Moonine S. Watson: Moonine's Musings

Class Reunions

2011-07-29T20:33:00.003-05:00

I've just returned from my class reunion. I missed the first few years because I lived away and precious vacation time was spent with our parents in Florida and Indiana. We wanted the grandchildren to have as much time as possible with their grandparents. I didn't want to cut into that time to go to a class reunion.

A few years ago, I broke down and we attended the final evening's dinner dance. We only remained a half-hour after the meal because my friend became ill, and we had to leave. Ten years later, I was ready to try it again. This time we decided, we being my husband and myself, decided to take in all the festivities and not just the dinner/dance.

I was able to talk to many former classmates that I hadn't seen since I graduated. Since my husband was in the military, we left my hometown shortly after our marriage to be stationed at numerous sites around the country. At first, I corresponded with some of my friends. After several moves, I lost track with all but a couple of them.

A lot of people looked liked themselves, but just older. Others appeared to be strangers at first, until I read the name tag. Then I would recognize a twinkle of the eye, a certain smile, or the tone of voice.

Our class has such a long list of people who have passed on. It was sad to read their names and know I would not be seeing them again. Several of them were people I had hoped to visit .

Our next reunion will be in five years. I already have plans to attend. I'll not let the time pass this next time around. Remembering the past and the people who lived there is part of who I am. I don't want to lose that again.

If you haven't been, go. You'll be glad you did.

Once a Month Comes Quickly

2010-03-01T02:38:00.002-06:00

A writer friend of mine and I agreed that when we posted once a month on our other blog, we would post on our own blog. February has flown by and my turn is up once again.

Where does the time go? I know each day is twenty-four hours long. Each week is seven days. Each year 365 days long. Why does it seem that time passes quickly as I get older?

I've attended six funerals since Christmas for friends from ages 49 to 83. Cancer, heart attacks, pneumonia have taken their toll. But, I've celebrated the birthday of a 108 year old healthy women and a ninety year old traveling buddy. I recently bought gifts for a seven month pregnant mother.

My own granddaughter will marry in June. It seems like only yesterday that I held her for the first time.

Time is precious. Only the older people understand and try to remind the young. I tried to entertain a four year old yesterday in a meeting too long for a little one. She starts kindergarten next year. Her daddy seems to treasure her now. That's good. Not many parents realize how quickly the childhood passes.

I recently teased one granddaughter, fifteen now, and told her she needed to go sit on the floor with her dolls and create the little plays she used to love to do. She just laughed and hugged me. Last summer she and her brother helped me pack away their outgrown toys they wanted to keep. A few were too worn out and went to the trash can. They donated others to Goodwill for another child to enjoy. It was hard not to cry. The room is tidy now. I miss the clutter, the laughter, and snack time.

Time passes quickly. Hours, days, months, years slip quickly by. It will be my turn to write again before I know it because time passes quickly now.

Thin Places by Mary E. DeMuth

2010-02-01T22:20:00.003-06:00

Thin Places by Mary E. DeMuth is a memoir of her life to this point. Twenty-eight chapters address different experiences in her life and how she responded and how they've shaped her life. She is honest and exposes her soul to the reader. I have several sections bookmarked to read again. Initially, I thought I would be an observer because her life experiences were different from mine, but further reading revealed we shared doubts and fears common to most women. This book caused me to ponder my own reactions and life experiences. I can see it bringing healing to damaged hearts of anyone who reads it, as well as creating compassion for our suffering sisters. I'm torn between making it a keeper and putting in my church library to help other women. I think the solution is to buy another copy.

Visits from Children and Grandchildren

2010-01-24T23:33:00.003-06:00

It was my turn to post a blog on Books To Write by. It seems like I had just written one, but it has been a month ago. Time seems to go faster the older I get.

This was a great weekend. On Saturday, I fixed lunch for my daughter and three grandchildren. I was fussing about what to fix all week, but it was a cold, rainy day so my homemade chili seemed like the perfect solution. I baked a chocolate cake since Roger is always teasing Andrew by saying, "And for dessert, Chocolate Cake." Andrew was pleasantly surprised. Brittany and I did dishes and then we all visited.

