Life is Good.....

Over the past few days my thoughts have drifted towards the life I have created for myself. Most of the reflection was focused on the many changes which have taken place in my life in recent years. Some of these changes include moving to northern Kentucky, divorce, grandchildren, graduating from college, career advancement and the many new friends I have made along the way. For the most part all of these changes have been very positive and have brought forth much growth in every manner of my life. Life is all about growth right?

But the past few days I have given much thought to the things that make life interesting, exciting, happy, worth living...to name only a few descriptions. Does this list include the expensive cars we purchase, the huge house in the great neighborhood, the beautiful clothes, prestigious job? Perhaps it does, this has been where my reflections have taken me of recent.

This past weekend I decided to walk across the Purple People Bridge, which connects the state of Kentucky and the state of Ohio. And yes, I have a photo for you, check it out below...with the City of Cincinnati in the background.

Anyway, I walked across the bridge and made my way to the Serpentine Wall. You can see the Serpentine Wall in the photo....down on the Ohio River. My friend and I sat there for a very long time enjoying meaningful conversation, the surroundings, Kentucky on one side and Ohio on the other, the boats speeding through the water and even the diverse and interesting people, even couples, walking by. It was here that I started to realize what really make life worthwhile.

I love life and even though there have been more bumps along the way than I care to discuss, I still consider my life as good. I love being able to go to the gym most days, I love being with my children and grandchild, even our conversations on Skype, I love spending time with my friends and talking to the many new people I meet daily with my job since I am in sales. I could continue this list but I think it is safe to say it simply, I love life.

Last night during my short run at the gym a friend that I occasionally run with was there. He decided to run with me, which was a good thing because he pushes me to the limit! I love it! Anyway, he likes to ask me questions, and sometimes the questions provoke thought. One of the questions he asked me last night was, "What is your favorite thing about life?" With all of the pondering I have done on this subject over the past few days I was more than ready to answer this question and of course a Mom and Grandmother instantly says their children, grandchildren, etc...but I continued the list until finally he said, "Wow Jeannie, your life is good!"

I may not have all the niceties in life that many people have and at times I get lonely...but I have reached a point in my life where I can honestly say, "Life is Good!" Love it, live it....long for more!

The Miracle called "Skype"

I grew up in a very small town in southeastern Kentucky. My life was simple and I am grateful for that. Check out the picture of a small portion of my beautiful family.

During my childhood, and yes this ages me, there were no cell phones, no computers in school or at home, no internet, no Facebook, no Twitter and certainly no iPods. We did have a game where you could play ping-pong on the television...but I don't even remember the name of the game.

My favorite part of my childhood was the fact that I grew up really knowing my family. On my Dad's side of the family all of my aunts and uncles and cousins lived next door. We went to the same school and for the most part played together most days. My Grandmother lived among us as well...and this was great to say the least!!! When I reflect back on this I have such fond memories of running in and out of her house, especially during the summer, and on top of that she was a fantastic cook!!!

My Mom's side of the family was a little more scattered but many of them, including me and my siblings, would meet at my Mom's Mothers on Sunday, we called her "Mamaw Dorton," for dinner. Nothing better than Sunday family dinners and Mamaw Dorton's cooking!

However, in today's world it seems like families are becoming more and more spread out. I moved away from my hometown 20 years ago. That was difficult for me in the beginning but as time passed I found ways to deal with the absence of family. Now my son has followed suit and left the nest...only his new home is a couple of thousand miles away...in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has blessed me with a beautiful granddaughter and I am expecting my second one in February. Thanks Matty! Of course I have to include a picture....check it out.

Learning to make the most of life and family, while not experiencing the next door family has been and continues to be a challenge for me. I try to do all that I can to stay in touch, especially with my little princess granddaughter, but this has not been easy. But thank goodness times are progressing and there are miracles among us!

My recent technique for staying in touch is Skype. I absolutely love it! I Skype with Brooklyn a couple of times a week for a few minutes. Brooklyn, even at 2 years old, knows what Skype is. For those out there who may not know about Skype...you should know that it is absolutely free and when downloaded onto your computer allows you to speak with someone, as well as, see them visually on the computer. You can get your free download at http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home. Completely free!

As Brooklyn has grown and gotten to the point that she speaks clearly Skype has become more and more fun. Recently we had a great conversation about her toes. She kept saying Grandma, Grandma look at my toes. Of course the high chair tray was in her way and she said Dad move the tray, move the tray. She then proceeded to remove her shoes and socks to show me her nicely painted toe nails...they were purple! She told me about her Aunt Emily painting her toes. This was great for me to be able to hear her story about her toe painting experience.

There have been many other such times along the way with Brooklyn and Skype. She blows me kisses, makes funny faces, giggles, sometimes cries, makes a mess and cleans between her toes...sometimes all during one Skype conversation! Below is a picture of Brooklyn in her high chair talking to me on Skype...check out the cute smile! I took this photo utilizing Skype during one of our conversations.

For anyone out there who longs for their family give Skype a try! It is definitely worth it! You may miss out on the physical touches of your loved ones...but you can stay in touch and be part of their life. Nothing warms your heart more than to turn on the computer, utilize Skype and hear a sweet voice say, "Hi Grandma." :-) Life is good!

What Kind of Grandma Will I Be???

Wow!! I feel like I have been on the roller coaster of life for the past couple of weeks! Everything has been fast-paced with lots of new life situations being thrown my way. It has been a great time...but I think the time has come to slow down for a few days and to perhaps let everything sink in.

The grandest news of course is the fact that I will be having my first grandchild in September of this year. I have anticipated this day for a long time. The anticipation is wonderful but it has provoked much thought within me.

Recently, at one of my church meetings a lady said to me, "So, since you are going to be a Grandma are you going to learn to knit?" I was a little taken back by such a comment and the very thought of knitting repulsed me. My response was, "No way." But I will say....this question make me search and ponder the kind of Grandma I want to be.

I was raised in a small town in southeastern Kentucky and I like to think that I have outgrown that small town; however, while I may have moved on intellectually, spirtually, professionally and personally...the values I was raised with are still embedded deep inside me. As I watch the values of the world deterioriate around me I feel concerned for my grandchild. I hope to be the kind of Grandma that can exemplify and teach the values I was raised with and those I found later in life to my grandchild, which remains nameless at this point...only known as Baby Porter.

So back to the question, "What Kind of Grandma Will I be?" I hope to start by being a loving Grandma...one who exemplifies goodness and love. As I have reared my children I have always had a rule in the back of my head, one that was actually shared by one of my dearest friends, one she lived by, and that was to never do anything to embarass your children. Of course, I have tried hard to live by that rule and hope to continue to do so for my grandchild. Example means everything!

I also want to be a Grandma that has a lot of fun involved in the visits with the grandchildren. That would involve hiking, baseball, perhaps hockey, museums, swimming, movies, sharing great books, plays...the list goes on. I am not one to sit idly by and let the world pass me by...and there are so many things I want to show and teach my grandchild....where we have moments of fun and memories together.

The list goes on and I could never put everything into this brief blog...but everyone should know the love I already feel for something so small...is incredible and undeniable.

The Lord has granted me a wonderful opportunity by allowing me to be called Grandma. How thankful I am for this opporunity...and the many moments of love to come! I look forward to developing my role as a Grandmother and for the joy and pleasure this new human being will bring to my life. I hope to be a Grandmother who returns the favor!