Watch out for the other guy!
Proceed with caution! Be careful out there! Don't go too fast and be sure you are prepared for the worst!
Do all of us really follow this advice? We have had some crazy weather in NC the past two weeks. Snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, frigid temps, etc. has led us all to face school closings, work delays, and if you are one of the "unlucky" ones, you are dealing with a wrecked car. I put "unlucky" in quotes because you have choices about going out in the bad weather. Yes, some people are essential, or you have to go in because you will be fired, or if you don't work, you don't get paid. If you are injured or dead, same result!
Many people probably have made fun of some of my decisions to not take a chance driving even though I grew up in Indiana and have driven in many snow storms, and in a sports car! However, I trusted the roads would be cleared and the other guy driving would have the same sense of awe and caution. Not so much here in NC and unlike the North, black ice is no match for anyone. Even those who are expert drivers, including the mom in our community that was a race car driver, can do nothing when black ice exists.
I choose not to take my life or my family's or my neighbor's for granted. I plan ahead because there is no one else looking our for me in these conditions. Or is there?
When it comes to our faith life, we all need to look our for the other guy. Love thy neighbor as you love yourself. I was able to clear my driveway with the help of my kids and my dad. We could then offer to clear the driveways of our elderly neighbors.
But what I appreciate most was the offer from friends to get Sam from a field trip because it may have been treacherous to get to the school. And they don't even have a student at the school anymore! Yes, they were looking out for the other guy....me! Look our for the other guys in your life today!
Love to all,
Teresa
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
Love today.
It is two days after Valentine's Day and many of you may be feeling the hangover of a day crammed with food, chocolate, roses and love from your special person. I have to say instead of that overdone feeling, I am feeling very inspired.
Although my one special person is no longer with us on earth, his spirit is with us always. However, there is love in my life. I sent messages to those close to me. My parents came through with their heart shaped Whitman boxes (love you!), even having an extra one for Katie's little friend that was over for a play date. Many friends sent love messages for the day and best of all, close friends called to arrange a day in the mountains for some tubing in the frigid winter weather. It was a blast (literally) yesterday!
As I write this morning, my dad has taken my car to the tire store to get new tires and then is getting it washed after the day trip yesterday in the snow and ice. Imagine a black car that now looks "frosted" with the salt, ice and brine from the road. That act of kindness and love makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Those are the things I normally have to do by myself as a solo parent and master of my universe. Having someone do these mundane but necessary errands means so much. I love you dad very much!
Many times we over look the little things that bring love to our lives. Giving of our own hearts is a great way to start. Tell someone today that you love them. Every day can be Valentine's Day!
Love to you all,
Teresa
It is two days after Valentine's Day and many of you may be feeling the hangover of a day crammed with food, chocolate, roses and love from your special person. I have to say instead of that overdone feeling, I am feeling very inspired.
Although my one special person is no longer with us on earth, his spirit is with us always. However, there is love in my life. I sent messages to those close to me. My parents came through with their heart shaped Whitman boxes (love you!), even having an extra one for Katie's little friend that was over for a play date. Many friends sent love messages for the day and best of all, close friends called to arrange a day in the mountains for some tubing in the frigid winter weather. It was a blast (literally) yesterday!
As I write this morning, my dad has taken my car to the tire store to get new tires and then is getting it washed after the day trip yesterday in the snow and ice. Imagine a black car that now looks "frosted" with the salt, ice and brine from the road. That act of kindness and love makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Those are the things I normally have to do by myself as a solo parent and master of my universe. Having someone do these mundane but necessary errands means so much. I love you dad very much!
Many times we over look the little things that bring love to our lives. Giving of our own hearts is a great way to start. Tell someone today that you love them. Every day can be Valentine's Day!
Love to you all,
Teresa
Monday, January 19, 2015
Living Without
What are the things you want most in life but feel you are living without? I overhear people talk about wanting that new designer purse, buying the latest alternative fuel sports car (costing over $100,000), or taking that fabulous vacation with the family. What is it that you cannot live without? What would make your life so complete that happiness and bliss are with you all the time?
I am living without the one person that I have loved the most in my life. Yes, I love my children and that love cannot be matched. Even though I do not have the love of my life, I do not live without love. I am so blessed to have support in my life of my children, my family, my community and mostly my friends. I have to thank those that are always with me to listen to my whining when I feel I lack something. I thank those that love me with all my warts, bad habits, and short temper. I thank the friend that moved my old printer from the third floor to my van. I thank the friend that bought me a ticket to the movies because I was running late. I thank the friends that sat with me after surgery to be sure I would be OK. I am most thankful for those ladies that walk with me and talk with me on a weekly basis. It is great for the body and the soul. And that one special friend that helped me understand that I have this love in my life because I am sharing that love first.
