Life is what it is.

I found out today that I might not have that chance at the promotion after all. In the Civil Service system, an employer has to work off of an eligibility list based on exam grades. Mine was good - but not quite high enough to make the first cut. So if someone in the pool of interviewees wants the job and is qualified, the new person is chosen from that group. I must admit that I was hoping I'd get the job - it would mean a sizeable pay raise but more importantly than that, my retirement income would be higher. It's ok though - I'm not giving up - just not going to get my hopes up. I have a wonderful job that pays very well - that won't change, nor will my love for my current job change diminish.

Someone said to me today, "life is what it is." Oh, how true.

I'd like to ask for your prayers for some people I love - a military mom, Wendy, and her son Jay. Jay's room mate, mission mate, and his best friend were killed on Monday in Iraq when a soldier was killed in action. This brave soldier leaves behind a young wife and two little children.

Dear God be with them and with the families of all who have lost their lives - it's been a terribly costly month over there.

In just a few weeks, Laurie, Stephen and our little Kasey will be here for a good visit. We are sooo looking forward to this-it's been nearly 6 months since we've seen them. I don't do well with long separations.

Tomorrow is another day - another chance to do things the way God would have me do.

With its ups, and downs; its blemishes, and its sweet goodness....life is what it is. Precious.

Be blessed my friends.

Letters from home.

This is going to be a long one.

Ok, today I decided it was a good day to tackle Laurie's room. It has two dressers in it - both filled with clothes she no longer wears and I have her blessing to either sell them in our garage sale next month, give them to the Good Will, or put them out at the curb. It's not an easy task when you're a mom walking down memory lane and trying to be objective. "NO, you CAN'T keep that Susan - it won't fit you, and it doesn't fit Laurie, and Veronica won't grow into it for 10 years at least." I said that over and over again today as I went through those dressers. Despite my emotions, I was able to sort the clothes into the three piles I had planned. Then I went through each pile again and finally decided I was done sorting. Not bad, I thought, except for the fact that I could remember Laurie wearing every single thing I had sorted. Then I got to the prom dresses in the closet...not a good thing. I had already used all the kleenex I'd brought upstairs with me - luckily there were some up there besides.

Then I got to her bookcase - this put me over the edge. As I looked at the little piles of pictures Laurie had taken over the years, I glanced at the pictures and then at the clothes all sorted on the bed. You guessed it - the prom dresses, the skirts, the ecru colored dress I bought her when she played first flute at the marching band concert at school - all of them in the pictures...all of them on the bed, now neatly folded and ready, hopefully, for someone else to wear.

And finally, there were the boxes and the duffel bag under her bed. Now, you must understand that everytime the kids visit and I am cleaning the rooms for them, these boxes and duffel bag come out from under the bed so I can dust. Then, because of course we are always too busy to think about it when the kids are here, they always are forgotten. So today was the day I had to look at the contents - garage sale, good will, or curb?

None of the above.

There, neatly stored, were the contents that I hadn't expected to see. Letters. Probably dozens and dozens of letters addressed to Laurie at various places and addressed to several different ranks - but all of them addressed to Laurie. PV2 Laurie at basic and AIT training, SPC Laurie at the post she spent three years at, and finally, SGT Laurie. She must have saved every letter we ever sent. I read some of them - and as I read them, I could actually remember writing them. There were the letters I wrote to her when she was in basic and AIT - when Ron's mom was living here and terminally ill with cancer. Those were often written after midnight when I finally was ready for bed and could sit and write a letter. Phone calls were scarce in basic - it kept us connected and I think it helped me miss her just a tiny bit less to know that she would be reading it in a couple of days. Laurie told me after her basic training that there was one time when she was feeling pretty worn out and afraid that she wasn't going to pass her final PT test. She said that she sat at her locker and read all of the cards and letters Ron and I had sent...and she said she knew that we were praying for her and she felt at peace.

I guess what I'm saying is that you never know when a letter from home - or a letter to from someone who cares about you - is going to really be important.

When I finish Laurie's room tomorrow night after I get home from work, I will dust under her bed again, and push those boxes and duffel bag back where I found them. If she kept them, then they will stay there for now. When we sell this house, she will have to make the decision. But for now, her letters from home are keepers.

That makes me smile.

God's blessings.

A weekend of remembrance.

