71

71! Having used up my three score and ten, the Lord decided to add a year of grace to my life. My son calls it "borrowed time"--I call it "grace time." I have had another year to share graciousness with my students. (Yes, they're mine. And they reciprocate--grace for grace.) Another year to walk with Him in the garden of The Acres--He always speaks softly and the way is strewn with beauty. I don't have much beauty, but I can, by His grace, speak softly. And one more year to share--graciously, I hope--the truths He shares with me through the inner whispers of the Spirit. One more year of being abused by the Homesteader and manipulated by the Posse. Another year of goldfish under the ice of the pond--and weeds to pull, of course; and rodents to throw things at, and frozen pipes, and the manual labor that makes the curse a blessing. One more year of cold Pepsi, polish sausage with sauerkraut, lemon meringue pie, tomato soup and cheese sandwiches--the grace of taste buds. One more year of memories--both sorrows and joys, but all the means by which He reveals His never changing or faltering love. One more year--"grace time." "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it"--let us cherish every moment of His gracious gift of time as we tread--dance--on the journey Home. Always one step at a time. But never alone.