Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent alone in my cozy little apartment. Now, don't feel sorry for me.... I said "alone", not "lonely".
Oklahoma City had history breaking weather. Ice, followed by sleet and then blowing snow made for some of the most beautiful scenery of sparkling drifts, IF you were safely indoors. For travelers trying to make it to thier destinations for Christmas, it was dangerous and slow going. Even for metro shoppers, the winds were up to 50 mph and literally blowing cars sideways across the ice that was hidden under the snow and then trapping many in snowdrifts.
Snowplows and emergency vehicles were finding it difficult to do thier jobs with so many abandoned vehicles blocking the roadways. People started running out of gas and hotels filled to capacity, but the kindness of many Oklahomans shined through the bleak weather as some opened thier homes to strangers and shared whatever they had. Mostly, a warm, safe place to shelter until the storm passed over.
It reminded me of Mary and Joseph as they desperately found "no room at th Inn", but were just thankful to find a stable for shelter as they prepared for the birth of thier son who is our Saviour. I thought of Jesus and how he later "calmed the storm with his hand".
I reflected on how thankful I was that my brother made it safely home to his family from our Uncle's memorial in Savannah, GA before the storm started.
As it turned out, Jim's family tried to spend Christmas Eve with Lori's family about 10 miles away (maybe less), but after trying 2 streets had to return home due to the traffic and road conditions. I had planned to spend Christmas Eve with Mom, who is about 3 blocks from my apartment, but couldn't walk on the icy sidewalk to my car and could see from my patio that snow drifts were blocking the back of my car as well as being halfway up the side of my door. As it turned out, Jim and Lori were able to spend Christmas Day with her family.
I stayed "home, where I belong".... that's why I'm attaching a song by that title. It reminds me of my Dad, more than our weather situation. He has been in heaven, which he called "home" for 24 years now.
Song: Home where I belong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP6QG_pJuSM
Please continue to pray for the Griffis family as they spend thier 1st Christmas without John. I've added his wife's blog to my blog list with her permission if you would like to follow. She said, "the more prayer, the better".
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Song: Mary did you know
This song says everything about our celebration of Christ's birth. This Christmas Eve, I wish all of you, "Peace on earth, goodwill toward man". Let's remember the real meaning of Christmas this season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii9JvTyeL1Y&feature=related
Lyrics by: Mark Lowry
Music by: Buddy Greene
Sung by: Donny Osmond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii9JvTyeL1Y&feature=related
Lyrics by: Mark Lowry
Music by: Buddy Greene
Sung by: Donny Osmond
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Song & Video: Thank You (for giving to the Lord)
Link to song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y&feature=related
A tribute that reminded me of Jim's friend, John and my uncle M.H. My uncle's memorial service was yesterday. I continue to pray for John's family & my aunt and cousins. This song tells of how the good works done on this earth will be rewarded up in heaven.
It also reminds me, along with Jim and Lori's blogs, that perhaps instead of showering each other with gifts at Christmas, we give to someone more needy than ourselves.
I believe, next Christmas, I will be changing the way that I give gifts. There are many ways we can give gifts back to the Lord. Maybe by purchasing a gift made by someone to fund thier own need, or one that sends all or part of the proceeds the the hungry, or even give of ourselves to someone or a family in our own community. There are so many ways. Think of your own and share your thoughts with me.
A tribute that reminded me of Jim's friend, John and my uncle M.H. My uncle's memorial service was yesterday. I continue to pray for John's family & my aunt and cousins. This song tells of how the good works done on this earth will be rewarded up in heaven.
It also reminds me, along with Jim and Lori's blogs, that perhaps instead of showering each other with gifts at Christmas, we give to someone more needy than ourselves.
I believe, next Christmas, I will be changing the way that I give gifts. There are many ways we can give gifts back to the Lord. Maybe by purchasing a gift made by someone to fund thier own need, or one that sends all or part of the proceeds the the hungry, or even give of ourselves to someone or a family in our own community. There are so many ways. Think of your own and share your thoughts with me.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Old Friends (includes link to song)
I met my dear friend that I had not seen in 16 years yesterday. Becky welcomed me as if she didn't notice how much weight I had gained and my graying, thin hair.
I had recommended meeting at Mimi's Cafe. I thought 11am would help us bypass the breakfast rush and beat the lunch rush. WRONG! We had to communicate by cell phone to figure out how to meet. I picked her up and we tried IHOP, still no luck. We found the parking lot at Olive Garden nearly empty and got a table right away. It was kind of tucked away where we could talk and the waitress was so patient as we took so long to order because we were already talking away. I told her about not seeing each other for so long. She told us to take our time even when we didn't realize the restaurant filling up.
