No comments yet on my questions about happiness! Is anybody out there in cyberspace? Is anyone actually reading this blog? It would be absolutely amazing to communicate with people in the countries which are listed on my overview -- Russia, India, China, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Australia, the United States, and many other countries. I'd love to converse with you, but I can't do it if this blog is a one-way street.
Please - contribute to my happiness by posting a comment or response to one of my posts! Believe it or not, it just might make my day!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Change of Direction
When I started this blog several years ago, I primarily sought to blog about my writing. As time passed, I found myself writing about a variety of issues and subjects which have elicited few responses or comments from my readers, which are - literally - all over the world. I'm amazed when I check the statistics for this blog and often wonder how anyone finds it in all the millions of connections on the internet! But I'd like to change the fact that I've had very little feedback and interaction with my readers, so I'm going to start asking questions, and I hope you find my questions interesting or compelling enough that you will respond.
I've been reading about happiness lately, a much lighter read than Deitrich Bonhoeffer, so I'm going to throw out these questions: What makes you happy? What gives you the most satisfaction in life? Is it relationships, material possessions, your job, where you live, your faith, or something else?
If you're not happy, why not?
I'd love to hear from you! I'm very interested to hear if happiness is based on the same criteria from country to country. I'll post your comment/response on my blog unless you don't want it there; simply say so, and it won't be posted.
I'm still not recovered from my sinus infection, even though I've been taking the antibiotic for 6 days now. My head hurts by mid-day, I have absolutely no energy, and I constantly want to sleep, which is impossible since I'm at work during the day! I can't remember the last time I was this sick and truly pray that I'll turn the corner soon.
Easter Sunday was powerful and moving at church as we celebrated Christ's resurrection! I'm not sure if Christmas or Easter is my favorite holiday because they are inseparable. After church we went to my daughter's house and had a wonderful dinner and watched the grandsons hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy in the yard. Love surrounds people on Easter, both from heaven (God to us through Christ) and on earth (through our families). God is simly love.
I've been reading about happiness lately, a much lighter read than Deitrich Bonhoeffer, so I'm going to throw out these questions: What makes you happy? What gives you the most satisfaction in life? Is it relationships, material possessions, your job, where you live, your faith, or something else?
If you're not happy, why not?
I'd love to hear from you! I'm very interested to hear if happiness is based on the same criteria from country to country. I'll post your comment/response on my blog unless you don't want it there; simply say so, and it won't be posted.
I'm still not recovered from my sinus infection, even though I've been taking the antibiotic for 6 days now. My head hurts by mid-day, I have absolutely no energy, and I constantly want to sleep, which is impossible since I'm at work during the day! I can't remember the last time I was this sick and truly pray that I'll turn the corner soon.
Easter Sunday was powerful and moving at church as we celebrated Christ's resurrection! I'm not sure if Christmas or Easter is my favorite holiday because they are inseparable. After church we went to my daughter's house and had a wonderful dinner and watched the grandsons hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy in the yard. Love surrounds people on Easter, both from heaven (God to us through Christ) and on earth (through our families). God is simly love.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Misery
Dodging all sickness this year has not been possible. I've finally succumbed. Last Wednesday I came home from work with body aches, chills and a sore throat. Despite dressing warmly, wrapping up in a fuzzy blanket and being in a house warmed to 74 degrees, I was chilled to the bone for 36 hours. After that passed, I returned to work on Friday. I was tired on Saturday but managed to entertain friends for dinner, but Sunday was a different story. My sinuses were invaded by something that created post-nasal drip, causing a cough which kept me awake in the morning hours. I'm sure my husband got tired of hearing me cough and expel phlegm in the moring when I got up. Yesterday morning I woke to my eyelids being crusty and yucky, and my eyes looked like I'd been on an all-night drinking binge.
I broke down today and called my doctor and was able to get in to see her on short notice. Sinus infection, pure and simple. My voice is shot (I sound like a croaking frog), my eyes are still bloodshot (and I don't even drink - except an occasional glass of wine), and my head feels like it's going to explode when I cough. Bending over brings an acute stab of pain shooting through my head, so I'm avoiding it. No yoga class for me tonight! I'm sitting in the recliner and watching television as the little gremlins move things around in my sinus cavities. Once the antibiotic kicks in, I hope things will settle down and I can move without feeling like someone is driving a spike into my eyes. They say misery loves company, but I really don't want to see anyone or do anything. I just want the little gremlins in my head to leave.
I broke down today and called my doctor and was able to get in to see her on short notice. Sinus infection, pure and simple. My voice is shot (I sound like a croaking frog), my eyes are still bloodshot (and I don't even drink - except an occasional glass of wine), and my head feels like it's going to explode when I cough. Bending over brings an acute stab of pain shooting through my head, so I'm avoiding it. No yoga class for me tonight! I'm sitting in the recliner and watching television as the little gremlins move things around in my sinus cavities. Once the antibiotic kicks in, I hope things will settle down and I can move without feeling like someone is driving a spike into my eyes. They say misery loves company, but I really don't want to see anyone or do anything. I just want the little gremlins in my head to leave.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
St. Patrick's Day and One Year Ago
A year ago today, my husband, Bob, suffered a heart attack while driving his van. It seems like yesterday that it happened on the one hand, yet it seems so long ago on the other. After having 4 stents inserted to clear 3 blockages in his heart, he recovered and is doing fine, well enough, in fact, to walk about 2.5 miles in the woods a week and a half ago. The entire episode is documented in previous postings on this blog.
We celebrate life, even as we mourn the loss of my son-in-law's father, Al. Joan, his wife, is staying here with her son. The funeral won't be until the first weekend in April due to the busy Easter season and the fact that Al wanted a military funeral with a 21-gun salute to honor his days in the US Navy.
I saw Joan Sunday afternoon at an Irish pub in downtown Durham. We had gone there, along with the rest of my family to see my granddaughter dance with her Irish dance group. Cami has taken Irish dancing lessons for a little over a year, and she's quite good! Since it was St. Patrick's Day, the pub was having outdoor activities all afternoon, and Cami's school was scheduled to dance. The day before, when Raleigh held its St. Patrick's Day parade, the sun was out and the temperatures had soared to 79 degrees, drawing thousands to the parade. Cami's group walked in that parade, and all of our grandkids were on the sidelines taking in the sights. But Sunday was a different story weatherwise. It was cloudy, drizzling, and cold! The temperature topped out at about 55 degrees in the morning and dropped further during the afternoon. I think it was about 51 degrees when we went to the outdoor venue. All of the dancers were required to wear their dance school T-shirts and shorts! Joan and I were sitting in chairs wearing warm coats, hoods, and blankets over our legs, and poor tiny Cami was dancing on stage with shorts and a T-shirt. Needless to say, they moved things right along to try to keep the kids warm, but Cami was still freezing (picture shows Cami dancing with the teenage girls!). It was a quick exit to our cars when the dancing was over.
Joan was glad to see Cami dance as she'd never had the opportunity. Al's illness had kept them in Chicago for almost 2 years. Joan said she had been in mourning for that long and now wanted to get on living. I'm glad she's going to be moving here permanently.
We thank God for life, and I pray that I can live it to the fullest.
We celebrate life, even as we mourn the loss of my son-in-law's father, Al. Joan, his wife, is staying here with her son. The funeral won't be until the first weekend in April due to the busy Easter season and the fact that Al wanted a military funeral with a 21-gun salute to honor his days in the US Navy.
I saw Joan Sunday afternoon at an Irish pub in downtown Durham. We had gone there, along with the rest of my family to see my granddaughter dance with her Irish dance group. Cami has taken Irish dancing lessons for a little over a year, and she's quite good! Since it was St. Patrick's Day, the pub was having outdoor activities all afternoon, and Cami's school was scheduled to dance. The day before, when Raleigh held its St. Patrick's Day parade, the sun was out and the temperatures had soared to 79 degrees, drawing thousands to the parade. Cami's group walked in that parade, and all of our grandkids were on the sidelines taking in the sights. But Sunday was a different story weatherwise. It was cloudy, drizzling, and cold! The temperature topped out at about 55 degrees in the morning and dropped further during the afternoon. I think it was about 51 degrees when we went to the outdoor venue. All of the dancers were required to wear their dance school T-shirts and shorts! Joan and I were sitting in chairs wearing warm coats, hoods, and blankets over our legs, and poor tiny Cami was dancing on stage with shorts and a T-shirt. Needless to say, they moved things right along to try to keep the kids warm, but Cami was still freezing (picture shows Cami dancing with the teenage girls!). It was a quick exit to our cars when the dancing was over.
Joan was glad to see Cami dance as she'd never had the opportunity. Al's illness had kept them in Chicago for almost 2 years. Joan said she had been in mourning for that long and now wanted to get on living. I'm glad she's going to be moving here permanently.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Another Loss
My son-in-law's father passed away today at the age of 74 after suffering with congestive heart failure for18 months, the last of which confined him to bed and affected him mentally. I hadn't seen him since his last visit to North Carolina, and right now I can't honestly remember if it was before he was diagnosed or shortly after. He was the other grandfather of my daughter's children, father to my son-in-law and his brother, husband to Joan, uncle, friend, and U.S. military veteran.
Seemingly, loss through death has visited my daughter's family recently. Several of her friends have lost loved ones, causing Dori to feel and share their grief, then my mother-in-law passed away, and now her father-in-law. Dying is the final act of the living, but it leaves loved ones bereft and causes a hole that can't easily be filled.
