The brand new year is upon us and like almost everyone, I’m full of good ideas and intentions. In talking with others, it seems a whole lot of us are hoping to regularly read God’s Word in 2012 but aren’t always sure where to begin.
Christmas 2011 has arrived and I’m one happy mother. Our kids, their pets and friends are joining us and the busyness brings me utter happiness.
If you take a quick look at your planner you will notice that this Saturday is the 330th day of 2011 and 35 days remain this year. Interestingly enough, our calendar is officially known as the Gregorian or Western calendar and is accepted as the worldwide civil calendar. First introduced by Pope Gregory VIII in 1582, our calendar unites reformed versions of the Julian calendar and the lunar cycle, both used for centuries with varying degrees of success.
Late-night calls used to send my heart racing. During my childhood such calls meant one thing: somebody had passed.
Late-night calls in recent years have become commonplace and far less alarming. That’s because we armed our children with cell phones when they became teenagers and paid for their use with one stipulation: if we called, they were required to answer. We also asked them to regularly check in with us and oh, they did. In fact, “back pocket” calls, those accidental dialings made after dropping a phone into a purse or shoving it into a pocket, came so regularly we stopped lunging at the phone each time it rang.
I learned about two years ago that texting is a great way to communicate with older kids. It’s less disruptive for them to receive a quick message than a call if they’re busy. It also cuts to the heart of conversation.
My favorite texting exchange of the week goes to my son Dan, a college sophomore. Our conversation went like this:
Dan: I ran into a Gideon, today. Haha.
It was in the early 1980s when I began watching Dr. Timothy Johnson on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” I was a college student at the time and most everyone living on the all-girls floor in Bixby Hall seemed loyal to the American Broadcasting Company and most particularly Luke and Laura on “General Hospital.” On weekdays at noon kids hurried back from classes to watch what was then the coolest soap opera on the airways.
If you are like me, even the smallest stretch of sunshine draws me outside, for I know that in a short time fall’s chill will lure me indoors, searching for new soup recipes, instead. Tuesday was luscious so I grabbed a bowl and headed to Blackberry Heaven.
I don’t know whether it was a Ritter or a Klope child who named that particular section of forest covering our adjoining properties, but for years the kids gathered there to forage and play. As I quietly walked toward the bushes on Tuesday, I imagined those days when they built forts and rode their bikes, hollering to each other on the run, “Meet me at Blackberry Heaven!”
At last! It’s warm and dry enough to consistently enjoy the outdoors and I’ve spent this week outside. I don’t even mind the yellow hue of our lawn; the greening effect of rain will come soon enough. It’s time to enjoy the natural treasures of the Pacific Northwest and talk these days is all about the salmon.
Last week my husband and I went on vacation to celebrate 30 years of marriage. As part of our celebration, we stepped away from all forms of media. We completely unplugged. The moment we returned and plugged back in, we learned some startling facts. A helicopter was brought down in Afghanistan. Londoners are rioting. Our national credit rating is lowered. Stock markets around the world plunge.
While growing up my parents always told me that school was my job. They were therefore willing to provide me with modest amounts of spending money if I showed good effort and contributed to the running of the household. When I became a teenager, however, I was expected to work each summer and I agreed with that plan. I grew embarrassed about asking for their spare change. I understood it was time to step up.
My friends and family have always known that I can be awakened in the middle of the night, if necessary. Not only will I never be troubled by the intrusion, but I’m quite functional. That’s because I see myself as “on duty” 24/7.
It’s all about balance, I thought to myself as I stumped through pickle weed and over driftwood before reaching the beach. It was a heavenly day and the tide was exceptionally low. There were clams and mussels to gather and oysters to shuck down by the water, but making my way safely over the logs, hauling a pail and shovel, posed quite a balancing act at moments.
Are you amazed at the number of times our TV screens have filled with weather-related devastation in recent months? I cannot accurately imagine the extent of the flooding, fire and tornado carnage. I cannot know how so many of our fellow Americans feel. But there are a few things I know I would do if I were caught in such a desperate situation. I’d work through the bottled water and canned goods first. Then I would set into motion some purposeful steps to soothe my family’s mental and spiritual health.
