Fame...

This is my Uncle Jack when he was on the Price is Right.  He probably won't be excited that I posted his picture, but I felt a little famous because I knew someone who was on TV.

There are a lot of people living through someone else's achievements.   Go to the Little League fields any given summer and observe parents living out their dreams through their kids.  Ever watched those children's competitions as beauty queens?

There are many people in caregiving situations who once were in the spotlight.  There lives meant something to their families and they were in control.  Walk into a nursing facility and immediately you will see those people who once high fived the audience, but were now observers of everyone else's life.

Celebrate someone today.  Remember special events and have a conversation with them.  Allow someone to recall the highlights of their life.

Jeremiah 29:11

Heritage...

It is truly an experience to attend the Treat Family Reunion.  Troy and Clara had 12 children,  11 of them lived past infancy.  My dad was Jimmie.  The picture above shows the three who are still with us:  Joe, Geneva, Jack.  They represent so many memories of my growing up in Arkansas and Missouri.  We were always headed to Granny Treat's for the weekend.  

What I remember the most is the food. We would pull in the driveway and head to the table.  Fried chicken, some type of beef, biscuits, cornbread, fresh green beans, tomatos, and on and on and on.  I had the privilege of being surrounded by so many loving and interesting people.  Each of the kids were unique in their own right and had special talents.  The brothers loved music and would band together with their families asthe audience.

As I get older, I remember more and more my heritage.  I hope my family looks back and remembers the good and fun things they experienced during childhood.  Life can be difficult.  But, if you have the loyalty of the Treat clan, you have a treasure.  The distance doesn't matter.  The amount of time you haven't seen them, doesn't matter.  It is the love, that is what matters!

John 3:16

My Father.

I noticed this picture among my albums and found myself going back in time,  It was taken sometime around my senior year in high school and sophmore year in college...I think,  I'm not sure where it was taken, but I am glad it was.

My father was a comedian.  He would do whatever it took to make you laugh,  He would spin a yarn that left you wondering if it was real or just a story he had built on.  It was difficult to keep a straight face once he decided you were his focus.  I remember his humor and the many times it carried me through serious circumstances.  His view of life made him friends and his love of music endeared him to them for his lifetime.

My brother passed away at 46.  Daddy was never quite the same after that.   I observed a serious side that had been hidden from me before.  It was there, I just hadn't looked for it.

The thing that stands out to me is how loved I felt from both my parents,  Even when they had difficulties, I was always loved.  They made sure I was cared for,

It doesn't take much to show someone that you appreciate them.  Take a look around your world and choose someone to love on today.

What hat are you wearing?

It is often easy to tell where someone works by the hat they wear.  In this case, Kamri was a patron who borrowed a hat.  So, you cannot always trust what you see.  It is much better to get all the facts and not jump to conclusions.

Are you looking at someone and deciding who they are and what they are doing and why they are doing it?  I have been guilty of seeing the facade of a situation and not really understanding what that situation was all about.  I realize there are people who have watched my life and figured it all out without actually knowing me or the details.

I have asked God to help me never pass judgement without knowing the entire story.  I know that God has given me the benefit of the doubt many times throughout my life.

Jeremiah 29:11  Am I wearing the hat that is part of the plan?

Jimmie and LaRue...

I am older than my parents were in this picture.  I remember when I realized that I was older than my Pastor.  I have been struck with the passing of time and how stuck I was in dreaming ahead and not preparing for the days when I would be on the North side of 50.

The last few years have been very educational.  I have experienced Caregiving.  I have had to find who I am from who I was.  It has been an intentional direction to work on preparing my children for what they will need to know in the future for me.

There are so many in our families who are blindsided by sickness.  Having an idea of ones options takes away so much of the stress.  It isn't being negative to be prepared.  It is smart to look forward to our future.  I believe God has a plan for me and if I am aware of some of the choices or pitfalls or possibilities, I am good.

Check your family, your friends, etc. and with the best of your ability, guard them.  Look for signs of depression or fear.  If you know they are good at hiding their feelings, keep watch.  Love is a gift.  Share your love with those closest to you.

Jeremiah 29:11

Passing of Time: Maggie Valley -(from Facebook)

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I saw this on facebook.  It reminds me of the first time I looked into a mirror and saw the passing of time.  In my mind, I still looked like the left half of this tree.  In reality, I was changing to look like the right side.

Time passes.  That is a sure thing!  We cannot stop the sun from going down and coming back up. All the Botox and plastic surgery in the world cannot erase the days that we live.  Eventually, they will catch up to us and the leaves will fall off.  Gray will replace brown.  Eyesight fades.  There is an ache in the spot that once won the race.

Looking back can fill us with regret.  So, do good while you can!  If you find that there is more behind you than ahead, make the most of those days. If you have a loved one who is a caregiver, or know a caregiver, see where you can help them ease the passing days.  Love while you can.

