My Granny Merritt, Mother’s Mother, loved birds of all kinds…but especially redbirds. Granny Merritt died several years ago, and it seemed to Joy and I that after she died, we began to see more and more red birds. Joy began to say that every time she saw a red bird, it was a sign from Granny Merritt that all was well. So, it became a private little saying in our family that the red birds were sent by Granny Merritt.

Pop was telling me a few days ago, that over the past few months he and Mom have seen a red bird next to their porch every morning as they ate breakfast together. Pop would always say, “Ella, there’s Ma Merritt.” And, they would watch the bird as they sat together at the table by the window.

When I got to Pop’s house on Friday, he had this story to tell Joy and I. It seems that as he sat eating breakfast at the table by the window, he noticed the red bird…but that day another red bird flew up and landed beside it. Then the second redbird flew up on the porch, into the windowsill, and started chirping loudly…seemingly to get his attention. And, then flew away.

Pop says the second redbird was sent from Mom…to make sure he knew that she was fine, she was with her mother, and all was well.

She knew he would be sitting at the table by the window.

Way to go, Mom! We got the message!

After I got home from Pop’s yesterday, I realized just how bad I felt. And, the later it got…the worse I felt. My throat hurt, my ears hurt, my head hurt…well…EVERYTHING I had hurt!

I was up all night…and went to the ‘doc in a box’ as soon as they opened this morning. I have strep throat, I have an ear infection, and am about an inch away from pneumonia. They loaded me up with meds…and, now all I want to do is sleep. And, take my pain meds…my ears are killing me. Joy and I have been working at Pop’s helping him get things straightened out. So, this leaves it all to Joy. She never complains, though…but, I feel terrible for not being able to help.

When I called her this morning, she told me to be sure to stop and get some chicken noodle soup before I went home…:)

I am so behind on my blog reading and commenting…please know I’ll get around to it ASAP. I have also heard from several new friends lately…and some folks I knew that I didn’t even know I knew! I appreciate your continuing kind comments, and uplifting prayers as my family tries to cope with missing our most important member.
Stay well!

The newspaper report on yesterday’s post showed Berny sitting atop a can of Spam.
That is NOT my can of Spam. I did not use my hard earned money to buy it! In fact, I don’t think I have ever been hungry enough to eat it willingly. This belongs to one of the male members of the family. You know, food to take on a fishing trip. However, I thought that as long as a bear was in my pantry…I might as well get rid of the stuff that I DIDN’T like!

I am not really sure exactly what Spam is….but I think it is similar to the ‘mystery meat’ they used to serve us in school! ***answer will follow***

I promise to NEVER serve Spam for lunch if you should visit my house!

***And, just in case you were wondering…here is a list of ingredients…
ham, pork, sugar, salt, water, potato starch and a hint of sodium nitrate to help keep its color. The pork is mostly pork shoulder. SPAM was first invented as a way to use this underutilized part of the cow, ham was a later addition.***

THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER IN LOCAL, ALABAMA”
“News That’s ‘Bearly’ Fit To Publish”
ED.1…….VOL.1……………Pg.1..
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In a sighting, ‘bearly’ able to be believed…there appeared today, 2 of the finest bears ever to be seen in these parts. Yes, I can testify to the fact that 2 of Wisconson’s finest furry four-legged creatures found themselves a new home right here in our fair city.

Ms. Tonja Owens, local girl-about-town ,noticed them first as they gave her a ghastly fright at her mailbox. She heard what she said sounded, “bearly human” sounds coming from inside the box. With fear and trembling, she opened the box, but all she saw was a big envelope. Being the ‘beary, beary’ brave soul that she is, she grabbed that envelope and hurried into the house. Carefully tearing the envelope open, she jumped back ‘beary’ fast when 2 of the blackest, furriest bears just burst out of their box. Then they stood very still, so she could get a look at them…all perched up there on her island and all.

She hoisted them up and they told her their names were Bertha and Berny Bearsaltand pepper, and second cousins to that famous bear pair Brunhilda and Boris Bearsaltandpepper. She had a little trouble telling them apart until Bertha said that Berny had more holes in his head and Ms Tonja said that that totally made sense. They were very thirsty, and so she took them outside. Really, she figured they may have other business to take care of there, too. Well, they did, and then they drank her pool almost dry! They were all a’ fussin’ at their 2nd cousins for putting them in the mail with nary a bottle of water or snacks.

Ms. Tonja turned her back for a minute and when she looked back…they were gone!!! Where, oh, where could those ‘beary’ cute bears have gone? “We had just ‘bearly’ begun to get aquainted,” said Ms. Tonja. And, then over in the pantry, she heard a disturbance. “That can only mean one thing,” she said. And, sure enough, there they were…helping themselves to a snack!

Bertha was daintily (well as daintily as a bear can) helping herself to a few chocolate chips. But, Berny…well let’s just say Berny leaves a lot to be desired in the manners department! He climbed right up on top of a can of Spam, and said, “Fix me a glass of sweet tea, with lemon, ole girl, I’m about to have me an appetizer…before I get on to the good stuff!”

And, the last thing that was heard from Ms. Tonja, she was seen running down the road, and over the bridge yelling, “I don’t know what the ‘good stuff’ is and I’m not waiting around to find out!” And, she was seen talking on her cell phone a few minutes later, “Mr.Ant Man…just how big of a pest are you willing to tackle?”
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For the backstory to this tale of the Bearsaltandpepper clan, visit Keetha…she knows lots of ‘beary’ good bear stories.

It has been almost exactly a week…to the hour…that the Lord called my Mama to come home. What a week. I think my family has learned some important lessons through this…I sure have.
God says that ‘His grace will be sufficient…’, and it has. I look back at this past week and wonder how it is that I was able to do what had to be done. How was I able to speak at her funeral? How was I able to smile and truly find joy in the situation? One word…grace. God’s grace. He promises He will strengthen us WHEN we need it. I was talking to the pastor that preached part of her funeral, and he said that there have been times when he has thought he could not get through a service…but the minute he stood, he felt the strength of God filling him. As my friend Pam was singing, I thought I would just decline to opportunity to speak. Everyone would understand. But, when she finished…I stood. And the peace and strength and grace of the Lord literally washed over me. And, I was able to do what I had planned. My sister, Joy, and Pop have both felt this, too.
*******My doorbell just rang and my friend, Allison, was there with a beautiful pie, and ice cream for topping! Yummy! I can hardly wait to have a piece! Thank-you, Allison! My friends have so ministered to me this week. I am truly blessed******

We sang the beautiful hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, at the funeral. One of Mom’s favorites.
I must take this opportunity to say that God keeps His promises. He does what He says He will do. Always. And, there is great security and peace in KNOWING that.
I have lived for 1 week without my Mom. And, I will live the rest of my life without my Mom. But, when my life is over, I will be with her again! And, that’s His promise!