Off to a Gathering of the Cousins

CurtissAnn — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:55:54 +0000

I leave today to drive myself and my mother to a gathering of ‘the Johnson girls’, my mother’s maternal cousins. We’re meeting in Savannah. It is always hard for me to leave home. All the packing and trying to make sure I didn’t forget anything, plus making certain everything here is in place– chicken and children caretaking seen to, hanging ferns watered…etc. I am one who wants to anticipate every single contingency, because I feel it is my responsibility. Add to all of it, my mother is 85 years old and on oxygen, and in my mind she can go at any minute. (Well, any of us can.) My state of mind is: What was I thinking?

I’ve prayed and turned it over to God. This will be an opportunity for my mother to see cousins from her childhood, women of her blood and heart. I get to see them, too, women of my blood and heart. Blood kin is of paramount importance to a Southern girl. So, we’re going.

These bits of wisdom came before me this morning, and I share them with you. Maybe you’ve got some sort of ‘What was I thinking’ stuff going on, too.

Starting Sunday out right…

God hasn’t called me to be successful. He’s called me to be faithful. ~Mother Teresa.

He instructs me in the night seasons. ~ Psalm 16

Dear God, today I let go of the driving need to be in control. I cannot possibly anticipate every contingency. I let go and trust, and remain receptive to guidance. All is well. Thank You! Amen.

I’ll be coming home with lots of stories, food for stories of my own. With a writer, nothing is ever wasted.

Filed under: Faith, Family, Inspiration, life & living, prayer, Writing Life

Curtiss Ann Matlock

Off to a Gathering of the Cousins