Marvelous Recipes

As most of you know, if you have been a follower of my blog, I am a self-employed childcare provider. Over the years, as children I have cared for have grown up and gone on to preschool or kindergarten or moved away due to their parents having to relocate, I have received some lovely parting gifts as an expression of their appreciation. Today,I would like to share one of the most touching gifts I have ever been given by a child and his parents.

Little A J came to me when he was a little past one year old. He is now five and ready for kindergarten. A J is a very loving, lively, energetic and imaginative young man! Although I will miss seeing his sweet smile and hearing of his many childhood adventures, I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know him and watch him grow and develop. Oh, did I mention that he is extremely smart too? But then I could be just a little bit prejudiced in that area!!

• Here is a picture of A J taken recently when he and his family were on vacation at the beach! Isn’t he quite the little man?

A J’s mom, Alisia, wrote this lovely poem, designed the background and put it in this lovely frame. I will always cherish this gift, not just for the beautiful words, but because it was a gift of love that came from the heart.

Thank you for the last 5 years
for always being there
Thru the joy and the tears.

Someone we could trust with our little bundles of joy
Without a worry
Someone who would care for our little girls and boys.

Early in the morning we would arrive
Day after day we would go to work
Knowing that you would love and protect our
precious prides.

Feeding them, cleaning them, teaching them too
Correcting them, loving them and kissing their booboos.
Getting them through those terrible twos.

Helping through the hard times
always supporting through the good
no matter what came up
you always understood.

Today we want to Thank You more than ever before
and let you know we really appreciate
all your hard work, love, support and oh so much more!

You have been there through the thick and the thin
Someone we could trust with our children
a part of our family until the end.

You will always have a special place in our hearts
Our children love you and will never forget
in their lives, you have played an important part.

THANK YOU MS. EMILY

I don’t have to tell you how bad things are in our world today. It’s broadcast loud and clear for anyone who is listening and watching. But in the midst of all the chaos and suffering, a lot of loving is going on as well! I am amazed at the generosity we humans are capable of. We just love to help others in any small way we can and in most cases it’s the “little things” that really count! I’d like to share with you today one of those “little things” that has blessed my life in the past week.

As many of you already know, my husband was recently laid off from his job of 15+ years. It has been especially difficult for him, I guess because as the head of the household he feels especially obligated to provide for his family, even if that means just me and himself. I try to encourage him to be positive but sometimes I don’t feel so positive myself. At our stage of life, we are thinking retirement, not unemployment!

It was during one of my “not so positive” moments that I received an email from a dear and very special friend I met on the web. Pam, also known as Screaming Mimi has been through some extremely difficult times and through it all I have yet to hear a word of self-pity come from her mouth! She has a wonderful blog in which she will make you laugh a lot and sometimes cry a little. She has been such a joy to me and I would heartily advise all of you to pay her a visit! Be sure to tell her that I sent you!

Now, back to the email Pam sent me. She had received a copy of a great book called “50 Ways to Feel Great Today” to review and one for a giveaway on her blog. I didn’t win her giveaway but after hearing of my difficulties, she took it upon herself to get a copy and send it to me in the hopes it would cheer me up. Is that sweet or what?! Thank you Pam! This book has some wonderful strategies to help anyone beat stress, worry and the blues. I would recommend this book to anyone who is going through stressful situations.

Receiving this special gift from a special friend was the highlight of my day! Sometimes, all we need is to know that someone genuinely cares about us and what we are going through! They may not be able to take away our problems but just knowing they care somehow lifts the clouds a little higher and let’s the sun shine through! Thank you again Pam, not only for the book but for being the wonderful person that you are. I hope one day to be able to meet you in person and give you a big hug!

Emily