PEACEFULNESS

I have often wondered how any of us in this frantic world in which we live could have moments of real peace.  The need for peace is so important to our wellbeing.  Of course it is terribly needed all over this world.  Personally, I believe there are things we can do to help us and bring that wonderful feeling of peace to our spirit.  I am thinking of a cold winter’s day, lots of blowing snow outside and we are sitting before a bright fire in our fireplace.  We have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and we are reading a new novel that is so interesting we don’t want to put that book down.  There is another time when we are taking a walk on a perfect sunshiny day with a cool breeze blowing.  We are quiet and we hear the sounds of nature that surrounds us.  We decide to drive to the beach so we bring our chair and settle down to watch the sea gulls flitting here and there and then landing on the soft sand to beg for food.  There are sail boats far out on the lake and we watch as they seem to be floating aimlessly to nowhere.  We stay to watch the sunset with its pinks and red streaks across the sky and the light of day dims. We listen to our favorite music and find ourselves dancing around the living room.  Sometimes we find ourselves alone and we take time to say a prayer in that quiet moment.  Each person may think of their own way to allow themselves the time to enjoy some peace.  These things, in one way or another, are a way to bring peace into our hearts and we are strengthened with that peace for days to come.

FINDING A HOME IN A NEW COUNTRY

Our history tells the story of times gone by,

When ancestors came to this country to start a new life.

They travelled from many nations

And the problems they faced were many.

They searched and found their home and I was at first sight

To farm this rich land no matter the strife.

They toiled day after day and planted their crops,

They still found time at the end of day to share

Their stories with friends they had made but soon had to stop

Because so thankful were they that all shed a tear.

We are here today because of their love of the land

And we remember them each day for their long days of work

In this new time, we are grateful and think how they planned

And came to live in this beautiful land

 

SUDDENLY A CAR ACCIDENT

Two years ago, 3 days after my birthday, I was driving the speed limit on one of our more rural highways when someone pulled out of a driveway and, apparently, didn’t look.  I swerved to avoid hitting that car but instead I hit a parked car.  It was a moment of panic. I remember screaming “no ,no,  this can’t be happening”.  I thought my husband is going to be so upset with me because the car is coming apart as I watched.  What would my family go through if I should die in that car.  I started to cry and sob and didn’t know what would happen to me. That driver never stopped but kept on going.  I saw the front of my car rolling up toward my windshield.

The windshield didn’t break but it cracked and sent shards of glass into my arm which then was bleeding.  The air bag had exploded and hit my chest like a brick with powdery substance everywhere.  I couldn’t believe what had happened.  I then noticed a car pull up and stop across the road.  A man, who looked like Santa Claus, walked to my car and stared in the driver’s side window at me. He stayed there a few minutes and then went to the front of the car and also stared at me for some minutes.  Then he walked to the passenger side and did the same thing but he never said a word.  When I looked again, he had disappeared.  My belief is that he was an angel who had come to me to help me should I die.  The sheriff tried to find him for several days and there was no record of him anywhere.  I believe I was saved to continue my life for a reason. It could be to become a better person or to accomplish something good that might help others and to strengthen my faith.  I did wind up in the hospital for four days with six fractured ribs.  I am fine now and am very grateful for the blessing of life which was given to me.

People were starting to come to see what had happened.   A mother and daughter came to the car (it was the daughter’s car that I hit and sent about 15 feet down into a tree).  There was trouble getting my doors open but when the fire truck arrived, they were able to open them.  Then the mother and daughter slid into my car and put their arms around me to comfort me.  I cried so hard and told them how sorry I was.  They were the most charitable people and told me I was more important than that car.  The car could be repaired and a miracle had taken place that I was still alive.  They stayed with me until the ambulance came.  I will never forget their kindness to me in such a frightening time.

 

A TIME TO REMEMBER

Oh, the long lost 50’s

There was Elvis, poodle skirts,

Dance hops after the high school football games

Boy friends giving you their rings to wear and

Listening to the juke box at the soda fountain.

Beach parties, sleep overs at girl friends.

Dancing the GI and learning how to square dance.

Peasant blouses and full circle skirts.

Boys driving their jalopies and rolling their

Pack of cigarettes up under their T-shirts.

Listening to the great harmony of the

3 and 4 group singers and some of

The songs were so romantic.

Yes, it was romantic dancing in the dim

Ballroom with the twirling starry ball above

So many memories of that lost time

And it was a wonderful time.