Sometimes kids can say things innocently which really hurt, but other times just an off-hand remark can make your day. Sunday we had the Portland portion of our family up for a combined birthday party for Trinity and "Aunt" Koni. It was a good and pleasant time. Active little 2 1/2 year old Connor was playing on the livingroom couch, fell off and hit himself on the coffee table. His Mom rushed to him and picked him up trying to speak and kiss the hurt away. His Dad took him and hugged him, when out of his sweet mouth came the words, which I heard in the kitchen, "I Want Granddaddy." Oh, yes!! He had his Mom, he had his Dad, but who he really wanted was GRANDDADDY!!! Connor, you didn't know it, but you made my day.

Later in the evening, Connor was jumping all over me playing, and while he banged my head with a balloon, his mother said, "Connor, you have really missed your granddaddy haven't you?"
Without missing a beat and without even looking up he replied, "Yes, and Grammy!" Now there is a kid who could give polititians lessons. Twice in one evening he managed to certify the goodness of being a grandparent, and with three words he swept Phyllis and me together as a couple, with a simple and pure love. Connor, you didn't know it, but you made Grammy's day, also.

That day it was Connor, but of course other days have belonged to one of the other grandchildren. Each has made us feel very special at some time when they didn't realize it. Sometimes it is a hug at church, or a request to play or go for a walk with them, or a phone call from thousands of miles away. It may be something as funny as Alex telling his Dad while shaving the hair off of his head, "why don't you leave some on the back and sides so you will look cool like granddad?"

You're right, it doesn't take much to make a grandparent feel good.

Today is a special day for our granddaughter, Trintiy. For her 5th birthday she wanted a girls only Princess Day. Every five year old girl should feel like a princess, but not all of them do. Some families do not even know how to create happiness. I was watching the news a while ago, and a mother and father of an adopted daughter were convicted of starving the little girl who came to them in order to have a better life and find some love. Her blood parents were drug users. Now she will be placed in another home or put in the foster system, hopefully to find some happiness. My prayer is that she may someday have that princess feeling. Of course in The Lord, we are all princes and princesses and when we get to heaven we will have a special place with the King of Kings. It would be nice, however if that little abused girl could find some specialness while still on this earth. I may give up watching TV because so much of it makes me sad.

However, with such wonderful grandchildren, I am always cheered when thinking about them. No two of them are alike, but each is special and deserves to be treated that way. Thank you to all of my children and their spouses who love your kids and treat them with respect. [O.K. so they are all a little spoiled - granddads are allowed to brag (lie) a little.]

Phyllis just got home and said that Trinity had a wonderful party. Trinity, I hope you always feel special.

So what is this Cash Mountain? No, it is not a pile of money. Do we really live on Cash Mountain? If you lived on Gabbert Hill wouldn't you want to call it something else? So, our portion [5.13 acres] of Gabbert Hill is, as far as we are concerned, called Cash Mountain. What about the "view" from Cash Mountain? If you are asking about the hillside view, it has been described as cool, great, panoramic, million dollar [by Californians and Texans]. The tax assessor also has a high opinion of it. If you are asking about the blog name, the views may not be as lofty or cool, but like the the name of our place, they are ours. If you like them, say so. If you don't, be kind. Comments are welcome, if in good taste.