Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Makes you stop and think!

Hi all,

I recently read a statement that was written by a gentleman who is a writer, but I never heard of him before, so I don't know if he writes novels or is a reporter.  Anyways, it made me think of things, that I've been realizing for a long time now. 

Over ten and one half years ago, when I became chronically ill with heart failure, many things in my life changed.  One of the big changes in my life, that others didn't understand, was that I stopped worrying about everyday happenings. 

As human beings, we grow up learning to worry about everything:  will I succeed in life, will I get married, will I have a good job, is my house good enough, will my kids grow up to be good adults, will my friends like me, will they approve of my clothing, will they approve of my choices in life, is my house clean enough, am I dressed properly for my friends, what do other people think of me, and on and on, actually endlessly.

Well, I was like that also, that is until after I got out of the hospital, long ago.  Everything that was normal in my life, now wasn't.  It didn't take me long to realize that all those things I worried about endlessly, just didn't matter one bit.  No one truly gives a darn about how you feel about a certain thing, or how clean your  house is, or what type of car you drive, etc.  And, if they do, they ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.  THEY DO NOT TRULY CARE ABOUT YOU!

On the day you die, you will go before God.  He is the one who will judge you, no one else.  What will God judge you on?  I believe He will look into what kind of a life you lived.  Were you a kind person?  Did you love everyone?  Was there hate and prejudice in your life?  Did you judge those who were different than you:  in color, religion, race?  Were you quick to bully another person because they were different than you?  Did you cheat at anything?  Were you responsible for starting riots? Did you go to church and worship God?  Did you raise your children to be good adults and to love and respect EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT?  Did you always put God first and yourself second?  Did you ask Him for His mercy and forgiveness?  And many more things you will be judged on by God.

After death, you will not care about all those things that you thought were important for many years.  Perhaps we need to spend more time thinking about the things that will be important to God, after we die and stop obsessing with the things of this world. 

That's what happened to me back then.  Most people who love me don't understand why I just don't care what someone else thinks of me, my home, my writing, my clothes, any of the unimportant things that occur in our lives, everyday.

I suppose that the older one becomes, especially if you are ill, we start to realize that life is getting very short, for us that is.  I try to listen to God's whisperings each day, to hear what He wants me to do in the time I have left on this earth.  My life is in His hands.  Only He will determine how much longer I will be on this earth. 

Now is the time to make important changes in your lives.  No, you can't neglect your responsibilities, but you have to start thinking about what will happen upon your death.  When you go before God, what will He say about you?

As for me, I hope and pray that He will welcome me into His heavenly home.  I have been preparing myself for that journey, whether it's tomorrow or infive years from now.  Don't wait until it's too late.

Have a wonderful evening and enjoy your family.  May God watch over each of you.
Susan 

Monday, August 29, 2016

Happy Monday!

Hi everyone,

I trust you all had a nice weekend.  As for me, it is nice not to have to rush on Friday mornings to get ready to go to the campground for the weekend anymore.  Oh I do miss my friends, but it feels so nice to just stay home on the weekends now.

I just finished spending a bit over an hour working on my current manuscript.  If I'm going to have it in print before Christmas, I better get it finished!  I'm on page 147 and I think it will probably have under 200 pages in it.  Of course, then the hard part comes:  proofing it!  Oh sure, I can and do use spell check, but many words are spelled different and with different meanings, such as:  their and there.  According to spellcheck it's spelled correctly, even if it's the wrong word. 

Quite some time ago, I realized just how hard it is for me to proof read a manuscript.  When I read a book, I can read very quickly.  I'm not really seeing the spelling of the words, but I know what they are.  Many folks are like this.  That makes proof reading very difficult.  I start out reading every word slowly, and the next thing I know, I'm skimming the text.  That makes it extremely hard to proof read the text.  I give a lot of credit to those who proof read for a living.  Kudos to you!

This book will have happiness and sadness within it's pages.  Life and death occurs in everyone's daily life, at one time or another.  I'm sure that most of you have experienced both at one time.  Death is a very sad experience for a person, especially if you loved that person.  But, no one is exempt from dying, no one.  We all must pass away at one time or another.  When that time will be is usually unknown to us. 

