Not Just Engines Idle

In many ways the quality of a day is up to us.  Blue skies can be easily ruined.  Unhappiness robs a person of precious time. This story is about a woman who struggled to realize personally satisfying moments.  She would find herself emotionally depressed.

Maggie bounced out of bed.  The morning looked like it was going to be a gray day but she was ready to sparkle!  She had to. 

Yet there she was, still in her bedroom, sitting on the edge of a fashionably comfortable chaise lounge, perched . . . not at all relaxed.  Morose was a fitting connotation for her attitude and her state of mind.

Absently contemplating the vibrant but inane conversation of morning television, she was detached from her world - idling.  An engine idling is wasted energy, not good for the environment.  Her idling was no different.

Yesterday she couldn’t get a move on.  It was hot and muggy.  Actually, for a May day, it was sweltering.  She was uncomfortable but stubbornly determined not to activate her wonderful air conditioning until June, summer's first month.  Bedtime came.  To Maggie it seemed nothing of value had happened.  Today must be different - one of accomplishment. 

As much as she dreaded thunder and lightening interrupting her sleep, overnight storms had thankfully brought a different day. She had wakened to a rain free morning.  And even though overcast skies hid the sun, there was promise of a pleasant day.  The attic fan pulled fresh cool air through wide-opened windows.  It was lovely.  Maggie was totally energized. Lethargy would not rule.

This great day she would be active indoors, as well as get out and about to make stuff happen.  Among the usual personal and home management chores she would grocery shop, invest some effort toward reorganizing her home, make a friendly phone call or two and arrange to drop by and visit someone whose friendship she cherished.  And, she would write.  It was important for Maggie to write.  She appreciated the challenge; loved creating results that pleased her.   Happiness was hers to have with all the right moves.

When I left my friend she was making a To Do List that included important tasks, fun activities, and vital relaxation.

If Maggie keeps it up, I think her depressing idle moments will be at a minimum. Yes!

Remembering

My brother-in-law, a US Marine veteran helping hold the unfurled 100 ft U.S. Flag during Memorial Day activities on the Flight Deck of the Intrepid, New York City in 2001.

Today it is Memorial Day 2012 in The USA.  My heart overflows; my eyes fill with tears.  Grateful thoughts of the Service Men and Women who sacrificed to keep America free are overwhelming.  We are a nation that must forever pass on to the young, the enormity of what was accomplished by those who have gone before us.

For me, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam Conflict, wars fought during my lifetime easily come to mind along with World War I and, of course, recent engagements - Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  

Other conflicts in current times have caused our military personnel to sacrifice life, limb, and family as well as changed ambitions and dreams for them and those who rely on them.  Kosovo, Grenada, Panama, Haiti, Bosnia, Lebanon all come to mind.  Our brave men and women answer the call wherever this country of ours needs them.  I pray for their well-being; grieve their sacrifice.  May they and their loved ones know I am thankful. 

America is free because of the brave.  Pass it on.

Active military and veterans rolling up the U.S. Flag after the Memorial Day program in 2001.

God Bless America

To Encourage Letter Writing

Dear Myrna,

How are you today?  Sorry I haven’t written lately.  They say we don’t write letters like we used to.  For sure, I’m proof of that.  You’ve been on my mind and with this letter I’m going to change – be in touch more often.  I do hope you and your family are fine.

I’ve been well.  I just don’t get out as much as I used to but I enjoy home and good health.  Perhaps I should admit I enjoy home because of my laptop computer.  With it I am connected to the world, any part of the world I develop an interest in. 

Thank God for the Internet.  It is informative, interesting, fun and stimulating.  I wish you were connected.  We could have conversations.   We could email each other.  You could be one of my Facebook Friends and we could follow each other on Twitter, too.

I so wanted to buy Facebook shares last Friday.  If it had been possible, today I would have 10 shares purchased at the price on the date of the IPO.  And, I would not be disappointed even should I have been one of the many who paid more than forty dollars a share, a rate to date not seen again.  Yes, I am optimistic and anticipate becoming one of the owners of Facebook.

