I am loving this day. The weather is threatening to get wicked, but for now, it is Halloween perfect. It makes me think of many of the October 31's I have enjoyed.
Random memories in no particular order...isn't that what random means?
Marshall's first-he is 10 days old. I took a picture of him with a giant skeleton's arm around his shoulders.
Mr. Lincoln never participated in Trick or Treating. He said it was because every year his mother threw a sheet over his head, cut two holes out for eyes, and he was a ghost, yet again. Enthusiasm for the holiday did not run high in his home.
My mom decorated lavishly every year. At age 89, she still does. I remember once my dad jumping up from the kitchen table and running into the dining room during dinner. We thought he had lost his mind, but, no, he had noticed a fire reflected in the kitchen window. A papier mâché jack-o-lantern was flaming in the dining room.
Ooh, do I ever remember when my brother held a gun with a firecracker hanging out of the barrel a bit too closely to a burning candle. The deafening explosion sent my mother into conniptions, and caused Mike and his friend to be banned from the house.
When Sam was a baby, my friend, Becky, and I decorated his stroller and took him door to door to collect candy....for us. Our bags were loaded when a neighborhood dog began to eagerly bark and chase us. Becky screamed, threw her bag, candy flying everywhere, as she took off running. I struggled behind her, just as scared, but it would have been difficult to explain to Mom why I had left Sam behind. If I recall, correctly, I saved both Sam and my candy.
Costumes I remember...me as a rather heavy, old lady....actually, I did that twice. The first time was without a mask. No one knew who I was except for my most observant friend, Bernie, who said she recognized my eyes. The second time, my own daddy did not recognize me. Great disguise!! MP as Raggedy Ann, oh, my stars she was precious. Marshall wearing Mr. Lincoln's shoes all day in "Miss" Eva's two-year-old class. He was one cute clown. The kids as headless people, Marshall as the queen, MP as a ghost, and in one snapshot, she looked translucent. That picture still gives me the willies. My parents dressed as little kids from the backcountry with missing teeth. They were a hoot. Mr. Lincoln as a gorilla. He played the part well. Me as a clown that had a frightening resemblance to John Wayne Gacy. Between that and my mother's witch costume, Doree's neighbor children ran out of her house wailing. I felt pretty badly about that one. Oh, and, of course, the cutest little dragon and elephant ever this year.
Times change. My first Halloweens were spent at 1920 Moran. Chili or maybe spaghetti on the menu. Always we had ginger snaps and apple cider. When my children were very young, we continued to go to Mom's. by this point, it was a bit too dangerous to go to just anyone's door so we always saw the Leeches, the Murphy's, and the Kornmeyer's. Rarely did we miss visiting Mr. Roy Acuff 's house. They gave great treats. As my children grew, the Halloween celebration was moved to our house. From here we always went to Mz. Bernie's and Mr. Bud's. wherever else we might have gone, we never missed their house. Then our Halloweens moved to Doree's and Stewart's who lived in the best neighborhoods for trick or treating. I can still see Cole dressed as some sort of specter seemingly floating above ground from house to house. Chili remained on the menu. We rode in the bed of Stewart's pick up truck.
This year, we are back at our house. We will have no trick or treaters....well, I hope not because our front porch is missing. Taco salad is our dinner fare. Max will not be here, but we got to spend Sunday evening with him at Trunk or Treat, which seems the trend these days. Simeon will be here. Channie and Cole have parties to attend. It will not be a rowdy evening, unless the weather takes that wicked turn. It will not be just Halloween 2013 for me. It will be a windswept stroll down Memory Lane.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
An Unintentional Revelation
The parents and grandparents arrived early today. It was a cold morning, so as they arrived I invited them to wait inside in the warmth. One of the early ones looked older than the others. He explained that he was a grandfather. I figured as much. I told him, as I am wont to do, that I was relatively new to this grand-parenting thing with two one-year-old grandsons. He said, "I have seven and they really keep me busy."
He explained how he is doing something all the time with one or the other grandchild. Tomorrow, he will be going to a pumpkin patch with one of them. I fear he may be even colder tomorrow than he was today. "All my grandchildren live in Murfreesboro, and I live in Nashville," he explained. "I really do not like that drive." Now, I haven't earned the moniker "Mellie Mend It" for nothing, so I offered that perhaps he might consider moving to Murfreesboro himself. "We'll, I can't right now. My wife's mother is still living. She lives about three minutes from us, so as long as she is living, we will stay in Nashville."
