SMACK ME THE NEXT TIME I COMPLAIN
JUNE 07 2011..................

That's right - smack me.  Life is fragile.  We have no guarantees. We make mistakes.  We complain.  Because we are human.  And complaining comes naturally, just like breathing.  Frankenstein refrigerator.  Pouring down rain.  Too cold.  Too hot.  What does it matter?  It really doesn't.

These things all shall pass.  Life will go on.  My refrigerator is fixed.  The weather is really immaterial in the scheme of things.  What DOES matter is life.  And the folks, both known and unknown to me, who are experiencing things in their lives that I can't even begin to imagine. 

The unknown folks throughout the country experiencing the flooding, tornado's, damage beyond belief.  We sit here, watch the news, feel bad, then go out and party.  That is human nature.

I am going to list some things now, that, although not affecting me directly, are affecting me.  It involves family and friends  It involves unimaginable hardship, in a number of different ways.  And so because it is family and friends, I feel the pain, and the worry.  And my prayer list seems to be getting longer and longer.

First - son Michael was part of our Church Mission trip a couple of weeks ago.  they went to Nashville TN.  They went thinking, helping to rebuild in the flooded areas.  In actuality, they removed trash.  Tons and tons of trash.  They wondered if this was what mission trips were all about.  But the impact they had on the folks, in this poorer area, who could not help themselves because of age, or being alone, was so tremendous Michael came home a different person.  He said it was one of the most rewarding things he has ever done, and he is already signed up for next year's mission trip. 

Secondly, we have friends living in Arizona, Nutrioso to be exact.  Jerry and I became friends with them through Linda who lives in Phoenix.  They have been building a new house in the mountains, doing the work themselves, it is almost finished.  Had word last night they had to leave for Springerville, as the smoke from the fires was getting so bad.  Last word Eager and Springerville were being evacuated.  I don't know where they are right now.  They don't know if the fire will reach their home or not.  The waiting game.

Again you watch the news, read the newspapers, but are not impacted until it actually affects some one you know.

My good friend Russ, whom I met 30 plus years ago at a festival, he is an artist.  He, his wife, my husband and I became friends.  We watched each other's kids grow up, marry, and have kids.   Sheila became ill about three weeks ago, chalked it up to a virus.  Got worse.  Emergency surgery.  Having problems getting her stabilized following the surgery, there will be IV  therapy involved.  He is an art teacher, has and will be missing the last days of school.  This coming weekend's festival he and I were scheduled to attend, he has cancelled.  Again, the waiting game.

Another good friend just e-mailed me this morning that another friend of hers was injured in a horseback riding accident a year ago, has permanent neurological problems, will never be able to return to her farm and her horses, and other livestock and animals.  Friends are caring for the animals, they are in the process of trying to sell and/or find homes for the livestock.  Again, the waiting game.

Life is fragile.  Life is a gift.  Live each day to the fullest, there may not be a tomorrow, at least the sort of tomorrow you are used to.  Take nothing for granted.  Cherish your family and friends, say many prayers, and God Bless.