Celebrating Pistol

My brother, Charles Lane, nicknamed "Pistol" by our Daddy when he was a child, turns 56 today. He is a very special "young" man. He was brain-damaged at birth (due to dr. neglect) and suffered spinal meningitis at 12 days old. His mentallity is about a 2 yr. old.

When he was 7, we placed him in the Denton (TX) State School system, and he continues to live under that umbrella but now he is with a foster family. Godsequence alert! Before my Mother was pregnant with him, my Daddy, who was a member of the TX legislature, wrote the legislation that created this wonderful facility.

He's won all kinds of medals through Special Olympics, works part-time for the local Goodwill and adores his family, especially his great-nephews. I bring him home at Christmas, which necessitates me flying to Dallas, renting a car to pick him up in Denton and flying back home with him. I repeat this process when I return him.

One of our activities when he's home is always bowling as he is a Gold Medal winner. Here he is teaching Colin how to bowl. He had his foster Mom order all of us bowling shirts with our name on it.

Colin loves his Uncle Pistol and they entertain each other for hours, enjoying the same movies and television shows.

Pistol was very excited to meet his newest grand-nephew this Christmas, Dylan. They spent lots of time on the floor together, talking their own special language.

He is so loving and friendly. When I visit him in Denton and go places with him, everybody knows Pistol. He always introduces me as his "cookie sister," because I regularly bake chocolate chip cookies and ship them to him. It's Colin's job to add M&M's to the top of each cookie.

We are so grateful for Pistol who brings us unconditional love and joy. Happy Birthday Pistol!

Godsequence

The word Godsequence came to me as a gift from God a few years ago. I use the word a lot and share it as often as possible so I thought this was a good venue to share.

I believe that there are no coincidences, small world experiences or ironies in life. They are all Godsequences.

If you are a believer in God; if you ask Him for guidance and wisdom; if you trust that He will give you guidance and wisdom; if you are open to Him; then what others think of as a "coincidence," is actually a direct result of God working in your life--thus, a Godsequence.

And, the great thing about this word, is the more you use it, the more you will experience Godsequences. I believe using the word is a form of worship; a thanksgiving or praise. And God loves to be thanked so He bestows more and more Godsequences in your life.

Here's just a couple of illustrations in my life. On my last flight I was reading a book on Jerusalem as I was considering making a trip to the Holy Lands. At the time the news was full of the coverage of the violence and unrest in Gaza. Among my considerations for the trip was my safety. My seatmate travels a lot in his business and was going to Jerusalem the next month and offered to email me with his experience. My seatmate was a Godsequence.

In 2007 I started planning a trip to Ireland and started researching renting a house over there. At the same time I got to know someone (we took our grandchildren to a music class) who had a cousin who not only was from and lived in Ireland but worked for....the Irish Tourism Board. She found me the perfect house. A Godsequence!

I could go on and on with small and large examples but I'd rather you try it! I promise, the more you use the word, the more you will experience Godsequences.

"My" angel boys

"My" angel boys bring me great joy. On occassion they both spend the night with me to allow their Mother (my angel girl) some much needed time with friends and some rest. Last night was such a night.

They were perfect! Not only did they sleep through the night, but when I woke up about 7:20a to silence, I ran into Dylan's room for fear something was wrong, only to find him peacefully sleeping. Colin was sound asleep in my bed.

So then it was time to get them dressed for church. Their Mother had sent matching outfits for them. And I really did plan on taking pictures of them after they were dressed but by then I was running late and Dylan was loosing patience. But before I got them dressed, I caught these pictures in their "matching" outfits.

A huge success

Friday, February 13 was a huge success. (See "A Valentine Banquet for The Greatest Generation" below). The seniors at our church have never felt so loved. People who have been members for over 50 years said it was the nicest event they had ever been to at our church. Others said they could have paid $100 at a restaurant and not had nearly as nice an evening.

Our Pastor had bought enough red roses to personally deliver one to each and every senior, much to their delight! Lots of red that night.

