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Tag Archives: Love

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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Giving Thanks – November 20

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Posted by on November 21, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Giving Thanks – November 15

Today I give thanks for my mom. She’s been here for me from spending the day of my birth alone in the hospital room while my dad worked at home fixing the furnace and milking the cows all the way through broken hearts and healed hearts, lost jobs and found jobs, being a jerk to being a joy, misplaced hope and faith renewed.

It’s even better to give thanks for her and gratitude to her on this day of her birth. Mom, here’s wishing you joy in every day and a continued healthy heart and mind. You are much loved. Wishing you a joyous birthday!

Side note: I treated her to dinner, but surprised her with a few extra dinner guests. Sadly, I forgot to take photos. Me of all people!

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Posted by on November 16, 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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For whoever is not against you, is for you

Why is it that when I look for “whoever is not with you is for you”, I find this…

Matthew 12:30
New International Version
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

So negative!

What I do recall reading is this…

Luke 9:50
New International Version
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

It’s ironic that the verses before both of these are about casting out demons or the devil.

I believe Jesus held no ill well toward the creations of his Father – us. Therefore, I choose to believe in Luke 9:50. Then again, I guess that’s the crux of the matter: The stories differ and there are choices to be made.

Moral of the Story: There are choices in life. Sometimes they are Biblical, and sometimes they are Faith-based.

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Posted by on October 24, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Books vs. Meat

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Posted by on September 30, 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.

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Posted by on September 1, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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At the End of the Day…

I don’t look quite this bad.

At the end of the day, I am still gainfully employed (today anyhow).

At the end of the day, my horns don’t show.

At the end of the day, I have some of the most treasured friends a body could have.

At the end of the day, my hair is not neon green.

At the end of the day, the love of the Lord is in my heart (most of the time I act like it too).

At the end of the day, I get to walk on carpet and not sharp stones.

At the end of the day, there is much to be thankful for.

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Posted by on August 8, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Seek and You May Find: A Happy Tail

Today’s post was to be different, but my night took a twist.

Tonight was the township’s fireworks display. I walked out to see them, back by the gardens. I could see them well, so I called my brother asking if he’d like to watch them with me. He said he’d seen them, but his dog Lucy was missing. He’d been searching for an hour, and there was no sign of her.

I walked to his house and offered to help. After some discussion, we agreed to take both trucks and leave one out where he’d last seen her. That was way back in one of his orchards. He’d spent the evening hand thinning some of his fruit trees, and she’d been with him.

By the time we got the trucks out there and he opened his door, Lucy walked right up to him! Now I know he will sleep well, she was just frighted first by someone with gunfire earlier and later by the fireworks, and that she will come when she feels safe to the sound of the truck.

I know this isn’t every pet care giver’s outcome. I know the lost are not always found. My heart goes out to all who have endured seeking with no finding.

But tonight, we give thanks. As soon as he told me the situation, I began to pray. That praying has not ended, because now I give thanks.

Morale of the Story: It’s worth the effort. When a loved one is in need, taking the time to do whatever you are able, especially if it’s praying, it IS worth it. Do what you are able, where you are able.

IMG_4416 Lucy Short

 
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Posted by on June 30, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Grandma’s Fun

My mother’s mother was my most treasured friend as a child. Grandma loved me unconditionally, and that’s a good thing, because I wasn’t always the sweetest little thing (just like all children everywhere – thank goodness they’re cute!).

I remember many happy adventures with my grandma as a child. One was seeing the movie “Jungle Book” at the State Theater. If I’d been there before, I don’t remember it. What I remember is seeing a fun movie with festive music in an awe inspiring theater. I also remember that I got to sit between my mom and my grandmom.

Saturday my mom and I had a tour of the building and at the end were serenaded by our tour guide. We even spoke with the gentlemen who manages all of those heavy stage curtains – that was fascinating! The history of the place is interesting, and it was fascinating to see back stage. It was a memorable time with mom. What I don’t recall with grandma was if we ate out as well, if we had popcorn, or if we walked around downtown. What I remember is a feeling of love. The same as today with mom.

Morale of the Story: So many memories are emotion based. I am thankful to treasure these good ones. What are some of yours?

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Posted by on June 18, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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