"One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Living With Gusto!



I am back from my week long trip to Pennsylvania where I spent a wonderful time with my daughter, son-in-law and precious grandchildren. Below are some of my favorite pictures I want to share with you.



My granddaughter, Ella and I in the pile of leaves.  Even with an injured knee, I couldn't say NO to this sweet and excited face when she asked the question, "grandma will you play in the leaves with me?"  There was just no way I was going to pass up making this memory with my granddaughter!  Not a chance!





And here is my adorable and handsome grandson, Ezra! One of my daughter's friends named Julie took this wonderful picture.  Isn't it just beautiful!! And those sweet rosy cheeks of his were soooooo kissable! For some reason every time grandma came around the corner to where he could see me, he would let out the cutest giggle you ever did hear!  I loved it!!!


After being with my beautiful daughter and family, I am ready to live life with gusto again.  I just needed my heartstrings Family-Fix first!  Being around my granddaughter who has such a vivid imagination (3 yrs old), I could'nt help but catch her exuberance for life attitude.  We adults often forget how to enjoy the small things in life that happen throughout our day and are cause for celebrations. Why do we do that?  Why do we forget how to find joy in simple everyday things?  Well, I hope you will join me this week in renewing that greatfulness and joy for life. Make a blessings list, and be a kid again. Try this while you are in the bathroom:  do a commercial for fun in front of the mirror and laugh at yourself afterwards, or spend some time with a child so you can let loose of your "adults don't do that" thinking.  Just have some fun.  I guarantee that in your presence, others will be smiling and maybe even laughing at life again because of your contagious spirit.


I recently read a story about Stan Toler, who grew up with his father reminding him to go out in his everyday life and live it as if
"SINGING ON THE TOP OF HIS TOES WITH GUSTO". 


I just love that word picture!  I can just see in my imagination a painting by Norman Rockwell, of a skinny and awkward looking boy, standing on his tippy toes, singing at the top of his lungs, with the expression on his face being that of pure JOY.  I hope you will join me this week in going out and living life on the tips of your toes and singing it with gusto! And if you do, sharing it with me in a comment would just make my day extra special! I might even do a cartwheel- ha! Okay, maybe not a cartwheel, but I'll be standing on my tippy toes and singing a song just for YOU!!   






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7 comments:

Farmgirl Paints said...

Love that... living life with Gusto! Great picture in my mind. Those grandbabies are adorable...wow:)

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Thank you Becky for your comment! I recieve lots of gusto power when I visit your blog at Farmgirl Paints! So much inspiration in your words. Thank you. And as I promised, I am singing a special song for you while on my tippy toes. The song for you is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

Smiles,
Lee Ann

Jess said...

Mom, if your knee weren't hurting you WOULD do a cartwheel! Seriously! I think mine was the only mom who could still do one in our backyard at the age of 40!:-) I never did learn how to do one so you have me beat!:-)

So glad you were able to visit! I missed you as you pulled away. I think the laundry room misses you, too, since you spent every nap time there!:-)

Love you!

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Jess,

I started missing you too, as soon as I pulled out of your driveway!

Okay Jess, since you left a comment,and as promised, I am singing a song just for you on my tippy toes. Can you hear it? I'm singing the first song you ever sang in church when you were age 3. Yes it is "MOMMY TOLD ME SOMETHING A LITTLE GIRL SHOULD KNOW". Hope it makes you smile.

Love you,
MOM

Wendy Blight said...

Thank you for leaving a comment on the P31 website about my devotional. Your words blessed me so as did your powerful story. I love how you saw God at work so clearly as time passed. Your story is a very encouraging one, and I pray you have the opportunity to share it often. Mental illness touches so many families!!

Thank you again for taking time to share your story. I am so thankful I stopped by your blog. You have an incredible smile...I can tell it lights up a room. And your grandaughter is beautiful!!

Blessings,

Wendy Blight
www.wendyblight.com

LisaShaw said...

So glad I was able to visit your blog today LeeAnn.

Loved the photos and your heart.

I look forward to visiting again.

Blessings upon you and your family.

Go live with gusto in JESUS Name!

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Lee Ann, and for leaving words of encouragement. Just wanted to say thanks and tell you I am following your blog and looking forward to hearing more from your encouraging heart. Have a blessed day!
Joyfully,
Wylie