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Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Monday, December 16, 2013

A Real Live Gentleman


He is one of the last World War ll veterans. He was in the Korean War. But like most of these men, he never talked much about it. It wasn't that it was not important, it was very important. . .but some things you just keep to yourself.

I have always known him as a very quiet man but with a quick, dry wit. When you least expected it, he would shoot something from the mouth that would send you off laughing. I think it was even funnier coming from him, because it was so unexpected.

He has always been such a dignified, sweet, gentle man. In fact, put those last two words together and that is the perfect picture of my Uncle Ed. . .a true gentleman. He is one of the rare birds who always opens the doors for you, holds out his hand to help you out of the car, takes you by the arm in so gentle of a way and walks next to you, not in front, not behind, but by your side and then steps out of the way to let you enter a building or room first. He is so respectful and thoughtful.

He is my father's brother. My mom and dad divorced when I was a little girl and dad was completely out of mom's life after that. But his brother, my Uncle Ed and his wife, my Aunt Shay were not. They were in her life and mine forever.


Aunt Shay and mom were best friends until Aunt Shay's passing in 2003. She told my mom once years after the divorce, that my dad is the one who divorced her, not her and Ed. I've always thought that was remarkable. My uncle did and still does help my mother financially every month. He doesn't have too. He wants too, because he cares. Remarkable!

I'll always remember him as the man of few words but I'll never forget the scene in the hospital in 2003. He and I were standing in the room looking out the window together as his wife lay dying behind us. He had his arm around me and said, "We love you Kristy." It was the first time in his 82 years, in my life, that I heard him say those words. But I always knew it. He took care of me in one way or another over my years whether it was having me come out to their Colorado home one summer back in the 70's when my mother was going through a difficult time. He knew that was a difficult time for me also and wanted to give me a break. Like the time when one of my first cars I had as a teenager had brakes that went out and I was a broke teen. It was my uncle who left money on my dresser, quietly, so I could have the brakes fixed. As I was growing up, it was he and my aunt who bought me new clothes to start out the new school years. And every Christmas I receive a card with money in it. He never forgets. Such a quiet man but so full of love.

He is 92 today. He has been living in Texas with his daughter and son-in-law for the past four years. The son-in-law, Doug told me the other day on the phone that he is a better man because of Ed. I have no doubt! I'm sure everyone in Uncle Ed's presence is a better person because of him. I know I am.

I hope the art of being a gentleman does not die off. This world has changed so much since World War ll and the days of dressing up to go to a movie. But Uncle Ed never changed and I am blessed to have had the privilege of seeing up close a real live gentleman and being loved by one.

Happy Birthday Uncle Ed! I love you too~

Kristy

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have described him to a "T". We are truly blessed to have such an uncle as Ed! With love, from his other niece - Kim.

Lisa Lewis Koster said...

What a blessing to have a man like that in your life. It makes me think of "Lew," my grandpa's (who died when I was 6) cousin who I discovered working on genealogy. He too is a veteran and a gentleman.

Dionne said...

My Papaw was a rare gentleman. So I know what you mean. Those kind of men have a heart of gold. I absolutely love this tribute Kristin! I read it twice (smile). I want to go hug your Uncle and tell him how much his love for you is part of your love for others and Jesus.

a joyful noise said...

Yes a real gentleman is hard to find. Your uncle is unique in thinking about the welfare of others and how he could help. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute to your darling uncle. It is a good thing for others to understand what a real gentleman does.

Lori Dupes said...

Oh Kristy, what a lovely tribute to not only your uncle but to all the kind and older gentlemen of that generation. It saddens me that the art of chivalry seems to be harder to find these days. I would love to have had an "Uncle Ed" in my life, a taste of the Father's love woven into the humble moments of time. No loud, "Here I am, look at me. I'm here to Bless you now." No,it would seem Uncle Ed was more of a quiet whisper that gently blew almost (but not quite)unnoticed throughout the places of your life, simply because he loved. God's loves is like that, isn't it? It's not in our face,demanding, it simply is, because He is. His love is always before us and always behind us; watching over us like your Uncle Ed has watched over you and your mother all these years. Thank you for sharing and blessing us with Uncle Ed.

Jackie said...

Happy Blessed Birthday to Uncle Ed.

He sounds just like the type of gentleman I will become a wife to next Summer.

Merry Christmas Kristin!

Jackie

Kristin Bridgman said...

We are blessed to have or had a real live gentleman in our lives!
Lori, your words are beautiful and thank you so much for sending him a note. That made my day. And it will his too:)
And Jackie, I'm SO happy for you, Congratulations!

caryjo said...

What a treat... for you and the rest of us. That kindness, acceptance, love... just touched my heart significantly. To be blessed that way is something I can hardly imagine. I am NOW, through my husband and friends, but a long time ago it rarely occurred. You were and are blessed. Thank you so much.