Today they all came to church. It is good to see their smiling faces from my seat in the choir. After church we all went to the new Circle H. Brittany and Andrew rode in my new car for the first time. We returned home to have "Chocolate Cake" for dessert. Andrew was very happy.

It was a perfect weekend with my family. One to keep in my treasure box of memories now that the toys are no longer an attraction. Homemade chili, chocolate cake, and conversation have taken the place of toys. Some things change. Children grow up and texting, music, friends become important. Some things remain the same. Our joy at visiting children and grandchildren remains the same.

It was a "real good day".

Christmas 2009

2009-12-27T19:13:00.002-06:00

When children grow up, change is inevitable. I have a son in Florida, a daughter fifteen miles away from home, a grandson in Atlanta, and a granddaughter in Arkansas. Some day I will have four more grandchildren who no longer live with their parents. This year we spent Christmas in Florida, which worked out okay since our daughter, who only lives a few miles away, could not have made it to our house due to a record snowstorm.

For years, we were unable to celebrate Christmas with our own parents because we lived west of or in the Great Plains, notorious for blizzards and closed roads. On one occasion, my husband's boss was returning on the train to Glasgow, Montana in the winter. All the able-bodied men had to help dig out ice and snow from the train wheels so the train could travel a few more miles. Another time, a state trooper drove my husband to the local airport from the airport a hundred miles away because ours was closed due to ice and snow. There was no way we dared risk our lives to go home for Christmas. So our Christmas was our little family until we were stationed closer to home.

Now we alternate between our spending Christmas with our daughter and son. The day is quickly approaching when grandchildren will figure into the equation.

This year we shared Christmas with our son's friends and neighbors. We shared holiday foods and music with Jewish friends, Italian traditions, Cuban music, and people from several regions of the company. It was a fun and new way to celebrate.

I'm looking forward to many more Christmases celebrated in different ways with our ever growing family.

Being Thankful in Troubled Times

2009-11-22T22:02:00.003-06:00

I post on Books To Write blog once a month. Another writer who posts said she posts to her own blog when it is her turn. I decided to follow her lead.

We had a community Thanksgiving service tonight. Several ministers took part in the service as well as a choir made up of singers from several congregations.

The church had been remodeling their sanctuary and celebrated their first service today in the new facility. We were able to rejoice with them as they gave thanks for the completion of their project.

This morning our preacher spoke about how hard it is to be thankful in these troubled times. Many of our members have had recent deaths of loved ones, critical illnesses of themselves or other family members, job losses, and financial hardships. Yet we are told to give thanks in all things. I appreciated that he admitted it is difficult in trying times to be thankful. It was refreshing to hear his honesty. It helped me to hear that others struggle to be thankful.

Having heard that sermon, I was able to participate in the evening Thanksgiving service because I realized it was okay to acknowledge it is hard and that's okay. I could lift my voice in song to the old familiar hymns as I shared songs of thanks and gratitude with others in the community who were experiencing pain and suffering of their own or that of others.

Today was a good day to "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Thanks be to God.

Techno-grandma

2009-10-26T14:15:00.003-05:00

I recently joined Facebook. It has been fun keeping up with my grandchildren's activities. Three of my former students are now grown with jobs and families. It is so good to read about their successes. One of my nieces is my friend. Several people from groups I belong to are also now my friends. A few of my favorite authors are on my Facebook, or maybe I should say I am on theirs. It's interesting to read about their writing journey and new releases.

I also bought a blackberry cell phone. I am so happy I won't have to lug my laptop with me when we go on trips, or inconvenience my son's family by asking to use their internet. It looks pretty cool, too.

Then there is my I Pod for my music. We can plug it in to listen to music while traveling. I'm not sure Roger will be too crazy about Enya and Yanni, but I have Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Brad Paisley on there also. Shuffle will help us both. Although I like Country Music better than he likes New Age. We both like Kenny G, Chris Botti, and Christian music.

