The Living Years

   I’m sure that I’ve blogged here as much about Dad as I have about Mom. I guess, though, since she only passed away three years ago, she seems to have gotten a bit more press.

It’s hard to believe, but 27 years ago today, Dad breathed his last on this earth and passed into eternal life. I see that I did blog about that day in detail several years ago. So, let’s get back to the living years.

It reminds me of the song by Mike and the Mechanics from 1988.

I know that I'm a prisoner

To all my Father held so dear

I know that I'm a hostage

To all his hopes and fears

I just wish I could have told him in the living years . . .

I wasn't there that morning

When my Father passed away

I didn't get to tell him

All the things I had to say

And even though I was there the night he passed away, there was still so much I didn’t get to say, but even more sadly, there was so much he didn’t get to tell me. 

Dad was born in 1915, in Germany, just a few years before the flu pandemic of that time hit. Add to that World War I, and I can’t imagine how horrible those years were. He lived through a lot, they all did back then. I think we best not complain about what we have going on now. 

His confirmation class, in the 1945, the year he married Mom. He's the short guy in the middle behind the larger woman in the flowered dress. His face reminds me of  Scott Caan, who plays Danny on Hawaii Five-Oh. 

Hard to see his smile here in front of his school bus, but he's got the same half-smile. 

Here too, with Mom on their wedding day.

That smirky-smile would be his signature look, I guess. 

Not sure why I included this picture in our kitchen. He did read a lot, but I don't remember he ever drinking much beer. 

His bowling team, he's in the back right. 

That face is just for show. He could be a character. 

Not sure if Dad, me or Mac has the craziest face here. 

One of my favorite pictures of Dad, while camping in 1977

My very favorite picture, Dad with my son Nick crossing the road in front of their house, when Nick spent a month with them when he was only 18 months old. 

I'm pretty sad that I couldn't find a decent picture of Dad with my daughter Val. She was only three when he died. I do have lots of pictures with Nick, though.  

No Need To Worry

     “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:25-34, New Living Translation)

Four Wheel Friday

  I admit that I’ve had other things on my mind lately, mostly being obsessed with COVID19. I thought I needed to change it up, so started going through my old photos, planning on sharing some of the funniest ones. As usual, I got distracted. But in a good sort of way.

So, to get your mind off of other things, I present to you the various modes of transportation my family took advantage of, both before and after I was born.

The back of this photo was titled “New car 1953”. 

 The back of this one reads “Second new car of 1955”. One of those dates is wrong, I suspect. In one of those two years, there was a fire in my parents’ garage, or so Mom always told me, and the fire destroyed their brand-new car, forcing them to purchase another new one. I should have probably verified this story with my brother or sister as they were alive at the time. You might have to check back for an update on that whole incident. 

This was obviously a different car, but also dated 1955. Also, obviously not taken in Wisconsin. 

 Then there was the beloved Greenbrier, which was actually red. I thought I blogged about that once before, but I couldn’t find it. I might have to go into detail on that another time.   

 Dad’s first pickup and camper. I loved that camper. I know I’ve blogged about that before. Ah, so many memories in both that truck and the camper. 

 More memories in that camper, with my sister Pat and our dog Mac, with the second pickup truck.  

 And then this fine feat of engineering, my mom’s AMC Matador. How lucky I was to be able to drive this automobile to school when I was a senior, on days when Mom didn’t need it. The only uglier car was the AMC Gremlin, nope, the AMC Pacer was probably more hideous.   

 Finally, my dad’s last truck, a big new Ford extended cab which we nicknamed Big Red. Shown here towing dad’s fifth wheel. He bought the trailer a year before the truck, so ordered that color pickup just to match the camper. 

By the way, when I wasn’t gifted the keys to the Matador, I was occasionally granted use of Big Red. One time, in high school, after promising Mom that I wouldn’t drive anyone else around in the truck, I piled a group of friends in the bed of it for some admirable reason. Of course, somehow Dad found out. I suppose in the same way I usually found out when my kids did things like that.

Thinking About Mom

 Funny how I’ve been thinking about my mom lately, and my daughter, out of the blue, said the other day, “I’ve been thinking about Grandma and wondering what she would think of this pandemic.”.

