She's leaving...

My friend, Michael, left the office today...for the last time. I told her "See you Monday" because I couldn't handle dealing with her not being in the office everyday.

We are going to keep in touch and have already made plans to get together over Labor Day weekend. I know that we will continue to be friends...I know that we will keep in touch.

I can't help but be sad even though the new job is an awesome opportunity for her. I wish her the best and I know that she will be successful, but I am going to miss her terribly.

I am normally a very emotional person and I am surprised that I made it through the day without crying. Maybe it is b/c I know that I will see her soon or it might be b/c reality has not set in yet.

She and I always talk on the phone every night, so I'm sure that tonight will not be any different. So, that helps.

As James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" plays on my radio, I begin to realize that when I come into work on Monday, her office will be empty. No pictures on the wall, no laughing coming from down the hall, I'm just afraid work won't be fun at all.

I really like my other coworkers, it is just that Michael and I have a wonderful relationship...we were like sisters...we still are. She was always so honest to me...told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. She was my cheerleader, my coach, my friend, and my sister. She will still be all those things, but I won't have her in the office next door to me. I'll call her everyday...I'll see her often...I'll remember her forever.

I've been blessed to have so many wonderful friends in my life, and Michael is one of them. So, today, I celebrate all the people who have made me who I am. Today is a day that I have truly cherished friendship, as I need to do everyday.

The amazing poet, Maya Angelou, says....

"The happy heart

runs with the river,

floats on the air,

lifts to the music,

soars with the eagle,

hopes with the prayer."

Another statement from Dr. Angelou continues to put my thoughts into words:

"Your life is much more important

than you can imagine.
A little tenderness between people

can make life more bearable,

and a lot of tenderness...

my goodness.
Life is a gift...

let us respond

with grace and courtesy."

Michael has given me a happy heart whenever she is around and I am thankful for her.

We kid about the name that her parents wanted to give her before she was born...."Sunshine Moonbeam". We have joked about that many times. Now, I understand why her parents considered it. She has always been a ray of sunshine and always brightens my day. (I know....mushy and stupid, right??? That's the cool thing about being among friends and acting stupid is that they still love you anyway. --- Michael and I are definitely friends....we've shared many dumb moments together.)

SPAM on my BLOG!!!

Okay, it's not enough that I receive a million emails every day telling me about medications "that will improve [or enhance] my sex life" or "consolidating my debt", but now, I have had a SPAM posting on my blog. That's a little ridiculous!!!!

I clicked on the name for the profile of the person who posted the message. There is no bio/profile, just the screen name.

Has anyone else had this problem???

Click here to view the comments on my last post where I received a "SPAM" post.

I guess it never takes long for the mass marketers to get their grimy hands on something.
----Even though I am a marketing professional, I still get really upset with SPAM and telemarketers. Sorry:(

Memories Escaping...

I decided to write a poem about my granddad. I wish I could help him.

Memories Escaping

Memories escape him
Just like a balloon.
They fly away
Right out of the room.

He can talk about the war
Just like it was yesterday.
But he can't remember
being there for my wedding day.

They had to sell his house
and pack up all his things
he had to move from the playground of his children
and leave the porch swing.

He has been battling for a while now
I am sure he misses her love and care
he could use her help now
if she could only be there

I don't know how long he'll fight
or if he'll go during the night

But I know that when he sees her
his fight will be through
and he can tell her
that we miss her too.
~Jennifer Renee Wood-Wagner

(It's not my Nana's writing. But I hope she's listening. I hope she knows how much we all miss her.)

A poem of young love...

Here is a poem about my Nana and Granddad.... I thought it was so sweet.

REMINISCING
She was sixteen, he was twenty--
A giddy girl and a quiet young man,
A chance meeting at a carnival in town--
That's the way it all began.

Reflection of a silvery moon
Shimmering on waters below,
A timid kiss in the still of the night
And two young hearts aglow.

A summer of Sunday drives,
Double dates in a '33 Ford,
A movie, a hot dog and a coke--
Luxuries he could afford.

But off to the war he must go,
The year was nineteen-forty-two.
Letters back and forth across the sea--
There was lots of growing up to do.

