1. When’s the last time you had a heart to heart talk with someone? A change of heart? Experienced figurative ‘heart failure?’
We’ve had lots of heart to heart talks recently around our Pop’s failing health.
A change of heart: I’ve had a change of heart by praying for some folks in my life that I’ve wanted to give a piece of my mind to or punch. Praying for them gives me a different perspective.
Heart Failure: Watching the Olympics and seeing some crashes or falls or amazing spins in the air. Yikes!
2. Champagne, chocolates, flowers…what’s your Valentine pleasure? Any special plans for the day?
A confession about the heart shaped box of chocolates above. I had never in my life received a heart shaped fancy box of candy on Valentine’s day and a few years ago I decided to treat myself to one. I’ve received flowers or chocolates (not in a heart shaped box) or a nice card but that evasive heart shaped box of chocolates was haunting me. It haunts no more! See’s Candy’s are favorites in these parts.
I like all three of those things but I don’t need them on Valentine’s Day. Tonight we are having our weekly small group gathering at our house. No one had plans so they all opted to continue on. I did a little decorating for the day.
3. Are you a hopeless romantic or do you fall more in the category of practical and pragmatic? What’s a gesture you find romantic?
Absolutely more practical or pragmatic. I find kindness, encouragement and service on Dear’s part to be romantic.
4. Do you ask a lot of questions in life or are you pretty content with what you already know?
I wonder a lot and that’s why I named my blog The Happy Wonderer. My wondering leads me to research and find out, to travel and see, and sometimes that involves verbal questions.
5. Your favorite power ballad?
First off, I had to google Power Ballad to see what it was. I’ll have to go with Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. I went to our Junior/Senior prom at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1967 and my date made reservations for dinner at the famous Cocoanut Grove where the Righteous Brothers sang. Pretty amazing. Then in 1968 I was watching television when presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel. Talk about a heart failure moment. If I hadn’t packed away my scrapbook from those years I would have taken a photo of some memorabilia from that time. Here’s what I wore for the prom and the Righteous Brothers. My dear mom sewed this dress for me.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Bottoms up! Still basking in the hours I got to spend with this little one who has learned so many new tricks. Our kids will all be together this coming weekend and that makes me smile. It’s been a long time since uncles and aunties have seen Addy face to face. Dear and I will be heading to eastern Washington the end of February.
Speaking of love…
These two are the last of the Bagdanov siblings left who fled Russia walking to Persia and later immigrating to the U.S.A. My Aunt Anna came to visit my pop last week and she walked into the room with her walker and took a few steps on her own to hug him, give him a kiss and then she asked him not to leave her alone on this earth. She said, “Don’t leave me”. The doctors told Anna she had a month to live several years ago. That comment from the doctor made her consider her future and she told our pop that she was ready to listen to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ and was ready to be born again. Such a sweet moment for our pop and mom and all of us a few years ago. My pop and mom witnessed to all of their siblings over the years from 1963 on when my pop was born again.
Linking up for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Joyce asks the questions From This Side of the Pond and we answer.
We’ve had a lovely string of days without rain and with lots of sunshine. It’s good for the soul. It’s been quite cold but the sun warms things nicely.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
What an amazing thing how your pop and aunt fled Russia by walking to Persia and later immigrating to America. I’m so glad that she came to know the Lord, as well as your pop. You have such a special family, Ellen. Your dress for the prom was so pretty. Your mother was quite a seamstress. Happy Valentine’s Day, Ellen.
Wonderful post, Ellen! Love in action and how powerful to witness God’s love change lives!
I agree with you on number 3!!
It always makes my heart happy to hear when others are ‘born again’.
What an amazing and interesting story of immigration. I love your prom dress…I think it could be worn today as a retro kind of look and would still be beautiful. My girls tell me I look like I’m getting married in my prom pictures. I wore a cream colored dress, ala the 70’s and they’re not far off the mark : )
…now that’s one might big cup!
When I hear the courageous stories about family members immigrating, it reminds me how good we have it! All the little things that might annoy us just fade away!
What an amazing post for Valentine’s Day, Ellen! Blessings to you and your family.💗🙏
Happy Valentines Day to you Ellen! That prom dress your mom made is gorgeous and on a beautiful young lady – so sweet! I can imagine what Valentine decor you did for tonight – you are the best! Such a heart felt story about your Pop and Anna’s journeys in this life. Prayers answered! Enjoy your evening.
The story of your dad and his sister is so sweet! And the dress your mom made for you is gorgeous, keeping up with a style that would make you feel beautiful and loved.
What a wonderful thing for your Pop to hear, that his sister is ready to hear about his Lord and Saviour. I’m sure that was such a huge answer to prayer for him.
A heart change is a miracle every single time! So precious that your aunt came to your dad when she was faced with her own mortality!
Ellen, your parents had a much more exciting immigration story than my grandparents had! So sorry your father’s health is failing. It’s sad to see. I still miss my father every day! Your prom photo is beautiful! No sleazy dress and heavy makeup – what a concept! I’ve seen prom photos in recent years where the girls look like they’re going to a hooker’s convention, not a prom!
I’m glad your prayers are working for the ones you want to punch. I probably need to give that a try. Definitely heart failure watching the Olympics!! I love See’s. Nut and Chews are my favorite but I always pick up some of their dark chocolate balls to have in the house. I Googled Power Ballards too. Glad your kids will be together this weekend. I love when that happens. That is a beautiful story you shared about your dad and his sister. ((Hugs))
I always learn a little more about you, Ellen, from these posts. I love the story of your parents. Such a sweet photo of your Pop and Sister. What a journey they have been on – so inspiring. I love that adorable photo of you in your prom dress, and how sweet that your Mom made it for you. I think unchained melody is one of the most romantic songs of our time. I love your definition of romance. I, too, was watching television when Robert Kennedy was shot. I was all alone babysitting at the time. Those were terrible times in our nation. I hope that you have a wonderful visit with your family this weekend. Hugs xo Karen
Such a gorgeous photo of you in your prom dress, and I love your hairdo. I also love that you bought yourself the heart shaped box of chocolates – I think I might have to do that as I’ve never received on either.
I’m glad you’ve decided to pray rather than punch, but that image did make me chuckle.
What your Pop and Aunty went through to get to America is awe inspiring and what your aunt said to your pop about not leaving her alone on this earth is precious.
Have a lovely week.