A Moving Memorial

I saw an SUV with a memorial message custom-printed on the rear window. There were the words, "In loving remembrance of my son, (the name was written), 1986-2008." The months of birth and death were there also.
My breath caught in my throat, because I realized this deceased son was only about 22 years old!
There is an old saying that parents should not have to bury their children; it should be the other way around. I do not know this young man or what happened to him. It could have been sickness, violence, an accident, a war casualty. My heart goes out to his parents, who see his name whenever they look at their vehicle. Maybe it helps them in their healing process.
I pray that God will continue to bless with healing and comfort all of us who have had to say goodbye (for now) to our loved ones.
Peace be,
Sylvia

A Lesson in the book of Job

My daily Bible devotional today was from the book of Job, beginning with chapter 38. So far, God let Job and his friends say what they felt they must. Then God speaks.
As the young people say, "He got them straight!" There is a lesson in these passages for us all.
Verse 2:"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?"
Verse 3: "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."
Verse 4: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand."
Verse 12: "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,..."(NIV)
What powerful chapters-38-41!
Sometimes we created beings need to be reminded of who the Creator is!
Peace be,
Sylvia

She Wants to be Where I Am

My teeenager likes to watch suspense shows with me, but when the background music suggests that something dangerous or scary is about to happen, she closes her eyes. She wants me to tell her what is on the screen.
When I offer to change the program so she won't be afraid, she responds, "No, I want to watch it with you! It's good!"
How does she know if the show is good when she actually views only half of it? The other half of the show is my version to her of what's on the screen. Maybe she simply enjoys my presence and my story-explaining skills.
I know what I enjoy: the fact that my teenager likes to be where I am. I plan to appreciate this as long as I can; she'll be an adult before I know it!
TTYS,
Sylvia

Labor Day 2010

What a marvelous Labor Day celebration! So much love! So much delicious food! Most importantly, it was a major blessing to have "down time" with a lot of my family members: Mom, sis, 2 of my brothers, husband, sister-in-law, sister friend J.
Family is precious.
We should enjoy family while we have the opportunity to do so.
Peace be,
Sylvia

Thank You, Stacy!

One of my "guilty pleasures" is a "Chick Filet" sandwich. I can resist the waffle fries, but the delicious chicken filet sandwich with the pickle slices calls my name every time I ride by the franchise.
This week, as I use the drive in window, a young lady worker asks, "Are you Miss Brown?" (My maiden name)
"Yes, dear, I am. Why?"
"I'm asking for Stacy. She said you were her third grade teacher."
I look behind my server and see a grown-up Stacy. She waves and smiles excitedly. She still has that sweet face and gentle spirit she had in third grade.
"Hello Stacy! It's good to see you, Sweetheart!"
After I get my sandwich, all the young servers wave and shout, "See you later, Stacy's teacher Miss Brown!"
It's a blessing when former students are glad to see you and proud for their associates to meet you.
I am thankful.
TTYS,
Sylvia

Enjoy Your Moments

Now and then, I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy my moments. Like many of us, I multi-task, even when it's not necessary...
The phone rings. I answer it. I immediately go into the kitchen and slice the loaves of bread I bought earlier. I bag them for freezing. All the while, I continue my phone conversation.
While waiting for my computer to load, I run water in the kitchen sink. If the computer takes too long, I wash a few dishes while I wait.
I sometimes ask someone a question and then anticipate the answer, which means I may not fully comprehend the answer at first, because I was not fully focused on the speaker. I was in my own head.
I may have the television or the radio on while I am reading the newspaper or a book. I try to pay attention to both.
The thing is, I take a sense of accomplishment from getting more than one thing done simultaneously. What I have to remember is that I may be missing some things in my quest to get a lot of things done: smells, sounds, ideas, expressions, thoughts, and more.
When I catch myself overdoing the multi-tasking thing, I say out loud, "Sylvia, slow down and be IN this moment!"
Wishing you all the best,
Sylvia

A Prayer and my Earrings

I was having a great time running my errands and chatting with folks I know. Then, I reached up to touch my earrings and realized I had left the house without them! Suddenly, I felt like my face was naked! I am not one to put on a full face of makeup when I dash out, but I always comb my hair and put on a pair of pierced earrings before meeting the outside world.
I had my ears pierced as a young teen after begging my mother and father for years. I had them pierced the old-fashioned way: with ice to numb the lobes, a needle sterilized at the tip with a match flame, and a piece of thread. This was the norm back in the day.
Anyway, I felt better when I returned home and put my earrings in my earlobes: a simple pair of hoops.
I always feel better when I leave home with my earrings, and also my daily departing home prayer: "Our Father who art in heaven, holy is thy name. Please guide me and go with me and keep me today. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Peace,
Sylvia