Beautiful Epiphany (Part 4 of 4)

As I toured the beautiful home and gardens of Bellingrath, I thought about the legacy of the couple who built them.  The couple had no children, so they left their money in a grant to keep the home and gardens open for the public to enjoy.  It brought great joy to me, so much that I wanted to share it with you, dear readers.

Meditating on the gift the Bellingraths left us, I thought about my own legacy.  What will I leave for the generations to follow me? Surely not money, because I don't have any.  Houses and land? Only the house we live in, and it's mortgaged.  Silver? Gold? Jewelry?  Nada!

I'm poor by the world's standards, and yet I've always felt so rich!  My grandmother and my father taught me to be thankful, so I've learned to be content with what I have.  That is a blessing many do not possess.

In thinking about wealth, I'm reminded of a recurring dream I have.  In the dream, I am walking down a sidewalk, through mounds of fallen leaves.  As I walk, I kick through the leaves and they turn into silver coins.  It is a delightful dream and I wake up so happy.  I believe the dream can be interpreted to mean that I am rich in the little things. Things other people seldom notice.

I find so much joy in nature.  Trees, flowers, clouds, sunrises, sunsets, and especially birds, are such a blessing to experience.  Every morning is a gift from G-d to unwrap.  Sitting on my porch, listening to the world wake up is as thrillingly beautiful as attending an expensive symphony.  I can hear.  I can see.  I can enjoy the beauty of G-d's creation.  That makes me rich, so part of my legacy is a thankful heart.  I'm passing that on to my future generations.

I've been blessed with a wonderful husband, a large, loving, extended family (so many relatives, I stopped counting at 100), my children, and a grandson.  I still have my mama with me, even though she grows more frail with each passing day.  I have close, loving friends and I'm a part of a congregation that is like family.  I have wonderful neighbors and live in a town that's a lot like Mayberry.  I live in the state where people dream of vacationing.  I love to say I live in paradise, because I feel that way.

My faith in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and in Yeshua as the Messiah is my greatest legacy.  Belief in and obedience to His Word will preserve those who come behind me.  Love of Him and of people is something I've modeled and taught to my children, and is a way of life that will live on.  I know this because my grandmother and my parents left it to me.  I've preserved that inheritance, and the riches of that legacy have increased greatly.

So, I thank the Bellingraths for their legacy of enjoying the beauty of what their wealth created, and for the epiphany that illuminated the wealth I possess, and will pass on to generations to come.  

My epiphany at Bellingrath inspired a poem I thought you might enjoy:

My most prized possessions are friends and family

My time and precious days with them - G-d's richest gifts to me

My husband dear, my children, my mama and my grands

Are better far than sparking gold, or rings upon my hands.

To know there's always someone there to share an "I love you",

A hand to hold, a hand to care, a heart that's always true,

Are gifts from G-d to treasure, to honor, and to see

As great and prized possessions that leave a legacy.

For love's the greatest gift we're given, the best one to receive,

And those who see love as a prize are truly rich indeed.

Jem and me at Bellingrath Home and Gardens

I'm linking up today with:
 Thankful  Thursdays at: http://www.firstdayofmylife.org/    
     Sweet and Simple Thursday 
 Thought Provoking Thursday

Faith Filled Friday
Favorite Things Friday 

and Spiritual Sundays

Beautiful Hospitality (Part 3 of 4)

I saved the best for last - the kitchen and pantry.  I loved seeing the silver, china and crystal at Bellingrath, and I hope you will too.  Enjoy this and as you do, imagine the parties Mrs. Bellingrath must have hostessed.  Wouldn't you love to have been invited?

I enjoy entertaining and having people in our home.  I always joke and say, "It makes me clean up!" When my girls were growing up, and I started cleaning like a mad woman, my daughter Melissa would ask, "Who's coming over, Mom?"  It's true.  I clean a little better for company.

On the topic of hospitality, I want to encourage you, dear readers, not to wait until you have beautiful "things" before you invite guests to your home.  You don't have to possess expensive china, silver, and crystal to entertain.  I don't!

I learned a great example about hospitality from a dear friend, Linda.  Years ago, she invited me to her home for lunch.  Linda had purchased matching paper plates and napkins for my visit.  I felt so special!  So, even paper plates can be a blessing to others.

I hope you enjoy this tour of the Bellingrath kitchen, pantry, and dining rooms as much as I did. 

Tomorrow, I will share the epiphany I experienced at Bellingrath.

This is the beautiful collection of silverware. 

Just off the kitchen is the small private dining room where Mr & Mrs. Bellingrath ate most of their meals.

This small pantry between the private dining room and the kitchen has a collection of glass bottles, including some of the first Coca-Cola bottles produced.

 

The kitchen was re-done in the 40's, but has not been updated since then, but still looks so up to date. 

The counters are made of nickle, and looked very modern.

I loved the cabinets with the silver knobs.  Up top is Mr. Bellingraht's German beer stein collection.

The beautiful collection of crystal and glass serving pieces.

 And now, on to the pantry:

The pantry has a lovely view of the river. 

The china.  Don't you love the display?

A punch bowl that I found so attractive...made me want to have a party!

I love pink dishes...and these made me weak.

Now...get ready to see some amazing silver serving pieces.  My favorites of her collection.

Don't you just love these beauties?

Drool worthy, right?  She probably had a full-time person just to polish the silver.

 Off the pantry is yet another dining room...if you're counting, that makes three!

This is my favorite room.  A porch converted to a dining room.

This lovely room looks out over the Fowl River - so beautiful and inviting.

My husband's favorite part:  tapestries of Andrew Jackson, George Washington, and his mentor - General Robert E. Lee

Just look at the gorgeous crystal, the tablecloth...and those beautiful chairs.  

I am linking up today with
Teach Me Tuesday

Beautiful Home (Part 2 of 4)

Courtyard at the entrance of the home.

Yesterday, I gave a short tour of the Bellingrath gardens.  Today, let me share the beauty of this grand home.

The parlor - with portraits of the Bellingraths in their younger days.

The main dining room

The lady of the house, later in life. 

Isn't the staircase grand?  It is in the foyer, just off the parlor.

 And now a tour of the upper floor:

Sitting area of one of the three guest rooms. 

She collected porcelain from all over the world.

His bedroom, after she became ill.

Her bathroom - very stylish in the 30's

Their bedroom.

This window looks out over the river.

I adore this window treatment.

Tomorrow, I will show you the other rooms on the ground floor.

My favorites are the kitchen and pantry.  You will not believe

her collection of silver, china, and crystal.