The value of friendship….happy thoughts from my recent birthday

Friends are so important to me…A few days ago when I celebrated my birthday, my friends really made it special. Now, because of COVID 19, there are no luncheons or gatherings, large or small, for fear of being infected with the virus. Hugging would not be possible. Our way of life has drastically changed.

My telephone kept me busy! I was answering it much of the day! My loyal friends called to let me know they missed me and that I was loved and appreciated.

I am a long time “follower” of Helen Steiner Rice and her beautiful poems. I have many books that I have collected or that were given to me. One poem that I like so much is “The Golden Chain of Friendship.“

My library consists of a very large collection of books by many authors, but poems have been my favorites for a long time. Words can mean so much, so I will share those of “The Golden Chain….”

The Golden Chain Of Friendship…. Friendship is a Golden Chain, the links are friends so dear, and like a rare and precious jewel , it’s treasured more each year…It’s clasped together firmly, with love that’s deep and true, and it’s rich with happy memories…and fond recollections, too. Time cannot destroy its beauty…for, as long as memory lives, years can’t erase the pleasure that the joy of friendship gives…For friendship is a priceless gift that can’t be bought or sold, but to have an understanding friend is worth far more than gold….And the Golden Golden Chain of Friendship is a strong and blessed tie, binding kindred hearts together, as the years go passing by.

I received many beautiful cards, which brought smiles to my face! There were two that brought tears to my eyes…tears of joy, not of sadness.. I want to share the words with you, my family and friends…

The first begins…CELEBRATING YOU! There is no one like you. You have gifts that only you can give to the world. You have blessings others can only receive through you. The Lord designed every detail of who you are. YOU are special, you are loved, you are YOU—-and the world is blessed to have you in it! And written in at the bottom was this..”And we are blessed to have you in our world!” That touched my soul! Two of my long time friends shared those sweet words…they do so much for everyone..

The second of the ones that had tears rolling down my cheeks had these words..in huge letters…”NEVER FORGET How Unforgettable YOU ARE. Today is about more than celebrating your birthday….It’s about celebrating you and all that you are…as a woman, as a friend, as someone very special in this world!” These words were sent by the most thoughtful, kindest friend anyone could ask for and for whom I thank God for each day.

Yes, the value of friendship is priceless…I pray that in my years on earth, I have brought comfort, encouragement, hope, happiness, joy, enthusiasm, confidence, laughter, trust and that I have been strong for those who needed me. I pray that my life has not been wasted and the love I have tried to bring to everyone has been a reflection of God’s love ❤️ to everyone!

July 28…..what word can I use to describe it?

July 28 has been a special day in my life…

A thousand memories strolled through my mind yesterday on July 28, 2020…I have been around a long time, much longer than I expected, but not as long as I hope to be!

I thought about my days in North Carolina, where I was born and where I spent the first nine years of my life. My Mother, along with my Grandmother McInnis, were my role models. I watched how they did the many household chores, so I learned from them. A young child is not expected to cook, wash dishes, do laundry and all the things that grownups do, but I was inquisitive. So I did get to “help” with some things.

I thought about my years living in Charleston and about the friends I made there. I was in the fifth grade when we moved into an old house on Broad Street, in the historic district. It was built in the 1800s. Of course, that didn’t mean a lot to me back then. I loved going to Craft School, being close to so many nice places I walked to; like Colonial Lake, the Charleston Museum, when it was on Rutledge Avenue, Hampton Park and to the Battery. It was safe to do all those things. My teacher was Mrs. A.B. Hassell. I thought she hung the moon! She had a Charleston brogue and I had a North Carolina drawl, but she liked me and helped me understand the “new way of talking!”

From Charleston, my family moved to Columbia. I cried so much from homesickness, that my parents let me fly to Charleston, alone, to spend the summer with a family I dearly loved. That was my first exposure to a flight on Eastern Air Lines. Little did I know that the future would hold flying on an Eastern Air Lines plane for a whole year much later in life.