A holiday weekend - for most of us, it will mean enjoying that extra cup of coffee at home in our pjs on Monday when we would normally be commuting. Or, being able to sleep just a little bit later than 5:30 am. If most of us are honest, we have been thinking about this long weekend all week long.

It's ok - we're supposed to think that way. Long weekends are meant to be enjoyed -right? And yet, we enjoy this extra day off not because WE have earned it, but rather others have earned it for us through their sacrifice.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer - the first picnic of the year, the first camping weekend, or putting the boat or canoe in the water for the first time...all of these things happen on Memorial Day weekend. I can remember our family picnics with my parents and sisters - we'd meet at a park with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. Oh the potato salad and macaroni salad; the hot dogs and burgers...and the desserts....yum.

And it was a time for buying geraniums and visiting the cemetaries where my great grandparents and other loved ones were laid to rest.

The most memorable part of that visit was the drive past the Field of Honor, where row upon row of American flags waved proudly marking the final resting place of those who had served our country. When I was little, I knew that the flags commemorated the military - but it became more meaningful as I got older. I thought about who they might have been - were they sons or daughters; moms or dads; husbands and wives? Were they in your circle of friends? The boy or girl next door? They likely enjoyed a Memorial Day picnic with THEIR families, and perhaps saw flags waving row upon row - and were inspired to serve.

Whoever they were, I pray they know that the freedom they fought and died for is still alive. Throughout wars of the past...and the present, they have been asked to sacrifice a great deal - too often, ALL they had to give. And they will never be forgotten.

May God be ever near as we take this weekend to remember those who fell serving our nation. May we be forever grateful to them - and to those who serve today.

Conversation has changed....

Well, you know how gung ho we've been in the Western NY area about our Buffalo Sabres ~ it's all we talked about - around the water cooler, in the grocery store, anywhere we went. All you would see were Sabres flags flying from cars, magnets and posters all over the place. In any given crowd, at least one third of the people were wearing the Sabres blue and gold.
Today, the talk was still the Sabres...but it wasn't the anticipation of tonight's game. It was the disappointment about this past Saturday's game...and how we lost the series. The Ottawa Senators beat us in overtime and it's time for our Sabres to pick up the golf clubs instead of the hockey sticks. We were favored this year to win it all. It's ok - we'll get over it. We always do.
Four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills..."wide right" was the closest we ever got to a win. Last year our Sabres got this far as well...and didn't win.
So, even though on Saturday we were all heart broken, by this morning most of us were already looking forward to next year. The team will be different - 6 guys on our team have contracts expiring...even our coach and the general manager have contracts expiring this year.
Sigh.
The one thing I always enjoyed in the morning was our talk radio station - the announcer always said it was the voice of Buffalo to our soldiers in Iraq who were following the Stanley Cup playoffs. And every morning a soldier in Iraq from the Buffalo area would say he or she was cheering on the Sabres. I'll miss that too.
A fellow at work brought in a football this morning - it was funny how he broke the ice. None of us had talked about Saturday's loss until he came in with the football. It was the laugh we needed to get us started. So now, I guess we'll have to start talking about the Buffalo Bills. Training camp starts in just about a month...and by the time football season is barely a month old, the hockey season (we call it the road to the cup) will begin again for us believers.
It was a great ride we had - but I'm staying on the bandwagon - 'cause you just never know.
Blessings,
Sue

Puppies!!

Awhile back, Kbug posted about her new puppies. I enjoyed the fact that her son asked her to take care of his puppy until he was able to take it home with him. Puppies are a wonderful thing. There is so much love wrapped up in those little bodies - and so much fun to look forward to. When we adopted Lilly last August, she was still a puppy who had traveled a long way in her short life. She'd had 9 puppies already, been in two different shelters and had given all that was in her to keep those puppies sustained. She had sacrificed nearly all of her own strength in giving it to her puppies. We have a wonderful veterinarian who has an excellent and loving staff (they all cried with us when we had to have Shelby put to sleep last May) and with patience and excellent care and some tlc on our part, Lilly pulled through. She is a loving and very wonderful doggie.

A few months ago, Scott and Tina adopted a terrier mix - adorable, but feisty. They named her Cupcake. Finally, she is calming down and seems to be getting along famously with their 3 cats. (shaking my head here at the thought of that :). But on Sunday, Tina told me that they had adopted another puppy - a long haired Dachschund mix. This will be Luke's puppy and he will take care of her. (that remains to be seen cause he is only 9, but his intentions are good). Her name is Muffin. So they have a Cupcake, a Muffin, and then the cats...Skittles, Rocky, and Starburst...all living under one roof. Just one big happy family...(oh my gosh). I can't wait to meet their newest addition - they just make my heart melt and all the thoughts of the work go right out the window. (But I sure am glad Lilly is trained).