Yup, that’s exactly why I’ve been thinking about her.

During her last couple of years, she didn’t get out a whole lot, only to my house for any holidays and get-togethers, to church sometimes, to Ladies Aid at church when she could get out. Gosh, I can’t remember when she gave up driving, but it had to be a few years before she died. My brother did most of her grocery shopping and I’d pick up anything else she needed or help her order clothes from a catalog.

She would handle being quarantined just fine. As long as she had her phone. Though she has been gone for over three years, sometimes, when my phone rings around suppertime, I think it must be Mom checking in.

I am sure though that she would have a lot to say about this pandemic, that she’d seen worse – born two years before the Great Depression, she lived through World War II and all the wars since then, as well as how many recessions and all sorts of upheaval.

She could be so cute. She told me a couple times how she was at a youth meeting at church one time (that had to be in the mid-nineteen-forties), when the pastor was talking about some weed that young people were smoking and that it messed with your mind. Mom was like, “I’m sure he was talking about pot and now look what it’s done to our society.” (I don’t mention that story to go into my opinion on marijuana, I just brought it up as an example of how cute Mom could be at times.)

I think her advice during the COVID19 outbreak would be that people need to keep their heads on straight, think about people other than themselves, listen to the news and your health care providers and to those running the government but to make your own decisions how to deal with it.

Her heart would go out to struggling small businesses and all the people who lost their jobs. She’d have me bring her a fish fry every Friday night to support the local restaurants. I’d leave it at her door and then back down the hall six feet until she came out and picked it up. She’d be sewing face masks like a fiend. I’d probably pick them up at her door when I dropped off her fish fry.

But at the end of the day, when she called me as I was eating supper, she would say, “It’s all in God’s hands, but I’m gonna just stay home.” 

Need Chocolate?

   Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me!” (Luke 9:23, Living Bible)

On Ash Wednesday, all those weeks ago, before the coronavirus pandemic took over our lives, back when we heard the news of it ravaging China and never thought it would make it here, I decided to give up chocolate for Lent.

I’m not Catholic, so I was never raised having it pounded in my head that I had to “give up” something for Lent, or that if I maintained my dedication all week, I could, on Sundays, partake of whatever it was I “gave up”. Over the years, I have just thought that it makes sense to make a simple sacrifice during this season, for the entire time without rewarding yourself once a week for good behavior. And there have been previous years when I was able to give up chocolate (my favorite thing to ingest!) and it was no big deal.

Then COVID19 crossed the ocean and landed in our backyards. We all went crazy and everyone’s stress went through the roof. And what do we do when we are stressed? Turn to our comfort foods (or beverages or whatever other bad vices we have).

I was doing okay, until just a few days after COVID19 started affecting my personal life. I was working our Saturday walk-in clinic, when a patient, in a mask, presented with all of the symptoms. We weren’t able to do testing in our clinic then (and still aren’t), so we sent her away to be tested elsewhere. I didn’t freak out, I wasn’t afraid I would contract the coronavirus from her, I wasn’t worried I would hear her obituary and feel guilty we didn’t offer her more. I was just struck with the reality that maybe this is something that was going to change our lives. 

I dove into the decadent chocolate bar I had been saving for the day after Easter.  

I didn’t beat myself up over that. And, yes, I went the remaining weeks up until Easter, eating only the few random chocolate chips in a few cookies. It continued to be a challenge, though, as the stress and the number of COVID19 victims kept piling up. That is life and that is why we need to put our trust in God. We can’t do it on our own.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be our Savior so that we don’t need to worry about being perfect. Jesus suffered enough for us so that we don’t have to. Amen.  

Randemic Thoughts - Part II

   As I sat down to write this in my home office, I noticed once again that I hadn't changed my wall calendar to April. No wonder I am off on everything.

Oh, now I know why I didn’t flip the page. I should be somewhere in northern Illinois right about now, driving to Tennessee for a week’s vacation. Hmm? Besides the pandemic and Hubby’s broken arm, the weather has been less than stellar this month, but it is April, I guess, so as already mentioned in Wednesday’s blog post, anything goes. Maybe I shouldn’t plan any more April vacations.

