Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘FRIENDS’

TORNADO

TORNADO

Normally I publish my thought rambles a few weeks after they are written. The events of the past week have caused me to reschedule and publish this one in a timely fashion.

I was forewarned that something was going to happen. The homily at church concerned the storm, Jesus in a boat, the disciples afraid they were going to drown. I had taken a photo of my painting, GHOST SHIP or THE STORM and had it printed on canvas. I planned to embellish it and give it to one of my daughters for Christmas.

Monday, walking Robin I fell, kissing the sidewalk, injuring my body but thankfully not breaking anything. We had planned to go to the camper but my husband needed a refill on his insulin. Since our doctor is in the office on Monday, I was hoping to get his prescription refilled and we would leave on Tuesday.

Monday night, storms in the area were severe — in fact nine tornado’s touched down. Woodhaven Lakes, our campground, was struck by an F2 tornado, damaging the southern half, about 700 acres of the campground. Thankfully there were no fatalities. It was a Monday, only about 300 people were on the property not the crowds of a weekend. Monday evening, The Goodtimers, a club for people over 55 was holding a ice cream social. They were gathered in a solid construction building. At 8:10, security came by and asked them to remain in the building until further notice. At 11:30, they were finally allowed to leave. Trees were all over the roads, blocking safe passage. Tuesday, a search for victims trapped in their trailers was conducted. I have heard that two handicapped victims were rescued. THANK YOU doesn’t fully convey the gratefulness for the staff on property.

Woodhaven is closed, anyone on property can stay but if they leave, they can not return. Thankfully I have heard from some of our friends and learned that a tree fell on our motor home. The photo of it has been published in a newspaper. Thankfully, as of Tuesday, our park model is still in one piece. Many people spend their summers at Woodhaven and winter down south. Many people have lost their home away from home. From the photos, there is total devastation. Electricity was finally turned on Thursday. We still don’t know when access will be allowed.

By now, my husband’s 1954 Lincoln would be on property. But this year, it is still at the mechanics, safe from harm. Because of the downed trees, it would have been smooched too.

It is hard to prepare for the trip. We don’t know what we will find. I have repacked my clothes — jeans instead of shorts, high shoes instead of sandals. I have been told that I won’t be allowed to help. We have purchased a bigger, gas chain saw and work gloves. I’m going to leave the canvas and paints at home. I still have my bathing suit. Hopefully the pool will be open. My body would like that.

We have camped at Woodhaven for over 40 years — our home away from home. I sure don’t want to stop now. But one thing is certain — I will pay more attention to storm warnings and head for permanent structures if there is a need.

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YEARLY REVIEW

Time is flying by too quickly. All of a sudden it is Christmas and time to write my yearly letter to send with our Christmas Cards. Sadly my mind is blank — I could have reread some of my thought rambles for the year to refresh my memory but I didn’t. It would have been to tempting to copy and paste — not write a personal letter. Instead I pulled out my Inner Reflections calendar for help. I was reminded of the challenging year that we had weather wise — more than 81 inches of snow, 20 days of subzero temperature, 10 days of rain. The weather breaking all records. And this year weather wise continues the pattern — clouds — no sun — for how many days now?

I was reminded that God is in charge of my life. I make plans and God laughs. Before a trip, we took our car in for an oil change and learned that another part needed to be replaced for safety. I planned to celebrate my birthday in the country, but the weather forecast — damp, cold — changed that plan. Instead we were in town. I walked over to the grocery store and learned they were giving out flu shots. When I asked if the nurse had the senior high dose, I learned she had brought two with her. Just enough for my husband and I. We got updated pneumonia shots too. I recently learned that the flu shots this year were not as effective — the virus had mutated. We just returned from visiting our grandchildren. Before we left, our grandson showed flu symptoms. So far my husband and I are healthy. Did the senior high dose protect us? Good question — but it was a lovely birthday present.

Our plans to celebrate Christmas have been changed because of health. Hopefully health and weather will cooperate for our new date. On a walk back home, I wondered why my cookie making plans last year were derailed. I finally remembered the day spent in the emergency wing of a hospital worried about my husband’s health.