At times we hear stories about US Military units in Iraq adopting homeless puppies or kittens...what a joy that must be for all of them - including the puppy. And nothing brings more joy to the heart of a nursing home patient than a soft, furry little puppy.

They sure do bring lots of love into so many lives. Yup...they are a good thing.

Blessings my friends.

And Monday through Friday went WHERE?

This week seems to have vanished int0 thin air. I remember vaguely thinking about posting something on Tuesday or Wednesday but I guess it's pretty obvious it went no further than that. I haven't visited anyone else's blogs (sorry) and it seems the only computer time I've logged is processing summer financial aid for our students. That's not good either...except for the students.
The week has been beautiful in terms of the weather here in WNY and as our students saw the end of classes for the 2006/07 academic year, we saw moms and dads parked two and three deep in front of the dorms as they moved Johnny or Susie out for another year. In late August, many of those same moms and dads will be there again, hauling everything back up to the dorm for the 07/08 year. It's quite amusing watching these students (and their parents). Students are still into the social scene with their friends - gathered on the sidewalk in groups of 2 or 3
(or 8 or 10) as the parents keep dragging the student's belongings to the car. As the parents ask questions of the student, some students just kind of act like it's an inconvenience to answer their mom's or dad's questions. Funny - some things never change.
As the students leave in various numbers during the last week of school, according to their exam schedule, our combined staff and student parking lots empty out as well. So on Thursday, feeling great about the weather, and feeling truly blessed about the healing process in my knee, I decided it was time to vacate the handicapped spot and start walking from the parking lot. Because I get to work by 7:30 each morning, I can usually find a spot in the nearest lot across the street from our buildings. It's not much of a distance at all, but has many spots of uneven cement (also known as Sue's enemy number 1 :). So, although I am not into power walking yet, it's a good feeling to be out of the handicapped spot and back into exercising a bit more. You'd have to "walk in the shoes" to understand what it means.
This weekend, we are getting our travel trailer ready to sell. Ron thinks we can get more by selling it to someone now than by trading it in when we buy our fifth wheeler when I retire. It's in great shape, is very clean, and since it's only 4 years old, we are hoping it will sell pretty quick. I'll miss the camping this summer - it's so nice just to get away from it all but practicality kind of rules right now.
One thing hasn't changed since I last posted. Our soldiers are still in harm's way and loved ones are still getting the most dreaded visits. It's hard for me to put into words how I feel about the war, but I know how I feel about our military - and about the anxiety we all feel as their parents. As more and more families are receiving that tragic news, I wonder what it must have been like in past wars...when loved ones didn't hear from their soldiers for months...sometimes years..at a time, and then received a telegram from the War Department. It must have been horrible for them. Today, though, we are at least blessed with the possibility of phone calls and emails from our kids over there...I don't know what we would have done when Laurie and Stephen were deployed had it not been for emails and phone calls. This Mother's Day weekend, I am praying so hard that all military moms can receive a phone call or email from their loved one serving. We feel so blessed to have our two soldiers stateside - and we know that it's not guaranteed that they won't be deployed again. But still, Ron and I are so thankful.

Someone just knocked on the front door...Ron went to the door and it was a little boy...his dad was in a white van out front. The little boy handed Ron his delivery and said "tell her Happy Mother's Day." It was a beautiful vase of fresh flowers from Stephen, Laurie and Kasey. The card said..."Happy Mother's Day, hope you have a great day...WE MISS YOU."
I am still bawling.

That truly does just about make the week for me - it will be complete tomorrow when Scott and Tina and Veronica and Luke come over for dinner and we call our soldiers so that everyone has the chance to chat.

May God bless all moms this weekend...and the children we love far more than they know. And who also love us more than we could ever know.

Life is a blessing.

A Tale of Two Cities,

WHOA...I've really been AWOL. I've been busy at work and at home and with lots of stuff for church. It was Laurie and Stephen's birthdays last week so needed to shop and get their packages out on time (and of course un-birthday presents for Kasey). They'll be here in only two months and already, I am getting the house ready - getting the heavy stuff done so that I won't have to blitz the house two days before they get here like I always do.

