something to think about...

the enduring kind

Driving along, I remember with a smile, simpler days, thoughts and play. How long has it been? Let's see... we met in 4th grade- that's about age 8 or 9? That would be 43 years. Wow. That is an amazing thought. I have known Julie almost as long as my own siblings! Well, she might as well be one of my siblings. There was a time when we were inseparable. Mutt and Jeff, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. She was included in family vacations, part of family celebrations and practically lived at our home from elementary school through middle of high school. Then we grew up, had families, got busy...but never let go. Always keeping in touch, if by nothing but birthday cards or Christmas cards or letters. We always knew where the other was and what they were doing. Distance only kept us from being together, not from touching one another. We have rejoiced with each other in life's triumphs and shared the pain and sorrow of life's valleys. We have endured and so has our friendship.
I anticipated today with a giddy, girlish excitement. It's been a long time since we've sat and talked. It's been about 9 years since she was diagnosed with MS, that's the last time we had a sit down chat. Too long. Too, too long. And once we are together, its as if nothing has changed. We are simply friends who love and care for one another. Updates, clarifications, detailed stories of loss and love, God stuff, husband stuff, what's planned in the short term and what we're hoping for in the long term, and of course the requisite 'remember when' scenarios. We laughed, we cried and we simply relished each other's presence. Three hours later, on at least two occassions, we start to leave, but lingered longer...finally realizing we really gotta go or we'd be stuck in Friday night traffic if we didn't get moving! So, we hug, chat, hug, chat some more and finally another hug that is accompanied by the dreaded good-bye but with it are promises to do it again, soon, and next time let's include our husbands. Now that should be fun!
Thank you Lord for this friendship that is the enduring kind of relationship- a reflection of you in so many ways. I am blessed.

more than we needed to know...

Alan. Every family has one member they wish they could forget...you know the one you are always making excuses for & apologizing for. He was ours. God rest his soul, he passed onto his destiny a few months ago, but as we pick up the pieces he left behind, his unbridled, illegal and self seeking spirit keeps finding a way to infiltrate our lives. We've found copies of legal paperwork, new and old photos, miscellaneous "parafinalia", magazines, etc....all supporting what we knew was true about him. And now, as we are reclaiming his home, the neighbors feel free to stop us and share about their personal angst for Alan, when he was their neighbor, their own suspicisions, their calls to the police, their survellience, and the unrequited hope that the park managment would do something about him. I say so, what!!!! The man is dead, no threat or incovenience to anyone, any more. Yes, what we suspected was true. But did we really need to know all the sordid details? Let's move on. He is gone. He should no longer be the nuisance he was in life. But in death, as in life, he is the sliver you just have to let find its way out. You can't dig it out, its too deep. You can't grab the edge and pull. You can't scrape it out, its too big. You just have to let nature take its course. This too will seep into the past. Slowly edging its way out. God rest his soul.

What is this world coming to?

Who in their right mind keeps pedaling when cars are moving in front of them? When their light is red, but the cars light is green? Is it a demented personality? A drunk? Someone high on "whatever"? Maybe he's a blind man? Or someone with a death wish? In any case, it shouldn't happen. Not to anyone, but especially not to my daughter. On her way to work this morning, the week started off with a 'bang'! Standing back, now, as she surveys the damages, all humans are well and in one piece, but the hood of her car has been 'impressed' with the image of her perpetrator. Now, a regular reminder of that infamous moment...but who wants to be reminded of such a calamity? Ugh!!! Oh, dear God, let us see your purpose and give us eyes to see beyond the literal and figurative impression left by this moment in time. I pray, Lord, for swift justice, truth in investigation and reparations to be quick and effective. Amen.

a family reunion

20 years of gathering together in Pismo Beach. Not everyone has been there every year, but for the most part, we've strived to be together every year since 1989. Many of our patriarchs have passed on but in there place are new couples, families, children and even dogs! They call it camping...but it hardly qualifies with all the asphalt, electricity and hi-def cable. I guess what makes it camping is that we spend day and night outdoors, we cook outdoors and we have a campfire every night. There are trailer-trash lights that we glamorize each evening at a ceremonial lighting, and there are still the staples...hot dogs, hamburgers and the expected s'mores each evening. Each evening is filled with laughter at the recounting of some part of the family history and shared family memories. The same stories told and retold year after year after year. Yet, we never tire of them or make corrections to this year's version. We savor the memories and enjoy reliving them. The love of this family tradition completely outweighs any inconveniences. I love the fact that my children look forward to this every year-even travelling here from college for some part of the family time together-bringing friends to join us and share time with this crazy family!
This 'family business' can be tricky, but I think we've got it figured out. We are proof that the love of family supercedes interesting personalities, unusual quirks, oddities and behaviors. They are, simply put, who and what make the memories. This family time is our living history and reliving it every year strengthens its bonds and creates more reason, even desire, to gather together next year! See you there?

inspired by Fall......

Fall has inspired me! We (my daughter and I) have invited some of our very favorite people to share the autumn spirit with us. We will gather to share the heart and soul of the season with homemade soups, breads and desserts that are indicative of the autumn harvest. I pray that these special women are blessed as we gather~ that they are inspired by the colors, decor and gifts. I pray that this is an opportunity to stop and prepare our hearts and souls for the upcoming craziness of the holidays. I pray that peace and joy will settle in their hearts and that they come to know without a doubt that I love them and God loves them so much more. Thank You Lord, for the opportunity and ability to bless them!

its the most wonderful time of the year!

Vacations over, school back in session, everyone settled in for the long haul of winter and along comes Fall. Yes, I believe it is "The most wonderful time of the year". It is the magic carpet that takes us into winter.
Her beauty is unsurpassed, the rich smells unmistakable; the crisp, damp air so refreshing after summer's heat. God really does good work.
As I do the mundane, His beauty unfolds with a complexity I will never understand. Nor do I want to. I simply want to appreciate the brilliant colors and drink in the the freshness of the first rains. With fall also comes the anticipation of celebrations and all the planning that's needed. (I am a planner, so, there's always something 'in the wings'.) You'll hear more as we draw nearer about what's planned. In the meantime, savor this season. Every day brings new beauty. You just have to look to see it!