So what other random thoughts have I got to share, especially about the pandemic?

• One thing about vacations is that I never wear makeup when I’m on vacation, which begs the following question for my female readers: Are ya’ll still bothering to wear makeup? Coz that first day that I wore a mask at work, and I took it off, I was like, yikes, this isn’t happening again. My face is half-covered all day anyway, so what - should I just wear makeup on the top half of my face? I don’t think so. Not bothering with that nonsense anymore until this is over. (Or maybe I just need help with my makeup . . .)

• Also, not bothering with my hair. Ok, stop laughing. Any of you who know me, know that I have never bothered doing anything with my hair. But now, with that mask on and off all day, because, like, I have to eat, my hair is even worse than usual.
• Which brings up my next thought. Everyone’s making this big deal about not being able to go to the salon until who knows when. Here’s Chris’s advice for you. Free of charge.
•  Hair getting too long? That’s why we all have a pair of only somewhat dull scissors in the junk drawer. It’s gonna be ok. Stop looking at pictures of Jim Carey. You can do better than that. Just jump in and start trimming. I guess you can always add a stocking cap to go with your mask and really look like a bank-robber.  
  
• Grey roots coming out? There’s a box for that down at Walmart. Otherwise, be proud of who you are and where you’ve been. Hiding your grey (or mousy brown or dish-water blonde or whatever pops out) is like hiding your soul.
  
• Your fingernails? I don’t even care about your fingernails. Leave them alone. It was never a good idea to put on whatever that crap is you put on your nails. Leave them alone and eat some Jello.
  
• How then can any woman possibly feel good about herself? All that money you’ve been wasting on your looks all these years? Give it to charity. Give it to a young mother who would never think to spend money on herself and help her buy her kids some new clothes or a hot meal. Or give it to a homeless vet.
• Speaking of spending money. If you have a regular church home, don’t forget to still send them your weekly or monthly contributions. With churches not holding regular services, I can only imagine how their income has plummeted. Services or not, they still have bills to pay too.
• Looking back at Hubby's picture above, though, I'm reminded about the gloves. If you feel compelled to wear gloves because you think it will cut down on your virus exposure, you still have to take them off and wash your hands after you touch anything. Those gloves can pick up bugs just like your hands can. 

I guess that’s it for now. Sorry if I came across a bit harsh today. I know that my priorities are different than a lot of peoples. That doesn’t mean we still can’t get along, right?

Spring Pics - if you can call is spring

I’ve had tunnel-vision the last few weeks when it comes to blogging. Two basic topics – Lent along with Easter and then the whole coronavirus pandemic. Now that Easter is over, maybe it’s time to shut up for a change and just post pictures again.

I was starting to get worried about myself, that I had become so disoriented by COVID19 that I didn’t even care if I took any pictures. I’ve been taking very few the last couple of months. The Easter Sunday blizzard seems to have brought me back to life.

The front of our house on Saturday, April 11

 Monday morning, April 13

 Monday afternoon 

But I should back up to exactly one year ago, April 11, the day we left for vacation as a blizzard was bearing down on the upper Midwest. Worst storm I've ever driven through. 

 April 19, 2019, the day we came home from vacation. I would say that in spite of all the snow we got earlier this week, we are way ahead of last year's. Yes, spring will get here even though it's three degrees out this morning. 

So here is the play by play view of our garage from this most recent snowstorm. 

Sunday, April 12, at 11:20 am, as the snow was just beginning. 

 By 2:30 in the afternoon. 

 5:20 in the afternoon 

 Monday morning, April 13, around 7:00 

 Oh, but I still can't knock the beauty of fresh snow. In my swamp. 

 And on my deck. 

 And where my milk cans are lined up. 

 Of course, Dino is a beauty in any weather. 

 More artistry on the deck. 

The tree that came down in the storm just before Thanksgiving. 

Seems the holidays are bad weather magnets. 

 But it still is April and green will overcome the white very soon. 

