Denise Hildreth

1. What did you want to be when you were little? a teacher or the host of the Today show.

2. What is your best childhood memory? Being at my granny and grandaddy’s and playing with my cousins.

3. Are you a cat or dog person? I love all critters, except the mouse terrorizing me in my kitchen!

4. Always wear your seat belt? Across the parking lot

5. Been in a car accident? I think I might be the reason Tennessee just outlawed texting while driving.

6. Any pet peeves? Multiple….

7. How many times did you fail your driver’s test? 0! Even paralleled parked with a 5-speed.

8. From whom did you get your last email? Myself- sent myself a picture from my phone

9. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target

10. Like your job? Grateful everyday to do what I love…

In my ninth grade Geometry class that I passed by the hair of my skinny-chin-chin, (I think that’s how you say that…) I learned one thing, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. This information has served me greatly on the vast many road trips my life and work have required me to take. Even driving through Nashville, I’m always thinking, “Okay, now which way is the straightest line.” So needless to say, I’ve never been an “enjoy the journey” kind of girl. I’ve always been more of a “destination” kind of girl.

This great revelation came as my precious friend Packer and I were taking a road trip from a retreat we had been to in the mountains of Tennessee to the SIBA book convention that I had to do in Atlanta. Now, I’ve lived in Tennessee long enough to know that there are no straight lines through the mountains. So, I alwayas look for the quickest route to the inter-state. But I was assured (by two men- no less) that the “quickest” route was over the mountain.

Well, that trip over the mountain ended up with one missed turn and about a hundred extra miles, including a trip through Helen, Georgia, (which I have sinced renaimed- you get the picture I’m sure) complete with a German parade and an Elvis impersonator. I can never say that my life hasn’t been filled with great amusement. However, after having to pick up a Coke to endure the rest of the journey my friend Packer proceeded to tell me how I needed to learn how to enjoy the journey.

I discovered on Friday I’m getting there. Headed to Franklin, North Carolina to speak at a women’s event, nothing but the GPS on my phone and some good music. Outside of Cleveland I hit the two lane roads and realized that this wasn’t going to be a jaunt across the interstate. And something in the soul of me settled. I rested into the hard back of the rental car, tugged on to the tight steering wheel and made my way around the winding roads that paralleled the Ocoee. And while I was there, I let my mind wander to a trip I had taken the college kids I taught in Sunday School some twelve years ago and our “eventful” ride down the rapids. I even pulled over to the shoulder of the road to take a picture. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road and took a picture! I shocked myself. I don’t pull over except to go to the bathroom and then I run. But there was no rush in my step Friday. There was no wishing away the two lane road, there was just an intense appreciation of the beauty that surrounded me, the ability to do what I love and the fact that God was ever present.

Loss has changed me. Lightened me up.  Granted the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But it sure isn’t the most breathtaking. In fact, I can’t say I’ve ever driven an interstate that has taken my breath away. Sure, the wildflowers in the medians of the Tennessee interstate are beautiful when they’re in bloom, but then I remember how angry people got at how much it cost and it kind of diminishes their appeal. But nothing diminishes the beauty of the Ocoee or the mountains that engulf you. And you don’t get little shacks selling boiled peanuts or sweet potato butter on interstates. Granted you don’t get as many dead skunks either, but you don’t get the joy of killing any either.

I’m not sure how long its been since you’ve enjoyed the journey through mountain roads, or sneaking away on an afternoon to take in a movie, or truly sabbathed on a Sunday, but seeing as it takes one to know one, I’ll tell you, we’ve missed a lot. Let’ s not miss anymore. God has showed off with His amazing canvas. And He delights in delighting us with it…

10 More Random Questions…

1. What color is your toothbrush? red and white

2. Name one person who made you smile today: My mama

3. What were you doing at 8 am yesterday morning? Eating Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Working on my website

5, What is your favorite candy bar? Snicker’s…

6. What is the last thing you said aloud? Okay

7. What was the last thing you had to drink? hee…hee

8. Do you like your wallet? Like it pretty well thank you…(How ridiculous is that question? Who thinks of this stuff?)

9. What was the last thing you ate? leftover birthday cake…

10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Some white t-shirts.

A couple weeks ago I introduced you to my friend Brittany…this week it is my pleasure to introduce you to another amazing young woman and a wonderful writer. I met Sharon back in November at an event I did for a church in Cartersville, Georgia. She gave me this amazing poem and I wanted to share it with you.

May I introduce…Sharon Kennedy.

Simple, Yet profound Truth.

Tell me there’s no God. I’ll tell you the sky is His canvas.

An the trees in autumn, dripping with brilliant color, are His paintbrushes.