A couple of weeks ago, an ambulance stopped across from our house in the middle of the night. I recognize the people across the street but not well enough to ring a door bell. I recognized the woman’s name on the prayer list at church. I asked another neighbor if he knew what was wrong. He didn’t have any answers. This morning, walking our dog who needed a longer walk, I walked past her house. As I passed, she came out to get her newspaper and I was able to speak to her. Breathing problems kept her in the hospital for four weeks.

This year I have more friends in “high places.” Some were expected, some were untimely accidents. Losing friends is ALWAYS hard — even though I know they are happy in their “new home.”

My weight is still too high, treasures (?) are still hiding in our house waiting to be uncovered. I’m reminded daily — THANKFULLY, GOD IS IN CHARGE!

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GROUNDED

CAR IS BACK. FINALLY! We didn’t get our car back on Wednesday — but the mechanic phoned on Thursday and told us they found and corrected the problem. There was a crack in the vacuum hose, which didn’t show up on the diagnostic programs.

I went to the Christmas Song Concert without my husband. He was concerned about the car. Since I like to sit at a table so that I can stretch my legs, I invited a woman to sit with me. This was the first time she attended the concert, her husband of over 48 years passed last year. After the concert and a few of my stories, she mentioned that she was glad she sat with me.

Meanwhile, I was wondering what else I had to do before I got my wings back. Christmas was coming, I had shopping to do. The first thing was to get my husband’s insulin. The next day — “Hello Stores. Did you miss me?”

We celebrate Christmas a week earlier so our youngest daughter and family can be home in their own house for Christmas Eve. Sadly this year, both my daughter and her husband were sick. They hadn’t planned to come but life intervened and plans changed again. My granddaughter forgot her coat at home. Thursday, the temperature was 52 degrees. The it dropped, down below freezing. Her mother and I went shopping for a new coat and thankfully found one on sale. The outing wasn’t good for my daughter though, she felt worse. She visited an Immediate Care office and was very pleased with the service. New, stronger prescription — she felt better when they left for home. It doesn’t hurt a mother to take a few days off, it didn’t hurt me to be able to give her that time.

My daughter wasn’t the only one who was grounded. A good friend of mine phoned to share that she fell, fracturing her hip. SHE CAN’T GO SHOPPING WITH ME! She had planned to decorate for a party, she had planned to attend another party the next day and God laughed. She has already had her operation. But rehab will take a while. I told her that we can go shopping with her walker. It will fit in my car.

I’m visiting two of my friends at the hospital today. I’m bringing a tin of Swedish cookies to each. Sally has been in the hospital for a few weeks, but my life was busy, then I was grounded. Sally’s 94 birthday is tomorrow and she is finally being released. I found a Christmas card from her from last year this morning while I was looking for a cookbook.

I’ve mentioned many times that I have friends in high places. The other Sunday, I got a glass of apple cider vinegar and water. I only was able to drink half the glass before my arm hit it, and spilled. I got another glass, my arm hit it again, spilling all over the floor. I didn’t get a third glass, put my coat on instead and headed for Mass.

Our youngest daughter and family have headed for home with their children and dogs. Our house is too quiet. They had their Christmas elf with them. Our Christmas tree, archway and pillars had banners counting the days until Christmas. That morning I opened Queen Of Angels to Angels as Playmates and Confidants. My father’s memorial card marked the page. “Hi DAD!”

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CELEBRATING A LIFE

In my writing, I try to protect the privacy of the persons who are included in my rambles — except for today. A very good friend of mine has passed to the other side. We met more than 25 years ago. Our company had merged with another, instead of traveling 10 minutes from home — I now had to drive over twenty miles, one way each day. I did the billing at our company — a job I retained when we moved. Dorothy was customer service. The welfare of her customers was first and foremost in her mind. We clashed — my ways and her ways DID NOT MESH! Dorothy was stubborn — so was I. From the clashes evolved a great friendship. When our company closed in 1991, we remained friends. We continued to talk on the phone, and go out to eat on a regular basis. She liked Chinese food — her daughter didn’t. I like Chinese food — my husband doesn’t. I drove our car to her house, but I HAD TO DRIVE her car wherever we were going. She was determined and for a change I gave in. We often picked up another working companion and then met a fourth. The four of us continued to get together for many years.

