Are You Ok?

While I was in a class recently, the teacher brought up the case of Joyce Vincent in order to make a point.  Joyce was a young woman who died in her North London apartment in 2003. Incredibly, her body wasn't discovered for three years. For three years, no one seemed aware she was gone from this life. Joyce was discovered during an eviction event due to nonpayment of rent. Her remains were found on the sofa. The television was still on. There was a pile of mail on the floor that had been delivered through the mail slot. She had a family, friends, associates. Didn't anyone miss her? This is a haunting case, and it raises so many questions about how lives in this society can be so disconnected from others.
One of the things that came to mind were the words of my late father to his children: "I know you children are grown and on your own, but remember to keep in touch and let somebody know where you are."
Think about this: if you were out of touch/missing for an unusual amount of time, who would be the first person to come looking for you? If you can automatically name that person, with conviction, you are blessed. Some of us are so blessed that we can name many people who'd come looking for us, right? More blessings.
Info about the Joyce Vincent docudrama can be found at www.dreamsofalife.com
Take care. Stay connected.
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

MLK

Lots of reflection today.
I was there for some of the civil rights marches. I was in high school during the riots. I remember being too young to ride the protest buses, but I asked my parents if I could go anyway. They said, "No."
I was shown other ways to bring about positive change.
I remember the powerful, inspiring, and honest words of Dr.M.L.King, Jr.
Years later, I remember teaching my students about this significant man and this turbulent, life-changing time.
I'm thankful God sent this man to the world.
Let's keep pressing on.

Peace be,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

 

Pots, Pans, and Lids

If you're ever a house guest of mine, you'll never have to worry about me asking you to put away my pots, pans and their lids. That's because I stack them in a particular order each time I return them to their cabinet. It makes plenty of sense to me, but to my housemates, not so much. The large pan with the long handle sits on the floor of the cabinet. The pots in size order nestle into each other and are placed into the large pan with the handle. In the back of the cabinet, the lids have their spot.  I stack them open side down, with the largest one on the bottom, the next largest on top of it, and so on. This works for me. I don't have to bend down, reach into the cabinet and clang pots, pans, and lids around to find a certain one.
The people who live with me can't seem to get this, so I tell them to leave the cleaned pots, pans, and lids out for me to put away later. Wait a minute! Maybe they do get my process and pretend not to. That way, they don't have to be bothered with this chore...
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Cold Couture

It's called a polar vortex, and this weather has much of the country in a deep freeze. Among other things, cars won't start, locks freeze so it's difficult to get into your vehicle, invisible ice threatens to make you or your vehicle slide all over the place. There's ice on the inside of your house windows. The house heater runs continuously. Thankfully, we should be getting into the 2-digit temps soon. Even 35 degrees sounds tropical compared to the temps of the last few days. This aren't complaints,  just observations. Sometimes God gives us reminders that He's in charge, and not us.
To survive this cold, we dress in layers from head to toe. While on my way outside yesterday, I looked at myself in the mirror and had to chuckle. I had on socks inside of boots with a fur trim. My  jeans were tucked into my boots. I had on a thermal undershirt with a fleece hoodie on top. I had on a coat with a hood, even though I also had a cap on my head. My hands were stuffed into knit gloves. The collar of my coat was zipped up to cover my mouth, so when I breathed through my  mouth, (because the cold air made the hair in my nostrils freeze) my breath fogged up my eyeglasses. I had a scarf wrapped around my neck.
I looked a sight! Like a toddler whose mother dresses the child in so many clothes that the child can barely move. While outside, I saw lots of others who were dressed in similar fashion.
The polar vortex  makes for some funny-looking winter couture.
Smiles, and dress warmly,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

The Quiet Car

I boarded a train with my companion a few days ago, heading back  home from DC. After walking through several cars looking for a seat, we finally found a car with open seats. This train car had an unusual calmness: no loud talking, no cell phones ringing, no music blasting. When we sat down together, I looked up and saw a sign: Quiet Car. No loud conversations, no loud noise from devices, please quiet all cell phones. A voice over the sound system announced that there was to be a library-like atmosphere in the Quiet Car. Many people read books, magazines, and used reading/video devices with headphones. What a contrast this was to the train on which I rode to DC. On that trip, a lady across the aisle alternated from turning up the movie volume on her tablet to loudly commiserating with her cell phone friend about not having a date for NYE.
I'd read about a Quiet Car before, and thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but I was wrong. Our ride home was made much more relaxing and pleasant by the very soft sounds of the Quiet Car.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Pattern Interrupted

This is so different for me. I'm actually writing a blog post on a Sunday, and before 12 noon. We have icy weather conditions  this morning, so our ministers wisely canceled morning services and we have a 3 pm service scheduled. Hopefully, the temperature will have risen by then and it will be safer to leave our homes and drive to the church building.
By now, on a regular Sunday routine, I would have:
participated in singing the morning hymn,
made sure Sunday School classes for children under age 12 were staffed and had materials,
distributed Sunday School books to some members of the adult Sunday Bible class,
joined the adult Bible class if no students showed up for Sunday School,
put classroom materials away and prepared for 11 am morning worship service.
So, it feels weird to be at my computer right now.  I look forward to worship service later today. I look forward to my Sunday pattern of worship, service, and fellowship with my church family.
Best wishes, and Happy New Year!
Sylvia