Singing the same old song

An old Carpenters song from the 70’s is strolling around in my mind today.  It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving and I am as blue as blue can be.

Back when I was a young mama and even a mama with college-aged kids, I had more motivation to prepare and decorate our home for the Christmas season.  Now I feel as tangled up as these Christmas lights and I need a good straightening out.

Back then by this particular Monday, I would have most if not all of my Christmas shopping finished; our Christmas cards addressed, stamped, and with the annual greetings letter tucked inside, ready to mail;  the Christmas tree erected and adorned with lights and ornaments; and our house completely festooned inside and out.

Draping and swathing our home in Christmas garlands during Thanksgiving weekend is a family tradition that hubby and I started as newlyweds.  The day after the turkey became a refrigerator leftover, we would start hauling out the holly.  When our children came along, the Friday after Thanksgiving was traditionally, every year without fail, the day we would venture out in search of the perfect pine tree to chop down, tie to the top of our car, and transport home to embellish.  By Monday, our home looked like the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future had been whirling dervishes inside and out at our house.

But not this year.  A wonderful Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone.  Oldest daughter left early Sunday morning to drive back to Dixie.  Middle daughter headed back into the city after church.  Son helped hubby drag all the Christmas decorations down from the garage attic last night before son left to go back to the state next door.  And that’s where the boxes still sit – lonely, unopened, and taking up too much space in the garage.

There are no cheery Christmas decorations beautifying any area of my house on this Monday after Thanksgiving – no pine tree (real or artificial), no twinkling lights, no garlands of greenery, no nutcrackers, no sparkly ornaments, no nothing.  Christmas cards are bought but sit unaddressed in their packages.  Christmas shopping?  Ha.  I have purchased a few items, but have lost motivation to finish.

Someone around here needs to find some Christmas spirit, and I don’t think it will be the cat.  Even hubby, who usually gets pumped about stringing the outside lights across the house, garage, and shrubs, said, “I don’t feel like it” when asked if he was ready to start decking the halls.

That’s why the lyrics to the Carpenters song “Rainy Days and Mondays” is on replay over and over in my mind today like a broken record.  (See, I can’t even mull over Christmas music!) The song lyrics are in black italic print, my thoughts are in brackets in blue.  [Of course.]

Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old [Tryin’ to talk myself into puttin' up Christmas decorations but feelin’ too old and lethargic today!]

Sometimes I’d like to quit [Quit? Heck, I don’t even want to get started!]
Nothing ever seems to fit [Hey, I don’t want to talk about my wardrobe here!]
Hangin’ around [And wanderin’ around the house, tryin’ to do laundry, and really tryin’ to find some motivation.]
Nothing to do but frown [Not really, I have LOTS to do but no gumption, that’s what’s makin’ me frown!]
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down. [Rainy days do get me down, but not my problem today.  It’s bright and sunny outside.  So let’s just blame it on Monday.]
What I’ve got they used to call the blues [Or the empty nest syndrome.]
Nothin’ is really wrong [Except I’m missin’ my children, my house is quiet again, and I lack some get up and go!]
Feelin’ like I don’t belong [Been there, done that.]
Walkin’ around [Walkin’ from the couch to the boxes of Christmas décor in the garage then empty-handed back to the couch again.]
Some kind of lonely clown [Or lonely nutcracker, heavy on the nuts!]
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down. [At least this Monday does.]

Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you [Writin' in my blog.]
Nice to know somebody loves me [My family does love me, but my blog readership is down, so I'm not feelin' the love, people.] 
Funny but it seems that it’s the only thing to do [Right now it seems like it’s the only thing I WANT to do!]
Run and find the one who loves me. [That would be Jesus, He’s always got my back.]
What I feel has come and gone before [Just wish it would go for good!]
No need to talk it out [Been there, done that too.]
We know what it’s all about [Yep, it’s called bein' depressed because your kids are gone.]
Hangin’ around [At least, I’m gettin' the laundry done and a blog entry written.]
Nothing to do but frown [At all those loaded boxes in the garage.  Wishin' I could turn my frown into twitchin' my nose to make those decorations magically dance to their desired locations around the inside and outside of my house!]
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down. [But tomorrow is another day, so said Scarlet O’Hara in Gone With the Wind anyway!]