Tell me there’s no God. I’ll tell you teh moon is His table lamp and He tyaught the birds their song.

Tell me He doesn’t exist. I’ll tell you He molded the  mountains with His own hands and that He makes the oceans churn.

Tell me He is not the light of the world. I’ll tell you He burns brighter than the sun.

Tell me He is not the Creator. I’ll tell you He holds the universe in the palm of His hand and the earth spins on the tip of his finger.

Tell me He doesn’t love me. I’ll tell you He brought me out of darkness when my only comfort was the thought of my death.

Tell me there’s no God.

I’ll tell you He holds me in His arms.

I’ll tell you He speaks to me.

I’ll tell you I feel his touch.

I’ll tell you He rescued me.

Thank you for all of your comments about last weeks conversation with my friend Charles Martin. Here is a little more for you to enjoy…

Charles, thanks for being with us again this week. Okay writer’s all have different ways they write. What does your writing schedule look like?

I’m best early in the morning. Like 4-7. Then we get the kids to school and I’ll get back to it from 9 or 10 til 2pm. By then, I’m cooked. My seat has had all it can take. I don’t write at night. Too tired. I’m a morning person and if you ask Christy she’ll tell you I turn into a pumpkin about 6pm.

Okay, now for a few “fun” questions.

What do you have on top of your desk?

A printer. A computer monitor. A warmish cup of coffee. A bunch of crap in one corner I don’t feel like dealing with. Stuff to be filed. Paid bills. A letter that needs to get into the mailbox in a few minutes. An empty Fresca can. A handheld recorder. My grandfather’s pipe. Two pencils with broken leads. The reflection of a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid poster. And, the sound of Chris Tomlin’s latest cd.

What do you have to drink or eat while you write?

Coffee, and lots of it. But my addiction is Perrier. You didn’t ask me what was next to my desk.

If you could write anyone’s story who would it be?

King David.

If any of your books could be a movie which one would you want to see on the big screen and who would you pick to star in it?

Any of them and I have no idea. To be honest, I’ve not spent much time placing actors into my characters faces. I very much hope they (my stories) are turned into movies, but so does every other writer on the planet. I’m hopeful. You know anyone?

So, I know it is completely shameless to ask for your own birthday party. But I so did. It was a landmark one, and all I wanted were my friends together. But when my friends kept asking, “What are you doing on your birthday?” It became pretty apparent that I wasn’t having a party. Because if I were, they would be there and they would already know what I was doing. But they were all crafty little fellas and got me good…

I’ll share more about the party later when I get the rest of my pictures in, but for now, I want to share with you the words from a card my parents gave me. In all my years…I’ve never received a card more beautiful. It would be wrong to keep it to myself. And for this new week, may you take these words for your own life…And may it be beautiful.

How to Make a Beautiful Life…

Love Yourself. Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.

If you can’t hear what it’s saying in this noisy world, Make time for yourself. Enjoy your own company. Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try.

Take Chances. Make Mistakes. Life can be mess and confusing at times, but it’s also full of surprises. The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.

When you don’t have what you want, want what you have. Make Do. That’s a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren’t any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to make your own way. To know where you’re going is only part of it. You need to know where you’ve been, too.

And if you ever get lost, don’t worry. The people who love you will find you. Count on it.

Life isn’t days and years. It’s what you do with time and with all the goodness and grace that’s inside you.

MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE…

The kind of life you deserve…

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30

2. How do you like your steak? medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Proposal

4. What is your favorite TV show? The Amazing Race

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Seaside, Florida

6. What did you have for breakfast? I eat the same thing every morning. A piece of peanut butter toast with sweet potato butter preserves. But just found out peanut butter isn’t good for you because it has mold. Tried almond butter…don’t like that.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? All cuisines…

8. What foods do you dislike? Those you are “supposed” to eat.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? It was Radius 10-just closed down…heartbreaking.

10. Favorite dressing? Don’t have one.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Mine

12. What are your favorite clothes? pj’s

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Italy

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full- Always…

15. Where would you want to retire? either Smoky Mtns or lowcountry SC

16. Favorite time of day? Early morning before the rest of the world gets up.

17. Where were you born? Maryland- it is below the mason Dixon line.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? My dogs chasing each other around my ottoman- And college football!

19. Bird watcher? Only the ones who just had babies in the nest in the back of my house.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? So morning.

So, it’s like a baby making factory around my house! No, has nothing to do with me, bu everything to do with the bird’s nests that are all over. As soon as it gets warm enough to sit outside I move my office to my back patio. So, when I made my way out there at the first sign of spring, I saw the two nests that still remained up in the nook of my gutter that I didn’t have the heart to tear down.

