 Even if ... the healing doesn't come ... God is still God. And He is still good. He is still faithful. Trusting in Him thru all of this ... *We are leaving tomorrow for Houston. Appointments Wednesday and Thursday. Surgery Friday. I don't know how much I will be able to be here, updating. A precious brother to us, Bro. Buck, is going to help update my Facebook page. Please keep us lifted up to God's Throne of Grace and Mercy. Loving each one ... praying for you.
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Good morning!!! I LOVE COFFEE ... sigh ... :-) 
Found this card from my hubby ... makes me smile and feel cherished ... 
From my precious daughter ... written many years ago ... still a priceless treasure to me ... 
Absolutely no memory of what Joshua was talking about here :-) ... I don't remember any days that either of my children "ruined" ... I loved and LOVE my kids! :-) The treasure of my heart and soul! 
GRANDKIDS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 days to surgery ... and counting ... This has been "my" song for a long time, but never more so than now ... I know with every fiber of my being that God has all this ... He holds me ... HE is in absolute and total control ... But - I am scared. Cancer. Major surgery. I want so much to LIVE and not die. I want to love my husband for more years ... to be here for him. To be momma to my kids ... to laugh and to love and watch them live their lives. To adore my grandkids ... to spoil them rotten :-). To serve the Lord with all my heart and soul and body ... to honor Him in everything I do, with every breathe I take ... To be a friend ... I just want to LIVE and not die ... sigh. I am so scared ... But - I am trusting in JESUS. 
If all goes well with me at MDA this next week, and I am released the following week to come back to the house - then, Rick has a pre-op clearance on October 8th with Dr. Cutrell. And if he passes all of that, then surgery is scheduled for October 17th. ETMC in Tyler. We have been told to be there by 9:45 a.m. Surgery around noon. Should be about an hour to an hour and half. Recovery time. And then, as long as he does well, we will be back to the house that evening. Dr. Devinney told us that the block on Rick's shoulder will last about 15 hours. That should give him time to get over the anesthesia from surgery, and give us time to get his pain meds filled. Everyone that he has talked to that has had shoulder surgery, or rotator cuff surgery, has said that the worst part is the first few hours after the block wears off, and then several weeks later when they start physical therapy. We are praying for strength and healing. For God's grace and mercy! 
 4 days and counting down ... we are leaving for MDA on Tuesday. I have LOTS and LOTS to do before leaving ... knowing that not only are we going to be gone almost 2 weeks (at least), but that in coming back I will be on REST and not allowed to do much of anything for a while. Sigh. Course, I am supposed to be on REST now too. And yes, I am resting more than not ... but I still have to do some things. Thankfully, Rick is helping all he can, and so are his parents. :-) Will be going to Rick's cousin's house - Al & Christine's. They are so sweet and precious. More than family - they are friends! It's awesome when your family here is also your Christian brother and sister! :-) Wednesday I have an MRI scheduled ... Thursday is a meeting with the doctor, pre-op, blood work, genetic counseling. And then - Friday. Surgery. I know that God has all this in His hands, under His control. So I am not afraid ... but, I am scared. I am not sitting around wringing my hands in worry and fear. Fear is not consuming my every thought and dream. But, as a woman, a human - I am scared. I have cancer. And I am fixing to have major surgery. I do not like to be put to sleep. Going to sleep isn't the difficult part for me. The waking up is. I have always had a hard time - not with actually waking up, but my body usually reacts violently to the waking up. Major trauma. Sigh. So, I am praying for peace and quietness, that my body and mind will just be still and rest in the Lord's promises - before, during and after surgery! I don't know why I have cancer. The only thing I could have done to "maybe" prevent it? Not be overweight. But then, if I have to have chemo or radiation, I have a greater rate of survival because I am overweight. Sigh. I do believe that God has a purpose in this. Praying that He will find some good for us thru it all, and glory for Him. 