Okay, I’m done singing the same old tune.  I’m gonna go look for some Christmas music.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

My thanksgiving gift for you

Short on time and much to do,

Pumpkin pies need baked,

And pumpkin bread  too.

Turkey’s thawing and stuffing balls to make.

And frog eye salad for goodness sake!

Mama’s empty nest is filling up,

My thankfulness overflows its cup.

Also grateful for readers who make my day.

So sending these Thanksgiving greetings your way.

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Thanksgiving blessings

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The season of Thanksgiving always makes me nostalgic and I love being retrospective and reflecting on all the blessings I’ve experienced over the years.

Today I re-read some of my earliest entries from a now unused blog I started five years ago when I was recovering from my cancer surgery.   Comparing my life then to where I am today evokes emotions that bring me humility and gratitude.

Here’s a quick look backwards:

• November 2005 – Five years ago, I was so thankful to be alive.  My cancer diagnosis that summer frightened me, brought me to my knees, and made me realize how much of my life I took for granted.  It also caused me to examine a bitterness that had taken root in my heart.  Through much prayer and atonement, not only did I praise God for His forgiveness, but I came to fully forgive others.  The chains of bitterness that encircled my heart were broken!
• November 2006 – I was happy and grateful to have been given another year of life to witness our son’s senior year of high school, tearfully and proudly watch him graduate from high school as valedictorian of his class, and send him off to college.  I was also very thankful for the high quality medical care in our city for middle daughter’s concussion treatment, appreciative for oldest daughter living in the city nearby, and so fortunate to enjoy time spent with my elderly father.
• November 2007 – Another year graciously given to me chock full of blessings.  Despite some set-backs, God was working in all three of our children’s lives while teaching lessons about careers, college life, and loving relationships.  Good medical results from cancer screenings for me provided more fodder for my grateful heart.  We celebrated the holiday at my middle sister’s home with a feast of her awesome good cooking – always something for which to be thankful!
• November 2008 -  Celebrating Thanksgiving that year, we had a full house – my father, my sister and her family, and all of my own family, especially wonderful since oldest daughter had moved to another state.  What a joy it was to sit at our bountiful table with some of the people I love the most, name and count our blessings, one by one.
• November 2009 – Last year’s celebration at Thanksgiving was quiet and reflective.  Hubby was unemployed, and we had just lost my father the past summer. Grief was still fresh, especially on the first holiday without him.  But oh, there was so much for which to be thankful!  God supplied our needs, and we were warm in our home,  had plenty to eat.  Middle daughter had graduated from college and launched her nursing career.  Son had scholarship money to pay for his next semester of college.  Oldest daughter safely traveled home from the south for the holiday.  My father had lived a long, full, rewarding life of 90 years.  God took him home quickly before his suffering became too difficult and for that I was also thankful.

So many life events, some wonderful, some daunting, occurred during the last five years.   But through them all, the Lord has taught me lessons that needed learned, shown me grace, forgiveness and His faithfulness.   The blessings overflow like the goodies in a horn of plenty – a cornucopia of God’s love.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Tired but thankful

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T I R E D …..how many ways can you say it?

Worn out, wiped out, done in, worn down.  All-in, used up, washed out, dog-tired. Bushed, beat, pooped, drained, and sapped.

How about exhausted, unenergetic, depleted, or fatigued?  Throw in a couple 50-cent words while we’re at it – debilitated and enervated.

I’m sure there are more words I could add, but my brain and body are just too weary (there’s another word!) to think any harder.  All of the above describe my overall feeling right now.

See I was up at o-dark thirty as my former Army man husband likes to call early in the morning.  Yes, it was one of those days I witnessed a sunrise as I was driving to my destination today.

I arrived there at 6:50 a.m., unloaded my vehicle with my co-worker, set up an exhibit table, and then stood for most of the day until around 2:15 p.m.  But that wasn’t the exhausting part of the day.  What wore me out the most was talking non-stop to hundreds of teenagers at an all-day school event.  My co-worker looked totally wiped out as we packed to leave, and he’s 31 years younger than me!

