Goodbye, my friend!

I told my friend goodbye for the final time on New Year's eve day. He was calm, peaceful and trying to rest in the midst of all the family and friends coming together to tell him goodbye and let him know what an important person he had been to them and to let him know how grateful they were to have known him.

He was so many different things to so many different people. Blessed with the ability to assess the needs of those around him, he was there with an encouraging word with a simple phone call or a visit to just sit and talk.

Having lived through so many trials of his own, he could relate to most any situation presented him and through his experience and knowledge he gave guidance when needed.

Yesterday and today was a true celebration of his life. So many stories, so many memories shared and retold with many many smiles from those whose life he touched.

I will miss you friend. Thank you for being there.

Don't You Just Hate That Old Devil!

Recently a couple and their children went on a trip with a church group. They all had a great weekend. The children played and everyone enjoyed fellowship with each other. All the participants felt blessed for a peaceful and enlightening weekend. New friendships were forged and new bonds created. But as the weekend came to an end and the families packed up to go home, the devil injected himself into their camaraderie, fellowship and all around good time. As is often the way of the devil, he sneaked in when no one was looking and convinced these people of God that much more had gone on over the weekend than the fellowship and Bible study. Before long these people carried home bad feelings, accusations and hard feelings. Then the devil injected himself in their home life causing disruption and doubt, nurturing hate and mistrust, and general discontent between family members and friends. The devil won another one.

There was a company in the area where all the staff were friendly and worked together in a cooperative and pleasant manner. Most of the staff were Christians. I know it is not correct to discuss religion in the workplace, but Christians don't have to discuss religion - they live it. Everything was going really well and progress was being made until the old devil moved in. Actions speak louder than words. The same words were being spoken, but the actions had changed. And you know, those words were spoken in a different tone, a different volume, a different look on the face from which they were spoken and everyone knew, the devil could not stand the wonderful things that had been happening. Not only did the atmosphere in the office change, the outlook of the whole company changed and there was no stopping the discontent, hatred, jealousy and accusations that now flowed from every employee. The devil won another one.

Two young men were starting a business. They had been getting small orders, but not enough to pay themselves a salary and pay the overhead too. Their start up cushion was almost gone and they had to make the decision to stay open and not draw a salary or close the doors. Just as they were about to give up, a huge order came in. Unless they worked night and day they couldn't deliver on time without hiring additional help which they could ill afford to do. They worked and worked and got the order out, but were exhausted. They made enough money to stay open for at least another year and still draw salaries for themselves. They thanked God for their good fortune as more orders started flowing into the office. The devil sneaked in and set the two men against each other. They two could not agree on anything and slowly the business collapsed. So sad that the devil won another one.

Don't you just hate that old devil!

Lesson Learned

I have deleted two posts that I had many phone calls and emails about - Leeches or Good Behavior Part 1 and Part 2. I removed them because my grandson made a comment that made me take a second look at the articles. Yes, I said what many wish they could say, but why must it be said at all? Do people no longer know how to behave? Must our friends and family act like jerks? We have worked long and hard for what we have - which we are aware is not much - but it is ours - not mine not hubby's but ours.

If a person does not have enough respect for Hubby and me, then we really don't need them in our life. We can easily fix this problem. Are we so high and mighty on social graces? No, but we deserve a little respect. We have so many wonderful friends and members of our family, we don't need those that cause us heartache or worry and those who refuse to follow the rules of good behavior. AND we don't like troublemakers.

We were raised to respect the property, including the homes, of others. If it is not yours, don't use or abuse it. Leave it like you found it.

Don't be glutinous - we will gladly share, but leave us something to share with others.

Respect the privacy of others.

No one owes you anything - you don't owe us anything, we don't owe you anything.

Do not misrepresent what we say - we will call you on it. Don't play games with us.

If you break it and it can be fixed - do so - if not replace it.

We still stand by this one - don't bring someone to our home when we have advised you we don't like them and don't want them here. We reserve the right to protect anyone visiting our home and if we feel someone else has become a threat to them - the threatening party is not welcome! We want everyone to feel comfortable while visiting.

Don't judge - you haven't walked in our shoes and probably only know part of our story.

Don't condemn - only God has the right.

We do not baby sit adults - if you are physically capable of walking, talking, seeing and hearing, you can take care of yourself.

Don't mess with our coffee pot - it only likes us.

Don't leave wet clothes or towels on the floor. If you are going to use them again, hang them up; if you are not going to use them again leave them on the porch rail - towels on the rail get washed every night.

Don't expect us to work entertaining you, while you play. We do not run a restaurant or hotel and we definitely don't offer room service.

Thank you for being our friend. You are welcome to share our home, but we do have rules. If you don't know what they are - ask - we will gladly tell you.

And the statement my grandson made - boy Nanna, you really let them have it on your blog. Sorry guys, some of you just needed reminding that this is our home, not yours.