My grandchildren inspire me to look forward and appreciate the value of communication technology and social media.  (They wish I had an IPhone.  I assure them I can take pictures and text just fine on the cell phone I’ve used the last three years.)  Even though I worry about the tempting distractions my grandchildren face as their reputations are built by their actions, I am quite proud of them.   

Please think about coming for a visit.  For all my talk about staying home -- on the computer, I am not a hermit.  We’ll catch a Broadway Show, shop, and relax over good food in the fabulous restaurants out here.  What fun to see you again!  Let’s make it happen.

For sure, I look forward to hearing from you.  Please write.  I’m thinking my mail carrier would appreciate climbing the steps to deliver other than advertisements.

Your loving friend,

First Grandmother Inspires

“I’m sitting behind Michelle Obama’s mother in Chapel.” 

The words read like a whispered text message on my cell phone screen.  It was from my granddaughter, Jai, a student at Howard University in Washington, DC.

I was rushing to Sunday morning service at Galilee – late once again since it was already after 11 am when I pulled out of the driveway.

Still, seeing my granddaughter’s message, as soon as I could I aimed my vehicle into the nearest curbside parking spot.  I couldn't wait to know more about her exciting information. 

It was the exact kind of experience I envisioned for Jai upon learning Howard was a first choice as she submitted applications for college admission.  Her mother is a graduate of Cornell University and I graduated from the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff but Howard U was my first choice for Jai.   I kept it to myself, but loved thinking of her living in Washington during the historic years when America's first black president would lead our country.  While he and his family resided at their new address - The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue  - my granddaughter would be at Howard University, accessible to all the good Washington DC has to offer.  Now here my first grandchild was, in church on a Sunday morning, along side the nation’s First Grandmother, Marian S. Robinson.  Fabulous!

All at once Jai is winding down her third year on Howard's campus.  Her text messages and Facebook posts keep friends and family apprised of the challenges and accomplishments of lengthy days and it seems to me, too many sleepless nights as she seriously tackles her college experience.  Among other activities, she is one of the Chapel Assistants with Howard’s non-denominational Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.  Worshipping regularly in the Chapel, I’m proud of her unwavering faith and attention to spiritual growth.

Jai texted family this picture of herself and a fellow Chapel Assistant with the nation’s First Grandmother.  

Thank you Mrs. Robinson for choosing to worship with the students and staff at Howard University. Your visit and the photo opportunity have given much joy to this grandmother and her family.  I am grateful.

What I Care About This Morning

 (1) Today, this first day of May and late April showers brought flowers to my front porch (thanks to my determined efforts).  The Easter Egg display disappeared over night (thanks to my determined efforts) and neighbors were greeted this morning with flowers.  I hope they survive through the summer.  They’re pansies.  Do pansies thrive best in sun or shade?

(2) My morning cup of coffee is a problem because I have a new coffee maker.  I don’t like it. First, it’s the wrong color – not white like the old one, a Braun, which served me well for over ten years.  White wasn't available so I thought it would be fine - it is not, yet.  Second, as soon as the coffee begins brewing, the new carafe steams up, blocking any view of dripped coffee accumulating in the container.  I miss seeing what I've got.   Third, coffee takes longer to brew than it did in the the old one.  Finally, the taste is different. Yes, I’m out of my comfort zone with this new coffee maker. It’s the second day for the new Cuisinart, not expensive but not inexpensive either.  Still, I’m sticking with the thing because I’m thinking it’s all a matter of adjusting to change.

(3) And why doesn’t Mike Woods do more feature presentations on FOX 5 TV.  If you live far from the New York City area, no doubt you don’t know Mike Woods.  I’m telling you, he is a handsome, energetic, articulate and personable weatherman on one of the daily morning shows, GoodDay New York.  In addition to his first class weather reports, he would regularly give ‘man on the street’ interview pieces, talking to folks in restaurants, bus stops, at events, magazine stands, in parks, etc.  Now all he does is weather. I wonder why?

Happy May Day.