And of course, there has been playoff hockey. Hence my tale of two cities post title today.

Our Buffalo Sabres managed to get past the NY Islanders in the first round - it took only 5 games.

The second round was a little more difficult - it took one of those heart attack finishes on Friday night and then an excellent win today in NYC to beat the Rangers in 6 games. New York, New York and Buffalo...two cities, at different ends of Interstate 90 and with lots of differences. NYC is big and has many sides to it...and many claims to fame. The Empire State building, Statue of Liberty, Greenwich Village. Fifth Avenue, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And, God bless them, 9/11/2001.

Buffalo - hmmm, well we don't have all of that but we have our own claims to fame. Wide right; No goal; Niagara Falls (well, that's almost in Buffalo); America's Fair (largest county fair in the US); we have beautiful state parks practically in our backyard, and we are a great place on a great lake. We had an October storm that put the power out for days and weeks and yet as always - as we did after the Blizzard of 77 - we bounced back.

We're a little smaller market than a lot of NHL or NFL teams, we believe (and so do the SABRES and the BILLS) that we have the greatest fans in the world. We're a blue collar city, with a big dream...and we believe.

Yup, many differences; but many things unite us as well. First and foremost, 9/11. Not to mention the many many people who came through the lines at Ellis Island, many of whom would eventually find their way to Buffalo. Our cities both have rich, ethnic histories which helped shape what our cities have become.

A tale of two cities? I guess you could say that. But later this week, when our Conference final series with the Ottawa Senators begins, I have a feeling this other city I've been talking about will be routing for us.

I think it's a philosophy called: "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

We'll see.

God bless your week my friends (and if I may add: Good luck to the blue and gold!).

Sue

All because two people fell in love....

Today was the funeral for my cousin Tina. It was one of the most touching, hopeful, beautiful funerals I have ever attended. Because that is who Tina was. Hopeful. Faith filled. Beautiful.

The Baptist church was filled, so many came to say good bye. There aren't any words that can describe my feelings so I won't try. But I don't know what non believers do - where do they get their hope and strength? I cannot imagine not being able to look forward to the promise God gives to us all.

Our family is scattered now - we used to be quite close. But today offered one of those rare moments for the cousins to see one another - to catch up, remember, and be thankful that our family had been blessed by Tina. It's odd - I haven't seen some of my cousins in a long long time. Weddings and funerals - mostly funerals lately. It's nobody's fault really - but I am more guilty than not. Life got complicated by "stuff." I forget what that stuff was - just the stuff of life. But I am determined to keep the ties connected now. And I am thankful that I have another chance. We look at each other, and we see that as we have gotten older, we have come to resemble our moms or our dads more and more. Tina's dad and my mom were brother and sister. Uncle Dean - he was one of the most fun loving guys you could know. Mom and Uncle Dean were two of nine children my grandma and grandpa raised. You can only imagine the number of kids and the grandkids and great grandkids (great great grandkids too) produced from those 9 brothers and sisters.
All because two people fell in love and from those roots, God just kept us growing.

Thank you Lord for the blessings of today - and the hope we have for every tomorrow.

Out of the valley...

At 1 pm this afternoon, it pleased our Lord to take the hand of my sweet and gentle cousin Tina Marie and lead her out of the darkness of the valley, and into His marvelous light as He took her home to be with Him.
She is survived by her husband Jeff, three beautiful daughters - Katie (husband Chris), Becky and Jill; her mom, her three brothers and their families.
May God be with them and with all of us who loved her.
Thank you for your prayers these past several weeks.
Sue

Spring recess!

