Matt turned 40 yesterday, and to celebrate they went to Disney where he got in for free because it was his birthday. Debate had raged at dinner the night before as to which Kingdom they would go visit. Matt thought Animal Kingdom and he must have prevailed...
Most people complain about in laws, but I am so richly blessed in that Matt is such a great person. He and Jennifer are such good parents and partners. Auntie which is the children's name for Heather, completes this special family. From all accounts they had a great time at Animal Kingdom, which I shall hear about at dinner...as they just called and said they would come by and we would go together to eat..How blest I am...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
FAMILY
The family is spending their Spring Vacation here in Florida with me...yesterday they came and picked me up and we spent the afternoon at the beach...me sitting on the Boardwalk, watching them enjoy the beach. It was so important to me, because I felt so happy having them near to me. I felt like a Father and Grandfather...we ate at Wendy's. Yesterday I sat in the sun too long, but it was worth it. I had my family close to me. They spent the day at the Space Center, and tomorrow they will come down and have dinner together. Wednesday they will go to Walt Disney World to celebrate Matt's birthday,,,
The visit is going wonderfully well and I am glad that they are here, even if they are staying at a time share up in Titusville, and I am unable to do much with them. I love them, and I am so very happy to have them near me during these days...makes me feel wonderful, despite the pain...they are all the world to me....even though I am who I am... I feel happiness inside of myself...
The visit is going wonderfully well and I am glad that they are here, even if they are staying at a time share up in Titusville, and I am unable to do much with them. I love them, and I am so very happy to have them near me during these days...makes me feel wonderful, despite the pain...they are all the world to me....even though I am who I am... I feel happiness inside of myself...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
SPONGE
Phyllis once said to me, prior to her death "no one listens and cares as you do. The downfall is that you expect others to listen and care, and they don't and they won't. When my brother David died, my Great Aunt Caroline pulled me aside, and told me that it was my RESPONSIBILITY to hold the family together as my parents had suffered such a loss... I did as I was told, and listened to my parents'tears, many the night when I would come in the house and found my dad sitting listening to Hymns and sobbing. I sat silently with him..
I learned from mother and dad at a very young age, to listen not only with my ears, but with my heart. When my AUNT EDYTHE was angry at my father, or other members of the family, she would write long letters filled with anger and hatred. I just listened, and didn't tell her not to do it. I am grateful to my brother Philip for his loving care for my Aunt but also our parents.
When Dad was angry, he didn't tell Philip about it...even though I would tell him to tell him. Dad said that "he wouldn't understand but you do. And the sponge was at work...I have no one to blame but myself. But my ministry was NOT to tell them to quit taking their anger out on me, but I did it because I spared all the others. and the sponge started to fill up.
Sixteen years ago Phyllis died, and was told by several in the congregations that I Pastored, you should be able to handle this because you listen to everybody. And the sponge filled up, and I felt there was nothing left...Then I had the stroke, and dad, then Mother died...and; the sponge was saturated.
Phyllis was right, I listened and cared for everybody, and never said no...and now, there is the overwhelming saturation, and there is nothing left...Henri Nouwen said that people need to listen with their ears, and with their hearts/ not giving advice, but listening...I have only my feelings and my emotions left...and I weep alone...not wishing I had taken a different path, but just no one understands the way I feel, and the sponge is overflowing...and there is nothing left.
I learned from mother and dad at a very young age, to listen not only with my ears, but with my heart. When my AUNT EDYTHE was angry at my father, or other members of the family, she would write long letters filled with anger and hatred. I just listened, and didn't tell her not to do it. I am grateful to my brother Philip for his loving care for my Aunt but also our parents.
When Dad was angry, he didn't tell Philip about it...even though I would tell him to tell him. Dad said that "he wouldn't understand but you do. And the sponge was at work...I have no one to blame but myself. But my ministry was NOT to tell them to quit taking their anger out on me, but I did it because I spared all the others. and the sponge started to fill up.
Sixteen years ago Phyllis died, and was told by several in the congregations that I Pastored, you should be able to handle this because you listen to everybody. And the sponge filled up, and I felt there was nothing left...Then I had the stroke, and dad, then Mother died...and; the sponge was saturated.
Phyllis was right, I listened and cared for everybody, and never said no...and now, there is the overwhelming saturation, and there is nothing left...Henri Nouwen said that people need to listen with their ears, and with their hearts/ not giving advice, but listening...I have only my feelings and my emotions left...and I weep alone...not wishing I had taken a different path, but just no one understands the way I feel, and the sponge is overflowing...and there is nothing left.
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