3/23/09 Welcome back from Spring Break, HHS!
Journal jottings:
Yesterday’s blog was about peace. In true Jesus Calling fashion/providence, that day’s entry also gave insights on peace. “Trust is the channel through which my peace flows to you.” I needed that paradigm shift from planner to “truster.” (Did I just coin a new word?) I just didn’t connect the two until meditating later in the day. I also played “catch-up” reading in My Utmost for His Highest, because it had been packed deep in an unusual place and was just “found.” Those entries were also in line with all that God had been showing me---especially the “delight” part---the very word I had chosen to try and describe my situation recently. Oswald Chambers had a great way of expressing truths about faith that mirrored what I was trying to say. “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” …..the root of faith is the knowledge of a Person….”To me, all that is affirmation that I’m right where I’m suppose to be and that feels good.. Thanks be to God.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Peace
3/22/09 Peace
Submit to God and be at peace with Him. (Job 22:21)
What strikes me most about the Ridley’s home is its peacefulness---whether on the patio with a palette of pansies winking at me, or ensconced on the screened-in porch with a cup of tea (make that a syringe of tea) or snuggled in bed with the morning sun streaming through the shutters—serenity reigns. Even the neighborhood has been conducive to this sense of calm and peace with meandering paths alongside the creek at the nearby park. Spring is in bloom everywhere providing the visual of God’s hand that nourishes my soul.
All of this has the trappings of peace and has been a great place for healing and restoration. Yet, if I have learned anything in the past few months, it is that there is a peace---a peace within---that transcends all circumstances, whether in a beautiful residential area or the stark cold room of a surgery lab, where they are cutting holes in your face while you are wide-eyed.
I’m sure some people wince when they seem me walking down these Dallas sidewalks “unmasked” and can not imagine that there is peace within. Even folks who see me “masked” at the upscale shopping center at the end of the street often look down or away with a sympathetic nod because I’m sure they only seen remnants of pain---fish lips and stitches and a big gauze bandage that oozes with ointment necessary to keep it affixed to my “ouchie.” They can’t see past my condition/circumstance. They don’t know the grateful, rejoicing and yet peaceful heart that resides within.
I’m not saying that I haven’t struggled through this MAC attack--microcystic adnexal carcinomas are nothing to joke about but…..I have always seen the cross at the juxtaposition of my frailty and God’s strength. I would not have chosen this---let me encapsulate---1/10/09 prayer---“Lord, if it doesn’t matter for eternity, I would rather that the biopsy not show cancer.” It was cancer of the rarest form. So the answer was---"it matters for eternity" and if I never know, how or why, this side of heaven, that doesn’t matter----I just need to know that my struggle with MAC matters for His glory. Therein lies the peace.
Actually, I am overwhelmed that God considered me faithful for this “event” because I certainly didn’t “feel” faithful. You know what? I didn’t have to ---it’s been His faithfulness all along. This has been and will continue to be for sometime, His dance with me. He was to do the leading, I just had to follow. (submit) At times when I would start to swoon during some of those dips, that can be part of a dance, He held on to me. Then, sometimes it was as if He put His hand under my chin and gently turned my face back toward Him---all the while keeping His other hand in full support at my back. He has indeed been the “lifter up of my head” even when the March 5 consult seemed especially grim. The prognosis for healing from first surgery could take up to 6 months b/c of CT scan indications of a wide area requiring future surgeries-- possibly for the next 1 ½ years. Larry and I chose not to tell this except to family. Once more, I had to deal with fear---briefly--before once again surrendering to His will not mine. (The scan possibly could have shown damaged cartilage/scarring from a ‘05 fall??) That part doesn’t matter, what mattered was what I did with the information that I knew at the time. It was at this point that I really “danced” with Him---in His strength, with His courage----for I had none of my own. As I’ve said since early on, “I have not been dismayed.” But this time I was resolute---Not my will, but Thy will. I was ready for whatever He had for me and I was flooded with peace---not just warm fuzzy moments of calm but a quiet acceptance that bordered on delight. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.” (Isa. 26:3)) That’s what it was---perfect peace, His peace became mine.
