This is one of my most viewed post and I want to repost for my viewers.  There has been many searches for information on “West Virginia Coal Camps” and you may have missed my information. 

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Brenda Woodrum Hudson

I am a make a list person and need to check it twice.  Before starting a trip all reservations must be made and confirmed or I get frantic.  Well, my adventuresome husband is helping me overcome my fear of traveling without confirmations.

Of course, being a minister he just said we will pray about it and all will be fine.  My faith was not quite so strong on this issue, but I remembered there is a verse about being “submissive” to your husband.  Now why in the world would I suddenly remember this verse?  I thought I would try it.

Basil was so protective of my fear of not knowing where we would stay each night.  He started looking for available lodging around 4pm.  The first night we stayed on the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway at VA Peaks of Otter Lodge (Mile Post 86). I probably would never have ordered this online, but I actually liked the room.  Everything was quite rustic.  The furniture was made out of sort of rough lumber and painted in brown tones.  We had no phone, no internet and no TV…..but we talked to each other. 

This is a “by the way” comment on room rates.  The traveler is really paying their share of taxes.  Room Charge ($107.10) State Tax ($5.36) Local Tax ($5.35) Virginia Tax ($13.09). 

Why are we so conformed to our personal traditions?  Why don’t we just let go and experience the freedom around us?  Why are we afraid to be submissive to those who love us most?

We ate in the lodge by a window that overlooked a huge lake.  We could see the fish jumping up for their dinner, watch traveler walk around the lake and pause to thank God for our food and his blessings on us.  All of this, by just by being submissive and facing my fears. 

 I think I like it.

We definitely wanted to drive from the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and travel the full length to North Carolina.  I did all my internet research, printed out some maps and things to see along the way.  We packed our suitcase and were ready for adventure.

I wanted this carefree trip to be relaxing and also spiritual.  I wanted to draw closer to God through prayer, viewing the things He created and be closer to Basil, my husband.  This trip would be all of that and more.

We were driving the parkway and were at an elevation of over 6,000 feet when the storm clouds started moving in on the mountain.  We had driven in the pounding rain for several mile and visibility was not good.  I love storms, but not when driving in them.  I suggested we pull over at the secluded overlook and “experience” the storm.

Basil pulled over and turned off the engine.  I said, “Let’s experience this storm and see God in it”.  We got very quite and just listened and watched.  Quickly we could feel the car move as the wind picked up and the pine trees bent to the winds command.  The pounding rain was now making a ping, ping, ping sound on the windshield and hood of the car.  This is the middle of a hot July day and it is “sleeting”.  We had been clearly been looking at a mountain in front of us, but now the snow-white fog and clouds were blocking any view.  God himself was invisible, but He was commanding all the elements and they were dancing in the rain.  This was an awesome experience, but we were safe in the rocking car.

As I sat there experiencing this storm, it reminded me of the storms in life.  Sometime these storm come quickly, things get shaky and we can’t see in front of us.  We must rest in our faith because we are safe in God’s hands and He will protect us all the way.

Sometimes we just need to slow down and experience everything the day has in store for us.

I could see our American Flag flapping in the breeze of this July day.  I couldn’t keep from thinking of all the people who have helped keep us FREE and it is an honor to see Old Glory.  My grandpa, Pearl Lucas Woodrum-WW I and my dad, Donald Edward Woodrum-WW 2 were only two of thousands who are American heros.

I closed by eyes and the coolest July breeze brushed across my skin and I almost felt like I was on the beach.  I sneaked and opened my eyes and I was still in WV…oak trees and all.  I again closed by eyes and I could hear many birds giving out their calls, bugs clicking in the trees and the smell of smoke in the distance.  Just listen…..Just listen…….The branches hanging from my oak trees were dancing with the breeze and actually keeping rhythm.

Ouch!!!  I felt something sting my hand.  It was something I hadn’t seen all summer.  A sweat bee.  Sweat bee’s are tiny, tiny little bee’s that only sting lazy people (or so my mom always said).  Well, I was being lazy today.

I am anticipating all the 4th of July events in a few days, but today was priceless.  I shared a tuna sandwich with the man I love for time and eternity, the breeze was cooling us and God’s creation was tapping on my shoulder.  Sometime we just need to slow down and look around us.

“Be still and know I am God”.

There will be many different events going on in towns across the United States this week-end.  Small towns will fill the streets with an American spirit and the bands will march in the parades.  The BBQ grills will be heated and hundreds of hotdogs will be consumed.  The red, white and blue American flag will be displayed and families will place flowers on the graves of their loved ones.

How do you celebrate Memorial Day and what does it mean to you?  Please post your comments.

On the way we discussed what they wanted for dinner.  I made several suggestion, but they said they would like to have “Breakfast for Dinner”.  Of course, grandma wants to please the kiddo’s. 

We buy Steve Evans Sausage at WalMart and it tastes like homemade sausage from down on the farm.  So…….I fried sausage, scrambled eggs fresh eggs, pancakes with sugar free syrup, milk and OJ.   Breakfast for Dinner is not something we do often, but it is nice for a change.

I am sure Jamie Oliver would not approve and neither would I if it were done everyday.  But you know, some wonderful memories were made by doing something out of the ordinary.  They will remember coming to Pawpaw and Mawmaw’s Hudson’s house and swinging on a tire swing, helping water the flowers, planting a pine tree, looking at a bird nest on my door and eating Breakfast for Dinner.

