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Tag Archives: faith

The MAD Life: Episode 34

The MAD Life will never be over. What has been, can never be erased. What is now known cannot be unknown.

My mom passed on from her Alzheimer’s on March 14, 2025. It was a long time in coming. She’d been under hospice care in addition to Memory Care in November when she stopped eating for the first time. It took several times of not eating to finally go strictly to palliative care and no longer encourage her to do what she didn’t want or need to do anymore.

Her life was more than just these last few chaotic years that she never wanted. She believed in euthanasia as a gift we give loved ones, and she wanted that, but it’s not permitted in Michigan. Fortunately, her life was family, friends, and faith … far more than her diagnosis or the peace she wanted earlier than she received it.

She now has the ultimate joy with all of her treasurers in heaven who went before her. She is en-robed by love.

I’ve been told many people feel like orphans after their parents pass on. I don’t feel that way. I am blessed with the best of friends, many mothers by friendship, some father figures in faith, and my family.

Perhaps it’s because I have always spoken to my father, sister Cheri, grandma Julia, niece Erin, aunt Gladys, Isabel, and so many phenomenal souls who have passed from this earth into the great beyond. I believe they hear and guide me. I feel their voices and presence in my soul. I hear their laughter and words of wisdom.

Moral of the Story: No one is ever alone. No one does anything alone. Mom is in a joyous place with her treasures in heaven. We are surrounded by a greater cloud of witnesses whether we want them or not. May you feel love and encouragement from those who have gone before us and those here with us on earth.

 
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Posted by on July 23, 2025 in Uncategorized

 

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By the Grace of God, Go I

Attempting to make it to Japan Town in San Francisco, we took the bus a bit too far. It was by the Grace of God.

As I was realizing we may be quite a few blocks away from our destination, a gorgeous woman on the sidewalk in gloves and a hat asked if we would join her for church. I looked up, and it is a United Methodist Church. Having missed the previous Sunday due to this work/vacation traveling, I was hungry for God’s Grace in a worship service.

My mom and I followed her into a simple and elegant sanctuary where every single soul who passed us smiled and greeted us, welcoming us to worship. We were seated next to a long-time member in the back so we could leave early. They were very understanding that we were tourists and had plans for the day. Such compassionate Grace.

The lovely woman we were seated next to requested that someone hand us the songbooks. That included the current United Methodist Hymnal – a book that looks much like home and an old friend to me. There’s a comforting presence that comes over me when I see this book of beloved songs and affirmations. This gift of God’s Grace was beginning to be overwhelming.

There was much singing in the beginning. The voices raised were honest and passionate. Each loving voice blended into a magnificent song of praise. I hope a visitor would feel the same at my home church. The Grace was sung beautifully.

A young man read the scripture, a young woman sang a solo in the choir, the pastor preached a heart-warming sermon, and God’s Grace was in every moment, and has lasted weeks after.

Their church was destroyed in the 1989 earthquake. They not only rebuilt, but managed to save some of the stained glass and include it in the new building. The Grace shown through the glass.

Moral of the Story: Home is where you take it. Grace is where you live it.

A stained glass window in the center of the sanctuary ceiling.

 
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Posted by on July 11, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Giving Thanks – November 24

I give thanks for a shot in the dark. This photo was a shot in the dark, and it turned out pretty great. Therefore, perhaps I will marry my millionaire soul mate yet! You know, the one who will adore my cats, allow me to scrapbook unconditionally, enjoy reading as much as I do, happily join in my church and faith with me, and pose for pictures whenever I say, “Cheese!”.

IMG_8711 Sign

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Giving Thanks – November 2

I give thanks for faith. When all else fails, faith remains. While enduring job loss, death, illness, and all of those nasty things, faith remains. And with faith, there is hope.

No one said that having faith was easy. It’s far from it. But it is invaluable.

I give thanks for the priceless gift of faith.

IMG_6190 Sign

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Giving Thanks – November 1

A friend is posting on facebook things she is thankful for each day of November, in honor of Thanksgiving. I’m poaching her idea. Thanks, Meg!

The first thing I’m thankful for is my parents. I thank them for life, a good home life, a great family, instilling in me care for all of God’s creatures (mostly the furry ones), teaching me faith in the Lord, and having patience with me … most of the time.

Harold and Jean Wedding

 
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Posted by on November 4, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Bounty of the Harvest

Have you seen the bounty of the harvest yet? There is so much out there is the world to harvest:

  • Humor
  • Hope
  • Love
  • Friendship
  • Respect
  • Peace of Mind
  • Faith
  • Passion
  • Garden Goods

Moral of the Story: Harvest what you can where you are whenever you can.

2013_08_04_5688 SIgn

 
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Posted by on September 1, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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25th Day of Lent

Word of the Day: Faithful

Meet Merry: Most faithful to her forever mom.
She pouts when her mom is away.
She curls into her lap each and every day.
She is more faithful than some dogs I’ve met.
And that’s saying something, because I’ve never met an unfaithful dog.

IMG_1332 Signed Pencil

 
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Posted by on March 10, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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How do you Give Cheer when there is No Cheer?

There are some people in my life receiving bad news. I want to cheer them, but I don’t have anything to offer. The situation is not life or death, but it is heart wrenching. It’s a lay off. So what can I do when I have no new jobs to offer?

I can pray for them and potential employers.
Bidden or not, God is present. I believe in the power of prayer.

I can give encouragement because these people are talented.
Not platitudes, but real facts. Reminders of their accomplishments.

I can recommend them on LinkedIn.
I don’t know if all employers value this, but I was once hired in part because my colleagues had recommended me on LinkedIn.

What else? I’d appreciate your ideas.

Morale of the Story: Humor doesn’t happen everyday.

 
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Posted by on January 11, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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