Our new "home" for the next several weeks ... :-) Rick has an older recliner - but the handle for the reclining is on the right side, down low. And due to his shoulder surgery coming up - right side - we realized he wouldn't be able to recline. But this will work - a small handle up higher on the LEFT side :-) for him. And now, I have a more comfortable place to sit as well :-). Better than just my porch rocker that I have been using for a while! :-) My only problem so far? I find it hard to stay awake once I sit down and get comfortable! LOL 
Rick bought me a MP3 player ... and I loaded about 100 songs into it yesterday. Thought it would be a good way to keep focused on worship as we go to the hospital. I can use it at night if I cannot sleep, and Rick can use it whenever. I still have more songs to load. I only wish that it was easier to "program". That we could just go straight to a playlist without having to skip thru so much. But, oh well ... We went to my sister's on Wednesday. Visited a while with her about our family. Trying to get the answers for the genetic counselor. Not a whole lot of quality information about our family that we can find so far. A lot of "stories" that have been passed down thru the years. But how many of those are true and right? KWIM? Not much documentation - at least so far. Which in dealing with all this has become a matter of importance to me. I am trying to document everything with us - so that if at any time in the future, our kids or grandkids or later generations need to know what happened, the info will be there, available to them. While at Wal-mart on Wednesday, we met "Kandi" - she is a precious lady. We have known her for several years. She hugged me, and I asked her if she was a praying lady. She said that she was, very much so. I then asked her to add us to her prayer lists, please. She wanted to know what was going on, so while we were being checked out, we told her. She grabbed our hands and standing there, she prayed. She preached! :-) The lady that was checking us out stopped and prayed too. It was AWESOME!!! :-) We felt lifted to the throne of God, and knew His angels were surrounding us. "Where 2 or 3 are gathered in My Name, there I am in the midst of them." I don't think we have ever felt that more than we did on Wednesday afternoon standing in the checkout line at Wal-mart in Sulphur Springs! :-) We love "Kandi" even more!!! She was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not ashamed at the power of prayer! Oh, if we as Christians would just take that step forward in faith and courage! Not be so concerned with where we are, or what others think! Lord, make me more like that! Full of courage and grace and dignity and faith! 
Talked with ETMC yesterday. Rick's shoulder/rotator cuff surgery is scheduled for October 17. With pre-op clearance and certification on October 8. He will have to be at Dr. Cutrell's office on the 8th - EKG, full physical, blood work, chest x-rays, and a patient history. Please pray that all is good. No problems, no complications. Cleared, certified. Surgery as scheduled. I never realized how hard it is to have a conversation without talking about health issues. Our health is at the forefront of our lives, so it is at the forefront of my thoughts, and my mouth. And to try and think around it, or talk around it - without mentioning it. Exhausting!!! I realize our need for escape tho. We both get tired and weary of it all. We can't escape physically from any of it - but given all the right combinations, we can escape from it for moments at a time emotionally and mentally, and conversationally. It's just not easy. We watched The Green Mile again last night. Such an excellent movie! I have never been a Stephen King fan - until that movie, that book. Love them both! Trying to decide if we want to get TV service or not. We haven't had TV service in over 5 years, except for a short time when we lived in Hico, TX - and then, it was just an antenna with the local channels available. Living on the road more than living at the house - we just haven't been able to justify the expense of having TV service here. So, the times we are in, we just rent some movies. Only thing now - after 2 months of being "in" ... we have watched all of our movies over and over ... and we have watched a LOT of what the movie store has that we want to see! We can't go much ... and we can't do much. So, we watch a lot of movies. Thinking more seriously about TV service! Sigh. At least it would be something different to watch, and fewer trips to the movie store. Which once we have our surgeries, the trips will be fewer for both of us - at least for a while. After much thought and prayer, arguments and excuses ... I am writing a book. It is a story of our life ... My concern is not whether it will sell or not. If it does then it will be to God's honor and glory. And if it doesn't, then it will be to God's honor and glory. Either way, I will praise Him and trust Him. My concern is that it will honor my Heavenly Father. I do not want to say anything that will bring shame or dishonor to Him. And I don't want to do something, and then ask God to bless it. No! I want to get in on what God is already blessing! Which is why I have waited and thought and prayed and argued and reasoned with all of this for so long. But after so many times of "the mouth of 2 witnesses" ... like Rick said the other day, "Honey? Just how many "2 witnesses" do you need?" Sigh. So, I am trying to gather everything together, make sure it reads with some kind of sense, and write a book! I certainly have time - considering I am on "house rest" ... sigh. LOL I am looking for a robe. Rick bought me a couple of pretty cotton gowns for the hospital. But I need a robe. Looking for either a cotton or satin, preferably floor length, and would like to have a large one ... I could wear like a 1 or 2X - but due to the surgery and soreness, I am leaning more towards a 4X or even a 5X. Something that will give good coverage, but be loose enough to not pull against the tummy. I found one online, but it isn't as long as I would like ... and it says it will be delivered in 2-3 weeks. I don't have that long to wait. Surgery is scheduled for 10 days from now. Not going to wear house-shoes in the hospital. I have opted for socks. And NEON ones at that! LOL I told my sister that I have neon yellow, neon green, neon pink, neon purple, neon blue ... she asked why on earth neon anything? LOL I said that I wanted to be remembered at the hospital! And I wanted others to see me coming! She said that being remembered will NOT be a problem! LOL Well, morning beckons ... and coffee needs to be made ... 
