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.