Al's death was expected, even hoped for, as his health declined and his ability to reason and function diminished. His wife, Joan, had stood by his side and been a faithful caregiver much to the detriment of her own health, but that's the proof of a selfless loving soul. I spoke with her this afternoon and know she's in a fog, aware her husband's suffering has ended and but now faced with the reality of life without him. Not having to care for him will be huge adjustment as she has devoted the last year to doing so, seeing to his every need, taking him to doctors' appointments, picking him up off the floor, and often calling an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. Life will be so very different for her now. My prayer is that she can find joy in her 4 grandchildren and resume living life as it's meant to be lived.
Even as I mourn Al's passing, I'm keenly aware of my own mortality, which reminds me to love every day I have and to love my husband and family more than ever. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Even though we may not be suffering from a fatal illness, we only have the now, the moment. God, in his great goodness, never tells us when we'll breathe our last breath. Al knew he was dying but didn't know it would be today.
As Catholics around the world rejoiced at the naming of a new pope, Al slid into the presence of God today, 3/13/13, exactly 11 weeks since the passing of my mother-in-law. I still need to have a good cry. He will be missed.
Seemingly, loss through death has visited my daughter's family recently. Several of her friends have lost loved ones, causing Dori to feel and share their grief, then my mother-in-law passed away, and now her father-in-law. Dying is the final act of the living, but it leaves loved ones bereft and causes a hole that can't easily be filled.
Al's death was expected, even hoped for, as his health declined and his ability to reason and function diminished. His wife, Joan, had stood by his side and been a faithful caregiver much to the detriment of her own health, but that's the proof of a selfless loving soul. I spoke with her this afternoon and know she's in a fog, aware her husband's suffering has ended and but now faced with the reality of life without him. Not having to care for him will be huge adjustment as she has devoted the last year to doing so, seeing to his every need, taking him to doctors' appointments, picking him up off the floor, and often calling an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. Life will be so very different for her now. My prayer is that she can find joy in her 4 grandchildren and resume living life as it's meant to be lived.
Even as I mourn Al's passing, I'm keenly aware of my own mortality, which reminds me to love every day I have and to love my husband and family more than ever. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Even though we may not be suffering from a fatal illness, we only have the now, the moment. God, in his great goodness, never tells us when we'll breathe our last breath. Al knew he was dying but didn't know it would be today.
As Catholics around the world rejoiced at the naming of a new pope, Al slid into the presence of God today, 3/13/13, exactly 11 weeks since the passing of my mother-in-law. I still need to have a good cry. He will be missed.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Mini Series - The Bible
We were some of the millions of people who watched the mini series, "The Bible," Sunday evening. With much anticipation we watched the Bible come to life, an undertaking which hadn't been approached for over 45 years by Hollywood or anyone in the movie industry in such a realistic production. But in some ways I was disappointed.
My disappointment arose from the brevity of the scenes and from the multiple interruptions by commercials. Having been raised in church and being familiar with Bible stories, I felt like so much was missing, and it was. (For example, the Bible says that when Moses led the Hebrew nation out of slavery in Egypt, there were 600,000 men, besides women and children. The group portrayed in the series was a fraction of that number.) However, cramming the entire Bible into about 8 hours of television (the series is running for a total of 10 hours, but I'm sure the commercials cut out at least 2 hours!) is a monumental task and one which dictated curtailing the stories. It's my understanding that the hope of Roma Downey and Mark Burkett is that people who aren't familiar with the Bible will actually pick it up and start reading it for themselves. Their intent is to whet the appetites of viewers and create in them a desire to read what they've been watching on the screen.
I applaud Roma and Mark for this huge undertaking and thank them for their faith and fortitude in completing this huge project. The cost must have been staggering, but as believers, they see that some things are worth the cost ten times over. And some things are priceless.
If you haven't yet tuned into "The Bible", please check it out this Sunday on the History channel, and then pick up a Bible. You won't be disappointed in either the series or the written Word - the Word of God.
My disappointment arose from the brevity of the scenes and from the multiple interruptions by commercials. Having been raised in church and being familiar with Bible stories, I felt like so much was missing, and it was. (For example, the Bible says that when Moses led the Hebrew nation out of slavery in Egypt, there were 600,000 men, besides women and children. The group portrayed in the series was a fraction of that number.) However, cramming the entire Bible into about 8 hours of television (the series is running for a total of 10 hours, but I'm sure the commercials cut out at least 2 hours!) is a monumental task and one which dictated curtailing the stories. It's my understanding that the hope of Roma Downey and Mark Burkett is that people who aren't familiar with the Bible will actually pick it up and start reading it for themselves. Their intent is to whet the appetites of viewers and create in them a desire to read what they've been watching on the screen.
I applaud Roma and Mark for this huge undertaking and thank them for their faith and fortitude in completing this huge project. The cost must have been staggering, but as believers, they see that some things are worth the cost ten times over. And some things are priceless.
If you haven't yet tuned into "The Bible", please check it out this Sunday on the History channel, and then pick up a Bible. You won't be disappointed in either the series or the written Word - the Word of God.
Passing on Opportunity
The title of this post may sound like I'm passing up an opportunity that was a good fit, but I'm not. During the meeting I had Monday afternoon for something that I'd really like to do, I discovered that it wasn't for me. The schedule would be more than I could keep up with at this point in my life. It also required a degree which I don't have, and the job pays a lot less than I make now, the difference being more than we could absorb.
When I went into the meeting, I was at peace with what God had for my life. I'm trusting that He has the right person for the job and that He will bring something else my way to satisfy my desire to "make a difference." So I'm continuing the countdown to retirement even as I keep my heart open for God's will for my life and any new direction He brings my way. Several volunteering possibilities have my interest, and I'm going to check those out.
Remembering that Grandma Moses, the artist, didn't start painting until she was into her 70's (I think), I trust that God knows what He's doing in my life.
When I went into the meeting, I was at peace with what God had for my life. I'm trusting that He has the right person for the job and that He will bring something else my way to satisfy my desire to "make a difference." So I'm continuing the countdown to retirement even as I keep my heart open for God's will for my life and any new direction He brings my way. Several volunteering possibilities have my interest, and I'm going to check those out.
Remembering that Grandma Moses, the artist, didn't start painting until she was into her 70's (I think), I trust that God knows what He's doing in my life.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Lesson from a Lost Dog
Lessons can be learned from the strangest places, and today I was reminded of God's love for us by a lost dog.
I was taking my lunch break at work when one of the young ladies sitting next to the outside wall, which is all glass, saw a dog in the parking lot below us. We are on the top floor, the 5th floor, of an office building. The weather was miserable, pouring rain being driven in sheets by the wind. Immediately, several others in the lunch room became concerned about the dog wandering in our parking lot, which is surrounded by busy roads on three sides, one being a toll road with a speed limit of 65 mph. One employee ran downstairs and got a leash from her car, hoping to catch the dog, but by the time she did that, the dog had wandered to the back of the parking lot and was heading toward the toll road. I couldn't watch. The employee watching the dog left for a few minutes, and when she came back, she was trying to telephone her co-worker to tell her where the dog had gone, but she couldn't see it. Then I saw the dog. Miraculously, it had made it safely across the toll road which, fortunately, is not heavily traveled. The dog was going up the on ramp on the other side of the road. We watched as it crossed another busy 4-lane road, got on the sidewalk and headed away from our building.
In the meantime, a female attorney, who is an animal lover and rescues animals, came into the lunch room with a leash in hand. She'd been trying to find the dog also, and when I told her where it went, she and the young lady got in her SUV and drove down the road looking for the dog. However, the dog had gone down a drive leading to a business that had a security guard who had seen the dog walk by, but the guard would not let them have access to the property to look for the dog. They returned to our office empty handed. We don't know what became of the dog.
As I was thinking about this incident later in the day, I realized humanity is like the dog. People are lost, wandering around in the world, often facing dangerous situations and hazards that could take us out, and yet Someone is looking for us to rescue us. Even as we run away from our Rescuer, He pursues us with relentless love, seeking to find us, have us yield to His authority and be taken under His wing.
I'm sure the lost dog I saw today wanted someone to rescue him, to take him away, feed him and get him out of the cold rain. I'm praying that he finally did get rescued even as I thank God for rescuing me!
I was taking my lunch break at work when one of the young ladies sitting next to the outside wall, which is all glass, saw a dog in the parking lot below us. We are on the top floor, the 5th floor, of an office building. The weather was miserable, pouring rain being driven in sheets by the wind. Immediately, several others in the lunch room became concerned about the dog wandering in our parking lot, which is surrounded by busy roads on three sides, one being a toll road with a speed limit of 65 mph. One employee ran downstairs and got a leash from her car, hoping to catch the dog, but by the time she did that, the dog had wandered to the back of the parking lot and was heading toward the toll road. I couldn't watch. The employee watching the dog left for a few minutes, and when she came back, she was trying to telephone her co-worker to tell her where the dog had gone, but she couldn't see it. Then I saw the dog. Miraculously, it had made it safely across the toll road which, fortunately, is not heavily traveled. The dog was going up the on ramp on the other side of the road. We watched as it crossed another busy 4-lane road, got on the sidewalk and headed away from our building.
In the meantime, a female attorney, who is an animal lover and rescues animals, came into the lunch room with a leash in hand. She'd been trying to find the dog also, and when I told her where it went, she and the young lady got in her SUV and drove down the road looking for the dog. However, the dog had gone down a drive leading to a business that had a security guard who had seen the dog walk by, but the guard would not let them have access to the property to look for the dog. They returned to our office empty handed. We don't know what became of the dog.
As I was thinking about this incident later in the day, I realized humanity is like the dog. People are lost, wandering around in the world, often facing dangerous situations and hazards that could take us out, and yet Someone is looking for us to rescue us. Even as we run away from our Rescuer, He pursues us with relentless love, seeking to find us, have us yield to His authority and be taken under His wing.
