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Count it All Joy

Those four words were the name of a column I once wrote for a now defunct Christian newspaper. I hadn't written much more than family Christmas letters for a couple dozen years, but when that door opened - I walked boldly through it, regarding it as a creative outlet and opportunity to record thoughts and life stories as family history. If they happened to bring a smile to some unsuspecting reader along the way - so be it.

I have that entire set of yellowing newspapers in a Rubbermaid container in the basement of our house. I picture the kids going through all the "stuff" when I leave this world and coming across the contents of that storage bin (about 2 years worth of monthly publications).

My fantasy plays out with someone opening the lid and eyeing the papers. "Hey, look! It's the newspaper Mom used to write for!" Everyone stops what they are doing... they sit to take a break, passing the frail papers around the room, now filled with all my children and their children. They take turns reading the columns to one another, remembering their childhoods through the once published words of their mother. They laugh and relate their own memories of those stories and situations. Lingering a while longer, they suggest making copies so each of them may have a collection of Mom's columns. Reluctantly, they return to the job of sifting my life's leftovers - grateful for my forethought to save these sacred clippings as a legacy.

And then reality kicks in - (I can have delightful fantasies) ... it is far more likely that IF they even BOTHER to open the many Rubbermaids I have accumulated over the past decade (not to the mention the multitude more I may amass between now and when my train leaves for Glory) - the mere sight of a stack of newspapers will likely necessitate a quick trip to the recycle box.

"Hey - weren't those the Christian newspapers with Mom's column?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Why in the world would she keep them all these years?"
"Who knows? Why'd she keep ALL this stuff?"
"So we'd remember?"
"Yeah, what we've tried so hard to forget..." (laughter)

Well, not so fast my Sweet Ones - Your Mama has found a new medium (Cyberspace) and it doesn't require newsprint, soy ink or Rubbermaid ... Yep, I'm back in business ... and someday - you'll thank me (OK... maybe another fantasy...). Regardless, I'm leaving a legacy, and you're it - Nana Mama's Joy - her family..... and the fun has just begun!
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