And the years passed and we aged. Dorothy and I got together in May of this year — visiting at her home instead of going out to eat. And I knew it would be the last time I would see her. Soon after, she had trouble breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Event followed event. When she was first hospitalized, she was in intensive care and I was unable to visit. Summer arrived which was very busy in our household, Dorothy was transferred to a nursing home but I was unable to visit. Her daughter provided me with updates about her condition. I bought a sympathy card in case I was unable to attend the services. It traveled with me all summer. Then fall arrived and the phone call I had been expecting arrived.

I knew I would only know Dorothy’s daughter and sons but I also knew I was going to the service and would stay for the prayers. I saw Dorothy’s daughter before I even entered the building. Dorothy’s illness has been hard on her, she has shrunk in size. When I entered the building, I saw a friend of Dorothy’s that she knew since childhood. She had joined us for several meals in various places. I thought she was a cousin but learned that the friend’s mother welcomed Dorothy who didn’t have any brothers or sisters into her own brood of six. Many of Dorothy’s friends dated back to childhood, or school, or early married life. When Dorothy made a friend, she developed and kept the friendship. Her oldest son shared a story of Dorothy’s trip to Greece. She had a heart attack and was hospitalized. Her son’s flew over to bring her home. Dorothy retained the friend ship she made in Greece until she passed.

I didn’t plan to stop to eat. But when I said goodbye to daughter and son’s, I was told that Dorothy would have wanted me to stop to eat. And I knew what they said was true. So I gave in.

I wore a pin to the service of four females representing the four who worked together. One is in Texas, one is in a senior assisted living home, Dorothy has passed over and I continue doing the best I can. The pin stayed somewhere along my route yesterday.

Dorothy often accompanied her daughter to Las Vegas or attended the various casinos in our area. She won a thousand dollars at an opening recently. This morning, I found my husband’s poker game floating in our toilet. I left him a note that the game was depressed, so it went for a swim. I fished it out and now it is surrounded by rice — hopefully it will work once it dries out. ?? What more can I say. Dorothy crossed over at the young age of 88 — WELCOME HOME. Have you joined my team in high places? Thankfully I KNOW you are there!

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POCKETS

I like pockets that securely close in my jackets and coats. I like to leave my purse at home and wander — stores, the Garden, museums, even the zoo. If the pocket isn’t deep enough, things have a way of leaving. I have been searching for a new winter coat for a while with no luck — the pockets weren’t deep enough, didn’t close securely or where limited.

Wednesday I went shopping with a friend. We have a routine — first we stop for breakfast, then go to Wal-Mart, next we linger over lunch before finishing our shopping at a food store. Wednesday proceeded on schedule.

Breakfast was delicious, the sun came out while we were driving to Wal-Mart. I found everything on my list plus a few more. We stopped for lunch. The restaurant was very busy but I found a parking space and we found a table. Time passed and we headed for the food store. Our freezer is still very full so I limited my purchases. Standing in line, I COULD NOT FIND MY CHANGE PURSE which holds not only money but my driver license and credit cards. My purse has quite a few pockets, which I searched without success. I knew I had the change purse when we stopped for lunch. The lines were VERY LONG. I really didn’t want to get out and return to the restaurant but I had no choice. Before I got out of line, I searched the pockets on my jacket and FOUND the missing purse. Absent mindedly, I had put it in the breast pocket of my jacket where I keep my cell phone. That is where I keep it when I’m traveling without a purse.

I dropped my friend off at her house, then proceeded to Costco where I needed to pick up a prescription. When I entered the store, my attention was drawn to a table which held a number of hooded coats. Still searching for a coat with pockets, and recently reminded of their importance, I stopped to check out the coats. I was very pleased with what I found — two zippered breast pockets, two deep pockets that snapped, a pocket on the sleeve and an inside pocket. Now I just needed one in my size. I searched the dark brown stack unsuccessfully, but the lighter beige stack had quite a few in my size. I must admit that the sleeves were a little tight. I’ll have to wear thinner sweaters until I loose some weight. Walking Robin the next morning, I realized that the lighter coat was better for me. I’m often walking Robin in the morning before the sun is up or in the evening when it is getting dark. The lighter coat will make it easier for people to see me.