Trying to keep teens’ attention with witty stories, energetic ideas, yet good, solid advice and information they need to make the best, healthiest choices for their futures is exhausting.  I like to compare it to being a performer on a stage.  When you pour yourself into your work, demonstrate your passion and sincerity for what you are trying to portray, it takes an enormous amount of energy.

When I attend these events, sometimes I envy the other exhibitors.  They usually sit behind their tables, waiting for students to visit, and tell them a few tidbits of information, hand them a free item, and send the students on their way.  Not us!

We stand at the sides of our exhibit booth, we draw teens in with animated stories and demonstrations, we entertain them while we inform, educate, and inspire them and that is very tiring work.  But the connection we make with young people is priceless and oh, so rewarding!

Students run up to us and exclaim with a smile and an excited voice, “I remember you! You came to my class!”  What a joy they can be when they listen so carefully and tell us, “You are the best table here!” or “I always look forward to coming to hear your story!”

Then there are others who shyly advance, can’t quite look us in the eye, but then they share the hurts that they have experienced.  Those are the students I hope we reach the most.

Today was no exception, no matter how draining it was.  For some students, we saw the proverbial “light bulb” come on; for others, we can only hope we planted a seed.

Teens can be so difficult, but they are my favorite people.  No matter what they say, or how they act, inside the façade they put on, are children wanting to be loved and accepted. Their countenance lights up and they literally beam when you make a caring connection with them.

Let me share an example.  A young girl approached our table with her friend.  She looked familiar to me, but that happens often because I see so many students in several high schools.  She eagerly greeted me hello and then blurted out, “I know you, well, I kinda know you.”

She explained I was in her classroom last year, but then informed me she also saw me at her great-grandma’s funeral. Puzzled, I asked her who that was and when she told me, I wanted to cry.

Every summer, this girl’s great-grandma would endure listening to a neighborhood child prattle on about this and that on her covered back porch, where the heady aroma of blooming honeysuckle would waft through the air.  She would take time out of her busy day to sit on her porch swing with that youngster, just listen, and offer advice.  The youngster was me.

Mrs. W. wasn’t just my neighbor, she was my Sunday School teacher, and she was my summer confidant for many years. Once I attended a seminar on helping at-risk youth, where participants were asked to tell about an adult, other than our parents, who impacted our lives as youngsters. The exercise was to remind us that all children need adults who make a positive difference in their lives. My mind immediately thought of Mrs. W. who in her quiet and loving way was such a blessing to me.

And today the tables were turned.  I was given the opportunity to make a positive impact on Mrs. W’s great-grand-daughter and her future.  When I told this teenage girl about the sweet fellowship I once shared with her great-grandma, the young lady in front of me beamed.  At that point, I knew a very real connection was made, one that won’t be soon forgotten.

Talk about full circle.  So even though, my body, mind, and voice is tired, tired, tired, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for this day and Mrs. W.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

No more empty pages

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Often friends encourage me without them even knowing they’ve done so, and sometimes they humble me as well.

Today a friend told me she keeps a gratitude list.  She’s been keeping it for four years.

I started a gratitude journal way back in 1998.  Want to guess how many pages I wrote in it?  Nine and a half. 

What’s odd is that I enjoy writing tremendously, so why couldn’t I fill all the pages of that journal full of words of thanksgiving and gratefulness and start another one?  Actually, I should have an entire bookshelf of gratitude journals by now.   But I don’t.

So I’m feeling humbled by this friend who has so much more faithfulness than me at being grateful and documenting her thankful thoughts.  It’s obviously something I need to improve or at least attempt.

I rummaged through my desk drawer and dug out my lovely 1998 gratitude journal, a gift from a good friend.   On the front page, she wrote this:  “Take a moment each day and write down five things you are grateful for.  It could be a moment, event, or just something that brought a smile to you today.  Let me start by sharing how much I appreciate your support and friendship.  You are truly ‘a very best friend’!”

