Jane Eyre and "Until We Meet Again Cake"

Good Morning Porch Pals!




It has been a long time since we were together. I've missed you, and move ahead this morning with excitement.


There is something I've learned this summer, and that is some journeys of the heart are not to be public, and some stories, although written, are not to be read by everyone. Since June I have been living those stories and will share glimpses of them.


One story might be titled, "Reconnecting." Another might be named, "Letting Go." Still another might be designated, "Growing Season..."


This morning I am still appreciating last night. I spent the evening with my Titus 2 Girl saying goodbye our way. She is leaving for college in a week. There have been going away parties, and more to follow (that's how much she's loved!) but I needed time to reconcile her departure in a more personal way. A meal, a movie, memories retold, and mitigated pangs of sadness.


The most recent "Jane Eyre" movie was dark and haunting. I enjoyed it very much and silently pleaded for Mr. Rochester and Jane to be together forever. 


We baked a rich, opaque, dark chocolate cake to go with the film, that is only crumbs on a plate this morning. The kitchen has been our gathering place. A spot to examine our lives, our theology, our relationships, our families, and our futures. The walls stow a myriad of moments. Teaching moments, tearful moments, silly, nonsensical moments!


Tonight we said goodbye our way. A girl's night! Chick flick and chocolate. God bless you, sweet friend! Until we meet again.




From the porch,




Alis 

She Was Thinking About You

A Blessed Morning To You!

"Hi, This is Alis from Comfort and Joy Gift Baskets. I have a very special delivery for you."

I don't want to sensationalize this story. What I do want is for the person who will answer that phone call to know that she was on her mother's mind. Her mother ordered the basket and then went home to be with our Lord a week later.

I want her to know the tenderness in her mother's voice as she described her to me. I want her to know that her upcoming birthday was important to her mother. I want to tell her, "She was thinking about you!"

I feel very passionate about this project. Even still, I hit walls in my efforts. There was a photo album in my mother's things after her accident. She told me several times that she was working on a special gift for me. She had created in her own way a picture story-book of my life. There were pages opposite the pictures where she had planned to write text. If the words were there, they would say she was thinking about me.

I have humbly asked God to help me with this very important work. Above all, I pray for the basket's recipient. I pray that she would know the comfort and joy I pack into that basket. From a mother, to a daughter, with love...

Please pray,
Alis

And The Oscar Goes To...

Betty Jane. You won't be familiar with that name, but I remember that shining star with hopeless devotion and great emotion.

That year we gave her an Oscar Party for her eightieth birthday. The red carpet, the gold, shiny statue, the limousine, the movie posters with her name next to Rhett Butler's... all of it!

The performance that stands out in my mind was one day when we grocery shopped for a very large meal in Colorado. The roads were snow packed and slippery and a truck was supposed to pick us up at a designated time. For one reason or another, the truck couldn't make it. I was young and muddled. Betty Jane went into the market and asked the butcher if he had a piece of rope and a large cardboard box. I could not have imagined what would come next! She moved here a little, there a little, tied this, and cut that...and built a sleigh! We walked home, trailing the sleigh behind us.

I've never known anyone who could make something from nothing the way that she did. Her knack for improvising and her industrious nature were beyond compare.

The Lucille grin, the infectious laugh, the out-of-the-side-of-her-mouth whisper all gave her star quality.

I'll never forget her.

Warmly,
Alis

My Titus Two Girl

Good Morning Sweet Readers!

On this Valentine's Day I thought it appropriate to introduce you to my Titus Two Girl. She has spent the last year knitting herself into our family and into our hearts. I am so beholden to be this merry little maiden's "mum." After my mom's dreadful accident I felt like life had handed me a beginning, an end, and nothing in between. But this sweet girl has given my life a "middle." The glorious friendship we share means the world to me.

Let me tell how it started. We were both involved in the launch team of a new church. One night after a meeting, many months ago she asked if we could spend more time together. I raised boys and was not sure what to do with a young girl. I took it to prayer and immediately knew that the empty foyer in our home would make a lovely project for the two of us. We painted, and decorated, and laughed and shared stories.

