Destined

Today was one of the most beautiful days of my life.  Today, with my very best friends, we were consecrated as deaconesses to do the work of God.  Not to preach the Word, but to work behind the scenes, to do the things other either don't want to or can't.  Sit with the dying, pray for the sick, comfort those in need...the messy things in life.

What made it so poignant  is that our Pastor, (who happens to be my BFF's father, and other BFF's uncle), on his dying bed, performed the consecration.  I don't ever want to forget the power in his voice when he spoke to us and encouraged us...for over twenty five minutes; this when he has barely had energy for more than a few words. 

I just had to put it in writing.  My heart is full.  I really don't have words.  Today may be the last time I see him on this side. I will see him again Glory.  But it is well with my heart and soul.  I will honor his memory  by being faithful to God and carrying on the work started long, long ago.

 

Another Perfect Thanksgiving

It's been a couple of years since I have written about Thanksgiving.  All the other posts are under the Thanksgiving tag.  I am really that tired right now that I am not going to put in the hyperlinks!  I digress.  I didn't have to host dinner, I just had to make a side dish and grandma's apple cake.  How easy is that?  Seriously, it was awesome...I feel a new tradition coming on. My mother hosted dinner, and it was fabulous.  It's always fun to spend time with my siblings.

Today was a beautiful day.  The sun was out, the sky was so blue!  It's the end of November and the weather has been amazing.  I had a nice run, called friends and relatives and enjoyed having a day off.  I think this is the closest to doing nothing I have had on a holiday.  I had an opportunity to reflect on all the things I am thankful for: My husband, sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, family and friends.  I am gainfully and happily employed and have adequate food and shelter.  We may not have the newest baubles and trinkets, but we have love.  I am wealthy beyond measure not monetarily, but in the intangible ways that matter. My life is far from perfect but I honestly couldn't ask for better and for that, I am thankful!

In December 2011, I met an incredible person.  At the time, I didn't know they were particularly phenomenal, and I had no idea that they would touch my life and have such a profound impact on me.

This person was Sam Gordon.  Sam was a Physician Assistant at my clinic.  Right away he was amazing with the patients and staff...he ALWAYS had a smile on his face, kinds words and easy going demeanor.  He even followed a patient home to make sure they arrived safely when they had to take the clinic's oxygen tank because they ran out.  He didn't even think twice.  He just did it.  He was so...( I just can't find words!)...he was just so compassionate and kind and caring. It was as if he had always been a part of our clinic...He was someone you just felt you had known forever.

On May 28th, 2012, Sam died at home in his sleep.  I have dealt with some really devastating losses in the last five years, but Sam?  It devastated our clinic.  He touched each person's life in the short eight weeks that he was there.  Like I said, it was as if he had always been a part of our clinic family.

The memorial for Sam was so beautiful. His family loved him so much, and it was so apparent that he loved them with a love that was bigger life.   It was one of the most touching, meaningful yet heartbreaking that I have ever attended.  Though I only knew him for a very short time, he touch my life and those around him in a way that I don't think we will ever be the same.

Tell the people around you that you love them.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Live with abandon, yet gently.
R.I.P. Samuel Lyman Gordon.  My life is richer for having known you.

It's Been A Looong time!

I can't believe it has been so long since I blogged.  I have a journal that is filled with 16 months of blog entries...I will say that 2012 was one of the most challenging for me personally and professionally. I experienced loss, and disappointment that I just never imagined.

One of the bright spots besides the the birth of a grandson and going back to school, was that I started running again after a 21 years. I participated in the Heart to Start Couch to 5K.   I didn't think I could do it, and then there I was crossing the finish line at the Shamrock Run, and yet again two months later at the Run Like a Mother 5K.  It was awesome.  The highlight of all of that was appearing on AMNW with Dr. James Beckerman in January.  It was great to go on there and hopefully inspire others to get out and get moving.

I don't want to rehash all of the craziness that was 2012 and even the first half of 2013.  I learned a lot about myself, my ability to handle stress, and the limitations of a body that is is under stress.  Needless to say, I don't want to encounter anything like that again.

Here is to the future.  To many blog entries and thoughtful observations of this wonderful life!

Bicyle, Bicycle, Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bicycle...

Yesterday my five year old granddaughter learned to ride her bicycle without training wheels.  My son sent me a video of her just tooling around their driveway.  It was amazing.  She was so excited, the look of pure joy and pride was priceless.

