Today is the Sabbath...

• Dave and I made coffee, hot tea, and hot chocolate early this morning for our church congregation...
• We went to Christian Education class and discussed Jewish people who were martyred for their faith - from the book in the Apochropha, II Maccabees...
• I stood in for a gal who was on vacation at our church's Connection Center and got to meet a family new to our church this morning...
• Worshiped with my husband, children, and grandchildren.

After church...

• We picked up a quick sandwich with the two of our daughters and their families...
• Watched our eight year old granddaughter, Runt Runt (as Granny called her), play soccer in her tournament...
• Came home with our youngest daughter and her family and played with our 15 month old granddaughter (dollies...rock,rock,rock on the rocking horse, toy basket "stuff," and ate teddy bear crackers and coooookies...
• Picked up pictures of the two above-mentioned little ladies at Sears...
• Dropped by our middle daughters' home to show and give her pictures...
  
• Brought Runt Runt back with us for a couple of hours, and...
  
• Made a ham/broccoli and cheese/pasta casserole for this week's lunches.
  

Now...

• They've all gone home...
• Our cat, Charlie, is laying on the bed with me...
• My husband is laying quietly beside me...
• And he just said, "Well, we got it ALL done today, didn't we?!
  
• "Yes," I said, and we begin a new week!

Happy Birthday, Daddy. You would have been 81 years old today.
I will always love you!

Today is Friday!

Today is Friday...

• the final day of the working week
• tutoring my 8 year old granddaughter
  
• eating at a local restaurant with my family
• visiting Toys R Us with my my granddaughters

Tonight is Friday night...

• laying on our bed with my cat, Charlie and my husband, Dave
• "playing computer" with our laptops
• watching TV...or at least...the TV is on...who's paying any attention?
• relaxing...making quiet conversation
• resting....God is good!
  

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things." Philippians 4:8

I Get It!

Today, I met my husband for a very brief, 30 minute lunch at Fazoli's. I was hungry for the baked spaghetti and needed just a few minutes away from my classroom at school. I thoroughly enjoyed the good conversation...and at times...the quiet of the moment. I felt renewed and ready to return for the afternoon.

On the way out the door, we came upon an elderly couple. The "Mr." I will call him, had evidently had a stroke and was just learning to shuffle across the floor. He was smiling, very proud of his efforts, while his wife whom I will call "Mrs." appeared to be a bit put out by his slow motion. After thinking through this very quick situation, I now think she was just embarrassed and wanted us to know that she realized they were pretty slow. "Mrs." glanced at us with this disconcerting look and commented, "Don't ever grow old!" To that, my gem of a honey smiled and immediately stated, "I think it's a little too late for that! Anyway, it sure beats the alternative!" "Mrs." smiled and mumbled something to the effect of I guess so! We left with Mr. and Mrs. smiling and me realizing something very profound.

I GET IT! I have a clear understanding that many elderly people deal with a diminished feeling of self-worth, of becoming "in the way," of not "fitting into this strange world." I understand this because of my experiences this past three years. My mother lived very close to me...and for the last year of her life, with me in my home. I loved her, cooked for her, took her to doctor appointments, dentist appointments, eye appointments, physical therapy appointments, Joann's Fabrics to purchase beautiful silk flowers for our family members' graves, and for short rides in the car. I was so diligent in trying to meet her every physical need, but I failed to help her hang onto this world. Her desire was to meet in heaven with Daddy, her seven brothers and sisters, and her two best friends. She just couldn't hang on for us.

I am so glad that as Dave and I left Fazoli's, Mr. still had a gleam in his eye and Mrs. felt accepted by us even though she was aware they "slowed us down." I'll pray for God's grace and peace to overwhelm them in these days.

What Have I Done?

Today...

• I decided to take the plunge.
• I put feet to my goal-making.
• I have created my first blog site.
• Now, on to my first blog content!

Today...

• I pulled my head out of the sand.
• I made a decision.
• I will have something to say!

Tomorrow...

• I will wake up and wonder...What have I done?
• I will calm down.
• I will smile...and
• Call my daughter...What do I do now?
  

I invite you to journey with me as I proceed through my years as a "beginner" in the "senior" years. (I'm really not that old, am I?) Sadly, I'm afraid so. I can even order from the cheap senior menu at some restaurants.

Pam