Tea Time

Blog # 33

       Tea is a symbol of friendship.  It means I want to spend time you and you with me.  It is not about preparing a big dinner for you, cleaning the house to have you visit, or, even, “having fun” together. It is not about working or exercising together,although I think all of those things are important for friendship, too. Just to let you know, I would rather get together more often, than have to wait until your house is clean. I would rather enjoy you as you are, than wait until everything is perfect.

      Drinking tea together is just about spending time in conversation: listening, talking or both.  It might be silently reflecting. It is a friendly ritual of sharing and caring.   On a cold day, wrapping your frigid fingers around a cup of tea, facing a good friend is as “good as it gets”. In the summer, finding some shade with a glass of iced tea is comparable.   If you prefer coffee, that’s okay, too.

       Tea has become a symbol of tradition, politeness and English ways that have gone all over the world. In the southern United States, sweet tea is a symbol their culture. There is also a “Tea Party” in America stands politically against taxation. Tea for them represents unfair taxation as it did in American colonial times. Tea is associated with healing and longevity.  To me, it symbolizes simple, sweet, unpretentious friendship, by giving to someone the most precious of all commodities: time.
        (This blog was triggered by a friend who called me up on this rainy day inviting me over for tea; toast with nutella; and, of course, conversation. Thank you.)

 

To Rose and Joe, Written on Your Wedding Day

Blog # 32

Wedding is a wonderful word.

It is a private and community event.

The joining of two lives

The binding of two hearts

The creating of a union

The dedication

The consecration

The pieces and parts of a beautiful puzzle

A type of Christ and his church

Love, hope, joy…

The greatest of these is

Love.

Preparing, despairing, planning, hoping, dreaming

Walking, gazing, kissing, eating, smiling, talking

Laughing, listening, toasting, cheering, dancing

Hugging, smiling, thanking, waving

Admiring, appreciating, enjoying life…

When the wedding is over the joy is just beginning.

Wedding means a commitment and a start.

Wedding is a wonderful word.

In My Students' Words

 Blog #31

Student:  If God created Adam out of the dust of the earth, how did He get the dust in the mommy’s stomach?

Student (whose mother put him on a strict diet for ADHD):  I eat whole wheat bread and no sugar to help my handwriting get better.

Student:  I know why I celebrate Christmas.  It is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

African-American Student in all-white school:  The kids are laughing at me because I am the only kid who eats brown bread in my whole class.  Can brown kids eat white bread? They said that I can’t have white bread. 

Hispanic girl in African-American school (crying):  Teacher, she said I was white.

Student:  I couldn’t do my homework, because my mommy was drinking.

Student:  I couldn’t do my homework last night, because my mom was texting.

Student:  I don’t know how many people are in my family.

Student (plopping down a handful of change): Mommy told me to bring in this money for my lunch.  Mommy said for you to count it out.  She does not know how to count.

Student:  I am not coming to this school any more.  I have to go to live with my aunt, because my mom is throwing in the towel. 

Student (little boy):  Mrs. A (another teacher) doesn’t like little boys. 

Teacher:  Your class is having a special party, so you can stay with them.

Student:  I don’t want to go to the party, I just want to be with you.

Student, with a proclivity for discipline issues:  Why did you tell my mom and grandpa nice things about me?

Student:  Teacher, your hair is absolutely lovely. I don’t know why I love it.

Student:  Grandma couldn’t come to the parent conference, because she had to go to the Free Store and watch “Jerry”. (Jerry Springer)

THE Goal for Life

Blog #30

     A very highly motivated goal-setter, who had an extremely successful life, was about the business of accomplishing things when he came across THE Goal for Life.  It was so great and over-arching that he abandoned or minimized his other goals to seek to accomplish this Goal. It was the Supreme Goal!   

     The story could also be told in another way.  A homeless woman with no money or possessions, whose only ambition was to find food and drink (if the truth be told), was wondering through the alleys one day when she came across a magazine in the trash.  It spoke of the Kingdom of God.  The idea of this totally changed her meager existence.  She realized that this goal was worth more to her than the total of her entire, meaningless life.