While we wait ... Watching movies ... some are good - The Light Keepers. Excellent movie! Some aren't so good ... OMW! What some say and show! We have stopped at least 2 movies in the last few days less than 30 minutes into because of language and scenes. OMW!!! Some things just are TOO much!!! Phone calls ... visiting with Rick's parents ... Chris, Mandy and the kids came down for a visit. Mandy and I laughed over pictures. Jimmy has been helping Rick some with a couple of things that needed done in the house - things that it takes more than one hand to do. Mary Lou has been a big help to me. She has washed dishes, swept the floors, even done some laundry for me. (I can't be up too much, or do too much - it just makes the bleeding worse. And this close to surgery, Dr doesn't want me to bleed out. So -- rest ... or trying to.) It isn't easy for either Rick or me to ask for help, or to allow someone to do so much for us. But at this point in our lives - we don't have much choice. And for the next few weeks/months we will have even less choice. Sigh. Rick got us a couch. It only has 2 seats, but both are a recliner - with a console in between. We needed something that we could sleep on. After my surgery I will be more comfortable in an upright position, and Dr. Devinney has already told Rick that he will need to sleep in a recliner for 4-6 weeks after his surgery. So, we are trying to make the living room more of a LIVING room! We left the frame of the swing up, and just put the couch under it. Thought we could both use the frame to pull on to help us up, because with both of us down we won't be able to pull on each other. I made chicken and dumplings on Friday. Yum ... yum ... yum! Comfort food!!! This time I added peas and carrots, and cilantro. OMW!!! They were good! Going thru pictures - trying to decide which ones I want to scan to the computer and upload to Facebook and the website. Also which ones I want to upload to Wal-mart for prints. The kids have been picking some out, too. It's been bittersweet looking back thru all these years. We have laughed and we have cried. So much to be thankful for. I am looking forward to sharing some of these precious memories here. I am also trying to get my stuff in order to take with us to the hospital. That is a long ways away - no running home for something that we might have forgotten. And trying to get everything settled and ready for the healing time to come. Dr. Michael said to expect at least 8 weeks down, more likely 12 - and possibly a little longer. Thinking ahead and past this moment ... 
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to blog the last few days. I am on the 5G plan with Verizon (MiFi card). This is the first month that we have used it. I have had to be extremely careful with the using of the Internet - can't afford the overages. Sigh. I guess I used it because of all the research, and paperwork. No games on line ... no movies or TV on line ... this has been a month of WORK! Sigh. Anyway ... month rolled over on the 19th - so I am BAAAAAAACK!!! Well, at least for a few days! LOL September 10 -- Rick drove us to Houston - it was a pleasant trip. We enjoyed getting out of the house and seeing a different road. Course, we had been in the house - or back and forth to Sulphur Springs only - since July 25! That is a lifetime to a trucker! LOL We got to Al & Christine's that afternoon around 6 or so. I am so thankful for their love and care of us! Yes, they are family - but they are more ... they are friends! :-) A beautiful home. Precious time spent around the table. Conversations, laughter, sharing. They made a difficult and stressful time so much less difficult and stressful. They even helped with traffic conditions and how to get to MDA the easiest and quickest way. We thank God for them every moment! Went to MDA on 9/11. OMW!!! What a place! Never seen anything like that! (They are probably saying