Today marks 12 weeks since my last day at work before retirement. I highly recommend it for everyone! Thought I would provide a brief update on what I've been up to.
Most special to me has been being able to spend virtually ALL my time with my love <3 -="" .="" a="" afternoon="" and="" day="" entire="" evening="" few="" first="" him="" hours="" i="" in="" just="" morning="" nbsp="" never="" not="" of="" our="" p="" really.="" seeing="" spending="" the="" thing="" tire="" together.="" well="">
It was a strange transition at first - waking in the morning and LINGERING over a cup of coffee instead of rushing to get ready and dash off to work. It felt weird to think about what I was going to do that day and realize - over and over again - that I could do whatever I wanted. Some days I would spend reading, which was quite the luxury! Some days I would just do marathon Netflix sessions in my PJ's. Glorious! Most days I would start out doing my devotions, walking the dogs if it wasn't too cold, and doing some yoga. I spent a lot of days early on cleaning the house and trying to de-clutter a bit. So, at least the house is in a much better state of order than it was when I was working, which is a real treat. I also have spent a good deal of time repairing and repainting doors and woodwork. There is still a lot to be done, but I love doing it, so it's never really a chore.
It's delightful to do laundry on my own schedule instead of spending all weekend doing it. I find there is substantially less laundry to do, which means I can often go several weeks before even giving it a thought. Very nice. I've also gotten a lot of organizing done in the basement. Well, truthfully, only about 10% of what totally needs to be done, but it's a good start. Jim has also been starting to work on purging some of the thousand or so boxes in the basement. Ahhhhhhhhhhh.
It's nice to, to be able to make calls to Nuan and Frank and just linger on the conversation, instead of trying to multi-task while talking on the phone. And having lunch with Kendra every few weeks has felt good being able to stay in touch with my good friend. I still have many people that I want to reconnect with over lunch, but haven't done too much of that yet, but I will.
Jim and I have also enjoyed going to $2 Tuesday movies. I've done a lot of getting ready to travel in the Plahaus - putting together a "to-go" bag, rereading the operators manuals, pulling lists together for logging where we will go, what we will bring, set-up and take down 'to-do' lists, and the like. Watching videos on you-tube of others' travels has given me a lot of good tips as well. Jim and I have spent about 6 hours or so putting together the plans for our first real trip - to Arizona to see Molly, Kelly, Frank and Dawn, then on to California. It was pretty funny because we clearly didn't know what we were doing, so we spent a lot of time just trying to figure out how to do this. It will take a bit more work to get ourselves more efficient at this, for sure!
Hmmmmm, I guess that's about it. I'm really enjoying this so far! The only thing I really need to turn around is...I'm eating way too much, and very little of it has been good! Not junk food, but virtually no vegies and very few fruits. Yea, definitely need to work on that.
Pretty boring post, I'd say. But I'm thinking as we get going in the Plahaus, I may have more interesting updates. At least, I sure hope so!
Friday, February 12, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
My Personal Inspirator* Arrives Again
INSPIRATOR - not inspiration. The inspiration lies within me. But often, it appears to lie dormant. I rarely, if ever, am able to awaken it by myself. Today, again, I realized my Personal Inspirator visited - quite unexpectedly - and woke up that sleeping inspiration. This is the second time my Personal Inspirator has done this. The first was almost exactly 16 years ago.
Let's begin at the start. In December of 2005, I was called to a meeting in the Building Efficiency Headquarters for Johnson Controls ("JCI"). It felt like a clan meeting. The conference room was dark, and several (5?) of my higher-ups were sitting at the long end of the table. I sat at the other end. They began a conversation about a very recently announced purchase that JCI had made of York, International. Even to someone living a quiet life in Milwaukee, I knew of the York name. It came highly regarded, and I was proud to now be part of a company who would be part of THAT company. I was already proud to work for JCI. At the time, JCI also was highly regarded. And in the 7 years I had worked there, my own regard for the company had grown. They 'put their money where their mouth was', especially in terms of ethics - it was a value highly held by the management of the company, and was, I felt, a deeply embedded part of the culture of the company, upheld and guarded carefully by many of the employees I worked with. Since that was probably my #1 personal value - maintaining the highest level of ethical behavior professionally and personally - it felt good to work for a company who also regarded it as a critically important element of success and legacy.
In short order, the purpose of the meeting began to unfold - JCI wanted me to go to York, PA to investigate whether or not the billing function performed in York, PA could be moved to the Shared Services in Milwaukee. That simple. Hardly.
I had never done anything of this sort, but felt well equipped to take a stab at this. I had been a CPA for many years, with a variety of different responsibilities and in different industries. I had worked at JCI in the same role for my 7 years there - the role was as manager of the Contract Accounting department, which was responsible for the bulling function for JCI. So, I fully knew the functional aspects, and over the 7 years I had seen and helped implement many initiatives at JCI (my inside joke was that "J.C.I." actually stood not for "Johnson Controls Inc", but really for "Jump, Change, Interface". The company was in a constant mode of change).
So, off I went to York PA to discover how their billing was done. Just that simple. HA
I'm working on a full disclosure of that path. But this particular blog isn't about all of that. It is about how I was introduced to My Personal Inspirator.
Shortly after arriving at the York offices, I began intense meetings with a wide variety of individuals. Most of them were directly involved with the billing functions in one way or another. Picking their brains to try to paint a picture, almost every single individual would mention the same name in connection with the York billing work. It was Vicki Mihm.
Their comments regarding Vicki spanned a wide variety of focuses. Some (generally in the IT area) spoke of her brilliance in helping design, develop, build and maintain the application referred to as "CMS" The application did many things - connected data sent to the factories - provided financial statement info and support, management reporting, and, of significance to me, it provided the full and complete picture of how the operational aspects of the billing functions were done. I began to look forward with some level of intrigue and intimidation to meeting Vicki. Clearly, in this male-dominated industry and company, her reputation was well proven, her word was respected and highly regarded, her opinions were well founded, and her reputation spoke for itself.
I finally got to meet Vicki in a one-on-one meeting. My goal was to learn all I could about some of the deeper intricacies of the CMS system, so I could better understand if or how this tool could be transitioned to Milwaukee. Vicki was immediately likable - welcoming and accommodating. Even though we both knew my charge was to move many jobs from York PA to Milwaukee - moving the livelihoods of many of the people Vicki had worked with for 30+ years - she was open and pleasant. And then she began to expose to me some of the depth of the CMS system. I was completely and permanently lost. I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to fully comprehend important aspects of this system. That would be a huge risk.
