Some More Winter Potpourri . . .

It must be the Winter months. I thought I would do a potpourri blog today- some of this and that- and upon checking my blogs the last potpourri column was in January of last year. Interesting. Winter- how can a season be so beautiful and frustrating at the same time. Enough said on that subject. (Laughing to myself on that line.)

Card making, I am still loving it. I am kind of a renegade about it. There are kits, lessons, supplies, and classes that many utilize. And that is all great when possible. But I find I am just as content left to my own devices. I take what supplies I have, and as I work with them ideas come to mind. I surprise myself with the colors and designs sometimes. It is very satisfying. And those who have received them seem to enjoy the efforts. And that is what matters.

I have been learning recently how entertaining a cat can be. One adopted my son and me recently. The neighbors abandoned it when they moved, and being good Samaritans we tried to find someone to take it. The cat – now named Sammy- had other ideas.

Sammy began wooing me by sitting on the bench with me as I waited outside for friends to pick me up. He (I use that pronoun loosely because we are not sure yet if we need a blue or pink collar) would try to push his head under my hand and arm to pet him. Awww- no, you go away.

Then, Sammy began to come upstairs on the landing shared by our apartment and another. The other apartment was empty, so guess who he was coming to see! He would lay out there and meow. One day it was so pitiful, I told my son that we needed to feed that cat. He was not happy about that reminding me that we were kind of in the “starving artist” category. I searched the internet for what to feed a stray cat and found that tuna and a raw egg would give it protein. We had it, and for some reason we were not eating the tuna anyway. Yep, Sammy loved it.

Well, the rest is history. Now I have to tell my son to not buy every cat toy in any store we go in. He bought the first real cat food, by the way. (Laughs) Sammy brings joy and inspiration, and I think a healing that neither my son nor I expected. Funny how what we don't know we need lands in our laps- this time literally.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you- I have crossed over to the “dark side”- I now have an electronic reading device. I can't believe it either. I must qualify that statement by saying that my son got it for me primarily for the internet access because I was going to be traveling alone several hours away, my laptop was not working properly, we know there is not always cell service, and many fast food restaurants offer internet access now.

Those who read my blogs know I am die-hard fan of real books that can be held in the hand. But as my co-author and I were doing some work on our projects, I did get to see what our novel will look like on one of those readers. It was a thrill. I have even downloaded a devotional book. I can see the convenience of the device. (Did I just say that?)

When we were looking at the different models in the store, I told the sales clerk of my reluctance to make the leap. She said she understood completely, and even though she also has one of the electronic devices- and sells them- nothing can take the place of holding a real book and catching a whiff of the real book smell. But there are times when the electronic reading device is more convenient.

Need a sales person? I know just the one for you.

DeSwan.com

It's A New Day . . .

It is a new day- well, actually a new beginning.

There are times in life when we go through circumstances that are truly life-changing. Those times happened to me in the last couple of years. Thus, 2012 has been my year of a new beginning. I didn't plan on taking a hiatus from writing the blog but it would seem that part of the healing and growing process would take me away from it for a time.

Funny thing, part of my new beginning involved going back- to my hometown in Ohio. And then back in time so to speak getting reacquainted with friends and in particular those at a class reunion.

Well, since I was “home” I decided I wanted to go to my class reunion. The custom is to have a reunion every five years after graduation. So with a little math I knew it was the right year for such a gathering. The thing is- when I asked about it, there really weren't any plans. What!!!! I was actually in town the year of a class reunion, so there HAD to be a class reunion.

Then-I volunteered. (And immediately thought “what was I thinking?”)

With the assistance of a classmate in Georgia, it all came together for a successful two-day event with classmates coming from several states. It was a great weekend, and the best part was that it seemed no time had passed at all with the greetings and laughter heard.

Being creative can be expressed in many ways, and I found it very satisfying to be on the planning side of the event.

I was also part of the local Relay for Life as co-chair for the survivorship committee. We planned a reception and recognition for the survivors and their caregivers as part of the Relay weekend of events. It was also humbling to honor those who had fought and won the battle against such a horrible disease. It was my first Relay, and I found it to be fun, healing, and informative.

It was especially touching for me because I have lost four immediate family members who had cancer, as well as several other family members and friends.

I found yet another creative outlet when re-connecting with an old friend. Now I have always known this friend to be crafty so I knew there would be something fun to do. This time it is stamping! It really is so much more- greeting cards, scrapbooks, decorations and really just about anything one could think of to express themselves.