That would be the end of this ramble — except I had to return to Costco to pick up another prescription on Friday. The stacks of coats were GONE. Luckily I had mine. I talked to an employee that I know. She mentioned that she almost took her life on Tuesday — a knife was on her counter that she was going to use on herself. Not depressed — no reason for the impulse. She heard God tell her to get out of the house, visit a friend. Which she did. I DON’T HEAR GOD TALK TO ME but I’m glad she heard Him. I told her about the Holy Card I have of a prayer to Archangel Michael to guard against evil. She asked if I had another. Saturday I was back at Costco, to deliver the prayer card.

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DRIVER’S SEAT AGAIN

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a WORRY WART. Years ago, I received a thought ramble — the subject was riding with God on a tandem bicycle. He was doing the driving, I was the passenger. Which sounds terrific and I TRY. I just DON’T ALWAYS SUCCEED. Especially right now.

We were driving home from the camper, stuck in the car for two hours with no place to escape. My husband asked a question about finances to which I had no answer. I did not have my records or a pencil and paper. I COULD NOT run the numbers to see how badly we were drowning. I tried desperately to put the question out of my mind. Evidently I didn’t succeed because I’m still stressed.

Three days in a row I have been told to pray: “Thy will be done through me, Thy will and not mine be done.” And I try. I’m reminded that I’m unique, I have a job to do that no one else does. And I’ll agree — but I still try to put my hands on the bike and drive. I’m reminded that I’m always safe and secure and free to be. I’m grateful — especially when my foot slips and I regain my footing and don’t do a head first fall down the stairs. I did say “thank you.” THANKFULLY I HAVE “FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES” I definitely need their help — always but especially when I’m stressed.

I have tried tea. I have tried various vitamins. I have taken pencil to paper and realized there is no reason to panic. I’ll admit that I have various insect bites that are not helping. I’m sure the stuff I’m putting on them isn’t able to do the job since I’m so stressed. It doesn’t help that I don’t like the numbers on the scale. It doesn’t help that I’m overtired. It doesn’t help that I meet myself coming and going. Don’t I realize that I have AGED? I’m not willing to accept that fact. I have many friends who are in their eighties. I want to be like them — with energy.

At the camper — at the pool, I recognized a woman’s face but couldn’t place her. When I told her she looked familiar, and heard her story, I realized I knew her husband better. He recently passed at the age of 95. She is in mourning. I tried to share stories but she isn’t ready to hear them. Is she ready to notice that he is around to help if needed. Good question — no answer.

Just the other day, washing many loads of clothes when we returned home, all the hangers fell down to the floor. While picking them up — I noticed the treat I left for unwelcome visitors in our basement was empty. Time to put down a new one. And I said ” thank you” instead of grumbling about the hangers all over the floor. I’m very thankful for the help I get from my friends in high places.

Do you notice yours?

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TERRY’S BIRTHDAY

Following is an email I sent to family and a few friends after I was surprised by my brother. He passed over with my mother 60 years ago when he was two. A few years ago I decided that the “friend” who hits me on the head is my brother. Isn’t that how brother’s show love to their sisters? ” My friends in high places” often “help” me with my writing. Today is no exception.

“I have NO ENERGY TODAY! In order to accomplish something, I wrote two blogs. One titled GLASSES, the second SUNSHINE!

I was reading the preview of SUNSHINE on the blog’s finished page when in the MIDDLE, Sunshine disappeared to be REPLACED by GOOD IDEA which was published in AUGUST of 2013.

I probably should mention that today is my brother Terry’s birthday. Good Idea concerned the Fast Metabolism diet that I successfully lost weight on. Sadly the weight is back and my attempts to restart the food plan have not been successful. Looks like I should be a little more serious about it. After all, I have “friends in high places” who watch out for me.

There is no way I can explain today’s happening. I did wish my brother, Terry, a happy birthday this morning.”

