I have a "thing" about daffodils, probably Because Grandma had planted the Bulbs along the edge of our yard next to The gravel road. They proliferated. I loved them. I remember picking a bouquet for my Teacher and carefully transporting the Flowers in a canning jar on the school bus. Several years ago I was excited to find the Yellow blooms lining the lawn of an Abandoned farmhouse near my condo. I helped myself and filled several vases with The flowers. But alas! The farmhouse was razed and the Land cleared. Coming back from Florida it seemed like Daffodils were blooming everywhere, But on private property. How happy Danny and I were to spy Clumps of the flowers hidden in the Wooded area behind our house! Who could have planted them? A farm wife? A squirrel? Danny exchanged his church clothes for Old apparel and pushed his way through the Thorny underbrush. He returned with a handful of the precious Yellow posies. (Along with muddy shoes.) I gushed my appreciation to my dear Husband as only I could gush. Danny's gift was one of love and labor, A perk that brought back poignant Daffodil memories, a perfect perk for Easter day. |
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As Danny and his daughter were
Chatting on the phone reminiscing, She told him, "One of the greatest lessons I Learned from you and Mom was how to Face adversity. Our family endured lots of Hard experiences, but you both taught us to Pray and trust God to get us through them, And He did." Her words were encouraging. We try so hard to shield our kids from Trials, and yet it is facing them with Courage and faith that prepares our Children for the harsh realities of Life. Hardship is inevitable. To persevere with hope is a Powerful example we can leave our Kids, a legacy that will never Depreciate, a legacy that will last. My husband gave me an unexpected
Compliment the other day. "Thank you, Dottie, for what you don't Do," he told me. I waited for his explanation. "You don't disrespect me or Belittle me in front of others. You don't ignore what I have to Say or speak harshly." And he added a few other kind Observations. I glowed. And I returned the compliment, for Danny doesn't do those things Either. What an interesting perspective! It's not just the "dos" that are important in Our relationships, but also the "don'ts." Waiting for Danny to have his monthly
Infusion, I discovered a small cafe just down The street. I ordered a cup of coffee, half decaf, and instead Of a sausage biscuit, I settled on a cup of fresh Fruit. As I sat at a table I pulled out my Bible to Make good use of my time. A friendly lady walked by. She worked in the building. I noticed the silver cross around her Neck and her name tag: Marti. And she noticed me. "Are you reading your Bible?" she asked. "Yes." "I love to see people studying the Bible." We bonded immediately. We were spiritual sisters. We shared warm conversation and I Shared a tract and my grief booklet. Since she works with cancer patients, Perhaps the booklet will be useful. I learned that each day my new Friend prays for a divine appointment just Like I do. Marti and I parted with a hug. We concurred that today we were the Answer to each other's prayer. The pastor didn't know whether he could
Manage the service. It was a funeral service. It was for my niece, Miranda, his wife. She was well acquainted with Suffering, but to the very end she Embraced God's promises. She clung to Isaiah 43:2 and shared it With her family: "When you pass through the Waters I will be with you and through the Rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when You walk through the fire you shall not be Burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (Beside the passage in my Bible I wrote, "Miranda's verse.") Her husband WAS able to conduct the service. Wilson spoke comfort to us through his Sorrow. "We must expect suffering," he said. "It is Inevitable. And we must allow ourselves to Grieve to the fullest extent, but not without Hope. We must rub God's hope into our Grief. Rub it deep deep down till it permeates Our pain. And we will be wiser for it." The pastor added, "I didn't plan to share this, But I have 3 tumors on my spine. I can learn From Miranda how to suffer well." I pray that God will spare Wilson for his Three daughters. I couldn't attend the funeral in person, but I watched it online. My soul was stirred. I grieve with my loved ones. I pray they will be able to rub hope's Salve deep, deep, deep into their Hurting hearts, and discover in the Process that they are wiser for it. Our server's name at the restaurant was
Unusual: "G" "That's it?" I asked. "Yes, just G." He was efficient, pleasant and of a Different ethnicity. I wondered how I could get acquainted. Yes! His tattoo! The decoration extended down his Arm, an impressive work of art. When he stopped by our table I Commented on the intricate design. "It goes over my shoulder, down my Back all the way to my leg." "Does it have a meaning for you?" "Yes. In Japanese it portrays good luck and Prosperity." By the time I offered the friendly Fellow a tract, we had connected and He said, "Thanks. I'll read it." But G wasn't my project. Even if he hadn't accepted my tract, I Would have engaged him in conversation. Like every person on the planet he had a Unique story to share, and I was Eager to hear it. Danny and I are memorizing the passage.
It takes extra time at our age. But when Danny's blood pressure shoots up, Or my bursitis plagues me, we face each Other and repeat the words together: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though Outwardly we are wasting away, yet Inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are Achieving for us an eternal glory that far Outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not On what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what Is unseen is eternal." * Our troubles may not seem light and Momentary now, but heavy and Unrelenting. But in light of eternity our ailments are A mere breath. It's why Danny and I practice the paradox. We focus on the hope of heaven, On a Father who hears us, holds us, Knows us. We fix our eyes on spiritual realities, Things we can't see with our eyes, but With our hearts. *II Corinthians 4:16-18
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Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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