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New Music

Posted by eph21920 on January 24, 2025 in Family, Grateful, Music, New, Relationship

The weather was warmish today, so I asked my grandson if he wanted to take a drive up to the cabin with me. He was happy to and even offered to drive his truck. I accepted the offer and he picked me up. The sunshine was so warm on the way up that he even turned off the heater completely. It felt good after the cold and snowy days we have been experiencing. Closer to the cabin, my grandson put his truck in 4-wheel drive as the dirt road was snow packed. There was no problem navigating the twists and turns and ruts and ice patches. I had not been his passenger for such a long drive and was impressed that he was such a good driver. A couple of days ago, one of the outside cameras at the cabin captured a fluffy coyote run across the driveway. So, when we arrived we looked around and found some of the pawprints that remained visible in the melting snow. That was exciting. We did a few things around the cabin and went into town for lunch before heading back. On the way, we talked about music and my grandson said that one of his favorite bands was Nothing But Thieves. I have heard of them, but didn’t know any of their music. He played several of their songs for me and talked about how some of them were so meaningful to him. I felt very grateful for our time together and the relationship that we have.

I Found God today sharing time and music with my grandson.

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Impact of Illness

Posted by eph21920 on January 23, 2025 in Children, Faith, Grateful, Life, Past, Sick, Struggles

Today I read a post that a friend shared about her young son. He has been struggling for months and recently was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I knew from first hand experience what that is like. I reflected on my own past as I pondered how to respond to her. These are the thoughts that came up. I basically grew up as a child with an autoimmune disease – juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed at 4 years old. It was a struggle to function and fit in at all. Everything was hard to do and painful, so much so that some things were impossible. I couldn’t button a button, open a car door, do a zipper, brush my own hair. Kids made fun of me and it was impossible to play sports. I did, however, try to do whatever my family encouraged me to do. I was able to ride a bike and always enjoyed walking and hiking. After my mom brought me to a Holy place – Lourdes – the disease slowly went into remission as a teenager, though all the joints in my body are still crooked. Fast forward almost 60 years. I do my best to keep my body moving. I have learned the value of proper nutrition. I have learned that things and people aren’t always as they seem. My mom did her best to care for me, with the little information and treatment they had at that time and had to watch my struggle every day. Years later I did my best to take care of my mom with the little knowledge and treatment that existed for Parkinson’s Disease. I watched her struggle every day until she was freed from her suffering. Mostly, I know that God loves us in and through every circumstance. This is not a perfect world, but, there is Life on the other side. As I reflected, I became ever more grateful for the things I have learned and experienced because of the illness. I am grateful for the faith my mother passed to me and thankful for God’s love and generosity to give me the life I have.

I Found God today reflecting on the impact of a disease on my life.

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Remembering Time With Mom

Posted by eph21920 on January 22, 2025 in Death, Family, Forgiveness, Grateful, Grief, Healing, Life, Past, Patience

Today as I was going through things on my computer, I came across a video that I made with my mom several years ago. A flood of emotions rushed over, into, and out of me. First, I was sad and missed her tremendously. As I watched, I realized how much she suffered and for such a long time. I watched myself and saw how patient I could be with her. With that, I tried to push out the negative thoughts and memories of all the struggling that also seeped in. I was grateful for the time I had with her, regardless of the circumstances. And I tried to forgive myself again for my shortcomings and reminded myself again that I did the best I could. Overall, though, the video was a treasure and I was glad that instead of turning it off immediately, I could watch the whole thing and experience whatever came up. Grieving and healing is a process.

I Found God today remembering time with my mom.

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Successful Surgery

Posted by eph21920 on January 21, 2025 in Doctor, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Healing

Several months ago, a friend of mine had major abdominal surgery due to a severe infection. Everyone was very concerned about her. She made an amazing recovery, but the surgery resulted in a colostomy. The plan was to allow her to heal, then have another procedure to reverse the colostomy. My friend said that she wasn’t sure she would make it through the first illness, but God brought her through. She knew the cautions of the next surgery, but had faith that she was still in God’s hands. That surgery took place yesterday. I heard from her husband later in the day that the near 4 hour surgery was successfully completed all through robotics, which is amazing to me. That left her with very small incisions. I received a message from her husband again today saying that she was doing well and up and walking. He shared a picture of the beautiful snow covered mountains that they could see from the large windows when they were walking the hallway. It was good to hear that she was doing well so far. And I am sure the beautiful scene has to be healing.

I Found God today in my friend’s successful surgery.

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Long Distance Prayer

Posted by eph21920 on January 20, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Life, Prayer

Today was the meeting day with my prayer group. However, it was super cold. Not only that, some members weren’t feeling well. One of the gentlemen set up a Zoom meeting and all but one of us was able to attend. It was especially important as one of the ladies had recently experienced a tragedy as her son in law suddenly and unexpectedly died. She was at her daughter’s home in another state. It was good that we were able to get together, support one another, listen to each other, and pray together.

I Found God today in the blessing of long distance communication.