I can not explain most of the things that occur unexplained in my life. All I can do is share the stories. If you can profit by my experience so much the better but don’t get discouraged. Remember I have had experiences for most of my life. For many years I was unaware of the “help” I was receiving. My mother was EXTREMELY GOOD at working behind the scenes and my brother probably followed suite. I didn’t start to become more aware until I REALLY NEEDED THEIR HELP when my father had Alzheimer’s disease. He passed over more than 19 years ago and my life became really more interesting after that.

Although I’m writing this on Memorial weekend which coincides with my brother’s birthday this year, it won’t publish until after my mother’s birthday. For years I didn’t know the dates of either of their birthdays. I didn’t know the date of the fire either. Facts were hidden from me.

I’d thought of taking the summer off, putting the blog on summer vacation. Evidently that is not in their plans for me. But I’m receiving idea’s so I can schedule rambles to publish while we are busy with other things. If life becomes really interesting, as it often does — I’m sure I will be inspired to put more ideas in print.

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AUTOMATIC PILOT

I had (past tense) a magnetic bracelet which used magnets to close. I wore it everyday to help my trigger finger work properly. Putting clothes away in the back bedroom closet — I felt the bracelet leave my arm. I searched the areas where I felt it leave — no luck. I pulled all the clothes out of the closet — 2 times — I was sure I would find it. WRONG! I removed everything that was resting on the floor boards, hoping to find the bracelet –still hiding.

Now I will have to admit that I don’t give in easily. It dawned on me that the bracelet could be attached to a hanger — after all it is magnetic. Just looking at the hangers did not release the bracelet. I decided that I could remove the clothes and wash them, taking the hangers out too — maybe find the bracelet but at least have the clothes ready to wear — I didn’t realize how many clothes I had.

I started with the lighter clothes, leaving the darker clothes hanging. When the basket was full to overflowing I stopped. I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND THE HIDING BRACELET.

For a change I separated the clothes into piles rather than just dumping them into the washer randomly. After two wash loads I decided that was enough for one day. The day before I had washed material to make a new seat for the garden swing. The material left stuff all over the drum of the dryer. Thankfully I realized that before I put the first load of clothes into the dryer. The residue was rough, scratchy. I would have had to rewash all the clothes. It would have been worse if the clothes were back in the closet. Wet towels drying for a few minutes cleared the drum.

Question — did I really want to wash the rest of the clothes lying on the basement floor. NO — I WAS TIRED! The next morning — I started the first small load of whites. Some of my long dresses dry hanging up. The last load of clothes consisted of blouses — light in weight. I decided to wash them on gentle. As I prepared to put all of the tops in the dryer, I looked at a label — wash by hand — hang dry. OOPS! Most of the clothes had the same instructions. Would the dryer have hurt them? Would they have shrunk? Thankfully I won’t have to answer that question. Thankfully, I have “friends in high places” that help when my mind is taking a break. They must like my bracelet because I still haven’t found it.

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WELCOME TO HEAVEN

I need to emphasis that I don’t have first hand experience on this subject. If I visited heaven after the fire when I was four years old, I DON’T REMEMBER. So this ramble is an assumption on my part. Partially from books I have read, speakers I have listened to, and unexplained things that have happened to me.

I have read that when we arrive in heaven, we are met by our loved ones that have crossed over before us. They may be human or pets. And after the person has a chance to adjust to the new space, they begin reacquainting themselves with their home. If it was an unexpected death, I’m sure more time is needed to adjust. If the person who crossed over is elderly, has been ill for a long time, the adjustment might be quicker.

My father sent me a sign within three days of his passing. He might have tried before then but I didn’t receive it. The day of his wake, his education had already begin. The computers at the company my son worked at had so many problems he thought a band of gremlins was loose. Our daughter’s boyfriend had an important class paper to write. He was using our computers which froze, making it impossible to do any work. My father didn’t know how to work a computer when he was alive. Typewriters were all that were in use, type and printing presses did much of the work. His working memory had diminished by the time a computer arrived at our house. My father always LOVED to learn new stuff, I’m sure he was an apt pupil. Since his passing “my friends in high places” often “help” me with my writing.

I was reminded of these instances on Monday night after my neighbor passed over. My computer had issues. Many of the things I tried to do became impossible. I finally gave up. Bright and early Tuesday morning I turned on the computer to see what issues I was facing. No surprise, it worked perfectly. I had writing to do — BURIED TREASURE.