I adjusted to life in Columbia and spent many years living here. School fosters friendships and soon I loved Columbia and all my friends here, as much as those in Charleston and Kannapolis. Many of us went to work with the “Telephone” Company after graduation. My vision for my life was becoming a school teacher, getting married and having two little girls. Although, I did not become a teacher in the public schools, my career allowed me be a “teacher “ for the majority of my career.

I did become the mother of two precious daughters. They have brought me so much joy and they made me the grandmother of many fine children. Moving forward, an opportunity to move to Atlanta came about to work at the Headquarters of BellSouth. There is a miracle associated with that opportunity. One Sunday evening at my church , we were having a Bible study about prayer. The first speaker in the series was Dr. Charles Stanley. I was so impressed with his message, I told the person sitting next to me that if I should ever move to Atlanta he would be my pastor. Moving to Atlanta was not on my “what to do list,”

I did not pray to move there, but a few weeks after that I was called in by the District Manager and asked if I would consider moving to Atlanta to work on a project. A prayer that I had not even prayed was answered!

Things fell into place. It was the hand of God that gave me an opportunity that changed my life, even more! I was alone, my children were grown and God moved me to the “Promised Land.” The opportunities were unbelievable! It would take a book to share all the unbelievable experiences that followed.

My “birthday “ proved to be an adventure of looking at my life from the humble beginning of being born at home in a small town, to having a family and a rewarding career in a very large city. My retirement and being a widow, brought me back to Columbia to take care of my Mother until her death. I have been very active in all phases of volunteering and of working in the Special Needs ministry at First Baptist Church since 2002.

So choosing one word to describe all that has happened since the date of my birth on July 28th, would be impossible. My life has been exciting, fulfilling, anxious, due to serious illnesses, enriched through travel and studying at many leading colleges, humbling through blessings too numerous to count, joyful because of my wonderful daughters and their families, but most important will take a few words….they are “a child of God, forgiven, and Heaven bound ! “

Oh, what a beautiful morning!

I liked the musical “Oklahoma” and others that came out years ago. There is something about old movies that is missing in those of today. Not only the storylines, but the songs and the acting. The music of bygone days has endured the ages!

I had an errand to run and I needed to do it early this morning. I slept a little longer than usual, but I woke up at 7:00 AM, in time to watch Dr. David Jeremiah. I left home at 7:30, as soon as Turning Point was over. When I turned on to Highway 378, there was very little traffic. I thought to myself, “This is going to be a good day!”

I was able to get on the connector to Taylor Street, with no traffic! That, too was unusual. From there I drove straight to Fort Jackson, my destination. Still very few cars! I proceeded to the Main Pharmacy. Ever since the pandemic began, no one is allowed inside the building. Your doctor sends a request for your medication and you are notified by text or a call when it will be ready for pickup.

I received my notification, so I made the trip today. Under normal circumstances, you stop at a tent in the designated pick up area to check in. There has always been a long line of cars waiting to enter this area. Today, there were none! I was first in line! I was told to park in space 1, which I did. Very shortly, a lady came out with my package and I was ready to leave! Today was the first time this has happened! I thought to myself, “This really is a beautiful morning!”

My next stop was the Refill Pharmacy, in another building several blocks away. Because it was early, parking was not a problem. I went inside and two people were waiting in line for the pick up windows to open. The windows opened promptly and the two people ahead of me were served, then I stepped up to get my medication. This took only a matter of minutes and I was on my way home.

It was really an unbelievable experience! When I got in the car to head for home. I thought, the words to “Oklahoma “ were written for me today! No one could hear me, so I sang, “Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way!” and so far, it has been a beautiful day all day long! Sure hope tomorrow will be the same!

Peaceful and quiet……that is what today has been

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. In our modern world, before COVID 19, my Sundays were seldom very restful. I am not the only person who feels that way. I can remember long ago when stores were not open on Sunday. I don’t remember the exact years those were, but families went to church together, came home to enjoy a good home cooked meal and some would have friends or family to come over in the afternoon to enjoy homemade ice cream outside where it was cool. I used to sit on the churn while my Daddy turned the crank until the ice cream was firm. My Mother would serve everyone with dishes of the frozen delight and she would put the dasher on a platter and let the children get the ice cream from it. That was in addition to a cone or bowl full we were given.