I'm sure the lost dog I saw today wanted someone to rescue him, to take him away, feed him and get him out of the cold rain. I'm praying that he finally did get rescued even as I thank God for rescuing me!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Understanding Death
Bob and I were at my son's house last evening to watch their 3 little boys so they could go to a party, thrown by my son's co-workers, for him as he was starting his own business. The youngest boy, Ian, was sleeping already, but we got to spend some time with Benny and Niland before they finally fell asleep at 9 p.m. with the huge stuffed dog I'd made right on top of them. Their twin beds are side-by-side in their large bedroom, and when they finally got in it, I asked Niland to move over to his bed rather than beside Benny. Niland said, "Nana, when I find someone I love, I like to sleep beside them." And that's how they fell asleep, side-by-side.
My daughter-in-law, Bee, came home after 11; Nate was still at the party as he was the guest of honor. We were glad to see her as we aren't used to staying up that late, and we had a 25-minute drive to go to get home. Before we left, Bee asked, "Did I tell you that Niland was asking for Grandma Stewart?"
That's Bob's mother, who passed away December 26.
"No, you didn't."
"Well, he said he wanted to see her, and when I told him that he couldn't because she was in heaven, he started crying."
Niland didn't get to see Mom very often; she was in assisted living, but every time we had a family gathering, we'd make sure she attended. And Christmas was no exception. Bob got Mom and we went to my daughter's house, and of course, Nate and Bee and the boys were there. I can still picture in my mind Bob's mother kissing Ian goodbye as she placed her hands on the sides of his face. Benny and Niland gave her hugs and kisses goodbye, too, not knowing that she would be dead in less than 24 hours. With the funeral held in Alabama because that's where Mom spent her years other than the last few, Nate and Bee did not attend, and nothing was said about Mom to the boys.
When Niland found out, Bee said, he demanded to see her right now. Bee explained that she'd gone to heaven, that we'd never be able to see her again until we get to heaven, and that she was living with God. Well, that only made Niland mad at God and disliking heaven. Bee further explained that Grandma Stewart could see us, but we couldn't see her, but that wasn't to his liking either. Niland wanted to talk to Grandma Stewart, and he wasn't pleased with not being able to. Bee told him he could talk to her in his heart, and then he said, "I want to go to the highest mountain so I can see her in heaven!" Niland was mad at God and wanted him to know it! A few days later, Niland asked his mom if his Lola and Papa (Bee's parents) were old, meaning were they going to die. It's been a journey for Nate and Bee, exploring and explaining death to a boy who's heart broke for someone he loved even though he didn't know her very well.
Hearing these thoughts that had come from my grandson's heart touched us so deeply, and even now, brings me to tears. Death is never easy to understand for the young and often for the old. Mom said more than once that she thought God had forgotten about her. She was 90 years old when she passed into glory. We'd had to prepare ourselves for the moment she would leave us, but one is never fully prepared. Even as we left her on Christmas day back in her apartment and started to drive home, I said to Bob, "Thank God we had Christmas with her. We don't know if we'll have another." This wasn't prophetic but simply reality. Twelve hours later, she had the stroke that took her life.
As we go through our days, little things bring Mom to mind - seeing her pictures on our computer, finding a note she'd written, realizing we can't go see her, seeing a note Bob had written on a scrap of paper reminding him to purchase something Mom needed - and we're reminded of our own brevity of life and how precious is each day. Living causes pain in ultimate death, yet it is the cycle established by God, who knows our pain. We celebrate each new life added to our families and mourn the passing of others. Yet this life is not the end - it is the place where our future, eternal life is determined. We can't eliminate the pain our own deaths will bring our loved ones and friends, but we can soften our passing by giving our loved ones hope in our faith in Jesus Christ.
My daughter-in-law, Bee, came home after 11; Nate was still at the party as he was the guest of honor. We were glad to see her as we aren't used to staying up that late, and we had a 25-minute drive to go to get home. Before we left, Bee asked, "Did I tell you that Niland was asking for Grandma Stewart?"
That's Bob's mother, who passed away December 26.
"No, you didn't."
"Well, he said he wanted to see her, and when I told him that he couldn't because she was in heaven, he started crying."
Niland didn't get to see Mom very often; she was in assisted living, but every time we had a family gathering, we'd make sure she attended. And Christmas was no exception. Bob got Mom and we went to my daughter's house, and of course, Nate and Bee and the boys were there. I can still picture in my mind Bob's mother kissing Ian goodbye as she placed her hands on the sides of his face. Benny and Niland gave her hugs and kisses goodbye, too, not knowing that she would be dead in less than 24 hours. With the funeral held in Alabama because that's where Mom spent her years other than the last few, Nate and Bee did not attend, and nothing was said about Mom to the boys.
When Niland found out, Bee said, he demanded to see her right now. Bee explained that she'd gone to heaven, that we'd never be able to see her again until we get to heaven, and that she was living with God. Well, that only made Niland mad at God and disliking heaven. Bee further explained that Grandma Stewart could see us, but we couldn't see her, but that wasn't to his liking either. Niland wanted to talk to Grandma Stewart, and he wasn't pleased with not being able to. Bee told him he could talk to her in his heart, and then he said, "I want to go to the highest mountain so I can see her in heaven!" Niland was mad at God and wanted him to know it! A few days later, Niland asked his mom if his Lola and Papa (Bee's parents) were old, meaning were they going to die. It's been a journey for Nate and Bee, exploring and explaining death to a boy who's heart broke for someone he loved even though he didn't know her very well.
Hearing these thoughts that had come from my grandson's heart touched us so deeply, and even now, brings me to tears. Death is never easy to understand for the young and often for the old. Mom said more than once that she thought God had forgotten about her. She was 90 years old when she passed into glory. We'd had to prepare ourselves for the moment she would leave us, but one is never fully prepared. Even as we left her on Christmas day back in her apartment and started to drive home, I said to Bob, "Thank God we had Christmas with her. We don't know if we'll have another." This wasn't prophetic but simply reality. Twelve hours later, she had the stroke that took her life.
As we go through our days, little things bring Mom to mind - seeing her pictures on our computer, finding a note she'd written, realizing we can't go see her, seeing a note Bob had written on a scrap of paper reminding him to purchase something Mom needed - and we're reminded of our own brevity of life and how precious is each day. Living causes pain in ultimate death, yet it is the cycle established by God, who knows our pain. We celebrate each new life added to our families and mourn the passing of others. Yet this life is not the end - it is the place where our future, eternal life is determined. We can't eliminate the pain our own deaths will bring our loved ones and friends, but we can soften our passing by giving our loved ones hope in our faith in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Getting There
Last Thursday, my appointment for the opportunity was changed due to scheduling conflicts, and I now have to wait until March 2! Oh, my patience is being sorely tested! But I'll eventually get there and will - God willing - be given the opportunity to impact lives.
Speaking of "getting there," I had an insight from God while praying last night. Here it is in a nutshell: When we travel, we use all sorts of gadgets and maps to get us to where we're going. If we have an address, we can literally receive step-by-step, turn-by-turn directions to take us there. Before the age of computers and satellites, we used good old maps, but when it came to getting to a particular street in an unfamiliar town, one had to have directions from a reliable source and, if those weren't available, one could always stop at a local gas station and ask for directions from the young men who used to pump gas. Nowadays, however, young men at gas stations neither pump gas nor give directions!
Just as maps, computers and technology get us to where we're going, God has given us a roadmap for life. It's called the Bible, His Word. Sadly, most people don't use it. They simply wander through life, thinking they can get to heaven (if they believe in heaven) by any route they choose and that all roads lead to heaven.
I'd never travel to a place without directions as to how to get there, but people travel through life, ignoring the only directions that are trustworthy.
Next time you turn on your Garmen, get directions from the internet, or pick up an old-fashioned map, think about what you're using for directions for life.
Speaking of "getting there," I had an insight from God while praying last night. Here it is in a nutshell: When we travel, we use all sorts of gadgets and maps to get us to where we're going. If we have an address, we can literally receive step-by-step, turn-by-turn directions to take us there. Before the age of computers and satellites, we used good old maps, but when it came to getting to a particular street in an unfamiliar town, one had to have directions from a reliable source and, if those weren't available, one could always stop at a local gas station and ask for directions from the young men who used to pump gas. Nowadays, however, young men at gas stations neither pump gas nor give directions!
Just as maps, computers and technology get us to where we're going, God has given us a roadmap for life. It's called the Bible, His Word. Sadly, most people don't use it. They simply wander through life, thinking they can get to heaven (if they believe in heaven) by any route they choose and that all roads lead to heaven.
I'd never travel to a place without directions as to how to get there, but people travel through life, ignoring the only directions that are trustworthy.
Next time you turn on your Garmen, get directions from the internet, or pick up an old-fashioned map, think about what you're using for directions for life.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Opportunity?
The days are creeping by, and I know it's because I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of Monday, the day of possible opportunity! I've been so unfulfilled and discontent in my job for about a year. I don't feel as if I'm contributing to the positive in anyone's life. Rather, I'm counting the days until retirement because my job leaves me emtpy. I want to do something positive and something that really matters! The opportunity on Monday really matters and will offer me the chance to do what I feel I've been called to do. I don't want to share what it is at the moment, but it relates to the subject of my book "Amanda's Hope" yet won't have anything to do with the book. It will offer me the chance to impact young lives and lives of the unborn.
When I first saw this opportunity, I couldn't sleep I was so excited. It's definitely something I want to do, so the days are dragging very slowly until I can get in for my interview Monday afternoon. Above all, I want to do God's will, so if the opportunity is given to someone else, I'll accept it as such and continue to count down my days until retirement. However, if the opportunity is handed to me, I'll work as long as God wants me there.
