Too Much

 

                             Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Sinful word, nor deed of wrong,

Nor thoughts that idly rove;
But simple truth be on our tongue,
And in our hearts be love.
ST. AMBROSE

I awakened to the sound of thunder and lightening. The heavens opened with a downpour that was deafening and explosive. Soon after, a loud boom echoed through the sky. Was that a transformer? Someone lost power somewhere, hopefully not us. 

The last few weeks seem to have gone by in a hurried and exhausting flash. Too much busyness. Too much of everything. Sometimes, we need some noise, some living water to cleanse away all of it leaving a fresh slate. Let's start over, just a little slower this time. Bring on the rain.

Do I sound tired? Oh, so true, my friend. I have this habit of biting off more than I can chew. I am so afraid of missing out on life that I fill up my plate. Sometimes, a bit too much.

I guess it didn't help that I just got my first vaccine dose and now I am totally exhausted, physically drained of any oompf! The solution? Nothing and I mean nothing, but relaxation for at least two days. I do have work tomorrow, but afterwards . . . that's a different story. 

People always end up being concerned for me whenever I mention any tiredness. There is no need to worry. I know my limits and take appropriate action to rectify it. When my body is exhausted, I will rest. My only regret is that I don't have enough time to do all I want to do. I need health insurance and that means I have to work. Right now, I am working the minimum required for health insurance, a mere 30 hours weekly. 

I can definitely see the differences in my body and the progression of tiredness after all the chemo treatments I have endured. Don't get me wrong. I am here, but my body has been put through the wringer to get here. I don't have the strength nor the endurance I once experienced and took for granted. It's even worse to see the look of surprise on everyone's face when I can't open a simple jar. What's wrong with her?

 People forget and people expect everything to go back to normal when one's treatment is over. Well, I have news for you. Things never go back to normal. We just adapt to what the new normal has become, whatever that may be. We can only take life one day at a time. That's all. So if you are tired, take a minute to rest. Whenever life becomes a way bit too much...... just rest.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Coming Home

                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

O God, what offering shall I give

    To Thee, the Lord of earth and skies?
  My spirit, soul, and flesh receive,
    A holy, living sacrifice.
J. LANGE

My grandson came home yesterday morning. I cannot express the Joy that surged through our being as the word passed from one family member to another. For six months we all missed his presence, his words, his being. We may know that they have to leave the nest to become great men and women in their communities, but it doesn't make the process any easier or less painful.

There is something so aching whenever our heart is missing a piece. A seat at the table that remains empty day after day. A sequence of everyday normalcy that they performed and we took for granted. 

This reminds me of a movie I saw many, many years ago as a young woman. It was a love story of a man who loved this woman, but she never saw him in that light, because she was in love with someone else. Her mother told him to come over every single day and say hello to her. She told him that he was to become like that kitchen table that is seen and used every day. We are so used to that kitchen table that we forget it's there, but take it away, and suddenly we cannot live without it.

When my son left to go out into the world. I never realized how much he helped me or how much I needed him. Once he left, it was so difficult to go about my daily routine without him. I quickly learned all the things he did to make things run more smoothly.

It's funny that we need for our loved ones to go away before we truly realize how much we love them, need them, miss their presence. For some of us, it may be the last time we actually see them. Don't allow that to happen. Don't allow pride to keep you from telling someone how much they mean to you. Coming home doesn't have to be an awkward or painful experience. Open your hearts and let love in. Let them come home.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Who Do You Think I Am?

   

                            Everyday is a brand new day,

                            everyday is a journey.

Teach me your mood, O patient stars!

    Who climb each night the ancient sky,
  Leaving on space no shade, no scars,
    No trace of age, no fear to die.
R. W. EMERSON.

I have believed in God all of my life. I have been raised as a Catholic where I feared and respected who God was in all of our lives as part of His Creation. I grew up believing that God was too high up for me to reach personally so that's why He had Priests and nuns. For me, there were many questions and there was no one to answer them. As the questions grew, so did my search for that something "more" in my life. 

I believed in Him. I feared Him. I respected Him. Yet, I did not know Him intimately. 

When I needed to confess my sins, I went to the Priest for absolution of my sins. When I needed prayer for my safety, health or any other request, I prayed to Mother Mary or the Saints. If I had a very important prayer request, I would ask the Priest to pray for me. Somehow, I never believed I was qualified to come before God myself. As if my prayers were not strong enough or worthy enough, but needed intercession of the clergy. 

So what does it mean to have a relationship with God? It means going to Him for all of the above. He should be our first choice, the first one that we run to in our time of need. The first one we run to with praise, with Joy and with sorrow. Friends may leave you. Family nay leave you, but He always stays by our side in the bad, the good and the ugly. At times, He even carries us.

So yes, I still believe in Him. I still fear Him. I still respect Him. But, He is also my Savior, my Healer, my Waymaker, my Omega, my Abba Father. He is my everything. 

Who do you think He is to you? Your life?

Have a blessed day everyone.

So I Have Been Sick!

 

                                Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 Make me patient, kind, and gentle,

    Day by day;
  Teach me how to live more nearly
    As I pray.
SHARPE'S MAGAZINE.

If you have been following me, you know very well that I have begun a new career adventure in the field of Assisted Living/Independent/Rehab Facility with our seniors. Since the covid19 epidemic, we have been tested twice a week for the virus. The test itself consists of either a throat swab or a nose swab. I have been taking the throat, because it is a lot easier and not as awkward/uncomfortable. 

It was during one of these regular covid19 swabs that I tested positive. I did have a sinus congestion and a headache, but thought nothing of it. Every time I went through the test, I would have a similar reaction for the remainder of the day. I also had a flu shot at the same time so I just thought these minor symptoms were all connected. 