I realized this past week that we have passed the mark where my youngest daughter, Katie, has now lived more of her life without her father than the time with him. It has been five and half years and Katie was five years and five months old when Peter died. That realization impacts me more than it does her because she only knows this life. My oldest child, Emma, said recently something that helped me realize how the kids view this loss. She said, "It is not that I miss having Daddy not being a part of my life now, but that I feel bad that he is the one missing out." It was such an insightful and smart thing for her to say.
A few years ago, I helped facilitate a book study at church, and asked a very important question at one session as we were discussing the death of my husband and my best friend. "Think of the worst thing that can happen in your life." As I looked around I could see that each person was thinking of their worst nightmare. I know they were envisioning the loss of their spouse or a child. But what I said next had the most impact, "Now imagine you have lost your faith!"
What are the things you want most in life but feel you are living without? I overhear people talk about wanting that new designer purse, buying the latest alternative fuel sports car (costing over $100,000), or taking that fabulous vacation with the family. What is it that you cannot live without? What would make your life so complete that happiness and bliss are with you all the time?
I am living without the one person that I have loved the most in my life. Yes, I love my children and that love cannot be matched. Even though I do not have the love of my life, I do not live without love. I am so blessed to have support in my life of my children, my family, my community and mostly my friends. I have to thank those that are always with me to listen to my whining when I feel I lack something. I thank those that love me with all my warts, bad habits, and short temper. I thank the friend that moved my old printer from the third floor to my van. I thank the friend that bought me a ticket to the movies because I was running late. I thank the friends that sat with me after surgery to be sure I would be OK. I am most thankful for those ladies that walk with me and talk with me on a weekly basis. It is great for the body and the soul. And that one special friend that helped me understand that I have this love in my life because I am sharing that love first.
I realized this past week that we have passed the mark where my youngest daughter, Katie, has now lived more of her life without her father than the time with him. It has been five and half years and Katie was five years and five months old when Peter died. That realization impacts me more than it does her because she only knows this life. My oldest child, Emma, said recently something that helped me realize how the kids view this loss. She said, "It is not that I miss having Daddy not being a part of my life now, but that I feel bad that he is the one missing out." It was such an insightful and smart thing for her to say.
A few years ago, I helped facilitate a book study at church, and asked a very important question at one session as we were discussing the death of my husband and my best friend. "Think of the worst thing that can happen in your life." As I looked around I could see that each person was thinking of their worst nightmare. I know they were envisioning the loss of their spouse or a child. But what I said next had the most impact, "Now imagine you have lost your faith!"
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Resolution.
1. The act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. The act of resolving something
2. An answer or solution to something
3. The ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail
Many of us make New Year's resolutions at this time each year. Do we stick with what we say we want to change? Most choose health related actions like losing weight, starting a new workout program, or eating a diet rich in nutrients and consuming less alcohol, sugar and fast food. I love to hear of those that choose more cerebral changes like reading more books and watching less television, spending more quality time with family, especially children and of course my favorite, cursing less. This one is high on my list!
But what about making a resolution to focus on our spiritual life? I live this one each day and I am always looking for ways to keep Christ centered in my life and in turn the lives of those around me. There are several things I do to keep this in my daily actions. I read a devotion each morning and night (a simple app you can add to your phone). I pray often, especially for those that request prayers from our church prayer group, Partners In Prayer, which I facilitate. (If you are interested in being added to this daily prayer group, email me at pip@stmcary.org.) Contemporary Christian music plays in my car often as my favorite XM channel is The Message, channel 63. I also listen carefully to the voices around me that offer a glimpse of Christ in our midst. What we say and do can bring faith to those who have none.
Making these resolutions can seem daunting when we look at the huge chunk of time such as a deadline or a goal. My choice this year is to see Christ more clearly in my life each day. Day by day.
And you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWQEUzOACm4
1. The act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. The act of resolving something
2. An answer or solution to something
3. The ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail
Many of us make New Year's resolutions at this time each year. Do we stick with what we say we want to change? Most choose health related actions like losing weight, starting a new workout program, or eating a diet rich in nutrients and consuming less alcohol, sugar and fast food. I love to hear of those that choose more cerebral changes like reading more books and watching less television, spending more quality time with family, especially children and of course my favorite, cursing less. This one is high on my list!
But what about making a resolution to focus on our spiritual life? I live this one each day and I am always looking for ways to keep Christ centered in my life and in turn the lives of those around me. There are several things I do to keep this in my daily actions. I read a devotion each morning and night (a simple app you can add to your phone). I pray often, especially for those that request prayers from our church prayer group, Partners In Prayer, which I facilitate. (If you are interested in being added to this daily prayer group, email me at pip@stmcary.org.) Contemporary Christian music plays in my car often as my favorite XM channel is The Message, channel 63. I also listen carefully to the voices around me that offer a glimpse of Christ in our midst. What we say and do can bring faith to those who have none.
Making these resolutions can seem daunting when we look at the huge chunk of time such as a deadline or a goal. My choice this year is to see Christ more clearly in my life each day. Day by day.
And you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWQEUzOACm4
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