On Valentines Day, I always think of my mom and dad.  They were married for over 58 years and while there were ups and downs, they were still deeply in love. Even now after all of the years since my dad has died, mom is still in love with him and misses him just as much as each day continues to pass. 

I remember a conversation with my father about 6 months before he died. He told me of the story of how he met mother, their first date and his recollection of those times. I knew the story. I had heard the story hundreds of times from my mother perspective. This was the first time dad ever spoke of it to me. It was a blind date and a date he almost didn’t go on, but he went along with his army buddy who was going a date with mother’s sister.  He related how beautiful he felt mother was and how he got “the better sister”, that she was the prettier and kinder one of the two.   After that date, dad decided he had to go back and see mother again and bummed a ride from the army base up to see her.

It was a such a sweet story/memory and a joy to hear it from his view.  All of the years had not dimmed it from his memory. He said he still felt lucky that she was chose him.  It was also obvious that he was still so in love with her….maybe even more.  

So on Valentines Day, along with a number of other times during the year, I recount that conversation and think just how lucky mother was to have someone who after 58 years still thought she was the cats meow.  How blessed we were to have parents who felt that they couldn’t have done any better than the spouse they chose…..

Psalm 118:24This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. …New American Standard Bible

This morning on the way to work as the sun was rising in the east, I turned off the radio to watch the morning unfold around me. The sun was partially hiding in the clouds. Other clouds stretched out from one side of the “canvas” to the other. The clouds were different shades of blue gray with pink edges that finally turned white at the very top of the clouds. It was a beautiful sight that I have no words that are perfect enough to describe it.

It is not unusual that I turn off the radio on my 55 miles drive to and from work. Today was no different. I then normally spend the time observing the surroundings….starting with the traffic in front of me.  And I generally spend time talking to God.

This morning, the passage from Psalm 118:24 entered my head: This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

That passage fills my thoughts a number of times so for me to think of it this morning is not anything new or even shocking. However, this morning, my thinking said that “this is THE day” is not really a good statement.   “The” implies singular, one of a kind: “the ball”; “the house”; “the dog”….you get my drift. Yes, this day is “the” day that we are living in; however, it is only one of many, many days that we have lived in and one of that many  more days that we will live.   So the statement that “this is THE day” implied that there was only one day and this is it.

I can accept that since this is the day we are living in, “the” is a good statement. It puts us in the very present time. There is no past, there is no future. There is only the right now.  And right now is very good and we should praise God who has made our very right now and be grateful for all of the blessings we have in the very right now.

However, since we don’t live only in the very present, the very right now, we should also rejoice in all of our past and in our promised future. Yes, the past has many painful and hurtful memories, but there are blessings in those “dark” days.  And, yes, the future is not promised to us. This may be our last day on this earth. But the promise of the future should fill us with hope.  We are indeed blessed in so many ways.

So maybe instead of referring to this day as “the” day, maybe we should instead be thinking: “This is another wonderful, beautiful, spectacular, fantastic, glorious, blessed day that the Lord hath made and we would rejoice and revel in it with thanksgiving and gratitude that we are so loved”.   Indeed. Every day is the day. This is the day!

Dogs are great.   They truly love you unconditionally and who else is as always happy to see you no matter what.    I had this Heinz 57 mix who was the typical dog always wanting to be with us and loving us conditionally.  He was different from all of the other dogs that I have had though.  He literally would smile when he saw us….a big toothy smile.    The first time he smiled at me, I thought that he was showing his teeth because of displeasure or that he felt threatened.   I asked him what was wrong.   He continued to smile and his tailed wagged even more out of control than what it had before.    It was then that I realized that he was actually smiling at me, just like a human.    It was an enduring quality that I will never forget even after all of the years he has been gone.   

