Stone love and remembering jars

Friday's Grand Connection Fun
by Mary May Larmoyeux

Karen commented earlier this week that her daughter, Tara, tried to sell painted pet rocks when she was a little girl. "Actually," Karen said, "she was quite good at painting rocks."

I thought about Karen's comment when I opened up the September issue of Family Fun. Guess what one of the articles is called? "Stone Love"!

In this article, Barbara Rowley shares how her family has made a tradition of collecting interesting rocks and how they turn them into jewelry, art, games, mementos. etc. They've also played checkers with the stones, written special messages on them, and made a family hobby of looking for heart-shaped rocks.

I really like Barbara's ideas and would like to begin searching for heart-shaped stones with our grands. It would be fun to decorate and date them to remember special occasions and events, perhaps dropping them into a clear plastic jar.

Long-distance grands could collect and decorate their rocks in their own homes and drop them into "a remembering jar" when they visit "Grandma's house." Doing this could open up conversation and create special memories.

Of course, the idea of writing on rocks and using them to help us remember sure isn't new. Moses wrote the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets (Deuteronomy 4:13).

And "Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, What do these stones mean? tell them, Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground...'" (Joshua 4:20-22).

Have a great weekend,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Artsandsoul | Dreamstime.com

What Really Matters?

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux


Marybeth Curtis wrote in her poem, "The Measure of a Man" that:

The measure of a man is not only measured by feet and inches,
but his ability to encourage others to grow.

The strength of a man is measured not by brawn and muscle,
but by silently suffering in the face of adversity.

The wisdom of a man is measured not in the cost of formal education,
but through priceless advice from years of life's experiences.

The faith of a man is measured not by mighty sermons preached,
but by a humble life of Christ's example.

The love of a man is measured not by costly gifts or earthly treasures,
but by freely giving of himself and his prayers for an eternity with family
and friends.

I think that Marybeth's words are good reminders for all of us ... regardless of age. As grandparents we have an opportunity to invest in the next generation and model what really matters in life.

What do you want to model for your grandkids? What did your grandparents model for you?

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
"The Measure of a Man" © Marybeth Curtis. All rights reserved.
Photo © Suzanne Tucker/Agency: Dreamstime.com

Playhouses and Forts

Friday's Grand Connection Fun
by Mary May Larmoyeux

I just love playhouses and forts. What about you? Do they bring back any special memories?

My Dad and brother built a wonderful kid-sized log cabin when I was a child. My memory bank was filled with leisurely times in the "perfect cabin"—one built with neatly cut and stacked logs. Well, that picture came crashing down a few years ago when I saw a picture of our fort. Many of the logs didn't even line up. In reality, that didn't matter to a little girl in her make-believe world. It was perfect to me.

Our children used to make forts out of sheet-covered chairs, and they also built a tree house using boards and who knows what. Part of it still remains in our backyard today.

It's funny to think that I had absolutely no problem with the kids climbing high into the trees years ago, hanging on for dear life as they made their tree house. It's a lot harder for me to imagine letting our grandkids do this, but in a few years they just might repeat their fathers' legacy.

On another note, I saw a picture of the cutest "eco-friendly playhouse" in the August 2009 issue of Family Fun. It's not only a recyclable playhouse for toddlers, but also an art canvas for their older brothers and sisters.

And when I googled "make a playhouse," I discovered some directions for a playhouse made of pine (4 feet long by 3 feet wide and 4.5 feet tall). I just printed out the instructions because it looks like a great project for Pops to make. Wonder what he'll think?

Finally, for long-distance grands, we could order a recyclable playhouse and have it mailed directly to their home. Or, we could mail or e-mail directions for a pine playhouse.

Have a great weekend,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Oscarcwill.../Dreamstime.com.

Encouragement: Scribbler Award

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

"Encourage me," said author William Arthur Ward, "and I will not forget you."

Sharon Ball (who writes the wonderful blog A Break from the Norm) sure surprised me last week when she presented The Grand Connection a Superior Scribbler award. Sharon encouraged me ... on a day when I needed some encouraging, I might add.

Before I announce my Superior Scribbler awards, allow me to share the guidelines:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Drumroll, please!

I'd like to present the Superior Scribbler award to (in alphabetical order):

Blessed Journal: I love reading the legacy stories that blogger Karen Jordan and others share.

Culture Watch: FamilyLife writers blog on what's happening in the world concerning two things that are close to my heart—marriage and family.

Experiencing Each Moment: Blogger Alica transparently shares her experiences with SPD (sensory processing disorder), Navy Life, great books, Cystic Fibrosis, and her many roles.

FamilyLife Mom Blog: This blog is written by moms, for moms. I love to read about their joys, sorrows, and special "mom" moments.

My Book Therapy: This is a great blog for those learners who love to write. Award-winning authors Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, and Sarah Anne Sumpolec are blogging a book in 2009.

Thanks, again, Sharon, for the encouragement! As William Arthur Ward said, "I will not forget you."

And grandparents, may you and I be intentional about encouraging our grandkids. After all, encouragement is a priceless gift that not only connects hearts, but also legacies.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © by US Fish and Wildlife Service.