Those were simple times and definitely a very long time ago. Back when I was a child, people worked very hard all week and they needed the rest. After I grew up and got married, most of the folks I knew went to Sunday school and to the worship service, came home, enjoyed a good home cooked meal and at times the family would take an afternoon ride. For years stores were not open on Sundays. But little by little changes took place. Gradually things began happening very rapidly. Sunday became a sleep late day, then out shopping, going to a ball game or boating and then to a restaurant. Eating out has become so popular that “Sunday dinner” where the family sat down together is almost unheard of.

Now, please understand, I am not opposed to progress. I am just thinking of how much things have changed in my lifetime. I am also grateful for all the modern conveniences and advances in communication, medicine and so many things that make life easier. I do not want to give up modern conveniences, but I enjoy a break from the rat race life has become.

Because of the pandemic, every aspect of life has been changed. It has been so long since I have gone to church. I “attend” Sunday school, the worship service and Wednesday night prayer meeting through the Internet, but I have had no face to face contact with my friends. My grocery needs are nominal and my daughter does that chore for me.

Yesterday, my two daughters and a granddaughter came to celebrate my birthday. It was so nice to have them with me. Today, Sunday, I watched the service from my church and several others. My cable service went out and for a while there was no noise in my house . Just silence for a change! I thought about an old song, “ The Sound of Silence.” In these times of uncertainty and fear of the unknown, it is good for the soul to be peaceful and quiet.

I, along with many others, use the television set to supply noise in the house. I have no little children to keep things exciting! Maybe it is not a bad thing for the TV signal to go out for hours, so we can be quiet and rest our souls!

Morning has broken and I am still sleepy!

Yes, morning has broken and I have had my first cup of coffee! Today is a special day for me. Not because it is Saturday or because I will get my hair cut. It isn’t special because I will have my “date” with Lawrence Welk, followed by Gracie and Lacy, then Huckabee and finally with Bobby Schuller. All those things are important and they are my routine, but today I will celebrate my birthday with three wonderful girls!

My birthday will actually be on Tuesday. My entire family was together in Roebuck on July Fourth when the first “celebration” took place without me! I am considered “vulnerable and at risk” and was told to stay at home. It was a nice party with lots of good food, thanks to my daughter, Susan, who is wonderful cook. We FaceTimed so I got to see everyone as they filled their plates and celebrated. Susan sent enough food to me by my daughter, Carole, to last for two days! So my celebration took place on Sunday and Monday.

Carole brought a card that everyone had signed and a collage with nine frames that held photographs of me with my Mother and brother, my two daughters and my grandchildren. It is a treasure, for sure!

The girls asked what I wanted for my birthday when they come today. I told them I already have too many “things” but I would just like to enjoy time with them and have their services! Since I have had a series of health issues that have caused me not to have the stamina I once had…and hope to regain, I made a list a list that contained things like; clean the inside of my refrigerator and microwave, turn my huge mattress, hang a valance in my bathroom, vacuum and polish the furniture.

My house is neat and clean, but those things will get it back to the way I want it. I inherited some of my Mother’s habits, good and bad. Prior to moving back to Columbia in 2002, I had a clutter free house! Believe it or not! I had room to store seasonal things, such as Christmas decorations. I was just beginning my fixation with Dollar Tree, so I did not have ten sets of dinner ware, dozens of stuffed animals, artificial flowers in every color, plus vases and candles of every shape and size.

When my long travels were reduced in length from twenty-one days to maybe three at the longest, I spent more time watching Trinity Broadcasting Network and Daystar Television. One of my very favorite teachers became Dr.David Jeremiah, who is a prolific writer and whose books are now a part of my collection. Not to mention, Dr, Charles Stanley and Max Lucado. My bookcases are filled with the wisdom of these men and others too numerous to mention.

To say that my lifestyle has totally changed is an understatement. When I was younger, without health problems, I was volunteering and traveling all the time. I loved to continue learning so my husband and I spent time on thirty-three college campuses taking classes and then traveling by air for a year and a half to foreign countries.

