Once again, the title of this blog is "Second Half". It is about life after 50. For some reason a lot of my friends have not reached that magic age yet. So, when I get a call from one of them informing me of something funny they did it doesn't make me feel quite so old.
A couple of weeks ago I got such a call from one of them. I was in the bathroom getting ready for work and my phone rang. When I saw the name on the phone I thought oh no something must be wrong, this friend doesn't normally call me early in the morning. So, I picked it up. At first I didn't really know if she was laughing or crying.
She said you will never believe what I just did and I realized she was laughing. I thought this is going to be good. She said I got to work and realized I forgot my bra. Now if you are a guy reading this I realize you are like so? Apparently forgetting under garments is a much more tragic event for females than males. Hence the reason she called me and not her husband. Fortunately for her the weather was still cool and she could wear her jacket. But, rest assured she knew something was missing all day.
We all have those fashion mishap stories. A few years ago, when Brittany was still living in St Louis, working at a large office complex, she called me one morning laughing. She said I got to work this morning, pulled in the parking garage, got out and started across the parking lot. She said I looked down and still had on my fuzzy house slippers. Unfortunately, fuzzy house slippers, are not proper work attire at Jones even on a casual Friday. That story has a happy ending though. As luck would have it, a large mall was right across the street from her office. She got a new pair of shoes. If you know my daughter that was "A Happy Day".
And just this week, the weather warmed up enough for flip flops (my personal fashion addiction). So, at the last minute I pulled the tote from the top of the closet. I grabbed out two and slipped them on. When I sat down in the living room I looked down and realized I had on one navy blue and one black flip flop. I quickly changed before leaving the house.
We all have those stories. Whether we forgot to put something on, zip something up, or walk out mismatched. We all have those times when we are just to preoccupied, too busy, or running too late to double check. Usually they make us laugh, but at the same time they mess up our day.
As woman we love our accessories and rarely leave the house without them. If each morning, we took just a few minutes to put on some very special accessories, our days would go so much better. If we stopped and fastened the belt of truth, put on the under armor of God's righteousness, and slipped into the shoes of peace that come from the good news, how would that impact our day? If we slid on the shield of faith, adjusted the helmet of salvation, and spent a few minutes tying on the word of the spirit-God's word, think how differently our days would start out. As you accessorize in the morning think about those special gifts, gifts given to you by your Father.
Ephesians 6:14-17 "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Thanks for reading! Would love to hear YOUR fashion mishaps post in the comments and share.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Honor Your Father and Mother
The title of this blog is "The Second Half" and deals with the second half of life. Unfortunately, a part of that second half of life is parents who are getting older. Actually, you could look at that as a fortunate, if you are still fortunate to have your parents in the second half.
Sadly, my Father in law Jack passed away this past week. He had been sick for awhile, and everyone knew it was coming. You are just never really prepared or ready to say goodbye. We got the call early Friday morning, and left to meet Brett's siblings in St. Louis. That way we were able to ride together to Springfield to be with their step Mom.
I decided at the last minute to go. I wavered back and forth. At 2:00 in the morning I didn't know whether to leave without knowing all the details were taken care of. You know, those things like work, for us celebrate recovery, dogs. But life isn't about the details is it? It is about the people.
And for me this was a great lesson in reaching out and asking someone else for help. Actually alot of someone's. Thank you Lori, for stepping up and leading my Friday night group and doing food. And all the other CR leaders that made it possible to leave at 3:00 AM. To know it would be taken care of when we called later in the morning. Thank you Jennifer, Douglas's, Smith's, and Mom and Gary for tag teaming to let our dogs out.
It was such a blessing to be with these 4 siblings and watch them lean on each other. To be a part of this family who love and support each other.
After having lost my Dad 13 years ago it was strange to watch how some things are the same in every situation. The first one is that strangeness you have of not knowing how to say it. When you start to call people you don't know what to say. Do you say "my Dad died, my Dad passed away, my Dad's gone'? Then you have that roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute you are crying the next you are laughing and you wonder is it OK to laugh? When the reality starts to sink in that he is gone. Those first few weeks he is in your thoughts constantly, and you begin to wonder if it will be like that forever.
