The Baby in the Lab

 I had a blood draw recently, and there was a young mother and her son ahead of me. He appeared to be about a year old; I saw them when they entered the little procedure room.  The child was happy,  I could see his smile and hear the sing-song in his child noises.  Mom and he "talked" as did the tech and the child.  Then, the tone changed when the tech asked the mother to hold the child.  The little boy stopped singing and started a whining, "Let me go!" sound.  I could not see inside the room, but I guess this was the part when he was being held still and his sleeve was rolled up because it was time for  the cold alcohol swab.  Then, I heard a yelp of pain!  He must have started wriggling around, because the tech asked his mother to please hold him still.  I'll bet he was moving around like an eel!  Next, the child's holler changed from pain to indignation.  He was mad, and although his mother sang nursery rhymes and squeaked his squeaky toy, the child would not be silenced all through the time his mother put his snowsuit back on.  He finally stopped expressing his loud displeasure and quieted to a few disdainful sniffs when his bottle was placed in his mouth.  Even then, he'd drink a little from the bottle, stop and do a whimper, and go back to the bottle. His mother kept making comforting sounds to him.
I feel sorry for babies when they have to have these procedures, because they do not understand why someone is causing them pain and discomfort.  We adults know we are trying to keep them healthy, although these tests are no fun for us to watch or the children to have.  I think we adults get as weepy inside as the child gets weepy on the outside!
Take care,
Sylvia

Enemy Care

I noted a radical concept during my personal Bible study last week.  It is in Proverbs 24:17-18.

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him." (NIV)

Many of us have learned not to hate our enemies.  Many of us have learned to not try for revenge when our enemies attack.  But not being glad when our enemies fall and we are not the ones responsible for their fall?  Not thinking, "Good! That is just what you get, you enemy! Your fall will teach you not to mess with me anymore!"   That surely is another notion!
With God's grace, we can do it.
Take care,
Sylvia

Yay!

I am so excited!  I actually managed to add a link to a page on my website (www.nikkimacproductions.com) after creating a pdf!   I just tested it, and it works!  This may seem trivial to many of you, but if you were as tech-challenged as I can be sometimes, you would see what I mean.
Granted, I had to call the Customer Support Center and speak with a female tech, who was very nice, by the way.  I wrote down everything she told me, prayed to think calmly, and followed the steps.
Now, I can shut down the computer, go to the kitchen, and eat my dinner.
I love little victories!
Take care,
Sylvia

A Birthday Observance

Today, we have the  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday observance.  "Drum major for justice" is one of the references to a peaceful leader who pushed for nonviolence and equality.   I remember the time of active protest, demonstrations, and unequal opportunity.   
The scriptures tell us about peace.  Matthew 5:9 reads, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called  sons of God."(NIV)
One of the cool things about peace is that we all have the ability to contribute to it.

Take care,
Sylvia

A Compliment

While I was at the grocery store last week, I saw one of my friends.  Now, here is a fact about me: when I am grocery shopping, it is not a highly social experience.  I have a list, I have coupons, and I read labels.  Some folks go to the grocery store to shop and chat with anyone they remotely know.  I am perfectly happy to greet people in a friendly manner and then keep it moving with the shopping task.
Anyway, when I saw my friend, I was happy to see her.  We greeted and embraced.  We were both in a hurry, but we took a little time to catch up on each other's news. 
Before she walked away from me, she said, "You know, I read your book, Behind Church Doors.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I am reading it for the second time."
I was touched.  The last thing I expected was a compliment while shopping at Marrazzo's.  It is a good thing I took time to chat.
I hope you enjoy your weekend.
Sylvia

Lifework

I had to attend two funerals last week. It is not that I was a close friend of either person, but I needed to offer support to the remaining family members. Sometimes, just being there counts a lot when people are dealing with the process of saying goodbye to a loved one. 
At each funeral,  the departed was not much older than I am.  This reminded me that we have no way of knowing how long we have to make a positive mark in this world, so we have to get on with our lifework  while we are able.
Take care,
Sylvia

Food For Thought

This is just a silly thought.  Exactly how long does it take for you to gain weight after you have eaten some food?  Is it as soon as you put the food in your mouth?  Is it after you have chewed and swallowed the food?  Is it while you are digesting or after you have digested the food?  What if you move around and burn calories while you eat the food or right after you eat the food?  Will that keep you from gaining weight?
I am sure some expert knows the answer.  I do not.  All I know is that if I eat food after 8 pm, I will see the unwelcome result on the scale the next morning.

Have a great Wednesday!
Sylvia