I spent many summers visiting with Marcella’s family.  Her daughter, Joyce and I would spend the day playing in the town of St. Albans.  Aunt Marcella was a professional seamstress and she could make anything.  Joyce always had the most beautiful doll cloths and I sort of felt a little jealous.  Her mom would have left over material and it would turn into a doll dress, doll coats and hats.

Marcella was my mother’s oldest sister and they were very close.  Marcella and Joyce would come and stay a week with us when we lived in a coal camp in Mammoth, WV. One day Joyce and I decided to play beauty shop.  I was about six and Joyce was five….when we became beauticians.  I was bossy even then.  I talked Joyce into letting me cut her hair and assured her I would be careful.  I decided she needed it cut SHORT.  Clip, clip, snip all on one side of her head and then….OUR MOTHER’S CAME OUT ON THE PORCH where I was cutting.  I thought they were going to faint and we were two scared little girls.

Through the years Marcella’s signature color was always red.  I wonder if the Red Hat Society got their idea from her?

I will always cherish my childhood memories at Aunt Marcella’s house.  She had a parakeet that laid eggs, a bathtub on claw feet, a wardrobe with lots of hats, a really fast sewing machine, crisp bacon and lots of patience to tolerate two giggling little girls.  We would always attend Grace Baptist Temple on Sunday and come home to a Sunday Dinner.

The Lady in Red had lived her many years and brought joy to others.  God called her home and I believe she may even get a red robe in heaven.

I began searching in the most obvious places.  I went to the closet and went through at least twenty handbags and I found stale lifesavers, pens that won’t write, loose change, out of date coupons, but no sunglasses.  Okay, they must be in the beach bag.  Beach bag searched and no luck.  I savaged through dresser drawers, kitchen drawers and sunroom and I just can’t find them.

By now, I don’t think I am the person that lost my…prescription….sunglasses.  It must be Basil, my wonderful husband.  He is always cleaning out things while I am at the office and he probably trashed them.  I am getting more convinced I can’t find what is precious to me because of someone else being irresponsible.

Weeks have now gone by and we are getting more sunshine and beach weather is near.  I know by now, I will just have to make an appointment for an eye exam and purchase NEW….prescription…..sunglasses. 

That sweet man of mine has been busy all morning cleaning out my car.  He is always doing something nice, but I have to double-check the garbage because he will just toss good things.  He just pecked on the family room door and he was holding in his hand MY….PRESCRIPTION….SUNGLASSES.  I swallowed sort of hard and said, “Where did you find them”?  He said they were in your car console down under some junk and Christmas CD’s. 

He  handed them to me and just smiled. 

Loosing what is precious because of all the things that are not precious.  What is precious in our lives sometimes gets covered up by all the “stuff” in our lives and we miss golden moments that will never return.  Are all the hours spent working robbing you of the precious time you have with your family?  Do you have so much “stuff” that you don’t have time for just a few hours of worship time with God?  Don’t be like me and blame someone else for your precious things becoming missing items.  Most usually the most precious things in your life are right where you left them.

Simple events can be life lessons.

Today I feel invisible.  I really do.  I don’t feel a real demand for any of my abilities and I feel anyone else could do it better.  I feel like I am something that just goes along with the package.  A good wife.  A business partner.  A mother. A grandmother.  I compare myself to others and something I feel so inadequate.

I keep repeating “I feel”.  I just remembered by dad always told me we just can’t go on feelings…we must function on faith.  Okay, I am getting some answers to this awful “feeling”.  (1)  I have been married 49 years and no not all were wonderful, but through faith we are very happy and still in love. (2) Hudson-Gillmor Associates has been in business for 10 years and I know this business was started on FAITH.  (3) God richly blessed me with a heart of a mother.  Early years were sometimes hard.  We had two in college at the same time and we depended on faith for grants, jobs and parking spaces at MU. (4) GRANDMOTHER:  Yes, faith here too.  We waited 11 years for prayers to be answered.  I always wanted to be a good grandma like my “Granny Woodrum”.

I feel much better and not quite so whinny.  I needed to recall some blessings and to know tomorrow will be better.  I can see my arm and legs…so I am becoming visible again.

To begin with, I am looking at a wall behind my computer that has multiple pictures of all four grandchildren.  Matthew was the first and formost amoung all these kiddo’s.  Followed by Emily, Lauren and Zoe.  They are truly a priceless gift.

I can hear my washer tugging, tugging, tugging away.  The poor washer always gets all the dirty clothes, but it is so faithful.  Thankful!

I see a stack of paid receipts (that need to be filed) on my desk.  I can remember a time long ago where there wasn’t enough money to have a stack of paid receipts.  Oh, how God so richly blesses us.  We have more than we deserve and I am THANKFUL!

I just picked up at least five pair shoes in my family room.  I have a habit of just stepping out of them.  Some people don’t even have shoes.  I am blessed!

I complain about the cost of medicine and health care, but both are available.  I can’t imagine going through life without enough money for the medicine that makes you function.  I am blessed….even if the price is too high!

I could meditate and count blessings all day.  It was good to STOP and take time to reflect on all the beauty and blessing in my life?

Do you have any blessings you would like to share?