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Mutual Respect

Posted by eph21920 on November 17, 2022 in Generosity, Grateful, Humility, Life, Stranger

Today I stopped by one of my favorite restaurants to pick up lunch. I ordered ahead of time so all I had to do was go in and pick it up. I was very happy about that, as the place was jammed packed. My bag was in the pick-up area ready to go, so I grabbed it and headed out. The entrance has a double door and a young man in front of me was also on his way out. He passed through the first set of doors and stopped when he came to the second set. I could see an older woman was coming in. The young man held the door open for her. By that time, I had reached the first door and also held it open for her. She thanked us both as she entered the restaurant. I let the door go and the young man held the next door open for me as well. It was a simple act of kindness and respect, but it meant so much, especially since I have seen quite the opposite sometimes with my mom.

I Found God today in a young man’s act of kindness and respect.

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Dentist Buddy

Posted by eph21920 on November 16, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Doctor, Life, New, Opportunity, Stranger

I had a dentist appointment today – one of my least favorite places to go. But it was just for a cleaning at a new office. I met the hygienist for the first time who was super nice and wanted to chat. We talked a little, then she talked and I held my mouth open while she cleaned away. She told me about her kids and her 82 year old dad who was living on a ranch and still working it. She helped care for him at needed times, even though he lives in another state. During short cleaning breaks, I told her about my dad and caregiving challenges. When she was done, we had to wait for the dentist and chatted some more, and she started crying. I felt bad. But then when she walked me out, she said she was so glad we met and had so much on common and appreciated our conversation. You just never know how you may be touching someone’s life. I felt God put us there together and provided the additional time to talk.

I Found God today sharing a meaningful conversation.

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Grateful For Grandson

Posted by eph21920 on November 15, 2022 in Connected, Family, Grateful, Life, Love, Relationship

I had an appointment this morning, so my grandson came over and spent the time with my mom. When I returned, we had such a great conversation. We talked about his job for a bit and what he had to do for the rest of the day. He told me about some plans that he is working on to travel out of the country next Spring. I love that he will tell me what is going on with him. I’m so grateful for our relationship.

I Found God today in my relationship with my grandson.

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Exodus 14:14

Posted by eph21920 on November 14, 2022 in Bible, Faith, Life, Trust

In the past week or so, a certain scripture keeps popping up in different places. It also happens to be the tattoo my son has on his arm. Exodus 14:14. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” I’m grateful for the reminder of God’s loving presence in our lives and to trust in Him.

I Found God today in a reminder of who He is.

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Family, New and Longtime Friends

Posted by eph21920 on November 13, 2022 in Birthday, Connected, Family, Friends, Fun, Generosity, Grateful, Life, Rest, Stranger

Yesterday my sister, mom and I went to the Parkinson’s support group. We met my new friend and her mother there. I met them at the grief support group I have been attending. The mother was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and this was the first time they attended this meeting. The larger group broke up into two smaller groups – caregivers and people with Parkinson’s. My sister stayed with my mom so she could help her to hear what was being said and they sat with the older woman while the daughter and I attended the caregivers session. As the meeting went on and there was so much information, I could see her getting overwhelmed. I told her I understood and to try to just take one thing at a time. Even though it was difficult, I’m sure we all met and were together there in God’s perfect plan.

Also this weekend, I wrapped up my week long birthday celebration. My very generous family all pitched in and purchased a getaway for me. I started yesterday afternoon with a massage. Then I checked into a resort at the base of the mountains. After enjoying the view from my room for a while, I took the longest, hottest shower I have ever had. Then a friend met me and we had dinner together. After dinner I just wanted to relax and watch a movie. One of my favorites was on, “Princess Bride”. I loved it. In the morning I treated myself to breakfast in the mountain view restaurant and tasted everything I could from the buffet. Today was my actual birthday and I received an unexpected phone call from a friend this morning. I was also blessed with many birthday wishes and prayers from friends, family, and even some people I have never met. And tonight there was cake. It was an amazing day of which I am very grateful.

I Found God today in his perfect plan, in family, new friends, long time friends, and friends I have not yet met.