Two days ago would have been my Mom's birthday, had she still been living.  You see, she died twenty years ago, this October.  I miss her and my Dad (he'll be gone 17 years in October) so much.  There is rarely a day goes by, that I don't think about the both of them.  I am the person I am today, because of the two of them.  For that, I thank God with all my heart and soul.  My folks were great parents and grandparents.  My three daughters and their cousins, loved their Grandma and Grandpa. 

When we're young, our life span seem like an eternity to us, but when you get to be old, like me, there's no such thing as an eternity here on this earth.  I hope to spend my eternity with God and all of those who have passed away that I loved while here on this earth.  How about you?

This has to be short, today, because I need to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy before the three o'clock hour is over.  I try to pray this chaplet every single day during this time period.  The three o'clock hour was the time during which Jesus died on the cross.  He had promised, through Saint Faustina, to pour out His Divine Mercy to anyone who says or sings this Chaplet.  I certainly want all the mercy Jesus can pour into me.  If you've never heard of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  You can do a search using that name or the name:  Saint Faustina.    It certainly has changed my life.  Don't you want to change yours, too?

Have a great evening and may God bless each one of you.
 Susan

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

So many ways!

Happy Wednesday evening,

I suppose you all are wondering what my title refers to tonight.  Well,  today I was speaking with a customer service lady regarding reservations and after our business was completed, we just got to talking about other things.  It started with if I read electronically or not.  I shared with her that I prefer to hold the book in my hands.  And, that I would rather read a hard bound book.  I just like the feel of it.  It seems more personal.  From there we got onto doing other things and I said that I believe, that if you are old, but your mind is still in good shape, that I do not believe that you're  too old to learn something new, especially if it's something that you've always wanted to do, but haven't.

I then explained how I always wanted to be a writer and artist, but I chose marriage and children as to continuing my education after high school, which I have never regretted.  It wasn't until I was in my thirties and later, that I started taking courses in both painting and drawing; later I took some courses in writing.  I still do all of those things and I'm so proud of myself for not giving up after becoming chronically ill, ten and one half years ago. 

For me, it's not for financial reasons, it's simply about doing those things that I love to do.  I will admit that I can't do them as often as I used to, because I am slowing down considerably within the last year and a half.  But, I will not give up any of the things that help me feel good about myself.  No, I'll never be a well known writer or a famous artist, and I could care less about that. 

To get back to my conversation with this lady today, she asked me what name my books are listed under on Amazon and I told her.  She seemed impressed that someone of my age, and with my health issues, would still work on writing and art. 

Maybe, just maybe, I helped her today.  How?  Well, maybe she always wanted to do something and the time passed and she never did.  Now, perhaps she'll reconsider doing it.  She was a very nice lady and I enjoyed our conversation. 

Sometimes God puts us on the other end of the phone call for a reason.  Yes, she helped me with my reason for calling and maybe, in some small way, I helped her to rethink her options of one thing or another.  Who knows - only God.

Have a good evening and the next time you're chatting with someone you don't know, perhaps something you share with them, will just change their lives.  Even if it's in a very small way.
Susan

Friday, August 19, 2016

Have a great weekend.

Hi folks,
Well, here we are with Friday, once again.  I'm sure most of you are shouting, "Hurrah". because that means no work tomorrow or Sunday.  As for me, whether it's a Monday, Wednesday or a Saturday, doesn't really matter anymore.  I suppose that happens when you're retired, or in my case, disabled.  I'm not complaining though.  I'm just happy that I'm still living.  How about You? 

Are you thankful, on a daily basis, for the gift of life?  If not, you should be.  On of the most frightening things about life, is that it all can change in a short period of time.  Trust me, this is very true.  So, give thanks for all your many blessings now, and pray for God's guidance for you future.  It could all end tomorrow or the next day!

Well, I suppose most of the kiddos go back to school next week.  Perhaps some have already returned to school.  This summer has just flown by so quickly.  Of course, I will not be sad to see the weather we've been having lately come to an end.  It's very depressing for me.  I came home from visiting my friend, who's in the nursing home, this morning, and my neighbor came outside to converse for a little.  After about eight to ten minutes, I could feel my chest tightening up from the humidity.  It surprised me, because it's not as humid today as it has been.  So, I cut our conversation short and came indoors where I began to feel better again. 