For those of you who are praying people, please lift up my interview on Monday afternoon before God's throne. I'm beginning to despair of actually receiving the opportunity even as I believe I will get it. Such are the enemy's tactics! I can think of many reasons why I should receive this wonderful opportunity to serve, and yet I'm attacked with all the reasons why I should be disqualified. My faith is being assailed - please pray that I'll remain strong.
When I first saw this opportunity, I couldn't sleep I was so excited. It's definitely something I want to do, so the days are dragging very slowly until I can get in for my interview Monday afternoon. Above all, I want to do God's will, so if the opportunity is given to someone else, I'll accept it as such and continue to count down my days until retirement. However, if the opportunity is handed to me, I'll work as long as God wants me there.
For those of you who are praying people, please lift up my interview on Monday afternoon before God's throne. I'm beginning to despair of actually receiving the opportunity even as I believe I will get it. Such are the enemy's tactics! I can think of many reasons why I should receive this wonderful opportunity to serve, and yet I'm attacked with all the reasons why I should be disqualified. My faith is being assailed - please pray that I'll remain strong.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Right and Wrong
It will take me a very long time to digest Bonhoeffer; actually, I don't think I will ever complete digest all he had to say in years far fewer than those I've already been granted. He, along with C.S. Lewis, were deep thinkers and propounded contradictions common to people world wide, delving into questions and clearly presenting thoughts which clearly set forth the truth. But what is truth? What is right? What is wrong? These questions have been debated through the centuries yet nothing seems to quiet the debate. Instead, each generation seemingly has its own beliefs as to what is right and what is wrong, filtered through their exposure to the Bible and/or other religious writings, including those of other faiths. This is done in an effort to make their lives more comfortable and to put the label of "right" on all of their choices.
Bonhoeffer taught that "apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot know what is right or do right. We must look to him in every situation. Only in him can the fathomless evil of the world be dealt a death blow." ("Bonhoeffer", Eric Metaxas, page 472, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) Bonhoeffer was living with the evil of National Socialism through the maniacal reign of Hitler; he was not living in society as you and I know it. Hitler proclaimed often that God had protected him from assination, that he knew that God was on his side because of that protection, and that God had ordained that he would reign for 1000 years. Hitler's view of right and wrong was diabolically opposed to Bonhoeffer's and most of the civilized world at that time. Through the ages people seeking power and wealth have done the same, only to ultimately be destroyed, as was Hitler.
God's Word tells us what is right and what is wrong. It does not change with the passing of time. God's Word is true, and his Word came to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man. Only in trusting in, relying on, and living life with Jesus are we able to do what is right in a world that is full of wrong. Sometimes doing right won't be easy, popular, or lucrative, but doing what is right in God's eyes is the only thing that has eternal value.
Bonhoeffer taught that "apart from Jesus Christ, we cannot know what is right or do right. We must look to him in every situation. Only in him can the fathomless evil of the world be dealt a death blow." ("Bonhoeffer", Eric Metaxas, page 472, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) Bonhoeffer was living with the evil of National Socialism through the maniacal reign of Hitler; he was not living in society as you and I know it. Hitler proclaimed often that God had protected him from assination, that he knew that God was on his side because of that protection, and that God had ordained that he would reign for 1000 years. Hitler's view of right and wrong was diabolically opposed to Bonhoeffer's and most of the civilized world at that time. Through the ages people seeking power and wealth have done the same, only to ultimately be destroyed, as was Hitler.
God's Word tells us what is right and what is wrong. It does not change with the passing of time. God's Word is true, and his Word came to this earth in the form of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man. Only in trusting in, relying on, and living life with Jesus are we able to do what is right in a world that is full of wrong. Sometimes doing right won't be easy, popular, or lucrative, but doing what is right in God's eyes is the only thing that has eternal value.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Ownership
Ah, ownership! We base our value on what we own, yet we really own nothing!
I've completed reading Bonhoeffer - a heavy, thought-provoking read indeed - so much to write after reading that - and have gone back to reading the works of C.S. Lewis. Currently I'm reading "The Screwtape Letters," a series of 'letters' from one demon to another concerning how to get and keep their subject from God or any knowledge of Him. C.S. Lewis has a flare for spiritual insight of ordinary life, and these letters are bursting with a stream of analogies, one of them being ownership, which caused me to really think.
People have a deep desire to possess things, be it homes, cars, clothes, furnishings, books, technology, pets, friends, spouses, and even other people, yet in reality we possess nothing, not even time. Yes, think about that. We get up in the morning, and most of us willingly go off to work and give 7 or 8 (sometimes more) hours of our day to our employer, but who gave the time to us? Can we absolutely 100% for certain tell our boss that we'll continue to give our time? Are we certain a week from now that time will be ours to give? In reality the answer is 'no' because all we have is the very second we are breathing, nothing more. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Time comes from God and is His gift to us.
Further thoughts on ownership reveal even more disappointment. We think we own our houses, even when we pay off that mortgage, but we don't. If you don't pay your taxes, you can bet your bottom dollar that the house will be taken from you. And if you don't pay the mortgage payment every month, the house can be repossessed by the bank who does own it. Cars can be repossessed if not paid in full, and the threat of theft is always present, too, not to mention demolition of the car in an accident. No more car. Pets eventually die, friends move on or dessert us, spouses betray and often leave us - yet we claim ownership to all these things. People even try to own people by enslaving them and using them for sex and/or labor, but even that can be ended by the people escaping from their grasp or by them being rescued and freed. Besides, possessing someone's body is not equated with owning their spirits. There is nothing material in this world that we can take from it when we leave it. We didn't even have a say in when we were born and won't have a say (generally) in when we die.
Everything to which we claim 'ownership' in this life can be taken from us because we don't really own anything. God owns it all. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine." Psalm 50:10-11.
God gives us everything to use while we live on the earth He created. "Then the Lord Good took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Genesis 2:15. To tend is to care for and nurture. I don't think God's hightest creation is taking very good care of the planet He created for our pleasurable and beneficial use.
Yet there is one thing that God gives us and which we can take with us; it is, in fact, the only thing of lasting value and the only thing we can truly own. It is a relationship with Himself. This is the only thing that will give our lives purpose and value, the only thing which has worth in the life to come, and the only thing which we can take with us. It is our key to eternal life with God in heaven.
What do you own?
I've completed reading Bonhoeffer - a heavy, thought-provoking read indeed - so much to write after reading that - and have gone back to reading the works of C.S. Lewis. Currently I'm reading "The Screwtape Letters," a series of 'letters' from one demon to another concerning how to get and keep their subject from God or any knowledge of Him. C.S. Lewis has a flare for spiritual insight of ordinary life, and these letters are bursting with a stream of analogies, one of them being ownership, which caused me to really think.
People have a deep desire to possess things, be it homes, cars, clothes, furnishings, books, technology, pets, friends, spouses, and even other people, yet in reality we possess nothing, not even time. Yes, think about that. We get up in the morning, and most of us willingly go off to work and give 7 or 8 (sometimes more) hours of our day to our employer, but who gave the time to us? Can we absolutely 100% for certain tell our boss that we'll continue to give our time? Are we certain a week from now that time will be ours to give? In reality the answer is 'no' because all we have is the very second we are breathing, nothing more. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. Time comes from God and is His gift to us.
Further thoughts on ownership reveal even more disappointment. We think we own our houses, even when we pay off that mortgage, but we don't. If you don't pay your taxes, you can bet your bottom dollar that the house will be taken from you. And if you don't pay the mortgage payment every month, the house can be repossessed by the bank who does own it. Cars can be repossessed if not paid in full, and the threat of theft is always present, too, not to mention demolition of the car in an accident. No more car. Pets eventually die, friends move on or dessert us, spouses betray and often leave us - yet we claim ownership to all these things. People even try to own people by enslaving them and using them for sex and/or labor, but even that can be ended by the people escaping from their grasp or by them being rescued and freed. Besides, possessing someone's body is not equated with owning their spirits. There is nothing material in this world that we can take from it when we leave it. We didn't even have a say in when we were born and won't have a say (generally) in when we die.
Everything to which we claim 'ownership' in this life can be taken from us because we don't really own anything. God owns it all. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine." Psalm 50:10-11.
God gives us everything to use while we live on the earth He created. "Then the Lord Good took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Genesis 2:15. To tend is to care for and nurture. I don't think God's hightest creation is taking very good care of the planet He created for our pleasurable and beneficial use.
Yet there is one thing that God gives us and which we can take with us; it is, in fact, the only thing of lasting value and the only thing we can truly own. It is a relationship with Himself. This is the only thing that will give our lives purpose and value, the only thing which has worth in the life to come, and the only thing which we can take with us. It is our key to eternal life with God in heaven.
What do you own?
Monday, February 4, 2013
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Bonhoeffer" by Erick Metaxas is a page-turner, and it isn't even fiction - it's history. I've been captivated to the point of not wanting to put the book down in order to go to bed, captivated at the stellar integrity, extreme faith, perseverance, high intelligence, insight into human nature, and dedication to living a life pleasing to God that this man possessed.
Many probably have not heard of Bonhoeffer, but he's a World War II German who never fired a shot but who saved the lives of many. Beyond devouring the details of this extraordinary man's life and deep insight into God's Word, I've been made clearly aware of the truths about which he wrote prolifically and profoundly in teachings, sermons, and countless letters to those who knew him; most profoundly I've been made aware of my own lack of discipline and study of God's Word in my life.