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Veteran’s Day Blessing

Posted by eph21920 on November 11, 2022 in Family, Grateful, Love, Relationship

My brother left to go back home yesterday after a great visit. He also fixes up some things on my to do list of which I am extremely grateful. When he was here a few months ago, he took much of my dad’s military memorabilia and built a beautiful shadowbox to house it all. He brought it with him this trip and we were in awe. He put so much care and love into his labor and it was evident. My mother found the perfect spot for it when she had an epiphany during a nap. She wanted other people to see it, but also wanted it in her room. My brother mounted it on the wall she chose. Once it was hung, we realized that you can see it from the kitchen and the hall. So, while it is in a private place for my mom, it is also in view for others. When she gets these clear and firm ideas, I know she is being led by the Spirit. It was a blessing to have the display for Veteran’s Day.

I Found God today remembering my dad through a heartfelt work of art on Veteran’s Day.

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Made the Call

Posted by eph21920 on November 10, 2022 in Answer, Family, Friends, Life, Past

A friend of my mom’s lived across the street from us 50 years ago. They have stayed in touch via the annual holiday cards, but the last time they saw each other was over 10 years ago. My mom’s friend is always the first one to send out cards at the turning of the Fall, and we received hers a couple of weeks ago. In the letter, she said my mom should call her and they should get together. It was placed on the mantle awaiting the rest of the holiday cards. This afternoon out of the blue, mom thought of her friend, remembered the note, and decided she needed to call her. She read the letter again and made some notes as to what she wanted to say. Then we made the call. The woman answered and was pleasantly surprised that it was really my mom on the other end. We chatted a bit and made arrangements to get together. It was such a blessing for both my mom and her friend to touch base with one another again.

I Found God today in my mom’s thoughts and call to a long time friend.

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Real Revolution

Posted by eph21920 on November 9, 2022 in Healing, Hope, Life, Love, Opportunity, Relationship

There has been so much political advertising and opinions all culminating with the election. Today was all about the results. But that will only ramp up the propaganda and information that is thrown at us. I often think about how great it would be if all political parties could just agree on the basic fact of the dignity of the life of every person. And I don’t understand why that is so difficult. I saw a quote today by Dorothy Day who worked tirelessly to serve the poor, “The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution that has to start with each one of us.” I thought that was very timely and fitting.

I Found God today in the challenge to change my own heart.

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Baby Giraffe

Posted by eph21920 on November 8, 2022 in Creation, Family, Fun, Joy, Life, Opportunity

My mom loves the zoo. Actually, we all do. A couple weeks ago, my mom and I watched the video of one of the giraffes giving birth. It was amazing and horrifying at the same time. She gave birth standing up, so the poor little thing dropped about 6 feet to the ground. Evidently, that’s what gets the baby to start breathing. Nature is amazing. Today was a beautiful day, so my brother and I took our mom to the zoo. The first stop was the baby giraffe. It was fun to see her in real life. She was so cute and so small compared to the others and stayed close to her mom. My brother fed the giraffes, but we couldn’t talk our mother into it. There weren’t too many people there and because it is tucked into the mountain side, the sun stopped shining very early. It was fairly serene as we walked through and stopped to look at the animals my mom chose. Later in the evening, my mom asked what my favorite part was. My answer was the cute baby giraffe. No surprise that it was mom’s favorite as well. It was a blessing to all get out and enjoy the zoo again.

I Found God today enjoying the zoo.

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The Shadowbox

Posted by eph21920 on November 7, 2022 in Answer, Death, Family, Love

My brother hand made a beautiful shadowbox to display my dad’s military certificate, medals, epaulettes, photo, and flag. It was truly a labor of love. He had never done anything like that before, but a friend who had all the tools and knowledge helped him work it out. He brought it with him and showed it to the family. Of course, we all got teary eyed. Then we had to decide where to put it. We basically left it up to my mom who was torn between putting it in her room or displaying it in the living room. After investigating several options, we didn’t really find a suitable space in the living room and Mom had said from the beginning that she wanted it in her room. She and my brother looked at the big wall and talked about what to move where. Then she had to rest. When she got up, she exclaimed that she knew the perfect place. The shadow box must go above her bookcase. She felt very strongly that is where it should go. It was decided.

I Found God today in my brother’s work of love and my mom’s epiphany for the placement of the memorial.

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