Appreciating Life



Amgel pushing Dan out the door for a walk!





Dogs taking owners for a daily boat ride! 

 There is a particularly beautiful tree in a neighbor’s yard that Angel and I have been enjoying the last few weeks.  It's golden leaves with the backdrop of the sun seem to light up the entire street.  Each time we pass I make a mental note to take a photo to share.  I. Want. A. Tree. Like. That!

I finally remembered to take my camera along on one of our morning walks. Much to my disappointment the tree had shed most of its leaves.  The yard was deep with the colorful leaves leaving the tree looking mostly like a snaggle-toothed pumpkin. Yet another life lesson-never put off for tomorrow what is needed today.

We turned our attention back to boat shopping today.  There is a boat that caught our attention.  We both like it immediately.  It is moored at the “ritzy” pier.  She looks very much out of place among all of the larger more expensive ones surrounding her. 



Dan in his thinking pose!



As much as we would like to make her home ours, we are having some difficulties.  We have met with the owner.  He has as he says, “Grown old here in the Village.”  Apparently he has not used the boat in a long while.  It took a while for him to find the key and how to find his way to the pier. He asked us today to give him another week to remember and locate where he has stored the trailer. 

We don’t mind the waiting.  The gent and his boat have found a place in our hearts.  They, like the golden tree has shown brightly during their time in the sun. It is a reminder for us to appreciate, embrace every day and to live to the fullest.  The leaves on our trees of live are beginning to fade as well.  But as long as we have one or two on the branch, we intend to strut and flutter them as best we can!

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 22:1-3 (NIV)

Legacy

We continue to enjoy our little village. The villagers are amazingly warm, smart, and friendly with loads of humor and compassion. One new friend described them as “greatly accomplished” folks. I think that is a perfect description.



Grass does not grow under feet here. Folks are always on the move. They are active socially with golf, cards, water sports and such. Even more so they are active in serving others. As we have said before, they don’t ask to be your friend, they insist upon it. They do an exceptional job with that. No doubt they have been honing that skill for a while. Sometimes it is almost overwhelming.



Recently I attended an AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) conference in Branson. Work it was! There was very little down time. I was blessed to travel with an exceptional group of dedicated co-workers. The workshops were held by individuals well respected and highly distinguished in their fields. One valuable reminder I brought home came from a breakfast shared with the leaders of the newly formed Post Abortion/Sexual Abuse Trauma division.

As I sat among this group of doctors, authors and lawyers, I made the statement I often felt too ill equipped.. Without a beat, they all agreed, “We are there everyday of our lives.” Regardless of what station in life, we have those inner personal demons to contend with.  Only through and for the Grace of God is anything of lasting value.

Our worship service today was on legacy. Reference was made to the woman that bathed the feet of Jesus with expensive oil and wiped them with her hair. Though only Jesus understood, this solitary act not the years of failed living, became her legacy. Why? To quote the words of the pastor: “It is not what she did; it was who she did it for!”

During the week I have been working, like the crazy person I am, on the playhouse. This week was spent repainting the red porch white. Once again, as much as I hate to admit it, Dan was right. It makes all of the difference in the world. Maybe before the end of next week, the outside will be done. Maybe!



The weekends, are for play. We took advantage of two beautiful days to take long leisure walks. We are excited to see the leaves changing. Hopes are still high the colors will be beautiful again this fall inspite of the drought.. One of our walks was along the golf course. We soon decided perhaps we should wear safety hats next time. The call of “fore” has taken on a new meaning.



After church today we walked through the neighborhood with Angel in tow. Not everyone in the village are senior citizens. We were immediately greeted by the two cute little kids next door. “Hey, you live up there don’t you?” Yes, we do in deed. Our house overlooks their house so to them we live in a tree house. Appropriate. These two innocent ones further brightened our day.



We asked them what their favorite treat was. In unison they replied, “Chocolate! Who doesn’t like chocolate?” In answer of what kind, they said; “Black of course.” Oh to live with the sincere directness and simplicity of a child!



“I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Matthew 26:13