After Thanksgiving and Other Debris

After Thanksgiving and Other Debris

While it is not necessary for all of us to eat a wonderful meal of turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie and green bean casserole (which we didn't have this year), it would be awesome to live in a world where we all felt thankful always.  No, we did not have green bean casserole and we had apple pie, not pumpkin, but our Thanksgiving was special this year.  

We are grateful that God is giving us a grand baby, named Isaac.  He is indeed a miracle.  He will be among us soon and we, especially Nick and Jennifer, are anxiously awaiting his birth.  He is the first child of two first children and our first grand child.  

We are grateful, too, for our entire family.  We are also thankful for the support of our church families because we pray with church families around the world.  There is no doubt that are friends are priceless and our lives are enriched by them, their presence and the fun they bring to our lives.  We are thankful and so blessed.  God is great!

With my thoughts of Isaac and his arrival, I'm mindful of what it will be like to have a grandson.  I think of our own children, Jennifer and Lindsay.  I remember days of just wanting to spend time with the girls, no schedules, nothing we "had" to do, it was really up to them.  Our girls were quite social, so being with their friends was an important pursuit.  Movies, toys and games were other favorite ways to spend time together.  Our girls grew up when board games were still popular along with Disney movies.

As I write, I am doing so after watching a favorite Disney movie, "Mary Poppins," and I immediately thought of how I can't wait to share in the making of a kite with Alan and Isaac.  I have the perfect place to go in the Spring one day to take Isaac to fly a kite!  It seems so simple yet, I imagine it to be a day of many carefree moments spent to enjoy a wonderful gift, Isaac.

Last Lessons on Friendship

Last Lessons on Friendship

     Asking the question: Who will I want to hang out with during my retirement?  I have seen my friends who are retired and I have noticed several things.  I see a sense of freedom and yet they are very energetic, active and yes, a smile on their faces that indicates the joy of no longer working!  So, I would most definitely spend time with my husband.  We could do lunch.  I would spend time with family and my real friends.

     Are there any more rules to follow on friendship?  The people who are your friends may or may not be coworkers.  Most coworkers are not real friends.  Life is too short, they say, to lose sleep over conversations gone wrong.  Anger should be resolved right away.  Sometimes you have to apologize when you have done nothing wrong.  Sometimes being hurt serves as a reminder to remain aloof, keep your mouth shut and guard your heart.  It is almost never a good idea to trust a coworker.  

     The workplace is more competitive now than ever so remember these steps:
1. "Excuse me, I will be right back."
2. Clear your head, take a deep breath.  Return with willing attitude.
3.  Ask any questions you might have about the new assignment (clarification).
4. "Is there anything else I should do?"
5. "How can I help?"

     The reason we have friends in places like our churches, synagogues, country clubs, the gym, etc., is because it is where we build community.  We define our community, our extended family, our true friendships.

     Retirement is not about work-- so our friendships are all about community, family and where we LIKE to be!  In the meanwhile our friends are there for us, we find them in our community, we find them where our heart is.