As time went on, there were literally thousands of questions and unknowns and complications. At every turn, when I needed to reach out to Vicki, she was there to provide support. She tried valiantly to provide comprehension for me, but I knew I would never have the ability or skillset to understand the REAL MEAT of the financial intricacies that made CMS the critically important tool that it was.
Vicki was never undeterred. She would smile knowingly, and patiently reiterate for me the details I needed to know to answer every question. I went away with answers, bur rarely with understanding. I just simple did not have the capacity, or maybe not even the capability.
Vicki and I very quickly formed a mutual bond, although to this day I cannot adequately define what that bond was composed of. We liked each other as people, sure. But it went deeper then that. We both seemed to understand some of the things that motivated each other - the desire to do every single task to the best of our ability. The desire to do the RIGHT thing for the company in every encounter - to help drive these companies we poured so much of ourselves into toward success. At least, the success they wanted. We both seemed to understand and accept that doing something the right way meant sacrifice - long hours - being away from the people we loved - and none of this would be done to drive our own success. It was for the success of the companies we worked for and for the satisfaction of knowing that we were trying to make the jobs of our fellow employees better, maybe easier too.
So, unbeknownst to me, Vicki was providing me with someone to lean on. When I felt hopelessly lost and was sure no answers were available, she was there to encourage and brainstorm with me. All the while that she provided this support, the thought rarely occurred to me over what was to come of her own job at York. I was far to overwhelmed with the millions of details I needed to address, as well as to try to gain a complete understanding of the intricacies of a system that had been in place for many years, in an industry I was only vaguely familiar with. Vicki was truly key in helping me continue to resurface every time I was pushed underwater.
Eventually, the billings were moved to Milwaukee. Over the next few years, I nearly killed myself attempting to make it successful. My department grew from the original 20 to 60 in 2 years. Countless business advocates in the BE HQ became adversaries. The culture of JCI began to change. It was no longer preferable to do things in the best interests of the customer and the employees - it became every man for himself. I was defeated. I told my manager I could not succeed, and wanted to be removed from my position. I don't care what else you have me do, but I will no longer do this.
Vicki, in the meantime, had (luckily, for me) taken a different position with the new company. She was in a position to work on implementing the new service application - NxGen. A huge and important endeavor, it meant that Vicki was frequently in Milwaukee. Occasionally, we would bump into each other, and she always greeted me with a hug and a warm smile. She was one of the few connections to my old role that did not carry with it feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Eventually, Vicki retired from JCI / York. I was so very happy to see her move on to this stage of her life, but also so sorry to see her leave. Fortunately, we remained friends on Facebook, and would touch base here and there as new postings arrived to show what each of us were doing.
Then, thankfully, I retired myself. Truly, I could not WAIT to get out of the company, whose leadership and values I had now grown to dislike and even despise.
I enjoyed my first 2 months of retirement - I knew I would. My husband I had had many, many plans for our future, and finally we were able to begin to put those into place. I encouraged myself to develop new, healthy habits - eat well - get more exercise - learn new skills - solidify our plans. But truthfully, I began to struggle. I've never been a highly disciplined individual. So, developing my new, healthy habits began to stumble. Oh, I would do well here and there - eat a breakfast, at least; don't sleep too late in the mornings; don't stay in PJ's all day; walk the dogs now and then; do some yoga. But little by little, I felt my strength and desire to rebuild my life dwindle. It was easier to just drift - do whatever I wanted - eat whatever I wanted (and too much of it as well) - skip the development of new skills - watch too many movies on Netflix. It wasn't just that it was winter, so it was easy to just sit inside. It was the inside of ME that was turning into winter - getting dark early, staying grey and cloudy, remaining cold. I wasn't liking it, mind you. I just didn't have the PUSH to seriously do something about it.
Then, out of the blue, my Personal Inspirator arrived again.
A package in the mail. Unexpected. Addressed to me! Love getting surprises like that - it makes me feel like a kid on Christmas day again.
It's a card. And a book. And a memento. "From Vicki, with love." I read the card and the inscription in the book 4 or more times. I show my husband. Inside my heart, it makes me cry just to think of the thoughtfulness of her doing this. To know she was thinking about me - someone who I held in great respect and regard, was thinking about me! And mentioning how I had impacted HER life! My dreams that night turned from ones of struggles to ones of adventure. But there was more.
The next day, pondering whether today should be one of the days I stay in PJ's or not, I sit down and begin to read the book. It's a good book, and one chapter leads to many. Inspiring stories of women who do not give up. After several hours, I put it away and tell the dogs it's time to begin our day. Before I make it up the stairs to the bedroom, I feel things begin to stir within me. Unexpected things. I'm reflecting on the stories in the book. All of a sudden, I realize these stories have begun to wriggle their way into the pit of my stomach, my soul, my heart. Things are reawakening inside me that have been sleeping. I can do this. I can change my life so each day is filled with the things I want to DO to live my LIFE instead of filling my days with existence and not much more.
The fire is relit. I am rejuvenated. I am ELATED. I was going to write a thank you note to Vicki today. But there is much more of a thank you I need to send. I'm going to go write my blog about this. I'm going to let Vicki know that her thoughtfulness was like the hand of a friend reaching into the mudpit I had fallen into, and pulling me to the top. Vicki, you have once AGAIN filled my heart with knowing that I can do this. You've single handedly given me my life back, in a way that is difficult to describe. But please know, I will be forever grateful - to you, as well as for having you in my life. I feel very blessed. And wish many blessings for you. God's peace and love to you, my friend.
Always-
Mary
P.S. I LOVE the handtowel!
* I was sure I had made up this word - that it was not really a 'legit' word. After writing this blog, I Googled it. Here is what I found. It fits perfectly, because, without this inspirator, life would be impossible!
From Jules Verne's book "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" "But I, in encountering great pressures at the bottom of the sea, was obliged to shut my head, like that of a diver in a ball of copper; and it is to this ball of copper that the two pipes, the inspirator and the expirator, open."
