From the Stillness. . ..

A happy Saturday to you, sweet friends!

It is a beautiful, yet chilly day here at Merry Hearts Cottage, and we are spending the day ALONE! Mr. Graham and the children have all gone to visit in another state, and I shall be spending two days to myself, which I have not done since being married. Let me tell you, it's a little quieter around here! A little TOO quiet!

It has already been a blessing for me, though, to be able to appreciate just how wonderful it is to have the noises, little and big, each day of my life. The laundry, the dishes, and the books and bits of paper around the house have even been comforting things, reminding me just how much love there is contained in this little house, and how blessed I am to be at this point in my life.

May I remember these things the next time I feel overwhelmed with the little daily annoyances and interruptions!

I have been recording a tape of poetry for the children to listen to while they go to sleep at night, from a very old book I was blessed to find at the thrift store yesterday. I have made a few tapes here and there of books, poetry, and song, for the times when I cannot spend alone time with them, and they really love them. Some of my most treasured possessions are a few cassette tapes that my father made while dying of cancer, with his life story and the cowboy songs he loved to sing.

If you can spare a little time, I would encourage you to record your life history in your own voice, for your posterity, and make copies to keep in a safe place~ And to record the older members of the family, before they pass on to where we can hear their voices no more. You will be glad you did!

I have also been reading a book printed in the early 1900s by Dr. Mary R. Melendy, called "The Perfect Woman". Maybe I'll be perfect by the time everyone returns tomorrow evening, if I'm lucky ;) !



Here is an excerpt that I think you would like:

"Woman's Love Stronger Than Death"

Woman's love is stronger than death; it rises superior to adversity, and towers in sublime beauty above the niggardly selfishness of the world. Misfortune cannot suppress it; enmity cannot alienate it; temptation cannot enslave it. It is the guardian angel of the nursery and the sick bed; it gives an affectionate concord to the partnership of life and interest; circumstances cannot modify it; it ever remains the same to sweeten existence, to purify the cup of life on the rugged pathway to the grave, and melt to moral pliability the brittle nature of man. It is the ministering spirit of home, hovering in soothing caresses over the cradle, and the death-bed of the household, and filling up the urn of all its sacred memories.

Isn't that beautiful? May we strive to be true to the standard which the Good Lord has given us as women and homemakers, or whatever our lot in life.

A blessed weekend to you,

From the quiet cottage of

Marqueta :)