Finally, Western NY is experiencing SPRING! The sun is out, it's warm and beautiful, and the grass is losing it's winter dullness. I think what I love the most about the change of seasons is the difference in the scent of the fresh air with each transition. Spring smells so wonderful - the air is saying "everything is new." It's the season of promise and rebirth. I remember the first spring we lived in this house - Laurie was only a year old and after Scott left for school every morning, Laurie and I would do our morning routine of breakfast and getting dressed. And then, about 10 am, I would begin opening all the windows to let the spring air into the winter weary house. I'd pick Laurie up in my arms and take her to the front window in the living room and she and I would just drink in the morning air. So fresh, we would breathe it in and smile at each other. Laurie would laugh that beautiful little giggle of hers and it was a wonderful mom and baby moment. As the days grew warmer toward summer, we were doing that ritual earlier and earlier in the day. I'd put her highchair near the open kitchen window and she would eat her nummies with a soft breeze wafting it's way through the room.
For those of us who experience winter in all Mother Nature's glory - snow, ice, wind - you name it - Spring is a wonderful and welcome sight.
This past winter has been a little more unusual than most with my Christmastime stay in the hospital and then my knee injury and surgery. But God teaches us in all things. When I was home and listening to the weather outside the window, I was thankful for a warm home and for Ron sitting here beside me. It's been a time of prayer for my cousin Tina - of hope for her recovery, and thanks for the doctors and nurses and her family who care for her. She is still in critical condition but with each day that passes we look for the promise of new strength. She has been in the hospital for months now - how I pray that someday soon she will experience the scent of spring air.
All seasons have their beauty - and Spring is merely one of them. We learn lessons through them all.
And in ALL of these seasons - as each year passes into the next, there are brave, courageous and strong soldiers serving (meaning ALL members of the military). They work in the heat and the sand of the desert, in the cold of the Alaskan winters, in the seasons of life God plans for them. At all times, as we give thanks for the newness of spring, or the warmth and fun of summer, the crisp and colorful autumn and the cold and icy winters - may we drink in all of the blessings and pray that those who serve will be doubly blessed with the knowledge that God is with them.
God bless all those who serve and those of us who wait.

The mourning after.

The news of the shooting incident at Virginia Tech went through our office yesterday afternoon - when lunch hours were nearly over and we had begun settling in to our scheduled tasks that remained. I had to leave work early yesterday for physical therapy, but just before I left, one of our staff members said that 22 people had been killed at VT. I got in my car and turned on the radio news, and heard worse - that it was 32 people killed by a single man. As I rode the stationary bike at pt, I watched FOX news reporting on the tragedy and it began to sink in. How does a day turn that tragic - and how could anyone have enough anger living in him to do this to so many innocent people?
The mourning in my blog title is not misspelled for truly we are mourning. It's not simply the morning after, but a time of deep sorrow and a time for grieving.
On my way home last night, I listened to the callers who were on the talk radio show. All of their opinions, their thoughts about gun control, etcetera, etcetera. But in the end, the bottom line said one thing - 31 innocent students and teachers were gone and many others survived but will never be the same.
Today, may God be with their families. May He be with those injured - and their families as well. And for those who are mourning - which would be all of us - we may never understand, but we will always be comforted by the love God has for His children. Surely He must be grieving as well.
In memory of those who died at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007.

I think I'm using the wrong calendar!

Ok, the calendar I've been using for the last 14 days says APRIL 2007 but the weather forecast says January. We are under a winter storm warning as a storm system heads up the East coast. Rain, snow, wind, cold temps. Well, at least we had good weather for Christmas shopping in November and December. But seriously, all across the country, people are digging out from April storms and will continue to do so here in the East until at least Monday. I don't mind snow as long as my family is home safe and not out driving in it. I can actually enjoy a good storm if we're on the inside looking out. Cathy - I think you are in the path of the same storm as we are. Stay safe.

Today is date day - I love date day. It's been a long week - the knee has been quite painful because of my physical therapy - only four more weeks to go with that but I really am walking so much better. The cold, damp weather has been bothering it, too.

The news this week of the 3 month extensions for troops in the Middle East has hit close to home. One of my dearest friends got the news just a day or two ago that her son is included in that extension. She was looking forward to a July homecoming - it will not happen now until October. The time passes so quickly for most of us - but for those affected by deployments - the soldiers and those who wait for them - each moment of every day is long and difficult. I remember well. I only hope they all know that they are not spending those moments alone - that God is with them and many people are in prayer for them all. May He comfort their anxiety and keep them all in His care. There are no words to express how deeply we care.

It seems that God is walking my cousin Tina out of the valley. Her skin is healing and she is gradually being taken off the ventilator. She has had specialists from at least 3 or 4 hospitals working on her and they have been honest about each step of the way. Her daughters have been caring and loving and so helpful in her care each day at the hospital. God has blessed them with a tiny bit of improvement in their mom's condition each day. We are certain that God is working in all of this and are grateful for His tender mercies as the days go by. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Tomorrow I will begin teaching my Sunday School class again. I think I have my work cut out for me since I've learned from the substitutes that the class has not been picking up on what I've been teaching them. Sigh.

