Tonja's Gatherings - A Christian Blogger from Dothan, AL
  • Home
  • About
  • Affiliations
  • Awards
  • Links
Home
About
Affiliations
Awards
Links
Tonja's Gatherings - A Christian Blogger from Dothan, AL
  • Home
  • About
  • Affiliations
  • Awards
  • Links
Family, Friends, General, Remembering

1932—-2009

August 12, 2011 by tonja 2 Comments

This is the day, 79 years ago, that my Mom was born.  She was born and lived in North Carolina until she married Pop and moved to Alabama.  And here she stayed until she moved to her heavenly home.

I think of her so often, and I know many others do also.  When you speak of her to me, it is as if I am seeing her again through your eyes.  When I hear you say that you remember her kindness, or her dedication to her church and missions, or when you tell me of special notes she wrote to you…it reminds me again of how blessed I was to call her Mom.  She loved to pick out special gifts for others, and I could not even begin to tell you how many of her most delicious pound cakes she made to give to friends she loved.

I have written of her often on this blog, and you have so kindly read and commented accordingly.  But, I  have nothing new to add today.  I’ve probably said all there is to say several times over…(I have a tendency to do this more and more the older I get).  That’s OK…I’m just ‘taking after’ her…she did it, too.  🙂

In my files of things I like, I have this poem.  I am sorry that I do not know who to attribute it to.  But, whomever it was who wrote it, did an excellent job.  My Mom lived her dash well.  And, I am grateful to have been there to see so much of it.  And, I am grateful that my children and Joy’s children were there to see how she lived it as well.  As I have said before…she was a wonderful example and we were blessed to live in her heart…as she lives on in ours.

 

HOW YOU LIVE YOUR DASH

 

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. 

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth…
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars…the house…the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Share:
Reading time: 2 min
Faith, Family, General, Remembering

WE REMEMBER

July 14, 2011 by tonja 6 Comments
 WE REMEMBER

At the rising of the sun and at its going down, 
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter. 
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
At the shining of the sun and in the warmth of summer. 
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
At the beginning of the year and at its end. 
As long as we live, she too will live....
.....for she is now a part of us, as we remember her.
 
When we are weary and in need of strength, 
When we are lost and sick at heart.
When we have joy we crave to share, 
When we have decisions that are difficult to make. 
When we have achievements that are based on hers,
When we fulfill her dreams, and our own. 
As long as we live, she too will live...
.....for she is now a part of us, as we remember her.

copied

..........graduation picture..........

 


..........in front of the house I grew up in....pregnant with me...
loved the maternity fashion back then.........




..........Mom and Pop took a trip around the world...and this is 
somewhere with ruins. Greece or Rome, I don't really know.But, I love
these 2 pictures because she is striding forth with such confidence. 
I know these pics are not easy to see...but in the first one she does
not know she is being photographed...and in the second...she see's him.
and out pops the smile!. I love how stylish she looks here...flared
pants, big sunglasses..........




..........I had to include this one because it looks as if I am looking
 back to see what she is doing. Because, she loved this old, ugly bush
 behind her...planted so conveniently right by the back door. I tried
 to tear it down numerous times...but never any luck. This, you see,
 was the switch bush...and Joy and I were both very familiar with it.
 And, believe me when I tell you, she truly believed that verse in
 the Bible that says something like..."spare the 'switch' and spoil the
 child". There was no chance of me getting spoiled. Ever. 
 No chance at all..........




 ..........Doing what she loved to do ...feeding her family..........
 


***And no matter what anybody says about grief and about time healing
 all wounds...the truth is, there are certain sorrows that never fade
 away until the heart stops beating and the last breath is taken.***

Mom moved to heaven 2 years ago today, and we remember.

Share:
Reading time: 2 min
Faith, Family, Remembering

A YEAR AGO TODAY…

July 13, 2010 by tonja 6 Comments

You were loved. You are loved. You will be loved forever.

Share:
Reading time: 1 min
Family, General, Remembering, Travel

A DAY AT THE BEACH…1953

April 26, 2010 by tonja 5 Comments

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in nets of wonder forever.” Jacques Cousteau


Mom…Pop…Tonja…1953

Share:
Reading time: 1 min

About Me

about us image

I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!

My Boys

My Boys

"All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
Read their stories...
Adam
Alex
Ian

My Parents

My Parents

Me & Don

Me and Don

Gatherings

Links

Follow Me on Pinterest
Tonja Townsend Owens
Tonja Townsend Owens
Dothan Powersports

Topics

  • Decor
  • Decoration
  • Editor's choice
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Front Page Slideshow
  • General
  • HUMOR
  • Interior design
  • Lifestyle
  • Photography
  • Remembering
  • Travel

Calendar

June 2025
S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
« Dec    

Archives

Admin

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Search

About Me

Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.

Socialize with me

Popular Posts

DO YOU HAVE A POINT ?

April 21, 2010

THEY FOUND ME IN DESTIN

April 23, 2010

“PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.” James 5:16

July 16, 2010

Categories

  • Decor
  • Decoration
  • Editor's choice
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Front Page Slideshow
  • General
  • HUMOR
  • Interior design
  • Lifestyle
  • Photography
  • Remembering
  • Travel

Search

Recent Posts

CHRISTMAS 2022

December 30, 2022

SCANXIETY

October 10, 2022

Tag Cloud

Alex art Baby BEACH Boogaloo 16 car childhood Christmas CHRISTMAS 2011 Christmas 2014 cooking Creation decor Destin dinner Easter fall fall fling 2012 Father's Day Finn food gifts Halloween Hawaii Ian interior design kids LAGUNA BEACH Levi lifestyle Maui Mom movies music new year ocean photography Pop post sbc storage Thanksgiving video vintage Wizard of Oz

Everly Video

Everly Post slider

  • THE TURKEY SAGA CONTINUES…

  • I AM RELAXING!!!

  • BANANA BREAD

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

© 2021 copyright TONJAGATHERINGS.COM // All rights reserved
Designed by Wordpress