Yesterday was my husband’s 75th birthday. We went to the auto show but didn’t buy a new car. A cable car gave us a ride from the parking lot to the show and I learned that the first auto show in the United States was held in Chicago in 1901 at the Coliseum.

Even when I’m with flesh and blood family or friends, my “spiritual friends” are often along too. I noticed a messenger bag that was given away by State Farm, it had a strap that hung from your shoulder allowing the hands to be free. Our son told me I would have to take a survey. We stopped for a sandwich at the Cafe where I noticed the person in front of me had a State Farm bag. I asked if I could look at it with the intention of getting my own. His wife had a bag too, and I was the happy recipient of their extra bag. Then I spun a chance wheel and won 20 cents off of gasoline.

As I was leaving, the attendant at the woman’s bathroom asked if I enjoyed the show. I shared a few stories and mentioned that we weren’t in the position to buy a new car. She told me that I would win the Lotto, and be able to buy a new car. I would have laughed except I remembered how a friend many years ago told me my words would go around the world.

I love to cook, and enjoy a few cooking shows. At home, exhausted I turned on the television and was most pleased to join a young Emeril Lagasse with Julia Child cooking in New Orleans.

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BURIED TREASURE

I have a hard time thinking of a title for my thought rambles. Robin, our dog, gave me this title when she was digging in the snow for buried stuff. With her ability to smell under the snow, she was able to unbury many things, toss them in the air and play with them. Sometimes eat them which I found disgusting. Needless to say, I’m trying to be more careful to clean up the yard after she does her business.

If I had written about buried treasure when I first thought of the idea, I would have written about the many times we excavate our memories, sometimes finding pleasant happenings but most often the remembrance unearths pain. I will delay that thought for another time.

Yesterday I was reminded of other buried treasure when my neighbor of more than 40 years passed over. She was 91 years young and her death was not unexpected. She had been in good health until the Fall of 2013 when her independence was taken away from her and her health began to decline. Death is always hard even when it is expected. I was grateful that they phoned and I was able to stop by before the funeral parlor removed her for cremation.

What to say to the family? Other than I’m so sorry for your loss. Thanks to my father, I have a different perspective on passing over. He died in 1995, 4 days before his 85th birthday. When he passed over, within three days he let me know he was fine. Maybe it was his birthday present to me. Since that time I have become gradually aware of the “help” I receive from the other side. When the son of a friend asked me to teach him how to become “aware” I knew I couldn’t. But I could tell my stories, and I did in “Journey With Me”. Yesterday I took two copies over to my neighbors family — one for her daughter, the other for her grandson. Will it help? Will they read it? Will my neighbor help them with their life? Will they recognize her? Those questions are not for me to answer.

The interesting part of my day didn’t end there. I needed to walk to the Post Office and took Robin with me. The sidewalks, still snow covered, were safe for me to travel. The sun was out but the temperature was still in the single digits. I walked further than I planned. Returning home, I spotted a green coat in a snow bank. From the distance I thought it was a child playing. A man got out of his car and helped the figure up, then watched as the person slowly walked down the street. A woman across the street was watching. As I approached the corner, I saw the person had fallen again. Luckily the woman crossed the street and helped the man up. He said he didn’t know what was wrong. I recognized him as a person who lived across the street from our house. My children had attended school with the family. The other woman assisted him to walk home. Because of Robin, I was handicapped. We tried to get help from his family. No one answered the door. The other woman didn’t have a cell phone – mine was at home. The man said he knew his phone number. When I crossed the street with Robin, my husband met me at the front door. I got my cell phone and returned. No one answered the phone when we called. We were uncomfortable leaving him alone. I walked to the rear of the house and when no one answered the pounding on the door, I called for an ambulance and stayed with them until help arrived.

When I thanked the woman for her assistance, I mentioned that she was younger than I. She didn’t think so. I had to laugh when she told me her age. She was younger than I by 10 years. I said, “I don’t know your religious belief but we had just been used by God to help another.”

I wanted to leave a message for the family, when I remembered that one of our neighbors was good friends with the family. Luckily they answered the door when I rang the bell.

Evidently my work is not done, and neither have all my stories been written.

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