This friend and I became acquainted through our children’s elementary school when we both served as PTA officers.  I jokingly told her when we met that we would become “best friends” as we would work so closely together on school functions.  We joked about that a lot, but we really did become close friends and even now, so many years later, we still sign our Christmas cards “from your very best friend!”

I noted that her entry in my journal was dated April 5, 1998.  I wrote this three days later:  “I am so thankful for friends like K [she gave me the journal] who brighten my day; friends like KL who can give me godly and wise advice; that Mom is experiencing God’s power and peace while she’s dealing with her cancer diagnosis; that our gracious and loving Lord not only hears our prayers but answers them; for my children’s, husband’s, and my good health.”

I continued to write a paragraph or two from April through June.  And then the writing stopped.  Is it a mere coincidence that I discontinued writing the day after my family and I moved back to the homeland?  I don’t know.  Life was extremely unsettled then and my mother was dying of cancer.  I spent a lot of time in prayer during that time, but maybe my feelings and emotions were just too raw to put into ink on paper.

Over the years, I’ve picked up this small bound book with the floral design on the front, read what I previously wrote, and closed the book again without writing one paragraph.  I could excuse myself by saying I was too busy planning my new home, raising my children, running to sports events, getting involved in church and school volunteering, but I know I was thankful for many, many occurrences, large and small, in my life.  So why didn’t I take a moment to chronicle them?  It’s a puzzle to me.

Perhaps it is a lack of discipline on my part.  I failed to note over 10 years of thankfulness in written form, but looking back over those years, I can recall much for which my heart is grateful.  But the day-to-day items, the usual but not insignificant blessings I’ve experienced, those are tucked away in my mind’s memory bank like old, faded mementos buried in a dusty trunk in the attic and forgotten.

But there’s so much to be thankful for.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

One season following another

Sunrise, sunset.  Sunrise, sunset.  They happen each and every day, yet I think most of us take those events for granted.

My middle daughter is a wonderfully devoted and caring nurse at a fairly large hospital in the city and she’s been working the night shift steadily for a few weeks now.  She posted a photo of a recent sunrise from a hospital window on her Facebook and added this comment: “God is smiling down on us today.”

I commented back that God smiles down on us every day, we just don’t always pay attention, and that set my contemplation wheels spinning.

I have to admit I’m not much of a sunrise person, not because I don’t appreciate sunrises, on the contrary I think they are magnificent and simply amazing.  Viewing one is an inspiring way to start your day.  My problem is wanting to get up early to greet the sun as it makes its way into the eastern horizon.

Sunsets are equally as exquisite and awe-inspiring and I enjoy them regularly from our backyard deck.  I’ve even managed to capture a few of them with my digital camera.  The colors spreading across the western sky vary as the seasons change and a sunset never disappoints me.

I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the sun rise on the Atlantic Ocean and set on the Pacific Ocean (of course not on the same day!).   Having lived in the Pacific Northwest, we made many trips to the coast and I have sensational photos of the sunsets on the Pacific to prove it.

Since we moved back to the homeland, my family has taken several vacations to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean.  One time we all specifically arose early enough to see the sun edge its way up from the ocean’s horizon.  Spectacular!

And to think that this technicolor scenic event happens every single day, whether we witness it or not.   I think we miss so many stunning sights daily because we don’t take the time to look for them or wait for them either, for that matter.

I was pondering this on my drive home from work today.  In typical November fashion, the day proved dreary, chilly, and rainy and dark clouds laced their wispy fingers over the gray skies every way I turned.  But coming home, suddenly, and only for a few moments, the sun emanated beaming rays of light down through the clouds.  Sunbeams! What a picture!  I wished I had my camera along so I could share this sight with you.  (Note to self: carry camera in purse at all times.)

You know, I could have missed this brief but beautiful sight had I been preoccupied with thoughts of dinner preparation or why the driver in front of me was not going the speed limit on the highway or how I couldn’t wait to get home and unwind from my busy day.

Since Thanksgiving is coming, I’ve been attempting to take notice of those things I usually don’t take time to think about and express my gratitude for them.   Sunrises, sunsets, and rays of sunshine are just some of my favorite things.