My life is nothing like it was. I love quotes and mottoes and one that applies to me is “Seize the day!” When I heard the song “Morning Has Broken“ for the first time, it instantly began my favorite song. It was included in the New Baptist Hymnal, although it isn’t a sacred hymn and the late Tom Westmoreland played and sang it. Cat Stevens had a big hit with the song and most people associate it with him and not the Baptist Church!

Well, morning has broken today here in West Columbia, South Carolina and I look forward to a lovely birthday celebration with my girls! Who could ask for more? Well, Lord, I do have one birthday wish…please end the pandemic and restore our world. Let there be peace and harmony once more! That would be a perfect gift!

Just inching along at a snail’s pace….

When my Mother passed away, It took me a very long time to sort through all the things she had saved to “ look at one more time” before disposing of them. Many of the things were magazines, annual reports from a charity she contributed to and receipts for years, that she would never look at again. I did learn from that experience.

Mother lived alone and in the last years of her life she was able to remain in her home, which she wanted to do, but she did not have the strength to do a great deal in housekeeping.. For a while we had a lady come in several times a week to clean and do laundry as needed. What we didn’t know until later was that each time she left Mother’s house, she took things with her.

Mother had some nice towels and sheets she was “saving” and a collection of China head dolls which she treasured. One day she looked for the dolls that had been packed away in a chest. She was unable to find them because one by one they had been taken, as well as some of the linens.

The agency fired the lady who took the things, but they were never returned. I did what I could to clean when I came from out of town to spend a week to take her to the doctor, to the beauty shop and shopping. Her best friend was a neighbor who spent most of everyday at Mother’s house. They ate together, watched their favorite TV shows and kept one another company. Then they talked to each other on the telephone when they weren’t together.

When Mother passed away, I asked her friend to come to the house and take all Mother’s clothes that she wanted because they were the same size, plus lots of other things that she liked. Some family members took her antique furniture and I donated the other furniture to be used for foreign students who came here for a few years, then returned to their country after graduation.

All that to say that it was a long process to dispose of a collection of so many years. Today as I was going through stacks of my papers that had accumulated over many years, I found myself just “ inching along” because I stopped to read a stack of emails I had printed and saved. At the time I must have thought they were important. I definitely followed in my Mother’s footsteps, as the saying goes. I had lists of members of organizations, reports that mean nothing now and so much more. It is overwhelming!

These days we have to be so careful not to put certain things in the trash. There are always people who try to obtain information about accounts, credit cards and bank statements, etc. It is a different world, for sure.

The reason for so little progress today was that I stopped to read some of the emails I had printed out years ago and I looked at notices of programs I had planned over the years. I had a list of AARP members from the first year I was President of the Chapter, when I moved here from Atlanta. So many of the folks are no longer with us. I saw the name and telephone number of a very sweet lady I thought so much of back then. On an impulse, I called the number and a weak voice answered. I asked if this was the residence of my friend and told her who I was. Well, all of a sudden, that weak voice got strong ! She told me her husband had died and she was in assisted living. She just bubbled over with joy as we caught up from the many years we had not seen one anther. I asked how old she is now. She said, “Oh, Lord, I don’t know.” I told her how good it was to talk with her and how I had missed her. She then said, “Oh, I remember now, I was born in 1924.” I didn’t throw away as much as I had hoped to, but the reward I received by looking at that old list of names and making the call was worth more than money can buy!

I guess I will “inch along” again tomorrow and no telling what I may find. Today was not wasted and I hope I can have another pleasant experience just because I am looking through the stack of papers I had put aside to “look at one more time” before they are shredded.

To be or not to be….that is the question

Being confined to the house for almost 100% of the time presents lots of problems. For folks who are accustomed to having a schedule of things to do on certain days, you soon do not know what day it is. Several weeks ago that happened to me. I turned the local TV station on to watch the service from my church and it did not come on. I thought that was odd. When my daughter called, I told her about the “problem” and she said, “Mother, the service will come on when it is supposed to. Today isn’t Sunday!”