This man was merely making conversation as we awaited the arrival of the group. I sensed neither braggadocio nor serious complaint. He was just idly chatting. He unintentionally revealed much about himself. I suspect he was a father who lovingly served his children. He is probably a very hard worker. He continues to serve his children by loving and tending to his grandchildren. He understands the importance of children having someone involved in their lives, chaperoning field trips. He honors his wife by serving her mother. He radiated kindness and joy. He seeks neither fame nor fortune. He is satisfied to serve. He is the best sort of man.
I wonder what my unintentional revelations say about me.
For today, I wish you unexpected meetings of lovely people, uplifting unintentional revelations for others, and I wish you
Blessings
He explained how he is doing something all the time with one or the other grandchild. Tomorrow, he will be going to a pumpkin patch with one of them. I fear he may be even colder tomorrow than he was today. "All my grandchildren live in Murfreesboro, and I live in Nashville," he explained. "I really do not like that drive." Now, I haven't earned the moniker "Mellie Mend It" for nothing, so I offered that perhaps he might consider moving to Murfreesboro himself. "We'll, I can't right now. My wife's mother is still living. She lives about three minutes from us, so as long as she is living, we will stay in Nashville."
This man was merely making conversation as we awaited the arrival of the group. I sensed neither braggadocio nor serious complaint. He was just idly chatting. He unintentionally revealed much about himself. I suspect he was a father who lovingly served his children. He is probably a very hard worker. He continues to serve his children by loving and tending to his grandchildren. He understands the importance of children having someone involved in their lives, chaperoning field trips. He honors his wife by serving her mother. He radiated kindness and joy. He seeks neither fame nor fortune. He is satisfied to serve. He is the best sort of man.
I wonder what my unintentional revelations say about me.
For today, I wish you unexpected meetings of lovely people, uplifting unintentional revelations for others, and I wish you
Blessings
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
What to Call How I'm Feeling
Today, I am feeling blessed. That term bothers people I know and love. Some really resent being wished a blessed day, or blessings on their day. On some level that makes sense. We think of blessings as coming from God, and when the disparity of blessings, or lack thereof, is witnessed, it makes God seem unfair, arbitrary, and capricious....or nonexistent. This inequity of blessings is one reason some atheists are atheists. Well, it is probably not THE reason anyone embraces atheism, but the imbalance of blessings is one more nail in the coffin of incredulousness a non-believer experiences. It would be foolish to try to minimize that. It would be foolish to try to explain. I have no explanation.
But, today, as most days, I am feeling blessed. Certainly, it is not because of anything I have done to earn this sense of blessedness. In a way, it has very little to do with externals today. My neck hurts. I can barely turn my head. I do not know why. Perhaps, it is those 3 ruptured disks. The Advil I have taken for the pain makes my stomach hurt. My grandsons are not here. One is in Florida, one is at home being loved on and cared for by his other grandmother, a lovely, lovely woman. I miss them. The morning started off with some stress; the cause of which I have to just tell myself will not matter in five years. I have accomplished pretty much nothing today besides eating, including opening a 4 pound bag of chocolate chips and eating a handful of those. I suppose I should feel fortunate that I have not eaten all 4 pounds. It is after 1:00, and I don't think I have even brushed my teeth yet. Not a productive day, to say the least.
But, I am feeling blessed today. I am not sure why. I am not sure if "blessed" is the right word to use. I do not feel giddy, or particularly "happy." I am not sure if contented is even a good word. Maybe, I feel lucky, or fortunate, or, I do not know. Maybe grateful is right.
I am grateful for Simeon and Max, for my children, for their spouses, for this dreary, cool fall day, for a husband I love and like and enjoy spending time with but can be apart from, for my mother, for this house that has cracks and doors that won't work and a suspicious musty odor when it rains, for the memories of my family of origin, for those of that family with whom I still can spend time, for a brother who moved home giving us the opportunity to know and love each other, for the love I feel especially from 2 or 3 friends in particular (you know who you are), for texts from a niece in Arkansas who saw a car like mine and was disappointed it was not me, for another niece who shows great character and determination, for a nephew whose kindness and sweetness touch my heart, for a neck that hurts so when it doesn't I will appreciate the lack of pain, for a car that runs, for food to eat, for a church family I love, for gracious emails from a friend from high school, for equally gracious emails from a young man I greatly admire, for a phone call from someone with whom I had lost contact and plans for lunch have been made, for the thoughtfulness of a father whose child participated in a tour yesterday, for the physical ability to walk and talk in order to conduct those tours, for holidays approaching, for a precious family of 4 in Minnesota who I love from the bottom of my heart, for all the people who have come and gone in my life, for those who have come and stayed, and for so many more things I am most grateful.
