Memories of long ago....

As I hang the ornaments on the tree, I step back and gaze at the beauty....yes, the tree is pretty, the lights are shining and the sense of satisfaction is felt, but in that sudden moment there is sadness as well.  I remember the holidays of the past....the anticipation of waiting on family gatherings...wondering what I will get from Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents and Santa Clause.  The excitement of Christmas as a child, is a memory I will forever be grateful for having.  To look, in awe, at all the presents under the tree, picking each one up and trying to guess what is inside, these are the treasures in my heart that will never be taken.  To view Christmas as a child is priceless.  As my children were born, watching the joy of Christmas, thru their eyes kept the magic alive in my heart.  As my children grew up, the memories of the "Childlike Christmas" began to fade.  No matter how hard I tried, society and age, diminished the "Magic of Christmas", that only a child can possess.  This sadden me beyond belief, however I soon began thinking of this "magical" time in a new light.  We learned the story of Baby Jesus and the Wise Men at a very young age, but the  biggest excitement was Santa Clause....instead of dwelling on what my children were losing, I began to focus on the true meaning of this Glorious Day...the birth of our Savior!  I accepted the fact that the "magic" was gone, but held firm to the opportunity to share the true meaning of this Blessed event!  To fully understand what happened that night is far from magical...it is a Miracle!  A child born unto the virgin Mary....what would our newspapers and television stations print and broadcast if such a miracle were made "that" public today?  Miracles occur daily, I believe this, however one of this magnitude would surely make headlines.  If we all just sit back and "think" about the "Real Meaning of this Day", we would get a better understanding of what a loving and caring God we have!  He sent His child to suffer and die for our sins.....how many of us would sacrifice our own child?  So, instead of dwelling on the "magic" of Christmas, I vow this year, to dwell on the True meaning of Christmas....The Birth of our Savior!  Yes, the memories are still vivid of Christmases from the past, and the excitement that only a child can feel is long gone but the story of Baby Jesus born in Bethelehem....well, that is a "Miracle" that I hope none of us ever forget!  All the lights, the trees, the presents and shiny ornaments are wonderful to enjoy and share with our families but the best gift of all, is the story from long ago......The Story of Baby Jesus born in Bethelehem!!  Merry Christmas and God Bless!

My Hero......

As we read the newspapers, we see obituaries of those that have passed on.  Most of us feel a sense of sorrow for the families but due to our society, most of us have become numb to "tragic" news.  However, when the sorrows are within our own families we tend to view them quite differently.  I know a lady that is fighting a strong fight....who is the rock that our family leans on....and although I know her time on earth is drawing to a close, the tears are not falling from my eyes...... because I know her and I know that she is tired of the battle that her failing body is engaging.  I know that the tears will flow when the goodbyes are said, but the joy in my heart, over the lessons and knowledge she has given me, makes a smile creep upon my face.  I will forever be grateful to her for the insight on life she has given unto me ....Never give up, love your family NO MATTER WHAT and always always....put your make up on BEFORE you go to the grocery store....( I am still working on the make up thing)!  At 97 years old, Margaret Hasie Donahue is an Angel already....don't get me wrong, she will tell you if you are not being the person you should, but she always has love in her words when doing so.  She is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a nurse, but most importantly she is our Baw Baw!!  There is no other like her nor will there ever be.  If care, love and concern filled our bank accounts with money, she would be the richest person alive!  She has touched the lives of many people over the past 97 years.  I am blessed to be one of the many.  When I first met Baw Baw she opened her heart and home to me and my children.....although the same blood did not flow thru our veins, she never once showed difference to any of us....but that is just her way.  And until this year (2010) if you were EVER in the Inverness area when the noon whistle blew and were hungry all you had to do was head over to her house, because lunch would be ready and waiting!  And if you did happen by at noon and was not hungry...well, lets just say you ate something before you left...The world was a much better place on August 25, 1913.....for that is when one of the greatest ladies I have ever known was born.  So, to my hero.....Baw Baw.....you are and will forever be one of the greatest inspirations to me.  Thank you for all you have given me..... your words of wisdom, the afternoon coffee visits, the wonderful stories of the family and most importantly your love.  Your battle is not over, your are fighting to the end.....I admire you in so many ways....you are deserving of everything you want and I know peace is in your heart.....so I pray for your peace!  Baw Baw...."Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings!".......Blessed to have you in my life........I love you!!

A Well Deserved Break......

As another Spraying Season ends, we sigh and breathe a breath of relief. For the long grueling days of the Mississippi Ag Pilot has given way to more relaxed times. During the spraying season, a typical work day begins before daylight and ends at sun down. The ag pilot has one of the most challenging, yet dangerous jobs around. They dodge trees, power lines and other airplanes while maneuvering approximately ten feet from the ground while spraying fields for fungus, plant bugs and grass. These men risk their lives everyday to ensure we have food on the table and clothes on our backs. It requires a lot of skill to maneuver an aircraft. You must know how much the wind is blowing and in what direction. You have to know the forecast concerning rain. Ratios is another word that is very important to the ag pilot. They must configure the amount of chemicals to cover the acres in a field. The job of an ag pilot consists of more than just flying an airplane. Each airplane is equipped with a Global Positioning System or GPS. The pilot must operate the GPS to ensure he has sprayed every inch of the field. So, computer knowledge is a must as well as all the other information required to operate an ag plane successfully. All of this information is going thru an ag pilots head while flying the aircraft over each field. Not only is this job dangerous but mentally exhausting as well.
Until I married an ag pilot I never really appreciated the job they do. Now, after being a member of the “Ag family”, I realize the importance of our pilots and the tasks they perform. These men not only have a connection with each other, they are all members of a caring family. When one hears about an emergency situation with another pilot, the phone starts ringing. The connection these guys have with each other is amazing. If a catastrophe happens it affects everyone. A pilot once told me, “When something happens to one of us we all feel it…whether its good or bad.“ The only other time I have seen this type of bond was between blood brothers. Once a year, all the ag pilots are gathered together for approximately three days to recertify themselves for another year in the industry. It is a time for work but also a time to reconnect with other pilots and catch up on the past years happenings. As I sat and watched each of them pat each other on the back and catch up with flying stories, I could not help but wonder if the same group would be back next year to do it all over again.
In July 2007, I lost my step-father in an airplane crash. He had been flying for many years. It is not something you like to think about but something that is always in the mind of every ag pilots wife. When you give your husband a hug and kiss in the morning, you hold your breath until he comes home in the evening. When he walks through the door you breathe again and wake up the next day to do it all over again.
I have a new respect for these men that risk their lives everyday for the agricultural industry. The next time you sit down to eat a meal or pick out a new shirt…stop and think about who made sure those items were available for us….Our Ag Pilots! So to my heroes…..rest up guys, enjoy your winter, you truly deserve it!!