May I invite you to join me in an attitude of gratitude?  Let’s block off a little time in our day, wait for a sight to behold, and reflect on a blessing we usually miss because of our busy-ness.  Perhaps you will notice something for which you hadn’t thought to be thankful.  I sure have.

“In certain moments our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there about us always.” ~ Unknown

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Such a pain in the angst

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I’ll never forget him.

Situated in the back of the classroom, his enthusiasm for class bubbled over every day.  He was a little taller than the average 8^th grade student and sported a mop of curly hair on his head that actually bounced when he walked.

Cute as a button, he had a broad, impish smile that lit up his cherubic face, accented his dimples, and could warm the coldest of hearts.  He could be a bit of a goof-off,  yet I noticed that he was very intelligent and possessed a maturity level beyond his teenage years.

My work for a non-profit takes me into schools, community organizations, and churches where I communicate with teens about making wise life decisions.  I will never forget the teen boy I described above because while we as a class were discussing problems and difficulties teenagers sometimes experience, he uttered this response, “Oh, you mean teenage angst!”

Other students seemed dumbfounded and asked, “Huh?”  “What did he say?”  “What is THAT?”

I allowed him to explain what he meant, and he did quite well, ending with another phrase most teenagers totally understand. “It’s being emo,” he explained and the classroom all seemed to say “Oh!” at the same time.

Teenage angst.  The word angst comes from the German language and it is defined as “a feeling of anxiety, or apprehension, often accompanied by depression” or “a feeling of dread, anguish, or insecurity.”   Coupled with the word teenage, when angst looks at itself in a mirror, it would see teenage and think it was its own reflection – same image.

What teenager do you know who has never felt moments of angst?  Most of us can remember all too well those emotions from our own teenage years, even if it was back in the dark ages.  I’m certain that puberty, when our hormones kick into high acceleration, fuels most of those feelings of apprehension and insecurity.  When a youngster is in the middle of turmoil, it’s difficult for them to believe that eventually the things that seem so important to them now won’t matter in the future.

Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time and warn my own teenage self that some issues just are not worth the worrying, crying yourself to sleep over, or wasting so much time and energy on.  If I could save my teenage self from all those wasted feelings of angst, here is what I’d say:

• Not getting official “Monkee” boots, or go-go boots, or a genuine leather jumper doesn’t make you a loser.  Someday you will develop your own sense of style and not want to dress just like everyone else.
• Don’t give your heart away to the first boy who acts like he likes you because chances are he likes five other girls besides you.  (And he’s not good husband material, anyway!)
• No matter how much you think you love him and daydream about him, you will not meet and marry Davy Jones of The Monkees!  But that’s okay, because the man you do marry is soooooo much better.
• That hair cut, no matter how bad it seems, will grow out.  As for beauty tips, stop wearing blue eye shadow and white lipstick.  Neither one looks good on you.
• Not making the drill team is not the end of the world.  When you are in your 20’s and enjoying your career, no one will care whether you were a pom-pom girl or not.
• Don’t believe all the stories other teenage girls tell you especially when there is a boy involved.  Girls can be devious, so if Roseanne tells you Johnny likes you and wants to meet you at the dance, don’t run after Johnny.   Instead be available when Sam comes looking for you because Roseanne found out Sam was interested in you and she wanted Sam all for herself.  (And she convinced Johnny to “like” you for just one week, so Sam gave up and started liking her!)
• Not having rich parents and having to earn your own money is not a detrimental thing.  You will know the value of a dollar, make and spend your money wisely, and appreciate the lesson your parents taught you.
• Stop whining about the fact that your dad won’t let you “car date” until you’re over 16.  He knows what he’s doing.
• Don’t go out with the first boy to ask you just because you think you need a boyfriend.  Get to know him first, see if you even have anything in common, and consider what kind of person he is.  (And again, he’s not really good husband material!)
• Never, never, never like a boy who tells you he will break up with his long-time girlfriend for you.  No matter what he says, he will always go back to her and you will end up with a broken heart.  (Another one who’s not husband material!)
• Unfortunately, you will not always be a size 5, so enjoy it while you can and don’t worry that you are too skinny because the day will come when you worry that you’re too fat.
• When you really aren’t compatible with your boyfriend, don’t keep dating him just so you can attend your Senior Prom.  Proms can be highly over-rated and not fun at all when you fight with him all night.
• Make sure you come home before your curfew.  If you don’t, be assured your dad WILL be waiting up for you.
• If the guy you date lies to you, cheats on you, and demonstrates extreme jealousy, don’t believe for one second that he is going to change.  You will just prolong the drama by not breaking up with him immediately. (And he REALLY is not husband material!)
• Be thankful for your circle of girlfriends.  When you’re 50, it won’t matter that you were not in the popular clique.  Some of your school friends are going to be your best friends for life.   Cherish them and stay connected to them.
• Cut your mother some slack!  She does not hate you; she’s just in the throes of menopause.  Someday, you’ll be just as cranky, irritable, and sleep-deprived as she seems, probably worse.
• Try to understand that your parents are concerned for your safety and well-being, that’s why they don’t want you getting into cars with people they don’t know,  they want to know where you’re going and with whom, and they’re not crazy about that guy with the motorcycle either.  You will have three teenagers of your own and you’ll finally understand why your parents were so “over-protective.”
• Learn how to study well and efficiently.  Those good grades you take for granted in high school despite not studying won’t get you through college, where you learn you have to work and study hard for that degree.
• Be assured that as an adult you will marry a wonderful man, give birth to three amazing children, and have a very fulfilling life.  You will do things you never dreamed of doing, see things you never thought you’d experience, and you will not pine for high school days whatsoever.  The best years are yet to come!

