The Mercy Finder

The Mercy Finder

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Around the Whirlwind in Eighty Days

It's been 80+/- days since I last made an entry to The Mercy Finder. I think I've been too overwhelmed with trying to find mercy, extend mercy, and receive mercy to write. But today, inspired by an article I read in The New Yorker, "Middlemarch and Me," I have committed to at least try to catch up on the last 80 days in a very speedy way--with photos. (However, something's wrong w/ my computer and everything about Blogger is currently goofed up)

Rebecca Mead, the author of the article, stated that the well-known maxim, "It is never too late to be what you might have been," although long-attributed to George Elliot (aka Mary Ann Evans), apparently has no historical bearing with reference to her. Nowhere in her letters or writings can it be documented that she said this. In fact, it seems to be more in keeping with her writings and lifestyle that, if anything, she believed that just being who you are is enough. Unheralded, unspectacular, unnoticed. If you should think of doing something grand, and don't do it, so be it.  In her journal entry she wrote, "The difficulty is, to decide how far resolution should set in the direction of activity rather than in the acceptance of a more negative state." Perhaps in my comings and goings, I would much prefer to have this second quote painted up, lacquered, and hanging on my kitchen wall rather than the first.

However, so as not to acknowledge my merciless/merciful state without deep gratitude,  I submit the following photos of the last 74+ days.

I flew to TX for the funeral of Krista Ralston Oakes 
Lynn Ralston Molohosky and me
Christmas Eve
Mom with Eli, very excited for the next day
   
Dad deciding which of Sawyer's Hot Wheels he wants

Sawyer thinking of Santa coming
Christmas Day
Santa made one little boy very happy

Jim, Sawyer, and Chelsea

Carrie, Eli's girlfriend

Mickey Blue Eyes

What do you get your Dad who needs nothing?  Books!


The Day After Christmas


Celebrating with the Munns



Second cousins, Samantha and Sawyer



 Joyful and triumphant

Guess it should be over 'cuz the fat lady's singing!

My "eh hem" birthday

Nancy Metcalf joined me for a grand day
Gallachers came for a few days in January

An early birthday celebration with Dad
Dad's 96th Birthday
 
The party was so wild that no matter what I do this will only post sideways

Disneyland with the Archibalds

So happy to be out of Minnesota
 
Nannie Joy with her munchkins


It's a world of laughter


My Annie Jane

My Jake Jordan




My Sawyer Daniel


My Juliette Joyce
Chelsea Married Jim Flanagan











The Aftermath







Jordan's 33rd Birthday



Saying Goodby to Part of My Heart 



Jim Got Baptized


A very wonderful day

Okay, that's it. I'm done.
 

6 comments:

Valerie said...

So glad to get the update and pictures. Love your captions!

swmarble said...

Just happened to chek today and so glad I did. Thanks for keeping at it.

swmarble said...

Oops - don't know how to fix my typo? Oh well, you get the message :)

pauline said...

Proud of you Joyce! I love a pictorial journal...... you are one beautiful woman with a lovely posterity to boot.

Lorie said...

I love looking at your pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I never saw this one. I need all these pics. Looks like a whirlwind of 80 days. Wish I could of been there :)