The war was over, he was safely home.
Her high school graduation was past.
Two weeks of getting reacquainted
And their wedding day at last.
~Gloria Hall Wood

As I was reading and posting this poem, I wondered what it was like back then. If she could be here to tell me more about that time in her life. Also, when I began reading this poem, I thought, "Times were so different back then." After reading the poem, I realized that many things are not. We are still sending soldiers overseas and their loved ones are here at home and wondering if/when they are coming home.

I pray for the safety of our soldiers anywhere and everywhere. I am so thankful that they are fighting for us...just as my grandfather did.

From My Porch Swing

I came across this poem in the book this evening. I don't know why I hadn't seen it before. I guess the title caught my eye.... I think she's been speaking to me all along...I just haven't been listening hard enough.

From My Porch Swing
Yellow buttercups glow
In morning sunshine.
Sweet-smelling honeysuckle and
Red rambling rose are entwined.
Birds sing praises
As they swoop in and out of
The old maple tree, gathering bounty
For the open mouths of their babes.
The earth is alive,
Freshly bathed by a summer rain.
It's June!
~Gloria Hall Wood

I was a calendar girl...once.

My grandmother wrote a poem about all of her grandchildren in her book entitled, "Storehouse of Memories". The poem that she wrote about me was called, "OUR CALENDAR GIRL". It tears me up every time I read it. Mostly because she isn't here....and there are other reasons that I will discuss in a later post. I miss her. I hope she knows that.

Before I start crying too hard, here's the poem....

A calendar was a Christmas gift
from Jennifer to me.
I opened the present and
a prettier gift I shall never see.

Blonde curls, blue eyes and dimples---
She's a real beauty.
A smile that melts my heart---
She's our calendar cutie.

She's a knock-out in a bikini.
She's a picture in a plaid shirt and blue jeans.
She's a dream in a straw hat and sundress,
And in a pamper, she steals the scene.

Each day of nineteen-eighty-two
I'll look up and see
Our pretty little calendar girl
Smiling at me.

With this poem, there are pictures of me from that calendar. As soon as I can scan the page, I'll post it. It's kinda cute.

(I don't know where she got the bikini line, though...I guess b/c it was so long ago. HA HA)

My other grandmother...

Okay, so I write frequently about my grandmother (maternal grandmother), but I haven't mentioned much about my paternal grandmother(yet). She was a published writer/poet and she always inspired me. Her work inspires me to continue to write and try to be as wonderful as she was. She was a writer from the heart. She was smart, even though she was very modest about her intelligence. I have a million questions for her...if only she was here with me again.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, talented writer, and a woman with a strong spirit.

My memories with her was what inspired the name of my blog. "On the Porch Swing" - There were many wonderful moments spent on the large porch swing on my grandparents' porch. She would sing hymns and other songs to me. We would play games and just chat out on the RED porch. If I recall, the wood on the deck/porch needed treating and they painted it red. I don't really know why, but I remember thinking how pretty it was. I thought it was special. Not many people in our neighborhood had a red porch. All the kids played on the BIG RED PORCH.

In the summer, the grandkids and other members of the family would gather at Nana's and Granddad's for homegrown green beans and new potatoes, corn on the cob, and other special summer foods. Summer get togethers also included cold soda pop in the glass bottles. The pop was usually used to wash down the marshmallow pinwheel cookie that she gave us. We wouldn't tell that we had the cookie because none of us were supposed to have them. She let us have one so that she could sneak herself one. She was a diabetic and after she took her insulin shots, she would take the needles out of the syringe and rinse it out. Then, the cousins would use bowls of water and the clean (needleless) syringes as waterguns. As always, it escalated to the boys getting the water hose out and before we knew it, we were all drenched.

Then, at Thanksgiving and Christmas, we would gather at the small house full of love for a joyous holiday feast. There were so many cousins and I loved spending time there.

The fondest memory that I have, besides the porch chats, were the times that Nana would share her stories and poems with me. I spent a lot of time admiring her typewriter in her room. I loved her stories....

I remember going with her to meet with some of the writers in her writing club at a local restaurant. She ordered me a chocolate milkshake. I enjoyed it while enjoying "grown up" literary conversation. At the time, I thought I knew what they were talking about...okay, so I was pretending. I always pretended to be "grown up" when my parents/family members had company around.

My Nana wrote stories and poems about all of her grandchildren. (I will post those soon.)

