It has been a few days since I last wrote, but wanted to share some things. Im don't usually speak out about my faith, don't know why, I guess I just dont think about it as often as I should.
I was born into a Christian family, raised pretty much on the pew of a church, and have been involved in church in one form or another basically my whole life. I was "saved" at an early age, and though I have had ups and downs, as everyone does, I have never really lost my faith. I'll share more about that in a bit, but suffice it to say God has been a part of me my whole life.
Im sure some of you might be wondering what has brought on this sudden urge to share all of this. I guess I could say that it is something that has been brewing for some time, and perhaps that is true, but honestly, it is probably the story of Tim Tebow. This young man, in case you have never heard of him, is a pro football quarterback and is currently the starting QB for the Denver Bronco's. His story goes back all the way to the beginning. His mother had a chance to abort him, and decided to NOT do it. The rest as we say is history. Great college numbers as an athlete a top draft choice in the NFL, and now a starter in the NFL. No big deal right?, well it is a big deal for one reason. ALL of the so called talking heads have bashed him over the years, and even more now, saying he is not big enough, or not accurate enough, or just not smart enough, and yet he excels. Since he has taken over as a starter for Denver, I think he has only lost 1 game. So why does everyone make fun and criticize him? Because he has the audacity to proclaim his faith in God. He does it openly and unabashedly. He does not hesitate to kneel on the sideline and whisper a prayer when the field goal kicker is ready to make a kick. I guess it has irritated me enough that everyone has been so critical of him that I decided to say something about it. If this young man has the nerve to stand up for his faith, why should we all not do the same thing?
I can look back over the 60 years of my life and see many times where God has had His hand on my life, and many of those times I was negligent in not thanking Him for His intervention or guidance on my behalf. (Now for those of you who do not believe in God, this is probably a bit hard to swallow, but please bear with me.) I have often said, that at times, God had to whack me upside the head with a 4x4. LOL, some people only require a small stick but I tend to be stubborn, and often times need the "extra" encouragement. :-) This part of being stubborn is something I guess I was born with, but not an excuse. :-) I can even look back over the last couple of years and realize this or that, and see that things could have been much worse. One example is a bit over a year ago, we were helping my daughter move to North Carolina. On the way out my van blew the engine. In the middle of the trip!! Fortunately I had just pulled off the highway, and noticed it, but got back on and of course things got worse. I nursed it to the next exit where a mechanic confirmed my worst thoughts. The engine was toast! No why do I say God had his hand on this? Well here is the "rest of the story" The tow truck driver arrived and took me to the rental company so I could pick up a truck to load things into, then allowed us the load everything into the rental in his tow lot. They bought my van, for almost what the rental cost me. As for getting back home to St. Louis, well we were able to buy one way tickets for the 2 of use for just a bit over $200. In addition to that, the van did not just stop in the middle of the highway with everyone doing 70+MPH where serious injury could have occurred. So you see, God is faithful, sometimes even when we are not. We are His children and much like any parent He loves us, yet will correct us when necessary.
One last reason for this note is that right now I am involved in a Church Christmas production. Nothing unusual about that with the exception Im in the Caroling group and Choir, and as things happen, I have NO voice to sing with. Roaring case of laryngitis! So of course it had to happen now, just a few days before the actual performances and WHY am I even bringing that up. Well the answer is simple. Im believing that God will heal my throat and voice and I will be able to perform with my groups. So in simple language
PRAISE GOD!
Thanks for reading
Stories about life in general, politics, where I have been, where Im going, what I like to do.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
THANKSGIVING
Well it has been awhile since I wrote on this blog. I was intentionally waiting till now because I had this idea to write about Thanksgiving.
To say it has been an interesting year, would be an understatement. But let me go into a few things before getting the real topic of conversation. Thanksgiving somehow has gone from being a day to be thankful for the abundance of what God has given and allowed us to have to a day of greed and gluttony. Now the Thanksgiving meal is a great time and Im not knocking that. The greed on the other hand is something else totally. This year, as opposed to years past, stores are either open on Thanksgiving OR they are opening as early as 10pm to get the so called Black Friday shoppers, hoping to get that supper good deal on their favorite electronics or bath towel. I'm sorry but Thanksgiving should be a time with family and friends and NOT a day of shopping and greed for the merchants. Sorry, just my opinion.
NOW to the real reason Im writing this. Just a few things Im thankful for. Im not even sure where to start, but I will put things down, not in any special order, well maybe the 1st few will be in order.
Im 1st of all thankful for God and what He has done in my life, and allowing me to live for my 60 years.
Im thankful to be alive. 6 years ago, I had a heart attack and while it was not devastating, it could have been, but God was merciful, and Im still around and in reasonably good health.