The last couple years I’ve watched baby birds come to life and have enjoyed every moment of it. So, I thought I’d save some family the trouble and not make them have to build a nest. This year it was taken over by an expecting Finch.

I noticed two of them loitering around my front patio. One is a brownish gray color and the other is the same but his head, (yes, I’ve discovered it is a he) is red. I have never in the years I’ve been watching the hatching of baby birds had both the mother and father play roles. So, this year has been an entirely new experience.

I saw them both as they kept going up to the nest, so I knew they were a couple. What I didn’t know, until the all gray one took up roost on top of her s who the female was. The red headed daddy kept coming by to check on her. Caught them necking one time. I’m not joking! He was kissing all over her neck. I tried to act like I wasn’t watching but it was so doggone cute.

At the end of last week they hatched. And by the end of this week they had gone to fluttering their wings. When the mother comes up it’s the most amazing thing. The babies just sit there all calm and she kisses on them and loves on them. But when the daddy comes, bringing the food, they go crazy. They know what he’s bringing.

And when any other birds gets within any kind of distance to their nest, daddy swoops down with his red head, (we always knew they were fiery) and tells them to back off! And back off they do.

What I’ve noticed is that I’m mesmerized by the dynamics of this whole picture. And you know me, it’s always about something more. There is such a dependency in those little things. As soon as their dad gets there, their mouths fly open and everything they need for sustenance and growth is given. They do nothing but sit there ready to receive.

I’ve discovered God is no different. He is so willing to give us everything we need. All we have to do is be willing and open to receive. There in is our challenge. We’re often willing. But willingness won’t change our lives. Willingness may put us in the vicinity of blessing and purpose, but is obedience that plants it in the soul of us.

I can be willing to go to the gym. Trust me, most days I’m willing. But I also have to put myself in the workout room, put the weights in my hand before I receive the benefits of the workout.

How much time to we spend saying, “I’ll do anything.” Yet, we’re really not

Getting stronger and stronger...

willing to do anything. We’re only willing to do those things we want to do. Utter dependence may seem as if we’re out of control. (Even though by now we know control is an illusion. And if you don’t this must be the first blog post of mine you’ve read…) But utter dependence gets us to the place where we can fly. The only bird able to leave the nest the way it was created to, is the bird who was willing to open its mouth to receive and then did open its mouth.

My little finches will be out of their nest pretty soon. But I’m certain that they will not be out of their Father’s eyes. Just as certain as I am that we won’t be out of our Father’s eyes either.

Have you ever taken a picture of your eye?:
Not on purpose.

Do you actually have a favorite flower?
Yes…

Can you change a printer cartridge?
Yes, and when I had a VCR I could program that too!

Do you have sensitive skin?: to what…….?
Ridiculously…everything

Do you recognize Justin Timberlake’s songs?
No…But I do recognize Justin Timberlake.

When did you last have a cookie?
I can’t remember.

Are you lactose intolerant?
I’m fortunately very tolerant of lactose.

Are you a sarcastic person?
Check out last answer.

Who were you in middle school?
Denise…was that a trick question?

Have you worn lipstick before (even as a joke)?
Yes, and it wasn’t a joke! I lived through the 80’s!

Do you judge a person by how they dress?
Only if it is my brothers wearing a dress! Which both have done and I have pictures to prove it.

Do you have a credit card?
Yes, but don’t tell Dave Ramsey.
And I only charge if I can pay…You can tell Dave Ramsey that.

Do you honestly watch very much TV?
I’m addicted to the food network.

How many emails accounts do you have?
5

How many do you get a day?                                                                                                       I don’t even want to think about it…

Are YOU smarter than a fifth grader?
Not if you go by the answers I give when I’ve watched that show.

Would you ever go on that show?
Absolutely not!

Are you comfortable with your looks?
Is anyone?  Besides Cyndi Crawford…

Have you ever been ripped off?
Yes, last time I went to McDonald’s they didn’t fill my Coke to the top…

Do you ever wish you were the opposite sex?
Only when I’m standing in line at the restroom.

Do you take pictures of yourself for your Myspace (or other site)?
No, my arms are too short!

When did you stop believing the opposite sex was “icky” or “had cooties”?
What? I thought…you mean really, they don’t…

Have you ever experienced a hurricane?
A couple. Lived through Hugo in our hallway convinced our house was going to fly away.

Do you honestly think brunettes are smarter than blondes and redheads?
Seriously…

Have you ever actually played tennis?
Pitifully

What’s your favorite kind of chocolate?
Gravy…

Can you make a weapon out of a tape measure?
I have hurt myself with it multiple times.

Did your grandparents spoil you?
My granny introduced me to Coca-Cola…enough said…