the same thing about me now! ROFL!) Valet parking ... cool. (Remember we were the Beverly Hillbillies going to the Big City! LOL) Out of the car, and into the door. :-) Nice and helpful staff - even if the security guard did laugh at me because I was overwhelmed with the size of it all! LOL Found our way to the 6th floor - after 2 elevator rides ... Check in ... wait ... watch the fish ... Registration as a patient with MDA. That was surreal to me. To see MY name and MY birthday on all these papers and forms. To be signing my name as a PATIENT. Just surreal in every way. Wait ... Not an unpleasant waiting tho. The office is big with comfortable seating - recliners and couches and rockers and chairs. Fish tanks ... puzzle tables ... books and magazines ... ice and drinks ... tables and chairs to sit at ... Felt more like a "home" than a doctor's office. Meet with nurses ... then with intern ... finally with Dr. Michael Frumovitz. All of them were very nice and kind. And although I had to lose my privacy (pelvic exams) - they made sure I did not have to lose my dignity. Which I greatly appreciate from them! I cannot say Dr. Michael's last name ... my redneck/hillbilly" tongue just doesn't want to do that! LOL - So, he is "Dr. Michael" to me. :-) I really like him. He is serious and professional, but with the ability to make us feel comfortable and to laugh - even in the face of cancer. I told him what I want from all this --- (1) to be cancer free when all this is done ... (2) to help not only myself, but anyone else along the way. So whatever he can do with me in research - do it. (3) to wear my brand-new pair of white panties with no worries! LOL He just looked at me on #3! LOL Priceless! (Told you that they didn't know what to think of me!) I think he came in prepared to press his point of how important and vital a hysterectomy is to me right now ... but I stole his thunder! LOL I asked him for a total hysterectomy! Told him that it was not a threat to my womanhood. This is - but not a hysterectomy! Told him to get it done, get me well - and I would show everybody what being a woman was all about! LOL I also told him that I was not going to take hormones after surgery - that they could feed me chocolate and give me coffee to drink! Then everybody could just deal with my hormones (or lack of)!!! ROFL More than once he cut his eyes over to me, dropped and shook his head! ROFL!!! We talked about the research part of it all ... and I agreed, signing papers, that they could have my "junk" after they were finished with it for me. I don't want it back! Also, the MRI I am having on the 9/26 will be not only for me, but to be used in research to hopefully help in the discovery and treatment of uterine cancer. I also am to meet with the genetic researcher on the 9/27 - beginning with me and working backwards into our family. Trying to see if there is a "reason" for me having uterine cancer. Whatever can help me ... or my daughter ... or my granddaughters ... or any other woman! Whatever can bring about the end of so much fear and trauma at being told that she has uterine cancer. And surely there must be a better way to test for uterine cancer than having to endure a DNC! Finished up @ MDA with blood work and a chest x-ray. Dr. Michael said that if the uterine cancer leaves the uterus, the first place it goes is into the lungs. He wanted to see if anything shows up now, and to use it as a baseline for the times to come. Scheduling set the appointments for the last week of September. With surgery being on the 28th. I think the realization of having cancer is settling in. It doesn't feel as surreal as it did. But I am still scared. Thankful that God is bigger than all my fears!!! 
Rick is doing ok. He is having a lot of pain. And trying to find the right combination of everything to help manage that pain gets to be frustrating and discouraging at times. Trial and error ... sigh.