Let's begin at the start. In December of 2005, I was called to a meeting in the Building Efficiency Headquarters for Johnson Controls ("JCI"). It felt like a clan meeting. The conference room was dark, and several (5?) of my higher-ups were sitting at the long end of the table. I sat at the other end. They began a conversation about a very recently announced purchase that JCI had made of York, International. Even to someone living a quiet life in Milwaukee, I knew of the York name. It came highly regarded, and I was proud to now be part of a company who would be part of THAT company. I was already proud to work for JCI. At the time, JCI also was highly regarded. And in the 7 years I had worked there, my own regard for the company had grown. They 'put their money where their mouth was', especially in terms of ethics - it was a value highly held by the management of the company, and was, I felt, a deeply embedded part of the culture of the company, upheld and guarded carefully by many of the employees I worked with. Since that was probably my #1 personal value - maintaining the highest level of ethical behavior professionally and personally - it felt good to work for a company who also regarded it as a critically important element of success and legacy.
In short order, the purpose of the meeting began to unfold - JCI wanted me to go to York, PA to investigate whether or not the billing function performed in York, PA could be moved to the Shared Services in Milwaukee. That simple. Hardly.
I had never done anything of this sort, but felt well equipped to take a stab at this. I had been a CPA for many years, with a variety of different responsibilities and in different industries. I had worked at JCI in the same role for my 7 years there - the role was as manager of the Contract Accounting department, which was responsible for the bulling function for JCI. So, I fully knew the functional aspects, and over the 7 years I had seen and helped implement many initiatives at JCI (my inside joke was that "J.C.I." actually stood not for "Johnson Controls Inc", but really for "Jump, Change, Interface". The company was in a constant mode of change).
So, off I went to York PA to discover how their billing was done. Just that simple. HA
I'm working on a full disclosure of that path. But this particular blog isn't about all of that. It is about how I was introduced to My Personal Inspirator.
Shortly after arriving at the York offices, I began intense meetings with a wide variety of individuals. Most of them were directly involved with the billing functions in one way or another. Picking their brains to try to paint a picture, almost every single individual would mention the same name in connection with the York billing work. It was Vicki Mihm.
Their comments regarding Vicki spanned a wide variety of focuses. Some (generally in the IT area) spoke of her brilliance in helping design, develop, build and maintain the application referred to as "CMS" The application did many things - connected data sent to the factories - provided financial statement info and support, management reporting, and, of significance to me, it provided the full and complete picture of how the operational aspects of the billing functions were done. I began to look forward with some level of intrigue and intimidation to meeting Vicki. Clearly, in this male-dominated industry and company, her reputation was well proven, her word was respected and highly regarded, her opinions were well founded, and her reputation spoke for itself.
I finally got to meet Vicki in a one-on-one meeting. My goal was to learn all I could about some of the deeper intricacies of the CMS system, so I could better understand if or how this tool could be transitioned to Milwaukee. Vicki was immediately likable - welcoming and accommodating. Even though we both knew my charge was to move many jobs from York PA to Milwaukee - moving the livelihoods of many of the people Vicki had worked with for 30+ years - she was open and pleasant. And then she began to expose to me some of the depth of the CMS system. I was completely and permanently lost. I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to fully comprehend important aspects of this system. That would be a huge risk.
As time went on, there were literally thousands of questions and unknowns and complications. At every turn, when I needed to reach out to Vicki, she was there to provide support. She tried valiantly to provide comprehension for me, but I knew I would never have the ability or skillset to understand the REAL MEAT of the financial intricacies that made CMS the critically important tool that it was.
Vicki was never undeterred. She would smile knowingly, and patiently reiterate for me the details I needed to know to answer every question. I went away with answers, bur rarely with understanding. I just simple did not have the capacity, or maybe not even the capability.
Vicki and I very quickly formed a mutual bond, although to this day I cannot adequately define what that bond was composed of. We liked each other as people, sure. But it went deeper then that. We both seemed to understand some of the things that motivated each other - the desire to do every single task to the best of our ability. The desire to do the RIGHT thing for the company in every encounter - to help drive these companies we poured so much of ourselves into toward success. At least, the success they wanted. We both seemed to understand and accept that doing something the right way meant sacrifice - long hours - being away from the people we loved - and none of this would be done to drive our own success. It was for the success of the companies we worked for and for the satisfaction of knowing that we were trying to make the jobs of our fellow employees better, maybe easier too.
So, unbeknownst to me, Vicki was providing me with someone to lean on. When I felt hopelessly lost and was sure no answers were available, she was there to encourage and brainstorm with me. All the while that she provided this support, the thought rarely occurred to me over what was to come of her own job at York. I was far to overwhelmed with the millions of details I needed to address, as well as to try to gain a complete understanding of the intricacies of a system that had been in place for many years, in an industry I was only vaguely familiar with. Vicki was truly key in helping me continue to resurface every time I was pushed underwater.
Eventually, the billings were moved to Milwaukee. Over the next few years, I nearly killed myself attempting to make it successful. My department grew from the original 20 to 60 in 2 years. Countless business advocates in the BE HQ became adversaries. The culture of JCI began to change. It was no longer preferable to do things in the best interests of the customer and the employees - it became every man for himself. I was defeated. I told my manager I could not succeed, and wanted to be removed from my position. I don't care what else you have me do, but I will no longer do this.
Vicki, in the meantime, had (luckily, for me) taken a different position with the new company. She was in a position to work on implementing the new service application - NxGen. A huge and important endeavor, it meant that Vicki was frequently in Milwaukee. Occasionally, we would bump into each other, and she always greeted me with a hug and a warm smile. She was one of the few connections to my old role that did not carry with it feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Eventually, Vicki retired from JCI / York. I was so very happy to see her move on to this stage of her life, but also so sorry to see her leave. Fortunately, we remained friends on Facebook, and would touch base here and there as new postings arrived to show what each of us were doing.
Then, thankfully, I retired myself. Truly, I could not WAIT to get out of the company, whose leadership and values I had now grown to dislike and even despise.
I enjoyed my first 2 months of retirement - I knew I would. My husband I had had many, many plans for our future, and finally we were able to begin to put those into place. I encouraged myself to develop new, healthy habits - eat well - get more exercise - learn new skills - solidify our plans. But truthfully, I began to struggle. I've never been a highly disciplined individual. So, developing my new, healthy habits began to stumble. Oh, I would do well here and there - eat a breakfast, at least; don't sleep too late in the mornings; don't stay in PJ's all day; walk the dogs now and then; do some yoga. But little by little, I felt my strength and desire to rebuild my life dwindle. It was easier to just drift - do whatever I wanted - eat whatever I wanted (and too much of it as well) - skip the development of new skills - watch too many movies on Netflix. It wasn't just that it was winter, so it was easy to just sit inside. It was the inside of ME that was turning into winter - getting dark early, staying grey and cloudy, remaining cold. I wasn't liking it, mind you. I just didn't have the PUSH to seriously do something about it.
