Family, Friends, and Good Books: Friday's Fave Five

May 7, 2010
Thanks for visiting for Friday's Fave Five -- my chance to share five great things about my week. If you’d like to join in, visit Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story. We’d love to have you!

1. My mom. Let’s put first things first! Mother’s Day is coming up, and I’m so thankful for my mom. She is leaving me an incredible legacy and I’m ever so grateful for her. She’s in her 80’s and still fun, relevant, thoughtful, and full of faith. She and my sweet dad left me and my sister with not only great memories, but a true picture of loving marriage. So much of my life is like it is today because of her lessons, love, and prayers.

2. My husband’s mom. After all – she produced him! My hubby’s thoughtfulness, respect for others, and devotion to faith and family are results of the love and time she spent with him. She’s not on earth to thank, but we had good family times together. She and her sweet husband raised four wonderful kids, and I’m thankful for her input in my sweetheart’s life.

3. Family gatherings. Well, I haven’t had one this week, but I’m anticipating it! One of the boys graduates this June, and the family will be together in late May/early June to celebrate. I just can’t wait! I love these milestone times and having everyone here, sharing the family love.

4. Happiness of a friend. One of my dearest writer friends just signed a contract with an agent!! I am SO excited for her. She has such talent and dedication to her craft, and I can’t wait till her agent finds this book its perfect home. I remember when I got an agent; it felt like a weight had been lifted because someone else was going to be finding just the right spot for my book – and he did! Kudos to my dear friend Johnnie!

5. Classic works of literature. I love mining truths from the classics, and it’s so fun to do it with high schoolers. Several of my classes are reading Lord of the Flies right now. I love seeing them get into the characters – they wince when Piggy and Simon are mistreated, and they perceive early on that Jack is a bully. Another class is reading Crime and Punishment. It’s been arduous for them, but the end is such a great payoff. We finished it up today, and talking about the great universal themes of suffering and redemption in literature is such a privilege!

There you have it – family, friends, and good books! How much better can life get? Hope you had a great week. I’d love to hear about it.

Happy weekend!

22 comments:

Diane said...

Great list! Happy Mother's day to you too. :O)

Anonymous said...

What a sweet list! My own mom passed away a few years ago, and this time of year brings find thoughts of her both because of Mother's Day and her May birthday. I appreciate my mother-in-law's input into my husband's life, as well.

Love those family gatherings and milestones!

Great news for your friend! How exciting it must be to have an agent!

I love the truths that can be mined from the classics and the way they bring them home to us.

Unknown said...

Great list. I too am so very thankful for books. They were my friends when I was growing up with no other kids nearby.

Karen Hossink said...

Hi Laura,
So nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
Love these reflections on your mom and mother-in-law.
And congrats on your book. I know you're excited! *grin*

~Karen

Susanne said...

What a wonderful thing to have parents who pass on faith to their children. I never take that for granted.

We have a high school graduation this weekend. I love when family can get together to celebrate milestones too!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wendy said...

Great list! I like that you're thankful for your mother in-law. So many of us complain about ours, it's great to hear that there are some functional in-law relationships out there!
Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Willow said...

I enjoyed reading your fave fives, especially your tributes to the mothers who raised you and your husband. What a great legacy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Islandsparrow said...

What a lovely tribute to your mom and mom in law. And what a precious legacy they gave and are still giving!

I'm looking forward to a family get together too - this Sunday - Yay!

I'm reading LOTR slowly - with a pen - writing my favourite lines.

You're right - family friends and good books - it doesn't get much better!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend

Donnetta said...

Lovely tribute to both of the mothers in your life.

Oh how I would enjoy being a student in your class reading and discussing the great literature classics.

Exciting news for your friend! And how exciting that she has you to rejoice with her.

Happy Friday!

Karen said...

Great post, Laura! I'm thankful for a friend like you and have a Wonderful Mother's Day!

Johnnie Alexander said...

Laura, thanks so much for including my "Tigger Bounce" in your Fave Five list. (I'm still bouncing!) I'm thankful for you, too*

Susannah said...

Such a beautiful tribute to the Moms in your life! You are blessed indeed.

Congratulations to your writer friend. That's big news!

Happy Mother's Day. :~D

Jean Wise said...

I do love your friday fives. so nice for you to also mentioned you MIL and Johnnie; fun list.

Jerralea said...

Great list, Laura. It's so true that our husbands are the product of the legacy their mothers poured into them. I'm thankful that both my hubby and I had Christian mothers.

How exciting for your friend! It's great to see someone rejoicing for someone else!

Faith said...

You are making me wish I had done a tribute to my mom and mother in law :) Nicely written!!
Those books you mention are 2 of my faves! I love good literature and...I see you wrote a book (noticed it on your sidebar...) where can I find a copy? I'd love to read it!!

HAPPY MOTHER's Day, Laura...and thanks for visiting my blog!

Jientje said...

Friends and family are the best, and what would we be without our mothers? Happy Mother's day!

Beth Zimmerman said...

Wonderful list! :) Thanks for coming by my blog and commenting! Now following and will grab a copy of your button on my way out.

Karyn said...

Great list! Nothing better than Family, Friends, and good books, that is for sure.

Your job sounds fun!

Kari said...

This is a great Fave Five.
Happy Mother's Day to you and your mom.

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

I like your list! Family, friends, and good books are just perfect to keep life going.

Have a wonderful Mother's day!

Lisa notes... said...

So glad that your mom is so vibrant still. Enjoy all the time with her that you can! Having your husband raised by a great mother is also a blessing.

Family gatherings are my faves, too.

I pray you're having a great Mother's Day right now.

Marg said...

Is there anything more wonderful than to acknowledge your mothers'. You have been one inspiring mother also. I hope you have been blessed and honored by those boys of yours.

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