Hugs for Aunts

Chapter One Aunts Are Wise You can't begin to fathom My understanding of you. My wisdom is pure, peaceable, considerate, impartial, sincere, and full of mercy. Just ask, and I'll help you to prioritize your days and give you a heart of wisdom. Teaching you, Your God of Wisdom -- from Isaiah 40:28; James 3:17; Psalm 90:12 Leonardo Da Vinci was a brilliant person. In addition to his great works of art, he was an accomplished and celebrated scientist, mathematician, architect, inventor, anatomist, engineer, musician, and writer. He accurately conceptualized the invention of solar power, the helicopter, the tank, and the calculator more than four hundred years before their time. So he beat you to the punch on a few obscure ideas (do you personally need a tank?). But it's hard to image he could beat you where it really counts: wisdom. Intelligence is a gift; wisdom is an achievement. It's what you choose to do with the intelligence you've been given. Wisdom involves knowledge but goes far beyond it. True wisdom springs from experience mixed with a liberal dose of good judgment and uncommon common sense. It's knowing precisely your place, understanding how things fit together, discerning what's appropriate or best, and pursuing excellence. Some aunts, like you, are inherently wise. They know how the world -- and human nature -- works. They understand the seductive nature of the temptations before us, the dangers of giving in, and the way to resist. They know what's important in life, what's just gravy, and what's best avoided. They see things about us that even we don't yet know about ourselves, and they gently, kindly, and wisely help us discover it for ourselves and make our own wise choices. Wisdom isn't something you can teach or bestow: you can only model it, exude it, and hope those around you imbibe and absorb it. With each passing year, we see your wisdom more clearly. Thank you for sharing it with us. The people who influence us are those who have stood unconsciously for the right thing; they are like the stars and the lilies, and the joy of God flows through them all the time.-- Oswald Chambers Everything in Its Place It almost felt as if she were going home. Katie had always had a fondness for visiting Aunt Margaret's house as a child. She loved the huge yard, the country feel, the colorful plantings, and the big old house with lots of nooks and crannies for exploring. As an only child, she used to climb the big weeping willow tree when she needed a break from her boisterous cousins. Maybe she'd climb up in that tree once again. She certainly could use a break from the boisterous, dizzying life in the big city that was threatening to overwhelm her. She sighed as she turned down Aunt Margaret's street. She turned off the air conditioning in her Hyundai and rolled down the window, inhaling deeply the sweet country fragrances she remembered from her happy childhood visits. Since each of her parents had remarried in recent months, everything had changed. Katie didn't feel at home -- or overly welcome -- with either new stepparent. That was why when her heart yearned for home, it was to Aunt Margaret's that she was drawn. She had barely turned into the gravel drive when the door of the house was flung open and a joyous Aunt Margaret bounced down the steps to greet her, arms open wide. She practically pulled Katie from the car and enveloped her in a safe, comforting hug. Katie dissolved into her aunt's embrace. The faint smell of jasmine, her aunt's trademark scent, made Katie feel both secure and consoled. "Katie, darling!" Aunt Margaret exclaimed. "It just warms the cockles of my heart to see you again. It's about time you got some of that bigMoore, Karen is the author of 'Hugs for Aunts ', published 2007 under ISBN 9781416541806 and ISBN 1416541802.