Doubt Erased Through Love

Doubt. How many times has doubt filled your mind? In my case, more then I can count on my two hands and my feet. I am in to more double doubt digits then I can count through the years.

I considered closing down my purposeful passion: "Living Stones Ministries Rock On!" I had a moment of doubt enter my mind: "Am I really serving others through the projects?"

I met Berlena, who is now in her 80's, at Seattle's First Christian Church around 19-years ago. By observing and being in conversation with her throughout the years, she inspires others. 

Berlena took care of her husband at home until she realized it was time for more help with his care. Berlena is a retired Activities Director for a continuing care retirement community. I enjoy when she gets up during the worship service and shares a story before offertory. The people listen. 

Helene was a small child at the same church. I remember Helena in Vacation Bible School tie dying a tee shirt. She is now an elementary school teacher. Helene recently helped with gathering donations for Mary Place's at church.  She drives Berlena to church and maybe other places.

After church I had lunch with Helene, Berlena and, our friend, Carol at local pizzeria. It was joyful. I felt the love between Berlena and Helene.

I reflected upon our lunch and my doubt slowly dissipated. Berlena had taught me how it was to appreciate activities and life enrichment as one ages. Helene gave me hope for an up and coming generation, who will take my place some day.

My doubt left me as I made a hat on Sunday late night and one last that will be complete tonight. Living Stones will continue for one more year and a picture is worth a few words that remove doubt and share love.

Sayng Good Bye & Learning A Lesson

This is me with my friend and big brother, David Deyo. He passed away the first week of December. He came out of homelessness to use his intellect and skills to work for Amazon. He recently started working for a start up. 

David was a man of faith and his light will continue to shine upon all who walked with him on this earth.

I have learned a lesson to share. Many of us do not want to consider our deaths. I encourage you to have your Wills and durable power of attorneys for financial and health completed along with preplanning your funeral.

If you have items that you might use someday, donate them to a thrift shop. Let someone else put them to use and proceeds received from your donation help a nonprofit or others in need. Don't leave them for others to sort. Pay it forward while you can.

Congratulations Living Stones Ministries Rock On! Volunteers

Congratulations to Living Stones Ministries Rock On! volunteers for making, distributing and donating more than 1,000 hats to the homeless on the streets of Seattle. They also donated hats and socks to feeding programs and churches. https://lnkd.in/gicSzu5 hashtag#volunteering hashtag#socks hashtag#hats hashtag#churches hashtag#ministries hashtag#seniors hashtag#purpose hashtag#warmth

Give & Receive

I have made a few Christmas posts as of recent due to those who may be feeling blue as a professional or resident. No matter what has been on my mind professionally or personally, I intentionally set aside time to volunteer or pay it forward during the week. Three years ago, I was consulting with a skilled nursing facility (SNF). I was on a care floor. I felt a tug on my suit jacket. It was the sweetest elderly woman in a wheelchair. She shared about not having living family or friends and how she missed having a gingerbread house. I decided to make her one, and the team members liked the idea. I asked the resident what she would like as part of the house. She wanted reindeer poop on the roof and yellow snow in the front lawn. The resident had passed a couple days before. I was not called since I was not family, DPOA or guardian. I understood. Thinking about the resident. I walked out of the SNF with the gingerbread house. I had an idea. My neighbor, who is in his mid-80's always gifts me See's Assorted Peppermints. I make him a gift, including a hat, bath salts and his favorite: "shea butter Christmas yellow snowflake soap." He was naughty that year! He will find joy and cheer with the gingerbread house.

Tis the Season...Merry Christmas!

Tis the season...Seattle’s 106.9 started playing Christmas music 24/7 today. This will last until after New Year’s. I will not say, “Holiday Music.” I plan to greet each of you with a “Merry Christmas!” as I wear my Santa hat!

I will do this because I show respect to people and their beliefs or non belief throughout the year.

The following happened to me last year: “Two young held the door at the QFC. I was delighted. I thanked them and then said, ‘Merry Christmas.’ They were beyond belief that I said, ‘Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays.’ I took a moment and shared why. It had to do with love, respect, acceptance and  my faith. I smiled and hobbled into the store.

