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Hal's Legacy

16 Dec 2024 09:18

I began writing this blog almost ten years ago, while attending the viewing of a special man, Harold Roach, Sr., who everyone referred to as "Hal". Hal lead a very active life, always serving and helping others. He was a police officer, he worked at the state capitol, and he was an officer in the Civil Air Patrol. He was a natural leader and the voice of influence wherever he went, at home and at work. As I sat there looking at the casket, I thought it strange for Hal to no longer be in the middle of things, and for us to no longer hear his guiding voice. Then I noticed a group of his children and grandchildren standing around the casket, looking so strong and confident, ready to greet people walking in. They were the legacy that he was leaving behind. He had started the ball rolling, but they would keep it going.

A Mother is a Counselor

12 Dec 2024 07:45

In an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" titled "Laura Ingalls Wilder", Laura is having mixed feelings about becoming engaged to Almanzo Wilder. The downside is that she will have to stop teaching. It was the nineteenth century, when women had to give up their careers or jobs when they married. A memorable scene in that episode is when Laura's mother, Caroline, climbs up into the loft in their little house to console Laura. Among other things, she says to Laura, "Don't worry, Laura, you'll be a teacher." She goes on to explain, "A mother is many things - a cook, a dressmaker, a disciplinarian, a nurse...but above all, a mother is a teacher!" In the nineteenth century, there was no such thing as a "counselor", but mothers always had that role, even before it was recognized.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

29 Nov 2024 11:31

Thanksgiving is over and the rush of worldly concerns has begun. We will soon begin advent and a new church year. While we are called to be still and prepare for the coming of the Lord, the world around is will keep pulling us out of that stillness and peace. We will be urged to prepare for all types of celebrations. There will be shopping, decorating, cooking, cards and Christmas lists. There will also be more people asking for our charity.

"The Lord hears the cry of the poor."

28 Nov 2024 22:09

When I am working at the computer and my cat, Inky, wants me to get something for him, he knows how to get my attention. He will first come and sit at my feet, staring up at me. If I don't respond right away, he jumps onto the back of the chair and sits there behind my shoulders. He then stretches his neck around so I can see his face. He goes on to start rubbing against me, then nudging me. I start out saying, "Give me a minute Ink, I'm in the middle of something". He then jumps onto the desk in front of me, blocking the screen. I start getting annoyed and say, "Boy, you are such a pest, can't you give me a minute?". I put him down but he jumps back up onto the back of the chair and the cycle starts all over again. He is relentless. I get so annoyed that I end up getting up to give him what he wants just to get him off my back (literally).

A Heart Full of Gratitude

28 Nov 2024 01:59

I dropped everything to stand and stare at my TV screen as Kamala Harris walked out to deliver her concession speech. She began by saying, "My heart is full today.." As she paused, I immediately anticipated how she would finish that sentence. "Of sorrow, devastation, disappointment..." I thought. However, she went on to say something very different. "My heart is full today....of gratitude." I was stunned. I must have heard wrong. Did she just say that her heart was full of gratitude?? How can that be? She just lost the election! Nevertheless, she went on to express gratitude for the trust that we had placed in her and for the people who helped her during her campaign. Whether or not they voted for her, and no matter how they feel about her policies, I can't imagine that people would not be impressed with the example she just set for them at that moment, demonstrating the meaning of "In all things, give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Remembering Donna

23 Nov 2024 23:21

Today I remember my sister-in-law, Donna Myers, born on 11/23/57. Remembering your love for your family, how hard you worked, and your fun-loving spirit at the casinos. We miss you and send our love. You suffered with a lot of health problems throughout your life. I am happy that you are free from them now and united again with my brother. Love, Dorothy

Remembering Annette

23 Nov 2024 20:10

Today I remember my cousin, Annette Scheffler Sinitsky, born on 11/23/74.

The United Sticks of America

20 Nov 2024 22:52

As a child, I was a huge fan of two comedians who referred to themselves as the Smothers Brothers. One of their albums was devoted to Aesop's Fables. On this album, Dick Smothers enthusiastically told the story of "The Bundle of Sticks". In all sincerity, he discussed how a father talked to his quarreling sons about the strength of numbers and the power of unity. The father demonstrated this by showing that one stick alone could be easily broken but a lot of sticks together could not. The father said that the effect is the same when people unite. Tommy Smothers then exclaimed, "The United Sticks of America!" and the audience roared with laughter. I thought about what Tommy said over the past few weeks, only this time I wasn't laughing. I was dead serious about the fact that the "United Sticks of America" was exactly what we needed to become.

Remembering Jos

18 Nov 2024 23:52

Happy Birthday, Jos! Today we remember the day of your birth, 11/18/52, and your life. Today we remember your music, your drawings, your stories, your laughter. We love and miss you and will never forget you. We hope that your joy is complete in God's kingdom now. My gift to you today is to go back on my low carb/sugar diet and start exercising again - to make day one your birthday.

"Greater Love Hath No Man Than He Lay Down His Life For His Friends" John 15:13

11 Nov 2024 05:11

To All Veterans - Thank you for your service! Now it is time for us to serve you! Have a wonderful day!

The Son Will Come Out Tomorrow

5 Nov 2024 15:35

On Thanksgiving morning in 2021, I began the day like any other Thanksgiving. Puttering around in the kitchen, I turned on the television so I could hear the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the background. As I went about my chores, I suddenly heard one of the parade members singing, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie". My heart immediately sank in my chest. I had always loved that song. I found it encouraging and comforting. I referred to that song when I was counseling clients. On that morning, however, hearing it was like being stabbed in the gut. All I could think of was the "tomorrow" that I was facing at that time. My mother, who was also my best friend and companion through life, was dying. I didn't know exactly when she was going to pass from this life, but I knew that it would be soon. What do you do when you know that tomorrow is not going to be any better? What do you do if you know that it is going to be worse? I had never thought of that. I stood there inconsolable, wanting to block out that song, until I suddenly realized that it's effect could be completely transformed by changing only one word - actually only one letter - in the title. The words "The SON will come out tomorrow" suddenly jumped into my head - giving me the comfort I needed. The sun may not come out tomorrow, but the Son of God will. He had been with me through all my other heartbreaks and hardships and would not abandon me then.

The Things We Have In Common

4 Nov 2024 10:12

In my second semester of college, I was studying and having lunch in the student lounge at the Schuylkill Campus of Penn State. A classmate (who I will call Ruth) walked over to admire a pin I was wearing. The pin had the words "Jesus Loves Me" on it.