Finally, I would tell my teenage self what I tell the teenagers I interact with today.  “Take good care of your future because that’s where you’re going to spend the rest of your life.” ~ Unknown

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Spun just for me

A gift was intricately made visible on our deck for me this morning, and the evidence of that gift taught me a lesson worth sharing.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am not fond of spiders, especially those arachnids who find their way into my house.  Unlike my oldest daughter, I don’t freak out and scream hysterically unless they startle me.

Awhile back, we were being assaulted by those eight-legged creatures inside the house,  but hubby managed to put down some kind of “spider  barrier,” so they’ve stayed outside where they belong!

This past weekend since the weather cooperated and produced a fairly warm and sunny day, hubby and I awakened early on Saturday and decided to finally crack open the gallons of paint that have been taking up residence in our garage for over two months.  Our family room needed a new paint job, and since we could open the windows and French door to ventilate the room, we scurried to move furniture and get prepared to wield the paint roller and brushes.

Of course, this also required much heavy-duty cleaning also to be accomplished, including washing the windows.  When I first opened them, I was assaulted by scads of cobwebs and an assortment of dead insects in between the glass panes and the outdoor window screens.  Yeah, gross!  But you know what they say, a good bug is a dead bug.

As I was tipping in a window to clean the outside of it, a live spider dangled from nowhere causing me to give a little shriek, but I just smashed him with my Windex-laden paper towel.  I didn’t give the spiders another thought until this morning.  You know, out of sight, out of mind.

Last night the temperature dropped significantly and this morning as I peeked out our shiny, sparkling windows, I noticed there was a heavy layer of frost on the ground.  Our window thermometer revealed it was 32 degrees, shivering weather!

Perched at the kitchen table, I relished my hot cup of tea and waited for hubby to transport me to work (he’s driving my car while his is in the repair shop).  I glanced again out my squeaky clean windows.  And that’s when I saw it – the gift the spiders spun for me.

Strands of spider webs, coated with thick frost, were laced across the deck banister and from post to post.  They appeared snowy white with their icy coats against the wood of the deck and looked exactly like strands of cord or string strewn hither and yon.  I was intrigued enough to brave the chill without a jacket and snap a few pictures.

And that’s when God spoke to my visual brain as He so often does.  I immediately thought of this scripture from the Bible:  “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12.

All day, even at work, I mulled over this passage in Ecclesiastes.  There’s more to it as you can see: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be over powered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Chapter 4:9-12)

This passage reminds us of the advantages of belonging to a group of fellow believers (the body of Christ), how we can support one another, work together to further God’s kingdom, and encourage one another.  Being bound together in Christian love can be compared to the three cords (one for each of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) woven together, strong and steadfast.