God bless your weekend and if you are in a place experiencing bad weather - be safe and stay warm and dry.

Blessings.

Sue

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!

Well friends, it's Stanley Cup playoff time. We here in the Western New York area - and across the country and in Canada - are getting ready for our Buffalo Sabres to get started. It's the second season now - the first season started in October and, 82 games later, it ended last night. The second season begins this week - The regular season slate is wiped clean and everybody has the same chance as the other 15 teams who are playing.
Now you may have heard (drum roll please) that the Sabres had the best record in the league when the season ended on Sunday night. Hard fought, the wins not always pretty - but they got the job done. And for this they won home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. If you've ever been at HSBC arena during a Sabres hockey game, you'd know that home ice for the Sabres is a sweet thing.
Anyway, I am excited - and anybody here in WNY who ISN'T excited - or at least a little bit happy - is a rare bird. Even Ron - NOT a sports fan ( I think he is a closet sports fan) - is looking forward to watching the games on TV.
So who is your favorite team? Cathy, I would bet the Penguins are at the top of your list. Cat - hmmm - the Hurricanes? Kbug - ummm, the Dallas Stars?
Whoever your favorite team may be, I think hockey is one of the most exciting sports there is. It 's a blue collar sport - the players are paid well, but somehow, they are "touchable." And things can change so quickly in a hockey game. Not to mention these guys do such awesome stuff while on ice skates. THAT to me is incredible. HA!! If Ron reads this he is going to laugh out loud at the thought of seeing the likes of me (or himself) on ice skates. Now that is funny.
So if it's your thing, enjoy the playoffs. Nothing is a given - the Sabres might have the President's cup, but they better have the stamina too. And the playbook better have room for lots of spontaneity. (I'm sure that I spelled that wrong). May the best team win...but I'll just end by saying GO SABRES!!

HE LIVES!!

Oh to have been in Mary Magdalene's sandals on that first Easter morning so long ago. The fear and sadness at seeing Jesus' tomb empty.
The joy at hearing Jesus' voice call her name ..."Mary!" And being chosen to be the messenger to the disciples..."I have seen the Lord."
Each Easter morning it's all new to me - the joy, the knowledge that Jesus died, was raised from the dead...and HE LIVES! And WE LIVE! Our Pastor indeed has the Holy Spirit living in him as he did such a wonderful job with the service. From the beginning to the benediction and closing hymn, the entire service reaching out and sending a message of faith and promise and proof that Jesus is alive.
And so on this Easter Sunday, I pray you will be blessed with the joy of the risen Savior. That you will know He died for you, and lives - that you will live as well.
God's promise fulfilled through His Son.
HE IS RISEN ~ HE IS RISEN INDEED.

The day in between.

Today is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It doesn't have the solemnity of Good Friday (although it should) and there is always so much to do to get ready for Easter. But I always think about the fact that Jesus, on the day after Good Friday, was still in a tomb on this day...waiting for the miracle of Resurrection. Lent isn't quite over until we open our eyes on Easter morning and realize HE IS RISEN. So, to me, the Saturday before Easter is still a day to be in thought about what Jesus did for the world, about what He did for me. (yet there is the knowledge of the rejoicing to come tomorrow).
My cousin Tina has been walking through the valley these last few days. But the doctors are cautiously optimistic. What was originally thought to be a grave problem with her lungs has turned out to be treatable and the Drs. are hopeful they can treat this successfully too. She is fighting with all of her might; heavily sedated, but still fighting.
Today - true to tradition, will be a busy one. I have a funeral to go to this morning, a wake to go to this afternoon and some shopping. We'll stop by the kids house to visit for a little bit and maybe I'll get to SEARS to get a new Easter suit - but since it's in the 20's and snowing, I think I can probably wear a winter suit and still be ok. I remember when the kids were little, Laurie would get a new outfit for Easter and it would never fail that Easter morning would be cold...but she would wear that cute little spring dress no matter what. I guess we are all that way; my mom used to buy my sisters and I matching coats for Easter and no matter how cold it was, we were in church on Easter morning with our new coats and new hats. Funny.
The knee is a lot better these days - it's easier to walk on it and the brace is a thing of the past. I still use my cane occasionally and stairs aren't easy yet - but my physical therapy is going well.
I'm hoping to be online tomorrow morning to wish you all a blessed Easter but if you aren't able to stop in, I wish you a joyous Easter and many blessings.
Yup - today is the day in between...almost time for rejoicing. May we all do so with all of our hearts.
Blessings.
Sue

Going Home.