My daughter is getting ready to take her only son, (he's an only child) to college, up in New York City, FIT, tomorrow.  He's happy and can't wait to get there and thinks she worries about too much.  She's a nervous wreck because they leave tomorrow and he is not ready yet.  I have to say that she's like me in respect to having her 'ducks in a row' before needed.  That's a thing with organized people like me. 

I know she's going to be worrying herself sick for the first few months he's gone and that he won't understand why, although I do.  She's very proud of him and being worried about your kids is a part of being a parent.  My next youngest grandson will be heading to George Mason University for his second year there.  But, this year he is taking his car and that's worrying my oldest daughter.  Her middle son is finishing up his 4th year at Millersville University this year.  She worries about him but not as much as the youngest son.  You know, the baby of the family is always worried about a bit more because they are your baby!  (I'm not really sure that's true because I think I worried about all three of my daughters, equally.)

Well, have a great weekend and try to spend some time with your children.  They grow up so quickly and before you know it, they're adults and out on their own.  They will always need you, to some extent, but just not in the same way as when they're young.

Well, in another month, I need to start creating this year's Christmas Greeting Cards.  I will need to make about 65-70, so I need to start early.  I love creating home made cards of all types.  I hope it's the personal touch that let's folks know that we care about them.  Do you buy your cards, or have you ever attempted to create your own? 

Whatever you're doing this weekend, be safe.  May God bless every one of you.
Susan

Saturday, August 13, 2016

How have you lived your life?

Hi everyone,

I'm sure that for all of you younger generation folks, you haven't really had the time to sit and ponder about the above question.  Of course, as we age and have more time on our hands, I believe that subject comes to mind more often than not.  I suppose that for many people, we have regrets, failures, happy times and we've had love in our lives.  I know that's true for me.

Maybe because I live with chronic illness, which dictates a sedentary lifestyle for me, I think about these things more, but I kind of doubt it.  When our lives are full, time moves along so fast, that we usually don't take much time to think about such things.  I think about them often.

One thing I do know for sure is this:  God has been with me through every single moment of every day of my life.  I can sit here and look back through the years and although I didn't realize it at the time, I can see God's presence there.  I often wonder if He's tired from all the times He's carried me. 

Every living human being has tough times and good ones, too.  Thank goodness, for most of us, the good ones far outweigh the bad ones.  Many people choose not to see God's intervention during those bad times.  Why?  If you made it through and came out on the other side, a better person, then why can't you see God's hand in your life?  He doesn't make those bad things happen, but He does permit them to occur.  Why?  I don't really know, but I suppose it's so that we see where we made bad choices.

Many years ago, I went through a trying time, after being told that I would never be able to have a child of my own.  I was terribly crushed, to say the least.  As a teenager, my greatest wish was to have children and try to be as good a Mom as my Mother was to me and my siblings.  After I was told this horrible news, I cried myself to sleep for many night. 

God had other plans for me.  I did get pregnant, not just once, but four times.  I lost the second baby early on during the pregnancy.  How could I not see God's presence in my life when I received His special graces by letting me carry three beautiful daughters to full term.  They were all healthy babies and I couldn't thank God enough for them.

So, lets see:  One terrible disappointment and then three blessings!  So far I'm ahead.

Then some time later on, my husband decided to cheat on me and left me and his daughters for another woman, after twenty one years of marriage.  Again, I was devastated.  My biggest problem at that time was money, or shall I say, a lack of money!  Yes, he paid child support, but if I disagreed with him in any way, he'd wouldn't pay me that week.  On top of that, I had the IRS on my door step hounding me for back income taxes, which  were my husbands, not mine.  Through the grace of God, Congressman Goodling managed to get the IRS off my back and release my bank accounts and paycheck, but the IRS still sat on my door step.  I finally took the money from my Dad, who wanted to give it to me right in the beginning, and paid them off.  Was it fair that my Dad had to pay for my ex-husband's taxes?  NO, it was not!  As time went on, I grew very independent and God directed me along the right path.  I was able to pull myself out of the anxiety I was suffering through and begin to live my life once again.  My daughters were growing into fine young women, and I was very proud of them.  I had parents who loved and supported me always and many supporting friends; as well as, a great boss who helped give me moral support.