Remember Jeremiah 29:11.  This promise is as much for the right side as it is for the left!

THE HOTEL GALVEZ

The Galvez.....

Located across the street from the Hotel Galvez is my favorite spot in Galveston.  Murdoch's is a souvenir shop that has been on the seawall for many years.  It has a breeze way that allows the breeze from the Gulf  to erase the tension and stress from my mind as I sit in the Adirondack chairs placed on the deck, between the two shops.

The pictures are of the Hotel and the breakfast buffet served in the dining area each morning.  It was delicious and plentiful.  There were omelets, fruit, muffins, donuts, bacon, potatoes, anything you might want,  The coffee was great.

There are some pictures that cannot do justice to the real thing.  Visiting this historic landmark hotel was a highlight of my life.  Visiting it with a friend who enjoys the water as much as I do, made it even more memorable.

When life gets difficult, pull out the picture albums.  Walk back in time to a place that spoke peace and comfort to your soul.  God has given us many inventions, and photography allows us to move around the past while in the present.

I can still smell the coffee, taste the scrambled eggs and bacon while sitting here in my chair.  The beach was wonderful and Murdochs as busy as ever.

Simply good...

Iceberg lettuce is underrated.  Take a hunk, put blue cheese with walnuts over it and it becomes a completely different thing.  It is delicious and easy to make.

Life reminds me of iceberg lettuce.  It is often uninteresting and not too much sets it apart.  It is inexpensive and filled with little taste or flavor.  Humdrum is a word that can be used to most days.  That is where dissatisfaction sets in and people make bad choices because they have not added the dressing to their day.

There are times I like a slice of iceberg, just by itself.  Most of the time I prefer a little dressing.  It is found in my loved ones.  Their lives add something special to mine and when I see the influence of our heritage, well, it takes on a flavor all of its own.

May God dress your day with love, faith, hope and healing!

Green Grass

 If you are short, you prefer a little added height to reach the top of shelves.  If you are long, you wish that a couple of inches had not been added.  My mother was almost 6 feet tall and her brother was about 5 foot 9 inches.  They envied each others stature.  Mom wanted to be his height and he wanted to be hers.

Isn't that like life?  We look at other people and think what it would be like to be them.  We imagine they have perfect lifestyles and everything is great in their circle.  If we only knew that they are looking at our lives and thinking the same about us.

The next time you wish you had someone else's life, look a little closer.  Not at theirs, but at your own.  God has placed you where you are for a purpose.  Wrap your arms that kid that is attached to your hip.  Tell each person in your family how much they mean to you.  

Stop looking around and focus.  They are right there on the sofa, or in the big chair, or in their bed....

The Plan...

When I review my life, I discover that most of what I thought would happen, didn't.  Then, I notice that those things that did happen, happened for a reason. Out of some choices that I should not have made, has come some of the greatest blessings. Once I recognized why I should have made another choice, and got on track, things fell in place.

Then, there were the choices I made that I knew were right and fell into God's purpose for my life.  Were they easy?  Some were.  Did I question outcomes?  At times, yes.  But, when you know, you know and the outcome is as it should be.

God has blessed my life with many wonderful things and my grandchildren are at the top of the list.  Timothy and Chasity, two of my kids, have made me glad that I am part of the family of God.  I talk a lot about Jeremiah 29:11 and God's plan.  I do so because I I have witnessed how much God loves us and  the lengths He has gone to to give us a hope and a future!

Above and Beyond

I want to express my gratitude to the Military family and friends in my life.  I am grateful that I have a group of men and women who take time out of their lives to serve our country.  I was a part of the Vietnam generation and feel so sad that those soldiers were so easily dismissed by so many.  They deserved the same welcome home that those from other wars had received.

While touring the Lexington, I was impressed with how much they were able to put into such small places.  The cots were especially tiny and I was amazed at how the head was merely inches from the feet of someone on the other side of that thin wall.  They probably only slept in the bunks and were not confined to them for long periods of time.  Hopefully...

God has been so faithful to keep His promises to me.  When I reflect over events that have transpired, I realize how His hand has been close, even when I made wrong choices.  

Thank you to God for His care and to our military for doing their jobs of  protecting me and my loved ones.

Kentucky Fall...

A few years ago I visited a friend in Kentucky during the month of October.  The leaves were changing, there were pumpkins on display and I ate a wonderful chocolate eclair.  Our friendship has spanned several years and has been a source of strength and security in my times of crisis.

There are those relationships that prove to be essential to our well-being. Without their input and grounding, I tend to second guess my choices.  After verbalizing, even if they have no opinion, I am able to move forward and perform what I need to do to solve the problem.

Prayer is another such friend.  At times, there is no human being available.  I find I am in a corner and the only way out is communicating with my Creator.  The wonderful thing I have found is that He often sends a human being to hand deliver His solution and to reassure me that I am not alone.

Our world has changed drastically since I was a teenager.  I watch my kids and grand-kids maneuver

their challenges.  I hope that they have found the source of strength and security that I have.  