The same two young men approached me a few nights later on the street. They smiled and said in unison, ‘Merry Christmas.’  I smiled back and said, ‘Happy Holidays.’ They wondered why. They had shown me respect. I showed them respect in return. I had two overloaded bags of hats, socks and gloves as I attempted to navigate the streets to handout the goodies as I used my cane and the rain came down and wind blew. These two men carried my bags and talked with the homeless. They also wished them a ‘Merry Christmas.’

Once everything was handed out, we hugged each other. I’ve never seen them, again. Thinking about it...we never asked each other our names. We didn’t need to it was all about the moment.

Merry Christmas!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG AND USEFUL ALL YOUR LIFE - Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley

Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley delights me. I woke up at 3:30 a.m. I could not sleep so I listened to him. His message spoke to me. I love this man's messages. I plan to listen to this message a couple more times during the week so the message permeates my being.

https://www.intouch.org/watch/how-to-stay-young-and-useful-all-your-life?fbclid=IwAR2nmdVJl2T40hB06CzOPCuH_nNvRqD8US2h8AV0z1MqT1nsYxQveLPV0MQ

Our Scripture of the Week Beginning on Sunday, November 4, 2018

1 Peter 5:7: "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

My Little Person of the Week

Name: Unknown Child

I shared this story with my friend, Theresa on Friday. I cannot get the little girl out of my mind. I met her 5 or 6 weeks ago, and she has stayed with me.

I sometimes stop at the Atlantic Boat Launch in South Seattle. I take in the views of Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and my favorite: the ducks quacking.

As I took in the view, I felt something or someone grab my hand. It was a little girl, who was no more than 3 1/2 or 4-years of age. I asked her if she was with someone. No answer. She took me to her Grandma, who said, "Just take her to see the ducks. She likes you." Her Grandma did not know me, and she dismissed us.

The little hand held onto me tight. We visited the ducks. I talked with her. She never said a word. The silence was deafening. She never smiled or showed emotion. I finally said that it was time for me to go home.

We walked back to her Grandma. Her mother was now visiting with the Grandma. They were indifferent to the little girls arrival.
I gently said, "You stay here."

I walked to the car and as I turned to unlock the door, there she stood. I reached for here hand and I walked her back, I talked with her and told her what a wonderful little girl. I tried to make it a positive for her.

I walked back to the car. She stood by her family, not looking at them but at me.Her stare and silence spoke volumes. She cried on the inside. I pulled my car over on the way home and cried.

She would not have been a problem to raise but I could not take her. She was not mine to take.

I don't cry for her. I have prayed for her everyday since.

Look Through my Eyes: My Struggle with my Mom's Dementia

My Aunt Judy wrote the following unedited piece: "My Struggle with my Mom's Dementia."

I was blessed with a wonderful mother. When she was diagnosed with dementia, I was sad, but so often, I hear people say that dementia stole their loved one. I never felt like I had lost my wonderful mother throughout her struggles with dementia. At first, we were able to keep mom in her home as she lived in the same neighborhood and just around the corner from us. When it became evident that mom needed more care because of her wondering outside at night and thinking people were entering her home and stealing her belongings, I struggled with whether I should leave my job of 20 years to care for her in our home or if we wanted to put her in an assisted-living facility. After having assessments done, meeting with our family physician, touring many facilities, I made the hard decision to place my mother in a memory care community, Kingston at Dupont. It was a clean, wonderful facility and I liked that there were also Kingston facilities to move mom to as her health declined and she needed additional care or financially needed a facility that accepted Medicaid. It was not an easy decision as my mother did not want to leave her home, but we knew it was not safe for her to live by herself and even if we brought her to our home, how would we keep her safe. When we arrived at Kingston, mom did not want to get out of the car, but the wonderful staff coached her inside and got her involved in activities. She had a very nice bedroom and bath suite which we had furnished with her favorite things from home. We visited often, but I found that I needed to have someone with me as when I went by myself she was very angry with me. One of the best things I was told by a nurse who had been thru this with her mother was that when my mom started yelling at me, I needed to tell her that “I see this is not a good time to visit” and immediately leave. Many times I sat in my car in the parking lot and cried. As time went on, I realized how much she needed the care. As we would walk around the facility with mom, she would notice new things such as the beauty shop where she got her hair done each week was noticed by her as “new” as we walked by each time, the dining room that she ate in each day was new each day. She did love all the activities…music, dancing, games and the activity director Camille took the residents on many bus trips to covered bridges, zoos, parks, and plays. Mom was not forgotten once she was placed in assisted living. We visited and spoke with staff often. We still took mom to her favorite restaurants; she came to family dinners in our home; we took her to Wabash to visit her sisters, holidays were always spent with us. I prayed to God that I would make the right and best decisions for mom. I found that as her dementia worsened and her finances ran out, she also needed additional health care. As we moved mom from assisted care to a Kingston skilled care facility that accepted Medicaid, I worried that she would be disoriented with the move. Believe it or not, she did not even realize it was a different facility. We were blessed again with a wonderful, caring staff at this Kingston facility that treated mom with respect and love. We were blessed that mom was a happy person and was not a flight risk. I many times felt guilty about not keeping mom in our home, but in conversations with our family physician she always cautioned me that so often she sees caregivers suffering physically and mentally from 24 hour care of a loved one. In the midst of this, my husband suffered a massive stroke and I was so glad that I knew I had my mom placed where she was safe and well taken care of while I was dealing with my husband’s health crisis and recovery. After living with dementia for 13 years, my mom suffered a massive stroke at 95 year old and passed away 2 days later. I loved my mom, and it was an honor to care for her. Don’t get me wrong there were difficult times, one time when she was ill and had to be admitted to the hospital she was screaming at us that we were trying to kill her and stealing all her stuff in her confusion. I struggled often with guilt, with not knowing what the best course of action might be, but I put my trust in God early on and took my concerns to Him in prayer.

