Reflections and Memories

Well, funeral home last night and funeral today.  It really wasn't sad though.  More like a toned-down family reunion.  No one will ever again wink at me and call me Sukie.  But  there is peace in knowing he was a Christian.  And there is comfort abounding in a predominately Christian family.  As I told my Aunt Billie, the older I get the more i appreciate the foundation, the heritage they all laid and passed on.  The more of the world I know, the more I realize how rare and precious that is. Goodness!  How do you let go, say goodbye after spending 62 years with someone?  I think of after their kids all go home and back to their lives facing that empty house.  This is a woman who for all the years he worked, after she fed him breakfast and cleared the table, would fold his napkin and place it in her pocket to keep until he returned home that evening, because it smelt of his after-shave. This was a man who served his church and community for most of his life.  Kind, quick-witted, upright, non-judgmental and giving.  His son Lenox,Jr. told me that his dad who served in the Philippines and occupied Japan walked to within a few hundred yards of the crater left by the nuclear bomb to take pictures!  He was award 5 bronze stars and a purple heart, among others.  I saw various cousins I had not seen in 10 or more years!  They said, they may not recognize my face, but once I started to talk there was no doubt who I was!  lol   I have a hefty dose of southern drawl which sounded sexy on my daddy.....but just annoying on me.  There was Buzzy who served us in Nam.  There was Bruce, who gave me my first motorcycle ride.  Also, Jesse and his wife, Sharon who are retired teachers going around the country helping to build churches.  Jason who had been in the Navy Seals.....finally married and settled back down in Nacogdoches.  A wonderful neighbor and family friend from the road I grew up on.  And my first ever boss at age 16.....Mrs. Evelyn Eason.  I was fortunate to have worked under her, for she no doubt made me a better employee for all who came after her.  And many, many third cousins who are still children that I had never laid eyes on, but would have known their family tree on site as the resemblance is so strong!  I'll be back here tomorrow or Monday  with other inspirations, ramblings, and reflections.  We'll start that look at speech and I want to begin to introduce some of my favorite other journals to you.  God bless each one who passes here!  Please don't neglect to worship Him tomorrow.

You're God's Answer to My Prayer!

Dear Journal-land friends, you will never know the blessing you have been to me this morning! Yesterday evening I had spent an hour crying, blubbering and praying about how what I have to say and what I feel and think and want seems so unimportant to the people around me. My dear little Bug has all the joy, energy and impatience a child of 5 should have...so she wants to do the talking or be busy and on the go. My precious Bubba has spent more than his fair share of time listening to his Mama. But all he really wants to discuss is car stereos and trucks. Seems just when I think of something special to me to share with him, that's when he is most ready to go on about his business.And my dear hubby....well, he doesn't want to discuss the issues a TV show raises, and he doesn't want to talk when he eats or too close to bedtime in case something upsets him. He never discusses politics, religion or the social concerns of the day. He's a man of action. He values deeds and not words. Which I can understand, as in his life words often were lies, empty promises or otherwise discouraging. He wants only to see what you do/did. To hear what you've done. So, this muller, puzzler, ponderer often feels unheard, unappreciated, unvalued. It comes and goes in waves. Yesterday was one of my bigger waves. But God is sssooo faithful! When I stepped outside before bed to let the Boston Terrier pack pottie, there was one lone firefly blinking near the woods. I'm not sure how to word it, but it brought comfort to me. As you can see the firefly intermentantly, God seemed to be saying to me that just because they don't always see, hear and understand me the times that they do are still just as lovely and precious. Then I wake and come on-line to find your warmth, and welcome! Your sweet and thoughtful comments! You are all a blessing to me. Thank you so much! Barb, God must have lead you to mention me at just the right time.....he knew what I needed...to be appreciated! My dear Uncle Lenox passed away yesterday. He was 81 and had recently suffered strokes. He was a wonderful and warm Christian man. He served his country in WWII. He and my mother's sister, Billie, raised three boys to be decent and kind men. He served his community and was a deacon at his church. I have never known a more honorable, honest, decent, kind and helpful man. I hope God is giving him a double portion of reward! Bubba class didn't do very well at the welding contest; only one second place award. But they enjoyed their day, and know more about how the contest thing works. There were about 60 competing and awards were given to only the top five in each event. Bubba didn't even look to see where he placed. Bug's school is having field day todaySuppose I may try to go up there and surprise her. May God bless each of your's day as you have blessed mine!

Recap of Friday

So, here comes another weekend! And I think it will be a good one, even if I dont have anything special planned. And Sunday is Mother's Day. No Children's Church. Everyone in Big Church. Monday will be Bubba's birthday, so I am hoping to do something special with him.

Today I had to run an errand into Beaumont for Pete. That's about 33 miles from where we live. He's trying to get his personal truck going. Something all four of us can go places in besides my little car. Needed a clutch and everything that goes with it. So I found the place fine and they got me fixed up right away.

Headed home I decided to go in the State office to get a form to order a Parental Driver's Ed kit for Bubba. One thing we will work on this summer. To try to get him liscensed up. Had to stand in a line for an hour and a half. Think I'll go to our little office at the county courthouse for anything else Bubba needs! They are only open certain days and times, but things seem to run ssssooo much smoother there.

When I almost got home I began to get so sleepy I had to fight to keep my eyes open. I layed down for a nap at straight up 12 noon and didn't wake up until 3:30. First nap I took all week......guess I needed it. But it got warm in the bedroom and I woke up feeling all dull headed and blah. Made coffee and got on here. Was thinking the kids would be here any time, when Matilda the goat dog needed to potty. While I was sitting on the front step watching her, I realized that Bug's bicycle was laying in the yard. ???? Oh, my.....I have to get them at the bus stop! They were running late this am and I took them in the car! So I dash and do that.

Yesterday afternoon my sister came by to visist. Two reasons. One she had a couple of nice dresses for church a friend of hers was passing on. Yeah! I love gently used hand-me-downs! The other was to tell me that Uncle Lenox had suffered a stroke. He is a dear saintly man. 81 years old he has several health issues he deals with. He is in the hospital. Has some slurred speech and limited movement on one side. Hopefully, with a little therapy he can regain most of it. So please say a little prayer for him and mother's sister, Aunt Billie. (The hushpuppy recipe.) It' s hard to realize these folks are getting older and fragile. They will be forever locked in my memories as 40 and 50 something year old people. Full of life, love, Christian virtue.

Now to all my dear Sisters out in cyber space I want to say:

Have a Happy and Blessed Mothers Day!