We finally ordered and then she shared a beautiful book of her daughter's wedding pictures. Such a beautiful family and so photogenic.
Becky was so patient as I worried and complained about my mother. She listened intently as I described my battle with lymphedema and the preceeding illnesses before getting a diagnosis.
Then I found out she had a battle with breast cancer, but had a new treatment that allowed her to have short term radiation and no chemotherapy. She has been cancer free for almost 5 years. Thanks to God. I couldn't stand losing another friend. (We lost a college friend to Lupus in 1986.)
In spite of my "babbling and blubbering", Becky managed to catch me up on her family. We've been friends since I was in 5th grade and she in 6th. I remember thinking it was so "cool" that she had a whole floor in the top floor of her Mom's 3 story townhouse.
We reminisced about me staying at her house after school my junior year of high school almost every Wednesday until we walked to church that evening and then I returned home with my parents after church. (We lived in a small town about 30 miles away from Boomsburg, PA where I attended Vo-tech school, my Dad attended night classes at the college and our church was located.)
I had to manage without her during my senior year while she was out here in Bethany for her freshman year of college at good ole BNC (now SNU) where my brother is a professor. I forgot about our dorm being torn down just a couple of months ago,maybe less! You can watch a video of the demolition at:
http://snulu.snu.edu/?p=499 and the live webcam of the new construction as well as a slideshow of the projected new facility at: http://www.snu.edu/newreshall (Garey Hall was about 10 years old when I moved in and it's been over 30 years since I lived there. Whew, I just don't feel that old!)
Becky, I remember you and your sister helping me push that small refrigerator I bought at Service Merchandise all the way up the stairs to the 5th floor. I don't remember how long it took us, but I remember all 3 of us stopping to rest on the stairs and laughing so hard I almost wet my pants! Hopefully, the new dorm will have an elevator. Fortunately, I was able to move to the 3rd floor for my sophmore year and my roomate, Paula was a freshman from the same town and church in Kansas as Becky's roomate, Mary.
I talk to Mary occasionally since she still lives in Oklahoma City and her husband is one of my facebook friends. (Mary doesn't have facebook!) Paula and I still have not caught up even though we are facebook friends. (Sorry, Paula... I'll get in touch with you one of these days.) We really should have some sort of girls retreat/reunion so I can catch up with all 3 of you.
Needless to say, Becky and I barely caught up on all the happenings in our lives during all these past years, but we made a promise to get together more often. I'm going to take her up on that offer to visit in Dallas, maybe in the Spring.
When we finally parted, I looked at my watch and it was almost 4pm. We must have talked about 3 1/2 hours once we finally got to Olive Garden! Sorry, Gary... I know you must have planned to leave earlier.
Isn't it great to have old friends? Friends that look past the age and changes in our lives. We rejoice with each other in the good times and grieve with each other through the bad times.
Real friends are the ones that understand when we get so busy with other parts of our lives that we haven't been in touch and yet pick right up where we left off when we meet again. All of my friends seem to be that way and it doesn't mean that we don't think of each other.
I think of so many of you often and have wonderful memories of all the good times. I pray for each of you as when you come to mind and ask that all of you continue to pray for me as I battle the ups and downs with this disability.
Here's the link to the song "Old Friends":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJAujY2Gtj4
I had recommended meeting at Mimi's Cafe. I thought 11am would help us bypass the breakfast rush and beat the lunch rush. WRONG! We had to communicate by cell phone to figure out how to meet. I picked her up and we tried IHOP, still no luck. We found the parking lot at Olive Garden nearly empty and got a table right away. It was kind of tucked away where we could talk and the waitress was so patient as we took so long to order because we were already talking away. I told her about not seeing each other for so long. She told us to take our time even when we didn't realize the restaurant filling up.
We finally ordered and then she shared a beautiful book of her daughter's wedding pictures. Such a beautiful family and so photogenic.
Becky was so patient as I worried and complained about my mother. She listened intently as I described my battle with lymphedema and the preceeding illnesses before getting a diagnosis.
Then I found out she had a battle with breast cancer, but had a new treatment that allowed her to have short term radiation and no chemotherapy. She has been cancer free for almost 5 years. Thanks to God. I couldn't stand losing another friend. (We lost a college friend to Lupus in 1986.)