This morning, as I got ready for church, I thought about the last time I was there. It had been such a busy morning - the choir sang that morning so I needed to be there early to rehearse; then after worship service there was a special meeting with Pastor before I went down to teach my class. After Sunday School was over, I was rushing because Ron and I were supposed to go to a wake for one of our friends after I got home from church. Until I fell - and all of the plans we had for that day, and for many days to come, were wiped out. Why hadn't I slowed down a bit?

So this morning, as I entered the church, I was a little bit cautious. Over the course of the past 5 weeks, I had received many cards and notes - and I knew that Pastor had been praying for me. But the one phone call I had expected to receive had not come and I was hurting a little - and confused.
As I greeted my Pastor this morning, I said "hi stranger!" And he turned and greeted me and gave me a hug. He has not been feeling well so both of us have been healing, but not in touch. I've missed him - we've been in ministry together for six years...before he was our Pastor, he came to our church during the summer of 2001 to fill in as worship leader when we were without a Pastor. We led the service together and became good friends. On the Sunday after 9/11 happened, he supported me as more than just a worship leader. He knew I had a daughter in the military and what that tragic day for our nation could mean for her...and for our family. When he became our Pastor 4 1/2 years ago, it was because we knew he could help heal our congregation from a great heartache. Our hearts had been broken by our full time Pastor and calling Garry back to be our worship leader was a step which was pre-ordained by God. Had he not come to our church, we would surely have been lost. Many, in fact, have found their way back to our church home because of his ministry and his enthusiasm.
It's been 5 weeks since Pastor and I have been in touch. The road back seemed so long during those weeks away. But this morning, I went home again...and it was like I've been there all along. His hug told me that. He is our Shepherd...but still my friend and my brother. God is good.
May He bless your week as He has already blessed mine.

Daddy, I missed you so much.

Happy weekend everyone. I can't believe this week went so fast - waaay too fast. But it's good to have a weekend in front of me.

First, I'd like to wish my good friend Erik best wishes. His blog - A Long Strange Trip took so many of us to the sands of Iraq, and then back to Minnesota as he finally came home to his beautiful family. He always spoke his mind, and we always knew that his words were honest. He's a great young man and I wish him and his family many blessings as he leaves his blog behind. Cathy (Call me Grandma) first "introduced" Erik to me through a link on her blog and I enjoyed meeting him and got to know his family a bit as well. You know what they say about friendships - God brings them into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. However God planned it, it has been a blessing to know Erik and his family.

There was a report on the local news tonight that was absolutely wonderful. A young man - who had just done a tour of duty with the Navy in Iraq - walked quietly into his young son's classroom.

He stood there and said "Hi buddy." The camera focused on the little boy's face as he teared up, ran to his daddy's arms and said, "Daddy, I missed you so much." I sat in front of the tv and cried my eyes out. Cried, and cried, and cried. Not for sadness, but just to see this little boy's joy, and the love he and his dad have for each other. Each day, this scene is repeated time after time...dear Lord may you continue to bring these men and women home safely to their families. The joy is beyond measure.

My cousin Tina is improving slightly - still in critical condition though and in need of many prayers.

The knee is a bit sore tonight - I've not been wearing a brace most of this week - dr. said I could start doing that, but I think I overdid it a bit. Tonight it's an early night for pjs, a movie, or the Sabres game on tv. It was a good week at work and now I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow Ron and I will do some shopping and Scott and Tina have invited us for dinner. I'm looking forward to it and to spending time with the kids and grandkids.

On Sunday morning, I'll be back in a pew for worship as I go to church for the first time since the accident. Sure has been strange not being there on Sunday mornings.

Praying for our troops and for our President. May God bless them and put His hedge of protection all around them and keep their hearts filled with courage for He does not give us a Spirit of fear.

Have a great weekend friends...

Blessings,

Sue

Walking in the shadow...

