April 25 ,2020

As Bud would have said, it’s 8 months til Christmas day!  I have to say, I’m not ready.  Haven’t bough a single gift!  I miss that man and think of him often.  Snoopy’s words of wisdom for the day entreats us to wait patiently.  I for one find it very difficult to wait for ANYTHING!  Especially where there is an element of uncertainty about it.  As for the things I do not yet have, there are many — but honestly I don’t know why I should actually WANT for anything.  So today I am listing five things that I am thankful that I have in my life.  And these will be material things and not listed in order of importance.  First, my home.  I am so blessed!  I love every nook and cranny, every dust bunny, every dirty window, the full to overflowing pantry, warmth and comfort, peace.  Wonderful.  Second, my family.  They encourage me and challenge me and love me!  I can’t imagine life without them.  And when Kelly and the boys go home, it will be a huge gap in my little world!  Third, friends.  Truly they enrich my life and their loyalty and encouragement are priceless.  Fourth, sunshine.  How great it makes me feel, to be outside walking, cutting grass, even pulling weeds (well, SOMETIMES pulling weeds….).  It makes my world brighter in more than the obvious way.  Fifth, my job.  I respect and admire and enjoy the people I work with and am thankful for being part of their employment family.  All of these things are gifts from God – and he as blessed me abundantly through them!  I will TRY to be patient for what may come – and will be grateful for any and all additions to my life. 

Today I spent some time trying to figure out how to be a legal eNotary in the state of PA.  The websites are confusing and unclear.  I answered a few emails then went outside in the SUNSHINE!  I pulled weeds and cleaned up the gardens and trimmed a few bushes.  Finished that about 4pm and cut the grass, as I believe there is rain in the forecast.  I promised the boys Chick-Fil-A so we went through the drivethough for that.  I do believe that if our government was run as efficiently and pleasantly as Chick-Fil-A our country would be a better place!  Kelly and I finished watching White Christmas, and I sorted Mom’s journals. 

One of the things we brought back with us last Saturday on our Albion trip were her hand-written journals.  I didn’t know if they would all be there but they were.  First entry was January 1, 1985! The last one she managed to do was October of 2017.  I wish she could have kept writing but she couldn’t manage.  I can’t read them now – it seems like something so private should remain private even if she doesn’t realize what they are right now.  Kathy and I are thankful to have them as a future treasure, and I know they will bless us beyond measure.  As I glanced inside to get the dates to put them in order I caught glimpses of phrases.  So many scriptures, so much admonition to live for the Lord!  Her faith has sustained her through many hard and uncertain times, and that is a balm to my soul now, as she is so often lost and confused.  God truly is her strength and comfort. 

On this date in 1719 Daniel Defoe published Robinson Crusoe.  In 1886 Sigmund Freud opened his practice.  In 1994 there was 14 inches of snow in southern California.  Ella Fitzgerald was born in 1917 and Ginger Rogers died in 1995 at age 83. 

So why not make your own list of things to be thankful for, and then wait patiently for what is to come.  God bless.  He will!