I have three of her books. One is a collection of family stories and poems, one is a collection of stories and poems from the Writing Club, and there is another family-related book with pictures and history of the family members.

Over the next few posts, I will be writing more about my Nana and her wonderful stories and poems.

For now, I would like to show you two of her poems that she wrote in "My Family Album" that will give you a glimse into why she inspired me, even though I was so young when I knew her.

MY DESIRE

A Robert Frost or Browning

I'm sure I will never be.

The wit and charm of Irma Bombeck

was never meant for me.

I would like to be a writer,

Or a poet, with meaningful thought---

To write something that someone will enjoy,

Though it may not amount to a lot.

To write a story of interest

Or just a cute little rhyme;

To describe a scene of beauty

Or depict a day and a time.

Something with human interest

And a bit of history;

Maybe a little humor,

Or a touch of mystery.

Ability to put thoughts and feelings in writing

Is something I have hoped to acquire.

To paint a pretty picture with words

Has always been my desire.

~Gloria Hall Wood

JUST A THOUGHT

Sometimes we worry that we don't accomplish much

As we go along our way,

But sometimes the little kindesses we do

Or an encouraging word we might say

Might help some stumbling foot

As it trods from day to day.

To make someone's load a little lighter

Sometimes it isn't hard to do---

To make his day a little brighter

With a cheery word or two.

Just a cup of kindness given

Will be returned to you.

~Gloria Hall Wood

I truly hope that I make her proud. There are many things about my Nana that I want to share. I want to share what she did for me with you...in hopes that maybe she can still inspire others even when she is only with us in spirit.

Keeping in touch....

(I started this Friday night, but didn't get a chance to finish it until today)

Okay, so we say that all the time...."We'll keep in touch!" "I'll call you often." "We'll get together frequently."

There are more phrases that we say when we are saying goodbye to someone. Do we keep in touch, though? Usually we don't.

There have been cases that I have kept in touch, and then there have been times when I haven't. Not because I haven't wanted to, just that I didn't make the time. I used to say that I was too busy and didn't have the time. Now, I know that I need to MAKE the time.

I have recently set a goal for myself to visit with my friends more frequently and to at least call them once a week and chat for a few minutes and to see how they are doing. My goal is keep up with my family, too. I feel awful for not doing a better job on this before, but I am dedicated to improve it.

So, there have been several events that have lead to setting this resolution... Obviously, since it's not quite New Year's yet, there has to be a reason, right?

Okay, so there are several reasons. I have had a close friend move away recently. She is still about the same distance from me, just in another direction. She has been busy this summer and so have I. However, we said months ago that we would try very hard to visit as often as we could. We have kept that promise this summer and we have been able to see each other fairly frequently, which is AWESOME. I see how great it's been to see her frequently and I want to keep it up. This is the woman that I have watched grow up and she has watched me grow up. She and I have been BEST friends since we were SEVEN years old! This has inspired me to keep this up and to apply it to all of my friendships!

Also, with the passing of a friend's family member, it reminded me how precious life is. (read more)

Okay, so here's the third reason....I have a close friend who I spend SO much time with and she is changing jobs. I am so proud of her and SO happy for her! It's an outstanding opportunity and one that she should not pass up. I know that she will excel at it and I will be cheering her on!

That doesn't help the fact that I am going to miss her like crazy! She is so good to me. I will be lost without her. Not only will I have to find another lunch buddy, but I will lose my cheerleader. She has always encouraged me. She always gives me constructive criticism on my work (or life for that matter) when it is needed and ALWAYS tells me "WELL DONE" when I have performed well. When she was on vacation a few months back, she called me from her vacation spot and we chatted. It was great since I was very lonely in the office then. I am afraid what it will be like when I realize that she's gone...and not coming back. So, I'll call her on the phone frequently and we will have a SHOPPING SATURDAY together at least once a month.

So, this was what made me dot the "i" and cross the "t" on the resolution. I have to keep in touch. My friends mean too much to me to not to.

I am only what I am to my friends and family. They are all I have. As you probably know, I tend to look externally for praise and guidance. I also enjoy being around people that I care about and who also reciprocate those feelings. So, it is important to keep in touch with those who touch my life.

