Gratitude:
- my aunt Esther who is 103
- that my son and I got to visit her in August (she lives 11 hours away)
- that she sent us a Halloween card 2 days ago
- for Etsy!!!!! Etsy allows me to choose sweet gifts from some cool shops that I can send to Esther, just because- the last gift was soap in the shape of a bird
- the tiny bit of rain we got that turned the leaves orange and red
- getting to see our friends do their clogging dance at a festival tomorrow- they are SO good, it’s kind of like tap dancing but louder
- hearing my husband’s fishing tales- he just got home from a trip to Florida
- that even though my bowling scores were lower this week, I’m a little more comfortable bowling in front of teams now and I had fun
- my dad is letting me use my momma’s bowling ball- last week when I used it, I cried, this week I didn’t cry!
Miracle photos:
My great aunt Esther and her daughter Patty lived together from 1979 to 2021 in a small lake town in Iowa, near Minnesota. They did lots of crafts and ceramics. Every holiday, they decorated their house with the things they made and bought.
Patty unexpectedly passed away on March 26, 2021. In May 2021, my son and I went up to see Esther for her birthday.
I hadn’t been to her house in many years. When I asked if she had an attic, she let me go up and look.
Up in the attic were all these boxes. Esther told me that if I wanted any, to take them because they were going to goodwill.
Goodwill?
That made me wonder what was in them, so I started opening the lids! Holiday decorations! Some bought, some handmade.
We had our bikes in the back of my truck, so I jammed as many boxes as I could into the back seat. Always wishing I could’ve gotten more… but, we barely had room for our suitcases, ha ha.
Because winters are very harsh up there (like 20 degrees below zero), they gave away the rest of the stuff, Esther sold her house, and moved into a cozy assisted living home.
Now, when I open up those boxes to decorate for each holiday, I can smell her storybook house, sold over a year ago.
If we hadn’t been there for her 102nd birthday, we wouldn’t have any of her things.
Miracles.
Thank you for reading. I hope you are seeing miracles wherever you are. I’d love to hear about them if you are! Feel free to comment, if you’d like.
Hope you have a wonderful Friday!
Jessica
© COPYRIGHT 2022 Unmeasured Journeys
** all writing and photos are by me
Unmeasured Journeys 
I like Esther’s harvest decor – so cute and you photographed them so nicely, up close and every detail.
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Hi. How are you doing? Thank you. That little squirrel is really sweet. There are several things in the boxes. I put the scarecrows on the entryway buffet yesterday. Looks so nice.
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I’m well thank you – hope you are doing well too Jessica. I like scarecrows. I have some pictures of them taken in the neighborhood and from an event at Heritage Park that I will be making a post from in November. They always give me a smile with their whimsical looks.
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Can’t wait to read that!
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I was sorting some photos this morning as we had rain so I got a chance to look at them. Very clever of these people how they decorated them for an event called “The Scarecrow Stroll” – I didn’t attend the actual event but some people had left their scarecrows behind in the Botanical Gardens. I also have collected a few photos of scarecrows in the ‘hood.
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Fun!!! We’re behind, haven’t even been to any pumpkin patches this year yet. Some of them have scarecrow contests. Hoping to go to a pumpkin patch Saturday. I’d love to see a sunflower patch, too.
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Harvest time and Fall are my favorite times of the year. We had a lot of nice weather in October, so I really got out a lot. Our sunflowers sadly are all kaput now but I found a sunflower garden so got some sunflower and goldfinch shots there.
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Oh, bet those are pretty! Goldfinches are beautiful birds. Love how you share the places you’ve been.
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Thanks Jessica – yes I did write about the sunflowers and finch as I wanted to say Summer was on the wane. I will do a Halloween post on Monday, but I’m often so far behind with post/pics/Reader … the struggle is real sometimes. :)
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No hurry at all. That’s the cool thing about writing. Timeless. Hope you have a great day!
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Thank you Jessica – you too!
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How wonderful you were able to receive these keepsake decorations! And how nice you were able to visit your aunt – who is 103! I am glad you are having fun bowling. We all need fun! And it is amazing to have received a Halloween card from your aunt. This is very special. At 103, even the simplest of activities – can be a challenge. You must have a very special place in her heart! Lastly, I did see a clogging festival once – and it was very impressive! I’ll have to be on the lookout for another one sometime!
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Thank you, we really enjoy Esther. We went to her 100th, 102nd, and were a bit late to her 103rd birthday, but we made it. haha. She is a sweetheart. She really loved my momma. She was my mom’s aunt. Esther and my grandpa were brother and sister. After we lost Patty, I always sent Esther gifts every month or so so she would know she was loved. I even sent her roses and a teddy bear on that first Mother’s Day without Patty. Thank you, I loved getting that card. She writes pretty often, which I love. I hope you can see some clogging sometime soon. It is a joy to see and watch. We are going to watch them tomorrow at 12:30 pm. They are excited that we are coming. Hope you have a nice weekend with your family. Hugs to your son and his wife. Still praying for them.
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Thank you. I will enjoy spending time with Michael and Allie. I appreciate your prayers. I am sure Esther appreciates your attention and love. That was so considerate to recognize her first Mother’s Day without Patty. Enjoy the clogging and the rest of the weekend!
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Thank you. That’s very kind. Hope you have a great weekend!
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That’s marvelous that Esther’s decorations are loved and used.
I’m glad grandson David found the fall decorations that John packed away a year ago.
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Hi!!! Oh I’m so happy that he found those!!! There is just something special about using decorations that have been used and enjoyed through the years. Thank you- I’m so happy we have them! I got some of her Christmas, Fall, Valentine, and Easter decorations. Almost year round.
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What a wonderful cache!!
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Thank you. I feel really lucky to have them.
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Cute decorations. Clog dancing sounds like something fun to see. Have fun!
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Hello. I think they are cute, too. Thank you!
Thank you, I went and watched them a few weeks ago, too. The music is upbeat and they are moving!! Can’t help but clap along. It’s my friend Truby and her two older kiddos. Very fun. There’s also crafts, food, and carnival rides. Like a fair, but a fall festival instead. I’m not doing a booth, but one of my other friends is. So it will be fun to see her set up there.
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