Then there is Classmates. I've connected with one of my neighbors from Junior High. It has been fun thinking about those fun years. I loved Washington Junior High School. We were one big happy group that went to games, walked to lunch every day, iced skated in the winter, and swam at the city pool in the summer. Our large high school broke up the group as we had different lunch hours and classes. The city bus system closed down, and we all broke up into different car pools. Looking back, Junior High was my best time.

The internet has been an issue for a long time. I used to be on dial up, which slowed me down. Now high speed allows me to be on for longer periods of time. I also do a lot of work for various groups I'm a member of, as well as belonging to several digests and receiving several newsletters. Blogs, I have to read several of those.

Life was simpler when there wasn't so much technology available. One advantage is I don't have to worry about my brain not being stimulated.

I'm a techno-grandma for sure.

Shopping for School Supplies

2009-08-26T16:38:00.002-05:00

My grandson and I bought supplies when Walmart was having their wonderful sale. We didn't have a school supply list since, for some strange reason, the middle school and high school do not put one out. So we tried to guess at what would be needed when we could get things at a good price.

Monday was the first day of school. Both my grandson and granddaughter came home with the list of things they needed. My husband and I trekked from Walmart to Dollar General to United Grocery store in a futile search for dividers for three ring binders. He needed three sets. We met other parents with lists in hand, who were searching for other items missing from store shelves. I did find some fancy dividers for $4.00 a set. Neither my husband nor I felt inclined to spend $12.00 for dividers.

Did I mention that it was 106 degrees? Car air conditioning doesn't function well in that type of heat.

Did I mention that the school district announced to the news media that they would require fewer supplies this year because of the economy?

Did I mention that I am a retired teacher? Granted, I taught in elementary school where the supplies are more uniform.

Did I mention that I volunteer at the local food pantry? I couldn't help but wonder how our patrons are managing to obtain school supplies when they can't afford to buy food to feed their families?

I hope I can find some dividers tomorrow. I may have to give up and buy the expensive ones. Next year I'll buy dividers when they are on sale for 25 cents a packet.

2009-05-17T22:48:00.003-05:00

This past weekend was our local Relay for Life. As part of the opening ceremonies, the survivors were asked to sit on the stage in our special purple t-shirts. We were asked to speak into a microphone and give our name and how many years we've survived cancer.

As the microphone passed, the time periods varied from thirty-two years to two weeks. I'm somewhere in the middle at thirteen years. The non-cancer participants sat across from us in the amphitheater and joined us as we applauded each other for living another year or even another day. We're all there for the same purpose: to raise money for a cure for cancer.

Today at church one of the young girls in my church came rushing up to me and hugged me. She said, "I didn't know you'd had cancer." What a sweet gift her words and hug were to me.

I shall treasure it always. "Thank you, Ashley."

Marriage Brings New Friends

2009-05-04T12:01:00.004-05:00

One of the rewards of my marriage is the new friends that came into my life because of my husband. One of those was Horace Scruggs. The first time I met Horace was when my husband took me home to meet his family and friends after we married. A group of his friends met one evening at one of their houses. Horace was there. I laughed until I thought I'd get sick. Horace was a great story teller. I could listen to him for hours as he recounted school adventures, college stories, navy experiences.

Horace would have been a great college professor or a literary writer. I looked forward to my husband's high school reunions because I knew he'd be there with more stories.

Hurricane Katrina took his pictures, yearbooks, and favorite books, everything but his wife, his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, and the clothes on his back.

Last October, several classmates and spouses met in North Georgia for a get together held by several different classes. We laughed and listened to stories. None of us knew Horace would be missing from future gatherings.

Two weeks ago, Horace called my husband and they talked about the next meeting in the fall. They discussed when we could stop by for a visit. The tentative plans were for our return trip in June.

Then we received a phone call from one of the buddies that Horace had died from a sudden heart attack. There will be no more Horace stories to look forward to at the get togethers.

But, someday I'll hear that chuckle again when Horace again regales us with his tales as we all sit around in heaven enjoying each other's company.

Yes, it's interesting the people that come into your life as the result of marriage.
Horace was one of the best. He never thought of himself as a treasure, but to those who loved him, he was. I miss him.