Bonhoeffer saw the Germans and German Christians taken in by Hitler's promise of a return to glory of former days for Germany and did all he could to prevent it. Even now, I see that the enemy of our souls hasn't given up on destroying the Church, the body of Christ, and he never will. He simply changes tactics. Hitler's attack of the Church and the Jewish people eventually destroyed him, but the Church and the Jews still remain. Such brazen and brutal methods for destroying God's people, both Christian and Jewish, have now been replaced with more subtle methods, undermining the core beliefs of God's Word by eroding the very ground on which Christ's Church was built. Mushy, spineless faith is commonplace; deep thinking is unheard of. We are too busy, too captivated and enthralled by technology and entertainment to give thought to anything more than what's for dinner tonight or what movie we're going to see this weekend.
Bonhoeffer was a very deep theologically-minded man. He inspired countless people during his lifetime and, thanks to the skillful writing of Metaxas, he still inspires people today. His story reveals the struggles of the German Christians and those who opposed Hitler's rise to power; it's the personal history of Germany seen through the life of Bonhoeffer. I recommend it to anyone who has the desire to know God more deeply, to understand the struggles of the Church, to experience the fear of the German people during Hitler's reign of terror, and to be exposed to Bonhoeffer's theological studies and disciplines.
I've been devouring this story, this 572-page book (in a small font!) for over a week during my lunch hour at work, during breakfast at home, and in the evening. With about 120 pages left to read, I won't finish it tonight.
Bonhoeffer never lived to see his 40th birthday; he was executed by the Nazis two weeks before the Allied liberation. His life as pastor, prophet, martyr and spy had come to an end, yet I know that I will meet him someday.
Many probably have not heard of Bonhoeffer, but he's a World War II German who never fired a shot but who saved the lives of many. Beyond devouring the details of this extraordinary man's life and deep insight into God's Word, I've been made clearly aware of the truths about which he wrote prolifically and profoundly in teachings, sermons, and countless letters to those who knew him; most profoundly I've been made aware of my own lack of discipline and study of God's Word in my life.
Bonhoeffer saw the Germans and German Christians taken in by Hitler's promise of a return to glory of former days for Germany and did all he could to prevent it. Even now, I see that the enemy of our souls hasn't given up on destroying the Church, the body of Christ, and he never will. He simply changes tactics. Hitler's attack of the Church and the Jewish people eventually destroyed him, but the Church and the Jews still remain. Such brazen and brutal methods for destroying God's people, both Christian and Jewish, have now been replaced with more subtle methods, undermining the core beliefs of God's Word by eroding the very ground on which Christ's Church was built. Mushy, spineless faith is commonplace; deep thinking is unheard of. We are too busy, too captivated and enthralled by technology and entertainment to give thought to anything more than what's for dinner tonight or what movie we're going to see this weekend.
Bonhoeffer was a very deep theologically-minded man. He inspired countless people during his lifetime and, thanks to the skillful writing of Metaxas, he still inspires people today. His story reveals the struggles of the German Christians and those who opposed Hitler's rise to power; it's the personal history of Germany seen through the life of Bonhoeffer. I recommend it to anyone who has the desire to know God more deeply, to understand the struggles of the Church, to experience the fear of the German people during Hitler's reign of terror, and to be exposed to Bonhoeffer's theological studies and disciplines.
I've been devouring this story, this 572-page book (in a small font!) for over a week during my lunch hour at work, during breakfast at home, and in the evening. With about 120 pages left to read, I won't finish it tonight.
Bonhoeffer never lived to see his 40th birthday; he was executed by the Nazis two weeks before the Allied liberation. His life as pastor, prophet, martyr and spy had come to an end, yet I know that I will meet him someday.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Handwriting a Thing of the Past?
The State of North Carolina has announced that it will no longer teach cursive writing to its students. Most people are appalled, and so am I. The printing of letters and the alphabet will of course still be taught, but the school system is leaving it in the hands of parents to teach a child how to write his or her name in cursive rather than printing it. Questions and red flags immediately come to mind, first of which is how can someone sign a document, versus printing their name on it? How is one supposed to take notes at a meeting or in a class - print everything? How can a person fill out and sign a check or estate documents? Are we now so dependent on computers/laptops/smart phones that we will have them with us 24/7?
Beyond those simple questions lay more profound ones. People are depending more and more on computers for "communication" but are relying only on the written word, not tone of voice, inflection, facial expressions, and body language. A non-personal screen is trumping personal contact and simply destroying the art of conversation.
E-mails, in the personal world, are not printed out and saved "for posterity." Letters received via the mail service used to be anticipated and cherished, and those are vanishing from the face of the earth and creating a void in the history of people who may one day be a person who changes the world or who invents something that makes life better. Preservation of history is slipping right through the keyboard, and not teaching cursive is hastening its death.
Technology and use of word processing is also destroying the need to spell words correctly. With spell-check, why bother trying to spell something correctly? The computer will fix it for you! And texting has birthed a language of its own in abbreviations and misspellings that are enough to drive an English teacher crazy! I have a problem with texting because I find it difficult to even use the letter "r" for the word "are." Guess I'm old school! So if I do text, which is rare, it takes me a while because I spell everything out and use correct punctuation. Spelling is now creative rather than going by the rules people have obeyed for ages. Where is the sense in that?
Cursive writing is being sacrificed for more time in front of computers for our students in order for them to learn to use the word processing programs. The future for these children looks rather grim to me. Even now, young people are graduating from college, yet they cannot write complete sentences; they cannot think deeply; they do not think beyond themselves to the needs of others (not all, but most); they live for the moment and do not save for the future; they cannot budget or balance a checkbook; they cannot do laundry or cook for themselves - but they have a college degree!
I hope the uproar created by the announcement that cursive will no longer be taught brings it back. It's part of life and always will be needed. Much will be lost if it goes by the wayside.
Beyond those simple questions lay more profound ones. People are depending more and more on computers for "communication" but are relying only on the written word, not tone of voice, inflection, facial expressions, and body language. A non-personal screen is trumping personal contact and simply destroying the art of conversation.
E-mails, in the personal world, are not printed out and saved "for posterity." Letters received via the mail service used to be anticipated and cherished, and those are vanishing from the face of the earth and creating a void in the history of people who may one day be a person who changes the world or who invents something that makes life better. Preservation of history is slipping right through the keyboard, and not teaching cursive is hastening its death.
Technology and use of word processing is also destroying the need to spell words correctly. With spell-check, why bother trying to spell something correctly? The computer will fix it for you! And texting has birthed a language of its own in abbreviations and misspellings that are enough to drive an English teacher crazy! I have a problem with texting because I find it difficult to even use the letter "r" for the word "are." Guess I'm old school! So if I do text, which is rare, it takes me a while because I spell everything out and use correct punctuation. Spelling is now creative rather than going by the rules people have obeyed for ages. Where is the sense in that?
Cursive writing is being sacrificed for more time in front of computers for our students in order for them to learn to use the word processing programs. The future for these children looks rather grim to me. Even now, young people are graduating from college, yet they cannot write complete sentences; they cannot think deeply; they do not think beyond themselves to the needs of others (not all, but most); they live for the moment and do not save for the future; they cannot budget or balance a checkbook; they cannot do laundry or cook for themselves - but they have a college degree!
I hope the uproar created by the announcement that cursive will no longer be taught brings it back. It's part of life and always will be needed. Much will be lost if it goes by the wayside.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Our Grocery Stores
Okay, I'll admit that my posts are all over the place - and this is just another example of the diversity in my posts and is something that has concerned me for a long time. Our "grocery" stores in America need to be revamped - in my opinion.
I shop every Thursday night at my favorite store because Thursday's are senior discount day and I can save 5% off my entire bill, which amounts to about $20 - $25 per month in savings. As I was wandering the aisles last evening (I never go without a list, but I walk all the aisles to make sure to get something that I need that's not on my list), I realized how many aisles of the store are devoted to junk food, and I estimated that half of the store is just that - junk food.
I've been changing our diet from good to better during the last two weeks, incorporating whole grains, such as quinoa, barley and couscous, on a daily basis. I'm no longer eating Greek yogurt for lunch every day but am eating instead salads with those grains or with spinach. So shopping for food now includes perusing nutrition labels constsantly. And I've come to a conclusion. We say that the poor can't afford to eat nutritous, healthy foods because of their cost, so they choose the "cheaper" foods, which are highly processed and high in calories, but I no longer think that's true. A box/bag (12 oz.) of quinoa sells for about $4.50 and will make about 8 cups of nutritious filling food while a bag of tortilla chips (16 oz.) is just that, 16 ounces of crunchy chips that are neither good for you nor filling yet cost about the same. Fresh vegetables are cheaper when they're offered as "sale" items, as well as when they're in season. Cooked hot cereals are more nutritous and filling than their dry processed counterparts and, when purchased in large containers, are very cheap. Bread is highly overrated, and I say that with regret because I love to bake and eat homemade bread! I haven't had a slice of bread in about 2 weeks, and the only breads in the house are wholegrain English muffins and pita bread. Sweets are hazardous to my health!
Grocery stores, in my opinion, should have less space designated to fatty, sugary, processed foods and more space designated to whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. There are such stores around, usually called "health food stores," but the sad thing is they tend to charge more for items which can be purchased in regular grocery stores, which is a problem for those on a limited budget. Also, people need to use their dollars for food more wisely, educate themselves on nutrition and healthy eating, and carefully choose foods that offer more bang for their buck.
The obesity problem in America is a national problem. People who are overweight think they're of normal weight, clothes sizes have gotten bigger (not the number, but the actual garments), and restaurants are everywhere, offering up huge portions of food for reasonable cost. Few families actually eat at home most of the time, eating out instead to circumvent the work required to cook a meal.
