Gray Splendor

Proverbs 16:31 -- "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."

It never fails.....half way through [or nearly half] the Avonlea Antique Mall I have to find one of their pretty little benches and sit down to take the pressure off my feet. It's nice that they have a cafe' in there.  We usually take the opportunity to have a slice of carrot cake and some coffee. The place is HUGE! And I LOVE it. The stroll through various antique establishments in and around the St. Augustine/Jacksonville area is one of our favorite things to do. [and lets face it.....makes a cheap date for the parents of two teen age boys].

My Finished Project

To  coincide with my designing jewelry passion/addiction - I like to find antique pieces that need a little help. A little, hair color and a face-lift if you will. Especially -- earrings. The other day I found this great pair of actual Ivory elephants attached to some dilapidated ear screws so oxidized with age that the screws wouldn't turn any longer and the ear-wires left powdery residue on my finger tips. I immediately goose-bumped with excitement and couldn't wait to get the pair home to my jewelry bench.  I knew exactly what I was going to do with them! Yup - these little guys were gonna' get a new lease on life. Their previous journey and adventures had come to an end as they were headed for a new design and a fresh take on fashion - to once again dangle with pride from a pretty woman's ears. [not mine - they are going to be a surprise gift for someone].

I've been listening to women lately. A lot of my friends [and I] have reached that golden "mid-life" stage of life. And some of us are a little wary of the adjustments and are faced with -- well -- with what to equip ourselves on this new hike, this trail, blazed by many ahead of us but so new to our own experience. We must change shoes, re-equip our packs, and are faced with the fact that gummy vitamins are no longer going to do the trick. [bugger]

For some of us - that means........dare I say it? Our kids are on their way out the door. [say it isn't happening already!! I'll believe you....just say it!].

So not only are we faced with a change in our equipment - but we'll be making the rest of this hike with fewer in our group than we once had. It's a little scary. [o.k. - it's a lot scary]. Our roles that we have so securely established over the past, say nineteen or so years, have changed overnight, it seems. Where do I fit in now? What I DO?

I can't specifically answer that question for you personally, but I CAN say -- God's got you covered. He DOES still want to use you to His glory and even though our children are on their own [or will be] - they will not ever stop needing Mom. [and you can look forward to spoiling THEIR children rotten! I, for one, am going to invest in a cotton candy machine - give my grand kiddies a nice little treat and then send them home! ;) Ha!!]

I challenge you - ask yourselves these questions and then look up the answers: How old was Moses when he lead the people out of Egypt? How old was Noah when he built the arch? [I'll give you hint - they were older than 40].

You? Me? .... like the elephant earrings - our station is changing. But we can still sparkle proudly!  We SHOULD!! We have been called to God's glory!