Submit to God and be at peace with Him. (Job 22:21)
What strikes me most about the Ridley’s home is its peacefulness---whether on the patio with a palette of pansies winking at me, or ensconced on the screened-in porch with a cup of tea (make that a syringe of tea) or snuggled in bed with the morning sun streaming through the shutters—serenity reigns. Even the neighborhood has been conducive to this sense of calm and peace with meandering paths alongside the creek at the nearby park. Spring is in bloom everywhere providing the visual of God’s hand that nourishes my soul.
All of this has the trappings of peace and has been a great place for healing and restoration. Yet, if I have learned anything in the past few months, it is that there is a peace---a peace within---that transcends all circumstances, whether in a beautiful residential area or the stark cold room of a surgery lab, where they are cutting holes in your face while you are wide-eyed.
I’m sure some people wince when they seem me walking down these Dallas sidewalks “unmasked” and can not imagine that there is peace within. Even folks who see me “masked” at the upscale shopping center at the end of the street often look down or away with a sympathetic nod because I’m sure they only seen remnants of pain---fish lips and stitches and a big gauze bandage that oozes with ointment necessary to keep it affixed to my “ouchie.” They can’t see past my condition/circumstance. They don’t know the grateful, rejoicing and yet peaceful heart that resides within.
I’m not saying that I haven’t struggled through this MAC attack--microcystic adnexal carcinomas are nothing to joke about but…..I have always seen the cross at the juxtaposition of my frailty and God’s strength. I would not have chosen this---let me encapsulate---1/10/09 prayer---“Lord, if it doesn’t matter for eternity, I would rather that the biopsy not show cancer.” It was cancer of the rarest form. So the answer was---"it matters for eternity" and if I never know, how or why, this side of heaven, that doesn’t matter----I just need to know that my struggle with MAC matters for His glory. Therein lies the peace.
Actually, I am overwhelmed that God considered me faithful for this “event” because I certainly didn’t “feel” faithful. You know what? I didn’t have to ---it’s been His faithfulness all along. This has been and will continue to be for sometime, His dance with me. He was to do the leading, I just had to follow. (submit) At times when I would start to swoon during some of those dips, that can be part of a dance, He held on to me. Then, sometimes it was as if He put His hand under my chin and gently turned my face back toward Him---all the while keeping His other hand in full support at my back. He has indeed been the “lifter up of my head” even when the March 5 consult seemed especially grim. The prognosis for healing from first surgery could take up to 6 months b/c of CT scan indications of a wide area requiring future surgeries-- possibly for the next 1 ½ years. Larry and I chose not to tell this except to family. Once more, I had to deal with fear---briefly--before once again surrendering to His will not mine. (The scan possibly could have shown damaged cartilage/scarring from a ‘05 fall??) That part doesn’t matter, what mattered was what I did with the information that I knew at the time. It was at this point that I really “danced” with Him---in His strength, with His courage----for I had none of my own. As I’ve said since early on, “I have not been dismayed.” But this time I was resolute---Not my will, but Thy will. I was ready for whatever He had for me and I was flooded with peace---not just warm fuzzy moments of calm but a quiet acceptance that bordered on delight. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.” (Isa. 26:3)) That’s what it was---perfect peace, His peace became mine.
No Internet
I might not have internet access for a while but I'm being well taken care of by Dr. Fine, Dr. Fine, and Dr. Fine.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Literary Devices for Old Brains
3/20/09
Acronyms and acrostics---Don’t you just love them?? I do---they’re right up there with alliteration as a way of helping me remember.
MIRACLE AND BLESSINGS:
Mohs procedure sufficient to remove MAC.
Invasiveness less than 1st thought, next surgery in April not Sept.
Radiation not needed---saved my teeth.
Adnexal carcinoma gone.
C for Christ is bigger than c for cancer.
Lord is the “lifter up of my head.
EKG showed no heart attack.
And…………………………………..
Baylor, Beth and Breath of God.
Lord & Larry---neither have left me for a minute.
Ensure---Yum-m-m-m, that’s one way to get some chocolate!
