Thinking About Pleasant Things In The Middle Of Confusion

Yesterday was very stressful and yet I had a nice time through it all.  To explain, on my way to work, my car decided to throw a coil spring that blew out my tire.  Of course nobody likes to call work and tell them that a car breakdown occurred, especially me I always feel terribly uncomfortable explaining what happened.  I didn't even know how long it would take to fix the problem.  To my surprise, they asked me if I was ok? 

  I was lucky because I was starting to back out of my driveway when it happened.  Also to my advantage, I had worked over the day before and was only scheduled to work for four hours yesterday.

    My dad and mom were the only ones available to help me out , it turned out to be less frustrating because we were all together.   Dad went with me to talk to the mechanics and I felt so proud that he was my dad.  He talked to them while they looked at the wheel and the damage the spring had caused.  For a moment the years had melted away from us both.  I also watched my father as he sat down waiting for me to settle the bill and how it dawned on me how very tired he was.  This man had poured out better than sixty years, fifty some supporting his family by being a mechanic.   Yesterday he walked me through all of it, as I towed and talked to the garages getting the best estimate.

    Like I said, during all this, we had a few chuckles, I had told them about how at my job they played Christmas music and how they played "Snow" from "White Christmas" as one of the selections.

   I always start to laugh to myself whenever this song comes on because I think of my sister and how she hates driving in the stuff, well dealing with it in general.  She grumbles about it and tells me how she'd love to go to Hawaii and look at those well tanned and toned beach dudes. 

  I told mom and dad that I should dedicate that song to her because she loves snow sooooo much.

Its nice to have few pleasant moments during and unpleasant thing.  I admit that having a coil spring replaced as a Christmas gift wasn't top of my list.   My Christmas wish is still whimsy,  a warm fire as the snow falling having a handsome loving man holding me, my kids there.   My daughter is getting better and I am very happy and pleased with that.

I hope everyone gets to have their Christmas wishes full-filled!

This is for my sister,

Merry Christmas From Heaven

Holidays are always toughest the first year after a loss of a loved one.  This year will be difficult for a couple of people who are dear to me.  One lost her husband and the other his parents.  My thoughts and prayers will be with them both and their families as they go through the season.
                 When my husband passed in December 2006, a poem and ornament was given to me to remember him during Christmas.  I want to share the poem with both of them, their families and anyone going through this festive season with grief.

                                            MERRY  CHRISTMAS  FROM  HEAVEN


                                                           I still hear the songs
                                                           I still see the lights
                                                          I still feel your love
                                                         on cold wintery nights

                                                        I still share your hopes
                                                         and all of your cares
                                                          I'll even remind you
                                                     to please say your prayers

                                                       I just want to tell you
                                                       you still make me proud
                                                  You stand hand and shoulders 
                                                         above all the crowd

                                                       Keep trying each moment
                                                         to stay in His grace
                                                       I came here before you
                                                        to help set your place

                                                       You don't have to be
                                                        perfect all of the time
                                                       He forgives you the slip
                                                      If you continue the climb

                                                      To my family and friends
                                                       please be thankful today
                                                      I'm still close beside you
                                                         In a new special way

                                                      I love you all dearly
                                                      now don't shed a tear
                                                      Cause I am spending my
                                                    Christmas with Jesus this year.

                                                                           c/o 1990 John Wim M. Jr.

                              I always want you to know that you never leave my thoughts and that I love you very much.    Merry Christmas!

Catching Fire On The Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

   Sunday I got to go to church with my kids after working mornings for about a month now.  I had my evaluation for those thirty days, the same day because I had to go in at one pm, not to my surprise I had to work on some of my skills.   I also leaked out that I did work in floral for some years.   I know that will come back on me , but in a nice way.
   Anyway, during my shift, my sister and my daughter went to The Strand Theater in Delaware, one of the oldest movie theaters and the only one in Delaware, Ohio now.  Many times my dad as regaled stories of his younger days at the Strand, watching cowboy pictures mainly, and how his Grandpa Price took him.
    But on December 1st 2013, it was his daughter and his granddaughter that occupied the old place to see the sequel to "The Hunger Games" "The Hunger Games Catching Fire."
 

