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Puppy Antics

Posted by eph21920 on April 27, 2025 in Dog, Family, Fun, Grateful, Home, Humor, Laughter, Travel

After a fun, family weekend at the cabin, we got things ready to go home this morning. My brother was scheduled to arrive this afternoon as he returned for the summer, so we wanted to make sure everything was ready for him as well. My son and his wife recently got a new puppy and brought him to the cabin. While we were at the craft fair yesterday, my grandson stayed with him. He is super cute. When I was cleaning the floor this morning, he wasn’t sure if the mop was a new toy, or a scary enemy. When I was moving away from him, he would chase it. But, as I moved towards him, he would try to run away and was sliding on the floor. He even barked a couple times like he was trying to be so tough. I laughed and laughed so hard my stomach hurt. There is nothing like baby animal antics to bring humor to a situation. Everyone left for home and I went into town to go to church. When I returned, my brother had just arrived. His old dog couldn’t wait to say hello. She got noticably more gray in her face over the past few months, but was as energetic as ever. She had a good time smelling the new puppy smells everywhere. But, it didn’t take her long to settle down. I helped my brother unpack his camper and visited a bit before I headed home. It was good to see him and his dog. I felt blessed today with more family time, laughter from a funny puppy, Mass at a beautiful church, and welcoming my brother after being gone for several months.

I Found God today in family time and laughter.

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Second Craft Fair

Posted by eph21920 on April 26, 2025 in Family, Fun, Grateful

Today we went to the craft fair. I brought my dad’s photos, my son brought his candles, and his wife brought the tumblers she made. It was a small venue with many of the same customers as the fair in the Fall – mainly the residents of the immediate community. I was happy to sell another photo. My daughter in law sold a couple tumblers, and my son sold several of his candles. He was very excited that his first attempt at selling them was successful. In the afternoon my other son and his fiancee joined the fun. At the end of the fair, we all headed up to the cabin. After dinner, the guys went into town and the girls stayed and had a girls night. Me, my daughter in law, my granddaughter, and my son’s fiancee played games and talked and laughed. I was again grateful for this family time.

I Found God today spending more family time.

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Ready for the Craft Fair

Posted by eph21920 on April 25, 2025 in Family, Fun, Grateful

There is a craft fair at the cabin clubhouse this weekend. I signed up to bring my Dad’s photos again. My son learned how to make candles, which he has been wanting to do for a while. He made some different scents and will try selling them at the fair too. And his wife is bringing some of the tumblers she makes. It will be a family affair. Today I prepared a bunch of food as we will be spending the weekend at the cabin. My grandson came over and helped load up the car for me. Then we all headed up the moutain. It was very cloudy in the city, but once we got to a certain altitude, we were above the clouds. There were a few deer who greeted us as we turned the corner to the cabin. My granddaughter helped me make the beds after we had dinner and we relaxed for a while. We’re hoping to get some good sleep before our big day. I am so grateful to spend this time with family and looking forward to tomorrow.

I Found God today in my family.

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Sharing His Legacy

Posted by eph21920 on April 24, 2025 in Connected, Death, Family, Grief, Life, Past, Teacher

I have been in touch with our local space Discovery Center for several months, discussing making a donation. Over the years, my dad accumulated hundreds of textbooks and military documents about space. After bringing the Discovery Center a couple of boxes of items and talking with the young woman about what I still had, I gathered up everything else I could find. Today I brought them 8 boxes of books, some framed photos, nostalgic bags, posters, and other odds and ends. The young woman was just as appreciative as she was the first time we met. She was shocked at the amount of books and said that this donation was even more than they received from the Denver library. And to think that my dad probably read each one of them. The experience was bittersweet. I felt like I was making progress and sharing my Dad’s legacy with those who will truly appreciate it. At the same time, the empty spaces seemed quite stark, reminding me of the empty space my dad has left. After meeting with the woman, I spent some time looking around the Discovery Center. I saw a presentation and pictured my dad the teacher lecturing his classes on similar topics. It was a day of remembrance.

I Found God today remembering my dad.

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The Journalist

Posted by eph21920 on April 23, 2025 in Family, Grateful, Life, Opportunity, Teacher, Travel

For the past 4 years, my grandson has been involved in the media program at his high school. He has learned a lot and has really enjoyed making short videos. One of the segments he recently made won a local award and was entered into a national competition. The media teacher organized a trip to the convention in Seattle. My grandson has been looking forward to it all year. Today I drove him to the airport where he met several other students and teachers. On the way there, we talked more about his interest in journalism and the possibilities for a career in the field. I felt blessed to spend this time with him, learning more about his talents and interests, and sharing his enthusiasm.

I Found God today spending good time with my grandson.