Of course, I was immediately sent home for the next ten days with full pay, by the way. I put that in, because everyone wanted to know. I don't think it was being nosey or too personal. I believe this virus has affected many people and will continue to do so. People are just wondering if this is something that companies will be adding, because of the pandemic. By us, one has to be a full time associate to receive pay.

My symptoms were pretty mild compared to others who have been hospitalized. I never had a fever of any kind. I did experience a sinus congestion with a headache, a minor sore throat for a few days, metal mouth nausea and incredible fatigue. It totally reminded me of my chemo days, especially the metal mouth which affected my taste buds making everything taste horrible. 

. I think this covid flu takes some time before we can say we are completely recovered. We may not be contagious, but the side effects still can be found. I have been back at work a couple of weeks already and I still get an occasional cough here and there. I should also add shortness of breath which I still seem to experience when exerting myself.

Again, I am fine now. There is a silver lining in this: I don't have to test for at least 90. I have no idea where I caught this or how or when. I am just grateful it was a mild case. It could have been a lot worse. Please stay safe out there and take care of yourself. 

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Year Of Discord

 

                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

For all sweet and pleasant passages

 in the great story of life men may 

well thank God;

for leisure and ease and health and

 friendship may God make us truly 

and humbly grateful;

but our chief song of thanksgiving

 must be always for our kinship with him, 

with all that such divinity of

 greatness brings of peril, hardship,

 toil, and sacrifice.

—Hamilton Mabie.

I think it's safe to say that this year has been full of havoc and discord. We as a society have been faced with uncertainty all around us. The way we shop, interact with one another and even work has changed. It's no wonder that people feel misplaced and anxious about where we are heading. 

So many of my friends are faced with so many new challenges as a new decade is ahead of us. Changes don't scare me as much as they did in the past. I guess, I have realized that perhaps change isn't as bad as we may think. I have learned to pick the fights that I want to address and which ones to discard. The rest? Well, things have a way of working themselves out.

The world is spinning way too fast and our young people have nowhere to grab hold. Or someone. My faith has sustained me through a lot in my life, but that is not the case for many out there. Our world is filled with people who are searching for things to fill their life with instead of God. Many have no idea of even the basic bible stories that most of us have grown up on. 

Somewhere along the way, our faith was not taught to the next generation or they just felt no need to listen. That has always been the case when life is way too good. We never need God when our cup is full and life is lovely. When do we fall on our knees in prayer? When we hurt, when we ache and cannot take another step for fear of collapsing in defeat. We seem to remember who God is at that stage of our despair.

This year has been one of despair. Many have come to the throne room to kneel by the feet of Christ. Many have also seem fit to blame Him for their despair. There has always been a choice. Right or wrong. Heaven or hell. Yes or no. Life is full of choices and consequences. When we fail, we can only blame ourselves. Which way do you want to go? Have you made that choice of whom you will follow? Today is the day where we take a leap of faith and allow God into our life so He can work in us for us. Today is that day.

Have a blessed day everyone.

 

Living Among Beauty

 

                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

The little worries which we meet each day

  May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way,
  Or we may make them stepping-stones to be
    Of grace, O Lord, to Thee.
A. E. HAMILITON.

When we decided to move to Central Illinois, we never imagined how much we would feel right at home. We often felt as if we have lived here all of our lives. Being at home with the beauty of your surroundings has taken on a new meaning for us. I am always amazed at each new day that brings even more beauty than the night before. God has certainly created a magnificent world. One that we need to definitely appreciate a bit more.

I feel so fortunate to be able to live near my family. Not many people have the opportunity to do so. I often think of my grandmother Bernice who was separated from her family for the majority of their lives. An entire ocean separated us from each other with them living in Poland and we lived in the United States. 

Nowadays, with technology being what it is, it may not seem such an ordeal. It wasn't always so. Poland became a free Country in the mid 80's, not that long ago. Before that, one had to make arrangements for a phone call weeks prior by obtaining permission first. Living in a free Country is a privilege. Many people nowadays have no idea how extremely lucky they are to be able to do so.

So I often think of my grandmother Bernice and how badly her heart must have ached to have us all near her. Life is hard enough without having to live it alone.

I took a mini a walk the other day as I dropped off my car for an oil change. Fall is such a beautiful time, isn't it? I couldn't help, but snap some pictures to share with all of you.

I think we become so engrossed in our lives that we forget to notice the beauty around us. That is why we are so stressed as a nation, as a people.

Take a moment today to step outside  and admire the handiwork  of our Creator.

Can you see the beauty? 

Can you feel the appreciation of being allowed to live amidst His Creation?

Bask in His love, this beauty He has created for our pleasure. Have a blessed day everyone.

We Lived Life

 

                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Save us from the evil tongue,

 From the heart that thinketh wrong,

  From the sins, whate'er they be,
  That divide the soul from Thee.
ANON.

Well, time has certainly flown by since I last penned a blog. We moved. We settled in. We lived life. The world kept spinning no matter what we were doing. Time waits for no man, isn't that how the saying goes?

It has been a busy time in our family. Both the grandkids graduated, one from 8th into High School. The other went off to Air National Guard becoming a man overnight.

For the first time in a very long time, we were able to participate in activities together like the Ladies Paint Night. This was something I have not done before, but hope to enjoy of more in the future. 

Here is my finished piece.

One of the best things that has changed in our life is the ability to be together whenever we want and however long we may want to be. I can drop by my son's home anytime I need to borrow a cup of sugar or a couple of eggs. We have been apart far too long. 

I love where we are at in our life. Things can change suddenly without warning so we need to be grateful for what we have. For now, we are enjoying every bit of it. We are living life.

Have a blessed day everyone.