Gail B. Hyatt

I know I’m four days late, but I’m saying it anyway. “Happy New Year.” And I mean it. HAPPY New Year.

Not happy like “I’m-happy-because-I’m-getting-everything-I-want” happy.”

But “happy-because-I’m-at-peace” happy.

This is what I wish for you. Read more…

I hate good-byes. And this week I’m having to say “Good-bye” to Christmas (January 7th, the day after Epiphany, is when I put away my decorations). Christmas is over. Waaaaaeh—I just tried spelling it this way for the first time. Does it sound more whiney than “Waaaaaa?”

Anyway, this week I’ll be be putting away all the Christmas decorations. Taking them down always makes me a little sad. It’s like stuffing a bobbing, jack-in-the-box clown back into its box and pressing on the lid. I feel rather cruel putting him back into his box, but I LOVE it when I start twisting the handle. I love the anticipation—knowing that he’s going to pop out any second and make me smile … again.

These make me smile:

Most of my ornaments are red and gold. Those, nestled in the fir’s greenery, are the perfect combination as far as I’m concerned. Radiant. Read more…

On December the 18th, 2010, I am going to be hiking a 10K (6.2 miles) on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The last time I went hiking was in the summer of 2009 in Colorado. That’s me in this photo. I have to say, it was a pretty easy hike. And it’s a good thing, because it had been a long time since I had been hiking.

This one will be much more grueling and it will be in December. YIKES! But I’m up for it and so is Michael (my husband) as well as my daughter, Megan. Her husband, Joel, was going to join us but … conveniently … broke his foot. 🙂

(Anyone else want to come along? Click here to register.)

Why did I sign up for this 10K in the mountains? Because I want to help bring my newest grandbaby home … from Uganda. Read more…

There is one thing that we all have in common. We can all use a little more help around the house. It doesn’t matter if we’re male or female, if we’re single or married, if we have a million kids or if we’re retired and back to an empty nest. We can always use a little help.

Well, I may have found a solution. It’s inexpensive, but it does take some time—investment on the front end. Take a look and dream of the possibilities. (Pay attention @NelsonHyatt.)

(I want to thank my big brother, Karl Bruce, for sharing this video with me. Good job!)

Two people are facing a difficult day today. A day that has been a long time coming. Now it is here.

I sent this email to them in the hopes that it could be an encouragement. I thought I would post it here. Perhaps you need some encouragement and some assurance that He is a good God and loves you, and that “His will governs all.”

Good morning,

Praying for a real sense of God’s abiding presence in you today—filling you, and leading you each step of the way.

May you go forth with humility, courage and boldness, and with the assurance that “His will governs all.” Read more…

Last week I went outside and hopped in my car ready to meet my friend, Rachel, for breakfast. I hooked my seatbelt, stuck the key in the ignition and after a few whines and sputters … nothing. Nothing. It soon became obvious that I needed a jump start. I had left my visor down overnight and the tiny little light beside the mirror had completely drained the battery. Shoot!!

My neighbor just happened to be leaving his house at the same time and was happy to come over and assist me. Once my battery was connected to his, the turn of the key produced an engine purring like a kitten. Off I went.

Somedays I need a jump start. Read more…

Yesterday, Randy Elrod wrote a great blogpost on “Why We Call Our Community in Franklin, Tennessee ‘The Campus’.” He gave a little history about where the name came from.

“… the downtown Franklin community is very much like a college campus. Merridees is the snack bar, Starbucks at Five Points is the coffee shop, Puckett’s Grocery is the lunch room, Landmark Booksellers is the bookstore, McCreary’s is the obligatory pub and the sprawling historic homes are like fraternity houses for adults. We even have the campus police who ticket you for the slightest infraction of the law.”

Spence Smith, has written on it twice. The first time was over a year ago. It was when we first began calling our little community the “campus.” He says, Read more…

One thing I’m loving about being with my family this week is the lack of DRAMA.

There has been no walking on egg shells. No whispers behind someone’s back. We’re just there, looking at our feet and being present, loving and appreciating each other. Laughing, crying, hugging (my personal favorite), cooking, eating, cleaning, debating, sparring, eating, expressing, listening, reminiscing, more eating (what is it with the eating?) and most of all seeking to understand. I love it.

It hasn’t always been this way, and thankfully over the years, and through lots of pain, we’ve chipped away at the superfluous and been left with the gems of each other. Read more…

I woke up this morning to a text left to me by my sister-in-law, Patty Bruce, Phil’s devoted wife of about 44 years. It said:

“We wanted to share with you – Phil went to be with the Lord tonight at 10:40. We are missing him, but rejoicing in his being in the most excellent place. Love , pctkjb&d”

I have 4 older brothers, Phil is the oldest. I’m his baby sister. He’s been battling a mysterious neurological disease for the last five years and last night, his battle was over. I will miss him tremendously. His daughter, Karen began keeping a journal during his last weeks. After I read her entry from this morning, I knew I wanted to post it here. It is just beautiful. I pray that it will be an enouragement to you. (Please make sure you read the last *)

From Phil’s Journey, September 12, 2010, by Karen Rice:

i thought i would be able to sleep tonight without coming here to wrap up my day. but, apparently this has become an elemental part of my daily routine. apparently i will need some time to pass before i can share with you details that are close to my heart, but it seems best to state a few things simply to you, my dear family and friends. Read more…

An open letter to Seth Godin in resonse to his post Moving On.

Dear Seth,

I’m up early this morning, before Michael. And next to his reading chair is your little book THE DIP. Inside the book is wedged a yellow highlighter. When he’s done with this book, and all the highlights have been captured, it will slide into it’s place next to all the others on the Seth Godin  section of our bookshelf. These books get pulled out from time to time and blue highlighter marks may be added to the already present yellow ones. Later pink lines may join them.

Your books are read and reread. Sometimes they’re sent out on “mission trips” or get taken to spend a week with a friend. Most return home with a thank-you note stuck inside, some choose to relocate permanently. From there who knows where their journey takes them. Read more…