Psalm 88:2

How do you choose?

My mother chose dishes by the shape of the cup.  She loved unique tea and coffee cups and always had a cup stand on her counter.  There are hundreds of shapes and designs to choose from.  You can find your favorite color, combination of colors and any shape you can design.

Caregiving options are similar.  There are MANY choices of insurance plans, home health care, adult day cares, etc.  Many people become caregivers in an instant.  A situation occurs and BOOM, you are there.

How do you choose?  Can you go by shape or color or because it is your favorite?

Check all options. Educate yourself on your needs.  What would work for you?  If it is an emergency, keep educating yourself and find what is best for you!  Google your situation and talk to the doctor in charge.  It is important for your well being as much as it is for the one you care for.

The Backup....

Having a plan is a necessity.  Having an alternate plan is essential!  I found this tea pot in a Goodwill Store.  The cup was in my daughter's cabinet.  I have no idea of the pot's history, but the cup belonged to my mother.  (At least I think this is the one that belonged to her.)  Misty has several sets of dishes that were passed down to her from relatives.

The beauty of this whole adventure with tea is the fact that I have thought ahead.  I can change pots and cups at my pleasure.  The coffee pot isn't too far away, so, if I decide to change beverages, that is possible also.

What in the world does this have to do with anything?

When I became a caregiver, I had no plan.  Because my mother had a stroke, I became responsible for her life choices.  She lived for six months and shortly afterward, my husband became critically ill.  I didn't have time to think about a plan during those months of crisis.

I have a plan.  My children get tired of me sharing that plan with them, but when the time comes, they know my preferences, where my papers are located and how many tea pots I have,  To the best of my ability, I have prepared them for difficult times.  Nothing is ever very simple, I know, but some of the guess work is taken out of the equation and I am comfortably having a cup of tea knowing there is a plan in place.

Do you have one?

Rediscovery...

When I was a little girl, my mother would give me tea and toast when I was ill.  I also remember tomato soup, grapefruit juice and chicken noodle soup.  They seemed to heal everything that was wrong with me. Vicks vapor rub was the aroma accompanying the tea.

The trick to a good cup of tea is boiling the water and letting the tea steep according to directions on the box or tin.  China, preferably a really nice cup, is the perfect container.  Also, sugar cubes and an English "biscuit" will transport one to another time and dimension!

Lately, I have returned to those roots and rediscovered the hug of a cup of tea.  For some reason, when I steep it in my mother's tea pot and drink it from a china cup, miracles happen.  I relax and find that stress and troubles retreat and my focus is on the good things I find in my life.

Another thing I remember is sitting on my mother's lap while she rubbed my head and prayed for me.  Mom's hands were soothing and healing.  Her prayers were similar to the cup of tea.  They would wrap me in security and as I relaxed, just before I fell asleep, I was sure I would be well.

When I pray, I find that same sense of peace and contentment.  There are so many Bible passages that wrap around my heart and soul, allowing me the comfort and security that I will be well.

John 3:16

Proverbs 3:5-6

Philippians 4:7

Isaiah 52:7

Matthew 5:9

"And then she said..."

Communication!

How many times have you been "listening" and not heard a word?  Your body was there but you were somewhere else.  

It takes two to have a conversation.  At least, to have a meaningful one.

It is important to listen to what is said so the dialogue can be successful and fulfilling. 

Our families need to know that we are still able to include them in our lives, even when we are consumed with caregiving.  In fact, the more we include others in our challenges, the more we thrive and share both the joyful times and the harder times.

I have been reading a devotional on prayer.  Prayer is a two way street and when we pray, we should be open to hearing His answer.  The Holy Spirit was given to us as our helper when Jesus went back to the Father.  You will find if you are listening while you are seeking!

Matthew 7:7-12

Best laid plans...

I thought I was filming these pelicans and could turn the camera to show them better as they passed overhead.  I didn't think things through.  The outcome is in the video.

Life can be just as disappointing.

Life can also be very rewarding.

Just because I wasn't adept at filming didn't take away the beauty of the pelicans gliding across the sky.  It didn't change their flight pattern, only the way I viewed it.

I am grateful to God for the happiness I feel when I hear the waves hit the beach or watch the pelicans fly in formation over Galveston Island.  For me, there is nothing more relaxing or beautiful.  I feel whole and close to my Creator when I am standing there.  Peace.  That is what I experience.

Pearls

Pearls are always in style.  It doesn't matter if you are 2 or 90, a lady can always wear them with confidence.

"A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk.  Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this ,the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable."  Wikipedia.

Every time someone offered assistance, advice, directions while I was a caregiver a pearl developed in my situation.  When life settled down, I had a ribbon of memories that were priceless.  Each step of my journey was marked by God's hand moving through some person who valued me as much as I valued them.

God bless those who stand in the gap when we are unable to function on our own!