Wow, all those appointments that Jess has coming up, and they’re not just going to be giving him a pedicure or a simple massage! After watching the adventure that Jess and Lili have been going through it’s easy to see now how a person’s life can be changed in an instant.
This morning I read the CNN question of the day. The question was “Is there anything that you wish that you could relive from your high school days?” The question was from an article about two football teams that had played to a tie in 1993. At the time the rules stated that when regulation time was over the game was over. The teams are now getting a chance to replay their history and relive their glory days. Now would be an opportunity for one to actually claim bragging rights and not just "kiss their sister." Evidently this is a phrase used when teams play to a tie with no clear winner. This opportunity to experience the past has led some to do things that they have had difficulty with; losing weight, fitness, and reviving relationships. There was something about the story that was compelling to me. It was, for these players, a chance to step back in time, to reclaim the youth that they once were, a time to relive what once was. I didn’t vote, but was amazed at the number of people that said ‘yes’ to the question, 55%. This says to me that many people have things in their past that they wish they could relive, change, or otherwise manipulate. I don’t see this as a bad thing, but rather a wake-up call to myself to not look forward to tomorrow so much that I don’t enjoy today.
Last week was bUSY with a capital B. May 4 is the start of the state testing, so I’m trying to figure out what holes my students have in Language Arts, Math, and Science and address their needs as best as possible. Monday I didn’t get home until 8:00 at night. Wednesday night not until 8:00. Thursday night Sandi and I got her room ready for a Renaissance Festival that she put on Friday. Friday I took a group of students on a hike after school complete with roasting hotdogs on the river bank and got home at 6:00, but we did get to watch Gonzo until 11:00. See, there is a God. Weekends are too short, and weeks are too long.
Today, Saturday, we went on a short bushwhacking foray on a trail that I had been on only once. We only walked about an hour, but walked until we ran out of trail. It could have been worse though, we were in the redwoods. The wind has been blowing so hard here I’ve lost the rosy tinge that I had on my cheeks after we came back from Phoenix, and my hair is slipping down my back.
Jim
13 comments:
You know, I have thought of this before. and they say that hindsight is better than foresight, I would not want to relive the past, I would like to redo the past.
in the 70s it was popular to follow the crowd and not be the outsider, now known as nerds. would i do anything different? unfortunately not. we live and our lives are directed by experience and those experiences are what make us who we are.
we can look back and see where we made mistakes. but those mistakes are only recognized by the results.
the same goes for accomplishments. There are alot of things that i wish i could of done different, but who knows those may have led to a different ending either negative or positive.
just my thoughts on that.
sounds like you had a busy week. but it ended on a good note with Ganzo
Dick, I like the flavor you put on this discussion that Jim brought up. The article that Jim referenced sounded like it was more in line with, "I cudda bin sombuddy, I cudda bin a contender". In my mind, all such "accomplishments" are the same as kissing your sister. My belief is, there is no real accomplishment, unless it involves helping people and relationships; and the best accomplishment is to find connection with the ONE that matters most. If ultimately that has happened, than looking back, the journey was well worth the struggle.
Just got the call a couple hours ago that our daughter-inlaw died this morning. It's sad when someone so young dies, she was 27. But now she is not in pain any more and she is right with The Lord. In a way it is good that she was not close to her kids and that her and Zack did not have a close marriage. They were apart most of the marriage and on the verge of a divorce when she got sick. Zack did the right thing and stayed with her. I'm am glad she was able to make it right with those that she hurt.
It's a lesson in life to see what we are going to leave behind with those who's lives we touch. Will it be one were we touch people in a positive way and will be missed or a life that the memories we leave behind be those that those we touched see a better life for some because we are gone and now they can get on with life instead of being hurt by the things we say and do. It is a sad truth that no one wants to admit. Some people have many opportunities to change and do for awhile but then revert back to their old ways every time after they have gained the trust of those close to them. This is the life Zack has lived all the time he and Chasity were together.
I know this sounds caulous on my part, I am one Chasity didn't like and I am sorry to have seen her suffer, but sadder to see how Zack and the 2 kids suffered because she did not know how to be a mother or a wife.