Siblings, Buddy, Josh and Molly, together to serve and sacrifice
Syringe, my new fork.
Incalculable—too many blessings to try and list all.
Nurses—Martha (recently diagnosed w/cervical cancer) & Bonnie.
Gas, yep it’s a normal aftermath, so it means surgery is over!
Sleep, sweet sleep---the Lord gives to me even in my sleep.
Acronyms and acrostics---Don’t you just love them?? I do---they’re right up there with alliteration as a way of helping me remember.
MIRACLE AND BLESSINGS:
Mohs procedure sufficient to remove MAC.
Invasiveness less than 1st thought, next surgery in April not Sept.
Radiation not needed---saved my teeth.
Adnexal carcinoma gone.
C for Christ is bigger than c for cancer.
Lord is the “lifter up of my head.
EKG showed no heart attack.
And…………………………………..
Baylor, Beth and Breath of God.
Lord & Larry---neither have left me for a minute.
Ensure---Yum-m-m-m, that’s one way to get some chocolate!
Siblings, Buddy, Josh and Molly, together to serve and sacrifice
Syringe, my new fork.
Incalculable—too many blessings to try and list all.
Nurses—Martha (recently diagnosed w/cervical cancer) & Bonnie.
Gas, yep it’s a normal aftermath, so it means surgery is over!
Sleep, sweet sleep---the Lord gives to me even in my sleep.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Claustrophobia
3/19/09 Claustrophobia
Can I define it? Yes---E. Purcell and A. Braddock will know it’s claustrum in the Latin (shut in place) Last night my place/space was closing up. Fear of suffocation began to set in (M. Phoenix knows what that’s like)----my one healthy nostril was stopped up with sinus type congestion and my right nostril was full of gauze type packing stuff to protect my new nose floor plus the cartilage Dr. Ha has to re-form soon. My mouth is sewn shut and in the night it had gotten so dry that my one side hole was stuck. (It’s there to aid breathing, let out vomit (PTL haven't had that) and for feeding by the syringe.) I felt like a whale with my spout plugged. I couldn’t get a good deep breath and I so wanted a good deep breath. I couldn’t even exhale except with a little puff. I felt like I needed to get a big gulp of air but was having to suck it through a cocktail straw.
I know in my mind that claustrophobia is an irrational fear---but in my body in the middle of the night it felt so-o-o-o real---like prison bars.
Those prison bars kept closing in—but God…… I know the One who set the prisoners free. (Psalm 146:7) I also knew that “lack of air” could lead to a panic attack, so I propped the corner of my mouth with the side of the syringe and squirted water throughout the night to help the dryness and “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”(Psa. 34:4) Was it easy? No. Did I make it through the night? Yes.
This morning, Larry called Dr. Ha who said I could gently suction nostril and take “liquid” Benadryl---which promptly knocked me out. When I finally lifted my head, I began to look up verses about breath because I guarantee, the Lord has a lesson in this somewhere for me.
I know that my life is but a breath (Job 7:7) so with the breath I have I will praise the Lord. “Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
Can I define it? Yes---E. Purcell and A. Braddock will know it’s claustrum in the Latin (shut in place) Last night my place/space was closing up. Fear of suffocation began to set in (M. Phoenix knows what that’s like)----my one healthy nostril was stopped up with sinus type congestion and my right nostril was full of gauze type packing stuff to protect my new nose floor plus the cartilage Dr. Ha has to re-form soon. My mouth is sewn shut and in the night it had gotten so dry that my one side hole was stuck. (It’s there to aid breathing, let out vomit (PTL haven't had that) and for feeding by the syringe.) I felt like a whale with my spout plugged. I couldn’t get a good deep breath and I so wanted a good deep breath. I couldn’t even exhale except with a little puff. I felt like I needed to get a big gulp of air but was having to suck it through a cocktail straw.
I know in my mind that claustrophobia is an irrational fear---but in my body in the middle of the night it felt so-o-o-o real---like prison bars.
Those prison bars kept closing in—but God…… I know the One who set the prisoners free. (Psalm 146:7) I also knew that “lack of air” could lead to a panic attack, so I propped the corner of my mouth with the side of the syringe and squirted water throughout the night to help the dryness and “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”(Psa. 34:4) Was it easy? No. Did I make it through the night? Yes.