     There was also an adventurer who always was striving for a bigger and better adventure: a higher mountain to climb.  There was also a traveler who had a bucket list of 40 countries that she desired to visit before she died. One by one, she was enjoying and visiting these exotic destinations. Then, there were the entrepreneur who was always seeking more property or businesses to buy and the antiques dealer, the quintessential Pawn Star, who was always seeking the two dollar item that would be sold at Sotheby’s for a million dollars.  Some others were: the philanthropist, who passed her time looking for more charities to serve and people to whom she could give and love; the movie buff; the thrill-seeker; the controller; the truth-seeking philosopher; the workaholic; the politician; the self-denier and a plethora of others. All of these individuals gave up everything for goal they found.

     They were not looking for this!  They had no idea that there was such a thing, but, when they found it, they realized the value. These are they who recognized the Kingdom of God as the Pearl of Great Price!

Not everyone will value this goal.  Not everyone will give up everything for this, but, to those who can envision and appreciate the goal of the Kingdom of God, it is THE Goal for Life.

Growing Under the Tuscan Sun

Blog # 29  is a story in pictures!

The Joy of Journaling

Blog #28

     Journaling is a passion of mine.  My journals are used for setting goals, reflecting on life, planning of all types, making decisions, drafting,  making lists, writing poetry,  studying the Bible and even praying.  It is a way to keep track of whom you know; what you think and what you know; where you have gone and where you will go; when you are going; why you do what you do;and how you live.  Journaling is a powerful life tool! It helps you define yourself, express yourself, improve yourself and keep on track!

     Decorated journals have been something I have loved for decades. I have dozens of them.  When I was a young girl, some of my favorite things were my bound diaries with a locks and keys. I would think about Anne Frank and how hers were read years later even after her death.  How upsetting it was, when someone found a way to read my beloved diary! It was so hard to deny that you liked a certain boy, when the intruder gleefully read if from your journal!

     The journal sections of T.J. Max and Marshall’s are magnetic to me.  I cannot go in those stores without looking at all the magnificent bound journals.  Giving a journal to someone, who would delight in it, is a special kind of thrill for me.

      I found the perfect journal for a person who loves to write, especially about the positive and … joy. It was spotted on a chair at church! I just stared at it.  Does anyone know where I can find one? 

Not to Be Forgotten

     

Blog  #27

      Before she was ill, her hair was a beautiful brown and was truly her crowning glory. I did not notice what color her eyes were. After chemotherapy she lost her hair and wore a beautiful wig that looked like her real hair. I did not notice the color of her eyes.

      One day at church I was looking for her.  Her husband told me where she was, but I did not see her.  He walked over to her and pointed to her and said, “Here she is.”   I had not recognized her because now her hair was white. I did notice how happy and peaceful she looked, but noticed mainly her hair. I did not notice her eyes.

       When I saw her in the hospital, I noticed how pretty her eyes were.  I went to see her at home and then at the hospice center and I observed then that she had the most beautiful and largest blue eyes I had ever seen. They radiated a love that I had never seen in anyone’s eyes before this.  They were like the color of the sky on the clearest of days or a shimmering blue topaz or a radiant blue flower, the name I could not think recall.  In the midst of that blue topaz color was a shining star like you would see in a star sapphire.  Her eyes were the only feature I saw except for the white hair framing her face. Through the pain and her fears, the eyes shone with love, joy and peace.

        I am so glad I saw those beautiful blue eyes the times I did. I will never forget her or the eyes.  I remembered the small flower I was thinking about of which her eyes reminded me. 

   Forget-Me-Not

When to the flowers so beautiful
The Father gave a name,
Back came a little blue-eyed one
(All timidly it came):
And standing at its Father's feet.
And gazing in His face,
It said in low and trembling tones,
"Dear God, the name Thou gavest me,
Alas! I have forgot."
Kindly the Father looked Him down,
And said, "Forget-Me Not".                 Author Unknown