In spite of my "babbling and blubbering", Becky managed to catch me up on her family. We've been friends since I was in 5th grade and she in 6th. I remember thinking it was so "cool" that she had a whole floor in the top floor of her Mom's 3 story townhouse.
We reminisced about me staying at her house after school my junior year of high school almost every Wednesday until we walked to church that evening and then I returned home with my parents after church. (We lived in a small town about 30 miles away from Boomsburg, PA where I attended Vo-tech school, my Dad attended night classes at the college and our church was located.)
I had to manage without her during my senior year while she was out here in Bethany for her freshman year of college at good ole BNC (now SNU) where my brother is a professor. I forgot about our dorm being torn down just a couple of months ago,maybe less! You can watch a video of the demolition at:
http://snulu.snu.edu/?p=499 and the live webcam of the new construction as well as a slideshow of the projected new facility at: http://www.snu.edu/newreshall (Garey Hall was about 10 years old when I moved in and it's been over 30 years since I lived there. Whew, I just don't feel that old!)
Becky, I remember you and your sister helping me push that small refrigerator I bought at Service Merchandise all the way up the stairs to the 5th floor. I don't remember how long it took us, but I remember all 3 of us stopping to rest on the stairs and laughing so hard I almost wet my pants! Hopefully, the new dorm will have an elevator. Fortunately, I was able to move to the 3rd floor for my sophmore year and my roomate, Paula was a freshman from the same town and church in Kansas as Becky's roomate, Mary.
I talk to Mary occasionally since she still lives in Oklahoma City and her husband is one of my facebook friends. (Mary doesn't have facebook!) Paula and I still have not caught up even though we are facebook friends. (Sorry, Paula... I'll get in touch with you one of these days.) We really should have some sort of girls retreat/reunion so I can catch up with all 3 of you.
Needless to say, Becky and I barely caught up on all the happenings in our lives during all these past years, but we made a promise to get together more often. I'm going to take her up on that offer to visit in Dallas, maybe in the Spring.
When we finally parted, I looked at my watch and it was almost 4pm. We must have talked about 3 1/2 hours once we finally got to Olive Garden! Sorry, Gary... I know you must have planned to leave earlier.
Isn't it great to have old friends? Friends that look past the age and changes in our lives. We rejoice with each other in the good times and grieve with each other through the bad times.
Real friends are the ones that understand when we get so busy with other parts of our lives that we haven't been in touch and yet pick right up where we left off when we meet again. All of my friends seem to be that way and it doesn't mean that we don't think of each other.
I think of so many of you often and have wonderful memories of all the good times. I pray for each of you as when you come to mind and ask that all of you continue to pray for me as I battle the ups and downs with this disability.
Here's the link to the song "Old Friends":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJAujY2Gtj4
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Song: Knowing you'll be there
A song that speaks to anyone who has a loved one in heaven, but especially around the holidays. A line in the song says, "I miss you most at Christmas".
Discussion between Bill Gaither and Guy Penrod about this song followed by Guy singing (2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_R05wnggU
Bill Gaither tells of his daughter, Suzanne Gaither Jennings cowriting this song with Michael Sykes and of how we miss our loved ones but have the hope of heaven too.
=========================================
Just the song with Guy and the Gaither Vocal Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npmN-xU2LGo
Discussion between Bill Gaither and Guy Penrod about this song followed by Guy singing (2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_R05wnggU
Bill Gaither tells of his daughter, Suzanne Gaither Jennings cowriting this song with Michael Sykes and of how we miss our loved ones but have the hope of heaven too.
=========================================
Just the song with Guy and the Gaither Vocal Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npmN-xU2LGo
Just words until the music plays
So many times, just hearing words go right over my head. But, when the words are set to music, I get it!
In the past year our family has lost so many friends and family to death. The holidays are tough anyway since almost all our family members have died near a holiday of some sort. My Dad died the day after Thanksgiving 24 years ago, my mother's father around Veteran's Day the year before, one grandmother Memorial Day and the other Labor Day. My Sister-in-law also lost her Dad right after Thanksgiving about 2 years ago.
Just before Thanksgiving, my brother lost one of his best friend's and the day after his funeral, our Uncle Milton (M.H.) passed away early the next morning. It was also the first Thanksgiving for my mother's other sister and family without Uncle Ray who died earlier this year. Both of these men were very special in our lives. (I became very close to them while I worked in Florida for 8 years.)