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Finished the Book

Posted by eph21920 on January 19, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Death, Life, New

Today I finished the book “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom. It only took me 4 days, which is unbelievable to me. As I was talking with my sister about it, I think the last full book I finished reading for pleasure was a Nancy Drew in Jr. High School. From my blog 4 days ago, one of the lines that struck me when I started reading the book was, “…there are no random acts…we are all connected…you can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind.” This was the theme for the whole story. The interpretation of Heaven captivated me so much that I just had to keep going back to it. After finishing reading the book, I felt pretty accomplished and thinking about what I should read next.

I Found God today reading a captivating story of Heaven.

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Shoveling Relief

Posted by eph21920 on January 18, 2025 in Answer, Grateful, Home, Stranger, Weather

It snowed a little last night as a very cold front moves through the area. In the complex where I live, the HOA pays for snow removal if it snows 3″ or more. Unfortunately for me, there was only 1″-2″ outside. I waited to see if it would snow again and perhaps make it up to 3″, but by the afternoon it was obvious that wasn’t going to happen. Shoveling was up to me now. It was frigid, so I pulled on a couple extra layers, grabbed the shovel and headed out. I started at my front door. Luckily the snow was light and fluffy. I cleared my porch and steps and moved down the sidewalk. The neighbors who share our sidewalk are both suffering from COVID right now, so I knew they wouldn’t be out. Although the husband did poke his head out to say thank you as I cleared their porch. I was just about to make my way further towards the driveway, but was met by a young man shoveling from that direction. I said hello and asked if he was shoveling, which seemed a silly question as soon as it came out of my mouth. He said he was and that he would finish it up. I was very grateful and thanked him. I could really feel the wind and cold on the part of my face that was not covered, so I was very happy to allow the young man to take over. I went inside and got a cup of hot tea.

I Found God today being relieved from shoveling.

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Daughters

Posted by eph21920 on January 17, 2025 in Birthday, Family, Grateful, Love, Relationship

My son’s fiancee’s birthday was a couple of days ago. So today I took her and my daughter in law out to lunch. We had a delicious 3 course meal and felt pretty special. My future daughter in law showed more pictures of the wedding dress that she chose, and others that she tried on. I knew she would share them, so I was prepared and could see much better this time since I wasn’t crying. We talked all about upcoming events and past events and life in general. I really loved spending the time with them and feel so blessed that they are part of my son’s lives and mine.

I Found God today enjoying time with my daughter in law and future daughter in law.

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Reading

Posted by eph21920 on January 16, 2025 in Begin, Connected, Grateful, New

A couple of weeks ago, a friend shared that she had read 34 books last year. I found that to be quite amazing. When I was young, I read well and was way ahead the class. But, in my adult life I have found it difficult to sit down and read. My mind wanders and it’s hard for me to concentrate. The other problem I have is I can’t take scary or thrilling or creepy things. Those thoughts tend to stay with me. But I did want to at least try to read a book this year, so I asked for recommendations. I decided on “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom. I actually went to the bookstore and bought it. Yesterday I sat down, placed the book in “The Bookseat” that my son got me a couple years ago for class textbooks  and started reading. It was such an easy read and drew me in that I didn’t want to put it down. Eventually I did and used a super cute bookmark that a friend made me a while ago. It was a whole new beautiful experience, which might sound strange – especially to those who read well and often. Today I sat down again and continued. The story is an interesting perspective of the afterlife in which the main character meets people in Heaven as suggested in the title. The people have something to teach him. There were some thoughts that particularly struck me:

” …there are no random acts…we are all connected…you can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind.”

To me, the novel is captivating, uplifting, and thought provoking, all the things I like in a story. I am grateful for the recommendation and excited to read the rest.

I Found God today reading a good story.

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The Baby Walker

Posted by eph21920 on January 15, 2025 in Baby, Connected, Friends, Generosity, Grateful, Hope, Struggles

Recently I have been helping a friend as she downsizes her house. I collected a load of snow boots, coats, warm clothes, and blankets from her house and mine to take to a particular organization that gives items to people in need. My friend also had a baby walker that she wasn’t using any more so I took that as well. I had tried to donate it, but many organizations would not take it, so it was still in my car. The first time I went to this particular organization a few months ago, I met a young woman who was pregnant. As I was driving there this morning, I wondered if I would see her there again. When I pulled up, some guys came out and unloaded the car. I asked about the baby walker and they said they did not want it. Then I went into the building and talked with the woman in charge. She said to go ahead and bring it in. As I was unloading it, there was a young woman helping to unload the car next to me. She said that the walker would be great for her baby who was 3 months old. Yes – it was the same girl. She showed me pictures of her baby. I told her she could have the walker. The woman in charge came out and knew the young woman. She said she thought the new mom might be able to use it. The girl was so excited and gave me a big hug. There was also a woman in a walker outside in the cold waiting for a ride. As things were being pulled out of my car, she spotted a wool scarf and asked if she could have it. So I gave it to her. She also asked if she could have one of the large blankets, so I gave her one. When the woman in charge came outside as I was getting ready to leave, the young mom said she was trying to help the woman in the walker find some shoes. It was then that I noticed she was wearing sandals. Her feet must have been freezing. They asked what size she needed – 9 1/2. My mind raced thinking if I had anything with me she could use. I did not. I left feeling hopeful that the woman was getting what she needed. I was grateful that I was able to help her and the young mom immediately and others who will come and make use of the winter gear.

I Found God today being able to help people in need.

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