Florida friends , family and treasures

 

I know that the things in my life that mattered the most were never really things at all, yes there have been things I’ve loved but usually small gifts or kindnesses that couldn’t be measured as earthly wealth. My grandma in Michigan was one of the richest ladies I’ve known but she was not wealthy in earthly things. She raised 8 girls and 2 boys in hard times when there was not as much help as is available today. My mom said they got oranges and special food for Christmas but the Salvation Army gave them toys. Perhaps that’s why grandma joined the Salvation Army years later. Grandma had the best hugs and kisses and her voice was the sweetest. She could make you feel really special. She liked to give off what she had, sometimes cookies or a can of soda. She’d send her English homemade saffron rolls with raisins home with me. My grandma and grandpa loved to cook and bake together.

There are also special people who come into our life’s who become family, people who you genuinely connect with and grow to really care for. Since my son Justin and his family have moved to Lakeland Florida they have also gotten to know our friend Terri. Last night we all went out for pizza and enjoyed good food. Later at her home we told stories and laughed so hard we cried sometimes. Those grandchildren of ours surely can be entertaining. Thanks Terri for your wonderful hospitality. Hope we didn’t tire you too much that’s a whole lot of energy at once. Vinny and Casper hid for awhile lol! Smart 🐱 🐈 cats!

I was able to meet up with my cousin Cindy at Clearwater Beach. She grew up in northern Michigan like me. Her and her husband recently retired and moved to Florida so I have lots of family in Florida!

They were tired of shoveling Michigan snow and now take walks on white sand beaches. Feels wonderful to experience these kinds of days in January.

We had a fun day!