Many people talk about losing their loved ones through dementia, I honestly never felt like I lost my mom. She was still my mom. I still loved her and she loved me. She still was an important part of our family. We did fun things. Through her eyes I noticed things that in my busy life, I didn’t take time to notice. On our trips to Wabash to see her sisters, she would notice the beauty of the green grass, the wildflowers along the side of road, the blue sky, and the shapes of the clouds. We knew she would not even realize tomorrow that she had had a wonderful visit with her sisters or that we even made the trip, but she was happy in the moment. Not always did she know who I was and sometimes called me by the name of one of her sisters, but she was always happy someone visited and what did it matter that she didn’t know it was me. My mom lives on in heart, and I think of her every day and miss her. Dementia changed my mom…she did not know things, she did not remember things, she was confused at times, she repeated herself over and over again, but she was still my mom who I cared for deeply. To those with a loved one being diagnosed with dementia, I would suggest you plan as soon as you can for the future decline:

As a parent ages, seek out an elder attorney who can help you obtain the necessary documents which will be needed to adequately take care of your loved one’s needs: health care, financial, and power of attorney while your loved one can still sign the documents for themselves.

Seek medical assessment and advice. Educate yourself on dementia through workshops and support forums; find resources available through organizations and the internet, read, read, read!

For you to be able to take care of your loved one, you need to take care of yourself. Surround yourself with friends and family for support.

Cherish your time with your loved one.

My Person of the Week - My Newest Superhero

I couldn't reach my Essentia water on the top shelf. I walked to the front of the Safeway. This young woman was willing to help. She climbed up the shelves with ease. She loaded my cart with all of the waters.

I found out that she had graduated high school this past June, and this was her first job. She insisted on taking my water out to my car. I had a red cape in the trunk. (Don't you carry a cape in your trunk?) I placed the cape on her. We did the Wonder Woman pose. My new superhero flew into the store to show the other team members her cape.

I loved her eagerness, delight and playfulness. May she not lose those qualities.

I give gratitude to the Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU) for the cape. If BECU can spare a few more capes, let me know.It was fun watching her expression when she was dubbed a superhero!

Seasons Change. People Change

Ecclesiastes 3 International Standard Version (ISV)

The Purposes in God’s Timing

3 There is a season for everything,
and a time for every event under heaven:[a]
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
    a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
    a time to tear down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
    a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones;
    a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to search, and a time to give up searching;[b]
    a time to keep, and a time to discard;
7 a time to tear, and a time to mend;
    a time to be silent, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
    a time for war, and a time for peace.

How have you remembered your loved one with dementia?

I do not believe that God intends our loved ones with dementia or their family members and caregivers to feel as though they are alone on this journey.

Please join our page to follow a few stories as the book "Look through my eyes. What do you see?" is written as a remembrance of my loved one at https://www.facebook.com/GrandmaRubyKirby/.

When my cousin agreed to create the book cover's artwork, I was delighted that Hallie shared her talent. She is a junior in high school. It warms my heart to not only share Hallie's artwork but here are her unedited words about her creation.