It made me think back to when I first learned to ride a bike.  It was my older cousin's bicycle and a little too big.  I was actually about nine years old when I learned...The bike must have been giant, because I was about the same height I am now back then.  It was a red Schwinn with a banana seat.  This is before helmets and other protective gear were required...we just hopped on the bikes and rode--down hill--with no brakes... No one warned me about speed and velocity and wind.  Incline, decline?  Huh?  My dad put me on the bike, told me to balance, held the back of the bike (with a cigarette in the other hand I am sure) and ran along side to get me started,  then the next thing I knew I was in the Easter basket shaped laurel bush at the end of the block.  I wasn't hurt, I got back on the bike and did it again, and got to be quite the good rider of bicyclces.  I expect that the Grand baby will do the same thing.  She ran right into a tree today, fell down multiple times, quite gracefully I might add (I'm thinking the ice skating lessons really paid off.  She learned how to 'fall' well)  We are working on that steering piece.  I did make sure she had her helmet on, and trust me, as soon as I get a chance, she will sport knee and elbow pads.  I explained declines, inclines and why they are not hills.  We discussed the wind too...Thank goodness she's a smart kid.  She got it.

Her learning to ride and my reminiscing about the same, got me thinking about how sometimes life is like learning to ride a bike.  Sometimes someone has to hold your hand, talking to you and getting you started.  After awhile, you don't even realize that they aren't holding it anymore, you just take off and go, turn around to look and say "Look!  I'm doing it!"...only to run into a tree.  It's okay, though.  You get up, dust off and try it again. 

The pride and joy of knowing that you have learned or overcome something and the  confidence and tenacity to get back up and try, try again is  priceles and I am convinced that the earlier one learns that the better off the will be.

Facebook and Twitter and Blogs--Oh My!

google images. nines.livejournal.com

While I don't feel that I am being dragged into the technological future kicking and screaming, trying to hold onto anything not nailed down, I do feel like sometimes it's all just too much. I am on Facebook, twitter and this blog.  I follow blogs.  I follow a bunch of twitterites (or whatever they are called), and I just saw that I have 453 friends on Facebook...453??  Who are these people?  OK, I know who they are but  wow, that is a lot.

I don't know why I got on Facebook (side note here.  Facebook is a verb.  I can't tell you how many times I have been asked if I 'Facebook'...really? Is it some sport now? Just one of those random thoughts I have).  It has been about 4 years now since I created an account.  Practically my whole family is on there.  I do have to admit that it helps stay in touch with the relatives that live out of state and left them know what's going on with the family.  I don't however  feel compelled to let the fb world know every time I take a breath though.  "Just took a breath"!..."Wow breathing is so overrated"!...."OMG, Someone is trying to take my breath"!...OK, I am totally being sarcastic but really I swear it amazes the things that people post!  Who cares that you are on your way to the store!!  Late for work?  Uh, get off that mobile device and maybe you'd make it on time!!!

OK, this post is turning into a rant and was not my intention.  My intention was to...Um...to...uh...Oh right, to talk about my spiral into all this social networking.  I am thinking it is just another way to feed my reading obsession.  People who really know me know that I HAVE to have  something to read.    I have the Kindle reader on my phone.  I am plugged in people. Twitter?  Yep.  Got that.  There are some other ones I am sure, but I haven't discovered them.  Twitter, Facebook and this blog can keep me plenty busy, thank you very much.

It's late. I am sure I will read this in couple of days and wonder what the heck I was thinking.  I am recovering from a 3 hour tour bike ride its time to hit the sack--After I update my Facebook status, Tweet everyone goodnight and sign off my blog.  The digital revolution has arrived people, and I have been swept up in the tide of progress!

My Little Prince

I can't believe it has been  just over 8 weeks since my grandson was born.  He is such a little angel on earth..  He is now at the age where he is just starting to smile and coo and I just can't get enough of watching him.  His sisters dote on him, his grandpa in absolutely enthralled with him and I can't believe how tiny he is!  He weighs just a few pounds more than his father did when he was born.  I look at him and wonder just where time goes.  It seems like just yesterday I was holding his father, my first born.

He is the first male born in almost 24 years.  My youngest son was the last one on both sides of the family.  The twins are never far from my mind.  As I watch the middle granddaughter, I can't help but wonder what they would be like...their personality, looks. 

I feel so blessed to have these gifts , these grandchildren.  I so look forward to sleep overs, and riding bikes and going on trips and hikes with all my grandchildren.  What more can I ask for?