God has created food for our enjoyment, and the foods that grow naturally (fruit, vegetables, grains) are the best for us. I think it's sad that so many people simply destroy their health by eating foods that do them no good other than tantalize their taste buds, which is a momentary pleasure.
I'm planning on stirring up something with some left over turkey and barley for dinner. Good eating needs to return to the home. I think you'll agree.
I shop every Thursday night at my favorite store because Thursday's are senior discount day and I can save 5% off my entire bill, which amounts to about $20 - $25 per month in savings. As I was wandering the aisles last evening (I never go without a list, but I walk all the aisles to make sure to get something that I need that's not on my list), I realized how many aisles of the store are devoted to junk food, and I estimated that half of the store is just that - junk food.
I've been changing our diet from good to better during the last two weeks, incorporating whole grains, such as quinoa, barley and couscous, on a daily basis. I'm no longer eating Greek yogurt for lunch every day but am eating instead salads with those grains or with spinach. So shopping for food now includes perusing nutrition labels constsantly. And I've come to a conclusion. We say that the poor can't afford to eat nutritous, healthy foods because of their cost, so they choose the "cheaper" foods, which are highly processed and high in calories, but I no longer think that's true. A box/bag (12 oz.) of quinoa sells for about $4.50 and will make about 8 cups of nutritious filling food while a bag of tortilla chips (16 oz.) is just that, 16 ounces of crunchy chips that are neither good for you nor filling yet cost about the same. Fresh vegetables are cheaper when they're offered as "sale" items, as well as when they're in season. Cooked hot cereals are more nutritous and filling than their dry processed counterparts and, when purchased in large containers, are very cheap. Bread is highly overrated, and I say that with regret because I love to bake and eat homemade bread! I haven't had a slice of bread in about 2 weeks, and the only breads in the house are wholegrain English muffins and pita bread. Sweets are hazardous to my health!
Grocery stores, in my opinion, should have less space designated to fatty, sugary, processed foods and more space designated to whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. There are such stores around, usually called "health food stores," but the sad thing is they tend to charge more for items which can be purchased in regular grocery stores, which is a problem for those on a limited budget. Also, people need to use their dollars for food more wisely, educate themselves on nutrition and healthy eating, and carefully choose foods that offer more bang for their buck.
The obesity problem in America is a national problem. People who are overweight think they're of normal weight, clothes sizes have gotten bigger (not the number, but the actual garments), and restaurants are everywhere, offering up huge portions of food for reasonable cost. Few families actually eat at home most of the time, eating out instead to circumvent the work required to cook a meal.
God has created food for our enjoyment, and the foods that grow naturally (fruit, vegetables, grains) are the best for us. I think it's sad that so many people simply destroy their health by eating foods that do them no good other than tantalize their taste buds, which is a momentary pleasure.
I'm planning on stirring up something with some left over turkey and barley for dinner. Good eating needs to return to the home. I think you'll agree.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Time With the Boys
I didn't have to go to work today as it is Martin Luther King Day in honor of the civil rights leader who spurred the movement to racial equality in this country. My daughter-in-law, Bee, had to go to a class she's attending to get her realtor's license, so I was volunteered (and I didn't mind) to take care of my 3 grandsons during that time. This meant leaving the house half an hour earlier than I do when I go to work and driving to my son's house in Raleigh, which takes about 25 minutes.
The 2 older boys were waiting for me and eagerly threw open the door and immediately dragged me up upstairs to their room so I could see the Spider Man decals on the wall. A few minutes later Bee slipped out of the house, and Niland, Benny, Ian (short for Julian) and I went upstairs to the great room over the garage, where they have an indoor play house that is 8' tall and has a ladder, slide (yes, a full-length slide!), and a fire pole which extends from a platform to the floor, constructed by Daddy for the boys. The unit has 2 levels, and the floor level has a large entrance on one side that lets the kids sit under the upper level. It's a nice place to hide.
When we entered the room, I couldn't believe the mess! Toys were everywhere on the floor! I had to be careful not to trip on them. We played percussion instruments and a guitar, making fun music and a lot of noise. After a brief attempt at picking up one section of the room, snacks followed, and let me tell you these little boys are eating machines, even Ian who is a little guy. I managed to do some cleaning to help Bee out as she's also been carrying a part-time job, and folded some laundry, a never-ending job with 3 little boys. Later, Ian went down for his nap without complaint, which was a real relief!
Having heard how good Benny is at putting puzzles together, we dumped a bag of puzzle pieces onto the coffee table to put them together. To my surprise, there were 4 puzzles in the bag! I had no idea what they looked like, but I did know that they pictured Buzz Lightyear (you should hear Benny say "To infinity and beyond!) and 3 different scenes from Pixar's "Cars." Niland, thankfully, knew where the box was, and once we had that, the puzzles went together a little quicker. Now I like to do puzzles, but Benny blew me away. He was grabbing pieces and putting them together faster than I could! Over and over, he kept finding the right pieces, and soon Buzz Lightyear was almost complete. Benny is not quite 3 1/2 years old, and ever since he's been able to walk, he's placed items in patterns and order; one time he took bottles full of water and laid them on the floor in several perfectly straight rows, one next to the other. These puzzles we were working on are each about 60 pieces, and he can put them together by himself rather quickly.
Lunch time soon rolled around, and Benny wanted only grapes. "They're healthy," he kept telling me despite my attemps to get him to eat anything else. I think he ate too many crackers for his snack. Niland wanted some left over rice, so he got that and some ham slices. He piled the rice on top of the deli ham slices, rolled it up and exclaimed, "Sushi!"
"Do you like sushi?" I asked.
"I'm not allowed to eat it."
"You're not?"
"Well, some kinds I can eat, but that's all. Shrimp is my favorite."
"Yeah, all kids of things are used to make sushi -- cucumbers, avocado, fish . . ."
"And seaweed and rice!"
Where does this 5-year-old kid get so much information?
Before long, Ian woke from his nap, and as he was eating lunch and I was folding clothes, Bee came home from her class. After visiting with her, I returned home to do my own laundry, which I've yet to tackle.
I'm so grateful for the time I can spend with my grandkids when I'm not working; it seems as if there's far too little of it.
When I got home, my daughter Dori called. My granddaughter, Cami, is sick again. John, Dori, Luke and Cami all got sick during their week of vacation at Disney in Florida the week after Christmas, and sickness has kept one of them down since the beginning of November. Dori's getting pretty worn out with all the sickness. John is currently in New Jersey (he travels quite a bit on his job), and it is supposed to snow in New Jersey this evening, so Dori doesn't know if John will make it home or not because of the potential for snow, and she's about at the end of her rope. I wish I could do something to ease her load.
So much more to write about, but this is long already. Oh, just one more thing. A job has opened up, something that I would be privileged to do, something that I feel God is calling me to. I'm to speak to the director of that organization tomorrow. This job would offer the opportunity to use my past to save others from making mistakes in the future. The job is an answer to prayer and a promise I believe I received from God, but I know that the person God wants will get the job. This is one of those times I truly want it to be me. I want God to use me to make a difference.
The 2 older boys were waiting for me and eagerly threw open the door and immediately dragged me up upstairs to their room so I could see the Spider Man decals on the wall. A few minutes later Bee slipped out of the house, and Niland, Benny, Ian (short for Julian) and I went upstairs to the great room over the garage, where they have an indoor play house that is 8' tall and has a ladder, slide (yes, a full-length slide!), and a fire pole which extends from a platform to the floor, constructed by Daddy for the boys. The unit has 2 levels, and the floor level has a large entrance on one side that lets the kids sit under the upper level. It's a nice place to hide.
When we entered the room, I couldn't believe the mess! Toys were everywhere on the floor! I had to be careful not to trip on them. We played percussion instruments and a guitar, making fun music and a lot of noise. After a brief attempt at picking up one section of the room, snacks followed, and let me tell you these little boys are eating machines, even Ian who is a little guy. I managed to do some cleaning to help Bee out as she's also been carrying a part-time job, and folded some laundry, a never-ending job with 3 little boys. Later, Ian went down for his nap without complaint, which was a real relief!
Having heard how good Benny is at putting puzzles together, we dumped a bag of puzzle pieces onto the coffee table to put them together. To my surprise, there were 4 puzzles in the bag! I had no idea what they looked like, but I did know that they pictured Buzz Lightyear (you should hear Benny say "To infinity and beyond!) and 3 different scenes from Pixar's "Cars." Niland, thankfully, knew where the box was, and once we had that, the puzzles went together a little quicker. Now I like to do puzzles, but Benny blew me away. He was grabbing pieces and putting them together faster than I could! Over and over, he kept finding the right pieces, and soon Buzz Lightyear was almost complete. Benny is not quite 3 1/2 years old, and ever since he's been able to walk, he's placed items in patterns and order; one time he took bottles full of water and laid them on the floor in several perfectly straight rows, one next to the other. These puzzles we were working on are each about 60 pieces, and he can put them together by himself rather quickly.
Lunch time soon rolled around, and Benny wanted only grapes. "They're healthy," he kept telling me despite my attemps to get him to eat anything else. I think he ate too many crackers for his snack. Niland wanted some left over rice, so he got that and some ham slices. He piled the rice on top of the deli ham slices, rolled it up and exclaimed, "Sushi!"
"Do you like sushi?" I asked.
"I'm not allowed to eat it."
"You're not?"
"Well, some kinds I can eat, but that's all. Shrimp is my favorite."
"Yeah, all kids of things are used to make sushi -- cucumbers, avocado, fish . . ."
"And seaweed and rice!"
Where does this 5-year-old kid get so much information?
Before long, Ian woke from his nap, and as he was eating lunch and I was folding clothes, Bee came home from her class. After visiting with her, I returned home to do my own laundry, which I've yet to tackle.
