the Rest Well Hotel for the night. HAPPY NEW YEAR! From there it's wake up early, drive to the airport, be there by 8:45am, and depart for my first stop in Newark at 10:45am. The time is finally here and I am excited! It truly is hard to believe that I am going to be in Ireland in just a matter of days. Oh, the things I will see.

Why I am "Drinking From My Saucer"

My grandmother, Oma, or more fondly known as Mam-Maw, was a phenomenal woman; a woman who gave of herself constantly, whether it be for her children, her husband, or her friends. When she passed away this past spring, the emotions were strong as we all mourned the loss of a beautiful life. Mam-Maw, though, I know, was not mourning. Mam-Maw was ready, confident of where her spirit would lead her. Everything was prepared before her passing because of her "have to be ready" attitude, including having a few poems that she had written available to her family and friends. One she had written called "Drinking From My Saucer" is my personal favorite. It is a poem that really speaks to who Mam-Maw was and reminds me of my incredibly fortunate place in this life. The poem is as follows:

Drinking From My Saucer
by Oma Holt

I've never made a fortune, And it's prob'ly too late now.
But I don't fret about that much; It's too late anyhow.

As I go along life's journey, I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed!

I don't have lots of riches, and sometimes the going's rough;
But I've got five kids that love me; and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for His blessings and the mercy He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed!

I remember times when things went wrong; my faith got a
little thin.
Then all at once the dark clouds broke; the sun peeked through again.

Lord, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed!

And, if God gives me strength and courage when the way
grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings; I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy to help another bear his load.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed!

Thus, I have vowed to always remember that I, too, am drinking from the saucer my overflowed cup sits upon. There are so many things that I have to be grateful for, my Mam-Maw being one of them. Wherever you are, Mam-Maw, thank you for reminding me that I am so lucky.