Im thankful for my wife. I don't really deserve her, but she somehow has seen whatever good there is in me and has kept me. Thanks babe!
Im thankful for my daughter. I know some of you who know me personally think, "Yeah what else is new?" I will say that I am a bit biased when it comes to her, but she is, well lets just leave it at she is my buddy. (Im also thankful for Milo, my daughters beloved dog. He loves her and she him, unconditionally)
Im thankful for my daughters new husband. He is a great guy and loves my daughter and that is all any father can ask for.
Im thankful for a great church. A church that when it needs to, puts it's money where it's mouth is. They often times are 1st on the spot in disasters and are there to help out and dont look for anything in return. Their motto is "Honor God, Help People" You cant go wrong with that.
Im thankful that over the years I have been able to travel to a lot of places and help many church's with their sound problems, and do it within their budget, and at times even do it just to do it.
Im thankful for friends. I have been blessed with many friends, some close and some not so close, but friends none the less.
Im thankful for the ability to be able to write this blog.
Im thankful for this wonderful country we live in. We have freedoms that many others in this world do not have.
Believe it or not, Im thankful for my pets. 2 wonderful dogs, that give unconditional companionship.
Im thankful that even though at times work has been slim, and money tight, we have always had what we needed.
Im thankful for safe travel when my wife and I have traveled either by air or by driving.
It is interesting to sit down and start writing things that you are thankful for, it seems to bring things to life.
Im sure if we all sat down and started writing things out, we would find more than we realized to be thankful for. Life is a gift, be thankful for it. Im sure I may be leaving something off of here. That does not mean Im not thankful, just forgetful. :) Comes from getting old!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
To say it has been an interesting year, would be an understatement. But let me go into a few things before getting the real topic of conversation. Thanksgiving somehow has gone from being a day to be thankful for the abundance of what God has given and allowed us to have to a day of greed and gluttony. Now the Thanksgiving meal is a great time and Im not knocking that. The greed on the other hand is something else totally. This year, as opposed to years past, stores are either open on Thanksgiving OR they are opening as early as 10pm to get the so called Black Friday shoppers, hoping to get that supper good deal on their favorite electronics or bath towel. I'm sorry but Thanksgiving should be a time with family and friends and NOT a day of shopping and greed for the merchants. Sorry, just my opinion.
NOW to the real reason Im writing this. Just a few things Im thankful for. Im not even sure where to start, but I will put things down, not in any special order, well maybe the 1st few will be in order.
Im 1st of all thankful for God and what He has done in my life, and allowing me to live for my 60 years.
Im thankful to be alive. 6 years ago, I had a heart attack and while it was not devastating, it could have been, but God was merciful, and Im still around and in reasonably good health.
Im thankful for my wife. I don't really deserve her, but she somehow has seen whatever good there is in me and has kept me. Thanks babe!
Im thankful for my daughter. I know some of you who know me personally think, "Yeah what else is new?" I will say that I am a bit biased when it comes to her, but she is, well lets just leave it at she is my buddy. (Im also thankful for Milo, my daughters beloved dog. He loves her and she him, unconditionally)
Im thankful for my daughters new husband. He is a great guy and loves my daughter and that is all any father can ask for.
Im thankful for a great church. A church that when it needs to, puts it's money where it's mouth is. They often times are 1st on the spot in disasters and are there to help out and dont look for anything in return. Their motto is "Honor God, Help People" You cant go wrong with that.
Im thankful that over the years I have been able to travel to a lot of places and help many church's with their sound problems, and do it within their budget, and at times even do it just to do it.
Im thankful for friends. I have been blessed with many friends, some close and some not so close, but friends none the less.
Im thankful for the ability to be able to write this blog.
Im thankful for this wonderful country we live in. We have freedoms that many others in this world do not have.
Believe it or not, Im thankful for my pets. 2 wonderful dogs, that give unconditional companionship.
Im thankful that even though at times work has been slim, and money tight, we have always had what we needed.
Im thankful for safe travel when my wife and I have traveled either by air or by driving.
It is interesting to sit down and start writing things that you are thankful for, it seems to bring things to life.
Im sure if we all sat down and started writing things out, we would find more than we realized to be thankful for. Life is a gift, be thankful for it. Im sure I may be leaving something off of here. That does not mean Im not thankful, just forgetful. :) Comes from getting old!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday, October 21, 2011
RED OCTOBER
As most of you know, I'm from St. Louis MO, was born here, and have lived here most all my life.