I just want to thank all of my friends who are so good to me and are always there. I have had so many great memories and I will cherish those friendships forever.

A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

I have had a WONDERFUL weekend. I went to the mall with Anthony, bought him a new wedding band and a new watch. (His friend is a manager of a jewelry store, so we got a good deal!) Then, I went shopping with a friend and her mom. (I got two pair of awesome shoes --- and only paid $25 for both pair!)

Yesterday, I went to my mamaw's to visit with my family. I ate, laughed, and visited. Then, we got up this morning and did it all over again. We had hashbrown casserole and french toast for breakfast and then a big spread for dinner. Homemade rolls, meatloaf (my aunt's meatloaf is awesome), green beans, zucchini rice bake, ham, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, chicken and stuffing casserole and a few other things that I can't remember. Then, for dessert, we had chocolate eclair cake (which is sinfully wonderful), chocolate covered cherry cake, and lime fluff. Of course, I had a little of everything. I definitely need to get back on track with eating right tomorrow. By the time that I left Mamaw's today, I needed bigger pants. :(

I was reminded this weekend that we are all getting older....and at a rapid pace. My uncle (who lives out of state) would ask in conversation about someone who lived in the area to see how they were. Many times, the response from my grandmother, or other family members, would be that they have passed away, are in a nursing home, or they are not doing well.

Another reminder is that my cousin, Thomas, is growing up so fast. He is in middle school and I can remember when he was born. He was born in 2003. I can remember when he came home from the hospital and had to be on a monitor when he slept. He also had to have a blood transfusion because of a bad case of Jondas. Now, he is a very tall, skinny, and handsome young man. He's always been so smart and continues to be. Before I know it, he will starting college, then getting married and having a family of his own. I guess the scary thing about this realization is that I am getting older and that I am not a kid anymore. I know that it strange, but sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize that this is my life....It's real....I am not playing "house" like I did when I was a kid. I enjoy being an adult and I am enjoying learning new things and growing up, but sometimes I don't really realize it. Then, other times, it hits me a like a ton of bricks.

Also, this also means that my Mamaw and other close family members and friends are getting older too. I won't have those instrumental people in my life forever...I need to take advantage of their friendship, love, and wisdom while I can. So, I will continue visiting with my family and posting the lessons that I learn and the stories that are told.

I hope that you have enjoyed my posts about my family and I hope that you will enjoy the ones I will post in the future.

I hope you had a great weekend, too. :)

When can we get the REAL Whitney back?

Okay, so to give you a little background on why this is a topic, I was listening to the radio this evening and heard an old Whitney Houston song. Then, as I was flipping through the stations on the TV tonight, I stopped when I heard Whitney's voice on one of the all music stations. It's just so sad that she is not known as the wonderful and soulful singer that she once was. Her rendition of "I will always love you" has always been one of my favorite songs...especially one to (attempt) to belt out. Now, we know Whitney as a "has-been", "crack head", or just "Bad Boy Bobby's Crazy Wife". There are few, if any, artists in the mainstream now that have the talent that Whitney had. It's just so sad. She went from a gospel music singer to pop star to a washed up crazy woman. I wonder if she had the chance to go back and change it all, would she?

I miss hearing the wonderful voice of Miss Whitney...now the only time I hear her voice is when I flip through the channels and come across Bobby's reality show. She will sing a line or two occasionally, but I have to admit, it's not pretty. So, here's a crude statment....be prepared...I don't normally say things like this, but "Whitney should have laid off the pipe to save her pipes. Now, she's washed up along with her hubby with no hope of recovering her talent. I guess the 'reality show' will pay the bills for a while, but I just miss hearing her beautiful voice.

Maybe she'll make a comeback. What's the odds? Maybe she'll take Vanilla Ice's place on Hit Me Baby One More Time next season. Who knows????

Another Visit to Grandma's!!!

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting for so long! I have been running around like a crazy woman lately! (This is my first post this evening, I plan on posting about a few other things on my mind.)

Secondly, I want to say that I am very excited about this weekend. My family is getting together at my Mamaw's. My uncle and my aunt will be in from Pennsylvania. The whole gang will be together....eating and laughing. Those are the things that we do best!!!!

So, I hope to have some stories from this visit to post next week. I am going to take a recorder so that I catch all of the story!

So, I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

Jen :)