A few days ago, a construction contracting business in Texas posted on LinkedIn about a weekly Bible Study that they conduct at the beginning of the day.     Over 3,700 comments have been made since the last time I looked with over  19,000 people liking the post.   A couple of negative comments stated it was waste of company time/resources and they should study something useful, like physics.   What those commenters failed to realize is that in the mind of the company, it is not about business first but it is about their priority to run a different type of business where God is at the center of their business.    And it appears they have been successful in their model.

 

What I found interesting is that in a country where God now takes a back seat and we much be politically correct in everything we do and say, the majority of the comments were positive.    A good number even stated that they wanted to work in such a place.   Some comments stated that it would be a positive way to start the day.  

 

As an HR professional, there is nothing wrong with what doing a weekly Bible study at the beginning of the day.    They just need to be aware that they would need to provide equal opportunity to other religions should employees of a different faith make the same request.     However, along with some of the people commenting, I also would like to work for such a company.   Where they fully admit that God is at the center of their company, they would treat their employees and their customers fairly.  

 

 

 

Heroes are wonderful.     My lifelong hero was one of my first memories; I don’t ever remember a time when he was not there.   

He was strong, tall and handsome.   He could throw the bales from the ground up to the fourth course and never seemed to tire.    Nothing seemed to frighten him.     I always felt so safe when I was with him.

He was contemplative with a great sense of humor.    He could find that humor in everyday things, loved telling stories and a good joke.  He knew no strangers and was welcomed people into his life.  

He felt he married the best woman and loved her his whole life; she was the light and the joy of his life.   

While he lived a simple life, his wife and family were the most important things to him.   Material things were not nearly as important; as long as we were there he was happy.   

I loved spending time with him.   Unfortunately life and work took me away to where I could not spend time with him.    But there has never been a day that I have not thought about him.  

There a few like him and I am proud to say he has been and will be my hero for my whole life.   I have been so blessed to have such a fabulous hero!

Happy Birthday, Dad…..I miss you….

Heroes aren’t supposed to die……

As a Christian,Easter has always held a special meaning to me. Christmas would be just another day if it were not for Easter. In the days preceding Easter this year, I took time to once again contemplate the events of Holy Week. Since becoming a parent, it has always amazed me of the capacity of God to send his Son down to earth knowing the outcome; knowing that His Son would be the ultimate sacrifice for all of humankind, including myself. How could he do that, for me?
This year, those thoughts….God’s immense and unconditional love would lead to the results of Good Friday with the joyous revelations of Easter Sunday that not only had my sins have been paid but that I also would rise from the dead….lead me to put down these words….

Remember me

I still don’t know how you could love me

Through all I have put you through

How I have turned away from you

Remember me

How could you carry that cross for me

As I am so undeserving

How can you it be that you gave all for me

Remember me

I am the one who has not always returned your love

I have not put you first in my life

But yet you love me still, how can that be

Remember me

How can you love me so

After all of the suffering I have put you through

I can never begin to grasp it all

Remember me

And when we see each other face to face

Will you still tell me you love me

Will you still welcome me home

Will you still remember me?

To all.....have a Blessed and Joyous Easter!

WOW, it has been a long time since I last posted. I have thought about it; my mind just has not been able to put on paper what has been rattling around up there. There have been some ups and downs which I guess would be expected.

After 10 years of waiting, I have finally fulfilled a dream and have had the joy of seeing the Puffins off the Maine shore. The sight was even more spectacular than I had imagined; in part by the expedition I chose – Bold Coast Tours from Cutler, Maine. Captain Andy Patterson was one of two companies who go to Machias Seal Island. Along with cruising around the island, the weather allowed us to go ashore to see the birds up close. The waters around the island were filled with Puffins, Razorbills and other sea critters.

We spent a good hour or so in the bird blinds photographing and just watching and listening to the birds. I have no words for the wonderful sight and sounds other than I am hooked. I just hope it does not take me another 10 years to get back to see the birds in their majesty again…..

Yesterday was my son's birthday. I spent part of the day reflecting upon the day he was born. It was a record setting summer in Kansas that year. For June, July and August, the high temperatures were over 100 more often than not. There were a number of days when the high reached 105 or more. For those same months, the rainfall was limited to non-existent.