Then, out of the blue, my Personal Inspirator arrived again.
A package in the mail. Unexpected. Addressed to me! Love getting surprises like that - it makes me feel like a kid on Christmas day again.
It's a card. And a book. And a memento. "From Vicki, with love." I read the card and the inscription in the book 4 or more times. I show my husband. Inside my heart, it makes me cry just to think of the thoughtfulness of her doing this. To know she was thinking about me - someone who I held in great respect and regard, was thinking about me! And mentioning how I had impacted HER life! My dreams that night turned from ones of struggles to ones of adventure. But there was more.
The next day, pondering whether today should be one of the days I stay in PJ's or not, I sit down and begin to read the book. It's a good book, and one chapter leads to many. Inspiring stories of women who do not give up. After several hours, I put it away and tell the dogs it's time to begin our day. Before I make it up the stairs to the bedroom, I feel things begin to stir within me. Unexpected things. I'm reflecting on the stories in the book. All of a sudden, I realize these stories have begun to wriggle their way into the pit of my stomach, my soul, my heart. Things are reawakening inside me that have been sleeping. I can do this. I can change my life so each day is filled with the things I want to DO to live my LIFE instead of filling my days with existence and not much more.
The fire is relit. I am rejuvenated. I am ELATED. I was going to write a thank you note to Vicki today. But there is much more of a thank you I need to send. I'm going to go write my blog about this. I'm going to let Vicki know that her thoughtfulness was like the hand of a friend reaching into the mudpit I had fallen into, and pulling me to the top. Vicki, you have once AGAIN filled my heart with knowing that I can do this. You've single handedly given me my life back, in a way that is difficult to describe. But please know, I will be forever grateful - to you, as well as for having you in my life. I feel very blessed. And wish many blessings for you. God's peace and love to you, my friend.
Always-
Mary
P.S. I LOVE the handtowel!
* I was sure I had made up this word - that it was not really a 'legit' word. After writing this blog, I Googled it. Here is what I found. It fits perfectly, because, without this inspirator, life would be impossible!
From Jules Verne's book "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" "But I, in encountering great pressures at the bottom of the sea, was obliged to shut my head, like that of a diver in a ball of copper; and it is to this ball of copper that the two pipes, the inspirator and the expirator, open."
Monday, January 18, 2016
From: Mary Ellen Rentscher
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 3:15 PM
To: 'Kelly Rentscher'; 'Molly Rentscher'; Jamie Rentscher; Beth Rentscher; 'rentscmj@uwec.edu'; 'j_holmblad@hotmail.com'
Subject:
Sensitivity: Confidential
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 3:15 PM
To: 'Kelly Rentscher'; 'Molly Rentscher'; Jamie Rentscher; Beth Rentscher; 'rentscmj@uwec.edu'; 'j_holmblad@hotmail.com'
Subject:
Sensitivity: Confidential
FIREWORKS FOR THE FOURTH
By Mary Ellen Rentscher
The week started out normally enough. I had my list of “To-Do’s” all written out, day by day, with all of the things that needed to be done before the 30 or so friends and family were set to join us for a rousing fourth of July celebration that was just 8 days away. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday found me up early and as productive as hell, crossing off the items on my to-do list as planned. Wash all wood floors. Put things away. Assemble the 13-foot gazebo on the patio. Water plants inside and out, etc. etc. By end of day Tuesday, I was actually a full day AHEAD of my schedule!
But Wednesday found me completely exhausted. I know myself well enough to know that I need to take some time-out and chill, and allow my body to recover a bit before jumping into the remainder of the list. So, I did smaller tasks, like grinding up the ice for snow-cones J and walking the dogs. Jim was busy with the usual hard work outdoors. When he finally came in the house at about 3PM, he mentioned that he once again was having some swelling on his face. This had been occurring on and off for several months. Each incident didn’t last too long (36 hours or so). No fever. No pain. Just his face swelling up around his jaw. Weird. We had figured it was probably related to some tooth issues he was having, and in particular, he was going to be having some root canal work done. Annoying, but we just assumed after the root canal, this swelling issue would stop. We called his dentist, who prescribed amoxicillin, which had seemed to work in the past. Clearly, it seemed, there was some sort of infection in there. I went to Walgreens and picked up the prescription, and at around 5:00 pm, Jim took two.
But when he came back in the house at 5:45, his face was REALLY swollen. Much more so than the other times. I took a picture with my cell phone, and we decided this was not the same as before. We called the dentist’s cell phone and texted him the picture. Jim and I had already decided to take him to the ER, or to a 24 hour clinic. The dentist does not think this is related to his tooth, but also agreed the ER was the best course of action.
Let the dogs out, Jim took a quick shower (after working hard outside all day, this was truly a necessity), did a few other things I don’t even remember doing, and headed out to the clinic. Took a quick pic of Jim’s face again, which is now swollen on both sides, and his lips look as if they are going to explode. No swelling of tongue / mouth, just around the jaw, and now in his cheeks are fully swollen as well. Still no pain, thank goodness, and no fever apparent. Clinic is closed. Huh. Well, it just so happens that Aurora Medical Center / Hospital in Grafton is just down the street. We go there
The usual procedures take place. Take blood pressure. Draw blood. Tell the story. While in the ER room, we again talk to the dentist via cell phone, and send him the most recent pic. He definitely feels this is not due to a tooth issue, but probably some sort of allergic reaction. Eventually, the doctors in the hospital come to the same conclusion. I am feverisly googling Jim’s meds (analipril), and possible allergic reactions. Interestingly, about 50% of people who have taken this drug for more than 5 years DO develop allergic reactions, including facial swelling. Feeling better. The doctors are concerned about the ‘movement’ of the swelling from one side of the face to another. In particular, they are concerned that the swelling MIGHT move to the throat. Which, (DUH) could be a problem. Everyone agrees that Jim needs to be admitted to observe what happens. They have given him steroids and antihistamines to stop the swelling. They decide they want to monitor his heart for the night as well. OK. Monitor anything you want! Just keep my love safe and by the way we still have 30+ people coming to our house in 3 days. Jim and I totally agree that there are going to be many things for the party that are not going to get done. So be it, and who cares anyway? So far (at about 9pm), despite the meds, the swelling is not diminished, and actually continues to ‘move’ across his face. He is still quite handsome to me. J
We get Jim settled in his room, and sit and chat for a while. Molly and Jamie have been texting Jim to discuss the plans and coordinate the weekend, so we call them back to explain what is going on, and try to reassure them not to worry. By 10:30pm, I head back home. Thank GOD this hospital is only a few minutes from home! Kelly heard from Molly and Jamie about Jim, and texts me. I give her the lowdown, and tell her to call Dad’s cell. She does. They have a nice conversation, and all is pretty well. I do a few things at home, and finally at 3am I am tired enough to sleep! It’s July 2nd. Jim calls me at 9:00 am. J So good to hear his voice, even though my head can hardly comprehend where the hell I am.
