Tuesday August 18 2015  AND TO LIVE FOREVER…

There is never a dull moment when the grandsons are visiting.  Actually, there is never a spare moment either.  I can’t believe how much I didn’t get done.  But, we accomplished what was most important.  Sleep and food.  And they actually even ate.  I realize I don’t have the “usual fare” of food that is in most cupboards, but I did try to convince the kids that it was okay to eat what was on their plate.  Some food they ate, some food they didn’t.  But that is okay, they didn’t starve!  We had popcorn remember.  I was quite creative for lunch today and they scarfed it down.  I made individual pizzas with a bit of a twist.  Thought I’d share it here in case you might try this at home.  I took two whole wheat tortillas, spread both pieces with pizza sauce.  On one side I spread chicken, cut in small pieces, added very small cut up purple bell pepper,  took one slice of Havarti cheese, broken it up and placed it on the chicken, topped it with the other tortilla and cooked it in my Quesadilla maker.  It turned out delicious.  I even made one for Dave and a half of one for myself.  I think we’ll have it again.  So…enough of my food obsession Paulette.  What can I say, I just like making food!

Today was a low key day (if that is possible with two rambunctious boys present).  We had a leisurely breakfast, I went to the gym, Dave wrestled two to one, time for lunch, and then a nap.  Both boys were exhausted from being boys and we were exhausted for them being boys.  Everyone slept but me!  But, I did lie down for 45 minutes and listened to another great sermon from Modesto Calvary Chapel.  I’m not finished with the one I was listening to this afternoon but I listened to an entire message last night after I climbed into bed.  It was titled: “The Significance of Jesus’ Ascension”.  I think this message was by far the most enlightening and interesting sermon I have yet heard.  I learned a lot through the scriptures that were used.  I will probably listen to it a couple of more times before putting it to bed.  When I come across an excellent teaching such as that one was, I enjoy sitting in my library, taking notes, and writing out the scripture verses.  It seems to make a greater impression on my memory.  I think my memory is a little bit like hardening cement.  I once was able to memorize so much, so easily, but not so anymore.  I have decided not to hide my aging aspects.  What is, is!  But I still try to retain as much as possible for as long as possible.

I read a book over the last week during my afternoon mandatory resting hour.  The title is: “100 Things I’m Not Going to Do Now That I’m Over 50” by Wendy Reid Crisp.  I’m many years over 50 but I could make a list going forward from this point if there were things I’m not Going to Do.  As I read through the list I realized most of what was on her list I have already done and probably have no problem continuing to do so.  A few I thought were sensible.  I realize that the woman was probably about 50 at the time she wrote the book, and had no clue that some of the things she said that she is never going to do, are next to impossible not to do, as your body ages.  I won’t mention them here.  She’ll find out.  I think old age is the second best kept secret of the world.  As we age, we are either too embarrassed to talk about some of the changes that take place, or we don’t dare whisper it to the younger generation for fear of taking away their enjoyment of living in the present age they are.  Sort of like the best kept secret of the world which is a mother-in-law who never speaks of the horror stories of pregnancy, birth, and raising rambunctious kids, for fear of frightening their daughter-in-law from producing their longed for grandchildren.  We older women, who have been there/done that, do not want to spoil it for the younger generation.  They’ll find out soon enough for themselves.  I actually remember my daughter-in-law asking me after the birth of her first son, “why didn’t anyone ever warn me of what it would be like to be pregnant, have a baby, and about the first few months afterwards”.  Like I said, we really do long for those grand-babies.

Rather than things I’m not going to do after a certain age, my mind seems to think more toward the list of the 100 things I am going to do, regardless of how old I am.  I may not accomplish them all and I may have to do them differently than I would have when I was younger, but I want to look forward to all that I have left to experience, places to go, things to see, people to meet, facts to learn, and I could go on and on.  I never realized I would take a trip like I did this year, at the age I am.  I do not want to limit what I can do, rather I want to experiment and see how much I can do!  There is one thing I never want to do regardless how old I become.  I never want to lose sight of who my God is, how much I love Him, and how much I am loved by Him.  I never want to turn my back on Him and say no to whatever He calls me to.  And one other thing.  I never want to quit writing poems to God as my gift back to Him each day.  Someday it might happen and when and if it does, I know God will understand.

God just gave me an explanation point confirmation on that last paragraph!  We are have a very loud thunderstorm going on and when I dotted the last sentence a great clap of thunder went off right over the house and actually shook the whole building.  It made me jump up!  Yes, I think God will understand.

 

AND LIVE FOREVER…

By Kathleen Martens

August 18, 2015

 

As I age I look back at the years

I remember the joys, I remember the tears.

So many memories a lifetime speaks,

The sweetest ones, my heart keeps.

 

I remember those who have been kind

And on my path helped me to find

The way to go, to lead a good life,

Free from woe, and free from strife.

 

I listened to the wisdom of the old,

Heeded their advice that they told.

Learned from others how to read God’s word

And then one day, God’s own voice I heard.

 

I don’t remember what all people said

But rather feelings that to me were fed.

I don’t even remember all their gifts,

But rather their compassion my heart would lift.

 

I think of my babies, when they were young,

And the amazing adults they have become.

Those long ago memories bring such pleasure

Tucked in my heart like a golden treasure.

 

My body has aged in earth years

But my spirit, no death it fears.

My spirit has soared since my birth,

And never will it lose its worth.

 

Inside I am young and ever will be

My spirit eternal and forever free.

I may look older to the very young

But I remember all the songs I’ve sung.

 

And I look forward to what I can do

As I seek out experiences new.

This earth to me is a beautiful place

And someday to be replaced by Jesus’ face.

 

When that happens, I’ll have no regret

For that is when my soul will let

My eternal flame burn so free

And live forever  in eternity!

 

A new day awaits when you rise in the morn.  What will you do with your day?

 

Calendar Wisdom for August 18^TH;

“WHEN GOD MEASURES A MAN HE PUTS THE TAPE AROUND THE HEART—NOT THE HEAD.”

I hope my heart is bigger than my head!

 

Good Night.

Thanks  to Velma for pointing out that yesterday was Monday and not Tuesday.  Reminder: to me every day is Saturday.  I only get it right when I write it in my blog.  And as you can see, I can’t even get that right all the time!

P.S.  We are having a torrential rain downpour!  The trees are circling, the night is dark way too early and the thunder is roaring.  I feel the vibrations!  I’m sitting here in the sun room, the trees are silhouettes, and the lightning is flashing.  It really is a beautiful sight to behold.  I just hope we do not get struck by lightning.  I think I talked about that yesterday.

No More P.S.’s