Work is good for the soul and the body. My dear mother-in-law Gracie, sent us this “prescription” many years ago: If you’re filled with worry – work. If you’re disappointed – work. If you’re burdened with heavy responsibilities – work. If sorrow comes – work. If dreams are shattered – work. If hope seems dead – work. If you’re happy and want to stay that way – work. No matter what your condition – work. Work as if your life depended on it. It really does. She was such a wise woman, my soul mate.
—Sandy Simpson
Sandy’s comment resonated with me back when she left it and it still does. I’m a worker from a working family. I genuinely like to work.
A while back I told you about Pap telling his grandmother he wished she’d go ahead and die because he was tired of working in her flower beds. He was too little to really know what he was saying and his grandmother got a good laugh out of it and often told the story on him over the years.
Paul and I were surprised by the story because Pap liked to work so much we figured he liked to when he was a boy too. Granny said “Well I think it was working in the flowers he objected to. If he’d been in the garden he probably wouldn’t have said that.”
Just before I started Blind Pig and The Acorn I went through a rough patch of life. I was unhappy and burdened down with troubles. I lost a lot of weight and generally went around crying and fretting. Miss Cindy was of course concerned about me. I remember she called me one day to check on me and after a few minutes of talking she said you need to go out in the yard and work. I told her I really didn’t have anything that needed doing she said “I don’t care. Go outside and dig a big hole and once you’re done fill it back in and then go and dig another one. Just go do something! I promise it will help.”
Like Sandy’s mother n law Gracie, Miss Cindy knew the prescription I needed to pull me back among the living was to work towards something even if it was a hole in the ground.
Our worst fears were confirmed this week. Miss Cindy has stage 4 lung cancer. It has spread throughout her body to lymp nodes, spine, ribs, pelvis, skull, and brain. The prognosis is grim but Miss Cindy is in good spirits and is concentrating on the fact that she’s lived a long life and knows where she is going when she leaves this ole world.
We appreciate all the prayers you’ve prayed for her and for us. And we’ll appreciate your continued prayers.
Last night’s video: Watermelon Hill 4.
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Miss Cindy and your family are in my prayers.
So very sorry Tipper, Matt and Katie & Corie. Y’all are very much in my prayers.
I used to fear death so much that I wouldn’t even discuss it with anyone. If they started to talk about it I would get up and leave the room. I was terrified. But about 10 years ago I prayed and asked the Lord to please give me the strength to face what is surely coming to us all. Slowly but surely I began to realize that dying was not so scary as long as I was going to heaven to be with him and so many of my family members that I’ve lost over time. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it but I no longer fear it and I’ll be ready when he calls me. I’m sure Miss Cindi feels no fear because she knows exactly where she is going. I’ve always thought it’s the ones that are left behind that struggle with it.
The news about Mis Cindy is heart breaking. Hers were often the first comments on your blog entries and, as I recall, they were always down to earth & uplifting. She seems like a very practical, “it is what it is” kind of lady.
You and your family are lucky to have her around & she is lucky to have y’all there for her now.
You are all held in my heart & in my prayers.
Tami
Forgive me if I am sending this twice-it appears I lost it before sending it the last time.
I just saw this post today. I am so sorry to hear about Miss Cindy’s diagnosis. Poor Matt, I know he is hurt to the bottom of his heart about his Mom as well as the rest of your family. I often wonder why bad things happen to good people, but I know we are not suppose to question God so I have to ask for forgiveness when I do. I will continue to pray for Miss Cindy & all of your family. My daughter’s mother-in-law is in surgery today having a double mastectomy. She has stage 4 breast cancer. We are praying as hard as we can for her as well. I know without a doubt that you & your family have the love, support & prayers from your wonderful family of subscribers.
My sympathies go out to all of the family. May God give all of you strength and courage during this difficult time. Make the most of each minute so as to multiply the memories and the moments of love shared. Praying!
So sorry to hear of the diagnosis. It will be hard on all of you, but the pouring out of concern, prayers and love by your readers/friends will let you know you’re being given a warm hug of support. Wishing you peace…
My sister had lung cancer located too close to her heart to remove it surgically. Had radiation and chemo. Lost her at age 57. Rough. Was with her when she went one June afternoon. She was a firm believer in humor for good medicine.
Ms Cindy sounds like a wise woman and I know she’ll be missed by many. Will continue to keep her in prayer.
Praying for Miss Cindy as she approaches the Heavenly Gates and for comfort
for all the loved ones she is leaving behind, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tipper and Matt,
I can’t tell you how sorry I am to learn about Miss Cindy. God surely has a reason. Although we can’t understand what God’s plan for any one of us in the future. Please know I’m praying for y’all, everyone connected to you and your family. I know how hard it was to lose my husband to cancer and I felt a huge hole inside me and didn’t know how in the world I could make without him. But here I am,10+years later. still completely empty but thankful to still be alive. I love y’all and I will certainly continue Praying for y’all. I love y’all and I know God will take each step with each of y’all.
