Thoughts on a quiet Friday evening...

Life is a highway
On which the years go by…
Sometimes the road is level,
Sometimes the hills are high…
But as we travel onward
To a future that is unknown
We can make each mile we travel
A heavenly stepping stone.

Helen Steiner Rice

Father, as I travel life’s highway help me to keep the road in excellent traveling condition through constant observation and necessary repairs.
Assist me in observing all signals and avoiding dangerous curves and detours.

I’m on my way to Route 65 this year. Next year I’ll be there and it’s proving to be quite a disturbing thought to me. At 50 I didn’t feel old and had plenty of energy and at 60 I had a slow day once in awhile and bounced back to spur onward. At 64 + I have more slow days than not and the road is bumpy for me.

I hear about lovely ladies in their 80’s and all their accomplishments and that gives me hope as I want to be active and enjoy life. The trouble is that more often than not, I just do not enjoy the things I used to.

I cruise along each day and travel the distance required, but I’m always on the lookout for something new or unique. Like the full moon half hidden by the clouds this morning or the geese in the farmer’s field on the way home. I would rather spend an hour watching the sun set than watching the television.

I look in the rearview mirror going down the road and wonder how I’ve managed to travel so far and still not know exactly what I’m meant to do. I had real purpose when my family was all home and even though I’m enjoying a soft cushion of living a solitary life, it often seems that there is still more I’m meant to do.

I have a feeling that just down the road and over the hill are a few more things I am meant to accomplish. I guess I’d best keep fueled up so I’m ready.

Often your tasks will be many
and more than you think you can do
Often the road will be rugged
and the hills insurmountable too
But nothing in life that is worthy
is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it
And you have the faith to believe
For faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God’s wisdom and will.

Again by Helen Steiner Rice

Written from my heart to yours,

Pam (mostly known as ma)

JOY, SORROW, TRIUMPH AND DEFEAT

Brain bloat is the result of too much stuff in the head.

That's why it takes 50 or 60 years of input

before the forgetful symptoms begin manifesting.

After all those years of cramming stuff into your head,

it finally begins overflowing like a water glass

unable to hold another drop

without shedding something already there.

 

I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

 Author Unknown

As summer is ending very soon, I thought I’d best do a post here in this journal. I’ve experienced some very different joys, triumphs, sorrows and yes, even defeats this year.

I was just about as joyful as they come when camping season began. The cold and bleakness of winter had just about done me in.

I celebrated many triumphs as I loaded and packed up things for the camper. It wasn’t always easy to hull all that stuff to the car and then unload it once I got there, but I did it!!!

It was sorrowful only in the fact that my camping partner wasn’t there to enjoy it all with me. My DDH loved camping even more than I did. Yet I have many fond memories to tide me over til we meet again.

Defeat hit me in the knees. I was looking forward to hiking around and getting lots of exercise but the knees complained loud and strong so instead of exercise I got some well needed rest. I usually am so relaxed when I get home on Sunday evenings that it is very hard to get back in the working mode once more.

I was blessed by having all my children join me for one weekend at the campground. It’s so very hard to get them together and I was thankful they all took the time out to come. A family reunion it was. I loved seeing my grandchildren all together too.

The children I am camping with have been so good to me all summer. I wouldn’t be able to be there at all if it wasn’t for all their help. We each have our own trailers that sit in a row on joining campsites so I can truly say I’ve been blessed with the best neighbors ever this summer.

Only 4 more weeks of camping and then I’ll be home busily preparing for the holidays. I’ll never forget what a wonderful summer it has been.

Truly written from my heart to yours

Love,

Pam (mostly known as ‘ma’)

 

Years should be nothing to you.

Who asked you to count them

or consider them?

In the world of wild Nature,

time is measured by seasons only-

-the bird does not know how old it is-

-the rose-tree does not count its birthdays!

Marie Corelli

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ROUTE 65

ON ROUTE 65--choices

 

Every choice has certain benefits. And every choice has its costs.

If you are willing to bear the costs of a particular choice in order to enjoy the benefits, then go ahead with it.

 If the costs are too high for you when compared to the benefits, then move on and find another, more appropriate choice.

When you adopt an attitude that life, or the world, or your community owes you something, you set yourself up for extreme disappointment. Realize instead that you are already living in a universe filled with abundance, and that creating meaningful value out of that abundance is up to you.

No matter who you are, where you are from, or what you have, a life of fulfillment requires personal effort, commitment and integrity from you.

It is through making continued positive choices that you line up life's abundance in ways that uniquely express your visions and values.

Every moment is a choice, and every choice is an opportunity to build real and meaningful value in your life. Your choices enable you to direct efforts so that those efforts add up to something great and desirable.

