Anniversary # 53

I spent most of the day with Miss Mary trying to remember our first date.  It seems old age, Alzheimer’s or dementia has clouded our memories.  I finally decided and Mary agreed that it was the time we went to the Dance Hall in Slaton, Texas some twenty miles from Texas Tech in Lubbock.  I recall we were with two other “Tech” couples and all crammed into an old Plymouth that smoked.  But fifty plus years ago all the old cars smoked.  Every one was of drinking age except me.  So, yes, alcohol was involved. The evening was spent dancing around to tunes like Bob Wills’ “Big Ball’s in Cowtown” and Nat Stuckey’s “Pop at Top Again”.  By the end of evening my teeth had become numb (I suspect alcohol induced numbness) and my sides ached from laughing.  Mary and her crazy friends were and are the most entertaining, down to earth, real people I know and we all remain friends to this day. 

In celebration of this fifty-third year for marital bliss I took Miss Mary out to eat. Unfortunately the Sonic Drive In was packed, not an empty parking spot one.  So we ended up at the Olive Garden and were seated and a romantic booth off in a corner all to ourselves.  Admittedly the facemasks spoil some of the romance but the “unlimited salad and bread sticks” quickly captured my attention. 

 

Well, it has been a great day spent with my favorite girl friend.  

 

Happy 53rd Anniversary, Miss Mary

 

Love

Gene

Unfinished

Confined to the house in my convalescence after being run over on my bicycle by a mini van.  I decided to clean off my desk.  A job I had successfully avoided for the last eon.  That’s when I came across and old notebook of my unfinished thoughts, musings and half-baked ideas.  

This is one I titled “My Luke Warm Christianity”.

I squirmed in my pew as Father Patrick delivered his sermon about “the sins of omission” asking us if we had done all we could do...about all the missed opportunities…about all the times when we could have done more. 

 

My cocoon of self-righteousness was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

As I’ve aged I have grown out of the desire to do the bad things…sins of commission...or maybe I’ve lost the ability to do them.  Whatever...the point is…I’m not doing any good things. I have certainly passed up many occasions to have done more.

Dear Lord, Jesus, give me the wisdom see the opportunities you send my way and the fortitude and stamina to carry through.

Amen.

Morning Prayer

The King of love my shepherd is, 

Whose goodness fails me never; 

I nothing lack if I am his 

and he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow,

To rest my soul he leads me;

Where fresh and fertile pastures grow,

With heavenly food he feeds me.

Perverse and foolish I have strayed,

But he with love has sought me,

And on his shoulders gently laid,

And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death's dark vale I fear no ill,

With you, dear Lord, beside me;

Your rod and staff my comfort still,

Your cross will ever guide me.

You spread a banquet in my sight,

My head with oil anointing,

And let me taste the sweet delight

From your pure chalice flowing.

And so through all my length of days

Your goodness fails me never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise

Within your house for ever.

Psalm 23 paraphrased by Henry Williams Barker 1821-1877

Being Happy

There is something about getting older that tends to focus ones thoughts on the future... a future that passes through and goes beyond that hole in the dirt. 

In my situation it is painfully apparent that the road I've traveled is much longer than the road that lies ahead. All of which gives me cause to ponder what is really important...being happy.

Being happy...It is a choice. I can choose to be happy or I can choose to be unhappy. I can choose worry and anxiety or peace and joy.

It is said that all good judgment is derived from the consequence of bad judgment. I have employed this trial and error method many times. 

And over the course of many years of bad judgments and bad decisions I have come to the conclusion that God knows best...not me. So, I can skip all the bad judgments and decisions and go with God’s plan and therefore be happy. 

I have decided to take God and his recommendations seriously. 



It’s taken a lifetime to figure this out.
And now I want to scream and shout.
wasting time down the wrong road.
May cause your world to implode.

Now Listen to this advise
No need to think about it twice
Listen to the One who really knows 
The One who died and arose

At whose Name every knee will bend
The one who is everyone’s friend
No need to look any farther.
It is Jesus Christ and the Father.

Amen.