Handwritten Letters: A Dying Communication Tool

2009-04-17T14:54:00.005-05:00

I received an invitation to join Facebook a few days ago. I decided to take the plunge.

I was nervous about trying it, but it was easier than I thought. As you know I have already entered the world of blogging, having been pushed into it by my young writer friend. I don't have a website, nor my space, or twitter. Those may come along later. I also don't text yet. I guess I should because my grandchildren gave up email long ago. Email went the way of the telephone.

The good thing about all these new ways to communicate is you can do it anytime of day and not worry about bothering people. They'll get to it when they can.

The bad thing is you can't hear their voice or hold a written page to read over and over.

I have letters my mother and grandmother wrote to an aunt of mine many years ago. She sent them to me when she was clearing out things. She died shortly after.

I have my mother's and my aunt's diaries written in their own hand. I also have a notebook with family history my grandmother wrote for me. I even have a couple valentines my dad bought for my mother signed "Love, Eddie". It sounds abrupt, but she knew he meant it with all his heart.

I regret throwing away the letters my mother, grandmother, and two aunts wrote over the years. When I moved and was young, they didn't seem important. I threw my husband's and mine away after I figured out the kids were reading them.

I do save birthday cards and mother's day cards, and even some Christmas cards. I have a folder full of cards people sent me when I had cancer. Those were important to show me I mattered to others. I didn't know that, really.

As fun as modern technology is, I think it will be sad when, in later years, today's young people want to look back at their memories. Where will they be? Someone with more skill than I may know they are all saved somewhere in cyberspace to be retrieved and enjoyed once more. I don't know.

I miss a good old fashioned letter and hearing the voice of my loved ones, but an email, computer card, or facebook contact lets me know I'm not forgotten.

I may have to sign up for texting after all and learn lol, imo, etc to keep in touch with those I love. Love often forces us to learn new things.

Ready-Made Family by Cheryl Wyatt

2009-04-12T20:16:00.003-05:00

I subscribe to Love Inspired books from Steeple Hill, www.SteepleHill.com. One of their April books is Ready-Made Family by Cheryl Wyatt. This is the third book in a series about Refuge, Illinois, a small community determined to live out God's command to help the helpless and needy. Ben Dillinger responds to a small child's request to help her mother. After discovering Amelia North unconscious in a wrecked car, Ben and the local community offer help and a sense of belonging to a young woman who believes no-one cares.

The town reminded me of the book In His Steps I read many years ago. In it a newspaper writer challenges a town to live out their faith.

I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this series. I'd suggest ordering the book online or look for it at your favorite bookstore. Besides being an entertaining read, I think it encourages me to remember to be on the lookout for opportunities to lend a helping hand.

Too Busy to Read

2009-04-06T14:41:00.003-05:00

My favorite thing to do is read. I used to read a lot when I worked as a way to relax and wind down from a busy day.

Since I've retired, I've kept busy with several volunteer activities that I enjoy doing such as being a member of Friends of the Library to promote reading and supporting the local public library. I work with Adult Literacy as a tutor and am very active in various church programs. This past year I've enrolled in several online writing courses as well as a two year writing program with Christian Writers' Guild.

A few weeks ago, I realized I hadn't read a book for pleasure in a long time. So I've decided to read each night before I go to bed instead of watching the series of news programs I'd been watching.

I'm enjoying reading again and sleeping well at night. The Friends of the Library had a used book sale last week, which gave me an opportunity to stock up on my favorite authors as well as some new authors I'd heard about. One thing about book lovers, we were busy suggesting books we've read to each other.

Now I'm thinking maybe I should revisit a few other things I used to like to do before I let myself get so busy. I just may get out those oil paint brushes up on the closet shelf.

"Daisy Chain" by Mary DeMuth

2009-03-22T21:54:00.004-05:00

Mary DeMuth, http://wannabepublished.blogspot.com, recently announced that her latest book was now available. The title sounded interesting, the cover was beautiful, and I love to read. A few days again, I settled down in my reading spot to enjoy my favorite reward for finishing my to do list. Hours later, when I closed the book, I knew I'd be waiting with anticipation for book two.