This morning, Larry called Dr. Ha who said I could gently suction nostril and take “liquid” Benadryl---which promptly knocked me out. When I finally lifted my head, I began to look up verses about breath because I guarantee, the Lord has a lesson in this somewhere for me.
I know that my life is but a breath (Job 7:7) so with the breath I have I will praise the Lord. “Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hospital Happenings
I danced on the way to the OR, Room #38......
........and these strange "pumping socks" are keeping me "light on my feet". (actually off my feet)
I'm contemplating new modes as I lie here.
Dance with me my friends- "The Lord of the Dance" can lead us all!
He certainly led me in a "wedding song".
Today--I remember, I'm a member of the church, the Bride of Christ.
A friend loveth at all times (Prov. 17:17) even in an OR room- for 6 minutes that I timed -7:34 margarita needle inserted- 7:37 last clock tick seen.
See, I am still time compulsive.
Nite! Nite!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
"Just in Case Letter"
3/15/09 To: Buddy, (Day) Josh and Molly (Corey)
Dearest ones,
I know y’all are used to these “just in case” letters. Usually I write them before your dad and I embark on a big trip, especially if it involves a long flight over water. This time it is different because of the locale of the journey but the urgency is the same. So, "just in case" you've forgotten from the last letter I wrote, I want each of you to know how deeply that I love you and what blessings you have brought to my life.
As the apostle John wrote to Gauis, I, too pray…….”that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren (others) came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (physical & spiritual) walk in truth.” (3 John v.2-4)
I want you to continue to walk/dance in truth, love, peace and kindness as you walk worthy of the gospel of Christ. The truth has set you free and you know who is the Truth----the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Dr. William Orr, a Pittsburg Theological Seminary professor, said, “ You know how when you find somebody who you know is in touch with the truth, how you want to be in the presence of that person?” When Buddy first went to Dallas Theological Seminary, he said, “Mom, you can’t imagine what it’s like to get to sit at the feet of godly men everyday.” I've not had that privilege but I do have direct access to the Master Rabbi and it's while sitting at His feet that I receive truth and sustenance. Each of you can also sit at His feet every day and learn truth from the Master teacher---I desire that for you.
As long as the Lord allows my presence on earth, I will continue to pray your “birthday” Proverb for you along with 2 Timothy 1:12 “…for I know whom (you) have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what (Buddy age 8, Josh 2/14/86, Molly 4/28/87) have committed to Him until that day.” Your part is in the next verse, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
May your lives be such an overflow of His love and truth to family, friends and others, whom God puts in your path, that they are drawn to you. Then you can make a difference in their lives. Life is all about relationships, not rules. Remember your time on earth is just one small part of all of life, so make your “dash” count. Continue to be a dancer not a critic---it's the Liles way.
Nite, I love you.
Mom
Dearest ones,
I know y’all are used to these “just in case” letters. Usually I write them before your dad and I embark on a big trip, especially if it involves a long flight over water. This time it is different because of the locale of the journey but the urgency is the same. So, "just in case" you've forgotten from the last letter I wrote, I want each of you to know how deeply that I love you and what blessings you have brought to my life.
As the apostle John wrote to Gauis, I, too pray…….”that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren (others) came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (physical & spiritual) walk in truth.” (3 John v.2-4)
I want you to continue to walk/dance in truth, love, peace and kindness as you walk worthy of the gospel of Christ. The truth has set you free and you know who is the Truth----the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Dr. William Orr, a Pittsburg Theological Seminary professor, said, “ You know how when you find somebody who you know is in touch with the truth, how you want to be in the presence of that person?” When Buddy first went to Dallas Theological Seminary, he said, “Mom, you can’t imagine what it’s like to get to sit at the feet of godly men everyday.” I've not had that privilege but I do have direct access to the Master Rabbi and it's while sitting at His feet that I receive truth and sustenance. Each of you can also sit at His feet every day and learn truth from the Master teacher---I desire that for you.