That’s what my fellow believers in Christ are to me – my dearest friends.  I’ve been blessed with strong sisters in Christ most of my life and for that I am thankful.  No matter where my family has roamed over the years, God has always provided faithful friends.

Some of you, even though we no longer see each other because we live in different areas of the country, read my blog.  I need to let you know what a source of joy your continued friendship is to me.

Others of you are friends I’ve known for most of my life, tried and true friends.  You have always been there for me, and for that I am most grateful.  Still others are new friends who have brought new perspective and wonder to my life.  Some of you are my family, my closest friends of all.

In this season of thankfulness, God showed me through the viewing of frost-encased strings of spider web that you all are such a treasure.  You are the kind of friends that remind me of this Shakespearean quote from Hamlet – “Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried.  Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.”

My friends, you who have stood the test of time and those who have proven so very worthy (whose “adoption has been tried”), we have been bound together with love, powerful as a three-stranded cord.  I hope you all know that I am “grappling” (tying and securing) you to my soul with those strong, unbreakable cords as durable as “hoops of steel.”

Who would have thought that God would use those spiders, pesky to me but created by Him, to unfold this truth to me?  Now, I have to be thankful for spiders!

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Do I hear bells?

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I’m thinking about going old school, turning back time, going retro.

I’m checking out my options, not rushing into the most available, most convenient, flashy item sitting somewhere on a shelf in the local discount store.

I’m talking about alarm clocks.  The latest time change into DST (daylight savings time) rendered my bedside clock incapable of keeping up with the zones.  My clock was a small, non-distinct, black, digital clock radio, actually a hand-me down from one of my kids.

Crazy clock had a history of acting up, getting its little circuit innards tied up in knots.  That’s why middle daughter abandoned it; she couldn’t deal with its unpredictable attitude of running like clock-work some days but then being totally unreliable on others.

After I inherited it though, little Blackie with his red light up digital numerals seemed to tick off the hours and minutes of the day and night just fine with few misfirings.  Oh, every blue moon or so, it might have a little hiccup and get stuck, but a good shake seemed to set it right again.

But alas, the night I reset it back an hour, it apparently was just too much for its little ticker.  I couldn’t seem to sleep that night, and every time I turned over to look at my little buddy hanging out on my nightstand, it was going crazy.

It seemed to be ticking off the hours instead of seconds.  That’s why at what had to be 2 a.m., its little red numbers informed me it was 6:37 p.m.  Poor little guy definitely had its wires crossed!

It continued its wacky ways for a full day until I gave it a good smack (please don’t report me to the clock radio protective services people).  I didn’t really hurt it, because it started telling time correctly again for a few days after that.  Obviously, I thought it had just needed a little reprimand to straighten up and tell time right.

But its time was obviously coming to a quick and abrupt end, I just didn’t realize it.  The other night as I was turning in for a good night’s rest, I glanced over at Blackie.  It was obviously deranged because its red digits were totally messed up and didn’t look like numerals at all, but rather some strange hieroglyphics…from a very foreign land…or some galaxy far, far away.

I confess I shook it and smacked it once, unplugged it,  waited a couple of minutes and plugged it back in again, hoping the electrical shock Blackie received would re-jump its clock heart and get it going once more.

It didn’t move, not one minute, instead just stared at me with those listless strange markings on its face.  Then it became quite apparent that its days had been numbered and its number was up!

For days now, I’ve been without an alarm clock.  Oh, don’t worry, I haven’t overslept.  I actually have an alarm clock that awakens me every morning.  It’s called my husband.  He, ever the early riser, is almost always bounding out of bed ready to face his day long before me.  And when he gets up, I wake up.  Sometimes I doze back to sleep for a few more winks, but usually my internal clock reminds me the exact time I need to arise and get going.

I haven’t rushed out to buy a new clock yet.  I’m seriously considering getting a real alarm clock – the old fashioned analog kind I had when I was a kid,  the kind you wind to keep going.

