Uncle Jim’s Eulogy

“Uncle Jim” was the nickname we used for my mom’s friend who was like a father to me.  Uncle Jim was family to us.  He was the closest thing my daughters had to a grandfather, as my father and father-in-law had already passed on. My girls and I loved visiting him and enjoying his property.  We played in the creek, caught fish and frogs and butterflies and bugs. One magical moment with the girls was seeing thousands of fireflies flickering in the valley at night.  An amazing sight if you have never seen it before.

I loved riding the ATV clearing the trails with the chainsaw, mowing the grass with the tractor, and helping him with whatever he needed help with.  My father taught me how to shoot many years ago, but Uncle Jim taught me how to hunt and how to clean turkey and deer and for that I am eternally grateful.

Some other stories with Uncle Jim that have lessons yet to be written…
The plough – finding hidden treasure
The truck slide – at least you tried
The tierod – plans can change
The ATV slide – don’t stop until you find a solution
Roofing the two roofs – hard work pays off
The insulation – like pins and needles
The cistern overflow – work is easier with friends
Mowing the fields – enjoying the fruits of your labor
The windmill fix – learn how things work
Minnie swimming – don’t be afraid
The clay pigeons – ready, aim, fire!
The possum – always be ready
The bird and squirrel – mistakes happen
The squirrel we ate – try new things
The catfish cakes – try a bite, you might like it
The button buck and momma deer – learning
The 9 pointer – luck

And of course, the one that got away. And the shooting star!

I especially enjoyed relaxing around the campfire with him after a long day.  I learned a great lesson from Uncle Jim about taking time to achieve your goals.  The title of that lesson three and a half years ago seems so fitting now, “Someday… you’ll be dead!”  You see, Uncle Jim and I had a special arrangement. If he died before me, he would give me a sign from Heaven, and I would do the same if I died before him.   Today was Jim’s day and he gave me his sign.  Don’t forget, I have the same arrangement with you.

I will always love him like a father and he will always love me like a son, and that Love never ends!

 

Easter’s meaning this year

This year Easter means to me that it is never too late to be forgiven. Even the man to Jesus’s right was saved at the end.

Creator God of Love, forgive us for judging others, we do not know other’s struggles and intents of their hearts as only you could know. Forgive us for not respecting people, lifestyles, and beliefs different from our own, we should all strive to Love one another as brothers and sisters and eliminate Hate from this world. We are all sinners and we ask for Your Forgiveness.

Even if you don’t believe that prayers work, please share a kind message of Love today with a stranger. Or simply pray that Love conquers Hate.

Namaste my brothers and sisters!

 

Elf and The Santa Clause

While I’m emptying barf buckets, washing blankets, cleaning carpets, and with presents still to wrap at 9pm, I have a confession to make… I have always been somewhat of a Grinch, a Scrooge. It partly stems from getting socks and underwear too many times as “gifts” as a child from my well intentioned mother. And not being able to rip open presents because we had to save the paper for next year, bless her heart! Mostly it’s from the over commercialization of the whole holiday season, the store decorations before Halloween, the songs before Thanksgiving, the “need” to give gifts as if a heartfelt “Merry Christmas” isn’t enough, or is it “Happy Holidays” now?!

But this year has been very different for me, with no ounce of Grinch-ness at all this season. I’ve have an amazing journey this year into my inner Soul, realizing the power of other spirits as well as my own psychic awareness and abilities, ignoring negative energy, turning off the sensationalism news, etc, etc. And watching Elf (and Santa Clause 1 2 & 3) for the first time, my new favorite Christmas movies! (Sorry Grinch.) “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!” How is there not an Elf 2 already?!? And when I asked the girls today, “How cool would it be if Daddie was Santa Claus?” And without blinking an eye Maddie says “We could help you push him off the roof!” ROTFLMAO!

I’ve had it wrong for 30+ years, there really is a Santa Claus! I should never have told Maddie there wasn’t. Don’t ever tell your kids there isn’t. When the time comes, tell them it is Mom and Dad, sneaking around the house wrapping and stashing presents in spots they hope their kids will never find!

Saying Merry Christmas is like saying I Love You, don’t say it unless you mean it or just because someone says it to you. Say it from your heart. Say it with me this year… “I LOVE YOU! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!”

:-)

“I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite!”

PS: This pic is our Christmas card, we were practicing to steal presents early Christmas morning! 😉

 

2014 Christmas Card