Nana Mama's Joy

Today I was reminded of a time in my life, eight years ago 'right now' to be exact, when I was contemplating Lasik eye surgery. Although I had hoped to have the procedure done for my 50th birthday, the family was experiencing some financial issues and I wasn't sure I should go through with it. I did go for the consult visit and was told I would be a good candidate, so now it was a decision of finance and faith. I'd worn contacts since I was 14 years old and when they weren't in my eyes, I wore glasses for my extreme near sightedness. I was one of those people who couldn't find their glasses ‘without their glasses’... pretty much blind. But I wasn't blind. I could see with corrective lenses, and what if I had this surgery and something went wrong and I did lose my vision? What if our financial problems were to protect me from doing something I would later regret? It was one of those quandaries that leaves you sleepless - because even though you believe God is...

I prayed for someone today. A woman I do not know, nor would I recognize if we met on the street.Her heart is, I am sure, hurting today, as she remembers her 19 year old son who died twenty years ago this morning. I didn’t know him either. Our paths were not meant to cross ~ but I grieved his loss and anguished (as much as a stranger could) over the decision he had made to end his young life. I speak often of the genetic gift I was given, of my mother’s work ethic. There are times I appreciate that trait and other times I detest it. Not as often (and this may be a surprise to some of you) I exhibit my father’s gift of exceptional recollection ...especially dates. I can’t remember all dates by any means ~ but there are those branded into my being, as is September 8, 1994.  I had a cooking project to tend to before going to work that day. It was a labor of love and I left home for work a few minutes late, feeling both happy and accomplished. My morning devotion (from Our Daily Bread)...

I lost my phone this morning.  It was last seen in the breast pocket of the denim shirt I'm wearing over a t-shirt today. The morning has been busy... laundry, garbage, picking up the condo, working a little in the garage .... you know, 'the regular'.  As I sit down to read my lesson for Wednesday's women's study... I reach for my phone. It's not in my pocket and I have no memory of taking it out. I do the typical ‘looking around' but to no avail. Then I think.... if I didn't take it out of my pocket, it must have fallen out. My search moves to low lying areas including the recycle bins, now  curbside. No phone. I eye the garbage can, mindful that I'd added another bag to it this morning. I lift the white bag out, surveying the inside (from the outside) and see nothing. I open the red drawstring.... just garbage.   Back in the house where I hear the washing machine going. Please, no. No amount of rice is going to dry out a 55 minute cycle with an ext...