Daisy Chain is the first book in her Defiance Texas Trilogy. Daisy Chance, the best friend of fourteen year old Jed Pepper, disappears from her small town. The rest of the book deals with Jed’s search for her because he believes he’s to blame.

Tortured family relationships and friendships with unusual towns people keep this book a page turner as Jed searches for Daisy. Treat yourself to a suspenseful read as Mary draws you into life in Defiance, Texas.

I've been studying the craft of writing in depth the past two years as I decided to get serious about writing. Mary's site is one I visit frequently after attending her workshop at the American Christian Fiction Writers' Conference. I've learned a lot about the craft of writing from her blogs.

I don't know how she finds the time to write such a wonderful book with keeping up her blog and raising a family. I am in awe of her writing ability.

Phone Call from the Past

2009-03-22T21:47:00.003-05:00

I haven't written for a long time on this blog because I've been too busy I guess.

Today I received a phone call from an old friend from my childhood. We attended the same church since infancy. Our parents were best friends, but both had passed away several years ago. He'd moved around a lot and so had I.

It's been forty eight years since we graduated and saw each other. We caught up on our lives, children, grandchildren, and spouses. We shared our faith journey and how God has blessed us through the years.

What a treat it was to hear from a childhood friend.

Not An Ordinary Day After All

2008-08-09T22:47:00.003-05:00

The day started out like a typical Saturday. Roger had a meeting in a small town about 30 miles away, while I had a meeting in a nearby town. After my meeting, my daughter and two grandchildren planned to shop for school clothes. My husband was to travel another 45 miles to play with a band for a small town country music show. He would get home about midnight.

We said good-bye and each drove to our respective meetings. After the meeting, I enjoyed a leisurely meal at a local tearoom with the other group members.

I picked up my daughter and grandchildren, and we proceeded to their favorite department store. The children made their selections, tried them on, and made a final decision.

We stopped at Sonic for the half-priced 2 to 4 P.M. happy hour. We refreshed ourselves with ice cold slushies before continuing our shopping trip.

Two hours and two stores later, we had exhausted ourselves and my checkbook. I dropped them off at their house and drove fifteen miles home.

I stopped at the grocery for milk before heading home. I checked mail, let the dog out, and stopped to check phone messages.

That’s when my day became anything but routine. Three messages from my husband informed me he was broken down an hour away along a secondary country road with his cell phone battery almost gone.

It’s 100 degrees more or less. It was 6:30. He had called at 5:15 the first time. I herded the dog inside and back into her cage, grabbed my keys, and rushed out the door to the car.

I made myself drive the speed limit. I tried to call him, but only managed to say, “Where are you?” before his phone went dead.

I drove and prayed he wouldn’t dehydrate and that he had something to drink with him. An hour later I neared the small community he’d mentioned. I watched the road for a sign of him.

His car was nowhere in sight. I entered the next community realizing I hadn’t spotted him. I pulled over and tried his cell phone, even knowing it was dead. In the rearview mirror, I spotted a tow truck with his car on it. What a lucky coincidence or was it?

Earlier, he’d used the tow truck owner’s phone to tell me to meet him at the Dairy Queen, but I'd been in a dead zone so the call didn’t come through. My plan had been to go to the Dairy Queen for a restroom break before formulating a plan to hunt for him. How did we independently decide to go to the Dairy Queen?

We decided God had been looking out for us even though we didn’t know he had. I usually go with him to that particular show, but couldn’t because of his other meeting. If I had gone with him, we’d both been stranded.

The show doesn’t get over until after 10:00 so either he or both of us would have been stranded at 11:00 at night with no service on our cell phone.

If he’d been stranded alone, I would have been driving up and down dark country roads after midnight trying to find him.

In spite of our calamity and prospective car repair bill, we feel blessed at how things worked out.

It just goes to show you, just because a day starts out ordinary, doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

2008-08-05T23:54:00.002-05:00

Forgiveness: Letting Go

In the Lord’s Prayer we say “forgive us our trespasses and we forgive those who trespass against us.” In my church we recite the Lord’s Prayer as part of the worship service.

