Fri-Final Days of a New Friend

I've been delivering Meals on Wheels to an elderly gentleman who's all alone and seems frozen in his easy chair like a statue in the park. Nothing changes in the quiet trailer he lives in half dozing with little to say. His unappealing strict diet leaves little to be desired. His newspapers go unread as they stack up by the door.

In an effort to be helpful, I scrapped the snow off his entry ramp with a dust pan this winter. That's when I began to talk to him asking about his family. His wife's obituary and picture sit on the table beside him. He has no children, but hers, as they were married for twenty years. I offered to take the multiple bags of aluminum cans stacked along his driveway to the recyclers bringing the money to him, but didn't have a truck to haul them in and they won't fit in my little car.

Recently his meal was untouched on the counter from the previous day. I should have removed it when dropping off the new one. Then he was in the hospital. I wondered if it was because of the meal left out. When he returned now in a hospital bed set up in the tiny livingroom resuming his meals, I made sure to put them in the refrigerator.

He's dying and talks about it often as I sit at his bedside trying to get him to drink a little water offering words of comfort. Worrying when I leave, will he be okay all alone with no one there at his appointed time to return to our Heavenly Father. All alone with no one, except Hospice & me.

Thur. Thirteen Thoughts 1/2 Way 2 Thanksgiving

What's 1/2 thanks? I acknowledge 1/2 birthdays (midyear/6 months from date)in our family so why not throw in 13 thanks halfway to Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe we're midway there. Here's noteworthy items I'm thankful for:

1. Thanks for the green light at 53rd today. It's almost always red.
2. Thanks that we got the flowers planted before they died.
3. Thanks for the new raised bed garden spot that I need to plant.
4. Interesting books, now reading 'Last Man Out' by H Robert Charles.
5. Glad my library card was found before I ordered a new one.
6. Super happy to sleep until 5am & have cool, quiet mornings to enjoy.
7. Memorial Day to honor great men & women who died for our freedom.
8. Online banking as bills pay automatically saving postage & worries.
9. I found an outfit for the wedding next month on sale for $19.99. Yeah!!!
10. Allan washed the car & is mowing the lawn weekly without complaint.
11. I have money left over after paying the bills (knock on wood).
12. We got central air that works like an Arctic wind. How great is that?
13. My family will all be here in June. Help me to cope like no other.

May you ponder reasons to be thankful this week at the halfway mark.

Tuesday-Trees I've Tried Out

I spied this craggy old tree one afternoon walk on the Jordan River Parkway & decided it needed some attention. It's been home to many birds, still sporting a manmade nest. With it's dead top and living bottom, life has been hard but this old guy has endured drawing its nourishment from the river.

Trees and I go way back to my youth, when my siblings & I spent many a day under the 'Big Tree' (a Poplar about 75ft? tall) near my home in Bluffdale. It stood over the intersection of two main ditches with a water area large enough to make a 8' plastic pool jealous. We caught many a frog, water skeeters and trouble from Mom for not coming home there. Huts, friends and the Crane kids took up residence on this shady summer spot, now buried under a road.

Most trees have their leaves now as the we enjoy the beauty of green covering the valley floor. My neighbor has huge Chinese Elms who annually dump their seeds all over my porch, yard, gutters and garden. I'm used to it by now. The year we planted our front lawn, we had more trees growing than blades of grass. Buckets full are in my trash, after spending the evening shoveling them up.

What a story these trees could tell if they could talk, like how they got their start and who befriended them for a summer, year or lifetime. How many of you had your very own 'Big Tree'? Tell us about it.

Sunday: Sweet Song of Forgiveness

Our lesson at church was on forgiveness. We talked about the peace that comes when one is able to forgive after carrying such a burden around. Sickness, stress and heartache are some of the results of holding a grudge.

Joseph Smith said, 'Father, forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. Bear and forbear one another, for so the Lord does with us. Seek to help save souls, not to destoy them. Nothing is calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness.'

One story was told about my friend, Shirlene's, eldest daughter, Jennifer, who was quite rebellious in her teen years causing her parents lots of turmoil. They clashed on many subjects, especially when she pierced each ear in six places. Many a day fights and disagreements were the norm in this home as they tried to get along.