There is a strange disease that inflicts itself on this area every few years. It does not happen every year, but when it does it is highly infectious. It is known as RED OCTOBER! For those of you who do not reside in the St. Louis area or even in the midwest, this is a disease you may never have heard of. No some of you are thinking, well DUH, October is often red, or orange, or yellow, all the beautiful colors of the leaves changing and St Louis is full of those colors. Well yes in most years you are correct, but every few years we get an extra helping of red. It is a disease that totally takes over the brain. Keeps people up late at night, causes extreme anxiousness, sometimes even results in extreme euphoria. It only lasts about a week or so, but sometimes the effects last thru the winter and on into spring. It is a very strange disease.
This year we all thought that the chances of catching this disease was very slim. It appeared that the virus would pass us by and we would not have to worry about it. HOWEVER the jet stream shifted and the winds changed, and the final days of September turned to October and low and behold, St. Louis had contracted RED OCTOBER disease. It is everywhere. You cannot escape it. IF you even travel thru the city, chances are you have been exposed to it, and will probably catch the fever.
In 1982, it was a highly infectious fever. It led to dancing in the streets, parades, adults totally acting like children. It is though this disease affects the brain and totally disconnects it from any kind of common sense. It has struck St. Louis 18 times over the years. The 1st time I can remember is 1964. I just assumed it was something that happened, but while that is what happened that year, it was a couple of years before it struck again. Out of those 18 times it has struck, it has been really bad only 10 times however this year they are expecting it to be really bad again.
Well before some of you wonder what in the world Im talking about, Im talking about St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. The RED OCTOBER is because the Cardinals have made the playoffs after being considered out of contention as late as August 25. They were 10 1/2 games out of the wild card spot, and went on an improbably run of winning games and other teams losing an improbable run of games. As September came to an end, the Cardinals found themselves in the throws of RED OCTOBER. St. Louis fans have become like children and have all started dressing in red and making really silly bets with the other team in the final 7 games of the season known as the World Series. Now the Cardinals had to get past a team that had won 102 games, and another team that really hated the Cardinals, and they had won 96 games. Yes it indeed seems as though the "baseball gods" are smiling on the Cardinals. Now they are playing a team, the Texas Rangers, (sounds more like a police force), whom they have only played one other time for 3 games, and only in TX. The Rangers never had been to St. Louis. I wonder if they were overwhelmed by all the red? You hear terms like "Rally Squirell", "Don Tony", "Torty Craig", "Carp", (NO that last one is not a fish!) Mayors of the 2 competing cities are throwing down bets for things that are synonymous with their particular city. The governors of the 2 states, MO and TX have thrown down food bets. Seems as though beer plays a significant part of all these bets. Texas has only been to the World Series 2 times in its history, while the Cardinals have been involved 18 times, 2nd only the the Yankees.
There seems to be no cure for this fever. Unfortunately should the Cardinals win this series, this fever will probably last all the way to next baseball season. Should they lose, it will still linger in the lives of some of the more die hard fans. Seems as though there is a never say die attitude amongst the Cardinal Nation faithful. There seems to be no shortage of prognosticators about who will win and in how many games. I myself and saying the Cardinals in 7, but will accept a shorter time frame as long as the winners come out with the "birds on the bat"! GO CARDS!!!!
There is a strange disease that inflicts itself on this area every few years. It does not happen every year, but when it does it is highly infectious. It is known as RED OCTOBER! For those of you who do not reside in the St. Louis area or even in the midwest, this is a disease you may never have heard of. No some of you are thinking, well DUH, October is often red, or orange, or yellow, all the beautiful colors of the leaves changing and St Louis is full of those colors. Well yes in most years you are correct, but every few years we get an extra helping of red. It is a disease that totally takes over the brain. Keeps people up late at night, causes extreme anxiousness, sometimes even results in extreme euphoria. It only lasts about a week or so, but sometimes the effects last thru the winter and on into spring. It is a very strange disease.
This year we all thought that the chances of catching this disease was very slim. It appeared that the virus would pass us by and we would not have to worry about it. HOWEVER the jet stream shifted and the winds changed, and the final days of September turned to October and low and behold, St. Louis had contracted RED OCTOBER disease. It is everywhere. You cannot escape it. IF you even travel thru the city, chances are you have been exposed to it, and will probably catch the fever.
In 1982, it was a highly infectious fever. It led to dancing in the streets, parades, adults totally acting like children. It is though this disease affects the brain and totally disconnects it from any kind of common sense. It has struck St. Louis 18 times over the years. The 1st time I can remember is 1964. I just assumed it was something that happened, but while that is what happened that year, it was a couple of years before it struck again. Out of those 18 times it has struck, it has been really bad only 10 times however this year they are expecting it to be really bad again.
