When I look in the mirror,

Oh, what do I see?

I see the image of my Soul,

Staring back at me.

It's not a beauty queen,

Nor an ogre girl;

Just something in-between;

Like an uncultured pearl.

For the image that I see,

Is deeper than the glass;

It's what's inside my Soul,

My body, I see right past.

Some of you see your flaws,

Others of you see a need;

To change your appearance,

But I, see a Spirit to feed.

If I am made in His image,

I can only hope to see;

When I get to Heaven,

God smiling back at me!

Donna Askew

January 19, 2013

Hat of Many Colors

I was thinking of all the hats my mom had and how she always wore one when playing golf. I know she used them as a shield from the sun, but that was not their only purpose. When she did something, she did it all the way! She gave it 110 %!  She dressed the part, learned the rules, the etiquette, watched the pros, played with vigor!  She was always courteous, letting those who played faster or a smaller group play around her. She would invite anyone who was playing alone to join her. She never threw her clubs or cursed a bad stroke she made. In all, she was the perfection of a sportsman....or sportswoman in this case. Here is a poem I found while cleaning out her house after she died tucked away in a cookbook....of all places. There were about 100 copies of it, as if she were going to pass it out at a WGA (Woman's Golf Association) event.

I am a golfer, a "real" golfer,

With a desire to prove it so;

I'll obey the rules as taught to me,

And learn those I do not yet know.

I'll be kind and considerate to beginners,

A good example, I pledge to set;

And as a "real" golfer,

There are things I'll try to never forget.

Like: The marshals are the starters friends,

With only a job to do;

Therefore, I'll yield to their "on course rules",

As any "real" golfer will do.

I'll teach my slow playing buddies,

The art of keeping the pace;

I'll repair any ball mark I make,

Any divot I'll promptly replace.

I'll treat the pros in the pro shop,

With the proper respect of the day;

For it is they who have made possible,

This wonderful game that we play.

I'll count my strokes fairly and squarely,

No cheating, in any way;

For sand bagging is much like stealing,

And is sure to haunt you someday.

I'll observe the wonders of nature,

Protecting what the Lord has created;

I'll bask in each round He allows me,

And all blessings therein delegated.

I'll invite into my threesome,

Any single who straggles up;

And I'll never, ever use my putter,

To retrieve my ball from the cup.

I'll not drag my feet 'cross the greens,

Oh, what a mess that makes;

Or drive a cart onto par threes,

Never---for goodness sakes!

I promise not to hit into others,

It's a dangerous thing to do;

I beg you to refrain form doing that, also,

Would you like it done to you?

I'll remember that golf was designed,

To be a sporting, gentleman's game;

Pledging to conduct myself,

In a manner resembling the same.

Now, that I've been to the driving range,

And tested the practice green;

I'm ready to tee up my ball,

And see if I can get in eighteen.

So, with all of the above in mind,

The picture I'd like to portray;

Is an honest, considerate, consummate "real" golfer,

Even though it's not very well that I play.

written by :   Peggy Faulk Ellender

   

Mom's Hats

I've hung them all,
Each and every one;
On this very wall,
In rememberence of your fun.

You wore them with such grace,
Sporting each one with pride;
They adorned your sweet face,
Your honor true and tried.

Oh! Your head these hats veiled,
While on the  course you played;
You're sportsmanship excelled,
Never faltering either way.

I've heard many a story,
From friends on the course, and off too;
Their enamore of your grace and glory,
And what they thought of you.

You left a legacy here,
Not soon forgotten by those;
Who to many you were so dear,
Surely our God  knows!

Today I sent you on your way,
Your soul gone ahead;
It wasn't easy to let you go,
I want you here instead.
In a better place you are.
I know this to be true;
I'd still wish upon a star,
To have more time with you.

For my mom  Dec 14 2012

Respect~the other act of love

Respect is hard one for me. I want it, need it, and definately expect it from my husband, children, grandchildren, friends, family members, piers, co-workers, etc. We all want it. We should be quick to give it...though we don't always. The bible says "Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace,by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence (respect) and godly fear (respect).  Heb 12:28    Today, I will make a covenant with God to respect my fellow man, especially my husband. I am so guilty of not showing my husband the respect God wants me to show. There is no one besides God that we should show more respect than the person we are married to. We took a vow before God to "love and respect", the two should go together. You  cannot show one without the other. How can you love a man or woman you do not respect?

Wow! I cannot believe it has almost been almost two years since I blogged! As I was reading past posts, I thought, who wrote these? LOL This was a very wise woman...This woman is pretty smart! LOL I had to recheck to make sure they were MY blogs. Now I am wondering where did all my wisdom go? Where did my faith falter? When did I lose all that confidence? Where has all my joy gone? Have I allowed the devil in to steal my joy? Has lack of control over circumstances stolen my confidence? Has my wisdom turned into the unknown? This woman had it together! Where is she now?!!! 
Well, a lot has happened. Life changing experiences. Some I will share, some not. Most recently, I lost my Mom, friend, confident. I still have a hard time believing it's real. I pick up the phone to call her...only to remember she won't answer. I think, I have to go by Mom's for this or that...only to remember, she's not there. Every day is a new reminder that I will never see her on this earth again. I miss her so much!
My eldest daughter and her son moved in with us a few months ago. As much as I love my children, it is an adjustment for everyone when two families live in the same household. Especially when they have children of their own. 
In March of 2011, I lost my step-father. He was a wonderful man. The epitome of a gentleman. He put my mother up on a pedal-stool and treated her with the up-most respect. I don't think she was ever happy after he died. She missed him very much. It hurt to see her so sad and lonely for him.

Today I thought I would fill you in on the last two years. It's been pretty much a roller coaster ride. I am hoping we are coming to the smooth part. I know God has been with me through it all, else I would not have made it. I think now I will pull my boots up by the straps and continue on. For if God be for me, who can be against me?