Why?  First of all, electronics just don’t seem to be as well made as they used to be.  That’s why my hubby’s 30-year-old clock radio still works and my 5-year-old one is deader than a doornail.

Secondly, a wind-up clock won’t let me down when the power goes out, which occasionally happens, or ever need new batteries.  I never used the snooze button on my old clock and I don’t need a radio because I don’t prefer to wake up to music.  (That’s another post that I’ll write about later), so those are features I won’t miss.

It will be just me and my new little buddy.  All I need from it is to ensure I’m awake when I need to be and to show me the correct time during those nights I wake up and wonder what time it is.

The only thing my clock will need is me to wind it.  I think I’m up for the challenge and I’m wondering if the steady and hypnotizing tick-tock of a wind-up clock might put me into dreamland a little faster.  Time will tell.

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com

Wrap up your gratitude

My notebook of quotes often supplies me with just the right thought for my blog entry.

Today’s words of wisdom from my handy-dandy notebook:  “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.”

I’m not sure who first uttered this proverb, but it personifies my thoughts extremely well today.  Here’s a peek at what is inside my gift of gratitude on this day.

Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day with temperatures in the mid to high 60’s; the sun graced us with its presence, which made a lovely Indian summer kind of day.  The weather was perfect for our non-profit’s fund-raising event, for which I am so grateful.

We held both a luncheon and banquet at a golf club in our area, which is located at the summit of a hill.  The view from there is so lovely.  Enjoying the mild weather was a gracious gift because one year very cold, windy, icy weather prevented some guests from attending our event and also threatened our safety as several attendees skidded off the long, downhill drive from the venue.  No mishaps like that this year, thank goodness.

I am also thankful that our event was well-attended (20 tables of eight people) at the luncheon and 47 tables at the dinner).  The entire day was tiring for those of us on staff, yet  delightful at the same time.

Our guest speaker brought smiles to our faces and laughter to our hearts, yet reminded our guests how vital our work is and that we cannot continue our life-saving endeavors without their investment.   For him and his service, I am grateful.  And I howled at his jokes too, so I’m thankful for how laughter makes our hearts merry.

I’m appreciative of those who shared their talents, whether it was singing, decorating, running the sound equipment, or emceeing, and their time to help us promote our cause.  I’m grateful to our Almighty God who brought a troubled client to our door, equipped us to save her life, her sanity, and lead her to salvation, and planted the desire and courage in her heart to share her testimony in person with our guests.

My heart is filled with gladness for the opportunity to visit with friends old and new as we shared fellowship and good food yesterday.  I am amazed how God used us to bless others, whether it was the golf club’s management, catering and wait staff, or the baker who baked and decorated almost 70 cakes (dessert was the table centerpiece),  and how they in turn blessed us.

My mind is in awe of the direction and vision our youthful Executive Director and supportive Board of Directors is taking our organization.  We are launching into exciting and new territory as God leads us, and I am grateful for the privilege of being a staff member and witnessing first hand how His hand is guiding us.

My gift of gratitude is overflowing today and there is much more I could convey, but I will share one more item of thankfulness.  My husband could not join me as a table co-host last night as we planned.  His car broke down as he drove home from work, making him not just late, but unable to drive to the event.

Even though I was disappointed that he could not attend the fund-raiser and we found out today that it is going to cost a small fortune to repair the car, I am so grateful he wasn’t stranded, that he made it home safely and was not injured.

And here’s my thought for today - life doesn’t always turn out the way we plan;  there are always glitches, some minor, some major.  But there’s also always something we can wrap up in our gift of gratitude, present to God in thanksgiving, and bestow on others if we choose to do so.

So my gift of gratitude is bedecked in exquisite wrapping paper today, all tied up with a fluffy, brightly colored ribbon.  I want to present this gift to you, my reader, in hopes that today you will take a moment to step off the treadmill of life and reflect on the blessings you have this day.  Wrap up your own gratitude gift, say a prayer of thanksgiving,  and pass it on to those for whom you are thankful.

“Life is an echo — what you send out comes back.” ~ unknown

©2010 mamasemptynest.wordpress.com