Am I blessed? I believe so. I do not know why. How do I handle these blessings? It depends. Some days I refuse to see them, and focus totally on what I think I do not have. Some days I take them for granted, as though they were owed me. Some days, just some days, I recognize some of them. On my best days, I share them.
For today, I wish you a "best day" of sharing your
blessings
But, today, as most days, I am feeling blessed. Certainly, it is not because of anything I have done to earn this sense of blessedness. In a way, it has very little to do with externals today. My neck hurts. I can barely turn my head. I do not know why. Perhaps, it is those 3 ruptured disks. The Advil I have taken for the pain makes my stomach hurt. My grandsons are not here. One is in Florida, one is at home being loved on and cared for by his other grandmother, a lovely, lovely woman. I miss them. The morning started off with some stress; the cause of which I have to just tell myself will not matter in five years. I have accomplished pretty much nothing today besides eating, including opening a 4 pound bag of chocolate chips and eating a handful of those. I suppose I should feel fortunate that I have not eaten all 4 pounds. It is after 1:00, and I don't think I have even brushed my teeth yet. Not a productive day, to say the least.
But, I am feeling blessed today. I am not sure why. I am not sure if "blessed" is the right word to use. I do not feel giddy, or particularly "happy." I am not sure if contented is even a good word. Maybe, I feel lucky, or fortunate, or, I do not know. Maybe grateful is right.
I am grateful for Simeon and Max, for my children, for their spouses, for this dreary, cool fall day, for a husband I love and like and enjoy spending time with but can be apart from, for my mother, for this house that has cracks and doors that won't work and a suspicious musty odor when it rains, for the memories of my family of origin, for those of that family with whom I still can spend time, for a brother who moved home giving us the opportunity to know and love each other, for the love I feel especially from 2 or 3 friends in particular (you know who you are), for texts from a niece in Arkansas who saw a car like mine and was disappointed it was not me, for another niece who shows great character and determination, for a nephew whose kindness and sweetness touch my heart, for a neck that hurts so when it doesn't I will appreciate the lack of pain, for a car that runs, for food to eat, for a church family I love, for gracious emails from a friend from high school, for equally gracious emails from a young man I greatly admire, for a phone call from someone with whom I had lost contact and plans for lunch have been made, for the thoughtfulness of a father whose child participated in a tour yesterday, for the physical ability to walk and talk in order to conduct those tours, for holidays approaching, for a precious family of 4 in Minnesota who I love from the bottom of my heart, for all the people who have come and gone in my life, for those who have come and stayed, and for so many more things I am most grateful.
Am I blessed? I believe so. I do not know why. How do I handle these blessings? It depends. Some days I refuse to see them, and focus totally on what I think I do not have. Some days I take them for granted, as though they were owed me. Some days, just some days, I recognize some of them. On my best days, I share them.
For today, I wish you a "best day" of sharing your
blessings
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Peace, a Valuable Commodity
Very few things in life are as valuable as peace of mind. That has been illuminated for me as I watch myself and others longing for and often failing to capture a peaceful heart.
Really, how can one be peaceful in this world? So much is on Facebook about the government shut down, the president, and congress. People are riled. Jobs are being lost. Insurances changed. Premiums rising. Taxes assessed. It is enough to make a person feel churned up inside. Some actually believe the photoshopped picture of Mt. Rushmore being covered by a tarp. I will say my favorite FB post was the one that said: "the Washington Redskins are changing their name. Because of the hatred, violence and rancor caused by the name, they will from now on be known simply as the Redskins." LOVE THAT! Just a little levity in the midst of a lot of anxiety.
Peace is hard to find when loved ones feel terrorized. Just this week I have talked to someone waiting for news from medical tests that will either leave her with some time to coast, or cause her to have to make some really tough decisions. Another friend, waiting in the hospital for a heart transplant, learned this week that he has a cancerous nodule on his thyroid which removed him from the transplant list. Another friend anxious over a pregnancy; another whose adult son is very ill. I talked with someone whose marriage is in a shambles..."we just don't get along." I know others who are burdened with financial strain. One told me of her mother in the nursing home who is just not right in her head making her very difficult. We hear stories of war torn countries, hurricanes bearing down on innocent people, child abuse, and murder. One friend told me of an acquaintance who is dying of a brain tumor, and her nine year old son is being physically and violently bullied at school. Peace? Where can peace be found in the midst of this turmoil?
