We were having a sleepover when Macy mentioned her eye had an itch. Could it be the sand from the park or did the wind dry it out? Sometimes we don't get to know how something happened, we just need to deal with it. We lay there - with eye pads on our eyes - eye pads I had purchased at a salon a long time ago (do they have an expiration date?) and the woman at the salon had promised they would refresh my eyes and I would no longer have dark circles. Really?
I tried several attempts to keep them on - tried and tried to see a difference in my eyes, but the dark circles still appeared the next morning. They were nice eye pads, though, and my eyes liked the refreshing feeling even with dark circles remaining.
So, as I reached for them to refresh Macy's eyes from an itch, I read the ingredients - tea leaves. Hmmmm. My mom used to use wet tea bags whenever we had any kind of eye problem.
So, in our pajamas, her brother already asleep, Macy and I turned off the lights and put eye pads on both of our eyes and lay there - waiting. Within a few minutes, she asked all kinds of questions about these pads that I didn't have answers for - and then, that old joke from my childhood popped up.
"Macy, do you know why we know carrots are good for our eyes?" I asked.
"No, why, Grandma?" she asked.
"Because bunnies eat carrots and you never see a bunny with glasses." I quipped.
She giggled, and then we giggled together, for a couple of minutes - a wonderful couple of minutes before bedtime.
It's an old joke, just like tea bags on our eyes is an old remedy, but sometimes the old ones still work.
Here's to your next giggle - or if your eye itches - here's to your next tea bag :)
"GIVE ME A MARY STORY"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Really? An onion?
The ball game was cancelled due to bad weather, and driving home, we were running into Jewel. An ominous cloud covering was heading our way. I told El a story about the time I was in a Jewel with Macy and weather was bad. We waited out a tornado warning in the candy aisle - enjoying a box of nerds.
El headed toward produce and I headed toward the first aid aisle. Within minutes, an announcement asked all customers to head to the back of the store, as a tornado warning had been issued. I grabbed bite-x and joined the other customers amid the boxes, freezers and cement in the back room. El soon joined me with her future purchases. We were a group of around 15 waiting there - and as I showed El my bite-x, a white coat approached. "Are you questioning the product?" she asked. She was a pharmacist. I showed her the welt on my left arm.
Earlier today, while shoveling some rocks, something did not like me disturbing its home. "It doesn't itch, and this product takes away itching," I answered her.
"Do take some benadryl orally, for an allergic reaction," she said. "And, cut an onion in half and hold it on the welt to draw out anything that may be in there." "Onion?" I questioned. "Yes, any type," she said. I thanked her.
We made our purchases, including a new addition to my list - an onion. As we headed out, we both noticed a woman, sitting on a bench with her groceries bagged, whose body began to shake. The shaking increased as El and I walked toward her. With El on one side and me on the other, we held her up as a seizure took over her body. We called for help from the employees. Two came running and said this woman had a seizure earlier, and her friend had gone to get the car. El ran outside in the rain, found the friend and updated her on her friend's latest seizure.
We walked to our car, thinking of all that took place in a simple stop at Jewel.
When I got home, as I took the pharmacist's advice and removed the onion from sitting on my welt, the red welt was now flesh colored and the swelling was down 90%.
Really?
An onion?
El headed toward produce and I headed toward the first aid aisle. Within minutes, an announcement asked all customers to head to the back of the store, as a tornado warning had been issued. I grabbed bite-x and joined the other customers amid the boxes, freezers and cement in the back room. El soon joined me with her future purchases. We were a group of around 15 waiting there - and as I showed El my bite-x, a white coat approached. "Are you questioning the product?" she asked. She was a pharmacist. I showed her the welt on my left arm.
Earlier today, while shoveling some rocks, something did not like me disturbing its home. "It doesn't itch, and this product takes away itching," I answered her.
"Do take some benadryl orally, for an allergic reaction," she said. "And, cut an onion in half and hold it on the welt to draw out anything that may be in there." "Onion?" I questioned. "Yes, any type," she said. I thanked her.
We made our purchases, including a new addition to my list - an onion. As we headed out, we both noticed a woman, sitting on a bench with her groceries bagged, whose body began to shake. The shaking increased as El and I walked toward her. With El on one side and me on the other, we held her up as a seizure took over her body. We called for help from the employees. Two came running and said this woman had a seizure earlier, and her friend had gone to get the car. El ran outside in the rain, found the friend and updated her on her friend's latest seizure.