Well before some of you wonder what in the world Im talking about, Im talking about St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. The RED OCTOBER is because the Cardinals have made the playoffs after being considered out of contention as late as August 25. They were 10 1/2 games out of the wild card spot, and went on an improbably run of winning games and other teams losing an improbable run of games. As September came to an end, the Cardinals found themselves in the throws of RED OCTOBER. St. Louis fans have become like children and have all started dressing in red and making really silly bets with the other team in the final 7 games of the season known as the World Series. Now the Cardinals had to get past a team that had won 102 games, and another team that really hated the Cardinals, and they had won 96 games. Yes it indeed seems as though the "baseball gods" are smiling on the Cardinals. Now they are playing a team, the Texas Rangers, (sounds more like a police force), whom they have only played one other time for 3 games, and only in TX. The Rangers never had been to St. Louis. I wonder if they were overwhelmed by all the red? You hear terms like "Rally Squirell", "Don Tony", "Torty Craig", "Carp", (NO that last one is not a fish!) Mayors of the 2 competing cities are throwing down bets for things that are synonymous with their particular city. The governors of the 2 states, MO and TX have thrown down food bets. Seems as though beer plays a significant part of all these bets. Texas has only been to the World Series 2 times in its history, while the Cardinals have been involved 18 times, 2nd only the the Yankees.
There seems to be no cure for this fever. Unfortunately should the Cardinals win this series, this fever will probably last all the way to next baseball season. Should they lose, it will still linger in the lives of some of the more die hard fans. Seems as though there is a never say die attitude amongst the Cardinal Nation faithful. There seems to be no shortage of prognosticators about who will win and in how many games. I myself and saying the Cardinals in 7, but will accept a shorter time frame as long as the winners come out with the "birds on the bat"! GO CARDS!!!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
LIVING, DYING, AND SO ON, PART 2
Well the 1st chapter of this scenario is over. People have come, people have gone back to their everyday lives. Rachel has had her funeral, and everyone has said their good byes. Honestly is was a very nice service. Lots of great words were said about this wonderful lady. She touched so many lives, and those lives touched more lives. Interesting how all that works. 6 degrees of separation I think is how a lot of people put it. I know you, you know someone else and what I do affects the person you know and so on. In this case it was true. In her 82 years she touched many lives, not only thru her 4 children, and their children, but thru her everyday life. Church friends, church leaders past and present, and even those in the nursing home up to the day she went home to heaven. The simple act of dying touched the people in the nursing home and the hospice workers, even her husband of 65 years. Yes Jim was touched by the way she died. In his Alzhiemers fogged brain, he knew that is bride had gone on ahead of him. He will miss her, but somehow he was able to understand that he would see her again someday in heaven. Wonderful love story there. Maybe another time I will write more about that.
Now it is about the living. In this life it is about the living. Once a person dies, and the funeral is over and people go on, often times it is out of site out of mind. I don't believe that to be the case here because Rachel's family loved her very much. However as the saying goes, life does go on. Work, school, travel, all these things seem to take up our time. Maybe we should slow down a bit and not let circumstances control our lives so much. Maybe we should control our lives. Rachel seemed to do this, at least until she was unable to. When Jim was away at sea, (he was a merchant marine), she would load up the 4 kids and drive them to whatever port he was coming in, and then they would all drive back. She ran the house, ran the family business, controlled the finances, made sure the kids were where they needed to be. Kinda reminds you of the "typical" 50's family where mom was home and had dinner on at 5. Well that is not exactly the way it was, but way different that most of us tend to stay. We are all way to busy with life to take the time to understand that we are God's creatures and that He wants us to be.
Yes I think Rachel left a legacy that anyone would be proud of. She left 4 children, 6 grand children, and yet to be determined any number of great grand children. All are good, hard working, honest members of society. The children are married and much in love the way Rachel and Jim were. One grand child is married and much in love as well. Perhaps the legacy of 65 years of staying together will rub off and become the standard of the family rather than the exception.
Remember that Rachel loved God, Jim, her family. All in that order. She had the order right, she had the priorities in her life right, and it paid off in the end. She ran the race and she finished strong. How are you living? How is your race going? Are you going to finish strong?
Now it is about the living. In this life it is about the living. Once a person dies, and the funeral is over and people go on, often times it is out of site out of mind. I don't believe that to be the case here because Rachel's family loved her very much. However as the saying goes, life does go on. Work, school, travel, all these things seem to take up our time. Maybe we should slow down a bit and not let circumstances control our lives so much. Maybe we should control our lives. Rachel seemed to do this, at least until she was unable to. When Jim was away at sea, (he was a merchant marine), she would load up the 4 kids and drive them to whatever port he was coming in, and then they would all drive back. She ran the house, ran the family business, controlled the finances, made sure the kids were where they needed to be. Kinda reminds you of the "typical" 50's family where mom was home and had dinner on at 5. Well that is not exactly the way it was, but way different that most of us tend to stay. We are all way to busy with life to take the time to understand that we are God's creatures and that He wants us to be.