He tells me the doctor told him his heart rate went down to 45 during the night, which they are concerned about. Plus, the swelling is diminished (and, THANK GOD, did not move to his throat), but still not gone completely. They want to keep him there another night.
I pack up a small kit to take to the hospital with a few essentials…toothbrush, razor, change of underwear, and a container with some beef jerky and maybe 6 oz of wine. J I get to the hospital around noon, and am relieved at how good Jim looks and feels. We visit for a while, and he provides me with instructions on how to place sprinklers so the newly placed sod will not dry out. I know I won’t get the chance to visit him later, and he understands this. We can always talk on the phone, but there is far too much work to be done. I spend the next 4 hours doing the food shopping, putting away. 3 stores, I have NO idea how much $$ I spend, but at this point I’m just on “GO” mode.
Beth calls after work. I tell her what is going on with Jim. I didn’t want to call / text her earlier, because she is having Initiation week at work, and has her hands full. I know things are under control, so there is no reason to worry, I tell her. Dad is staying at the hospital again tonight. “WHAT?!”, she replies. “Give him a call.”, I say, which she does. J They have a good conversation, and again, all is pretty well.
I’m at home, watering like a madman, setting up, putting away, chopping, prepping…fuck it. I am totally not going to get any more than 10% of the food prep done. Tomorrow is Friday, July 3, and we have plans to meet for dinner with a BUNCH of people at 6pm. HAHA!! All I can think of is Morton Salt’s motto…”When it rains, it pours.” I move from one task to another, trying to plan, prioritize, pray and prep all at the same time. I feel excited for the weekend’s festivities! I feel grateful that Jim is going to be ok! I feel full of anticipation of being reunited with so many of my family and friends in….JUST A FEW HOURS!! Whatever. I’m too old to fret. I know things will be just fine.
Still can’t get to sleep until 2:30 am without my love beside me.
Friday, July 3. Jim calls at 9:23 am. THEY ARE GOING TO LET HIM OUT AT LIKE 11 AM!!! WOULD I COME TO PICK HIM UP? WOOD EYE?? LOL ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!! Ummm, but wait a sec… Molly is coming in from Chicago at 10:30 and needs a ride from the Milwaukee downtown bus station. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. K, no prob….we’ll have Molly take a cab to Cedarburg. I don’t care at this point if they charge me $1,000. And then, I stop for a second, and thank GOD that I am so fortunate to be able to (on important occasions!), throw caution to the wind and pay whatever price is needed. Wow. I cannot believe how blessed I am. I don’t know why we’ve been so blessed, but I know I will never take it for granted, or take advantage of it. And will payback / pay forward whenever possible.
I see Jamie has sent a text with a picture of her cut finger with stitches. Icky. Looks sooooo painful. Red and just a tad inflamed, and she wants to know what she should do. I see Jim has already responded with some good advice. J I reply to Jamie that I agree with dad, and also forward the pic to my brother / nurse, Ralph, for any advice he can provide. Wish I could google ‘caring for stitches’, but I can’t…no time for that. *sigh*
So, I tell Jim to call me when he is ready to be picked up from the hospital. I frantically (yet, in organized fashion….right!), begin doing the most important things that need to be done. And simply to hell with the rest of it. Keep breathing, keep moving.
Molly safely arrives in Cedarburg. J I go pick up Jim from the hospital at around 11:30. J We all meet at the house and form a quick game plan. What things are the most urgent? What can wait? What can’t? Who can do what? Yikes. LOL. We are all overwhelmed. Molly puts the new Weber grill together. GOD BLESS YOU, MOLLY! Molly begins to wash the kitchen floor, WHICH IS COMPLETELY DISGUSTING! GOD BLESS YOU, MOLLY! Molly dusts the entire house, WHICH IS ALSO, COMPLETELY DISGUSTING! GOD BLESS YOU, MOLLY! Molly also vacuums the entire house, (which is only mildly disgusting). GOD BLESS YOU, MOLLY! We move furniture. We chase dogs out of the way. Jim is watering, cutting grass, organizing the bar, putting shit away, picking up canopies and chairs, etc. It’s now 5:30 pm. We are supposed to meet our family at The Roadhouse in 30 minutes. No, wait…I remember we had to change the location last minute because we found out Roadhouse will not be open on July 3. We are now meeting at Milwaukee Ale House in Grafton, now in 29 minutes. I haven’t even showered, and yes, that is a mandatory activity after furiously running around for the past 2 days. Miraculously, the phone rings. Our guests are running a bit late, too! We’ll meet between 6:15 and 6:30. I feel like I’ve just received an execution pardon from the Governor. Shower, dress…oh, wait a minute. Almost forgot that I’m supposed to set up 10 chairs along the parade route. Cedarburg won’t allow you to do this before 7:00 pm on July 3rd. Rejiggering….rejiggering… ok, everyone else go to Milwaukee Ale House by 6:30, and I will meet you there after I load 10 chairs and 30 feet of rope into my car, drive to Cedarburg to the pre-arranged spot, unload and tie up the chairs. Done. Check. Get to restaurant. Go upstairs to the Rentscher table. THERE’S JAKE AND SHELLY AND NEA! AND THERE’S LISA AND JIM RUSSEL!! Lisa is fighting a very aggressive form of cancer, and we weren’t sure she would feel up to attending. And she looks really good!! I’m introduced to Jim Russell’s sister, Ann, who has joined also. J AND THERE’S MATT AND JESSICA AND HOLDEN AND HENRY AND HARRISON!! AND MOLLY, ALEX, AND JAMIE ARE HERE TOO! LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!!
We have a wonderful dinner, full of so much good conversation, laughter and reconnecting that my heart already feels full. I get teary eyed reflecting again on how blessed we are, and how many wonderful people we share our lives with.
