Author & Editor Cynthia Hilston

Category: grandma

  • Reflection: Have I Seen Heaven?

    If you ask me if I’ve seen Heaven, I’ll tell you yes. Yes. Glimpses. But yes, oh, yes. My friends and I playing in the shade of 100-year-old trees in my backyard in 1985, that summer seems endless–laughter, swinging, sliding, playing in the water, clapping games. Even though she’s been gone twenty-five years, Grandma’s voice…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 20 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    Missing you, Grandma, at Christmas and always.  

  • Poetry Tuesday – The Greatest Gift

    Everyone gathered, young and old, Around the Christmas tree topped by a star of gold. Smiles spread across faces; the air was light and warm, For it was many years ago the Blessed Babe was born. Content with what they had heard, They could now rest assured That peace and goodwill toward all men Would…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow: Every Color Beautiful (Chapter 29)

    On Christmas morning, Brenda was busy playing with her new toys in the living room, remarking that she needed a cradle and a buggy for the baby doll. Hannah worked in the kitchen at preparing a sweet potato casserole for later that day.  The whole family would be gathering at her parents’ house that afternoon…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 12 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

      https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcyndi.hilston%2Fvideos%2F10154756953580030%2F&show_text=0&width=560   Merry Christmas!! As a gift to you, I’m sharing with you a part of a Christmas chapter from my story, Hannah’s Rainbow, which is based on my late grandma’s life. I recreated what a typical Christmas morning was like at my house when growing up and Grandma would spend the night. While…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 9 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    Most of us have traditions we carry out every year for the holidays. Maybe it’s putting special ornaments on the tree or going caroling with friends or getting together with certain family members. A lot of traditions involve baking or cooking certain recipes. For me, that recipe is for pinwheel cookies. My grandma used to make…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 8 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

      A Merry Christmas Smiles frozen in time decorate ruddy faces And stare back at me, all bundled and warm In holiday sweaters and knitted hats. My fingers gently grace the baby Who was once me in the old Polaroid, The white tree with the red bulbs And our stockings with our names in the…

  • Excerpt from Hannah’s Rainbow: Every Color Beautiful

    Standing around the perimeter of the ballroom rented for the occasion, Hannah shifted uncomfortably in a deep red taffeta evening gown and in heels that were too high for her taste.  She lifted her right hand to her hair and smoothed it down. She wasn’t accustomed to such luxury, and without Maria’s help, she wouldn’t…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 6 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    According to Wikipedia: “The modern Christmas tree was developed in medieval Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) and early modern Germany, where Protestant Germans brought decorated trees into their homes.[1][2] It acquired popularity beyond the Lutheran areas of Germany[1][3] and the Baltic countries during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes.” The Christmas tree is the most popular secular decoration in homes across…

  • Blogmas 2018 – Day 3 #christmas #blogmas #blogmas2018 #christmas2018

    The soft glow of candlelight illuminates the sanctuary while we sing “Silent Night.” A reverent awe flows through the atmosphere, seeming to carry everyone present to a higher, deeper level. After the service ends, stepping outside into the chill of the air as snow gently falls adds to that magical quality. It’s dark and the…