My oldest granddaughter is now five years old.
You are a whole hand, we have been telling her.
Where has the time gone?
It seems like only yesterday when we got the call that she had been born.

Five years ago, my daughter had a baby girl.
The baby girl that I gave birth to, gave birth to her own baby girl.
I have watched through the years from a different vantage point.
I am the Grandma and it is delightful.

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I went to a large high school.
There were 4,000 students in the entire school.
There were 1,000 students in my graduating class.
Only the first student and the last student were named at our actual graduation ceremony.

All the students in between those two names were graduated on the spot, en masse.
We all threw our hats in the air at the outdoor ceremony.
And just like that, four years were completed.
And just like that, many of us went on to college.

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I am an auditory learner.
I truly remember everything I hear.
Perhaps that is why Whispers are so important to me.
I pay close attention to the sounds around me.

I am not always good at remembering names.
I wish I was better at that skill.
However, I do remember everything I have talked about in conversation with someone.
I remember all the details and minutia that others have long forgotten.

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I went to a wonderful conference this past weekend.
Writers, poets, artists, and musicians were all in one place.
We all were refreshed and rejuvenated.
I was so grateful for the time away and for the time with other creative people.

As I walked back to my hotel, it was quite windy.
I pulled my coat tighter around me.
I was at the traffic light waiting for the signal to tell me that I could walk.
There was no one around, since it was a bit late.

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I am very possessive about my tea time.
It is the one hour of every day that just belongs to me.
It is the one hour of every day when I can sit with my feet up for a bit.
I look forward to that time tremendously.

I have been having my tea time for many years.
I even had that special tea time when my children were young.
However, it was only for a half hour back then.
It was, and is, my way to relax and refresh my spirit.

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I enjoy going to thrift shops every once in a while.
I like to find odd things for my home: old tins, crocks, and Revere Ware pots and pans.
When I need to rejuvenate my spirit, I drive to the place of Amish buggies.
That is where one of my favorite thrift shops is located.

I donate clothes and household items there.
On those donation days, I always stop inside, going first to their antique room.
Then I head upstairs, where there I find housewares, fabric, toys and Amish quilts.
It was on a visit a few days ago that I saw them.

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I went to the grocery store early this week.
I didn’t want to go shopping close to Thanksgiving.
I try to get things I need for the Thanksgiving meal the few weeks before.
Therefore, the week of Thanksgiving, only the last minute incidentals are needed.

The grocery store was quite busy.
The shelves in my market were well stocked.
I am thankful for the independent grocers who sell local produce and meat.
Everyone was cheerful and there was a bit of anticipation in the air.

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Another day, another excursion.
On this particular day, we went to Longwood Gardens.
I brought my daughter and her three children.
It was a gorgeous fall day, perfect for walking around the Gardens.

Since I am a member of the Gardens, I can bring someone with me each time I visit.
My grandchildren are admitted for free, since they are young.
I knew we would be doing a lot of walking, but at a much slower pace.
With my grandson in a stroller, the rest of us walked around in wonder.

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Beginning today, there will be Weekly Whispers, which will be published each Tuesday.

We try to go to one college football game each year.
My college didn’t have a football team.
So the one game we go to each year is my husband’s college football team.
We usually go in October and we typically drive.

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I told myself not to miss it.
I made a mental note to take notice.
There would be time.
I just had to remember to look down.

The car I drive now was bought after I was side swiped on a country road.
The driver hit me and drove off.
My mini van was drive-able but was dented all along the driver’s side.
I was so thankful that none of my grandchildren were with me that day.

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