As long as the Lord allows my presence on earth, I will continue to pray your “birthday” Proverb for you along with 2 Timothy 1:12 “…for I know whom (you) have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what (Buddy age 8, Josh 2/14/86, Molly 4/28/87) have committed to Him until that day.” Your part is in the next verse, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
May your lives be such an overflow of His love and truth to family, friends and others, whom God puts in your path, that they are drawn to you. Then you can make a difference in their lives. Life is all about relationships, not rules. Remember your time on earth is just one small part of all of life, so make your “dash” count. Continue to be a dancer not a critic---it's the Liles way.
Nite, I love you.
Mom
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Love Letter
3/14/09 When's the last time you wrote a love letter to express gratitude?
To: Larry
As I lie here next to you with the familiar “night noises” of almost 40 years, tears stream because of gratitude. Luckily, I always keep pen and pencil by the bed for my night THOTS, as I call them---one just never knows when the urge to “jot” might come, especially nowadays---just 2 days ‘til the surgeries begin.
Jottings in the dark:
I am grateful……………………….
· For your patience---everyone knows that is your strong character trait, especially your UM students. (Gal. 5:22)
· For your kindness--- which has been overflowing to your folks these last few weeks when I know how tired you’ve been. Yet you continued to work behind the scenes on their behalf and still make those late night hospital visits.
(Col. 3:12-15)
· For nightly back rubs that are too high in number to count. (God loves a cheerful giver and so do I.)
· For your “daddying” ability----you’re the best---just ask
your kids. (Eph.6:4)
· For your playful spirit---you’ve always been the biggest kid on Longreen and now you’re the favorite playmate of your grandboys—all 5 of them. They love their Pop-Pop!
(Psa. 125:3)
· For your ability to make me laugh---when I’m considering “casket attire” you’re suggesting-------------a PG13 comment that is so you! (Prov. 17:22a)
· For your willingness to have dishwater hands and to know how the vacuum works. (not scriptural--but a worthy trait)
· For your commitment to the Lord, family and your friends---you have lots of friends, often an atypical trait for men. (Matt. 22: 37-39) (Prov. 17:17a)
· For your dedication to me during this season with MAC---I trust you to be there for me every step that God leads. (Prov. 16:9)
· For your love---you know everything about me and still choose to love me and that is remarkable. (1Peter 3:7)
Nite, I love you---200 years as my wedding band says---our way of saying forever, in 1969.
Dotsy (your baby honey, of old---or maybe now it’s just OLD!)
To: Larry
As I lie here next to you with the familiar “night noises” of almost 40 years, tears stream because of gratitude. Luckily, I always keep pen and pencil by the bed for my night THOTS, as I call them---one just never knows when the urge to “jot” might come, especially nowadays---just 2 days ‘til the surgeries begin.
Jottings in the dark:
I am grateful……………………….
· For your patience---everyone knows that is your strong character trait, especially your UM students. (Gal. 5:22)
· For your kindness--- which has been overflowing to your folks these last few weeks when I know how tired you’ve been. Yet you continued to work behind the scenes on their behalf and still make those late night hospital visits.
(Col. 3:12-15)
· For nightly back rubs that are too high in number to count. (God loves a cheerful giver and so do I.)
· For your “daddying” ability----you’re the best---just ask
your kids. (Eph.6:4)
· For your playful spirit---you’ve always been the biggest kid on Longreen and now you’re the favorite playmate of your grandboys—all 5 of them. They love their Pop-Pop!
(Psa. 125:3)
· For your ability to make me laugh---when I’m considering “casket attire” you’re suggesting-------------a PG13 comment that is so you! (Prov. 17:22a)
· For your willingness to have dishwater hands and to know how the vacuum works. (not scriptural--but a worthy trait)
· For your commitment to the Lord, family and your friends---you have lots of friends, often an atypical trait for men. (Matt. 22: 37-39) (Prov. 17:17a)
· For your dedication to me during this season with MAC---I trust you to be there for me every step that God leads. (Prov. 16:9)
· For your love---you know everything about me and still choose to love me and that is remarkable. (1Peter 3:7)
Nite, I love you---200 years as my wedding band says---our way of saying forever, in 1969.