Our youth served, monitored by several adults and did an excellent job. Below is a picture of a couple, the husband of the two will not be here next year. His cancer is in his bones and it's spreading everywhere. He called me the next morning and lavished praise on our efforts and reminded me that he used to be my deacon and he was very proud of me. ;-}

In the background is the piano with lots of silver and glass candlesticks; one of a dozen ficus trees embraced with little white lights; and torch lights--all to provide soft lighting and illiminate the need for the usual bright lights.

The singers were superb. Below is my good friend Judi, who sang Always, much to the delight of the audience. And Shirley Temple's appearance (no photo yet) brought the house down.


The usual critical, complaining people had nothing but compliments and appreciation to share with all of us. It will be an event to remember....until next year when we try to improve on it and make it another special night for our oft forgotten seniors. I am so honored to have played a small part in making it happen.

Mother, the torch singer

Sara Jane Armstrong Rutherford went to the University of Texas from a small farming community in south Texas in 1944, at the age of 17. She quickly acclimated and always said that in spite of the tragedies of WWII, it was a fun time to be at college, especially one with several military bases near-by.

She loved to dance and had a gorgeous voice. Back then, there were lots of dance clubs where the university girls and military guys matched up and danced the evening way. She assured me it was always safe because they stayed in large groups, never going off in pairs with “strange men.” She must have sung along to the songs of the Big Bands at her table because soon after frequenting these dance clubs, she was asked by management to sing along with the band and became the most popular torch singer, as they were known back then. If Sara Jane was singing, the house was full.

I grew up enjoying her voice and later singing along with her, accompanied by our player piano. We had all the songs from the 40’s and we would sit for hours singing together, much to the delight of my Daddy. So, as I prepare for this Valentine’s Banquet, Mother is constantly on my mind and close to my heart. I am remembering her gorgeous voice and love of singing. One of the songs that a friend is singing at the banquet is Always, a song Mother was always asked to sing at weddings and one we used to sing together. I already know I will shed a few tears when I hear that song, but I will always treasure sweet, sweet memories of her voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jZhrUZ_gk4&feature=related

A Valentine Banquet for the Greatest Generation

I am having a wonderful time putting together a Valentine Banquet for our seniors at my church. Tonight several of us gathered to prepare some of the decorations ahead of time. Our children have created bookmarks, which we laminated and put ribbons through holes. Our youth will be serving a seated dinner for 155. And over 60 volunteers will be at the church parts of Friday afternoon and evening to create an evening to remember.

Valet parking and coat check is being provided and they will be ushered onto a red carpet. Their first stop is a large room, decorated and full of appetizers with Big Band music playing in the background. (All the CD’s came from Mother’s and Daddy’s collection.) Gradually the seniors will be escorted to a separate area to have their picture taken. At the end of the evening, their picture will be awaiting them to take home in a lovely frame.

A first class meal will be served followed by great entertainment. Some of our best singers are going to be using wireless mics, working the room and singing the oldies—Unforgettable, Red Roses for a Blue Lady, Sentimental Journey and lots more. And our very own Shirley Temple will be on hand to sing some of her favorites including, On the Good Ship Lollipop.

I am working hard and enjoying every minute of it. Isn’t it fun to do something for others, especially our seniors who so appreciate some attention? I’ll post pictures in a few days.

And so it begins….

Being an author is like being in charge of your

own personal insane asylum. ~Graycie Harmon

I have thought about starting a blog for the past several months but several fears held me back. First, I didn’t want to be a copycat of those friends of mine who I had long admired for taking the time to put their thoughts out there for us to read. But then I realized what better way to compliment them but to start my own blog.

Then I worried that once I started one, would I have time to continue to post and material to post. But then I realized that not only do I have lots of life experiences to draw from but I am at a point in my life where I think I have the drive to post often enough.

I fretted about whether people reading my blog would be interested at all in what I write. But then I realized that people seem to be interested in what I have to say so why not what I have to write.

But, most importantly, it dawned on me that this blog is for me. It is a place for me to pontificate, share dreams, reveal past experiences, and just be. And, if others are enriched or even slightly entertained, so much the better.

And, so it begins…….