Jeri Whittaker
5/7/2023
Near Athens, Georgia i.p.o
First of all Miss Tipper, we are so sorry that y’all didn’t get good news this week concerning Ms. Cindy, but I want you & Matt and the rest of y’all’s family to know that we are praying for Ms. Cindy’s healing if it be Gods will and if not then we are praying for Peace & Comfort for her as well as you all.
I lost my mom back in 2015 and just like you said about losing Pap, time does make it a little easier but there’s always a void in my heart & life that will never be filled until we meet again in over in glory land! So I’m praying for Matt to specifically.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.1.3-5.KJV
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.18.KJV
Also, staying busy WORKING helps keep our minds off of the trials & tribulation’s of life for sure.
Keep Mikayla & our family in y’all’s prayers as well, we didn’t get the best news this week either concerning Mikayla’s kidney disease. We will let everyone know the results on a video on our channel coming soon.
Let’s all try to remember, sometime we can’t change our circumstances in life, but God can and the more we praise HIM through the storms of life the easier it is to deal with the issues, because God desires the Praises of His people.
We love & appreciate you all.
God Bless Y’all.
Praying for Mrs Cindy, for comfort and peace. Praying for you all, life is so precious and sometimes cut way too short.
Tipper, my heart goes out to you all with this sad news concerning Miss Cindy’s condition. Miss Cindy is a strong woman with the assurance of a complete healing that will come to give her a new body. Until the Lord decided it’s her time to leave this world, I pray she will have comfort, peace and enjoy each day because God still has a purpose for her. I pray all of God’s best for her. We should all live our life to the fullest because none of us have the promise of tomorrow. Please let Miss Cindy know we are all lifting her up in pray. Sending hugs to you all.
I only recently discovered your blog and YouTube channel, and you and your family have quickly become a welcome and much appreciated part of my everyday life. When I read your earlier post about Miss Cindy’s brain cancer diagnosis, it hit me so hard that I couldn’t bring myself to comment right then. It brought back the memory of my beloved Daddy who received that diagnosis in May of 1994 and was gone from this world just a few short months later. I have been praying earnestly for Miss Cindy and all who love her. May God be with you all, and may your deep faith in our Lord and love for each other give you the strength and courage to live with grace through the ordeals of the days ahead.
Good advice for those whose body is not wracked by injury and disease. The frustration of trying your best but failing only increases emotional destress. I am no stranger to hard work but simple tasks have become challenges.
I hate this for Miss Cindy and especially for Matt. I lost my mother a long time ago. She was only 51. I prayed every day that God would leave her with us a little longer but He didn’t. That changed me! But not the change you might expect. I was not bitter. I realized that all that time I had spent in prayer was for me not her. I was selfish. God did what was best for my mother! Of that I am sure now!
I pray for Miss Cindy every morning and night, but I pray that He does what is right for her and for her family. It’s going to happen, if not now then further on down the road. Why not let God be in charge of the time and place? If, when her time comes, she has made things right with God then we need not worry about her but think about those she leaves behind. Will they all see her again?
I need to hush!
Heartfelt wishes for comfort & Peace for Miss Cindy & all of you who love her!
I’m praying for Cindy as well as y’all in this time. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
I wanted to let you know I got my cookbook and have already read most of it! I love it! But most of all I wanted you to know I am praying for comfort for Miss Cindy and strength for your family! My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer–but we are still at the early stage and do not know if it has spread. We are getting ready for surgery and finding out what we will have to do. I know that God has YS by the hand and will help us navigate every circumstance and situation. I am lifting the Pressley family up in prayer!❤️
Maw Maw-I will be praying for him! Thank you for the prayers!
Prayers for Miss Cindy
Take heart! My husband had stage 2 colon cancer and lived a productive 20
years after treatment ❤️
You are all in my prayers.
Oh, Tipper, my heart hurts for all of you. I started with breast cancer 12 years ago and walked away. Three years later I had uterine cancer and had a complete hysterectomy and walked away. Now I am in my third year of cancer that has metastasized to the lining of my right lung where I had radiation for my first cancer. I will not walk away from this one. I know what it’s like to have cancer, and I know what it’s like to have a loved one with cancer. I lost my mother to cancer, a son in law, and my dearest life partner and friend…my husband of 50 years in 2019. Attitude is great help and it sounds like Miss Cindy has that. I will keep your family in my nightly prayers. May God bless you all!
Patricia-I’m so sorry you’ve had such loss and that your cancer has returned. I will be praying for you!!
So so sorry to hear of the diagnosis for Miss Cindy. Praying for each and everyone of you during this time. But in saying that, she knows Jesus and when she gets to her new home of wonderful homes there will a celebration in heaven and a new body that will never be sick or feel any of this earthly pain ever again. God bless you all!!!