I’ve probably said that prayer at least 500 times in my current church. I don’t know how many other times in previous churches.

I recently completed the Beth Moore study on Breaking Free. One of the bondages God releases us from if we ask is the inability to forgive.

A friend of mine is fighting cancer. She has as part of her signature for emails this statement. “We can stop forgiving others, when God stops forgiving us.” That pretty much says it all. Who can dispute it? I can’t.

Then it seemed like everything I read talked of forgiveness. Sermons seemed to focus on it. I read the book, The Shack, which spoke of the hardest forgiveness of all.

As a result of all the recent experiences, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Most of my problem with forgiveness started with my being angry at people who hurt me or unfair situations and injustices in my world.

Then if the anger isn’t resolved, it leads to unforgiveness, broken relationships, and isolation to protect myself from further hurt or disappointment. If that isn’t enough, bitterness sets in and takes the joy and sunshine away. It kills the song in my heart.

So after thinking a lot about it, I asked God to reveal to me when I have a spirit of bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness in my heart. I truly thought I harbored no unforgiveness, but I was in for a surprise.

He’s been very generous to call to mind those people and situations I need to let go. I expected it to be a painful experience, but it’s been liberating and left me with a sense of peace. I find myself agreeing with Him each time.

“You’re right, Lord. I’m bitter or angry or unforgiving about that. I agree with you. Help me to release it now.”

Some things I’d forgotten about. Some things I didn’t know I was bitter about. Some things were too hard to do on my own, but I know God can help me.

“Search my heart, Test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad. And lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Ps. 139:23

Tony Snow

2008-07-24T13:39:00.002-05:00

Tony Snow, former Press Secretary for President George Bush, died early Saturday morning, July 12, 2008. The news came as a shock to me, even though I knew he was battling cancer. At age 53, with a wife and two children, he was too young to die. He had so much to live for.

A few weeks ago, Tim Russert suffered a fatal heart attack. Another man in his 50’s who had so much left to offer the world.

When I watched the tribute on Fox News for Tony Snow. Friends and colleagues talked about him as a new reporter and as a friend. I learned he was an accomplished musician. He’d had a radio show before he pioneered a news program on the debuting Fox News Channel. I regretted not having seen his early shows.

In church that morning, our pastor talked about how we can never know the influence we might have on others. Mike Wallace mentioned that thousands of condolence emails the network had received.

I thought of how much influence both men had on our culture. Both men loved America, valued the truth, and weren’t afraid to ask the hard question, but did it with respect. In an age where ratings and personal agendas seem to be more important than courtesy and truth, they had the courage to reach for higher standard.

I was sad when I watched the tributes to Tim Russert. I wept when Mike Wallace closed the show with a clip Tony Snow did on a Father’s Day segment by closing with the statement that coming home at night to have his three children run to him calling out “Daddy” was the best thing of all. Daddy was the name he wanted to be known by.

As I wiped my tears, I thought had the age of television ushered in our ability to care about people we’ll never know personally. We can rejoice with successes of people we’ll never meet, we can share the sorrow of people around the world. We witness first hand the grief of a parent, the destruction of a city, the terror of 9-11.

We’ve become a worldwide community. I rejoice in the shared joy, but could do without the shared sorrow.

Funny Accident

2008-06-22T18:44:00.003-05:00

I felt like a cartoon character today. I have been fighting a sore leg for about three months. It is slowly getting better. Then today I had an accident only I could come up with.

A little history first. I am very accident prone. my husband says it's because my brain is ahead of my body, and I don't pay attention to my surroundings. I've shut my finger in a car door, fallen when running from the car to the door in the rain, hit my head on the car door getting in because I didn't duck low enough. I think it's because I have a depth perception problem, which explains why I could never hit the softball in PE class. I couldn't jump rope either for the same reason. I thought I just clumsy until the eye doctor explained about my depth perception which causes me to misjudge distances. My dad, who went to the appointment with me, understood better the scrapes and dents on the right side of his car. I once asked Roger for an electric saw for Christmas because I thought I'd like to build furniture. He vetoed that idea because he had no desire to take me to the emergency room to treat whatever body part I'd managed to injure.