We are waiting on scheduling from Dr. Devinney's office to set the surgery day/time for his rotator cuff and shoulder repair. Rick is trying to gently use the shoulder to keep it from "freezing" - but having to work thru the pain and discomfort gets tiring. He wears a sling when he goes out in public mainly to help (1) with reminding others that he has a problem with that shoulder, so don't grab it or slap it; and (2) to remind himself that he has a problem with that shoulder, so don't do too much with it. His blood pressure has been running better - lower at the doctor's offices than what we expected. Usually it runs higher there than at home, result of "white coat syndrome". Still just taking 100 mg of Hydrolazine twice a day for high blood pressure. His blood sugar has been higher than what Dr. Arneke wants, not wanting it higher than 150. Probably due to eating (not always the right foods, or right amounts, or right timings ... sigh) and not much exercise. Plus stress plays a larger part in blood sugar numbers than what most realize. Dr. Tobin told him that it was ok to walk, but not to be doing any resistance exercises. He said that when the muscles start building up then toxins are released into the body - matter of course. But with Rick's kidneys being at a decreased level of function for flushing out the toxins - he doesn't need more toxins to deal with. Balance ... moderation. Not an "all or nothing". He has aches and pains associated with the diabetes, and with the toxins in his body. We know this, and are trying to understand the workings of the body. His next appointment with Dr. Tobin is October 29 ... and with Dr. Arneke that afternoon. Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers. I have had my first appointment with MD Anderson. My doctor is Michael Frumovitz ... I have a hard time saying his last name - so, he is "Dr. Michael" to me :-) ... We like him a lot. He is a good balance of being serious, but making us laugh. Looking forward to having him as my doctor. Appointment was September 11, 2012 ... I had 2 pelvic exams - one by the intern, and one by Dr. Michael. Blood work was done. Chest x-rays were taken. Dr. Michael said that if uterine cancer spreads beyond the uterus, the first place it goes is to the lungs. Said he didn't think that had happened yet, but he wanted a picture to see, and to use as future reference. Next appointments ... September 26 - 1:15 p.m. MRI September 27 - 8 a.m. - Visit with Dr. Michael, pre-op. Blood work. Meet with genetic researcher. September 28 - surgery. Total hysterectomy including removing the tubes and ovaries. I will be a "crone" when I wake up! :-) Yes!!! Color me HAPPY!!! LOL ...the only question at this point on the surgery? Will they take the lymph nodes out as well. Dr. Michael said that during surgery, while I am asleep and open, they will send a section of the uterus to pathology. If path comes back with 50% or less invasive cancer to the uterine wall, then the surgery will be over. If path comes back with 50% or more invasive cancer to the uterine wall, then he will remove the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. We wait ... we pray. Dr. Michael also said that I will be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days (at least) after surgery. Because this is a more major type of hysterectomy. Not only is it a cancer hysterectomy, but he has to go thru my belly - full opened. He said that my uterus is enlarged, and I have more than one fibroid tumor about the size of a large orange. And while he is in there, he said he would take a look for scar tissue from when I had my appendix out in the 6th grade. Pray for me please. 
 Forgive me if this is a long post ... there is a storm of thoughts and emotions today. Rick met with the orthopedic specialist on Wednesday. He has a complete tear in the rotator cuff. Will require surgery, in about 4-5 weeks. Then 6 weeks in a sling before starting rehab. Dr said to expect about 4 months before returning to work. Wow ... many thoughts and prayers to deal with that! Sigh. I had blood work Wednesday afternoon. Total blood count was at 6.9. Dr. Tris said for me to go to the hospital on Thursday morning and have 2 units of blood. So, we did. I am SO thankful for the nurses in Day Surgery at HCMH - Becky and Patricia. They are the absolute BEST of the BEST!!! :-) I love you ladies SO MUCH!!! Precious, precious angels of the Lord!!! And then ... After many days & weeks of waiting and paperwork and praying and worrying and phone calls - I got the call from MD Anderson on Friday. I have been accepted and approved for 100% care!!! We knew that we had been wound up over it all ... but when that phone call came, the relief hit like a flood! I collapsed in tears!!! Had it not been for the wall, and for my husband's arms around me I would have fallen in the floor! I cried and cried and cried! (Truth be known, I am still crying!!! sigh.) Friday was spent making phone calls, sending texts, answering phone calls, making lists, getting ready to get ready! Many tears of joy. Many praises to the Father! Yesterday was spent kinda "wandering" thru the day. A load of laundry done. A batch of cookies baked. Movies watched (not one really worth the time it took to watch it, can't even remember the names of them ...). Sat outside for a little while enjoying the cool fall weather. Feeling in a very surreal world ... sigh. Today - must be spent getting everything done and ready to go, as well as ready to leave. My first appointment is Tuesday at 10 a.m. I have been told to come prepared for at least a week ... and that the first 3-5 days will be evaluation and consultations. Then the decision of what to do, and when. We will be staying some at Rick's cousin's house - Al and Christine. They live in Sugar Land, and have graciously said that we could use their spare bedroom. :-) 
I have cancer. I wasn't supposed to get cancer. That is what someone else gets. What I was supposed to do was be the one that helps take care of others. Pray for others. Tie the knots in the prayer quilts. Send the notes of encouragement. Make the phone calls. Do the research. For others. Not for myself. How much I cling to the promises and words in Psalm 35:1-10!!! Praying that God will arise and fight back this enemy for me. I have never known fear like I know it now. It is a constant presence in my heart and soul, in my thoughts. But there is a greater Presence. The sweet and abiding Presence of the Lord. And greater is HE than any other thought or fear or worry or care. 