Through the choices you make, you have the power to access the very best of life. Choose often, choose wisely, choose with the highest intentions, and your choices will take you precisely where you wish to go.

Ralph Marston

I was looking for a pick me upper the other evening and the message above is what I found. Every choice has benefits and costs for sure.

My camping adventure cost me some big bucks for sure. I made the choice as I wanted to do something meaningful and something that would bring me joy.

 If I’d put the money into my house or left it safe in the bank…it would be wasted. Who knows if I’d live long enough to enjoy it. My house has what is needed and to make it better would be nice, but there is no one there to enjoy it but me and the critters and we are pretty satisfied with the way it is.

If the cost gets to high for me to continue this lifestyle…camping that is…then I’ll have to move on but for the present all is paid and accounted for so I’m going to enjoy what I can.

 Being away every weekend is putting some pressure on me to get things done around home and with the nice weather coming that means there will also be yard work to do and the extra hours on the weekend is when I used to get things done around here.

I realized that I’m already living in a universe filled with abundance, and that creating meaningful value out of that abundance is up to me.

What I’m doing does sound a little self centered for sure and I know that there are starving people in this world and that makes me think sometimes I do not deserve such pleasures. This is the part I need to ponder.

 The sub title I’m giving to this year is ON ROUTE 65. I’m moving right along on my journey to age 65 . I found the title in an ad for insurance. It caught my eye and so I’ll use it for ROUTE 65, 66, 67….or how many ever years there are to follow in this journal.

Your choices will take you precisely where you wish to go.

There was never a truer word spoken for sure. We do make our lives what they are. I complain that I don’t like the job I do, but I choose it. I never planned to work at all so there you have it…

I hope to add more soon as I’ve sadly neglected this journal and I really want to put down what happens to me in the next 20 years. It will be a different season of my life and I’m not sure yet what it will bring.

 Words truly written from my heart,

Pam (mostly known as ‘Ma’)

 

 

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FOLLOWING MY DREAMS

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.

Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)

 

It’s been quite awhile since I made an entry in this journal. It’s been a long cold winter in Northern Ohio and I’m afriaid I’ve not had a lot of encouraging thoughts. Plans for camping seem like a dream far off in the distance. This entry is about my camping.

Two of my children and their families started camping together a good number of years ago and I always had fun going to visit them on a Saturday or Sunday, but truth be told I longed to stay there with them. The trouble was I had no camper.

I did have one years ago, but had to give it up when my husband died as I could no longer afford it. The years immediately following his death were very lean indeed and I had all I could do to keep the family and our home going.

He’s been gone now 15 years and all of my children have gone on to be adults with their own homes and families. Finally, I have the luxury of thinking about myself and what I’d like.

Having a little nest egg set aside it was hard to decide how to spend it. I could get new furniture or carpeting or I could save a little more for a new car or I could buy a camper. I thought about it long and hard and made the decision to buy the camper.

The reality of not being able to retire next year as I’d hoped really hit me hard and so as a little compensation I’ve rewarded myself with a place to go that I’ll enjoy .

The nice part is that I’ll be camping alongside some of my children so if I have any problems they’ll be right there to help.

Children are of great comfort to us in our old age, and they help us get there much more quickly than we otherwise would.

 

If I have an opportunity to do something new and different, will I regret not having done it? Will I regret having played it safe and not having taken a risk? And on my deathbed (assuming there will be such a thing) will I regret not having done the new and exciting and different and having settled for the safe and convenient?

I know I won’t regret my decision and I certainly do plan to enjoy the camping season. I just hope I don’t get in the way of my children having fun…sometimes you act a lot different with your mother around…and I don’t want to spoil their fun. I’ll try not to be on top of what they are doing all the time so they can enjoy themselves.

If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles in the backside, you wouldn't be able to sit down for two weeks

I don't want to face disappointment later in life because I was afraid to take a chance and sail into uncharted waters. I am beginning a new season of my life. I don’t recall ever just thinking about myself. It’s going to be very interesting this next 20 years.

A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.

William Shedd

Written from my heart to yours,

Pam (mostly known as ma)

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CHRISTMAS DAY - 2007

While there is time, Lord, May I use it well,

Tis gone in a moment,

One can never tell Which day is our last one,

With so much to do, All must be in order,

When summoned by You.

 

While there is time, Lord, And life is my own,

Let me bring gladness To someone alone.

Renew a small hope, Rekindle a dream,

For shadows are never As dark as they seem.

 

While there is time, Lord, Let me not waste

The chances You give me, I cannot replace.

Lend me Your wisdom, That I may learn

To give of myself, Nor ask a return.

