The pictures are faded, not Unusual since they are 115 years Old. Memories of the boys are faded as Well. Should I bother to transport the Ancient photos to my new home? They were my dad's brothers who Died when they were 9 and 12 years of Age, only 6 days apart. Was it diphtheria? My dad wasn't sure. But I can only imagine his Parents' grief. Few people came to the House for the viewings? Who could blame them? The fear of contagion was intense. During my childhood the pictures Hung on the wall in our front Room, a sober reminder of the Brevity of life and the days before Antibiotics. I decided to box up the Mementoes and store them Once again in the closet. I simply could not throw the Old photos of my uncles in the Trash. |
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Moving is strenuous and stressful,
Especially when you are nearing Eighty. Boxing up books, tons of them, Creating piles of "stuff" in the Garage: Discard, donate, Undecided. The task seems unending. How did my friend, who was a Chaplain's wife, move thirty times in Thirty years? But when I learned that my Friend's son and his family just Lost everything in a fire, my Attitude changed. I'm thankful for books to pack and Items to sort and discard. And I pray for the precious family who Must begin again from scratch.
A friend once cautioned me,
"I don't want to be your project." It's what we tend to do, often Without realizing it. We try to "fix" folks, to make Them fit into our mold. But it doesn't work. Trying to change people just Creates resentment. If anyone needs fixing, it's me. That's why I'm God's project. He knows all my flaws. He keeps chipping away at my Unbelief, My pride, My lack of love and trust. I must be patient, and my Friends must bear with me as Well, for the sculpting process Takes a lifetime. I'm glad He won't give up on me. And when my Father is finished He'll whisk me home. I wonder what I'll look like then. I wonder how it will feel to be Finally rid of sin. "...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 It was an adventure.
I had just graduated from College and agreed to be a Camp counselor before Beginning to teach in the fall. The location was out of state. With no GPS back then I got Disoriented in Cincinnati which Rattled me, baffled me. But after 500 miles I finally reached My destination, Dayton, Tennessee. I saw mountains for the first time and Was awed by them. I learned that girl campers can be Emotional wrecks, and I was Stymied by them. I met a handsome Chinese man Named Min and was captivated by Him. In 12 months we were married and A new exciting adventure began. Life is simply a series of adventures, Some positive, others burdensome, But all are learning opportunities. As the years passed my sense of Adventure diminished. I thought it was gone. But I was wrong. I'm branching out again, Exploring new foods, New places to go and amazingly, I'm even opening up to a new Romantic relationship. At my age, who could have Possibly imagined? Loving again is super scary. I know the risks. I bear the scars. But what if I had skipped the trip to Tennessee because I was afraid? What would I have missed? On this new venture my only GPS is my loving Father. I can trust Him to guide me. Indeed I must. He's the only One who knows Where I'm heading. My plane ticket was purchased and
My suitcase was packed. I was psyched up to fly for the First time in years. And then, unexpectedly, my trip Was canceled. I was disappointed but not in Despair. How often had I said it? "We must hold our plans loosely." My sweet neighbor was aware of My scrapped agenda. "I'm going to Mt. Vernon in the Morning. Would you like to join me?" Yes! We explored the cozy shops and Chatted with the friendly proprietors. I bought an old book at an antique Store. We stopped for lunch at a Cafe near the town square. As we nibbled our salads I told my Friend, "God knew I needed this Perk today. Thanks for including me." Before we left, we ordered coffees to Go. DiAnne treated me to mine. Mt. Vernon certainly isn't California. But it is a charming Ohio town, even On a cold January day. As we sipped our hot drinks and Drove the miles back home, I Thanked God for my caring friend Who had invited me along. New Years crept up on me and
Then burst on the scene taking me By surprise. I was just getting used to 2022. I'm not one for making Resolutions, but if I were, I'd Resolve to worry less in the New year and trust God more. I'd savor each day, set aside times For friends and sleep in. I'd stick to my diet, but treat Myself to something sweet now And then. I'd dispense hugs and smiles without End. I'd give my quiet time priority. I'd look past peoples' outer features And try to see their inner qualities and Struggles, to listen rather than talk so Much. (A hard one for sure.) I'd discard items I no longer use or Need. I'd take more risks, not assuming that Things will always turn out badly, but That they may end up being Surprisingly good. I'd be willing to be stretched. If I made resolutions for 2023, These are a few that would be on My list. "It's not like we're setting out
In a conestoga wagon," my Son-in-law said. Missy was anxious. She and Jeff would be Pulling a trailer filled with my Grandson's belongings while he Followed in his car. Their destination? Boston. Due to snow, they needed to Choose a different route. And it had been years since Jeff Had pulled his family's camper. I was concerned too. But unlike the plight of the Pioneers when communication was Slow or non-existent, and good-byes Were often permanent, I was able to Follow my travelers as Missy posted Updates of their progress. "Near Youngstown 600 miles to go" "Just entered pa" "Hampton Inn" And this morning the saga continued: "350 miles to go" "Hudson River" "200 miles to go" "25 miles but traffic is bad" With each passing mile I prayed them Along. And when I got the message at 4:24 PM, "We made it!" I was beyond relieved. I responded, "Praise the Lord! Answered prayer!" I thanked God for His traveling mercies, So very very grateful that my kids had Been pulling a U Haul trailer and not A covered wagon. The speaker at my grandson's
Graduation spoke for only five Minutes. Hooray! But she packed in a lot of good Advice in her short message. I was pleasantly surprised. "Research shows that giving and Receiving hugs boosts your Immune system." she told us. I latched on to that bit of data. I love to give hugs, but now I Have another good reason to Dispense them. Walking into church today, one of Our greeters, named Randy, gave Me a hug like he always does. "Guess what!" I told him. "Hugs are good for our health. Let's start a healing hugs ministry." He jumped on board. In Sunday School we began to pass out Hugs. One lady mentioned that perhaps we Need to be cautious because of Covid. But if hugs boost the immune system, We may actually be preventing Covid. In any case, be forewarned. If you don't want a hug, stay clear of me. If this morning I pray, "Lord, direct
My steps today," I can trust that He will lead my way and I won't Need to worry about what might Lie ahead. And tomorrow and every Tomorrow thereafter, I will pray, "Lord, direct my steps today." |
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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