Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been my mother's 85th birthday. Unfortunately, she went home to be with her Lord on February 26, 2005. I miss her terribly. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her.

We were very close, and we did a lot of things together, like painting, bowling, shopping, spending time together overnight, and talking sometimes hours on end. Sometimes it would be only for a few minutes and other times it was over an hour.

I remember a time when we stayed overnight at my Aunt Gloria's house, and she told me that she had memorized the state capitals. And, being the competitive person I am, what did I do starting that night in the dark as we talked, had her teach me all of the state capitals. By the time we got home the next day, I had them all memorized. Don't ask me to say them now, but during that 24 plus hours we spent together, I did something that she helped me do.

There were so many memories that I can't even start to mention. We laughed together, cried together, had fun together, bowled together, painted together, talked together, and enjoyed to love of music together.

I miss you Mom. You were more than a mom, you were a friend and confidante. Someone I could always count on to be there for me. And, I tried to be there for you.

My mom is one of the blessings that God has given me. And, her memory, will live on in my life.

Young and Carefree

Oh to be young and carefree again,

Free of the worries,

Free of mistakes,

Free of the heartache,

Free of the pain.

Just to be young and carefree again.

Sometimes I feel as though being an adult it more work than it is worth. Even though I don't want to go back to my childhood, I wish that life could be easier.

I think that is why Jesus told us in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

God's Handiwork

I received an email from my girlfriend, Ann, that I wanted to share here on my blogsite. This is truly a blessing that I hope to see for myself one day.

THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED IN JUNE OF 2006 ON THE IDAHO/WASHINGTON BORDER THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.



Isn't God a wonderful God. He gives us so much to see and be thankful for. His wonderous beauty within our world is amazing. I cannot believe that people don't believe that there is a God that has created everything that we have. Who else would care so much to show us these wonderous things.

This is totally awesome. Just like our God is!!!

Memories

Well, this morning when I checked out my daughter's blog site, I went to Danielle's. It is hard to believe that the kids that I had in Children's Church for so many years working on different musicals are all grown up, getting married, and will one day have children to call their own. She was my daughter's maid of honor, and now, Kim, is going to be hers. They are like sisters. I know that Kim claims her as one since she doesn't have a sister to call her own. For that matter, neither does Danielle. Both just have brothers.

Even though I had sisters of my own, my best friend, Ann, is more like a sister to me. What a wonderful blessing to have is a friend that you call a sister. You can't always say that your sister is always your friend.

Beautiful Rainbows

This morning as I think of the never-ending winter, I reflected back to last summer when I had the honor of viewing several rainbows after a rainstorm. Fortunately, I was able to capture them on my digital camera (what a wonderful invention) so that I can look upon God's wonder. Too bad we can't see rainbows after a snow. Now that would truly be a blessing and a wonder to see.

When I see a rainbow, I always reflect on God's wonderful gifts that He gives us on a daily basis. Maybe if He would show us a rainbow in the winter, we would take the time to look upon those gifts and not dwell on the never-ending winter and those mid-winter blues.

Just something to think about.

Working Relationships

Getting back into the "work world" after being off for almost five months has been interesting. We have a 26-year-old contractor named Chris that took over for me while I was off. Now, Judy, my co-worker, is off work so Chris is staying on. He is a GREAT asset to Consumers, and I hope that he will be able to some day find a permanent job with us.

I am twice his age. He is the same age as my daughter. It isn't easy sometimes working with someone who is half your age, but it has been a blessing. He works hard and has made me realize what it is to be young again. I have been able to communicate with him on a level that is working for both of us.

Due to my perserverance, I have a job that I love. It is something that I never thought I would do. It is challenging and taxes me at times, but it is something I hope I continue to do for another several years. I hope that he will be able to find that same blessing.

Winter Blues

Well, it seems like winter has come in again with a blast of cold air. Stuck in the house and not wanting to go outside, feeling cold and trying to keep warm. Winter sets in and soon many of us feel the "winter blues." I know that I do. I love watching the "big and fluffy" flakes when the season starts just before Christmas, but by the beginning of February I am tired of the winter storms and freezing arctic air. So, here I am trying to make the best of the winter.

So, what to do to make the best of this time of year. Here is a list of things that I have to help relieve the dreaded winter blues. Along with the normal working each day and then coming home to an empty house many days when Jack is working, I have tried to keep myself busy.

1. I am converting VHS tapes to DVDs. Didn't realize how many movies I had on VHS
2. I am xcanning pictures of my family taken before the digital camera.
3. I am looking through pictures to figure out when the pictures were taken. Many are without dates.
4. I am exercising trying to get back into shape before summer comes.
5. I am reading books and I am back into reading my Bible.

Other things that I want to do include:

1. Painting some emu eggs to give away.
2. Painting some pots to plant some summer flowers in.
3. Painting a nice picture on canvas.
4. Playing the piano and singing again.

There are lots of things that I need to do now while I am stuck inside because once nice weather comes around, I want to be outside gardening, laying in the sun, fishing, taking long walks, and taking rides around the lake. I guess that I should feel blessed with the "winter blues" because it gives me time to do the inside things that get passed by during the warmer months.

Life

Life is short. We need to live everyday as if it may be our last. This week has been difficult. Early Monday morning, I was reading my email and there was one from Jo, my friend and hairdresser. The email was sad. She said that her husband, Brett, who was only 50 died on Sunday after her and her daughter did CPR until the paramedics arrived and tried for 45 minutes to revive him without success.

Yesterday, again I was checking email and saw one from a neighbor. He stated that another neighbor who is in her early 50s was killed in a terrible car accident less than 2 miles from home on her way home from work. I broke down and cried. A couple years ago, her husband died of a heart attack at work just before Christmas. Last October, she was so happy because she had just gotten remarried starting her life all over again.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Take the time to give your loved ones a hug and tell them you love them. Don't wait until tomorrow because tomorrow may never come. And, don't let the sun go down on your anger. The bible tells us that, but do we always do that. I used to, but I have swayed from that. I believe God had a reason for telling us that. He is the one in control and if we do, and we lose the one we love, we are the ones who suffer in more ways than the initial loss.

Take the time now, today, and don't wait until tomorrow.