Anyway, we have had a problem with something getting in our garage to steal pecans we had in an open bucket. So after a mouse trap didn't catch the culprit, my husband decided to buy some sticky paper that might capture the thief. Meanwhile, I go out to the garage to search for a missing item. As usual I'm looking straight ahead, intent on the area I'm planning to search. I looked through the sack of assorted items, discovering the missing item was not there. When I backed up to go back into the house, I stepped on the paper, quickly became stuck, lost my balance, and landed on my behind while yelling for help.

My husband came running to rescue me from whatever calamity had befallen me. He hid his face and choked to keep from laughing as he pulled me from the paper. His next comment was that he'd caught a "big one". I'm assuming he meant relative to a mouse.

Fortunately, only my pride seems to be damaged. I'll know more in the morning when the bruises appear.

"And the Two Shall Become One"

2008-06-15T23:03:00.000-05:00

And the Two Shall Become One

A few days ago I was thinking about the phrase “and the two shall become one” in referring to the marriage relationship.

My husband and I do a lot of hospital calls since we’ve retired. We have seen the suffering of family members and friends as their loved one recovers from surgery or disease. We’ve prayed and grieved with others during the final stages of terminal illnesses. As a result, we know that the whole family needs prayers not just the sick individual.

A friend mentioned that her husband would soon have a medical test that required some advance preparation. We all agreed that she would be enduring his unpleasant ordeal as much as he would.

Later that evening, as I thought about our conversation, I began to understand the meaning of the phrase “and the two shall become one”.

When I had cancer, my husband worried about me and shared my anxiety awaiting results. When I was pregnant, he had morning sickness along with me. When he broke his foot and couldn’t sleep, I didn’t sleep well either. When our parents died, we shared each other’s grief.

We worship together and pray together. I know his thoughts, and he knows mine. He can say the first words of a joke, and I know which one it is. Often one of us will bring up an issue to discuss, only to discover the other one had been thinking about the same issue.

“And the two shall become one.” I like the idea and hope for many more years of sharing our oneness.

43 rd Anniversary

2008-06-07T00:47:00.004-05:00

We celebrated our 43rd anniversary in our usual unorthodox way. We started the day by attending the end of the year awards ceremony for our grandson at his school. We then went to see INDIANA JONES and ate an early dinner at our favorite restaurant. We concluded the day by going to a viewing at the funeral home of our granddaughter's other grandfather. We returned home before winds of 50 miles an hour with gusts to
75 miles an hour took out the electricity for six hours.

We had to laugh at our version of anniversary celebration. Other anniversary's have involved attending a Turkish birthday party for children, mourning the death of Robert Kennedy, attending a family reunion, and renewing our vows at the grave site of the main character in an Eugenia Price novel. One year my husband had to work, so we postponed our celebration for a few days later. I had to learn that the day wasn't as important as honoring our relationship. Another year my husband sent me an orchid from Guam, and the lady who ran the post office made sure I received it although it arrived after the small post office officially closed for the day. I received a phone call at two in the morning from my husband who was stationed at a remote site half way around the world on another anniversary.

We celebrated our 40th with a party of friends just in case we didn't have the opportunity to celebrate our 50th as neither on of our parents did. Later that summer, we went to Alaska for a memorable gift to each other.

We're looking forward to what the next anniversaries might bring. The military part
of our life has long past, so we know we'll be sharing it together. Beyond that, we're not sure what opportunity lies ahead to make our day special. We have a party planned for the 50th, but other than that we'll have to wait and see.

But whatever the occasion brings, we'll be together, which is really all that matters.

Blessings on Our Trip To Florida

2008-05-24T18:52:00.003-05:00

We had a blessing on our way to Florida.

We always take the scenic route after we leave Hattiesburg, Mississippi to see the beautiful countryside of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia before cutting South to Tallahassee, Florida.