 

Let me be gentle, Keep my words kind,

In spite of the worries, Crossing my mind.

And when at long last, Life's sun starts to set,

Let me have never

A cause to regret.

Grace E. Easley

 

WHILE THERE IS TIME...

I have some wonderful memories of our family celebration this year.  I did my best to make it a happy one for all and I enjoyed all the work of shopping and wrapping to give it all too !

 

Next year will be different though, I say.  But as I reflect this Christmas Day, who knows if I or they will be here next year.  The only time we are ever sure of is now.  I'm here now .  They are there now. 

 

LET ME BRING GLADNESS

LET ME BE GENTLE

LET ME HAVE CAUSE NEVER TO REGRET

 

These words are my prayer...as I grow older

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Words written from my heart to yours,

Pam (mostly known as 'MA')

 

 

Lovely graphics by:

DS#6

@littlerainey.com

 

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Reflections and more....

START WITH YOURSELF

Author Unknown

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

The above words are said to be written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London, England.

Didn’t we all have dreams that went unfulfilled and didn’t we all say words that we’d eat later on.

I remember saying my children would never do that….and they did. My husband and I were going to travel the countryside when he retired…and he died way before retirement came.

It’s good to make plans and to try to do the best we can, but if God has other plans, they will happen for sure.

The thing we don’t see in the here and now is the results of those plans he has for us. As I go along day to day I do try to make it the best I can, trying always to be flexible when the unexpected comes along.

I think ‘What surprises will there be today? The good Lord only knows.

In the news this week I read the following article:

'First' Baby Boomer Seeks Social Security Benefits The Nation's "FIRST" baby boomer applied for Social Security benefits Monday (October 15, 2007), part of an expected avalanche of applications from the post-World War II war generation. An estimated 10,000 people a day will become eligible for Social Security benefits over the next two decades

I still have a little way to go before the SS starts for me. I could have retired at the age of 60 with the Widow’s benefits I’d get from my husband but the great cost of health insurance keeps me working.

There are many days however, that I think I really don’t need that insurance after all. I’m healthy and never use it anyway. This is something I’m weighing over in my mind. I would love to quit working, but I’d never want to be a burden to my family, so I keep on going off to work each day.

Maturity means being emotionally and mentally healthy. It is that time when you know when to say yes, when to say no, and when to say WHOOPEE!

Hopefully I’ll be saying the big WHOPPEE soon.

Words truly written from my heart to yours,

Pam (Mostly known as ‘Ma”)

 

 

 

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ENTHUSIASM AND ADVICE

Time cannot be halted

In its swift and endless flight

For age is sure to follow youth

Like day comes after night.

Helen Steiner Rice

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

Psalm 71:9 NIV

My still young soul is having problems with my rapidly aging body again. It seems that just when I have it all together, I find I’m not at all together.

It seems to me that if we all can remember to just love then we will be living the way we were meant to live.

If we all can remember to just love then we will be doing what God wants us to do.

 If we all can remember to just love then it will not matter how many times we forget to dust or buy a loaf of bread.

It is what we are here for. It is what we are made for.

When we lose track of the "why" behind the "what" of each day. We don't have a way of prioritizing and ordering our task lists and our life's goals. We become buried under an avalanche of "to do's" and appointments without a reason or purpose for the whole burdensome schedule

For quite a few years now I’ve learned to put my trust in God for what is needed in my life. The tragic death of my DDH left me without much of anything. I had children to support and raise and I had a very low paying job. The wonderful thing is that God has always provided.

In coming to know Him better, we will find Him gently nudging us, revealing new insights to us, and opening doors of opportunity for us.  Being rooted in faith gave me the strength needed to heal and recover from the adversities I faced I constantly look for ways to lift my self up when ever I feel down. But the devotionals, articles, and even books by my favorite authors -- are only supplemental

Believe that you deserve to be happy right now. Do not defer happiness a moment longer. Find joy in what you do every day

Let's appreciate our blessings and treasure them -- those that come to us, big and small, verbal and non-verbal. Let's not forget to thank those who blessed us with these treasures and let's share these same kinds of treasures with others

They say that women who know and practice their beliefs are more comfortable with who they are and the purpose for their lives.The more defined your values and ideals are the more committed you’ll be to living up to them. I’m hoping that as I grow older, I’ll be able live up to those principals more and more.

Some people are working backstage,

some are playing in the orchestra,

some are on-stage singing,

some are in the audience as critics

and some are there to applaud.

Know who and where you are.

Author Unknown

Just because it has taken a long time, or because you’ve tried and failed, don’t give up on those dreams. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God not only put it there, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass.

Words truly written from my heart to yours,

 Pam (mostly known as MA)

 

 

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