The responsibility of teaching and training my new maiden gave me energy and creativity. It inspired me to be better. It gave me a reason for gratitude and celebration. It gave me the best gift- love for a daughter who is biblical, not biological. Although some have made the mistake of deeming us mother-daughter. Her mother is very important to me. She has done an amazing job with this gal. I am not a replacement, or substitute, nor would I wish to be. The most important personal relationship a young lady should have is with her mother.

My little maiden, who is college-aged, has given me someone to invest in. She has provided me an opportunity to obey God's word in Titus to teach younger women. She has healed great loss and void in my life. And, she has given me hope.

My first priority is always taking her to Scripture. I do not have a perfect life, nor perfect answers. To fill her mind with the recommendations and suggestions of Alis would be far too cheap. I want the best for her and must always point her to Christ. We share girl-talk and exchange thoughts and ideas all the time. But I have learned how weighty words are. I pray my words are few.

There are so many activities to include a Titus Two girl in. I find fresh ideas daily.

Lastly, please understand that I could not pour myself into this maiden without being flowed into myself. There is a trickle-down effect. I have a couple ladies in my life whose guidance and maturity help develop me. In fact Marie, Lisa, and Diane are like pillars that support my whole structure. They show me who I am and who I want to become. They have already experienced the season I am in. I can trust their leading. And I love them deeply. Many others are praiseworthy.

Dear readers we have the skills and capabilities to change a young lady's life. Will you look closely to the young ladies in your circle or even in your church body and be an encourager to them. Perhaps it's a neighbor, a niece, a student...

I must close with extreme thankfulness for my boys. They have taken to this "adoption" with the love and kindness that I would expect from them. There is no jealousy or resentment, only friendliness and patience.

Someday when I am old I will sit in the garden watching her children play. We will take tea together and talk about these days. The days I was her "Claire" and she waited for her "Charlie."

Love you,
Alis

A Frolicking Good Time!

Oh the joy that comes from the fullness of friendship and a cozy warm meal!

New England clam chowder, grilled cheese and applewood bacon on olive-studded artisan bread. Bagged salad and water in a bottle. Simple.  

Laughter until it positively hurts! Little man toppling off his chair in fits of ridiculous giggles, screaming mercy to catch a breath.

Man child red-faced, with side-splitting amusement and a husband and wife tag team collaborating to give humble welcome.

A board game, a buzzer, a buddy, and organic banana bread. Thanks be to God for what He has done.

Hospitality is not about me. That would be entertaining and that is lackluster because it only reflects the host. Tonight is entirely about you.

What do you need my friend? Shelter, support, nourishment, friendship, prayer? Is it attending to, company and companionship, a listening ear?

Perhaps it is just noise! Because someone who lives alone craves sound.
May our clamor say that you belong here. We are enjoying you being here.

Two teams, a wooden table, a warm fire, fresh flowers. One home crammed full of happy!

A look that says, "Thank you. I've been fed here."

Open your home. Don't be reluctant, be a rescue!


Swinging with you on the porch,
Alis

What's Going Without Saying

He stood looking at his father who was 85

years old

He remembered all the ball games they played

so long ago

Then he put his arm around him and kissed

him on the cheek

He said Dad, it's time I told you what a friend

you've been to me

'Cause when you love someone

You gotta let 'em know

When you're thinking of someone

You need to tell 'em so

Don't know what makes us think

Our minds and our hearts can be read

What's going without saying should

be said

She stood in the kitchen doorway, all grown

up with children, too

Watching as her mama cooked just like she

used to do

She slowly walked up to her and she held her

wrinkled hands

She said, do you know you are the greatest

mom a daughter ever had

No one needs our roses

When the sun of life's gone down

If you're gonna send a message of

your love

Then send it now

I don't believe I've let you hear the things you

should have heard

I don't believe I've truly put my feelings

into words

'Cause to me you are so beautiful, much more

than words can say

But if you don't mind and you've got the time

I'd like to try today

'Cause when you love someone

You gotta let 'em know

When you're thinking of someone

you need to tell 'em so

I don't know what makes me think

My mind and my heart can be read

What's going without saying

should be said

1992/ Paul Overstreet & Jeff Borders