I'm so grateful for the time I can spend with my grandkids when I'm not working; it seems as if there's far too little of it.
When I got home, my daughter Dori called. My granddaughter, Cami, is sick again. John, Dori, Luke and Cami all got sick during their week of vacation at Disney in Florida the week after Christmas, and sickness has kept one of them down since the beginning of November. Dori's getting pretty worn out with all the sickness. John is currently in New Jersey (he travels quite a bit on his job), and it is supposed to snow in New Jersey this evening, so Dori doesn't know if John will make it home or not because of the potential for snow, and she's about at the end of her rope. I wish I could do something to ease her load.
So much more to write about, but this is long already. Oh, just one more thing. A job has opened up, something that I would be privileged to do, something that I feel God is calling me to. I'm to speak to the director of that organization tomorrow. This job would offer the opportunity to use my past to save others from making mistakes in the future. The job is an answer to prayer and a promise I believe I received from God, but I know that the person God wants will get the job. This is one of those times I truly want it to be me. I want God to use me to make a difference.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Life Without God?
Have you ever read or heard something that you find hard to believe? Well, this week I read an article on CNN that made me "spitting mad." A woman blogged and shared it with CNN and titled the blog "Why I Raise My Children Without God." Seriously?!
Because she doesn't believe in God or even in his existence, she is passing a faithless life on to her children. How sad! Sad that she's an atheist and sad that she's encouraging that in her children. These are the subtitles of her paragraphs: God is a bad role model; God is not logical; God is not fair; God does not protect the innocent; God is not present; God does not teach chidlren to be good; and God teaches narcissism. Her entire premise that God is not good presents a huge problem. How does she know what is good and what is bad? Who taught her that? Where did she get such knowledge? Who says what is good and what is bad?
Oddly enough, the world has a universal "moral code" or "ethical code." I haven't heard of any civilization which states that murder is good and which encourages everyone to murder others. Stealing is also something that's bad around the world.
We say, "Play fair," to our kids when they're small. How do we know what's fair? Who puts that knowledge in us? Where does it come from? Why do we have to teach our children to be good? Why do they do "wrong" things and have to be corrected? From where do laws generate other than people's hearts?
God gave human beings free will. We can choose to do anything we want to do. We can steal, murder, lie, cheat, commit adultery (who said that's "wrong"), want what others have, take guns and kill innocent people (or even children), be nasty, mean and spiteful to others -- all because God has given us a free will. Or we can also choose to do good, save others from danger, help people in need, give from our abundance, be honest, nice, and polite to others. The choice is ours.
God does have a plan for us -- but I don't believe that anyone ever follows his plan perfectly. All of us go astray on occasion; the only one who followed God's plan explicitly was Jesus. He did the will of his Father God.
Suffering, sickness and pain was not part of God's creation until Man disobeyed God. We live in a fallen world, fallen from the ideal plan of God and what he created. His creation will be redeemed one day, but until then, we will see illness and tragedy in this life and will not have answers to the tough questions.
My prayer is that this other blogger (TXBlue08) will find the truth someday. God is not dead; He's alive and well and always will be. Ultimately, each and every person will have to account for their actions, choices and beliefs on this earth. I'm choosing to believe in God. If being "good" gets me to heaven, I'll get there because I'm a "good" person. But if belief in God and in his Son Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, I'll still get there because I'm a believer. Either way, I'm in. Are you willing to take that gamble? I'm not.
Because she doesn't believe in God or even in his existence, she is passing a faithless life on to her children. How sad! Sad that she's an atheist and sad that she's encouraging that in her children. These are the subtitles of her paragraphs: God is a bad role model; God is not logical; God is not fair; God does not protect the innocent; God is not present; God does not teach chidlren to be good; and God teaches narcissism. Her entire premise that God is not good presents a huge problem. How does she know what is good and what is bad? Who taught her that? Where did she get such knowledge? Who says what is good and what is bad?
Oddly enough, the world has a universal "moral code" or "ethical code." I haven't heard of any civilization which states that murder is good and which encourages everyone to murder others. Stealing is also something that's bad around the world.
We say, "Play fair," to our kids when they're small. How do we know what's fair? Who puts that knowledge in us? Where does it come from? Why do we have to teach our children to be good? Why do they do "wrong" things and have to be corrected? From where do laws generate other than people's hearts?
God gave human beings free will. We can choose to do anything we want to do. We can steal, murder, lie, cheat, commit adultery (who said that's "wrong"), want what others have, take guns and kill innocent people (or even children), be nasty, mean and spiteful to others -- all because God has given us a free will. Or we can also choose to do good, save others from danger, help people in need, give from our abundance, be honest, nice, and polite to others. The choice is ours.
God does have a plan for us -- but I don't believe that anyone ever follows his plan perfectly. All of us go astray on occasion; the only one who followed God's plan explicitly was Jesus. He did the will of his Father God.
Suffering, sickness and pain was not part of God's creation until Man disobeyed God. We live in a fallen world, fallen from the ideal plan of God and what he created. His creation will be redeemed one day, but until then, we will see illness and tragedy in this life and will not have answers to the tough questions.
My prayer is that this other blogger (TXBlue08) will find the truth someday. God is not dead; He's alive and well and always will be. Ultimately, each and every person will have to account for their actions, choices and beliefs on this earth. I'm choosing to believe in God. If being "good" gets me to heaven, I'll get there because I'm a "good" person. But if belief in God and in his Son Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, I'll still get there because I'm a believer. Either way, I'm in. Are you willing to take that gamble? I'm not.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Snow in North Carolina!
At the time of this writing, it's snowing like crazy in Durham, North Carolina. It had rained heavily earlier this evening after days of foggy and drizzly weather, and now cold air is rushing in, changing the rain to snow. While it's beautiful, it's also dangerous because the heavy wet snow is sticking to tree branches and bringing down trees, according to the news. We've lost our television signal due to the snow (that's why I'm not happy with satellite television!), but we still have power and thus have the computer. Being from Connecticut, I enjoy it when it snows here because I don't have to shovel it (it's usually not very much), I don't have to scrape it off my car (the car is parked in the garage), and I know it won't last long. The forecast calls for several inches, but only time will tell. I'll have to wait until morning to see!
Last weekend I was supposed to have Niland and Benny overnight Saturday, but Benny opted out at the last minute. I'd rather have him go home with Daddy than be upset and crying when he was supposed to go to sleep. Niland, however, was very happy to stay and proudly exclaimed, "It will be special, Nana, 'cause it's just me!" And he was right!
Before my son took the other two boys home, we put all three of them in the jacuzzi tub in our bathroom. My son declared that he never used to understand the nursery rhyme, "Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub," until he had 3 boys! I'd forgotten how much water kids can splash around, but they loved the water squirting from the jets.
The next morning, Niland wanted pancakes, and I thoroughly agreed with him, so we made them from scratch. Niland got to dump all the ingredients into the bowl, and when I added the baking powder, he said, "That's what makes the pancakes fluffy!" Are you kidding me?
As we cooked them, Niland stated, "They're ready to flip when they get bubbles on them!" Niland is only 5 years old, yet I can honestly say he knows more about cooking than does my sweet husband!
After church we played outside in the remarkable warmth of 75 degrees - yes, 75 degrees! Niland was in shorts and a shirt. As he explored the back yard, he found and caught a gecko under a log down the slope. I've never even caught a gecko and haven't really wanted to catch one! Wanting to gather fire wood for our fire pit, Niland proceeded to pick up fallen branches and found one log that was as tall as him that he really wanted to drag up the slope but couldn't because it was too heavy. He then flipped that log end to end, over and over, and got that heavy log up the slope all by himself. Needless to say, he was sweating profusely but was very proud of himself. So was I. Bob has to cut the log in order to use it in the fire pit.
So we've gone from 75 degrees last Sunday to 33 degrees and heavy snow right now. God's creation is magnificent! The snow offers so much beauty, draping the outdoors in silence, the snowflakes making swishing sounds as they hit the ground. In a few weeks, the daffodils will start poking through the soil, soon to adorn the ground with splashes of yellow. Winter doesn't last long here, so I don't mind it when it snows!
Last weekend I was supposed to have Niland and Benny overnight Saturday, but Benny opted out at the last minute. I'd rather have him go home with Daddy than be upset and crying when he was supposed to go to sleep. Niland, however, was very happy to stay and proudly exclaimed, "It will be special, Nana, 'cause it's just me!" And he was right!
Before my son took the other two boys home, we put all three of them in the jacuzzi tub in our bathroom. My son declared that he never used to understand the nursery rhyme, "Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub," until he had 3 boys! I'd forgotten how much water kids can splash around, but they loved the water squirting from the jets.
The next morning, Niland wanted pancakes, and I thoroughly agreed with him, so we made them from scratch. Niland got to dump all the ingredients into the bowl, and when I added the baking powder, he said, "That's what makes the pancakes fluffy!" Are you kidding me?
As we cooked them, Niland stated, "They're ready to flip when they get bubbles on them!" Niland is only 5 years old, yet I can honestly say he knows more about cooking than does my sweet husband!
After church we played outside in the remarkable warmth of 75 degrees - yes, 75 degrees! Niland was in shorts and a shirt. As he explored the back yard, he found and caught a gecko under a log down the slope. I've never even caught a gecko and haven't really wanted to catch one! Wanting to gather fire wood for our fire pit, Niland proceeded to pick up fallen branches and found one log that was as tall as him that he really wanted to drag up the slope but couldn't because it was too heavy. He then flipped that log end to end, over and over, and got that heavy log up the slope all by himself. Needless to say, he was sweating profusely but was very proud of himself. So was I. Bob has to cut the log in order to use it in the fire pit.
