I've been searching for my Christmas mugs. Did I discard them in my Move or misplace them? My friends know I have mug Mania, switching them to Match each season. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found my special one tucked Away on a shelf in the basement. It wasn't lost! I love the snow scene and Especially the words that Encircle the cup. "Whose woods these are I Think I know. His house is in the village though. He will not see me stopping here to Watch his woods fill up with snow." I sense the famous poet and I are Kindred spirits. I gaze at the woods from my New home, and I savor the Flurries even though they are Not yet piling up. I delight in sipping coffee this Morning from my favorite winter Mug and keeping company with The esteemed Mr. Frost. |
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My physical therapist has become my
Friend. She's a taskmaster for sure, a good One, as she puts me through my Paces. "Step up, down, up down, twenty Times. Now the other foot. And Remember to ice your hip when We're done." We talk as I work. I've learned about her family, her Children, her challenges. And she's learned about mine. I pass along motherly advice. A special joy is that she's a Jesus follower like I am. How good God was to connect us! Our sessions will soon be Ending, and I will miss my health Trainer. "We need to get together for Lunch," I told her. Therapy isn't just for the body. It's good emotional therapy to Enjoy coffee and conversation with a New friend. "Where will you spend
Thanksgiving?" I asked my friend. The widower choked up. "With my daughter, if I survive it," he Said. It's his first holiday without his dearest One, and his grief is still so intense. I tried to console him. "I found that sometimes the days we Dread the most aren't quite as bad As we thought, because we mentally Prepare for them." "I hope that's true," he answered. "I'll pray for you." "Thanks, I need it." Today I pray for comfort and Courage for the Georges, the Dianes, the Jims, the Joys who Will sit around the table today Acutely aware of one less chair. It was delightful to sing an old hymn in
Church, actually, two of them. The familiar words were balm to my Soul. But one verse really hit home. "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." * Why? I posed the question to Danny. "Why am I prone to wander?" "It's because the world is so Appealing," he said, "and following Jesus is so hard." Yes! Resisting temptation is tedious and Never ending. But we know from experience that The world's promises are empty and Its pleasures are short lived. It's why we confess our sin when We stray and get back on track. Despite the toil, in this mixed up World, following Jesus makes the Most sense. *Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by Robert Robinson She hesitated about coming to
Bible study. Would it be best to just stay at Home alone? The other gals would certainly Understand. But then she realized she Needed to come. She needed to be with Friends who would hug her, Pray, shed tears with her and Share her pain. Two days earlier the mom's Eldest child had slipped into The arms of Jesus. And now she needed to be Embraced by her sisters. At times this bereaved mother Will need to grieve alone, but Not on Bible study day. "Were there vets in your family?" I
Asked Danny. He thought for a moment and Then named uncles and cousins. At least two of them had been Shot, but survived. I listed Jack, a seasoned vet, And 4 of my brothers, each One dear to me. On this day of remembrance we All know vets. We all owe vets. Danny and I paused in the Middle of our breakfast to thank God for them. In serving our country, our vets Serve us. I sat behind the woman in church.
I noticed how intensely she Was singing the praise song. As she lifted her hands in worship, I sensed why the words were Reaching deep into my friend's Soul. She is battling cancer, an Insidious aggressive foe, and In the fray she recognizes her Own weakness. She knows that God is her Firm fortress. "So when I fight, I'll fight on my Knees. With my hands lifted high, oh God, The battle belongs to you." * As I observed my brave sister, I Prayed for her, and afterwards I Gave her a hug. I'm one of Mindy's many prayer Warriors who are in the battle With her. *Phil Wickham She was my hero, my mentor,
My mom figure, my friend. And she was humble. Helen downplayed her Heroism. She was 24 when she escaped The communist regime in Czechoslovakia by skiing out of The country. With her heart wildly beating, she Traversed the snowy forests of No man's land expecting to be Shot at any moment. But God spared her. And after her seemingly endless Journey she reached Bavaria. She reached freedom. God led Helen, step by precarious step To America where she raised a Family and overcame enormous Obstacles later in life. After our paths crossed, Helen Became like family to me and my girls. She graced our table at all the Holidays. She was always grateful despite her Challenges. Over and over she thanked God For His goodness. And He allowed her to reach 99. (I was hoping for 100.) My hero/friend refused my Accolades when she was alive. But now she can't stop me. I will sing Helen's praises to her Family and friends, and I will Share her story with folks who wish They could have known her.
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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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