Yes I think Rachel left a legacy that anyone would be proud of. She left 4 children, 6 grand children, and yet to be determined any number of great grand children. All are good, hard working, honest members of society. The children are married and much in love the way Rachel and Jim were. One grand child is married and much in love as well. Perhaps the legacy of 65 years of staying together will rub off and become the standard of the family rather than the exception.
Remember that Rachel loved God, Jim, her family. All in that order. She had the order right, she had the priorities in her life right, and it paid off in the end. She ran the race and she finished strong. How are you living? How is your race going? Are you going to finish strong?
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
LIVING, DYING, AND SO ON
It has been awhile since I wrote on here, but not because I did not want to, just was not in the mood. LOL It is sometime after 2AM and I could not sleep because though my body was tired, apparently my brain was not and would not shut down. Kinda sucks when you are on vacation.
An unfortunate, fortunate thing happened this past Monday. My mother in law died. Well that is when she stopped breathing. Some would say she actually stopped being the person she had always been last December when she had a stroke, however she physically left this life on Monday at 11:30 AM. Her husband of 65 years was holding her hand. (Who in the world stays married these days for 65 years. THEY did.) Though in the last year they were not physically living in the same room, the were in the same place, a nursing home. My father in law has Alzheimers and really does not always know what is happening, however he did apparently realize that his wife of 65 years was gone. They were forever known as Jim and Rachel. This is all so seemingly sad, however there are some things that make this a bit better and easier for the family. This is where the "fortunate" part comes in play.
Rachel was a Godly woman. A fact that she had passed to her whole family thru the years. I happen to be married to the oldest and she is one of the sweetest people I know, and I truly do not deserve her. (A fact that did not escape Rachel when we were 1st married. :)) I was always raised in church. I know that dying is a part of life. People die all the time. Seems like there is this tug of war at times. Doctors want to perform heroic life saving measures to keep someone alive and their body is saying NO please let me go. This is why I think Hospice care is so great. They allow a person to be comfortable and allow the inevitable to happen. Rachel had been on Hospice care for several months.
One of the things I have heard my whole life is we have, as Christians, this "Blessed Hope". What does that mean? Well is means that as Christians, we have this promise of seeing our loved ones, who were also Christians, again in Heaven when we also die. How strange is that. Im sure that you probably thought, when Im dead, Im dead, just leave me alone, I can finally get some rest. I've always been pretty pragmatic about death. I guess that is how I was raised, but I have also always found it just a bit interesting. Have you ever wondered about it? I have. How can you be alive and breathing one moment, and then poof, you are gone? Our bodies are extremely complicated if you really think about it. Once you are born the clock starts ticking. Some of us have a very long time, and others don't. Think about this. This body has an incredible amount of healing power. If you cut yourself, you heal up within a few days. Should you get a cold, it only lasts a few days. Break a bone, and it heals in a matter of weeks. Have surgery and typically you heal. God made a pretty incredible thing when he made us.
Getting back to why Im up at 2AM writing a blog. This kept going thru my mind. I kept thinking of the verse in Revelation 21:4 that says "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow or crying, neither shall there be anymore pain" I personally think this is more the Blessed Hope than just seeing a loved one again. To be able to rest in the arms of God, to be able to have HIM wipe away our tears, and for there to be no more death. To us who are left here on this earth, losing a loved one stings. It hurts. Even when it is someone who because of a stroke was really not the same person she had always been, it is still a shock to the system. You are always expecting the phone call, but when it comes it still hurts. I've lost both of my parents, as well as other family members. I've gone thru this and can hold my wife's hand and hug my daughter, but they still will grieve, and that is a good thing.
Rachel is no longer in pain, she is no longer having to take insulin she no longer has to worry about anything in this life. She has fought the good fight, she has run the race, she is now with her Father in Heaven. She is reunited with friends and loved ones that went on before her. She has no worries at all about anything. The family and friends she left behind, will of course miss her, but they have the "HOPE" of seeing her again when they reach Heaven's shores! So don't cry for Rachel, weep for your loss, weep with tears of joy for her, she is in a far better place and God has wiped away all of her tears.