I have always had an interest in making my own cards, so this is like a dream come true. I was almost overwhelmed when I found out it also includes learning water color techniques. That is something I have always wanted to try but have never told anyone. So that is very special.

What makes this really fun is the monthly “Girls' Night Out” at my friend's studio. Women gather to work on crafts, visit, talk, laugh, and sometimes even pray. An occasional song or two can be heard at times. The number and who attends can vary but it is always fun and uplifting.

Sure enough, I found a new love- that is a creative love. Stamping and the wonderful group at the Girls' Night Out.

So my journey in this new beginning continues. And being creative- including writing- is a definite part of the journey.

I am happy about that.
 
DeSwan.com

A tribute to John . . .

“Coming to the realization that God was asking me the very same questions brought back an old quote, ‘God helps those who help themselves’. I have an utterly magnificent gift that I spent half a lifetime keeping to myself. Life is good . . . ; I thank my maker just for that every day of my life. Love you..." 

You know me. I like to talk about our gifts. I believe we each have something to contribute to life.

One of the most gifted people I have ever known and loved made the above comment to me last year. You see for many years he didn’t acknowledge his gifts. He lived in a world of his own, trying to run away from the pain of losses in his life by getting lost in a bottle. That would surely protect him and others from more loss and pain. Or so he reasoned.

There were times he wanted to die. He tried. It didn’t work. An industrial accident put him in a coma for two weeks. He came out of the coma, and there were several months of recovery. Even after all that, he tried again with his “friend” the bottle. He was found in the nick of time.

He was a gifted man, my nephew. Even when he was fighting his demons, his gifts managed to sneak through. He was very creative, and even as a young boy enjoyed building things in his grandpas’ workshops. At one time he talked about being an architect. He was excited about the new technologies in the industry, and this was more than 20 years ago. He was a brilliant artist- especially of religious subjects. He completed a nearly life-size crucifix that is breathtaking.  Even done under the influence.

Another more recent effort was his rendition of The Last Supper. The story goes that some guys had a piece of cardboard on which they were going to design a game board. My nephew took a look at it, and saw a full-color, detailed Last Supper instead. At least it was when he was finished.

Even at his worst times, he thought of others in ways he probably didn’t even understand. He was no saint, definitely a sinner (as we all are). But he had a gift that touched people regardless of how much he tried to hide it.

Finally, he realized life was worth living, and love was worth the risk. He not only realized how much he loved people, he realized they loved him, too. Relationships were on the mend.  His desire was to bring family together.

Not only did he have gifts to share- he realized Who they were from. Joy comes with that realization and acknowledgement. He had physical challenges now- he had been diagnosed with MS a few years earlier, and had residual effects from the industrial accident in particular- but those didn’t diminish his purpose and joy in sharing his gifts. He shared them with everyone- just as it was meant to be. He was a regular fixture at a local nursing care center. He brought life and love to many people, staff and residents alike. And, he accomplished an outstanding milestone- two years of sobriety. The future was full of possibilities.

Then on a Sunday morning in late February, the unthinkable happened. This person who had just begun to live the life he was meant to have was suddenly gone in a tragic accident.

At first glance, it appears to be what some would term a cruel twist of fate. Two years was not nearly long enough for someone starting life over. And it was not long enough for those who loved him. It hurts too much.

But while the man is gone, his gifts seem to keep giving. His family has come together just as he hoped.  His artwork has been seen by more people than he ever imagined. The nursing home where he spent many hours talking and visiting with people honored him with a tree planting. At the ceremony, residents shared their gifts and talents in honoring him. His compassion, joy and love will long be felt there.

John K. Sinclair challenged me, inspired me, and admittedly added some intensity to my prayer life. I could not love John and his brother Mark any more than if they were my own. I was 10 when John was born, and 14 when Mark arrived, so it seems that they have always been a part of my life. Mark is an awesome man, too.

I knew I would write about this. I need to do so. The shock and pain were hurdles though, I must admit. But I thought about John and what he would think of all this. I know he would be astounded at the outpouring of love for him- from everyone. But he would not want us to stop living and sharing what we can with others.

So, John- this is my tribute to you. My beloved nephew with all your quirkiness, talents, insecurities, blue eyes and good looks, spirituality, inquisitiveness, charm, sense of humor, love of family, and so much more. You are loved and much missed.

So, my dear readers, never take life for granted. No one is promised tomorrow. 

DeSwan.com