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Priorities

Posted by eph21920 on April 22, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Grateful, Grief, Healing, Life, Present, Struggles

I have been going to private counseling for about 2 years now and have been so grateful for the help I am receiving as I process trying to care for my parents and watching both of them die. A couple weeks ago I did an exercise in which I went through cards with different values written on them. I eventually whittled them down to 10 and put them in prioritized order. Since that appointment, the assignment was to think about how those principles play out in real life. In other words, if health is one of my top 10 values, how am I reflecting that. I had another appointment today and we discussed it further. My main priority is to do God’s will. We talked about how I actually do that. I do start each morning with prayer. That helps me begin on the right track. During the day, however, I usually just go about my day. If there is an important decision that I need to make, I will usually stop and ask God what He would have me to do. But typically I just do what I do, whether that’s good or bad. As I currently work on my parent’s estate and spend time helping people who need help, I don’t really have a long term plan. Sometimes that can be worrisome or I can get stressed thinking about it. I try to remember that God has been very clear in the past as to what I should do when it comes to big life changes. So, I try to let it go, trust Him, and be grateful for the state of life I am in right now. I enjoyed the card exercise. It helped give me a better idea of how to keep my values present and active in my life.

I Found God today prioritizing my values.

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Hosting Easter

Posted by eph21920 on April 20, 2025 in Death, Faith, Family, Grateful, Grief, Happiness, Healing, Home, Hope, Joy, Laughter, Life, Past

Since my mother died not quite a year ago, I have not hosted any family events here at the house. I am blessed and grateful that my 2 sons are here and have risen to the occasion. We had Thanksgiving at one house, and Christmas at the other, not to mention in between get togethers. As I feel like I’m climbing out of a deep hole and beginning to see the light, I wanted to host Easter here. My kids and families and sister all came. Everyone pitched in to prepare the meal. We even tried some new recipes which didn’t necessarily turn out as anticipated, but that was ok. The experience was all fun. Somewhere along the way, I realized that the last time we were all together celebrating at the house was last year in May for my mom’s birthday party. It did feel different, but I wasn’t overly sad. I was mostly happy to be with everyone laughing and enjoying the time. My sister said she was really moved by the organ music at Mass yesterday and thought of my mom. The priest who saw her a couple times before she died shared the image of my mom playing the organ in heaven with all the angels. We all embraced that and talked about her and my dad together as she played music in the place my dad got ready for her as he always did. I was very grateful for the beautiful day that gave me hope for the future, resurrection of another kind.

I Found God today hosting Easter celebration.

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Resurrection

Posted by eph21920 on April 20, 2025 in Connected, Death, Faith, Family, Jesus, Life

Today was the first time my parent’s wedding anniversary came around with both of them gone. I went out to the cemetery and placed some Easter flowers on their gravesite. I thought about and prayed that they were both together again, hopefully whole, healed, and celebrating in heaven. It seemed fitting to go to the Easter Vigil tonight and celebrate how Jesus conquered death. I believe in His Resurrection and His promise of our resurrection if we follow Him. My parents did. So I have faith that they are together and that I will see them again.

I Found God today celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and my parents’ anniversary.

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God’s Gone

Posted by eph21920 on April 18, 2025 in Eternity, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Lent, Life, Present

I went to church with my son this evening for Good Friday service. The priest reminded everyone that this is the only day of the year that the Catholic Church doesn’t celebrate Mass in which the Eucharist is consecrated. The reason is to remember that Jesus was not present on the Earth on this day. My son said this was the first time he had ever given that some real consideration. It is a pretty big deal if you think of it on a global scale. All around the world, Holy Mass is celebrated every day. But today it is not. When I got home, I heard from my grandson who made a trip to another state today. He said that travelling was just chaotic. It is snowing here, and his truck got covered with ice as he drove to the airport. He did arrive safely to sunshine and warm temps. That got me thinking more. What if God actually wasn’t present in our world for a day? I think chaotic would likely be an understatement. If God withdrew His Love and Grace even for a moment, I doubt if we would even exist. I feel that I take my life for granted, going about doing what I will. I don’t regularly think about how God’s hand is in all things – even my breath. Good Friday was a good day to ponder such things.

I Found God today thinking about His continual presence.

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Appreciating Priests

Posted by eph21920 on April 17, 2025 in Faith, Friends, Grateful, Lent, Prayer, Priest

When I was at church tonight for Holy Thursday, I saw both the parish priests and the 4 deacons all on the altar celebrating the Mass. I thought about how all over the world, the majority of the priests and deacons are all doing the same thing – remembering the last moments that Jesus spent on this earth. We are blessed to have so many faithful men helping us grow in our relationship with God. I personally am grateful for the priests who have been a part of my life. Priests who are still friends, friends who became priests, those who stood by me and my family in difficult times, and those who have been instrumental in helping me make life decisions. I have learned valuable lessons from the priests in my life – even from those who I didn’t really have a good relationship with. I prayed for them all this evening as I watched the priest imitate Jesus by washing the feet of 12 people. I prayed that they might always be the servant leader they have promised to be and to continue to bless those they are in contact with.

I Found God today appreciating priests.

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