We walked to our car, thinking of all that took place in a simple stop at Jewel.
When I got home, as I took the pharmacist's advice and removed the onion from sitting on my welt, the red welt was now flesh colored and the swelling was down 90%.
Really?
An onion?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Joy
We were walking down the street, 2 year old Maddy and I, when we heard small children playing in their back yard. We turned toward their yard to watch, said hello, and there it was. Joy - in the form of children giggling as they jumped in a small wading pool. Maddy, without hesitation (or a swimsuit), immediately jumped in. Splashing and giggling, she shrieked with joy.
Such a small amount of water, not wearing the correct apparel and not aware of anything other than one thing - enjoying life.
Could it really be that easy? Could we stop thinking about what others think or what clothes we are wearing?
Maddy did.
I think she searches for fun. I think it is natural in her.
Did it used to be natural in us and we "grew up"?
I picture God, watching us each day, like I was watching Maddy - and I think He enjoys watching us enjoy life. It sure did brighten my day to watch her have so much fun.
Can we just jump in and giggle once in a while -
Maybe even search for fun?
And, in doing so, bring a smile to Our Father's face?
I can learn from a 2 year old.
Here's to finding joy today!
Such a small amount of water, not wearing the correct apparel and not aware of anything other than one thing - enjoying life.
Could it really be that easy? Could we stop thinking about what others think or what clothes we are wearing?
Maddy did.
I think she searches for fun. I think it is natural in her.
Did it used to be natural in us and we "grew up"?
I picture God, watching us each day, like I was watching Maddy - and I think He enjoys watching us enjoy life. It sure did brighten my day to watch her have so much fun.
Can we just jump in and giggle once in a while -
Maybe even search for fun?
And, in doing so, bring a smile to Our Father's face?
I can learn from a 2 year old.
Here's to finding joy today!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
She Was There
It is Memorial Day and I am driving home from the cemetery.
Trying to make the green left turn signal at the top of the ramp, I gunned the gas and, YES - I made the turn just as the signal turned yellow. Getting onto Route 59 without stopping is a rarity.
But, what did I see out of the corner of my left eye as I approached the light - still focusing on the light, but grasping a figure with a sign. It was 90 degrees and a woman was standing out there in that heat with a sign - begging for someone to notice her plight. I had sped by, not only not noticing her, but not allowing myself an opportunity to help someone because I was so focused on the "green arrow" which allowed me a few less seconds in traffic. Anyway, it always made me uncomfortable to be at a stoplight and someone was begging along the side of the road. And, I was hungry and it was way past lunch time.
Then, I wondered how long it had been since she had eaten. I didn't know what her sign said, but I would guess it was for money for food or some other necessity. I said a prayer that God would send someone to help her.
Then, I decided that maybe it was supposed to be me and I was in too much of a hurry - or too uncomfortable because she was begging.
Driving to Portillo's, I decided to order both of us lunch. I would backtrack and take a lot more time than the stoplight would have cost me - but how could I eat lunch with her begging, in the hot sun, for attention I wasn't willing to give her?
Portillo's apologized for the wait - they were unusually slow. Would she still be there? Finally, I had both of our lunches and gunned it back onto I-88 - and YES - she was still standing there with her sign. I headed toward the exit east of Route 59, so I could get off, get back on and arrive at my destination - the exit ramp with the lady on the left side holding her sign.
The exit was two miles away - not a long turn around, but a long 4 miles when I am trying to keep her lunch cold in the car - it was an Asian grilled chicken salad and bottle of water. The water was dripping.
Finally - I approach the ramp and hoped the light would be red so I can talk to her a little.
WHAT?? A red convertible is now stalled and sitting where she was standing 5 minutes ago - two men sitting in the sun waiting for a tow - taking her place. At first, I thought they were giving her a lift and looked for her in their car - but she was no where in sight.
I checked two more stop lights in the area -
She was gone -
I missed an opportunity to bless someone -
Will I slow down next time?
Will I stop feeling uncomfortable at a stop light with someone standing there begging and just help them?
So, today I get to eat the same lunch that I had yesterday - Portillo's Asian grilled chicken salad.
God bless you.
Trying to make the green left turn signal at the top of the ramp, I gunned the gas and, YES - I made the turn just as the signal turned yellow. Getting onto Route 59 without stopping is a rarity.