I am so sorry! God always has a plan, and what a blessing to know where she is going.
I have always enjoyed working and found it is the best cure for sadness. Ms. Cindy is a smart woman.
I’m so so sorry about this news, I’ll continue praying for peace of heart for all if you.
My double first cousin has it in all the same places as Miss Cindy. Hers is 4 stage to. God be with Miss Cindy at this time. God comfort her I pray. God be with you and your family Tipper. I know it’s hard on you. Yes the best thing to know is where your going. We work so hard growing up. It’s memories I look back on that I’ve made with my mom and dad. I share them with my children and grandchildren .
Prayers for Miss Cindy. May her journey to Jesus be filled with joy rather than pain.
I’m sorry Tipper. I will continue to pray for Miss Cindy and all the dear people who love her. She knows the Lord, He will take care of her.❤️
May the lord bring you love and peace at this time. Praying for you all.
I know that God will give all of you the strength you need for each day. We are all praying for each and every one of you. And when Miss Cindy leaves this world, it’s such a comfort that she knows where she is going. We all will leave this ole world one day. God bless all of you.
Several years ago I had severe depression and I think I walked a million miles. I did get medicine and it helped a lot too. During my pregnancy I had panic attacks–another time of long walks. I have been on medication for a long time and it has made a huge difference but the walking was mindless movement and it always helped. I’m not sure I could have concentrated enough for work.
Poor Matt. I am so sorry to hear of Miss Cindy’s diagnosis. Praying for her and all of yall.
I’m agreeing with these heartfelt prayers for Miss Cindy and for your family, Tipper.
Work doesn’t stop worry or grief or confusion but it keeps us from being consumed by it. It diverts just enough attention to dull some of its sharpest edges. You and yours are held in all the hearts you all have touched, as is right. There is a song I have been thinking of that I heard probably 20 years ago, and then just the one time. I guess the title is “God Will Make This Trial A Blessing”. And we can rely on the phrase in Philippians 3:21 “… according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.” The word “subdue” means there is opposition, much of which is our personal struggles. But he is forever and eternally “able”.
Praying for Miss Cindy and all the family. Take care and God bless ❣️
I just can’t find the right words to tell you how sorry I am that your family is experiencing this. I pray for you all every day and I asked my Sunday School Class to pray for you. One day we will all be together, forever safe and happy with Jesus.
I’m so sorry about Miss Cindy. I have been praying for y’all and will continue to do so. May the good Lord give Miss Cindy and the family peace and comfort.
I lost my husband of 53 years on Good Friday. I was his caregiver for many years but not ready to lose him. But he was so ready to go to his Heavenly home. What a happy day it will be when we see Jesus and our loved ones who have gone on before us.
Betty-I’m so sorry you lost him! I will pray for you!
Prayers for you all today. These trials will turn into blessings✝️Enjoy your day in Waynesville.
It’s so sad I lost my sweet loving husband 2 years ago his cancer had also spread. He had a stroke in the end. One of my granddaughters was here last nite and we talked a little about it and I said you know Gracie God had a plan. He knew Poppy could not have sat here on porch and watched us do his work. It’s really hard on her because she was his special baby. She is graduating from high school in a few short weeks and she is thinking this is one of my BIG days. I told her he will be on your shoulder always. My heart bleeds for Matt the girls and you. Prayers as always.
It wasn’t that long ago that Miss Cindy wrote about going to the gym. I don’t understand how she did it! My best friend used to run her dog around the school football field every morning before she got ready for work. She finally quit taking the dog along on her runs as the doctor told her that her shoulder pain was from the dog pulling her muscles. After several months of misdiagnosis, she got the same news as Miss Cindy. She kept her faith and humor for a long time and I pray that Miss Cindy will too. God Bless you all!
Growing up in a family business, I understand work and the blessings it brings to generations. God be with you all and Miss Cindy as she wraps things up, preparing to go to Jesus and God the Father. My heart goes out to Matt.
That prescription for what ever ails you is excellent. There’s much wisdom in that life philosophy. I’m so sorry to hear of Miss Cindy’s diagnosis. Along with many others, I’ll continue to pray for her and your family.
(((((Tipper)))))
Continuing to ask God to comfort and heal you all. Though the way is hard, you are safe in His kind and capable hands.
Continued prayers for Miss Cindy and all your family.
Sandy Simpson’s comment and Miss Cindy’s instructions to get out and work when your mind is clouded with worry is absolutely true. My parents always mirrored that to me, in that I always saw them do exactly that especially if they were really worried about something. I keep two verses taped to my computer: “Worry about nothing..Pray about everything” Philippians 4: 6-7 “In the world, you will have tribulation, But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.. Having been a caretaker for my parents and husband I know it is not easy, but the Lord gives you all extra strength to get through. He will never fail you. Holding you all in prayer.