"Cousin Julia asked me to do artwork for the front cover of a book she was working on about my Great-grandma Kirby who had dementia. I know now that dementia is a dreaded and difficult disease, but as a child I really didn’t realize that anything was wrong with my grandma. She was perfect to me. I knew her as a happy, joyful, fun grandma. Her eyes would light up when she saw family and she would clap her hands to show her joy. She loved to cuddle with us in a big chair…sometimes holding all four great- grandchildren at one time. Living in the same neighborhood meant we were able to visit grandma often and she was still very agile in her 80’s and would walk to our house to visit also. I enjoyed her love of the outdoors. She enjoyed flowers, even the dandelions we would pick and take to her. She would grab an old canning jar, fill it with water, and treat them like the best gift ever. In her later years, Great-grandma Kirby, after enjoying a family dinner, could be found in a comfy chair taking a little nap among the chaos of dishes being washed and the great-grandchildren running about. For the book cover, I drew a comfy chair and illustrated her love of outdoors with the butterflies, clouds, and flowers. As great-grandma suffered from dementia and had gaps in her memory, I used numerous forms of doodling to fill in the gaps in the artwork. She is in the center of the cover as great-grandma loved being the center of attention and always wanted her picture taken. She is smiling as she was always smiling and oh those teeth. Yes, they were false and she was more than happy to show us all her trick of taking them out! Just as they use color and tonal contrasts to emphasize important features for dementia patients, I incorporated many colors in my artwork. Green is a restful color and associated with life; yellow is a happy color; blue is a calming color; pink eases aggression and represents tenderness and love, Alzheimer’s disease awareness is represented by the color purple and was a favorite of Great-grandma Kirby.

I thank you Julia for creating this book in memory of a very special lady who was so loved by our entire family. It is an honor to have my artwork included in this project."

Be Flexible

Brief Answers to the Big Questions," such as "Does God Exist?"

Stephen Hawking's final book ends with some inspiring words: "So remember to look up at the stars and not at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up. Unleash your imagination. Shape the future."

The Idea Man - Paul Allen

You can think big and that's only a dream. You can talk about it over and over but talk is cheap. Taking action makes an idea a reality. My statement epitomizes how I viewed Paul Allen. Mr. Allen was known for Microsoft, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Portland Trailblazers. There is Vulcan, Allen Institute, Cinerama, MoPOP, Flying Heritage and Combat Armory Museum and one of my favorite Seattle museums: Living Computers: Museums and Labs. His philanthropy cannot be forgotten. After I heard of Mr. Allen's passing, I reflected on how Seattle has changed since I moved here 19 years ago. I thank you, Mr. Allen, and I am humbled by your ideas and actions taken for the betterment of a community and the world.

My Person of the Week - Touched by an Angel

I have not posted a person of the week in a while. On my way home from visiting friends, I stopped at the Value Village (thrift store). I dropped off donations at the outside drive through. I then parked the car and walked into the store to look at my favorite book section.

A woman named Valerie leaned on her cart as I perused at the books around her. She was bent over from scoliosis and looked at me with the kindest eyes and sweetest smile.

Valerie shared with buying used children's books. She goes through each book, making sure the all of the pages are available for a child to tell the story. Valerie donates the books to an elementary schools so children can own one. I picked out three "I Spy" books with her. She selected a few Dr. Seuss books.

Valerie said that her husband of of more than 50 years had passed and how much she missed him. I then asked her about the angel she wore on her blouse collar. Valerie collected three angels throughout the years. She place one angel on her husband when he was buried with it. She wears it everyday so they are with each other. The third angel is on her winter coat lapel.

I walked with her through the dark parking lot. She turned and said. "I can't wait to tell my friends about the woman I met at the Value Village."

I smiled and nodded. I explained that she was my person of the week, and I had been 'touched by an angel.'

Look Through My Eyes (And What Do You See?)

My Aunt Judy said last week, "It will be 6 years on the 19th of August since my mom’s passing. I think of her everyday. What a blessing she was to me. She always loved the clouds in the sky."

Look Through My Eyes (And What Do You See?)

I instant messaged my cousin Amy to ask if her daughter, Hallie would create the artwork for the book "Look Through My Eyes'" cover from her experience of Great Grandma Ruby living with dementia. Or what she thought Great Grandma had experienced and could not share with us.