Today I am going to ask for your prayers for my cousin Tina. I've posted about her before...she recently underwent her second bone marrow transplant because the first one didn't take. She is a woman with a strong, wonderful, tender and faith filled heart who is fighting the hardest battle of her life right now. On paper, the results of the BMT looks good - her blood counts are going up and getting better each day. But she has developed a terrible complication of the transplant - it's a disease called Graft versus Host Disease - her body has broken out in a terrible rash which is a result of her body trying to fight the donor's bone marrow. There have been experts from two hospitals working on her and they all agree that if she develops an infection it could very well prove fatal.
At times like this, the words of my prayers feel so awkward and so inadequate.... and repetitive. I know that God's divine will is already in place - Lord please help me to trust in that will.
Where God allows us to go is sometimes very frightening - but I guess the heart of the matter is this: He IS with her in this journey, walking beside her. No, more likely, He is carrying her.
Dear God, if it is your will, lead her out of this valley, and into the green pastures.

First week nearly over...

Well, for this week, it's three days down, two to go. It sure has been a good one though, getting back to work and all. And while all the cards and baskets and notes made me feel missed while I was home, my friends and co-workers (one and the same) sure have made the return a great and welcoming experience. Monday I hardly got any work done as people stopped by my desk to ask how I am doing and to say welcome back. I was a little nervous about going back - kind of wondering how I would navigate with the brace and all. It's working out fine - and I am really getting around very well and everyone is so willing to help.
The kindness of others - a balm for healing if ever there was one.
It was a little bit sad kissing Ron goodbye on Monday morning when he left me at my desk. I had shown him around the office, introduced him to one of my co-workers, and then kissed him goodbye and told him to be careful driving home (those are usually his words to me when I leave for work in the morning, but with his driving me this week, the tables are turned). If I could spend each day with Ron it would be great, but our finances are not ready for me to retire yet, and I think God still has some things planned for me in my job yet, still...it would be kind of nice to have each day in front of us to spend together as we choose.
There are a lot of things to do this spring - at work, at church, at home. Plans to make for our trip with the kids and grand kids this summer, a prayer retreat at church in May, and the daily busy-ness at work. Everybody (especially my family) tells me that I need to slow down, and I want to. But this is always easier said than done and how does a person begin doing that?
So I guess it's time to start listening for that still small voice that God uses when He wants to get our attention. We have a tendency not to hear Him when we are rolling along our own merry little way. Hmmm.
Nope - can't retire yet. Not ready to do that anyway. But it's a nice thing to look forward to. Meanwhile, it sure is a nice feeling to be able to look forward to going to my job each day. Not everyone can say that.
Thank you, God.
May He bless you all as you look forward to the weekend.
God bless our troops and those who wait.
Sue

Luck of the Irish?

On this St. Patrick's Day, the time is winding down on my days spent at home - Monday morning I will be back at my desk at work, my leg propped up on a box. I have mastered using a cane instead of the walker, so that will make walking around a little bit easier and a lot less cumbersome. The past three weeks have passed quickly - though not without pain. I know that 6-12 months will pass before my knee is healed completely, but it's good to be well enough to return to work. There will be many tasks to greet me in my inbox but that's ok. I am fortunate to be returning so soon.

When I think of how painful this journey was when it began, I am so thankful for answered prayers for God's healing love. And for the care that Ron has given me. God sure has blessed me in that man.

I love you, honey.

So today and tomorrow, I will be doing a few simple chores around the house - dusting, picking up, getting rid of some of the clutter. Ron and I will make a pot of homemade sauce today and I will make a pan of lasagna too. It will help with dinner during the week next week. We are getting blasted with some more snow as the entire Eastern coast is experiencing a Noreaster. We always have snow on St. Patty's Day so this is just winter's last hurrah, right on schedule.

This morning's online news headlines ask: Did St. Patrick really drive snakes from Ireland?

Huh?

A long time ago, I was asked to do a short devotions for a gathering of our Ladies Guild at church. It was St. Patrick's Day so I decided to use that as the theme. Scott and Laurie were little then - but with both of them in tow, I went to the town library to get some information on St. Patrick (an experience if ever there was one as two year old Laurie kept finding books for me to read to her and Scott asking a million questions as he found dozens of dinosaur books-more up Ron's alley than mine).

St. Patrick is remembered best as bringing Christianity to Ireland by preaching the doctrine of the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. That's what the Shamrock represents - the Triune God. Wearing a shamrock is not just an indicator of a day set aside in March to honor an Irish saint, but rather a sign of another heritage - Christianity. My mom was Irish - and proud of it. But more than Irish, she was Christian - dad was too. So today, when I put that Shamrock on, it's because I am grateful that I know how great it can be to be in an Irish family, but also the BLESSING it is to be a child of God.

Hope you have a great day wearin' the green.

Sue