Random Acts of "Kindness"

Archive for October, 2023

CLOSING TRAILER 2023

I thought I had learned a lesson last year when I hoped to leave before noon and ended staying until three. I realized last year that I didn’t have the energy I used to have, and things took longer. This year I made a plan. I thought I had things under control. I WAS WRONG!

My son came out over the weekend and easily did all the things that were on my list for him. He loaded up his car with the bags I had packed. I decided that instead of leaving on Monday, I would wait until Tuesday. Take advantage of the beautiful weather one more day and drive home without needing to wear my coat. I neglected to inform the person who was going to winterize my trailer that I was staying another day.

I took Robin with me to the lauder mat to wash clothes. Since I had bags everywhere, she knew something was up. I didn’t want here to think that I had left without her. While we were gone, my trailer was winterized. WATER SHUT OFF. I thought something was different when we returned. I didn’t remember closing the curtain on the door. I was right. A note told me that the trailer was winterized. My oil furnace was unplugged. The trailer furnace was shut off.

Thankfully I didn’t have many dishes to wash. A friend suggested we go out to eat and I had agreed. I had been without running water many times over the years. I knew how to deal with it. I just had the food to pack — freezer and frig. Batteries to take out, things to turn off, or unplug. I had my list.

I hadn’t planned on my knees yelling and my back doing the same. I had to rest more than I planned. Even though I had the vacuuming done, I still had to defrost the frig. It had frozen again after I defrosted it. No problem if I had hot water. Microwave gave me a cup of hot water. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH WATER IN THE TRAILER TO FLUSH THE TOILET. I had to get a pail of water from the outside pump. EASY WHEN I WAS YOUNG. NOT SO EASY NOW. BUT I DID IT. I had antifreeze available to pour into the toilet once it flushed.

FINALLY got the bags loaded into the car. It was already after two. I needed gas for the car and decided that I would get gas on property. It was a shorter walk. I could toss out the remaining bag of garbage on the way. When I was getting gas, I remembered that I hadn’t unplugged the microwave. The gas station is close to our trailer, driving back wasn’t a problem. THE TIME ON THE MICROWAVE WAS 3:00. OOPS! I HAD NOT UNPLUGGED THE MICROWAVE. Thankfully I remembered. One year the microwave had run FOREVER. I did not want that to happen again.

Finally leaving at 3:30. I would be home during rush hour. I changed my plan — once in the city, I would take the streets. Rewarded — driving on a street close to home I totally enjoyed the Halloween decorations — skeletons, dragons — OH MY! I wished I could take some photos.

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WHY AM I HERE?

I recently wrote that I am trying to relax, trust GOD’S plans for my life, TRY NOT TO BE IN CONTOL. IT IS HARD! I planned to go out to the camper on Tuesday, today is Sunday and I am still in the city. My daughter saw something on my back that needed my doctor’s eyes. It delayed my return to the camper. Then I received word that a prescription was ready for pick up. My doctor had been busy. It was already late on Wednesday when that message came through. I decided that I would pick up the prescription on Thursday, head for the camper on Friday. DO YOU HEAR GOD LAUGHING?

Thursday when I picked up the prescription, I was told that the rest of my prescriptions would be ready for pickup on Friday. WHAT? The insurance had just released them for filling. AND I NEEDED THEM. I asked what time they would be ready for pickup. I was told after 1:00. Driving on a Friday on the expressways and tollways in the city requires courage. I decided I would wait until Saturday. DO YOU HEAR THE LAUGHTER?

I looked at the weather forecast for Saturday, I would have to be on the road VERY EARLY to beat the rain. STRONG STORMS were in the forecast. Television at the camper is dicey in bad weather. The temperature at night was predicted to be in the 40’s. The radiator in our house was warm this morning. Stay in the city another day? Why not? Then I saw that storms would continue on Sunday.

Friday, I journeyed to pick up my prescriptions. Waiting in line, I talked to a woman who had come to get medicine for her CAT. She was having trouble with her hands. I shared my knowledge of Terry’s Natural Nerve and Feet that was so helpful to me. Then I saw a woman giving out samples that I’ve known for a long time. Stopping to talk, she shared that she was stressed, she would have to sell her house because of taxes. She is older than me. I asked her if she had the senior freeze. When she said NO. I strongly suggested that she apply. There was a good chance she would be able to stay in her home.

Wandering on, I found two birthday cards for my granddaughter and her daughter. They share the same birthday. Mischief is a foot. I’m sure they will both laugh. Finally arriving home, I met a neighbor who I haven’t seen in a long time. When I walked Robin, I talked to both the man and his wife. Robin is too strong; I don’t walk her anymore. Therefore, I don’t see many of my neighbors.

Saturday I was concerned about the weather. My granddaughter was attending her first homecoming dance. Plans had been made for pictures outside. Storms? Rain was at the camper, coming into the city. My daughter lives further south in Illinois. Their area appeared to be DRY. I think I’ve mentioned that I love the weather app on my phone.

My phone was on the charger in the dining room. I was in the front room. I heard my phone tell me NOT TO WORRY, PRAY, DEPEND ON GOD. They had a beautiful day and night for the homecoming dance.

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SACRED

My youngest daughter invited me to a Woman’s Retreat in July. The retreat would be held in September, but I had time to think about it. At first, I didn’t think that I would be able to do it. My knees had been giving me problems. I knew the site for the retreat had many stairs to climb. I did not want to be a burden. But she reminded me how much I enjoyed the retreat, and we would have quality time together. I knew she was right.

When my daughter made the reservations, she mentioned my mobility restrictions. We were given a room that was close to the meetings, easily accessible by elevator. I was afraid my knees would be a problem. Thankfully that didn’t happen.

The retreat always had two breakout sessions. Since I’m no longer young, I was concerned I wouldn’t find anything of interest. By now I should know better. Paying attention to the subject matter, I found two sessions that were perfect.

The first Sesson was WILDERESSS. It highlighted the time spent in the wilderness by Abraham, Hagar, Elijah, Moses, Jesus and many more — some very familiar, others not as well known. “If we can bare our souls to a friend and not to GOD, we have a problem”. It highlighted time spent waiting, the loss and struggle, the unbelievable sorrow. We have permission to protest. It is important to invite others into our wilderness, we shouldn’t try to do everything by ourselves. Life often puts us in the wilderness in our own life. When my husband died, I was ANGRY. I was positive GOD would heal him. My husband DID NOT want to be a burden. GOD honored my husband’s request. It took a while before I honored my husband’s choice — GOD’S decision. There are still times when I’m back in the wilderness. I have always been stubborn. Some things don’t change — But I’m trying to be more accepting of God’s plan. When asked what prayer the presenter often relied on, she mentioned JOB. I knew exactly where she was referring too. That particular passage often popped up in my life.

REST was the second session. GOD rested after HE made the world. HE enjoyed what HE did and rested. When we rest, we acknowledge that we trust GOD to handle our life. It is important for us to plan for resting. Since I have aged, I find I don’t push myself as much. If I rest, I have more energy.

Through the years I have met many women at the retreat. I’ve learned that often I met someone who helps me, or I can help. This weekend was no exception. On Sunday, I saw some of my older friends. I’m ready for the next weekend — If I maintain my health.

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