But, what did I see out of the corner of my left eye as I approached the light - still focusing on the light, but grasping a figure with a sign. It was 90 degrees and a woman was standing out there in that heat with a sign - begging for someone to notice her plight. I had sped by, not only not noticing her, but not allowing myself an opportunity to help someone because I was so focused on the "green arrow" which allowed me a few less seconds in traffic. Anyway, it always made me uncomfortable to be at a stoplight and someone was begging along the side of the road. And, I was hungry and it was way past lunch time.
Then, I wondered how long it had been since she had eaten. I didn't know what her sign said, but I would guess it was for money for food or some other necessity. I said a prayer that God would send someone to help her.
Then, I decided that maybe it was supposed to be me and I was in too much of a hurry - or too uncomfortable because she was begging.
Driving to Portillo's, I decided to order both of us lunch. I would backtrack and take a lot more time than the stoplight would have cost me - but how could I eat lunch with her begging, in the hot sun, for attention I wasn't willing to give her?
Portillo's apologized for the wait - they were unusually slow. Would she still be there? Finally, I had both of our lunches and gunned it back onto I-88 - and YES - she was still standing there with her sign. I headed toward the exit east of Route 59, so I could get off, get back on and arrive at my destination - the exit ramp with the lady on the left side holding her sign.
The exit was two miles away - not a long turn around, but a long 4 miles when I am trying to keep her lunch cold in the car - it was an Asian grilled chicken salad and bottle of water. The water was dripping.
Finally - I approach the ramp and hoped the light would be red so I can talk to her a little.
WHAT?? A red convertible is now stalled and sitting where she was standing 5 minutes ago - two men sitting in the sun waiting for a tow - taking her place. At first, I thought they were giving her a lift and looked for her in their car - but she was no where in sight.
I checked two more stop lights in the area -
She was gone -
I missed an opportunity to bless someone -
Will I slow down next time?
Will I stop feeling uncomfortable at a stop light with someone standing there begging and just help them?
So, today I get to eat the same lunch that I had yesterday - Portillo's Asian grilled chicken salad.
God bless you.
Friday, April 15, 2011
How God Loves Us
Oh - How God loves us. I am reminded today of an example of the power of His love.
During his last week on earth, David said to me "I need to confess something to you that may change your love for me." I simply looked at him and said, "If God is prompting you to confess something, just do it." He talked about something he did as a young man that "bothered" him. Before he finished, the nurse walked in and we went back into the "hospital mode". Thoughts of anything he said were gone.
That means I never got a chance to say to him "No matter what you ever confess - no matter what you have ever done - NOTHING can change how much I love you - NOTHING!"
"Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?"
I understand that love of Christ - just a little more - when I think that the enemy wanted David to believe that something could affect my love for him.
In fact, I think his confession gave me even more love for him because I shared in his humanness - and anything that he did or tried to do on earth only strengthens how wonderful God is to give us - by the grace we receive with forgiveness - freedom from our humanness and sin.
Is there anything that can separate us from the love of Christ?
I believe it can only be strengthened as we admit our humanness, ask forgiveness and walk in His gift of freedom.
God bless you with a free day!
Love, ME
During his last week on earth, David said to me "I need to confess something to you that may change your love for me." I simply looked at him and said, "If God is prompting you to confess something, just do it." He talked about something he did as a young man that "bothered" him. Before he finished, the nurse walked in and we went back into the "hospital mode". Thoughts of anything he said were gone.
That means I never got a chance to say to him "No matter what you ever confess - no matter what you have ever done - NOTHING can change how much I love you - NOTHING!"
"Can anything separate us from the love of Christ?"
I understand that love of Christ - just a little more - when I think that the enemy wanted David to believe that something could affect my love for him.
In fact, I think his confession gave me even more love for him because I shared in his humanness - and anything that he did or tried to do on earth only strengthens how wonderful God is to give us - by the grace we receive with forgiveness - freedom from our humanness and sin.
Is there anything that can separate us from the love of Christ?
I believe it can only be strengthened as we admit our humanness, ask forgiveness and walk in His gift of freedom.
God bless you with a free day!
Love, ME
Friday, March 18, 2011
Blogging Fun
Well, as I am watching Julie & Julia, I am reminded that I began blogging and LOVE writing - so I want to do this more often. :)
Today was a collection of moments that merged together to make a wonderful "beginning of Spring" day. 55 degrees - sweet!