An unfortunate, fortunate thing happened this past Monday. My mother in law died. Well that is when she stopped breathing. Some would say she actually stopped being the person she had always been last December when she had a stroke, however she physically left this life on Monday at 11:30 AM. Her husband of 65 years was holding her hand. (Who in the world stays married these days for 65 years. THEY did.) Though in the last year they were not physically living in the same room, the were in the same place, a nursing home. My father in law has Alzheimers and really does not always know what is happening, however he did apparently realize that his wife of 65 years was gone. They were forever known as Jim and Rachel. This is all so seemingly sad, however there are some things that make this a bit better and easier for the family. This is where the "fortunate" part comes in play.
Rachel was a Godly woman. A fact that she had passed to her whole family thru the years. I happen to be married to the oldest and she is one of the sweetest people I know, and I truly do not deserve her. (A fact that did not escape Rachel when we were 1st married. :)) I was always raised in church. I know that dying is a part of life. People die all the time. Seems like there is this tug of war at times. Doctors want to perform heroic life saving measures to keep someone alive and their body is saying NO please let me go. This is why I think Hospice care is so great. They allow a person to be comfortable and allow the inevitable to happen. Rachel had been on Hospice care for several months.
One of the things I have heard my whole life is we have, as Christians, this "Blessed Hope". What does that mean? Well is means that as Christians, we have this promise of seeing our loved ones, who were also Christians, again in Heaven when we also die. How strange is that. Im sure that you probably thought, when Im dead, Im dead, just leave me alone, I can finally get some rest. I've always been pretty pragmatic about death. I guess that is how I was raised, but I have also always found it just a bit interesting. Have you ever wondered about it? I have. How can you be alive and breathing one moment, and then poof, you are gone? Our bodies are extremely complicated if you really think about it. Once you are born the clock starts ticking. Some of us have a very long time, and others don't. Think about this. This body has an incredible amount of healing power. If you cut yourself, you heal up within a few days. Should you get a cold, it only lasts a few days. Break a bone, and it heals in a matter of weeks. Have surgery and typically you heal. God made a pretty incredible thing when he made us.
Getting back to why Im up at 2AM writing a blog. This kept going thru my mind. I kept thinking of the verse in Revelation 21:4 that says "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow or crying, neither shall there be anymore pain" I personally think this is more the Blessed Hope than just seeing a loved one again. To be able to rest in the arms of God, to be able to have HIM wipe away our tears, and for there to be no more death. To us who are left here on this earth, losing a loved one stings. It hurts. Even when it is someone who because of a stroke was really not the same person she had always been, it is still a shock to the system. You are always expecting the phone call, but when it comes it still hurts. I've lost both of my parents, as well as other family members. I've gone thru this and can hold my wife's hand and hug my daughter, but they still will grieve, and that is a good thing.
Rachel is no longer in pain, she is no longer having to take insulin she no longer has to worry about anything in this life. She has fought the good fight, she has run the race, she is now with her Father in Heaven. She is reunited with friends and loved ones that went on before her. She has no worries at all about anything. The family and friends she left behind, will of course miss her, but they have the "HOPE" of seeing her again when they reach Heaven's shores! So don't cry for Rachel, weep for your loss, weep with tears of joy for her, she is in a far better place and God has wiped away all of her tears.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A SOLEMN EXPERIENCE
Well as all of you know the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on our country was this past weekend. Here in St. Louis there were many memorials to that horrible anniversary. I dont think any of them compared to what a group of people did at the Art Museum, Art Hill to be specific. Almost 3,000 flags mounted and put into the ground. All nice straight rows, and all waving gently in the breezes that grace that beautiful area.
To me there is not another flag in the world that is as pretty as our flag. Something about the red, white, and blue combination that is just absolutely stunning. I know others have the same colors, but the stars and bars, is just incredible. When you see almost 3,000 of them flying in one spot, it is absolutely breathtaking. HOWEVER, this goes beyond that. Each flag pole had a name, place of death, date of birth, and many had pictures attached. Date of death was September 11, 2001. 3,000 people in one day. All because one group of people hate America so much to claim we are all evil, and need to be eliminated from this earth.
What is so solemn, so mind blowing, so moving, is that once you realize that each flag represents a person who died on one day, it is just enough to take your breath away. I dont know the total acreage that is covered on Art Hill, but I would imagine that it is probably around 5 acres or so. To walk among the flags as they wave in the breeze and feel the material touch your skin, it is almost as if that person the flag represents, is touching you and asking for you to never forget.