So we've gone from 75 degrees last Sunday to 33 degrees and heavy snow right now. God's creation is magnificent! The snow offers so much beauty, draping the outdoors in silence, the snowflakes making swishing sounds as they hit the ground. In a few weeks, the daffodils will start poking through the soil, soon to adorn the ground with splashes of yellow. Winter doesn't last long here, so I don't mind it when it snows!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Goals
With the calendar flipping over into a new year, I'm setting goals just like most of you, but first on my list is to make a list of goals both for myself and with my husband. This won't be easy, I can assure you, as one of us is more relaxed about the future than the other. Maybe "relaxed" isn't the right word, so I should probably change that to unconcerned.
I had received a gift card to a book store for Christmas, so last evening I went there and purchased 2 books with the intention of actually reading some deep writing, something to make me think deeply and consider the blessings in my life more fully. The two books I bought were "Bonhoeffer" and "The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics" consisting of "Mere Christianity," "The Screwtape Letters" (which I may have read in my younger years, but I'm not sure), "The Abolition of Man," "The Great Divorce," "The Problem of Pain," "Miracles," and "A Grief Observed." Having begun to devour the C.S. Lewis book, I realize that he was a deep thinker who put his thoughts precisely on paper, dissecting them and laying them out in orderly fashion, yet the subjects about which he wrote were often ordinary. Too busy to do this in our day and time, even though we have a great tool in the computer, we rush through our days and give little thought to more than what's for dinner or where we need to take the kids after school. Sadly, our thoughts swim in a shallow pond and don't delve into deep ocean waters that can hold both mysteries and understanding. And so my journey into deeper waters begins with C.S. Lewis.
I've heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer but know the barest of facts about him. I probably won't get to that book until the summer, not wanting to just read C.S. Lewis's stories as a butterfly flitting on the wind. I want to get some meat out of them.
With my thoughts tilted toward deeper reading, my heart leans toward a deeper walk with God. Everyday living has a way of sucking the very life from our bones, leaving us dry and withered, unproductive and somewhat hopeless. I've been there and have felt the crush of responsibility robbing me of life's simple pleasures. One of my goals is to live more fully, and if that means dust balls rolling through the house in order for me to spend time with my grandkids, so be it. I'm certainly not getting any younger, and only God knows the number of my days, so I want to laugh more, work less, love more, and work less. More of God; more fun and more laughter; more of family and more of friends. It won't happen unless I change my habits; it won't happen unless I make deliberate choices to make it happen. I'll need to stay focused on my goals and pray that God will help me see things more clearly in light of eternity.
My grandson Niland called me today and invited me to dinner, telling me I could help him fix my favorite dish and I could eat half of it. He told me he loved me and missed me; I last saw him on Christmas Day, and I was thinking about him just before he called. Benny chimed in after Niland, and it broke my heart that work has kept me from them. I saved the precious message on my phone, called back during my break, and arranged for them to spend the night Saturday. That's living more fully! I can't wait to hug them!
I had received a gift card to a book store for Christmas, so last evening I went there and purchased 2 books with the intention of actually reading some deep writing, something to make me think deeply and consider the blessings in my life more fully. The two books I bought were "Bonhoeffer" and "The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics" consisting of "Mere Christianity," "The Screwtape Letters" (which I may have read in my younger years, but I'm not sure), "The Abolition of Man," "The Great Divorce," "The Problem of Pain," "Miracles," and "A Grief Observed." Having begun to devour the C.S. Lewis book, I realize that he was a deep thinker who put his thoughts precisely on paper, dissecting them and laying them out in orderly fashion, yet the subjects about which he wrote were often ordinary. Too busy to do this in our day and time, even though we have a great tool in the computer, we rush through our days and give little thought to more than what's for dinner or where we need to take the kids after school. Sadly, our thoughts swim in a shallow pond and don't delve into deep ocean waters that can hold both mysteries and understanding. And so my journey into deeper waters begins with C.S. Lewis.
I've heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer but know the barest of facts about him. I probably won't get to that book until the summer, not wanting to just read C.S. Lewis's stories as a butterfly flitting on the wind. I want to get some meat out of them.
With my thoughts tilted toward deeper reading, my heart leans toward a deeper walk with God. Everyday living has a way of sucking the very life from our bones, leaving us dry and withered, unproductive and somewhat hopeless. I've been there and have felt the crush of responsibility robbing me of life's simple pleasures. One of my goals is to live more fully, and if that means dust balls rolling through the house in order for me to spend time with my grandkids, so be it. I'm certainly not getting any younger, and only God knows the number of my days, so I want to laugh more, work less, love more, and work less. More of God; more fun and more laughter; more of family and more of friends. It won't happen unless I change my habits; it won't happen unless I make deliberate choices to make it happen. I'll need to stay focused on my goals and pray that God will help me see things more clearly in light of eternity.
My grandson Niland called me today and invited me to dinner, telling me I could help him fix my favorite dish and I could eat half of it. He told me he loved me and missed me; I last saw him on Christmas Day, and I was thinking about him just before he called. Benny chimed in after Niland, and it broke my heart that work has kept me from them. I saved the precious message on my phone, called back during my break, and arranged for them to spend the night Saturday. That's living more fully! I can't wait to hug them!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Back to Living
My husband and I have had to ask what day it is for the last week or so. The process of laying to rest one's mother is never easy. It has exhausted us physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Our trip to and from Huntsville, Alabama, was uneventful, for which we were grateful, and we returned on my husband's birthday, New Year's Eve, to 2 cats who were glad to see us, and life without Mom began.
We spent New Year's Eve at our friends Steve and Martha's house, relaxing with food and the warmth and company of good friends, in which we basked as if soaking up warm rays of sun. New Year's day was spent catching our breath as we took down Christmas decorations, yet the daze of unreality enveloped us like fog, and we continued to grieve Mom's passing as we celebrated the fact that she had not suffered and was now in the arms of her Heavenly Father.
Humor managed to pierce our grief. Flowers were awaiting our return home, and we recognized the name of one family but not of the other, so we e-mailed the familiar family and thanked them for their thoughtfulness and asked them to enlighten us on the identity of the other family. We're old now, you know! When I returned to work, I realized the unrecognized family on the flower card was actually one of my bosses! I had to e-mail the recognized family and tell them that the mystery had been solved! Why the mixup? Because we know 2 families with the exact same spelling of the last name but with entirely different pronounciations of it, one friends from church and the other an attorney for whom I work! With no first names, I naturally went to our church friends as the sender of the flowers. We've had a good laugh over this!
So now it's back to reality. A new year is here, and we'll be doing everything without Bob's mother for the first time. We're extremely grateful for the wonderful days we had with her over the long Christmas weekend and extremely grateful that we had time to say goodbye in the hospital before life support was disconnected and Mom slid into eternity. We're grateful for the cards, phone calls, flowers, and prayers of our friends. We're grateful for loving family who surrounded us even as we surrounded them. We're most grateful for the fact that Mom was a believer, and we know where she is and we know that we'll see her again. What a blessed hope!
Bob has already felt the piercing reality that things have changed. He always picked up things that Mom needed while he was in Sam's Club, and he realized the other day that he doesn't need to do that any more. And that's the way it will be for all of us who loved her. We'll do something ordinary and be reminded of Mom, what she liked, or the way she did something. She now lives on in our hearts.
We've just learned that Bob's oldest daughter, Ellen, who is expecting her second child on June 1, will be having another boy. When he arrives, that will be our 8th grandchild and our 7th grandson. Cami is still the only granddaughter. New life to look forward to even as we mourn Mom's passing.
And so life goes on.
We spent New Year's Eve at our friends Steve and Martha's house, relaxing with food and the warmth and company of good friends, in which we basked as if soaking up warm rays of sun. New Year's day was spent catching our breath as we took down Christmas decorations, yet the daze of unreality enveloped us like fog, and we continued to grieve Mom's passing as we celebrated the fact that she had not suffered and was now in the arms of her Heavenly Father.
Humor managed to pierce our grief. Flowers were awaiting our return home, and we recognized the name of one family but not of the other, so we e-mailed the familiar family and thanked them for their thoughtfulness and asked them to enlighten us on the identity of the other family. We're old now, you know! When I returned to work, I realized the unrecognized family on the flower card was actually one of my bosses! I had to e-mail the recognized family and tell them that the mystery had been solved! Why the mixup? Because we know 2 families with the exact same spelling of the last name but with entirely different pronounciations of it, one friends from church and the other an attorney for whom I work! With no first names, I naturally went to our church friends as the sender of the flowers. We've had a good laugh over this!
So now it's back to reality. A new year is here, and we'll be doing everything without Bob's mother for the first time. We're extremely grateful for the wonderful days we had with her over the long Christmas weekend and extremely grateful that we had time to say goodbye in the hospital before life support was disconnected and Mom slid into eternity. We're grateful for the cards, phone calls, flowers, and prayers of our friends. We're grateful for loving family who surrounded us even as we surrounded them. We're most grateful for the fact that Mom was a believer, and we know where she is and we know that we'll see her again. What a blessed hope!
Bob has already felt the piercing reality that things have changed. He always picked up things that Mom needed while he was in Sam's Club, and he realized the other day that he doesn't need to do that any more. And that's the way it will be for all of us who loved her. We'll do something ordinary and be reminded of Mom, what she liked, or the way she did something. She now lives on in our hearts.
We've just learned that Bob's oldest daughter, Ellen, who is expecting her second child on June 1, will be having another boy. When he arrives, that will be our 8th grandchild and our 7th grandson. Cami is still the only granddaughter. New life to look forward to even as we mourn Mom's passing.
And so life goes on.
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