The other thing that is always the same is the out pouring of love. The love God showers down on us from other people in our lives. As word started to get out everyone individually was showered with calls, texts, and facebook posts. Tons of people, some who had never met Jack, but loved his kids.
Friends, neighbors, and co workers of Martha's immediately started bringing in food and coming by just to see if she was OK. His care giver and the hospice nurse all came by just to share their condolences. Neighbors were there promising support in the weeks ahead. Even random people we didn't know were a blessing. We stopped at a local deli in Springfield to eat lunch Saturday. One of the managers was talking with everyone while we were in line to order. When he found out we were all from Illinois he asked why we were in town. Greg explained why we were there. Later when we all had our food and were sitting down, that same manager came by the table and said, I just want to tell you all how sorry I am to hear about your Dad you have my condolences.
Friends, family, work associates, random people, God uses them all to let us know in our darkest times, He hasn't forgotten us. He pours out His love and grace all around us.
Jack you will be greatly missed, but you would have been so proud of these four kids of yours. The way they were there for each other, and for Martha. They honored your name with love and respect at every turn.
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your Father and Mother which is the first commandment with a promise."
Sadly, my Father in law Jack passed away this past week. He had been sick for awhile, and everyone knew it was coming. You are just never really prepared or ready to say goodbye. We got the call early Friday morning, and left to meet Brett's siblings in St. Louis. That way we were able to ride together to Springfield to be with their step Mom.
I decided at the last minute to go. I wavered back and forth. At 2:00 in the morning I didn't know whether to leave without knowing all the details were taken care of. You know, those things like work, for us celebrate recovery, dogs. But life isn't about the details is it? It is about the people.
And for me this was a great lesson in reaching out and asking someone else for help. Actually alot of someone's. Thank you Lori, for stepping up and leading my Friday night group and doing food. And all the other CR leaders that made it possible to leave at 3:00 AM. To know it would be taken care of when we called later in the morning. Thank you Jennifer, Douglas's, Smith's, and Mom and Gary for tag teaming to let our dogs out.
It was such a blessing to be with these 4 siblings and watch them lean on each other. To be a part of this family who love and support each other.
After having lost my Dad 13 years ago it was strange to watch how some things are the same in every situation. The first one is that strangeness you have of not knowing how to say it. When you start to call people you don't know what to say. Do you say "my Dad died, my Dad passed away, my Dad's gone'? Then you have that roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute you are crying the next you are laughing and you wonder is it OK to laugh? When the reality starts to sink in that he is gone. Those first few weeks he is in your thoughts constantly, and you begin to wonder if it will be like that forever.
The other thing that is always the same is the out pouring of love. The love God showers down on us from other people in our lives. As word started to get out everyone individually was showered with calls, texts, and facebook posts. Tons of people, some who had never met Jack, but loved his kids.
Friends, neighbors, and co workers of Martha's immediately started bringing in food and coming by just to see if she was OK. His care giver and the hospice nurse all came by just to share their condolences. Neighbors were there promising support in the weeks ahead. Even random people we didn't know were a blessing. We stopped at a local deli in Springfield to eat lunch Saturday. One of the managers was talking with everyone while we were in line to order. When he found out we were all from Illinois he asked why we were in town. Greg explained why we were there. Later when we all had our food and were sitting down, that same manager came by the table and said, I just want to tell you all how sorry I am to hear about your Dad you have my condolences.
Friends, family, work associates, random people, God uses them all to let us know in our darkest times, He hasn't forgotten us. He pours out His love and grace all around us.
Jack you will be greatly missed, but you would have been so proud of these four kids of yours. The way they were there for each other, and for Martha. They honored your name with love and respect at every turn.
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your Father and Mother which is the first commandment with a promise."
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