When things were normal I was out and about every day. There were meetings to attend, grocery shopping to be done, appointments with doctors and to get haircuts, as well as attending classes at the Shepherd’s Center. When the parademic occurred, my daughter began doing my grocery shopping, appointments with my doctor were handled by telephone or FaceTime and I let my hair grow. I “attended “ prayer meeting on my IPad and watched the Sunday service on television.

You can only do so much straightening of closets and drawers. I watched old game shows on television which helped pass the time, I really like Classic Concentration when Alex Trebek was young. He has always been the best host on TV! It was a pleasant change from some of the shows of today!

With all the time on my hands and because I enjoy food, I began to spend more time in the kitchen. I wake up early, so I have coffee and something to eat because some of my medication has to be taken with food. Then a little later I eat breakfast and have more coffee. I love grits, eggs and toast! But I also enjoy waffles with “real” maple syrup. I have become “addicted “ to food.

Lunch comes around when the noon news begins because I have to watch Robert Morris at 12:30 and Classic Concentration at 1:00 PM. Before I know it, it is time for some medication that has to be taken with food! I walk around my house, but I have no walking track to go to like I had before becoming “home bound.”

With all the extra eating, it brought on extra pounds! I remember the days when I could eat anything in any amount and never gain an ounce. I burned all the calories! Now, the calories multiply and make the numbers on my scale go higher and higher.

That leads me to the question, “to be or not to be?” Shall I continue to eat like I do now and gain weight or refrain from all the snacks and lose those pounds? Do I want to be fat or do I want to be thin? That is the question! I want to be thin, but I do not want to stop eating! I can’t have it both ways!

I am a victim of COVID 19, but the problem was caused by me. To be thin again means being able to control my appetite and I must stay out of the kitchen! Now, I hardly recognize the lady I see in the mirror! I must change my eating habits before anything else happens!

Maple Walnut Ice Cream

This afternoon I have been going through files as I try to rid the house of useless things. It is amazing how newspaper clippings, magazines, receipts and travel brochures can take up so much space. Every week my mailbox is full of pleas for donations to help various causes. Because donors names and addresses are sold, these type letters have doubled and tripled.

I, like many of my friends, glance through the mail as it comes in, but I stack the less important letters away so I can respond at a later time. I made progress today, but I needed a snack to keep me going. Any excuse will do, when you want a treat.

Several years ago I discovered maple walnut ice cream at Food Lion. The brand was “Friendly’s”. The company has been in business since 1935, but was just not a brand I had been buying. I bought two cartons of maple walnut back then and thoroughly enjoyed the flavor.

When I lived in Atlanta I took a trip to New England to see the beautiful foliage during the fall. I had some maple walnut ice cream several times on that trip. While in Vermont, we visited a farm where syrup was drawn from the trees and sold in attractive glass bottles. There were many other food products that were maple flavored, as well as candles.

Before the following fall, I was asked by the tour company if I would come to work for them to take a group “up North” each year due to the popularity of the these trips. We had a number of busses going on a staggered schedule. I agreed and was the tour director for six years for a group of forty plus leaf peepers going to New England..

I enjoyed every part of the trips. We varied some of the sites and restaurants each year since many of the travelers liked to make the trip an annual event. The focal point of the trip was the unbelievable colored leaves. In addition to everything we did, I ate maple walnut ice cream as often as I could.

I could never find that flavor in any other brand of ice cream and it was just by accident that I found it during the fall several years ago. It was seasonal and only available for a few months, I was told. That leads me to today. I was in Food Lion several weeks ago and just happened to stroll by the ice cream section…. and what did I see, but six cartons of maple walnut ice cream! I bought two cartons, but should have bought six!

Evidently the company is making that flavor all the time now. I am just thankful that I had a carton in my freezer and that this afternoon I was able to enjoy a dish and relive happy times in New England when the crisp weather caused the foliage to turn to brilliant red, orange and gold. That little trip back in my memories was welcome because it felt like 105 degrees outside! Thank goodness for the simple things in life that mean so much! The next time I find maple walnut ice cream, I will buy all six cartons! As the saying goes, “ Those who indulge, bulge!” But, you can always buy a larger size…and you can’t always find the maple walnut flavor!