I have reread the paragraph about Miss Cindy’s prognosis and Tipper’s last words about Miss Cindy knowing where she is going. A lady at my church sometimes sings a song that has these words in it “ If I go or if I stay, I’m a winner either way”. These is so true for the ones that know without a doubt they are Christians. It’s the ones they leave behind that hurt and suffer.
We are praying for Miss Cindy, you and the family. Be comforted by scripture.
Scripture: “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:39
May the peace of our Lord bring you comfort in all the days ahead of you.
Blessings.
Continued prayers for ur family & Miss Cindy.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Continuing to lift you all in prayer. We lost my precious mother-in-law to stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2020, so I truly understand your pain. Thank you for sharing with us so we know how to pray.
Prayers lifted. Love, strength and peace in this troublesome time sent.
I am so sorry to hear about Miss Cindy, she will be missed. please let her know how much we enjoy her comments in my home. prayers for her and all of her family
I am afraid I sometimes come across on here as wanting someone to feel sorry for me when I comment about losing my wife, daughter and about 10 other family members in the last 10 years. Many days I don’t even feel like getting out of bed. I don’t intend to give that impression, I know others have their own worries too. This made me think of how much going to work and being with my coworkers helped me with my daughter, but I retired soon after her death and while I hurt and grieve for the others the sudden death of my wife has taken the biggest toll on me with the worry, anxiety, and especially depression. I said all of that to say this, without realizing it on the days I am working, piddling or just staying busy the worry or depression is better. I think working or staying busy helps keep these worries off our mind. I often listen to a song by Dole Lawsome and Quicksilver, it is “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore”. I think I misspelled Dole’s last time. These words do not help, but I am feel so sorry for Miss Cindy and all of her family and love ones. I will be praying for all of you. It has been said before, but I have a feeling of ever member that comments on BP&A sorta feeling like family.
Doyle Lawson
That’s an old song from back when I was still alive. I used to sing it to my wife when we were dating. She like to listen to me sing. That was back in the mid 1970’s so it was around before that.
Sending one up for Miss Cindy
My heart is with y’all! We suffered the same with our daddy. It’s a rough road. I know y’all will savor every moment. Don’t get so caught in the grief of this moment that you forget to smile and laugh too! Miss Cindy and your whole family is continually lifted in prayer! Y’all are deeply loved by this Blind Pig community!! May the Lord show up in mighty ways during this journey. God is in this story!!
You have been so very blessed to have Miss Cindy as a part of your life. And, by extension, that blessing has spread to those of us who follow you and your family. We will continue to pray for all of you.
And we pray that your first book signing is a huge blessing, to YOU, today!
I am so sorry to hear the news about Miss Cindy. I pray everyday for your family. All of you, including the stories about your relatives, have been a blessing as well as an inspiration for me. You might not realize it but you have a ministry!
Oh, Tipper, I know we were all hoping for a more encouraging diagnosis, but God will carry you through this dark valley as you travel the path with Miss Cindy. This is a valley we all journey through at one time or another and not a place to linger. God’s comfort and peace surround you and yours.
I was raised to work always, take a break if needed and get back to it! I was raised on a dairy farm and we milked 100 cows twice a day, everyday. There was always something needed done. Oh how I appreciate that heritage. my prayers continue for Miss Cindy and all of the family. God bless you and yours❤❤
I’d like to order a signed cookbook. How much and where do I send money ? I’m praying for Mrs Cindy
Lee Ann-I will email you the information. Thank you!
I am so sorry. May God give peace and comfort to Miss Cindy and your family.
Lord God almighty in Jesus name, help Ms Cindy, God you know our will for her is to be healed and made whole, but I know God, you have your reasons, our ways are not your ways , God please have mercy on Ms Cindy, please help her God, thank you God for our blessings, bless Ms Cindy and her family, Bless those that love and care about her with peace and comfort about the situation at hand, God bless Ms Cindy with strength to endure, God bless her family with strength to endure, God bless you Tipper, God bless your family in Jesus name our Lord and Savior, we pray for Ms Cindy, Amen
I am so sorry to hear about Miss Cindy. I am sure Matt is beside himself. I went through two different kinds of Cancer with my mother, 5 years apart and it was one of the worse times. I am praying that whatever the path is, that you guys will follow, will be a little kinder just knowing she knows where she will go in the end. As large as your garden is, and the work that will keep you going, your mind will naturally wander back to her and what she is going through. All of your video watchers want the best for Miss Cindy and for you guys and know that we are praying for all of you. God Bless
Prayers for comfort and peace during this trying time.
I asked our priest to include Miss Cindy, Matt, yourself and the girls in our Congregational prayers. Hopefully our thoughts and prayers help you all.