    My daughter has read all three books and owns the first movie.  When I first saw the first movie, I was bothered by the fact that it was young kids battling it out to the death.  I am not a big fan of the movie like my daughter but it is a well written movie and its ok.   I was told that "Catching Fire" seemed to my sister and daughter a even better film than the first.  So if anyone is curious about this movie, don't worry, its just as good and even better than the first movie.

Came out on DVD March 7,2014

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone

To all my friends and loved ones I want to say "Thank You" for being in my life!  I have so much to be thankful for and it seems only right to say it on this day.  Winter snow has arrived a little early for everyone and it is the coldest Thanksgiving I have seen for a long while but still I wouldn't trade this day.  It is my prayer that everyone gets to see their loved ones today, wish them joy and happiness with a hug as well.
       Squirrels are gathering food in the woods behind my home, they too celebrate the day, so it appears anyway, I like to think so.   God's creatures in all shapes and sizes are happy today.
       All creation rejoices, I like that too.
       Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone,

              My love to you all! 

To Our Brave Men And Women Of Our Military

Veterans day is a day of remembrance for all who have served and are serving our country. So many families have had and have loved ones serving over seas.  I come from a strong military back ground  with veterans from World War II and Korea.  My late husband served in Desert Storm.  It is a honor, plain and simple.  It is important for all of our veterans to know that they are never forgotten, that we are grateful for their sacrifice and that we love and support them.

Thank You So Much!

Daily Learning

There is an Indian saying so true "Don't judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes."   Seems like I learn this lesson on a daily basis, which as it should be.  My co-worker and I chat while we are working together and God Bless Her, through all her life, she has had one trial after another, some I am not sure I could bare if it happened to me.  What an awesome person she is and still she knows how to smile and as she put it "Got To Go On!"  I hope God always gives her strength to keep going too!

We both share the same treatment with depression/ anxiety, although she had been on it longer.  I started my treatment with Paxil after my husband died.  A wise doctor told me as I sat in his examination room that "Many people have gone through a lot worse"  of course at the time I thought "What a horrible thing to say to a widow with two small children" but you know what?, he was absolutely right.  I don't know if I ever told him that and I hope he reads this because I have learned his teaching over the years since.  We all carry burdens, some maybe heavier than others.  Thankfully we all have each other to lighten the load.  We can understand each other's needs.  I know too that the same doctor is going through some trials of his own, what he has been through in his past and now present with he and his family is not an easy one, even as believers, it can be a hard to comprehend "Why?"  My love and prayers goes out to them as well.

Maybe that is why the Good Lord gives us shoulders and gentle hands as a reassurance of security to help carry the load for every one of us who just needs a little help now and then.

My Son's Turn To Drive

I have been battling white hair for a few years now and I know now that my son is about ready to learn to drive, I am going to go completely white!   I picked up a book at the D.M.V. about driving rules and regulations, the same one we all have to read to get a licence.  I am proud of my son but feel anxious about letting him behind the wheel.  I know he'll be fine because he has better sense than me and he wants my dad to teach him.

My dad gave test as part of his job when he worked as a Ohio Highway Patrol Auxie.  He was also a Sgt.  in the U.S Army.  My sisters , my brother and I all got taken out for spin around the block with dad to correct our mistakes, everyone of us came back in the house with tears streaming down our face because we messed up.  We all understood that he was training us right and the seriousness of being safe when sharing the road with others.
For me, my oops was turning too wide and in a 1977 Ford LTD, turning wide was REAL WIDE.  My sisters foe-pas were going through a red light on Sandusky Street and not stopping at the railroad tracks on Shanahan Road.  I am not real sure what my brother's boo-boo was, I can't remember but we all experienced repercussions  from our actions.

My son has become real close too his grandpa, almost like pals, so it wasn't a surprise when my son wanted him to teach him the ins and outs of driving.  When I told my sister that, she patted my son on the back and said simply "Good luck, you are going to need it."

My dad is 79 now and I am not sure if his tolerance level is good as it was when I learned how to drive, but when I did my father suggested a local driver's school.  It was there I was introduced to the Driver's Ed Film that the instructor was so proud of obtaining for the class.  My dad spoke to him about his days in The Ohio Highway Patrol and how The Highway Safety Foundation filmed the patrol at the accident scenes. I remember seeing the film for the first time and being "Scared Out Of My Wits" and not wanting to drive that night.

I make sure I emphasis to my son how important staying alert when driving, attention is very important, Safety is number one.  I know he understands and that the wisdom of my dad will sink in.