For me, a believer in Jesus, certainly I am told that peace can be found in Him. I believe that, but sometimes it is so very elusive. He is not elusive, but my ability to tap into His peace is.
Oftentimes, peace is an "inside job." Finding what brings peace to our spirits is probably about as varied as there are people. Exercise, meditation, yoga, prayer, Candy Crush (nah), Bible study, Hallmark movies, just lying on the sofa and being quiet, self-talk, spending time with friends, not spending time with friends, not watching the news or reading the paper, watching the news and reading the paper. Whatever it is, we each need a source of peace. Finding peace in our circumstances does not mean that we are unaware of our circumstances. It just means we have made a choice.
I found some peace in my heart today spending it in companionable conversation on a beautiful day during a short road trip with Nancy. We talked and laughed and commiserated and encouraged each other. I feel peaceful this afternoon. Nothing that was robbing me of my peace has been removed from my life. But with some time away, I am able to see it a bit better. I find peace when Mr. Lincoln gives me a good long hug. It is home. Peace for me is a stroll through Radnor (not with 2 babies and no stroller, that's just stupid) or Cheekwood. Peace for me is my house to myself for a few hours. I find peace making up my mind to see my surroundings as I wish them to be and not as they are...what potholes in the driveway? If I cannot fix it, for whatever reason, I choose not to let it rob me of my peace....most of the time. Sometimes I just cave in a become a screaming maniac...in my head...rarely do I really scream where others can hear me. I am searching for peace...always searching for peace.
So for today, I wish you peace and I wish you
blessings
Really, how can one be peaceful in this world? So much is on Facebook about the government shut down, the president, and congress. People are riled. Jobs are being lost. Insurances changed. Premiums rising. Taxes assessed. It is enough to make a person feel churned up inside. Some actually believe the photoshopped picture of Mt. Rushmore being covered by a tarp. I will say my favorite FB post was the one that said: "the Washington Redskins are changing their name. Because of the hatred, violence and rancor caused by the name, they will from now on be known simply as the Redskins." LOVE THAT! Just a little levity in the midst of a lot of anxiety.
Peace is hard to find when loved ones feel terrorized. Just this week I have talked to someone waiting for news from medical tests that will either leave her with some time to coast, or cause her to have to make some really tough decisions. Another friend, waiting in the hospital for a heart transplant, learned this week that he has a cancerous nodule on his thyroid which removed him from the transplant list. Another friend anxious over a pregnancy; another whose adult son is very ill. I talked with someone whose marriage is in a shambles..."we just don't get along." I know others who are burdened with financial strain. One told me of her mother in the nursing home who is just not right in her head making her very difficult. We hear stories of war torn countries, hurricanes bearing down on innocent people, child abuse, and murder. One friend told me of an acquaintance who is dying of a brain tumor, and her nine year old son is being physically and violently bullied at school. Peace? Where can peace be found in the midst of this turmoil?
For me, a believer in Jesus, certainly I am told that peace can be found in Him. I believe that, but sometimes it is so very elusive. He is not elusive, but my ability to tap into His peace is.
Oftentimes, peace is an "inside job." Finding what brings peace to our spirits is probably about as varied as there are people. Exercise, meditation, yoga, prayer, Candy Crush (nah), Bible study, Hallmark movies, just lying on the sofa and being quiet, self-talk, spending time with friends, not spending time with friends, not watching the news or reading the paper, watching the news and reading the paper. Whatever it is, we each need a source of peace. Finding peace in our circumstances does not mean that we are unaware of our circumstances. It just means we have made a choice.
I found some peace in my heart today spending it in companionable conversation on a beautiful day during a short road trip with Nancy. We talked and laughed and commiserated and encouraged each other. I feel peaceful this afternoon. Nothing that was robbing me of my peace has been removed from my life. But with some time away, I am able to see it a bit better. I find peace when Mr. Lincoln gives me a good long hug. It is home. Peace for me is a stroll through Radnor (not with 2 babies and no stroller, that's just stupid) or Cheekwood. Peace for me is my house to myself for a few hours. I find peace making up my mind to see my surroundings as I wish them to be and not as they are...what potholes in the driveway? If I cannot fix it, for whatever reason, I choose not to let it rob me of my peace....most of the time. Sometimes I just cave in a become a screaming maniac...in my head...rarely do I really scream where others can hear me. I am searching for peace...always searching for peace.
So for today, I wish you peace and I wish you
blessings
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