Finally back home with Jim, Molly, Alex, and Jamie, I think maybe it’s like 9pm? All the friends / family are staying at nearby hotels. And to think that I was going to offer them to stay at our place. This thought makes me laugh out loud, because I think that would have been the death knell for me if they had. Beth arrives home from Eau Claire. Most of my ‘nucleus’ family is finally reunited. I want to just stop and enjoy this moment. And then I remember that I have prepared basically NONE of the food for tomorrow, and the parade starts at 10am, so people will be arriving by 9:30am tomorrow morning. Here is where my family really proves what they are made of…we begin pulling food out from fridge, pantry, shopping bags, nooks and crannies. I basically point and yell “YOU! FILL VEGETABLE TRAY!” “YOU! PREPARE FRUIT SALAD!” “YOU! MAKE THIS RECIPE FOR SANGRIA!” “DEFROST BURGERS AND BRATS…MAKE SLOPPY JOE…SET UP TABLE WITH PLATES NAPKINS PLASTICWARE NUTS PRETZELS CUPS FEED DOGS FILL AND RUN DISHWASHER GET OUT MORE SERVING BOWLS AND SPOONS WHERE ARE THE BALLOONS AND OTHER DECORATIONS AND PUT THE FUN STUFF FOR THE KIDS INTO A BIG BASKET BUT FIRST TAKE TIME OUT TO BLOW UP ONE OF THOSE BEACH BALLS AND VOLLEY IT WITH THE KIDS A FEW TIMES OVER THE ISLAND NOW GET BACK TO WORK YEA NOT GOING TO HAVE TIME TO MAKE THE KEY LIME CUPCAKES OR THE BRANDY SLUSHIES AND SOMEONE HAS TO MIX UP A BATCH OF SIMPLE SYRUP FOR THE SNOW CONE SYRUP!!”
Done. I think it’s 2:30 in the morning. And I think the date is actually July 4. Sleep, glorious sleep.
Somebody wakes me up at 9:30am and tells me my sister, Janine, and her boyfriend, Robert, are downstairs. Time to GET THIS PARTY STARTED. I roll out of bed, put on at least cleaner clothes, put a hat on my head and go downstairs. I hardly know where I am. Not only are Janine and Robert standing in the kitchen with like 4 dozen cupcakes (GOD BLESS YOU, SIS), but my 2 awesome nephews are there too! We sit outside and I think I offered them coffee. Maybe not. But I know I had a cup. Drink coffee. Catch up with Luke, Josh, Janine and Robert. Feeling better except for the fact that I still cannot quite see out of both eyes yet. Ann, Jim and Lelia Purky arrive! Jim and Lisa Russell arrive! Gail, Hyram, Lauren and Brandon Gutierrez arrive! Matt, Jessica, Holden, Henry, Harrison, and their baby Newfoundland “Norman” arrive! I think others arrive too. We can hear the parade starting (sirens, guns). Somewhere around 10:30 or 11, we all make it to the parade route.
To be continued
I manage to park the car (illegally, of course) a block away and pray again that it won’t be towed while I quickly try to join ‘the group’. Our chairs are right where I left them the night before, and we only have to chase 4 or 5 people off of them. Most everyone has made it to the spot! And a few others who didn’t find ‘the spot’, managed somehow to see some of us walking to ‘the spot’, and followed. Such an intelligent bunch! Now, it’s time to enjoy the parade, the company, and the beautiful weather. Sun gets pretty hot, and I worry about the smaller kids getting a sunburn. Then I remember – they already have very capable and loving moms’ of their own, who, I am certain, have prepared for this possibility. I begin to relax and enjoy the show.
My sweet husband delivers a bloody mary into my hands, freshly made from the T.J. Weislers bar across the street. Yes, it was no accident that I selected this spot. They have the best bloody’s in Cedarburg!
It’s a long parade in Cedarburg, usually about 2 hours. But of course, by this time it is roughly half over. No worries. Plenty to enjoy. 30 minutes later, Beth asks me if I can take her for a run to Walgreens. Yes, no matter how hard we all try to ‘be prepared’, sometimes Mother Nature decides that today, indeed, RIGHT NOW!, is when your monthly period will begin. Been there. Done that. I hand my bloody mary (no pun intended) to Robert who is more than happy to oblige, and off we go to Walgreens. Very glad I only parked a block away. Even more glad that I didn’t get towed! The streets in Grafton are nearly empty, because, of course, everyone is in Cedarburg! We pick up the necessities and go back to the house, which is actually on the way back to the parade. I look at the clock and see it is 10 minutes before noon. By the time we get back, I’m certain the parade will be over. LOL again. So, I decide to just stay here and get the sloppy joe heating up and start pulling things out of the fridge in anticipation of when all my now-hungry guests begin finding their way back from the parade. 20 minutes of quiet and calm!!
The afternoon was a whirlwind of activity, conversation, and pure enjoyment. Badmitton, kayaking (nearly accident free), dogs (nearly accident free – sorry, Hiram J), children…I sit and actually VISIT with every individual I can. I even get to sneak away to a quiet room with Lelia where we can have a private conversation and she shares more of her writings with me. Life cannot be more satisfying than this.
Food is abundant, and many people have also brought dishes to pass (intelligent AND thoughtful bunch!). There is a momentary setback when a dessert dish launches itself out of the refrigerator and onto the floor, spilling it’s blueberries and strawberries literally everywhere. I’m sure there are still some under the refrigerator as I write this. Nothing, no, NOTHING could spoil this afternoon for me! Well, until Molly and Beth pull me aside and tell me that 2 nephews (ages 8 and 5) had ventured upstairs to the bedrooms and had noticed that Jim’s rifles were laying on the floor of the closet (unloaded and safely secured in zippered carriers). But for just that split moment, I think my heart completely stopped beating until I realized everyone was safe and the situation was under control. Still, I went upstairs and moved those rifles to the gun cabinet, and then the girls and I turned the cabinet to face the wall so no one would see what was in there.
Once I was able to resume breathing, I rejoin the festivities already fully in progress. Many more people have arrived (Nuan, Bob, Yao, Dan, Arun, Siri, Midchi, Rochelle and their BEAUTIFUL 11 month old daughter Belle, whom I have never laid eyes on before this moment), Ralph, and Diane. Jim, as always, does a masterful job on the grill, and it appears that everyone has been temporarily satisfied. Me too.
(ED. NOTE: The following can be deleted so as to protect the identity of the innocent. Or not. It makes for a good and meaningful story.)
I don’t know what time the first round of fireworks began. It wasn’t quite dark outside yet, but I had become increasingly aware of intense conversations going on in the kitchen while some of my (intelligent, thoughtful, and HELPFUL) guests were doing some cleaning up. I first noticed her already getting past the point of ‘tipsy’. Hey, this woman is a saint in my eyes, so no way am I going to judge her ‘cutting loose’ once in a while.