Beginning with cleaning out cabinets - always interesting to see what I have stored in them - cleaning behind the refrigerator - wondering how some of that stuff got back there - and exercising at Curves with Zumba - yes, Zumba - some fast paced dancing in between the exercise time on the machines. I made it in time for a little splice of dance time to cap off my exercise portion of the day. It was fun to watch the Curves community enjoy dance exercise together.
When a prayer appointment went well this afternoon, I realized that a good day for me is a little different each day. Yesterday was not as sweet as it could have been - they opened the golf course and I realized why I want to move - living on a golf course is a constant reminder of who I miss - thus cleaning out cabinets in order to get ready to move is a really good thing. I feel like I am going forward - facing the future with eyes wide open - and thanking God each day!
How magnificent to enjoy life with Jesus. How simple and beautiful life can be with Him at the helm of my "ship".
So, Spring cleaning and taking time to exercise, along with time for prayer - what a wonderful way to celebrate life. What a wonderful day!
Have a blessed evening :)
Mary
Today was a collection of moments that merged together to make a wonderful "beginning of Spring" day. 55 degrees - sweet!
Beginning with cleaning out cabinets - always interesting to see what I have stored in them - cleaning behind the refrigerator - wondering how some of that stuff got back there - and exercising at Curves with Zumba - yes, Zumba - some fast paced dancing in between the exercise time on the machines. I made it in time for a little splice of dance time to cap off my exercise portion of the day. It was fun to watch the Curves community enjoy dance exercise together.
When a prayer appointment went well this afternoon, I realized that a good day for me is a little different each day. Yesterday was not as sweet as it could have been - they opened the golf course and I realized why I want to move - living on a golf course is a constant reminder of who I miss - thus cleaning out cabinets in order to get ready to move is a really good thing. I feel like I am going forward - facing the future with eyes wide open - and thanking God each day!
How magnificent to enjoy life with Jesus. How simple and beautiful life can be with Him at the helm of my "ship".
So, Spring cleaning and taking time to exercise, along with time for prayer - what a wonderful way to celebrate life. What a wonderful day!
Have a blessed evening :)
Mary
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Simply Being
Reading a book on waiting. Realizing I don't do it often. I am usually quick to have an answer - even if it may not be the right answer. Actually, I usually have three of four choices for answers. Studying waiting has been eye opening. The line I am processing right now is "abandoning the side of us that wants to achieve and simply be". When I think of my life, I think of all the things I want to achieve - whether it is for me or someone else. I think of all the time I spend coming up with answers, solutions and remedies. Now, there is a certain amount of achieving necessary and, responsibly speaking, truly important. Yet, have I taken it to unnecessary levels? Have I been off balance? Can I truly enjoy simply "being" - simply being alive? Can I dismiss thoughts of who needs something - what needs to be fixed - or what needs to be accomplished and just spend some time "breathing" and enjoying that I am alive?
Yes - I have decided. I realized all the time I have spent on thoughts of making up for others needs - thinking I needed to fill a gap in someone else' life. Wow - I can picture the Lord laughing - "Look at Mary - there she goes again - trying to fix someone (or something for someone)." I think, in books, it is called a "Savior Complex".
Okay - I am spending time off the throne - I am going to enjoy simply being today -
I look outside and see diamonds sparkling - the top of the snow is simply dazzling - beauty in frigid temperatures - God's gift of seasons is amazing.
May you enjoy today - may it bless you to simply be -
and may we all give God His place on the throne of our lives. As, Jesus is an amazing Savior! For Jesus' Glory,
Mary
Yes - I have decided. I realized all the time I have spent on thoughts of making up for others needs - thinking I needed to fill a gap in someone else' life. Wow - I can picture the Lord laughing - "Look at Mary - there she goes again - trying to fix someone (or something for someone)." I think, in books, it is called a "Savior Complex".
Okay - I am spending time off the throne - I am going to enjoy simply being today -
I look outside and see diamonds sparkling - the top of the snow is simply dazzling - beauty in frigid temperatures - God's gift of seasons is amazing.
May you enjoy today - may it bless you to simply be -
and may we all give God His place on the throne of our lives. As, Jesus is an amazing Savior! For Jesus' Glory,
Mary
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