Hallie, who is in high school, designed the cover. I am unsure of the representation or meaning of each of the items, nor the use of colors Hallie compiled. I can only imagine my Grandma seeing the images and colors in her mind.

Thank you, Grandma for touching our lives!

I Am Your Child- Happy Father's Day!

Grandma Ruby, my mother, Mary Jane, Aunt Judy and Grandpa Kenny (1951), Wabash , IN

On this Father’s Day weekend, I would like to give gratitude for the “’men’tors” in my life, including Grandpa Kenny, Grandpa Shaffer, Dad and Uncle Roger.

One of my favorite song lyrics about “’child’ren” was written by Barry Manilow, “I am Your Child:”

I am your child
Wherever you go you take me too
Whatever I know, I learned from you
Whatever I do, you taught me to do
I am your child
And I am your chance
Whatever will come, will come from me
Tomorrow is won by winning me
Whatever I am, you taught me to be
I am your hope, I am your chance
I am your child
Whatever I am, you taught me to be
I am your hope, I am your chance
I am your child

I am your child and thank you for the teachings, hopes and chances throughout my life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6BF2TSXKEg

Talking With A Man of Faith & A Mentor

 mentioned in a previous Facebook post that I was looking for a mentor. Since my post, I have subscribed to Daniel Ally's Youtube channel. I listen to one of his segments every morning.

Daniel is more than a guide. He is a man of faith.

What a pleasant surprise. We talked yesterday for maybe 45-minutes. I give gratitude for our conversation and connection.

Thank you, Daniel!

Don't Discount...

...the good customer service and the people who give it, no matter how a building looks or a perceived physical limitation.

My trusty, longtime computer would not turn on. Okay, it was still running on Windows XP. I tried to revive it to no avail. My laptop deserved a proper burial. I stopped by REPC. I shared with Darren my questions and concerns.He provided the answers and demo the equipment for me. (Please take time and see their free computer museum.)

Then last evening I popped into T-Mobile. A young man helped me. He obviously had a hearing deficit as he wore very large hearing aids. His personal phone also flashed a notification light when it rang. He gave the best customer service besides Kevin, who originally worked at this location.

I shared with this young man about the project I was working on so he could assist me better. I appreciated his words, "You're inclusive."

Playing Monopoly. Big Dividends.

Which Monopoly piece should I play? Iron? Wheelbarrow? Thimble? Top Hat? I passed "Go." I am a winner! I am a winner!

As the week begins, I give gratitude for the small/simple things that can possibly give the most. Each year, I avoid playing Safeway's (grocery store chain) Monopoly Game. I have enjoyed tearing the pieces apart to see my possible winnings. I have won in the past two visits enough items to fill an extra large shopping bag with goodies for a food bank donation and a handful items for my church's coffee time, too!

Prune Away

This image is not the kind of pruning I am talking about but read on.

My previous residents and staff asked me what they should give up for Lent a few years ago. I encouraged them not to give something up but to give something back. This year Lent has been a pruning for me with the possibility for new growth and to give gratitude as fruitfulness appears in my life.

I have pruned away a long time dream of being a pastor over a church in my eventual retirement, which is a ways down the road. It has been pruned away.

I have pruned away my longtime dream of eventually working on my doctorate. It has been pruned away.

I have pruned away my time with Living Stones Ministries Rock On! The website will remain. I will make hats and soaps at the moment to provide to a 96-year old at my church until the yarn and soap making materials run out. Her name is Gracie. She sells them someplace, and I do not need the details because the proceeds go to our church. Living Stones will resurface because I have tested the programs and they work.  It has been pruned away.

I have pruned away picking up donations to provide for other organizations.  I want to say, “Thank you” to each of you who offer me wonderful donations. I instead of picking up donations, I would like to spend time with you. It has been pruned away.

I have pruned away the people, who volunteer me for projects or who gossip. You have been pruned away. I will continue to prune away these individuals plus any energy vampires – especially all of you who swear and use the F-word.  I find you and your language disrespectful.  You will be pruned away.

I have pruned away my dream of working as an Executive Director for an assisted living or to become a nursing home administrator. This has been pruned away.

Some of you will say, “Wow, that’s harsh!” Yes it may seem harsh to you because you see yourself as pruned. It has been time for me to prune away for a long time. Please prune me if you believe I am dead weight to you.  Somethings and some people will grow back in a better way because there is a time and season for that.

