"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Tuesdays Show and Tail . . .


PLEASE JOIN ME AT ANGELA'S SHOW AND TAIL - WHERE WE SHARE OUR ANIMAL STORIES!



This is still grandson's birthday week - we have been celebrating for a month now - today is his real birthday - 10. We went to the zoo yesterday with some friends. We met Richard and Ian when the GS was in preschool and just became friends right away and have been friends ever since. His wife is the GS doctor and Richard is Mr. Mom.
When we first moved here in 1986 - I have to say the zoo was a joke - it had nothing and was expensive to get in. We were comparing it with the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago that was free and totally awesome.
The zoo now after all these years is quite decent now. Gs and friend.
GS and Grandpa
GS taking over Grandpa's camera - !
This one is for my friend Linda at Ala Carte as she loves Flamingo's.
The boys have sure matured (!) since they were 3 years old. They were both talking instead of running!
The bat cave with the Lion.
My friend.
GS in picture and friend with the hat on.
See the lion on top of the rock - I like to put people I know in with pictures - almost missed the lion.
Now this is Kelly - there are a few elephants and I know this is Kelly because she has no hair coming from the end of her tail - she was sick a couple of years ago and and the medicine made it fall out!
Kelly and friend.
Okay well enough of that.


I want to tell you a story. My friend Susan at Writing From The Heart asked me is I wanted her to call the grandson and sing Happy Birthday to him on the phone. She had done it for me and the GS has listened to her sing it to me since 2/27 - daily - and more than once. So she called him and sang it to him. You should have seen his face. There was a smile across his entire face. He L O V E D it and we will be listening to this for a long time to come.


Remember a week or two ago when we talked about free gifts that are more valuable than monetary ones? This is an example of one. Not everyone can sing - I admit - I couldn't do this at all - it is not in me - but I have other gifts and so do you!


Now I am not saying poor GS - because he is not - he has lots of grandma's - friends of mine - that love him and compensate for things in so many ways. But his own dad - no gift. I just wonder how in the world he reconciles this in his heart and wonder the effect it will have on the grandson one day - don't think he will feel too bad about himself as we are trying to keep the self confidence in check - but no promises on what he will think of his earthly father.


And Linda from Ala Carte gave him a frog. Sue from RUE MOUFFETARD always remember the GS with Star Wars items and candy.


And probably more and I my mind can't remember - and then I have friends too that remember him. So it is all good.


My lesson I learned from today is this - even when you think your gift is nothing - give it - it may mean more to that person then you think!


Love,

chatty

"My mind is the key that sets me free." ~ Harry Houdini

25 comments:

The Boston Lady said...

Happy Birthday to your lucky GS! He has the best cheerleader in the world, his grandma! Ann

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Happy Birthday to GS!! I was hoping my first Grandson would be born today...so far nothing going on! Oh well! I am glad you had such a great time yesterday. THANK YOU for the photo of the Flamingo! it surprised me and made me so happy. Lots of love to you and GS. I hate that his Dad has not remembered him. Sad! At least he is well loved by so many, including me! hugs, Linda

Terra said...

You are so right that if you want to give even a tiny gift, give it. Even a compliment can give someone a smile.

Kim said...

Happy Birthday to your GS. He is blessed to have such a loving Grandma. Loved all the pics except for the flamingo. They looks so sweet and kind but my first trip to Disney when I was 10 - one almost bit my finger off. Now they freak me out - LOL

Ginny Hartzler said...

Rock on!! I think you should party all month!! Tell your grandson for me Happy Birthday and tell him the girls will be all over him in a few years!! Love the zoo pictures. We have no zoo nearby, only a drive thru one an hour away.

Along These Lines ... said...

Luv the fridge magnet toon!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Happy Birthday to your GS!

Love the flamingo shot. They are such cool birds...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Melanie said...

Happy Birthday to your GS! I'm so glad you're such a big part of his life. He's blessed. :)

Anonymous said...

I am with your grandson ~ it is a birthday MONTH!

Happy Birthday to your GS!!!!

Carol

nanniepannie said...

Looks like a great time all the way around. What a fun way to spend the day.

Anonymous said...

Hey Friend,give that GS a birthday kiss from me.
And sorry I can't think about anything but "Randy the fridge magnet eater",bahahaha.
Hey did yall get much wind?
It blew a pine tree and some other smaller trees down,come on over for a visit and check it out.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Tanna said...

One thing for sure, Sandie, he is going to know his grandparents adore him! That counts for so much... to have love. It is the greatest gift. blessings ~ tanna

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Happy birthday to your GS.
I think the day at the zoo looked wonderful and fun!
love
tweedles

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...Awwwww, great post. Fabulous photos. The magnet joke was a hoot and a half.

So happy you all had a wonderful birthday so far for GS. He is a doll. But don't forget, today is only April 5th. You've got to celebrate the whole MONTH! ha! Susan

Mevely317 said...

Happy Birthday Andy!
With all the love surrounding him, I pray his dad's missing piece doesn't weigh on his heart.

10's a veeeeery important age, don't you agree? (I still remember waking up all those years ago and exaulting over the fact I was TWO digits old. LOL!)

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Sandie, Happy Birthday to your sweet GS..what a shame his dad does not remember him on his special day, but glad he has his grandma and lots of love.

Love the flamingo, and Randy the magnet eating dog reminds me of my doxie Halo. Chubby!!

hugs
Barb

Buttercup said...

Happy Birthday, Andy! I hope your year is as much fun as your birthday week. He is a lucky birthday guy. He has a grandmother who has a wonderful nature and the gift of friendship. I guess I'm lucky, too!

sandy said...

Our grandsons share the same birthday..Jake's is today...

congrats.

great photos and love that cartoon...hahaha.

betty said...

Happy Birthday (officially) to GS! It sounds like the zoo was fun and there are lots of nice animals there to see! Glad they built it up a bit. We have the San Diego Zoo here (of course LOL) that used to be free for kids under 15 and free on Mondays a lot of the time when I was growing up, then they started to really charge a lot; it is sad; zoos if possible need to be free for all to enjoy them!

What a neat gift with the happy birthday song from Susan!

betty

Linda O'Connell said...

The love you have for your grandson is palpable. Great photos.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What fun! Also, I will be arriving in June, to celebrate my birthday month ;-)

Pat MacKenzie said...

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sounds like your GS has a very loving 'village' raising him. Happy birthday sweet boy.

I phone my kids on their birthday and sing the birthday song to them...and they're all in their 30s. They complain if I don't. My singing is terrible, but it's the remembering they love.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Happy Birthday, G.S.!!! We still Love going to the zoo, even though my boys are grown! :-)

Have a Beautiful day!
Hugs,
Coreen XOXO

Angela said...

Happy Birthday Andy!

Sorry I'm late but I've had a lot of problems with electric and internet services since Monday.

Looks like everyone had a great time at the zoo! I wish we had one close by us but we don't. Loved that pink flamingo too! I'm not sure if I've ever seen one in person before. Thanks for taking us along with you on your birthday fun!

Tuesdays' Show & Tail!
Angela

Sharon said...

Loved the pictures! You know how I'm a huge GS fan!

Very sorry about his dad. I cannot account for some people. I pray that the Heavenly Father fills the empty hole in GS's heart - for He will never disappoint.

Give what's in your heart - it's the best gift of all. Yes, I so agree...