Forward….

Last night at 10:00 PM, South Carolina time, I began watching the church service from the El Cajon Campus of Shadow Mountain Community Church on TBN. Several weeks ago the congregation began to have outdoor services during the morning, but it is so hot in California, the time was changed to 7:00 PM when it is a little cooler.

They had a type of stage where several singers and the pastor were located and folding chairs were spaced apart over the large parking lot so the congregation could sit. Last night, the stage was totally different. It was much larger. There were quite a few singers, a keyboard and a podium for Dr. David Jeremiah. Previously the church had rented a “stage” but someone located the materials to construct their own, rather than renting. Some men from the church worked very hard in order to have it completed for the Saturday evening service. It will be used for services until it is safe to return to the sanctuary.

I watch Dr.Jeremiah from 7:00 until 7:30 AM every day and I learn so much from him. He is an excellent teacher and speaks in words that are easy to understand. I am so thankful to be able to study with him. He is on 3,000 stations, so he is well known around the world.

The message last night was entitled “Forward.” He explained how he arrived at the title for his new series. A singer, songwriter did a concert I at Shadow Mountain and introduced a song he had written called“ “Forward.” Dr. Jeremiah and his wife, Donna, were so impressed with the words of the song. He told Donna, “That will be the title of my next book.”

Some of the highlights from the message last night were about making resolutions at the beginning of a new year and what happens to this list of good intentions as the year progresses. He gave statistics on how interests became less and the percentages at different intervals of the year became smaller until at the end of a year it had dropped to only 8% completions. I could relate to that. How many times was my number one resolution to lose weight? Every year! How many times have I been successful?

He said there is only one place in the Bible that even mentions retirement and it is not called that. Dr. Jeremiah said he never wants to retire. He is already way past the age of retirement, but he wants to keep preaching and writing until he is “done.” That will be when he dies. He urged each of us to keep moving “forward” until we are “done.” I hope you will go to his website to hear his words because he explains everything so well.

At the end of the message Michael Sanchez sang the song “ Forward.” Michael was born in San Diego and is the featured singer at Shadow Mountain. He appeared on the Voice some time ago. At the beginning of the service, the “choir” sang one of my favorites called “The WayMaker.” Then at the end Michael and the group sang the song that inspired the name of the sermon and also the book that will becoming out in a few months.

It was a wonderful, inspirational evening that encouraged all of us to go “Forward” until we are “done!”

Hmmm …do I smell blackberry cobbler?

Maybe I spent too much time yesterday reminiscing about Black Mountain, the crisp mornings where the air was fresh, looking out the screened in porch to watch nature at its best and not having to rush to do anything.

That seems to be a fantasy, too good to be true, but it isn’t! It is still possible to shut that mad house type of life out. You have to retreat from the rat race, but even if it cannot become a permanent way of life, it can be a wonderful gift you give yourself.

The entire world is in turmoil. I have never experienced so much evil, hatred and violence. Most everyone I know agrees. We don’t want to give up the good life that most people enjoy, but we yearn to feel peace and serenity for a while, anyway.

My thoughts from yesterday included blackberry cobbler. I could almost taste that delicious dessert I have enjoyed at the Red Rocker Inn when my husband and I ate there. It was always treat! Some things remain in your memory for a lifetime. I believe the Red Rocker Inn is one of those!

I posted some photos and recipes for my favorite cobbler. Even now, if I am eating out and see blackberry cobbler on the dessert menu, that is what I order!

I am so grateful for wonderful experiences on our life journeys. Much of my life has been spent in a “rat race” as is true for the culture we live in. When I “retire” I would like to live in the mountains for half of the year and at the beach during the winter. I would like to be able to eat blackberry cobbler the year round! During my time in the mountains, be assured I would be eating at the Red Rocker Inn and for my dessert, what else, but blackberry cobbler!