Some of the 3,000 never knew what hit them, they were vaporized in an instant. Others, the ones on the planes that struck the buildings, both of the twin towers in Manhattan and the Pentagon, could see it coming and could not stop it, and the brave souls on flight 93 saw it, and tried to stop it, and probably saved the U.S. Capital building, by forcing the plane down in PA. Most of the bodies on board these aircraft were never recovered, they were just vaporized in an instant. Others took longer, and either died from smoke inhalation, or jumped to their deaths in hopes of somehow making to the ground and not dying, but others died heros saving countless lives while giving up their own. The brave hero's from the FDNY and the NYPD who ran into the building instead of running away. ALL of these people are represented by these flags.
These deaths, as a result of an unprovoked attack on this country, should never be forgotten. We must never forget, never give up, and always be vigilant. The USA has always been a land of the free, and home of the brave. Home of the brave, was certainly demonstrated on 9-11-2001.
To me there is not another flag in the world that is as pretty as our flag. Something about the red, white, and blue combination that is just absolutely stunning. I know others have the same colors, but the stars and bars, is just incredible. When you see almost 3,000 of them flying in one spot, it is absolutely breathtaking. HOWEVER, this goes beyond that. Each flag pole had a name, place of death, date of birth, and many had pictures attached. Date of death was September 11, 2001. 3,000 people in one day. All because one group of people hate America so much to claim we are all evil, and need to be eliminated from this earth.
What is so solemn, so mind blowing, so moving, is that once you realize that each flag represents a person who died on one day, it is just enough to take your breath away. I dont know the total acreage that is covered on Art Hill, but I would imagine that it is probably around 5 acres or so. To walk among the flags as they wave in the breeze and feel the material touch your skin, it is almost as if that person the flag represents, is touching you and asking for you to never forget.
Some of the 3,000 never knew what hit them, they were vaporized in an instant. Others, the ones on the planes that struck the buildings, both of the twin towers in Manhattan and the Pentagon, could see it coming and could not stop it, and the brave souls on flight 93 saw it, and tried to stop it, and probably saved the U.S. Capital building, by forcing the plane down in PA. Most of the bodies on board these aircraft were never recovered, they were just vaporized in an instant. Others took longer, and either died from smoke inhalation, or jumped to their deaths in hopes of somehow making to the ground and not dying, but others died heros saving countless lives while giving up their own. The brave hero's from the FDNY and the NYPD who ran into the building instead of running away. ALL of these people are represented by these flags.
Monday, September 12, 2011
CHESTERFIELD/MONARCH LEVEE RIDE
Yesterday, Sunday, after church I decided I was going to try a new route. I had heard that the top of the Monarch levee was finally paved all the way. Almost 8 miles of nice flat, for the most part, asphalt.
So I took a round about way of getting there wanting to get some road riding in as well as some extra miles. Took off from the Kaldi's parking lot and headed east on Chesterfield Airport Road. After about a mile or so had to turn right or else end up on Highway 40 and that was not a good option, so headed south then got on Edison road. Nice wide shoulders and no traffic to speak of. Took Edison basically to the end and then thru some warehouses and small businesses, and ended up on Old Olive. After some dodging of cars and some Sunday traffic, made a right on Centaur Rd and then just about 3/4 of a mile came to the beginning of the Monarch Levee. To say that is nice is putting it mildly. Once Chesterfield gets it totally done, it will be an awesome ride. Nice wide path and smooth asphalt. Some gentle rises, but for the most part nice and flat. The levee path actually goes under Highway 40 and back around to the north side of the highway. Really that is the only hill and it really is not worth mentioning, unless you have a problem with hills, just be prepared to down shift and go. :)
All in all a great ride on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, after a great service at church. A good Sunday at Church is better than a great bike ride, but yesterday I had a great Sunday at church and a great ride.
I recommend this ride anytime you can make it. No lighting out there so it is only good during daylight hours.
So I took a round about way of getting there wanting to get some road riding in as well as some extra miles. Took off from the Kaldi's parking lot and headed east on Chesterfield Airport Road. After about a mile or so had to turn right or else end up on Highway 40 and that was not a good option, so headed south then got on Edison road. Nice wide shoulders and no traffic to speak of. Took Edison basically to the end and then thru some warehouses and small businesses, and ended up on Old Olive. After some dodging of cars and some Sunday traffic, made a right on Centaur Rd and then just about 3/4 of a mile came to the beginning of the Monarch Levee. To say that is nice is putting it mildly. Once Chesterfield gets it totally done, it will be an awesome ride. Nice wide path and smooth asphalt. Some gentle rises, but for the most part nice and flat. The levee path actually goes under Highway 40 and back around to the north side of the highway. Really that is the only hill and it really is not worth mentioning, unless you have a problem with hills, just be prepared to down shift and go. :)
All in all a great ride on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, after a great service at church. A good Sunday at Church is better than a great bike ride, but yesterday I had a great Sunday at church and a great ride.