Dotsy (your baby honey, of old---or maybe now it’s just OLD!)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cabin Comments
Yesterday, I ventured up to the lodge with laptop in hand to check for an e-mail from Dr. Ha's office. It wasn't there but while I was on-line, Josh "popped up" in the bottom right corner of gmail with a "mornin' "----I was so excited. You see, I don't even have a cell phone, so..... I don't text (unless you count the one time at Seagrove Beach when I texted (I don't even know if there's a past tense) 3 words to Molly from Josh's phone just to practice. I'm so glad Josh set me up last fall w/ the gmail account and a little bit of "chatting" info. It's so fun to type back and forth---plus, this form of instant messaging keeps me connected to my son who seems so far away in Brooklyn. I type a little--he types faster using abbreviated terms--we hit enter and voila!! We just have to both be on-line at the same time and we don't set it up--- it's totally serendipitous for me when it happens. When he's not on-line, we don't connect---that little message comes up that says, "Joshua is off-line, your comments will be available for him the next time he logs on."
It reminded me of the "Upper Room" entry from a few days ago that likened instant messaging to prayer. God's always there---on-line---it's just my prayers that make the connection. That's why I need to "pray without ceasing." ( I Thess. 5:17)
This week I have been praying for many of you and in my journal I noted that there is a "holy ground," of sorts, between those of us who pray for each other. We stay connected because we both have the same Source. Chapter 4 of James tells us, "we have not, because we ask not." So, I am asking the Lord to keep us connected next week, even when I am "out of it," because He can hear the prayer of my heart even when I am incoherent---and I'm taking you, my prayer warriors, into surgery with me. You're going in my heart.
It reminded me of the "Upper Room" entry from a few days ago that likened instant messaging to prayer. God's always there---on-line---it's just my prayers that make the connection. That's why I need to "pray without ceasing." ( I Thess. 5:17)
This week I have been praying for many of you and in my journal I noted that there is a "holy ground," of sorts, between those of us who pray for each other. We stay connected because we both have the same Source. Chapter 4 of James tells us, "we have not, because we ask not." So, I am asking the Lord to keep us connected next week, even when I am "out of it," because He can hear the prayer of my heart even when I am incoherent---and I'm taking you, my prayer warriors, into surgery with me. You're going in my heart.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday Synopsis
3/8/09 Summary "post" each Sunday, if possible
Crackers for breakfast---the plain ole saltine kind and plain noodles with butter for lunch---I guess that lets you pretty much gauge the state of my body. I did have a restless night last night so that could have a little to do with it---or maybe it’s that blood I’ve had to give away this week, leaving me a little weak. My first “tech” was in training---good thing for both of us that I had a prominent vein and he had lots of supervisors checking on us. Could also be that I’m counting down to surgery days as well as absorbing the unsettling possibilities of the unknowns.
So maybe I’m just in a slump. Reading to Nathan in preparation for his Dr. Seuss day at school, I came across some “Seussisms” of note. One was, “Unslumping yourself is not easily done.”
I’m sorry to say so
But, sadly it’s true
That bang-ups and hang-ups
Can happen to you.
And when you’re in a slump,
You’re not in much fun,
Un-slumping yourself
Is not easily done. (Oh the Places You Go)
I can’t begin to imagine how someone could "unslump" themselves without the Lord and in my case, friends and family, who are ministering angels of His, as well.
Reading several Seuss books with Nathan was almost nostalgic because many of those books still had the bookplates with his daddy’s name in them. One well worn copy, I could pretty much quote from memory. For sure, the passing on of reading aloud from one generation to another is a tradition that I hope continues----b/c I can relate to that.
TV on the other hand has changed so much and there are so many choices and characters blip across the screen so fast that I can’t keep up---the Texans are past Barney and Bob the Builder so I’m really out of touch. Plus, it doesn’t seem to have the same intimacy that comes with sharing a good book. Factor in the Wii and all quietness is lost.
