Happy 2014!
It’s 2014! A new year! Joy to the World! In my lifetime of celebrating new years, it is with astonishment and joy that I celebrate the advances made in both the progress and treatment made in organ donation and transplantation. When our grandmother’s kidneys began to fail in the 1940’s, there wasn’t anything doctors could do to help her. She died before my sisters and I were born. I remember wondering what she would think if she knew that almost sixty years after her death, doctors would be able to take one kidney out of her granddaughter’s body, and place it into the body of her other granddaughter. I’m betting she’d give thanks and shout with joy! My grandmother (seated in photo on the left) had six children and twenty-four grandchildren. I believe she only met about four or five of her grandchildren before she died. Presently, more of her grandchildren are faced with failing kidneys. Come join me as I roll up my sleeves to help find a cure for polycystic kidney disease and shout with joy while we celebrate...
Read MoreThe Donkey
When Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem, the humble donkey carried and helped them along their way. The donkey was there in the stable with the other animals and witnessed the birth of baby Jesus. The mosaic is the photo was crafted almost fifty years ago by a class of grade school students. They made it as a get-well gift to their teacher in the hospital. The teacher was my aunt, Sister Mike. The school children collected the various pieces of glass to complete the mosaic, but they could not find red or yellow glass to use for the donkey’s pack. When Sister Mike heard about their frustration, she sent them a message to pray to God because He always answers prayer. One day, an accident occurred outside their classroom window. A truck hit the traffic light at the corner; red and yellow glass showered down upon the ground. The children excitedly asked for permission to collect the glass and were able to complete the mosaic. It is a gift cherished by our family. Sister Mike also gave her students a gift by teaching them to turn to God in prayer on their journey through life. During this time of gift giving, thank you for the gifts of friendship love and generosity you have given to me....
Read MoreMothers, Daughters and Baby Girls
My Mom was only a teenager when her mother died. For the life of me, I cannot imagine how my mother was able to survive in this world without her mother for all those years. And, I cannot imagine why I never asked her about it? Oh, don’t get me wrong – my mother spoke about her mother, always reminding me I was named after her, telling us stories, but what the heck was wrong with me that I didn’t ask my Mom how she survived the “firsts”: the first few days, weeks, months, Christmas, birthdays, and most especially, her first child? How did my mother cope when I was born without her mother? I wish I had asked. But, I’m pretty sure I know what her answer might be. I think my mother would have told me, “Suzie, we don’t know why sad and bad things happen. We don’t know God’s plan for us, but I sure as hell (my mother cussed) believe He has a plan for each of us. We can get mad at God. We can yell and cuss and tell Him we are mad. He can take it. And, when we don’t think we can take it, we can cry and cry. Then we have to wipe our eyes, pull ourselves together and pick ourselves up. Trust in the Lord! Life is a gift. Fight like hell and live it!” Why did my mother so firmly believe in God? When her mother died, surrounded by her husband and six children, my mom the youngest and still a teenager, witnessed her mother sit up on her deathbed and say, “Here I am, Lord!” before she died. Today I’ve been thinking a lot about my mom. One reason is Thanksgiving is coming and Mom always made the gravy and I make lumpy gravy. But mainly because of a new baby girl, named Amelia Lois, born on November 17, 2013. Baby Amelia Lois’s mother lost her mother very suddenly seven short months ago. Makes my heart ache. I cling to my mother’s advice to trust in the Lord. by Suzanne Ruff...
Read MoreDara is an angel!
If you are an author, consider calling her. She knows the publishing industry and she rocks! I really appreciate all she has done to help me with my new website. www.wiseinkpub.com
Read MoreA New Birthday Buddy
Janice and I became Great Aunts to Brayden John! He arrived early! Delightedly Brayden John and Janice are Birthday Buddies! How cool is that? — with Janice Gill.
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