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Not Hurt Worse

My sister called today and sounded very weary. Come to find out, she fell down the stairs at her house a couple of days ago. She tripped on the second to the last step and landed flat out, skidding on the concrete floor. She did go to the doctor and get checked out and although she is pretty banged up, thankfully there are no serious injuries. This gave me a flashback to when my other sister fell down the stairs and broke her leg, leaving her with months of recovery and rehab. My parents and I were very upset to hear about my sister’s fall. But, the more I thought about it, the more grateful I was that she wasn’t hurt worse.

I Found God today grateful that my sister’s injuries were not worse.

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Real Time Joy

Today is my oldest grandson’s birthday and we were able to video chat for a while this evening. We sent him a package and he waited to open it until we were connected. It was fun to watch him open the gift and see his reaction in real time. After a while my younger grandson who was in control of the electronic device went outside so he could show us the Christmas lights that they put up. My granddaughter who is 2 told us that she was sick today and seemed very concerned when I told her that her uncle is also sick.  But we made sure she knew he would be OK. It it just such a joy to talk and see the family. Time goes by quick and I feel more connected with their lives this way.

I Found God today seeing and talking with my far away family.

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Christmas Music Back On

We haven’t seen my mom’s piano buddy for quite a few weeks as she had a lot of things happening. She came over today and we all got caught up on the family events. After a while, she and my mom got out some Christmas music and started playing. She also brought over some easier books so perhaps I will be able to work something up with my mom too. Later in the afternoon, my dad found some Christmas CD’s so we listened to them and did our best to sing along. I love hearing, playing, and singing Christmas music, but don’t like to start too early. My mom’s friend got it kicked off and am looking forward to enjoying it for the next couple of weeks.

I Found God today beginning to enjoy Christmas music.

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Continued Appreciation

Today my parents and I continued noticing and appreciating the marked improvement in my mom’s physical health in the last year. On our way to her exercise class, she was doing her voice exercises and actually flipped into her singing voice. She was able to do it several times. That hasn’t happened in years. Then this evening we lit the first candle on the Advent wreath and when it came time to blow it out, we remembered that last year my mom was struggling so much that she couldn’t blow out the candle. At that time we put her to task on it to help her breathing. This year, it was no problem. We are all so grateful for the improvement she has made. She works very hard to continue her upward progress. Today in her class, she was even doing some boxing.

I Found God today continuing to appreciate my mom’s improving health.

 

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God is Multifacial

At church today, the priest told of a little girl who was learning about Jesus nearing Christmas time. She asked how all of God could fit into a little baby? He said that was a good question. Not only is God fully and completely in Jesus, He is in each one of us too. The priest asked us how do we see the face of God? Since God created every individual in His image, we can see God in one another. He encouraged us to look at one another and realize God’s presence there. My parents and I talked about this concept after Mass. We decided that makes God multifacial – and multiracial. I pray that I can remember that as I interact with others.

I Found God today in the many faces of others.

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Excellent Timing

This afternoon we planned on leaving from the cabin to head home. We figured out the timing so we would reach the city before dark and find a place to take a picture of the rising almost super moon. But, my dad discovered a problem that needed some attention. It didn’t set us back too far – we left about half an hour later than planned. When we reached the main road, there was a traffic back up as workers were cleaning up an accident. We wondered if we would have been involved in the accident had we left when we intended. When we got to the city, we drove to the place where we thought we would have a good view of the moon rising over the city. Unfortunately, there was a bank of clouds low in the sky. As we drove around trying to find a place to park, suddenly the large moon appeared in the sky. We pulled right into a big parking lot that gave the view we were looking for. The moon was actually too high in the sky, but now we have found a great vantage point to go back to. As we continued home, it was dark enough to tour the neighborhood and look at all the Christmas lights. Later, I went to the community mail box. One of the neighbors who is in a wheelchair arrived with his dog. The dog pulled suddenly and got away. I went after her and she came to me after a little coaxing. I grabbed her leash and brought her back to her owner. I was glad I was there just at the right time. The whole evening seemed to follow the pattern. There were actually a couple of more instances and my mom, dad, and I talked about how the evening seemed to have perfect timing all around.

I Found God today in the excellent timing of the evening.

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Walking Strong

We spent some time at the cabin today enjoying the beautiful weather. As usual, my mom and I went for a walk in the afternoon. The driveway and road are all gravel and it is difficult to use her walker, so my mom takes her cane instead. She hangs onto my arm especially up and down the sloping driveway. Today, she walked further than she has yet in the 3 years I have been with them. She navigated the gravel road mostly on her own, took big steps, and even swung her arm that wasn’t holding the cane. I was impressed. And so was she.

I Found God today seeing my mom walking strong.

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Creatively Enjoying Creation

My dad got me a new “real” camera for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I have been playing around with it and figuring out how it works. This evening, I went outside and took some shots of the near full moon and the sunset. The results were amazing. I even impressed my dad the photographer. I got some pictures of the moon so close up that you can see details on individual craters. It is great fun learning how the camera works and seeing creation in a whole new way.

I Found God today being creative and enjoying creation.

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Dance-Off

At my mom’s Parkinson’s exercise class, there are several college students who help and learn at the same time. They serve as “spotters”. They stay close to each participant in case they become off balance or start to fall. The young adults also come up with different activities or “stations” for the participants to work through. A couple of weeks ago, the focus was on fine motor skills. My mom made an origami fish. The student who worked with her was so excited as this was her first time making origami. I got a picture of the two of them with their fish looking as proud as can be. In general, it is difficult for Parkinsonians to move. They have to think about every move they make even to do “normal” things they have done all their life. Yet, in the class, with young people encouraging them, they do so well. Today, they worked on big movements, balance, and strength. One of the stations was a dance off led by the teacher. She showed my mom some moves and my mom quickly joined in. She was really going and everyone was cheering. They figured my mom won. I haven’t seen her move like that at all in the 3 years I have been here.

I Found God today in my mom being able to move.

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Ironically Dated Letter

As my dad continues to sort through old family memorabilia, he has come across very interesting photos, articles, and writings. Today he found a letter that was written by his uncle in 1969. Ironically, the date on the letter was the same as that of his sudden death. He must have written the letter and sent it to my dad’s parents early in the day as he unexpectedly died that night. In the letter, the uncle says that he read an article in the paper about a food collection for starving Africans. He thought about the food that was thrown out by the truckload and the money that is spent for landing on the moon. He said it didn’t make any sense. My dad talked about how the man was very soft spoken and very thoughtful. I thought how interesting it was that it meant so much to the man that he included it in his letter that day. I also thought it interesting that 50 years later, the same issue remains. Of course, Jesus said 2000 years ago that the poor would always be with us. But, it just seems wrong that after all this time, no one has come up with a solution to world hunger. The ironically dated letter brought to light the fact that we really do not know when or how our “time will come” and how important it is to share our love while we can.

I Found God today in an interesting letter by a thoughtful man.