We so often say we don't care what others think of us and to a point I guess we shouldn't, but on the other hand we really should, we are a relection of Jesus and I want to leave this world knowing I did my best to love and forgive those that did me wrong and that those I did wrong have forgiven me.
I do care what people think, maybe to much.
And no Jimbo, I am no godess and don't try to be. I have a hard enough time being Christ like.
Bonnie
Bonnie and Rick,
I am Hugging you right now.
Bonnie; what a terribly difficult situation all around. You don't sound callous to me, just reasonable and realistic. I can't even count how many couples I've seen split, because one of them, was looking out for #1, and "I need to fulfill my dreams", or , "I need to be free to be myself". When all the while they are slaves to their passions. What a wonderfully merciful God we have: He even takes us back, even if we seek him with our last breath! I admire people like Zach, he comes from good stock.
Dear Bonnie & Rick
I do care what others think of me, but also if is hurtful, they don't know me, as I care for all.
It is sad when one hurts others, I am greatful that Zackcsn now move on. My heart goes out to him and the children.
I look forward to seeing God work forming, with your family and I look forward to life forming in all of our lives. You know what I mean, as I see it clearing here, God is so special and I see Him working here.
Now it is a new step, as with my purse and all taken, Jess and his damage, I am closing the old doors, having to get new ID, to the new future plans.
Doors closing and the new life opening.....
I have heard it said that when one door closes, another one opens. Also that God will not give us more than we can handle. That one I wonder about at times, especially when I don't have the strength or the mind to carry on. I send my prayers to you both and to Zack and the kids. I don't recall ever meeting them but I am sure that this has had to have been a real struggle for them all. May they all be Blessed with Peace.
My Love to All. Illa
Bonnie and Rick,
Our condolences to the two of you, Zack, and the two children. Zack has displayed some admirable character traits in a very difficult situation.
Jim
Regarding the high school glory days bit... Long live the nerds, for they/we make the world go round and make the interesting things. No fun to follow the crowd. I was a nerd... my best friends were nerds. My best friends now in adult life aren't so "ordinary" or "normal" and have lots of interesting stories to tell because they didn't follow the crowd.
Jesus didn't follow the crowd either, he just did the right thing and was himself.
Regarding to hearing about the recent family loss, I'm sorry about that... I hope that Zack and his kids will get through this time alright. I know it's not easy...
As for things that I might do different in my younger years, besides not letting myself get forced into having an abortion which I still have nightmares about, I wish I had been a better bigger sistr to Lili, Lisi, Suzy and Dick, especially Dick since he lived with me. I should have been more concerned about what was happening in their lives than my own selfish concerns. I will always regret not being there for them when they needed me most. I thank God everyday for the honor of being their sis and for their love in spite of the past. I am not a good communicator but I love each and everyone of you more than you will ever know and I thank you for blessing me with every niece and nephew and on down the line the special gift in my life. I am so happy to have Teresa and Lueria post so often, it's such a great feeling when any of our kids take the time to communicate because it says they care and that they know we care about their lives.
What a glorious day when we are all together and there will be no more sickness and death and we will be in perfect health and have all the time in the world to enjoy life as
God meant for us under His rightous rulership. That day I believe is sooner than we think. All the pain and struggles in this life are worth it when we know we have that to look forward to.
I've always liked the quote, "Love, and do what you will." I believe that we will all be judged not on what others thought of us, and not on what we thought of others, but on the love we gave freely, fully and without thought of how it would be perceived or how it would advance us.
If I could relive/redo my high school years, I would not have done anything differently. Everything I did then got me ready for now. Poor little football player. Hope he figures it out before he dies.
Bonnie, you don't sound callous. No one knows fully the impact that we make, or the depth of feeling that are behind our words and actions. You speak from the depth of your experience. We can only respect your actions. You were there, we weren't.
is that a red pony tail that jim is sporting?
He is such a cute little guy. You are teaching him early to be a ham. But then maybe it just comes naturally.
Love Illa
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