Loss

Well, the month of September has brought about some upheavals that we couldn't have anticipated or expected. On the last day of August, Wally's sister Rachel passed away. After being free of cancer for six years, it came back with a vengeance and took her life within weeks. It's been awhile since we've been together with Rachel, due to distance and everyone getting older. The last time we were together, we had a nice lunch at Appleby's. Mom was there too and we laughed and talked and enjoyed one another's company. Contact since then was over the telephone or the internet but it was good. We are praying for her five children, her many grandchildren and her special friend, Rich. May God comfort them and give them joy through the good memories.

Then on September 11, Wally's older sister, Barb, passed away. She was awaiting surgery for an aneurism and had many heart problems through the years. She leaves behind seven children and many grandchildren. It has saddened us even though these ladies were not a part of our every day life. It seems like a part of our past has been taken away with them. All those years of growing up for Wally, knowing that his three sisters are no longer here seems to taint the memories. Then, as young families, we were in close contact once again and so many of our children are the same ages. Life got busy then as the children grew and the many miles between us kept us apart for many years. Strangely enough, contact was resumed the past year through Facebook and we enjoyed seeing pictures of the kids and grandkids and getting to know them
through the internet.

All of this seems to bring the fragility of life so real to us. And the fact that we, too, are getting older and life will not go on forever. God is our strength and we trust Him to take care of the details as we live each day in ways that will glorify Him.

Until next time.......

Birthdays, Father's Day and Blepharitis

Well, it's the last day of June and I've been way too busy to write down my thoughts. Oh well, guess I just need a little discipline in my life. I'm enjoying sitting outside, reading, and just enjoying the sunshine and warmth (sometimes a little too much warmth) of this summer of 2010. Haven't even volunteered as much as usual so my life has changed somewhat.

I turned 72 on 6/18 and I suppose that makes me feel as if I'm entitled to a little more relaxation and I'm just loving the summer afternoons on the porch or swing. And the visits from my family. Wonderful weekend with Cindy and in a few days Kevin will be here. Then Susan and her family will arrive and we'll just enjoy being together and sharing laughs and memories of bygone years as well as dreams of the years ahead of us.

Father's Day was quiet here with Wally enjoying cards and gifts from the kids as well as phone calls. My Dad would have been 100 on 6/20, Father's Day 2010. He was such a quiet and gentle man. A good Daddy to his girls during a time when Dad's were not as involved with everyday stuff as they are today. He was always there for me and my sister and we were greatly blessed to have him. I miss you, Daddy, and look forward to the day we are all together again.

Now to Blepharitis. My eye has been itching and scaling for about six weeks. I've been treating it with cortizone and it hasn't improved much. Yesterday, Dr. Katany took a look at it and diagnosed it as allergic blepharitis. Something that happens quite often - treatment is to cleanse with a toothbrush and baby shampoo once a day and use no moisturizer or makeup of any kind in the area of my eye. Easy to do - now we'll see if it works.

Tomorrow July begins - with the fourth and our 53rd anniversary and Wally's birthday just around the corner it should be a memorable month. Just like every month these days. Until next time...... Ruth

Mother's Day Blues

Well, it's getting toward the end of May and Spring has definitely come to us who live in the Shadow of the Peaks of Otter. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming and everything looks and feels fresh and alive. This is a wonderful time of year. Before the summer heat turns the grass brown and wilts all the colorful flowers. Not for awhile though. We are enjoying the beauty of this season for as long as it lasts.

I've been in a bit of a drought myself. I'm not sure when it started, but the downward spiral was overtaking me before I realized I was caught up in it. I think it's a combination of mother's day memories and being lonesome for my mom as well as my kids. Guess that's a lifelong occurrence. Memories trigger thoughts that take over my mind and my heart and the sadness sets in.

I'm better now though. The Lord has comforted me and given me reason to rejoice and I am so thankful for that. The end of last week found us in Chesapeake enjoying the fellowship of many of our kids and grandkids. We spent time with Cindy and Susan and their families on Saturday at the annual Sommerton Yard Sale. Lots of friendly people and sunshine warmed our bodies and our hearts on Saturday. Then we watched Andrew play baseball. Always a treat. He's a star!! A walk along the boardwalk in Virginia Beach followed by a meal with eight of our favorite people ended our day on Sunday. The morning was spent worshiping with family and friends as we considered the 23rd psalm. Wonderful!

Driving home on Monday was difficult as it was raining hard most of the way. A stop at Shoney's for lunch was a nice break from the traffic and rain and we were grateful to arrive home at last. Home. Always a treat to relax in our comfortable living room and sleep in our own bed but not enough to take the edge off being away from loved ones.