The day started out fairly warm. However the sky clouded up and by around noon it was threatening to rain. The threats were not empty and by the time my son was born, we were receiving a nice little rain storm. That rain storm broke the heat wave.

My son was born about 10 days early and without complications. He has been a joy throughout his life and has since grown into a wonderful young man that I am really proud of.

Returning Home

My son has been accepted to a Ph.D. program with one of the top colleges in his field of study. Being the supportive mother, or maybe more to the point, wanting to be there for my son; I helped him move from Emporia, Kansas to Miami, Florida. The move in itself was an experience; but that is another story.

After being gone for over a week, I returned home ready to enjoy a quiet day before heading back to work. I had hired a pet sitter to take care of Charlie and Joey. While I had hired a pet sitter in the past, the longest I had been gone was for five days. This was also the first time that I had been gone that long since Joey came to live with us.

I was expecting some indifference from both of the boys. After all in the past they have always given me that “cold shoulder” to shown their displeasure for being left alone. I also expected that Joey would be distant and distrustful again. To my surprise, neither Charlie nor Joey has left me alone since I have gotten home. The minute I sit down, one or the other wants to crawl into my lap. They both follow me from room to room. I don’t know if it is because they missed me, if it is because they didn’t like being alone for that long or what.

So a week has passed since I have returned home. Both still are my constant shadow. Ah, it is nice to be loved…or whatever it is called…

Pictures from Glenda

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Thoughts on Coming Back to Kansas

Yesterday I flew from Atlanta to Kansas City so I could attend my niece's wedding in southwest Kansas. As we were making the approach to the KC airport looking out the window and recognizing certain sites, I realized that I have not been back to KC in over a year.

As I headed west on I-70 toward Topeka, I was able to take in the sights with fresh eyes. Yes I have lived here for years, but since I had been away, it was new again.

Being late May, everything was green and lush. The rolling hills of eastern Kansas were so inviting. And yes, Kansas does have hills.....gentle rolling hills. Since Kansas is part of the great plains, there are not a lot of trees; more grass covered hills allowing you to see for miles.

The sky was a brilliant blue with maybe a few clouds, but mostly clear. Everything was wide open.

The hawks were circling high in the sky with their wings spread wide. Hanging there effortlessly just waiting for some little prey to attract their attention.

This morning, the sun was up bright and early before 6 am and it was a gorgeous 55 degrees outside. The sky was another bright blue cloudless morning. Everything was so calm and peaceful.

All of this so familiar and so welcoming.

Today, Tyler and I leave Emporia and head west toward Dodge City.

Memorial Day Thoughts

For most people, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. For me, the weekend has always been one of remembrance not only for those who serve our nation, but also of deceased family and friends. While they are gone, I still think of them. And even though some of them have been gone for years, I still can see them in my mind; I can still hear their voices; I still remember spending time with them.

The first person I remember losing that I loved was my Great Grandmother. She was 90 years old when she died, but was still a strong presence in all our lives. She came over with her family from Germany in the 1870's when she was 9 years old...obviously that was on the boat..... They came to southwest Kansas via railroad and homesteaded their farm. I cannot begin to phantom what that must have been like as 9 year old girl, speaking only German, to board a ship and spend the next few weeks on the ocean; to enter the Country through the big hall at Ellis Island already teaming with immigrants and all kinds of strange languages; and then to travel by train to an unknown land days away. What she must have thought as they got off the train and to begin a new life in a foreign land in so many ways. She died when I was 6 so I never really got the chance to learn about her trip and her experiences....only the lore past down.

While her death was the first one that I remembered, other family and friends are still alive in my mind:

• My mother's paternal grandparents....I remember going to see them every time we went to see her parents.
• My maternal grandparents.....I have so many wonderful memories of them.....too many to list here. I carry the honor of being named after my maternal grandfather....and it is a wonderful privilege.... One of my greatest joys was spending a couple weeks with them one summer. My grandmother was the person who started my letter writing spree way back in the day. We wrote each other somewhat regularly until she died. I realized after her death that those letters were probably more important to her than they were to me. Her death also ended my letter writing days.
  
