Monday, July 30, 2007

July Artsy Essay

 
For this month's Arsty Essay, Judith challenges us to write about  our favorite and most inspiring possession.  So very hard to narrow down among the keepsakes, the mementos, the photos and such, just one possession.  I still have the dress & shoes Mama married in.  I have Mama Ruth's depression glass.  I have money my Daddy collected from all over the world.  But here it goes:
 
One possession stands alone.  Only one has been a comfort and encouragement.  Only one has directed me in difficulties.  Only one records favorite meetings.  This possession holds quotes from many, both the famous and the ordinary. 
 
Within this possession lie pieces of artwork that I value more than any piece in any museum.  It holds a list of the favorite hymns of faith that I want played at my funeral.  Time lines run through it.  Maps that mark marvelous journeys are held there. 
 
Memories of past friends of faith run deep here.  Facts and statistics are kept here.  History is recorded here.  It has been my faithful companion possession of the past 15 years.  Underscored, written in every available corner, paper stuck between pages, worn and yellowed and falling apart at the seams. Sermon notes from my favorite pastors.  Pictures my children have drawn for me.  It is my favorite for all it contains for me personally and spiritually.  It is the most inspiring because I would not be me today without it.  It is my Living Bible.
 
                              

23 comments:

  1. Very good.  I liked that.

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  2. Barb, I would vote for your's, when will you find out if you won? Wishing you well and if I don't get this, please email me how it goes. OK gg/Jackie

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  3. Barbara,

    I am so glad you decided to write and share in the Artsy Essay contest. I'm sure that this is a wonderfully special possession indeed and such a record of you and your loved ones' lives. Well chosen and I am so happy that you decided to join us! Thank you so much, judi
    http://judithheartsong.blogspot.com/

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  4. I love  your essay!!!  Sounds like our Bibles are both the same... full of all kinds of wonderful things.  It is truly among my most treasured possessions also... thank you for sharing this with us and inspiring us.  Hugs,
    Lisa

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  5. Beautiful! Sounds like my great grandmother's. My family would buy her new ones all the time. When she passed away all the new ones where still wrapped in their original packaging. But the one she had carried with her always was right beside her bed. (Hugs) Indigo

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  6. This was a great entry! I was just wondering the other day if I had written danny's death down in our family Bible...I have got to get it out and see. <sigh>
    love ya,
    carlene

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  7. Great entry!!!!  I saw this in Sam's journal and meant to do it this month...... GRRRR  maybe next month
    hugs
    d

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  8. This is a wonderful entry. Paula

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  9. Very uplifting entry Barbara....I enjoyed it....

    Michele

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  10. Well done Barbara. I think that is so awesome. Me, my bible is not worn out because I'm still relatively new to my love walk with Him and I haven't used mine as much. I actually get in the Word everyday online. Doesn't seem that odd to me but I know that I should wear out my book too... :)

    Mik

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  11. Old and new memories, faded photographs, words of wisdom and guidance..............wonderful!    Good job.   Anne

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  12. Very nice entry.
    Take care, Chrissie

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  13. what an absolutely wonderful idea... and i can see from your essay how ever close to your heart it is... thank you

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  14. Touching entry.  A time capsule that soaks up the air and scents of the day, rather than being buried in darkness waiting to be unearthed.

    Tammy

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  15. My Bible is like yours.. I keep drawings that were scriptured inspired in mine, a letter from a friend who passed away eight years ago, a poem, a hymn, and various book marks I made or others have made for me. Sometimes, when I am nudged to do so, I may give away something from my Bible to a person who I sense is in need... so I always have room to add more inspiring pieces. Somehow they never fall out. I love my Bible for all the reasons you mentioned above. bea

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  16. So I want you to know that all day, I have been singing: I've Gotta Home in CaneyLANF" that outshines them all!    haaaaaa   love it!   Anne

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  17. Mine has gotten me through more than I'd like otherwise- but I couldn't have gotten through it without it.  It holds my favorite funeral songs and scripture verses too- and family snippets about my father in law's time during ww2.  We'd all be in an awful mess without the wisdom God has blessed us with the words in that Book of books.  Thank you Barbara~  Carolyn :)

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  18. A beautiful essay!  I can see how much your Living Bible means to you.  This was nice to read, thanks!
    Sam

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  19. What a wonderful essay to read! Your Living Bible is incredibly important to you, and everything in it, and I could tell by the way you wrote about it. Great job! ~Colleen :) http://daily-ponderings.blogspot.com

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  20.    AMEN BARBARA,
                                THE DEAR OLD BIBLE TAKES FIRST PLACE.
     I HAVE TWO THAT MY MOTHER USED AND BOTH ARE WELL WORN, MOSTLY BEFORE RECEIVING THEM.
           I TREASURE THE NOTES SHE WROTE ON PAGES, THE LAST VISITING DATE OF WE CHILDREN, THE TEMPERATURE OF CERTAIN DAYS.
       FAVORITE VERSES WRITTEN ON OPENING BLANK PAGES.
    A SASSAFRAS LEAF THAT RETAINS A FAINT AROMA. ROSE PETALS.
          PHONE NUMBERS THAT HAVE ONLY THE SIX DIGITS. ADDRESSES.
      DEAR OLD MOTHER . HOW GREAT IT WILL BE TO SEE HER AND DAD.
    NOT TRYING TO HURRY IT THOUGH WILL BE WONDERFUL WHEN THAT TIME COMES.
      OF COURSE TOO IT IS NICE TO HAVE KEEPSAKE MEMORIES OF WHEN THE CHILDREN WERE GROWING UP.
      THANK GOD, ALL SEVEN OF MY CHILDREN LIVING.  I AM 87 AND WHEN LOOKING IN THE MIRROR, APPEARS AM GETTING PRETTIER.
          A FRIND HEARING ME SAY THAT ASKED IF MY GLASSES ARE CLEAN.  sam

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  21. Good for you barbara. Helen

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  22. What a beautiful entry!  We value our old Bibles and keep them for always.  I still have mine from high school - over thirty years old with all my notes in it.  I loved the your take on the term "Living Bible" . . . how true!

    Dirk

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  23. Wow, my most precious possession in this world is my study Bible.  My Aunt Harriet gave it to me years ago.  It too is in such worn condition from torn pages, cover torn from the pages and yet, it means more to me than anything I have.  I pick it up and it reminds me that at some point in my life, I was actually blessed to know what it is to be truly, unconditioanlly loved by another human being.  Some people take that for granted on a regular basis but to be loved, truly loved is everything.  Imagine going through life with no love at all.

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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