I recommend this ride anytime you can make it. No lighting out there so it is only good during daylight hours.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
BIKE TRAILS I HAVE RIDDEN IN ST. LOUIS
Hello out in "blogger land"! This is a first for me, and I hope that whoever reads this will enjoy it and get some benefits from what I write.
1st I will give you some background on me, why I started riding and anything else you might not want to hear. LOL
I have been riding a bike actively for about 7 years. Some of you may be wondering why a guy who is 60 just started riding when he was 53. Well a little thing like a heart attack can change the way you look at life and what exercise can do. Yeah I said heart attack. Fortunately in my case it was not a super serious one, but bad enough to get me thinking. I had to go thru cardiac rehab, and even though I had been walking and losing weight, 50 pounds before the heart attack, the rehab was kinda hard in the beginning, but once I started getting in shape, I started looking for new and more interesting ways of exercising. Walking a treadmill at rehab kinda sucked so I dug out my old bike and started riding. This blog will go thru some interesting places I have ridden. Hope you enjoy.
One of the first places I discovered was the bike/walking trails at CREVE COUER PARK in St. Louis County. There is a beautiful lake and about 8 - 10 miles of trails that are asphalt. In addition to these trails there are several roads that are flat and easy rides. I started with one lap around the lake, about 4 miles and must admit I was totally winded and had immediate thoughts that maybe this was not a good idea. HOWEVER not being one to quit, I went back the next day and did the same ride, and felt better. Keep in mind I had to take it easy until I was released by the Dr, but that came soon enough. Once released, I started pushing myself. 1st 2 laps, then venturing out to the other trails that connect and soon enough was doing 10 miles. I know to a beginner rider, that might sound like a lot of miles, but trust me, it really is not. There is a freedom about riding that unless you have done it you might not understand. There is also some pain. LOL If you are just beginning to ride you might want to seriously consider "padded" bike shorts. You can find these at any bike shop or online. You will discover soon enough why you need them. :)
The Creve Couer trails are great to start with for any beginning rider, or even more experienced riders if you just want to get some miles in. The surrounding roads are great, although right now there is some construction going on so be careful of that. Some have very wide shoulders to ride on and cars for the most part pass you with care. Here is a link to the latest ride, (last night), http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1304547
Im going to be riding different trails every week, sometimes more than one and will update you on those trails and my "personal" impression with them. There are many places here in the St. Louis area that are fun to ride, and others that are OK, but not great. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, let me know I would love to have any comments positive or negative.
1st I will give you some background on me, why I started riding and anything else you might not want to hear. LOL
I have been riding a bike actively for about 7 years. Some of you may be wondering why a guy who is 60 just started riding when he was 53. Well a little thing like a heart attack can change the way you look at life and what exercise can do. Yeah I said heart attack. Fortunately in my case it was not a super serious one, but bad enough to get me thinking. I had to go thru cardiac rehab, and even though I had been walking and losing weight, 50 pounds before the heart attack, the rehab was kinda hard in the beginning, but once I started getting in shape, I started looking for new and more interesting ways of exercising. Walking a treadmill at rehab kinda sucked so I dug out my old bike and started riding. This blog will go thru some interesting places I have ridden. Hope you enjoy.
One of the first places I discovered was the bike/walking trails at CREVE COUER PARK in St. Louis County. There is a beautiful lake and about 8 - 10 miles of trails that are asphalt. In addition to these trails there are several roads that are flat and easy rides. I started with one lap around the lake, about 4 miles and must admit I was totally winded and had immediate thoughts that maybe this was not a good idea. HOWEVER not being one to quit, I went back the next day and did the same ride, and felt better. Keep in mind I had to take it easy until I was released by the Dr, but that came soon enough. Once released, I started pushing myself. 1st 2 laps, then venturing out to the other trails that connect and soon enough was doing 10 miles. I know to a beginner rider, that might sound like a lot of miles, but trust me, it really is not. There is a freedom about riding that unless you have done it you might not understand. There is also some pain. LOL If you are just beginning to ride you might want to seriously consider "padded" bike shorts. You can find these at any bike shop or online. You will discover soon enough why you need them. :)
The Creve Couer trails are great to start with for any beginning rider, or even more experienced riders if you just want to get some miles in. The surrounding roads are great, although right now there is some construction going on so be careful of that. Some have very wide shoulders to ride on and cars for the most part pass you with care. Here is a link to the latest ride, (last night), http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1304547
Im going to be riding different trails every week, sometimes more than one and will update you on those trails and my "personal" impression with them. There are many places here in the St. Louis area that are fun to ride, and others that are OK, but not great. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, let me know I would love to have any comments positive or negative.
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