I’m so old that the entertainment I recall was Sunday nights sitting with my family staring at the mesh fabric behind the scrollwork on the large upright radio, a Philco, I think, and getting “scared” together as we listened to “The Shadow.” (No blips, no icons, just words and a few contrived sound effects) When we did have a TV it was black and white and Howdy Dowdy was the show I remember watching with my brothers. But my favorite was “Winky Dink.” For 50 cents I had ordered a plastic sheet to put on the screen to allow for “interaction.” Winky Dink could count on me to draw the bridge or ladder he needed to get out of his jam. (colored crayons had been part of the"deal.") Nowadays, even Caleb, my 3 yr. old Texan, can interact driving a Mario Cart or bowling on the TV screen.
Even with my own children there wasn’t much TV and the one they liked was good ole Mr. Rogers. Remember him? Blue sneakers, cardigan sweater and a blinking yellow light as the show opens. He left all the trappings of formality on a peg/hanger or under a bench and settled in to take time to “nourish” relationships with those in his neighborhood. Wonder if the yellow light was symbolic of our need to slow down and take time---sort of like having a cup of tea with a friend or family
That’s what I’ve done this week and what I plan to do next week with family---spend some quiet time with the Lord first to ward off undue slumping and then have "ordinary" time with them to laugh, cry, pray and dance---just be LILES, unslumped.
Crackers for breakfast---the plain ole saltine kind and plain noodles with butter for lunch---I guess that lets you pretty much gauge the state of my body. I did have a restless night last night so that could have a little to do with it---or maybe it’s that blood I’ve had to give away this week, leaving me a little weak. My first “tech” was in training---good thing for both of us that I had a prominent vein and he had lots of supervisors checking on us. Could also be that I’m counting down to surgery days as well as absorbing the unsettling possibilities of the unknowns.
So maybe I’m just in a slump. Reading to Nathan in preparation for his Dr. Seuss day at school, I came across some “Seussisms” of note. One was, “Unslumping yourself is not easily done.”
I’m sorry to say so
But, sadly it’s true
That bang-ups and hang-ups
Can happen to you.
And when you’re in a slump,
You’re not in much fun,
Un-slumping yourself
Is not easily done. (Oh the Places You Go)
I can’t begin to imagine how someone could "unslump" themselves without the Lord and in my case, friends and family, who are ministering angels of His, as well.
Reading several Seuss books with Nathan was almost nostalgic because many of those books still had the bookplates with his daddy’s name in them. One well worn copy, I could pretty much quote from memory. For sure, the passing on of reading aloud from one generation to another is a tradition that I hope continues----b/c I can relate to that.
TV on the other hand has changed so much and there are so many choices and characters blip across the screen so fast that I can’t keep up---the Texans are past Barney and Bob the Builder so I’m really out of touch. Plus, it doesn’t seem to have the same intimacy that comes with sharing a good book. Factor in the Wii and all quietness is lost.
I’m so old that the entertainment I recall was Sunday nights sitting with my family staring at the mesh fabric behind the scrollwork on the large upright radio, a Philco, I think, and getting “scared” together as we listened to “The Shadow.” (No blips, no icons, just words and a few contrived sound effects) When we did have a TV it was black and white and Howdy Dowdy was the show I remember watching with my brothers. But my favorite was “Winky Dink.” For 50 cents I had ordered a plastic sheet to put on the screen to allow for “interaction.” Winky Dink could count on me to draw the bridge or ladder he needed to get out of his jam. (colored crayons had been part of the"deal.") Nowadays, even Caleb, my 3 yr. old Texan, can interact driving a Mario Cart or bowling on the TV screen.
Even with my own children there wasn’t much TV and the one they liked was good ole Mr. Rogers. Remember him? Blue sneakers, cardigan sweater and a blinking yellow light as the show opens. He left all the trappings of formality on a peg/hanger or under a bench and settled in to take time to “nourish” relationships with those in his neighborhood. Wonder if the yellow light was symbolic of our need to slow down and take time---sort of like having a cup of tea with a friend or family
That’s what I’ve done this week and what I plan to do next week with family---spend some quiet time with the Lord first to ward off undue slumping and then have "ordinary" time with them to laugh, cry, pray and dance---just be LILES, unslumped.
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