One day while passing her daughter on the stairway at home, Jennifer said, "Mom, whenever you look at me, your face shows disgust." This took Shirlene by surprise, not realizing her disappointment in Jennifer's behavior had been perceived this way. Instantly her heart and attitude turned to complete unconditional love. This change of heart made all the difference in Jennifer's life and their relationship. Forgiveness was reached on both sides and together progress was made for the better.

Today Jennifer is one terrific mom guiding the way for her own children to make wise choices. Mom and daughter are the best of friends working together as they meet life's challenges. May we all step outside ourselves, to view how we treat others and reach out to those that need an extra dose of love, support and forgiveness.

Friday: Fired, & the Living is Queasy

That's right a loved coworker & employee of almost seventeen years was let go. Was it something she did? No! She had the wrong job at the wrong time. Few people work as diligently as she did. This gal never took vacation, sick leave or hung around the water cooler chatting. In this volatile environment, anyone no matter the position, years worked or loyalty could be watching for the unemployment checks to come in the mail.

My grand daughter fired her mom last week. She wrote on a white slip 'Mom, yor Fird,Fird,Fird'!! Alicia was so excited she planned some things she could do in her time off from meals, laundry, child care, cleaning & such. Next morning Sarah said she was just kidding, after discovering that doing everything wasn't as much fun as she thought it would be. Dang!!

A huge weight was lifted from my mind & shoulders the day they let me go from Discover Card, after telling me to quit for months. Young jocks were tossing toys around and gals were painting there nails as the loyal & true (not a few) were shown the door.

Being 'FIRED' isnt the worst thing in the world, especially when you're not happy. This is when you know the 'living is queasy' until you find, that just 'around the corner' is a better more fulfilling job. Best wishes, Veronica.

Wednesday: Where are You on Weed Whacking?-

Believe it or not, I love to pull weeds, especially after a storm when the ground’s soft and the job effortless. I could go from yard to yard assisting my neighbors with the chore. I feel like the giant in Jack & the Beanstalk as I grab hands full of the pesky greens ripping them from their homes as my pile grows. Wiping out white top, bind weed, burr buttercup and the likes makes me feel like a saint ridding the planet of the noxious gangs.

The weed whacker is too awkward for me to handle with my short legs although I see short men maneuver it with ease. Coordination may be my problem. Who’s teaching classes on the gangly tool? I’ll sign up.

Genesis 3:17, 19 & 23 ”cursed is the ground for thy sake…thorns also & thistles shall it bring forth to thee...the Lord sent Adam from the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken..”

Sometimes I’m pretty mad at Adam for eating the apple that Eve gave him, but we all wouldn’t be here either. Therefore, I weed when the weeding is good & rest from my labors for a spell, too.
Weed & Feed, anyone?

Monday: Maid for a Day

I dream of having maid service for a day.
While she’s busy, I’d read, exercise & play.

I’d assign all the showers to polish & scour,
While I’m at lunch with friends for the hour.

Windows to clean, (both sides) I’m mean;
While I catch a movie with a giant screen.

Scrub & oil the cupboard doors, ceiling to floor
If she’d de junk the garage& closets, I’d score.

Saving my energy & muscles from the chore
I’d go on a hike and so very much more.

Saturday- Stilettos or Stilts

At a recent function I couldn’t take my eyes off of many of the women’s feet. You could tell the wisdom or age by the shoes worn.

Comfy shoes-Wisdom Flats – Smart enough to care
Flip flops –Lounger Platforms -Wanna be
Sneakers- Too cautious Spike heels – Notice of me, I'm hot.

I noticed all right and thought how dumb. Most walk like ducks, with their feet waddling outward. They can’t balance on such horrendously high heels. One gal's shoes looked like step ladders wrapped in snake skin covered with buckles.

What about the scout motto, “Be Prepared”. It would be easier to walk on stilts, believe me. I’d rather wear a grandma shoe than attempt those skyscrapers. All I can say is, ‘You’ll be soorrry because, “the journey is as important as the destination,” especially if you’re walking the whole way.

Fri- Follow a Few of Mom Facts

Frankly, no one listens to moms, at least not their family. I know, because it's been years since I listened to my mother. She goes on & on about who died, how glad she is about not doing yada yada like so & so. The worst is her never ending who's related to whom recitals. I don't care.

