In Memory of Terry

Jeopardy is about to come on---an appropriate time to post this blog, as Terry and I share an affinity for that game show.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (Revelation 21:14)

The last time my friend Terry Parlow was coherent as I stood at his bedside, I cried.*
He cried too. But, as his face contorted in anguish, no tears came----so I shared mine, wiping them in his spiky hair.

Today was the memorial service for this godly man and longtime friend. Tomorrow I will post my remembrances for Aunt Mary and D.C. Julie to read.

*My last pic with Claudia---http://dotsydetails.blogspot.com/2013/11/waiting-on-god.html

Passages

Passages----Mine seemed pretty dark these past weeks and especially this week-end---- 

Life's journey is full of passages---from one season or event to the next.....until our final passage into the hereafter. 

Passing from one place to another can take on lots of meanings. Often baby boomers see aging as a passage----a prelude to their  "final" season or passage. Since December 14, I have had 7 friends or loved ones of friends enter eternity. A favorite aunt remains in hospice. 

Death is definitely a defining passage.  The life lived between the birth certificate and the death certificate identifies that final place. Knowing the Lord offers hope for one's eternal resting place and for those in the middle of the suffering it becomes a desired destination. From home to hospital to hospice to the arms of the God Himself. Those in "the shadow of death" are covered in grace and find peace as they pass over. They have the "foretaste of glory divine."

Those of us left behind are the ones who are grieving.

But God.....reminded me---be grateful for the life lived. Grateful for the end of their suffering. Grateful that our paths crossed. Grateful for the "blessed assurance" for these heirs of salvation.

Around Memphis Town #1

Choose 901 is a website for the twenty-somethings or thirty-somethings---with lots of instagrams, snapwidgets, hashtags, memes and things I don't really "get." But.... I like its positive "newsy" approach to living in Memphis.

Yesterday when I was at Muddy's Grindhouse, I recognized pottery from Paper and Clay and realized it had been featured on Choose 901---I felt "with it."

I'm too old to post or tag Choose 901 or the I love Memphis blog, tho I appreciate their events updates. But, I can share a few "new to me" places or happenings in Memphis with my "mature" readers.

A "White Tie" cupcake to take home to hubby who was busy staining and painting---after putting in  pocket door for me. He deserved a whole cake.

This cozy Cooper-Young place has tea for me, (coffee for most) and some yummy biscuits, scones, cupcakes, etc.  A "crazy good" kind of place as young folks dub it. The study bench/table near the window was also perfect for prayers with my sweet friend, Nancy Emanuel.

In My Face 1/13/2009, 5:02 PM

Past entries are always front and center in my journal style devotional book, "My Utmost for His Highest." Some make me smile---like births, a grand's milestone or first word.
Other entries.... not so much.

Today's jotting sounds ominous and would seem one of the "harder" entries to recall.
Dr. Schneider called at 5:02 pm tonight with cancer diagnosis. (asking if I were sitting down, as I recall) ---rare microcystic adnexal carcinoma---will need to come out--deep  and major reconstruction will be required...."
Yet.....

....the 1/13/09 entry reminded me of a grim diagnosis with an iffy prognosis that became a year of incredible blessings and the life of abunDANCE that followed. 

RPs

The parking lot was packed at the Germantown Athletic Center this past Friday. Jane Chittick said the drivers were mostly RPs and they would be gone in about 6 weeks.
Not knowing that acronym, I raised a quizzicle eyebrow.

RPs=Resolution People. According to Jane, they are easily recognizable ---wearing all the best togs, especially shoes. The outer display is all "show" and hides the inner lack of perseverance.

First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matt. 23:26)

Resolved---I do not want to be a spiritual RP---I want my insides as clean as my outsides. Inner cleansing with God's word is key, if I am to persevere in my spiritual goal of pleasing Him.  

Gift Giving Remediation

Six years ago today I first heard the word "biopsy"..... and life as I knew it would never be quite the same. That C word has a way of staying in my rear view in a way that hopefully helps me relate to others. This afternoon, friend Jerrie came over to share a bowl of soup and a needful chat. She lost her older sister, Juanita, to that dread disease while we were in Colorado and I wanted to be there for her.
But, she was there for me as well---and came bearing a gift.

A gift that was beautifully wrapped and filled with the best---chocolate-covered nuts.
Even the finishing touch blessed my "insides." A message that made me smile---a gift that took on a life of its own---an extra blessing for me.

Jerrie has a knack for gifting---genuine heartfelt gift-giving----wrapped in finery as well as love.

I need lessons. I could learn from her.

Dig to Discover

Spiritual Goal for 2015---Pleasing God.

Lots of digging required. Patience. Persistence. Protection. Fellowship, maybe. Relationship strengthened.

May I be as diligent to discover what pleases God as John Parker and Andrew are to discover fossils in the clay. 

Obviously, the appropriate tools are important when digging is required.

Sharing the pursuit also aids in the discovery.

I, too will need to "Look for it* as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure," (Prov. 2:2) For me, the "it" is the wisdom of knowing how to please God.

Digging deeper in His word will help me deepen my relationship with the Lord.

Gift Giving 101

Nothing warms a mother or grandmother's heart like a homemade/handmade gift---especially one that can be used daily. Just seeing it warms the heart of the recipient---that would be me!!

 Knitted warmth---of heart and yarn.

 A Lucy plate, similar to one I still have of her Daddy's...given with warm and sticky "hot chocolate kisses!" The best kind!

Created and given by son and signed by 5 little Texans....and the back is labeled "cuppa." Filled today with English Breakfast tea and sipped alongside a passel of boys.

All these gifts keep on giving----giving warmth for the neck, the tummy and the soul!

RESOLVED....

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, apart from spiritual ones. Maybe I don't like the pressure or the failure factor. Possibly it's because I have difficulty "deciding" firmly on a course of action that involves a time deadline.

But....this year I said, "in the presence of family," I think I'll try to learn to use chopsticks in 2015.....so I don't embarrass all of y'all when we eat at an Asian restaurant.

Within "hours" daughter Molly had a "happy" for me.

Kaleidoscope Toys Salida, CO

"A little something to help you with your resolution," she said.

My real resolution should be that I learn to "listen to others" as closely as many of my friends and family members do........so that I can be a "thoughtful gift giver" as each of them are.  

WELCOME 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015---from SNOWY COLORADO!!!