But as the night went on, it became clear that she was wayyyyy past that tipsy point. (Unpleasant) personal experience told me this would not have a pretty ending. It did not. At just about the time that full darkness DID come, and many of our guests were sitting in the backyard or on the pier enjoying what they could of the fireworks through the trees, Beth and I each took a side of this saint, and began to take a walk around the block to hopefully help her clear her head. Well, that was when ALL the fireworks exploded. She was full of (besides too much liquor) resentment and anger, primarily towards her husband. Yes, in my eyes, he is a saint too. It was very clear that all was not pleasant in Pleasantville. By the time we returned from our walk, the Cedarburg official fireworks had ended, and many of the guests were leaving or had left. Actually, that was a blessing, because I did not want to deal with the interactions between the two groups. Shortcutting for the sake of sparing the reader (and me), the night ended with the entire family staying overnight. But not before significantly more drama / tears took place.
If any good things can result from such a sad situation, they did. That night, Molly and Beth and I had some very painful, but REAL, discussions about many of the truths and ugliness about life. Make no mistake, they themselves have seen glimpses of the ugliness. Our discussions were heartfelt, painful, but meaningful. Life lessons at their most profound.
Fast forward to the next day. I’m happy to have these wonderful people with me still, and grateful to be able to provide some support and comfort. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes. The rest of the day is clean up. Picking up every item brings back a wave of memories of the day before. Despite some of the tragedy and sadness of the day’s occurrences, I am grateful, once again, for every single person that was here. And for every hug and conversation. I know these memories will be some of the most profound, even wonderful, of my life.
(ED NOTE: Can resume story here, if above is chosen to be removed.)
Wow, I am glad I took Monday off! I can’t imagine how I would have been able to function back at work! Besides, there still remains much to be done to clean up, and there are rental items that need to be returned. Jim asks if Beth and I can return the chairs and canopies to West Bend. Nooooo problem, I think to myself. Then on the way back, Beth and I can pick up a bite to eat! She has a dentist appointment at 2PM in Cedarburg. Plenty of time to complete a task and incorporate a bit of fun.
On the way to West Bend, we hit some fast moving and significant storms. Unexpected and alarming, we carefully make our way. We drop off the canopies and chairs and turn for home. Well, lunch, actually. We have about 1 mile to go to get to the main street. It feels like a gust of wind hits the trailer, as it begins rocking VERY violently from side to side! I’m terrified it is going to jackknife, possibly even causing the Subaru to flip on its side! I immediately take my foot off the gas, do not brake, keep steering wheel straight! It feels like it goes on forever before we begin to slow. I turn on the flashers and make my way to the curb. Thank God there is not much traffic.
Beth and I realize that the trailer cup has come off of the ball of the tow hitch. I have no idea if I am even saying that right, but anyway, we reattach, making sure the ball and hitch are now locked on, and we make our way again. Slightly shaken (not stirred). We make a right hand turn onto the main road, and merge into traffic. Suddenly, we hear another VERY loud noise, and I can feel the ‘drag’ on the car, as AGAIN something is horribly wrong with the trailer. We are fortunate to move to the curb (even in a legal parking zone!), put on the flashers and take another look. This time, the entire tow bar has been pulled from the car hitch! If it were not for the chains being securely linked, that flipping trailer would have been disconnected from the car and heading straight down the road for any cars behind us!! I think my heart just stopped beating again, realizing that at any moment on the way over here or more recently on our attempt to get home, if that trailer had disconnected from the car, someone could have been killed. Beth and I both begin to realize how awful this could have turned out, and once again grateful to have avoided disaster somehow.
We call Jim and figure out a plan of action. Call the dentist to cancel that appointment. The idea of a lunch is now forgotten. Beth and I unhitch the trailer, and go to a nearby Ace Hardware. A wonderful angel, John, listens to our tale of woe and spends the next 30 minutes helping us find the right pieces of equipment to safely reattach the trailer and get on our way. Just that simple. By the time Beth and I get home, all we can do is be grateful to BE home. Total cost for the repair piece…$1.95.
So, that was my fourth of July expedition. Wanted to share it, just because, well, it just seemed surreal from one end to the other! I feel like one very, VERY lucky woman, on so many levels.
Hope you have many safe and happy holidays going forward. Me too.
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015 1:55 PM
To: Betsy Odya
Subject: RE: Margaret's Birthday Bon Voyage Gathering
To: Betsy Odya
Subject: RE: Margaret's Birthday Bon Voyage Gathering
By Mary Ellen Rentscher
Opening my eyes, I know it is Saturday at 9AM. A good night’s sleep feels so good, I think to myself. Been looking forward to getting together with cousins all week for Margaret’s Birthday Bon Voyage Gathering. I know it is 9AM, because for some reason my brain has always been good at determining the time of day. Knowing I have sufficient time before the 11:30 gathering, I decide to wake up slowly and luxuriate in the morning a bit. A few minutes later I raise my head to check out the clock. It’s 10:23! That’s a problem! I know the drive to Waukesha will take at least 45 minutes. I had planned to stop and pick up a sweet card on my way. Well, I can write my own card, that is no problem. Just have to hurry and get going.
“JIM! It’s almost 10:30!” Jim turns over and says he doesn’t think he can make it – not feeling well at all. I’m disappointed, but understand. He wasn’t feeling well yesterday either. Plus, he would never be able to get out of the house with the speed that was going to be needed.
OK, I tell myself, 2 immediate setbacks to the morning already. That’s OK, because I can still make this and I’m looking forward to seeing all my cousins, even if it is without my wonderful husband.
Jump in the shower, throw on a minimal (but essential) amount of makeup, let the dogs out, grab a blank card from the ‘card drawer’ to write a loving note in when I get to the restaurant, jump in the car. It is now 10:50. I can still make this, even, if I’m a few minutes late. Hoping traffic is light.
On the way, I am composing what I will write in the note. Feeling just a bit melancholy at having to say goodbye. Then I realize it’s NOT goodbye, it’s just “see you later!” Feeling better.