April has always been a month of anything goes. Exactly thirty years ago, we had nice weather and all of our snow was gone on. The flowers were up and budding. Then on April 16 we woke to about three inches of snow on the ground. I remember this clearly because my daughter had been born on the 14^th and we took her home from the hospital two days later. I have a picture of that somewhere – the fresh snow – but that was way before digital photography, so it’s going to be a challenge to find. It’s not as if we’ve never seen snow on the spring flowers before.  

Have a great day. Hopefully, here in the Northwoods, we'll be enjoying a full blown spring soon.

The Resurrection

    But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

    So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

   And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:5-10, New King James Version)

Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee - photo courtesy of Denise Dorsey.

There’s not a thing more I can add to that, except maybe -

   And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20, New King James Version)

No matter what you are facing today, no matter what you will face in the future, there is no need to fear. Jesus is with you always. To the end of the age.

The Vigil

   Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

   And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. (Luke 23:50-56, New King James Version)

Yesterday, we remembered Jesus’ death on Calvary. Today, we wait, just like His followers waited after they watched him being laid to rest in a borrowed tomb. Saturday was their Sabbath and no work could be done. They probably stayed in their homes that day and after the usual worship rituals, they bowed their heads in prayer and meditation, waiting and wondering if their Lord would return the next day as He had promised.

When we think of Easter and what it means, we know what Good Friday and Easter morning are all about. We may even have an awareness of Thursday and Jesus serving the Last Supper. But I think that Saturday is just another day to most people, the day in between, the day to go about our business, and on any other year, to do some prep work for Easter dinner.

But for me, Holy Saturday is just as important as the other days. It’s a time to reflect on the things which Jesus taught during His ministry, to remember the promises He made and to rest in the knowledge that He is coming back.

Church steeples in Jerusalem - photo courtesy of Denise Dorsey 

Today is as good a day as any to also reflect, remember and rest in regard to COVID19. Reflect on how we have come together, how we have found ways to carry on with our lives when our world is turned upside. Remember that we are not in this battle alone and remember all the loved ones and strangers who need our help and our prayers. Rest our bodies and our minds so we can stay healthy in body and mind. And of course, wait patiently for all of this pass. It will take more than three days, three weeks, and maybe even three months, but the clouds will clear and we will be set free one day. 

The Crucifixion

 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:28-30, New King James Version)

You’ve heard this account before – Jesus found guilty in a mock trial, beaten and whipped, then paraded through the streets to a hill called the place of the skull, where he was hung on a cross, between two criminals, until He breathed His last. But you should note, from these verses, that He didn’t die until He had accomplished everything He had come to do.

After you’ve worked on a long, arduous project, you announce, “I’m done, it’s finished”. You feel a little bit of pride and you maybe want to show people what you’ve achieved. But you also know that you will go on to take on other tasks.

Jesus? His task was truly finished. He had lived an unblemished life on this earth and carried all of our sins to the cross. Yes, He rose again on the first Easter morning, but on that first Good Friday afternoon, He had accomplished the goal He came here to complete. 

The altar over the Rock of Calvary in Jerusalem - photo courtesy of Denise Dorsey. 

Someone at work yesterday mentioned the irony that the death toll from corona expected to reach its highest on Good Friday. I can’t fathom what that possibly means, except that a sadness has covered the land which is maybe equal to what the followers felt at the foot of the cross.

The only other comparison I can make is that just like Jesus’ work being finished, corona will be finished someday. And we will be victors over it just like we are victors over sin and death by our belief in what happened on the cross.

The Last Supper

  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

  Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.  Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25, New King James Version)

It’s the day before Jesus is arrested, tried and hung on the cross to die for our sins. He knows what’s coming in the next 24 hours, but He also knows what’s going to happen on Easter morning. He knows that eternal life is just around the corner for all of us.

And so, in addition to that gift of life, He also gives us the gift of Himself in the Lord’s Supper. We are asked to eat and drink the body and the blood in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice He made as well as the ultimate love He shows us.   

Bread in a market in Israel - photo courtesy of Denise Dorsey

With all the fear and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus pandemic, we need to remember that God has got this covered. Whatever trials we are going through today, we need to look to the future. It will all come out all right in the end.