I do not want to die. I want to LIVE. Our prayer is that somehow God will work in all of this to make me to LIVE and not die. And that He will find a way to use me, use us, to help someone else to LIVE and not die as well. Cancer is such a word of fear. I pray that God will find a way to use me to help take the fear from that word. You know, a hundred years ago (or less) the word "Influenza" was a sentence of death in most cases. But thru research and the efforts of many - it isn't so scary to hear that you have the "flu". Still not pleasant or easy. But a lot more treatable and liveable than what it ever has been. So, if God can find the way to use me, use this body, this cancer within me - and help to remove the fear of cancer from me, from my husband, from my children and my grandchildren, from all ... then, here I am. But ... I am still scared. And God is still God. Greater is HE. 
After days and weeks of forms and applications and faxes ... I got the call from MD Anderson yesterday morning -- I have been approved for 100% financial aid for care there!!! :-) Waited a couple of hours for the appointment phone call -- Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @ 10 a.m. !!! Not a long wait after all this wait! :-) I will be updating here and on Facebook as much as I can ... Bro. Buck said he would be helping me on Facebook (THANK YOU!!!) ... The first 3-5 days will be pre-evaluation days ... tests, imaging, meetings. Then we will meet with the oncologist after everything and discuss the best course of treatment. So many things are going thru my head and heart right now!!! Praying for Jesus - the Prince of Peace to walk with me every step ... and I know He will. He promised. :-) 
Rick saw the ortho yesterday. Yes, complete tear - about 2 cm long. Surgery is required to fix it. Dr said that he could give a shot of steriod to reduce the inflammation, and a shot of cortisone - but it would only be a patch. Said at Rick's age - it needs to be fixed. A small cut and a couple of holes - general anesthesia and an arm/shoulder block. Will trim some of the arthritis off the joint, cut away a bone spur, move a bicep, may have to repair a tendon, and fix the rotator cuff tear. About an hour to hour and half surgery. In that morning, out that afternoon. In Tyler @ ETMC. Will be in about 4-5 weeks. Need to get it approved with worker's comp. So, we are praying that they will just allow it. No problems, no complications. After surgery - about 6 weeks in a sling. Then begin physical therapy. Will not begin strength rebuilding until the 12th week. Dr said we are looking at about 4 months after surgery to return to work and up to a year for total healing to take place. Dr asked him if he has a recliner - Rick said, Yes. Dr said, "Well, get it ready! Cause I don't want you sleeping in the bed for a while after surgery." Good thing that Rick already sleeps in the recliner (even if he does deny it! LOL) ... After the last 5 days of intense and extreme bleeding, and talking with Linda @ Dr. Tris' office - they decided to send me for a CBC yesterday. Total blood count is at 6.9. Critically anemic. I am going to the hospital this morning for 2 units of blood. I did see Dr. Tris for a minute yesterday. He said that he wasn't going to wait too much longer on MDA for the hysterectomy. He told me that he was trained to do this kind of hysterectomy 40 years ago, but that the world of research has made many improvements and advancements in this type of surgery during these 40 years. Which is why he would prefer that a gyno-oncologist do the surgery. But it would be better for him to do the surgery and get it out, then for me to see a specialist afterwards - than to leave it all in too long. (I AGREE!!!) So, we continue to wait ... and to pray ... 
 Received this from a friend,passing it along! :) What a great analogy of life!!!!! The Mayonnaise Jar When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed... 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.' The golf balls are the important things - God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Visit with your Aunts and Uncles. Take your spouse out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The soda pop just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend. :-D Share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID! 
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So why "Scattered Feathers" ? ? ?You can read it here 
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Website designed & developed by Margaret McCoy
God is God over the storms in my life & world -
and I am His. Trusting in Him. Holding to His Promises as He holds me. Learning to laugh, to love, & to live ... again - without Rick, but with God Life goes on ... even when we don't want it to. Great grief is indicative of a great Love. Rick, my Sweetheart. Margaret, his Beloved. Always & Forever. |
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