We attended our first GROW group visitation last night. Not knowing what to expect, we were a little anxious as we parked at the church. No need for that. We did the choosing according to our comfort zone in making visits and it ended up being a perfect fit. Wally and Lilla Post are good friends and needed some encouragement as Lilla is once again suffering physical problems. It was a joy to enter their home and to sit and listen as they shared with us their "love story". This couple have had an interesting life and their story is one that should be shared with everyone. As is always the case, we, coming to encourage, are the ones encouraged as we leave. Later we were thrilled to hear the testimony of God's provision in the lives of another couple we have grown to know and love. What a blessing to hear how God is working in the lives of Christians. It was hard to stay depressed in the light of what we saw and heard this night. God certainly knew what I needed and provided encouragement that lifted me out of my fears and filled my heart with joy.

There are some good times ahead of us. Eric, Sarah and Jesse will be coming in a matter of days. It's been a long time since we've seen them. Our little guy is growing up and we need to have a good visit to get to know him. Kevin will come the first of July and then Susan and family. Joanie and David will be here later in July and then Dale will come for a nice visit in the fall. Maybe we can watch the World Series together. We'll be spending time with Cindy and Dave also and my heart will be full of pride and joy in all my kids before the warm weather is over.

In another month, I will celebrate my 72nd birthday. It seems impossible that I can be this old. In my heart, I'm still young and I plan to see my little ones grow up and serve the Lord with their whole hearts. Until next time...........

Travels, Sunshine, Easter and Dogwood blossoms

Well, we made it through the coldest and snowiest winter in many years. I enjoyed it, since I have always considered myself a "winter" person. That said, I have been happy to see our beautiful spring arrive here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's been a lovely spring this year. Sunny and warm - green, green grass - azaleas and cherry blossoms are breathtaking and now the sweet dogwoods are blooming in our woods. A beautiful sight to wake up to each morning.

We've done a little traveling - The Villages in Florida for some time with David and Joanie. A day in Orlando at EPCOT, two nights in their beautiful timeshare, attending church services together morning and evening on Sunday and then enjoying the beauty of their home and surroundings. Chesapeake, where Susan celebrated her 40th birthday at a dinner and she and I saw Randy Travis in concert. That was also a wonderful time. Easter Sunday followed and the Moody's came to SML for a few nights at the campground and some time with us. Altogether it was a lovely spring. Did I mention that Kevin drove home for a weekend to celebrate his birthday? It means the world to have the kids home with us and Kevin always manages to come all those miles to be with us a few times a year. Thank you Kevin!! Hopefully the rest of the year will bring times with Dale, Cindy and Eric too.

Although I'm retired and have all the time in the world to call my own, I manage to fill up my days just enough to keep me from accomplishing things that require concentration. Like writing. I'm nearly through the course I've been taking for 18 months. Although my instructor is complimentary and positive about my assignments, I know in my heart I am not doing my best. This saddens me and I regret not making the most of this course. There are lots of books to read and pages to study that go untouched as I rush through my lessons. I plan to go over everything when it's over and catch up on what I may have missed.

Time to check on the latest assignment while I have these few moments. I'm excited about the "story" I've written and seeing if it could be published some day. Back before long. Ruth

Well, it's well into February now and we've had lots of snow and cold weather. A perfect winter in my book. This is how I like it. There have been moments when I wish it was a little easier to get out and go places but I'm always happy to be home, anyway, so it's O.K. by me.

Our Valentine's Dinner at church was this past Saturday night. The speaker was snowbound in SC (of all places) and Pastor asked Wally to take over and give the devotional. I anticipated a lot of anxiety on both our parts as he prepared a message with only 24 hours notice. However, it wasn't like that. He found something in his file that was perfect for the occasion and then just had to polish it up. I feel it was a blessing for all those attending the dinner and I enjoyed it too.

Life is about to get very busy for me. After all these lovely days in the house looking out the window at the snow and doing as I please we now have to get moving. We've actually got plans for the entire month of March. Actually beginning the end of February with a visit from Kevin, our #1 son. His birthday is March 4th so he's driving "home" to spend the weekend before with Mom and Dad. We'll spoil him, of course, and he'll entertain us for a few days.

On the 6th, we'll be in Chesapeake enjoying our little cub scouts at their "blue and gold" banquet. We enjoyed it last year and can't wait to be with them again. Of course, there will be days on either side of the dinner when we'll just enjoy being with family.

On or about the 18th of March we'll be driving to Florida to spend a week with sister Joan and David. It's Joanie's birthday and we'll celebrate in style. How does a day at Disney World sound for a birthday celebration? It's been 28 years since we were last there so I imagine there will be a few changes. We're excited and we'll be staying in a condo in Orlando so will have more time to enjoy the sights of that beautiful place. It's enough of a treat for us to be in the Villages for a visit so this will definitely be frosting on the cake.

We've missed several church services due to inclement weather this winter and it was a joy to be back worshiping and fellowshiping this past Sunday. What a blessing it is to be with friends who love the Lord and one another.

And then - Susan has invited me to go to a concert with her on March 28th. Randy Travis!! I am so excited!! I can't remember ever going to a concert except Riverdance a few years ago. What a great way to celebrate Susan's birthday!