Traffic IS light! JOY!! No police cars to detect me going 10 MPH over the speed limit. MORE JOY! Looking at the clock, I know I am even going to be 5 minutes early! Luckily for me, I had asked Jim the night before what time the party started on Saturday, and he reminded me it was at 11:30. Even luckier for me, I firmly recall googling the location of the restaurant a week or so before, so I knew exactly where I was going. Ching Hwa restaurant in Waukesha. I lived in Waukesha many years ago, and was confident I knew exactly where it was. I recall it having been closed many years ago, but, I say to myself, it must have re-opened. WHY this restaurant was locked in my head as the location, I do not know. I only know that I am 100% certain I have the correct place in my head.
I put on my blinker at 11:25 to turn into their parking lot. Then I see clearly that it is closed. My brain begins to race to develop a plan. No problem…I have my cell phone and can easily go into our emails that I forwarded to Jim at our home email address (rentscherz@sbcglobal.net) to check on the location, which CLEARLY I have incorrect! I feverishly spend the next 20 minutes searching for the email. Would Jim have deleted it? Could be, as he knows I would have the info on my work email, there would be no critically important reason for him to KEEP the email. However, I know that I cannot access my work email from my cell phone. Keep searching….look at DELETED folder. Look at INBOX folder. Look at every other folder. Clearly, the email is not here.
Not defeated yet, I google CHING HWA. Probably relocated to somewhere else in Waukesha. Nope. I DO see the New China Buffet listed, and it’s very close by. I can just go there and see if that is the spot. No, I’m CERTAIN it was Ching Hwa. Now, it is 12:00. I’m beginning to feel so disappointed that I want to cry. I look in my phone contacts to see if I have any of my cousin’s phone numbers listed. Not even one. So now, I DO begin to tear up. Most certainly, the party is into full swing. I picture everyone seated and already enjoying good food and wonderful conversation. How long will the party go on? It’s no use. I am now despondent and immensely disappointed. WHY I DO NOT AT THIS POINT JUST DRIVE TO NEW CHINA BUFFET TO CHECK IT OUT, I DO NOT KNOW. How can I salvage this? I surrender to my disappointment. I’m angry at myself for my lack of preparedness. I’m angry at myself for sleeping so late. I head for home.
That’s my day so far. On the way home, I am telling myself to get a grip. I won’t get to hug my cousins today, or to tell Margaret how much I love her and that I will miss her and wish her all the best. Or to tell her that I’m grateful for the internet because I know we will still be able to stay in touch over the miles. Or to tell her that Jim and I bought an RV last year with the hope of soon traveling all over North America, and now we are excited that we will have someone to visit in Alaska! It is what it is. I’m not going to beat myself up over this anymore. Just one of those things where all the perfect storm items come together to create a change in my plans. I will write out my thoughts and send an email when I get home. Perhaps it will even make them laugh at my misadventure and smile knowing that I was there with them in spirit, and that I love them and am so grateful to have them in my life. And I know that we will still move forward and share future memories. Today will just not be one of the better memories for me.
MARGARET, JIM AND I ARE SO VERY EXCITED FOR YOU! WE LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE IN ALASKA. WE LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING YOU THERE SOMEDAY.
BETSY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ARRANGING THIS. WE ARE SO SORRY WE DIDN’T GET TO SAY THIS IN PERSON.
I have the card in my purse, and Jim and I are going to write a note in it and get it in the mail to Betsy’s address. I know you will get it safely in Margaret’s hands.
Love,
Mary Ellen and Jim
Friday, March 7, 2014
Less Barking, More Wagging
In an interesting turn of events, Jim and I ended up with another dog. It's good to be a two-dog household again, for the most part. Although certain sacrifices do have to be made.*
When we were 'searching' for what would end up becoming Nelson, I had sent a facebook message to an individual that I was virtually certain was the Kim Novotny that Jim and I had gotten Jasper from. I told her we were interested in possibly adopting another GSD. She never responded.
Two years later, a message shows up on my FB page, from Kim Novotny no less! She said she doesn't get on FB very often (true that), and that she was sorry, but she no longer bred GSD's. But, there WAS a breeder she knew of and she actually had one of their dogs. Good stock, she said.
So, I googled the name she gave me, and found a website for Vom Gildaf German Shephards. She had 2 puppies 7 weeks old, and 6 more that were 5 weeks old. She was available the next morning at 9:30 if we wanted to come to Burlington to see them. We did. True to form, we fell in love with X'Caliber. He came home a week later. We renamed him Rockefeller (Rocky to close friends).
So now we have Nelson and Rockefeller. With Jim being 'semi' (not!) retired, it's nice not to have to keep him in a kennel all day (referring to Rocky, not Jim) while we are at work. Well, it's nice for ME, not so sure about Jim LOL. With this winter being SOOOO brutally cold and the never-ending snow, let's just say housebreaking has been a challenge. But, we're making our way!
Less Barking! More Wagging!
* sacrifices include some sleep deprivation, exorbitant vet, toys and food costs, and investing in a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. This list is NOT all inclusive.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Wish I'd Written This...
I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen before they had a name for it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... While we have it..... it's best we love it.... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken......... And heal it when it's sick.
This is true. For marriage....... And old cars..... And children with bad report cards..... And dogs with bad hips.... And aging parents...... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ And so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
When you die, 10 things GOD won't ask you:
1..... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation..
2..... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3..... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4..... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5..... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6..... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7..... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8..... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9..... God won't ask why it took you so long to find Him and ask Him into your house, He'll lovingly take you to heaven and not to the gates of Hell.
10..... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision.
Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... While we have it..... it's best we love it.... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken......... And heal it when it's sick.
This is true. For marriage....... And old cars..... And children with bad report cards..... And dogs with bad hips.... And aging parents...... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ And so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!
When you die, 10 things GOD won't ask you:
1..... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation..
2..... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3..... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4..... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5..... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6..... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7..... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8..... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9..... God won't ask why it took you so long to find Him and ask Him into your house, He'll lovingly take you to heaven and not to the gates of Hell.
10..... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision.
From afar
My friend won't see this, but that's ok. She will feel it in her heart.
God has given me a friend of new proportions. A friend in a sense I have not felt for many years.
Interestingly, I did not realize it until tonight, looking upon some pictures from the day. Taken on a cell phone, they were only a moment in time. Until I looked upon them closely, and realized there was a friendship deeper and more intimate then I previously saw from the surface. In that moment, I realized that God placed that person in my life for a very specific purpose. This friend brought God's word into my life. This person changed my life in a profound and silent way. Reconnecting me.
God works in mysterious ways. I am 59 years old, and He still surprises me with His endless love. I will never understand. I will always be grateful, and appreciate. I am glad I am open enough to see when He intervenes.
Thank you for your blessings, My Lord.
Always,
Mary
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