Misery Part 2

This has to start getting better soon or I think I will pull my hair out! Actually, there are signs that it has begun to recede a little, but it is still miserable. Thought you might appreciate a look. Imagine this spread all over legs, thighs, tummy, chest, arms and neck. Minimal on back, interestingly enough. It is annoying, painful, itchy and burning and it is making me really grumpy.

Misery

I recently had a sinus infection for which the doctor prescribed an antibiotic. I faithfully took it for the full 10-day course and took the last one Saturday morning. Sunday morning I woke up with a bit of a rash developing. Pretty itchy. This morning it is so much worse and spread all over the whole of me. I went to the doctor. He diagnoses it as an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. Curious that it didn't show up until AFTER I was done with the medicine, but there you go. Anyway, I am now on Atarax (makes me v e r y sleepy) and a steroid cream. Hopefully it goes away pretty quickly. It is making me really grumpy and makes me think seriously about jumping into my 55 degree swimming pool. Grrrrrrumpy. Gives me a whole new empathy for people who suffer chronic skin disorders. What misery. I must remember to pray for those so afflicted.

Here is that time of year again... The trees are showing their brighter colors. The nights are cooler. The daylight hours are becoming fewer. Change is in the works. I love this time of year. It is kind of a closure and a renewal at the same time. We know the cold of winter is coming, but there are still reminders of the wonderful summer just past. The swimming pool still looks wonderfully inviting, but the water is way to cold. The yummy summer fruits and vegetables are still around, but smaller quantity and larger prices. The stores are starting to put out some Christmas decorations and warmer clothing. The TV plays both baseball and football. A great time of year. And the focus on change and growth reminds me of how unchangeable God is. He orchestrates the seasons for our benefit and joy but remains unchangeable Himself for our security and peace. The days pass. The clocks tick. The fashions change. But our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hallelujah.

Brand New

There is a moment, here in my nearly-flat desert, when the sun is just at the horizon and the bright, clean light of a new day blasts squarely on the eastern side of everything. It is an amazing moment. Everything grabs that precious light, absorbs it and then reflects it back to the sun. The tired old buildings suddenly look proud and strong. The plants stand up a little straighter as they reach out to take on that life-giving light. Even the stones and boulders on the ground become more defined - sharper and more perfect. It is a magical and glorious reminder of the newness of this day with its limitless possibilities and potential. I love this moment. It reminds me that this brand new day is a precious gift from God and that He has given me the power to take it, absorb it and reflect it back to the Son. It is an awesome priviledge and a a powerful responsibility. I must not waste it - this gift of the Brand New.

Victorian Virtue?

I was recently doing a crossword puzzle and the clue to a 7-letter word was "Victorian virtue". The word ended up being "modesty". When I look up the word "Victorian" in my dictionary, I see this definition: "typical of the moral standards, attitudes or conduct of the age of Victoria esp. when considered stuffy or hypocritical." When I look up the definition of "modesty" I read: "propriety in dress, speech or conduct." So I have to ask the question, "What is stuffy or hypocritical about propiety in dress speech or conduct?" My humble opinion is that we need lots more "stuffiness and hypocracy" if that is the case. Women and little girls walking around in clothes that cover less than half of their bodies could use more of this virtue. Young men who are wearing pants that are way-too-tight and revealing or that are way-too-big and hanging too low showing off too much underneath could use a little more of this virtue. Recently there were a couple of big news items about women who were not allowed to fly on a certain airline because they were considered to be improperly dressed for flying. Good for that airline! When a woman who is not wearing underpants and is wearing a way-too-short skirt steps up on the seat to put her bag in the overhead compartment, thereby revealing way too much of her assets, something needs to be done. When a man walks into a courthouse wearing way-too-big pants that are riding just above the knees thereby revealing way too much of his assets, someone needs to intervene. Obviously modesty should be taught at home at a very early age. If it has not been so taught, society has a right to step up to the plate and encourage or enforce modest dress and behavior. Modesty is NOT "Victorian". It is not stuffy. It is not hypocritical. Modesty is considerate. It is prudent. It is appropriate. It is right.

Grateful

4 days ago we were reminded of how quickly life can take a turn and all that you hold dear can be put at risk. Our precious daugher-in-law, Stacy, was injured in a serious car accident. She was alone in the car. The rain was pouring down. She had exited the interstate to wait it out. When it let up, she got back on the interstate, was cut off by a big truck, hit a water pocket and hydroplaned into the center divider. At 7 1/2 months pregnant, all accidents are scary. At the county hospital they evaluated her and the baby. After a couple of CAT scans and some concern about possible internal bleeding from a seat-belt laceration, both of them were determined to be OK. Stacy has some pretty significant muscle spasms and will need physical therapy, but the baby is A-OK and Mommy will be 100% before long. Thank you God for seat belts, air bags and cars that are built to spread the impact around the passengers. Certainly Stacy's and baby Madison's guardian angels were double-teaming on this one.

Summer Daze

Here it is, early August and there are still 6 weeks of summer left. Of course, here in Arizona, there are about 6 MONTHS left of summer, but who's counting... My husband and I celebrated our 38th anniversary two days ago. 38 YEARS!!! How is it even possible that two such young people could be married so very many years? But we are blessed with a great marriage and have wonderful children and the very best grandchildren in the world. God has been so good to us. I feel so undeserving of all that I have when there are so very many people around me who are suffering in poverty, aloneness and pain. But I am very grateful and quite overwhelmed by what I have been given.

When I think about summer, so many memories come flooding in. Memories of camping trips with my parents and sisters and brother. Memories of mud pies and catching pollywogs in the squash field across the street. Memories of driving vacations with my husband and two little boys. Memories of babysitting and boyfriends and secrets shared and reading treasured books and sleeping until noon and helping my dad with his projects and church camp and choir tour and so very much more. Memories of weddings and babies and saying "good-byes". The one truly wonderful thing about growing older is the baskets full of treasured rememberings that are collected. I wish I had been a "journaler" all of my life. I would be able to enjoy even more remberings than I can now. If you are reading this and are young, start journaling. When you get to be my age, you will be so glad you did.

In the heat of the summer we are forced to slow down a little. That is a good thing. We all need a little idle time and summer is a great place to find that. Hope your summer is going great and that you are finding some time to "put it in neutral" and just idle a little bit.