I will take pause and sit in reflection and see what else needs to be pruned away during Holy Week besides planting new seeds without weeds.

The ASK

The rain fell and soaked me to the bone. I noticed the people, who live on the streets, sitting up against buildings with blue tarps draped around them or hats pulled down tightly over their heads with little protection.

I have watched two men and their neighborhood men’s group serve others in the neighborhood. Living Stones Ministries Rock On! is partnering with this men’s group to provide hats, gloves, scarves and socks.

This year I am going to learn the ASK when I need help with a project. We can accomplish more together. I have two ASKs.

ASK #1: I am asking for donations of hats, gloves, scarves and socks for this men’s group, where actions speak louder than words.

ASK#2: I am in need of help writing and putting together the 501 C paperwork for Living Stones. Who has the time and the experience? HELP! (I understand my weaknesses in this area.)

A Man Named Jugbeer - Belated December 21, 2017

After the cantata at United Christian Church this past Sunday, I treated myself to lunch at the Spice King in the DK Market, where diversity internationally abounds through people, food and languages but mostly their unspoken words with smiles and nods.

It was a gift at Spice King that a young man from Ethiopia, who was impeccably dressed and came from worship. He helped me select my lunch, (Apparently, he is a Sunday regular.)

Jugbeer took my order. (Yes, Jugbeer is his name. It was funny because I did not doubt him yet my facial expression said something else. Jugbeer in an instant had me card him.) His family owns the restaurant.

I sat next to the television and begun to watch the Indian programming as I imagined myself in their dance sequence. Jugbeer brought me back to reality when he started talking with me from the counter. He told me about starting college in 2018 and a few more things.

Our selfie speaks volumes and Jugbeer spoke one more time after our photo. He smiled and said, “You have a jolly face.”

Jugbeer, move forth and hold onto the joy in your life. You will do well.

A Christmas Eve 2017 Worship story - Belated

The greatest journey of the birth of an immigrant...a refugee happens tonight with three kings, who probably would be considered homeless.

The story touched my heart in a different way tonight. A number of homeless or those in need wonder into the services at All Pilgrims Church. Tonight was different. A homeless man walked in with the largest backpack. I am guessing all of his earthly possessions. He removed the backpack and left it at the back of the church.

He wanted to write a prayer and place it in the prayer wall at the front of the church. He walked up to the pastor during the music and scripture. He wanted something to write his prayer. He wrote his prayer and placed in in the wall.

He stopped and looked into my eyes through his Coke bottled, yellowing glasses covered in tape. He held his hand out. I held his hand and squeezed it. I Iooked into his eyes and said, "Merry Christmas." He offered a toothless grin.

I reflected on the footprints as I slowly walked home in the snow. The footprints will melt away, and I won't see them in the same way as I did tonight a journey of a man. You can see Christ in others.

Merry Christmas!

The Good, The Bad and The Gross in One Evening

The Good: I was near South Center Mall this evening, and I stopped by the Value Village. I met a lovely couple also purusing the Religion/Spirituality books. He is planting a church.

The Bad: I needed batteries so I stopped by the Dollar Store, and I will admit it: "I like the Dollar Store." The parking lot was bursting at the seems. Two youngish woman with a young child zoomed in front of my vehicle and the elderly couple slowly attempted to park in the the handicapped space. Somehow the women in the dented car drove around me and in front of the elderly couple. They parked turned the hazard lights. exited the car with a small child. I looked in the car. There was a child maybe 2-years of age of younger in the driver's seat trying to turn the steering wheel. I could ID them in a lineup.

I found parking a ways out. I walked in and there the culprits stood with sugary food and drinks. I looked at them and said that they prevented the disabled/elderly from parking. "Sorry." I said that the police were being called. I allowed my voice to rise and stated that they left a young child in the car alone in the front seat. They dropped their items and ran to their car.

As I drove away, the culprits no longer had a visible car but enter the store with their hoodies tied securely. The one wore sunglasses in the darkness, and they had one child with them.

The Gross. I sat down to take a load off and enjoy an iced tea at the Wendy's. A young couple sat down near me. He started coughing. He then cleared his throat and spit a loogie about 6-inches from me. His friend said that he needed to clean it up. He shrugged his shoulders. I walked over and said that he needed to clean his phlegm up. He quietly cleaned it up.

Shame. Shame. Shame. I do not like shaming people; instead, I will take pause.