We are in grief, our hearts break, not only for the ones we have lost but for thier families and for each other. The wonderful memories come flooding back, and although they make us smile for awhile, it hurts. Even though we believe in a loving God, we wonder why.
I am reminded today through music, that our family and friends that have gone before us are rejoicing in heaven, free of pain and suffering. They are celebrating Christ's birth this Christmas in a way we can only imagine. They don't even have to shop for gifts or cook Christmas Dinner! Thier gift was provided when they walked through heaven's gates and the dinner was already prepared.
I didn't realize how many songs have been written about grief, sorrow, heaven and the promise of a better tomorrow, until my brother's friend died. He was a husband, father, teacher, attorney, coach and more!
He was well loved by his family, friends, students, fellow teachers, community and church.
I have been in much prayer for his family. They have 4 children who are all grieving in different ways. His wife who struggles with her own grief while continuing to raise these children with great love and compassion. His parents who I am sure are wondering why God would take thier dear son before them and his sister who must be worrying about her parents and brother's family, while dealing with her own grief.
It has been a wake up call for me to pray and call upon the scriptures. Even though my disability has made me feel so useless, God has reminded me that I can pray without ceasing. I can pick up the phone and call a friend who needs encouragement and communicate with long distance friends and family electronically.
As I have strived to do this, God has brought so many songs to mind that speak the words better than I ever could. Music speaks to my heart. So, as soon as I figure out how to do it, I will be posting some of them on this blog. That way you can refer to them if you want or disregard if you don't.
To my friends who haven't heard from me recently. I'm sorry I've been out of touch, but I will be back. I can't wait until I can meet for those early dinners on Friday nights again. It's good to know that even though we don't see each other often, we can pick right up when we do meet again. You are special people in my life.
I'm excited that I will get to meet with an old friend tomorrow that I have not seen in 16 years. Really, she's not that old, as in age but in that we've known each other a long time.
In the past year our family has lost so many friends and family to death. The holidays are tough anyway since almost all our family members have died near a holiday of some sort. My Dad died the day after Thanksgiving 24 years ago, my mother's father around Veteran's Day the year before, one grandmother Memorial Day and the other Labor Day. My Sister-in-law also lost her Dad right after Thanksgiving about 2 years ago.
Just before Thanksgiving, my brother lost one of his best friend's and the day after his funeral, our Uncle Milton (M.H.) passed away early the next morning. It was also the first Thanksgiving for my mother's other sister and family without Uncle Ray who died earlier this year. Both of these men were very special in our lives. (I became very close to them while I worked in Florida for 8 years.)
We are in grief, our hearts break, not only for the ones we have lost but for thier families and for each other. The wonderful memories come flooding back, and although they make us smile for awhile, it hurts. Even though we believe in a loving God, we wonder why.
I am reminded today through music, that our family and friends that have gone before us are rejoicing in heaven, free of pain and suffering. They are celebrating Christ's birth this Christmas in a way we can only imagine. They don't even have to shop for gifts or cook Christmas Dinner! Thier gift was provided when they walked through heaven's gates and the dinner was already prepared.
I didn't realize how many songs have been written about grief, sorrow, heaven and the promise of a better tomorrow, until my brother's friend died. He was a husband, father, teacher, attorney, coach and more!
He was well loved by his family, friends, students, fellow teachers, community and church.
I have been in much prayer for his family. They have 4 children who are all grieving in different ways. His wife who struggles with her own grief while continuing to raise these children with great love and compassion. His parents who I am sure are wondering why God would take thier dear son before them and his sister who must be worrying about her parents and brother's family, while dealing with her own grief.
It has been a wake up call for me to pray and call upon the scriptures. Even though my disability has made me feel so useless, God has reminded me that I can pray without ceasing. I can pick up the phone and call a friend who needs encouragement and communicate with long distance friends and family electronically.
As I have strived to do this, God has brought so many songs to mind that speak the words better than I ever could. Music speaks to my heart. So, as soon as I figure out how to do it, I will be posting some of them on this blog. That way you can refer to them if you want or disregard if you don't.
To my friends who haven't heard from me recently. I'm sorry I've been out of touch, but I will be back. I can't wait until I can meet for those early dinners on Friday nights again. It's good to know that even though we don't see each other often, we can pick right up when we do meet again. You are special people in my life.
I'm excited that I will get to meet with an old friend tomorrow that I have not seen in 16 years. Really, she's not that old, as in age but in that we've known each other a long time.
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