Please, oh please, tell me when I begin to sound and say the same things that Mom says. Maybe that's why senior citizens all go deaf. They tune each other out & quit talking, because their kids told them to.

Factual: Mom's know alot, are forever learning and remember many how to's.
Food: We'd starve if it wasn't for mom's dependable meals.
Funny: Mom's actually have a sense of humor & love to laugh at their kids.
Frosting: Mom's are the frosting on the cake of life sweetening things up.
Feelings: We do overlook alot, but please don't tread on us.
Fearless: We have to endure alot & become fearless until our kids grow up.

Thurs: Three Cheers for 05-07-09

I love how numbers tell a story by their position. 5-7-9, today’s date is one of those significant stand outs that need discussion.

FIVE alive: Five is the age we look forward to when starting school. Five fingers on one hand, high fives, five pointed stars, most cars fit five people, five on a basketball team and more than I can name. I have five children, five grandsons and it’s a favorite number for many. Best of all, get off work @5.

SEVEN is heaven: There are seven in our family before spouses & grandkids. Seven days in a week, 7-11’s, get ready for work at 7am, watch TV at 7pm. We can’t forget the ever popular Lucky 7 & 24/7.


NINE is fine: Easy to calculate mathematically, you’re almost ten, rhymes easily for poetry, and Fox News @9. We’re at work nine hours if taking a full lunch, pi for 3, or squares on a tic tac toe board. It’s the most common number used to sell things, such as $4.99, $19.99 or $99.99. Kids go to bed at 9pm, Church is at nine and 99 bottles of root beer on the wall.

Have a great, 5 alive-7 is heaven-9 is fine, kind of May day.

Tues: A Tantalizing Cinco de May

It’s not a birthday, that’s in September. Try saying cinco de Septiembre. We have a snappy sounding day to eat, celebrate and remember the red, white & green colors of the Mexican flag. America actually makes a bigger deal of this day of liberation from some south of the border trouble, than the Latinos, I’m told. Enjoying authentic Spanish classical music all day on KBYU, has been a treat. I’m buying a piñata for my grand children when they come, in a few weeks.

I don’t mind fixing Spanish rice, enchiladas and burritos all week, as well as taking advantage of the sales. Last night trying to come up with a quick meal, I pulled out beans, chili, left over beef and tossed salad from the fridge. In seconds it was heated and poured over chips with a sprinkling of cheese for a delicious and healthy taco salad.

What would we do without these tantalizing Mexican influences and dishes?

Monday: Musings on Motherhood

Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, I owe to my dear mother.”
I love Lincoln’s declaration giving such credit to his mother who died when he was a young boy.

From the moment we come into this world until we spread our wings, our mothers are shaping and molding our lives preparing us for that time. I remember counting the years I had left before my youngest left home realizing my opportunities for teaching were coming to an end. Sad and happy mingle as we prepare to let go, wishing time could stand still for just a little longer.

We ask ourselves: Did I give them everything possible to succeed, fly high, bear disappointment and so on? What more could I have done? For twenty-nine years a child was depending on me to feed, love, encourage, pick up after and worry about. Whether they were one day old or twenty four years old, it was my responsibility to be there in tough, sad or joyful times. Thank you, my wonderful children for coming into our home and letting me be your MOM. I love each of you very much.

Now, just call me 'Consultant Mother'. I’m enjoying this part-time position.

Saturday: Satisfied Super Stars

Here we are the wives, Clarissa (me), Catherine and Keziah in the play, Over Jordan. This is our final night with success and sweet words of encouragement from friends, family & strangers alike as we greet the departing guests. It's amazing how it makes you feel a little bit like a super star, when someone comes up saying what a convincing act it was. Every bit as good as Broadway and our heads start to swell.

It's surprising how your mind keeps track of what to do or not to do. Totally oblivious to the audience, no fear of acting or singing to the crowd is felt.

Sad to leave our new found friends behind, knowing we may not see them again or ever. We all go on a first name basis, George, Gracie, Jean or Bonnie. In fact, at first, I thought Bonnie was the homeliest creature I'd layed my eyes on. Now knowing what a sweet young teen she is, we hug and wish one another luck when our scene comes up. Thanks for the memories dear, new friends.