When we about three miles from Donaldsonville, Georgia, we stopped at the Johnson Family Market to purchase some fig preserves. When we started to leave, our car wouldn't start. Fortunately, Roger's high school friend, Betty Williams, came to our rescue. We always try to visit Betty on our way through town, but this time she helped us get a room at the local Super 8 motel and contacted her mechanic.

Her mechanic fixed our car early the next morning while we visited with Betty, her twin brother-Bobby and his wife-Pat.

We all talked about how fortunate we were to have car trouble near a community where we had friends instead of one of the many towns or somewhere along the road as we'd traveled through on our way to spend time with our family in Florida. We all gave God the praise for his blessing and provision for us.

100 Year Celebration

2008-04-16T06:27:00.002-05:00

The First United Methodist Church of Burkburnett, Tx. celebrated 100 years of service to the community on Sunday, April 13, 2008. Former ministers attended as well as members who'd moved away. The special banners I'd help to make glistened on the wall behind the altar. The choir in their brand new robes led the processional with the bishop, district superintendent, and former ministers following behind. Proud fathers moved the risers so the children could sing two lively songs.

Our new minister, only two weeks at his new assignment, welcomed the congregation before leading us in the Apostles Creed. The congregation sang a medley of old favorites with joyous sounds that filled the sanctuary. The choir's anthem reflected the months of practice to perform each word and note as the composer intended.

The bishop spoke of the past commitment of members providing 100 years of worship and
service to the community. He challenged us to carry on the tradition of those early founders.
His voice reached every corner of the room creating enthusiasm for numerous amens even though our church people never shout amen. His enthusiasm was contagious. No one doubted
his selection as bishop for our North Texas Region.

After the service, we adjourned to the community center for a delicious catered luncheon,
power point slide show of members and activities, past and present. People laughed, recalled
memories, and visited with one another.

100 years savored by all as we recognized that only the children had any chance of celebrating the next one. Everyone made the most of the day with that fact in mind. Mrs. Caffee, 106, celebrated the most of all suggesting it might be possible a few children would be able to
recount the day at the 200 year celebration.

It was a glorious day.

Adopt a Highway Cleanup

2008-04-05T16:49:00.002-05:00

Today twenty-six volunteers ranging in ages from 10 year old children and to adults in their 70's picked up twenty-six bags of trash on the edge of a two mile stretch of roadway. The trash varied from aluminum cans, beer bottles, and fast food cartons to items of clothing and an old tire. We didn't attempt to clean up the cigarette butts that had been thrown out windows in spite of a high fire warning and burn ban in the area.

This is the second year we have cleaned up the roadway every three months. We average around 25 bags each time. By Monday morning, we will make a trip down the same road only to discover items of trash already along the road. I often wonder if the people who throw out their trash don't notice the clean shoulders and grass ways along the road. Aren't they curious as to why the things they pitched in their truck beds are missing when they arrive at their destination? Do they not have a sense of responsibility for the property damage their thrown out cigarette butts can cause to say nothing of the chance of loss of life?

Making A Church Banner

2008-04-04T20:35:00.003-05:00

Our church is preparing for the 100 year anniversary of its founding. I volunteered to help make special banners for the church. Fortunately, the chairman of the committee has a degree in fabric design so we have good direction. Another lady and I declared we were good at cutting and basting.

We have learned a lot about fabrics, bonding material, understitching, and ironing with
damp cheesecloth. We're finishing up the banners and will hang them on Friday night before
the special church service.

We've already decided to design special banners for weddings now that we know how to make them. In volunteering for a project, we've found a new calling. We're planning on meeting monthly to design and sew new banners and altar cloths for the church.

Moonine Sue Watson
April 4, 2008

Writing Conference June 7th.

2008-03-28T13:51:00.001-05:00

First Blogging Experience

2008-03-28T10:29:00.004-05:00

Today is the first day of a new adventure. With the help of my friend, Debra, I have started a blog for myself and been added to her blog Books to Write By. This will be another thing to keep me busy and the dust getting deeper on the furniture.

I chose to name this blog a Journal of the Journey because I recently completed the Beth Moore Study, Stepping Up, about the journey in our own Christian Life. I recognize that I am daily on a journey where only God knows the destination.

Welcome to my journey.