Thursday, February 13, 2014

This Stage Called Life

Dad and Mom Varnadore
This is the five year anniversary of my Mom's death. She lived with us for the last 8 years or so of her life. I've never been comfortable with death, I must admit. I know God comforts us, and draws us all to Himself, so we can choose to live with Him in the afterlife. It's our choice. God doesn't force Himself on us. I know my Mom is with God. I have that comfort but I still don't like death. It's an uncomfortable companion and it was doubly so because she lived with us in this home. We've lived here many years now. A big part of my family will understand when I refer to a movie, here. But the movie Jumangi has a compelling scene where it shows the house being lived in by various people in a kind of time lapse photography. That's how it feels here lately, as if we are living out our lives on a grand stage.

Over the years, when something happens, like a new deck!, or George's birthday gathering when he turned 60, I think how much Mom would have loved seeing that happen here. We didn't always get along because of various reasons, some not my fault, but she was always my huge cheerleader. She enjoyed helping me choose window box flowers or seeing the boys reach some milestone in their lives. My youngest child of 6, Jake, is leaving for Basic Training in the Army in a few weeks. Assuming all goes well for him, his room will become my sewing/ guest room. This is the same room that used to be my Mom's when she lived here. Before that, it used to be my older daughter Sara's room. 

Life is a stage and we all have our part. Our presence on the is earth will be felt long after we die and hopefully have chosen to be with God. I so wish I could redo some scenes, but I can't. None of us can. All we can do is do our best and pray that those after us will remember only the best parts of our efforts. I guess that's why I love this stage so much. I will miss having to leave and I miss those that have left already. So no, I'm not comfortable with death. But death be not proud...your days are numbered and our lives are eternal. We can thank God for that.

Thursday, February 06, 2014

Warm Weather

The weather outside is frightful and we no have water coming into the house, due to a faulty switch, I am guessing. The well man will confirm or deny that tomorrow. The only thing is, the weather inside our domain is "warm". We have a loving family of four, an extended family of a zillion :-D and many loving friends. Our youngest "baby" has enlisted in the Army and is getting coaching info from our oldest child, Eric, also in the Army. We have no water in the house but we have good expectation of getting someone here tomorrow to fix the issue. A great brother in law called to coach my hubby through the prelim testing of the water issue, so I know what to tell the well man tomorrow. Our older children are thriving in their married lives. Jake, our youngest is so excited about his very soon to be, Army training in Nodal Network Maintenance Specialist job We're so thrilled for him! Dave is working hard at his Quality Assurance job at Ellison Technologies.He is dating a lovely (it's the only word that always comes to mind about her) girl who challenges him to grow in his interests and reading material. My hubby is gainfully employed in an era of folks unemployed. So even though the world around me is cold, I am thankful to God for the warmth and warm "weather" in my life right now!!