• My paternal grandparents.....it was a joy to live next door to them. Their actions expressed so well how my siblings and I were so important in their lives. Whatever little trivial thing we were doing...in their mind it was the best thing since sliced bread. And even though I was awful, they loved to listen while I played the piano. I am so glad that my son had the privilege of knowing his great-grandfather, even if it were for just a few short years.
• Aunts and uncles, including great aunts and great uncles.....so many of them that I cannot begin to list them here.....but I remember them.
• Friends and classmates....each one special.
  

It was my paternal grandmother's death that made me realize how precious life is and how quickly those we love can leave us. It was her death that made me realize that we should never take for granted those people that we love. So to all those loved ones who are still in my life....both friends and family.....even though I don't tell you, I think of you every day and you are still important in my life.

Oh, and: Mom...Dad....I love you!

I have my desktop in the 2nd bedroom by the window. I have a small file cabinet and a chest (like hope chest, but it isn't) under the window next to the computer desk. The boys love to sit on both the file cabinet and chest. Or more to the point, lounge and/or sleep. They are cats after all and we all know cats spend a good deal of their day sleeping.....

There are some bushes and trees outside of the window and the birds flit in and out of the bushes and trees outside of the window.

Today both of the boys were sitting next to me; as normal. Joey started chirping like they do when they see a bird. I looked down to see if I could find the bird he was so engrossed with watching; but, it was a cut little bunny....only about half grown. Joey watched it intently until it hopped back under the bushes.

Shortly afterward it hopped back out and then Charlie found it and watched it with the tip of his tail flicking.

I sat there watching with boy of the boys for awhile wishing I could get a picture of little guy (or girl). I quietly went out into the breezway of my apartment and was able to get some.....

This evening, Charlie, the cat, and I were about to go out onto the balcony. As I looked out, and there was a little house wren flitting from one chair to another. As I watched, the bird went to the nest that they or another pair had used last year. It was so sweet to watch the little bird.

It was a beautiful day in December the day I took this picture. I had planned on taking a picture of what was left of the bridge in the background and accidently ended up getting this shot. I thought it was rather interesting view.

Google Search

I have always been told that a person should google themselves every so often, just to see what is out there.....and I have done that in the past. You would think with a name that I feel is uncommon that there wouldn't be a lot out there. Wrong!

I googled myself again today. Along with the 2 other Glenda Klein's out there, a couple of new ones popped up. Interesting.

Robin at my window

I had a pleasant surprise today. While working here in my office, a robin landed on the window sill. A big fat robin.

My office overlooks a quasi courtyard with a tree just outside my window. Last spring a pair of robins nested in the tree and the nest is still there. The robin flew from the window sill to the nest.

I know some people are not crazy about robins; but I always love to see the return of robins in the spring. It is like a promise renewed....that life continues....

Reflections on Winter in the SE

So here it is right smack dab in the middle of winter in the Southeast. My first winter here in the Southeast after moving here from the Midwest. Outside of my house last year at this time, I had 6 inches of snow.

I am used to snow and winter living most of my life in the Midwest with a very short stint in Denver. While there was not snow on the ground all winter long, there was generally enough snow to enjoy walking in it. There is something magical about a day right after a snow fall. It is it so quiet....all the sounds are muffled.....and there is a purity to a freshly fallen snow; covering all of the winter imperfections. Granted it isn't long before animal tracks cover the snow and the snow will take on a dingy hue. But for that brief magical moment, the snow cloaks the world in a beautiful cover.

Here in the Southeast, more specifically the greater Atlanta area, snow is a rarity. So rare, that I am told that even with a hint of possible snow, everyone runs to the store for milk and bread so they will not have to go out in the snow.

Even though I have yet to pull out my winter coat, I miss winter.