So, let's see:  Two terrible disappointments and then many blessings!  I'm still ahead.

Later on I finally met and married the love of my life.  Oh,  we had some problems to iron out, but we loved one another and wanted to be together.  So, we made it work out.  We married and yes, we've had our ups and downs.  What married couple doesn't?  But we are committed to one another and determined to stay together until death!  Then, over ten years ago, my heart became very ill.  Heart problems wasn't new to me, as I was born with a heart deformity and had issues on and off since I was about six years old.  When I was in my late thirties, it became worse, but not to the degree it changed ten years ago.  Although I have been pacer dependent for the past twenty two years.  (That means the pacemaker is keeping my heart beating fast enough to keep me alive.  I can't live without a pacemaker.)  At that time my heart developed some other problems and I was told (a year later) that the doctor thought I'd die in the hospital.  But, God still had plans for me.  He has things He needs me to do before He takes me home.  So, here we are ten and one half years later, and I'm still waking up every day to do whatever God's will is for me.

Let's see:  A lot of pain and disappointments, but I'm still alive, thanks to the Lord!

So, take a few minutes to sit down and go back over your life.  Did you take advantage of the bad times by coming out of them a better person, in one way or another?  If not, you still have time to change.  Ask God's help and you will see how your life can change for the better.  Feeling sorry for ones self, doesn't work, ever.  I know that God still has things for me to do in this life.  Perhaps today's blog is just one of them.  Have a great day and be safe.  Thank God for all the many blessings you do have and forget about those you don't.
Susan










Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Hi Folks.

How's every one's week going thus far?  I hope your answer is 'okay.'  It's not so hot and humid here today, but it's also very overcast.  How's the weather where you are?

I've been trying to get time to work on my newest manuscript.  It's called, "Returning Home."  I'm on page 102.  For some reason, I just don't seem to have the time available to work on it very often.  Don't ask me what I'm doing because it doesn't seem like I'm do much of anything.  Maybe this week I will have some spare time to get back on track with it.  I truly do love writing!

Well, my big news is that we have finally sold our camping trailer (35' Coachman) and are no longer members of the campground.  We were permanent campers for twenty-two years and I don't regret a day that we spent there. With my illness, it really hasn't been so much fun for me the past ten years.  I was spending so much time inside, by myself, because of the heat and humidity.  I will miss seeing some of the friends we had there, but I'm ready to stay home on the weekends and enjoy my home.

How's your summer going?  I'm sure you think it's going fast, just as I do.  I can't believe that we're already close to the middle of August.  In about two weeks, the kids will be heading back to school.  My Grandsons (3 of them) will be heading off to college.  One will be a Senior this year, one will be a Sophomore and one will be a Freshman.  They all attend different colleges. 

My Grandsons have all grown up now.  It seems impossible!  Where did the time go to?  I can remember when they were little and I spent time doing crafts with them; or when I held them on my lap and read story books to them; or when they shared their excitement with me about starting high school!  My youngest is now 19 years old and they range from 19 to 25.  I have six Grandsons and I'm so proud of each one of them.  You know, there is a little part of me in each of them and I'm so happy about that.  Life does move by so quickly.

Have you been doing anything creative?  I certainly hope so, although I'm sure most of you have jobs and families to come home to after work.  It's important, though, to make time for yourself at some point during each day, even if it's only a half hour.  Doing something creative helps to improve your self esteem and gives you the spirit to continue on in life. 

One thing I learned is that you are never too old to discover how to do something new, just for the fun of it.  If there is something that you've always wished you had taken courses in, when you were young, but didn't, do it now!  You are never too old to follow your dreams.  If I can write novels, at age 68, then you certainly can, also.  There are so many on-line courses, in all different subjects, that you can sign up to take.  Just take that first step, which is to figure out what you've always wanted to learn to do.  Then take the second step and find a course that will work for you and sign up.  Third, you get started and enjoy yourself.  Fourth step:  Find the time and just do it!

It's not about making money from it; it's about doing what you love and feeling good about yourself.  I do not believe that a person is ever too old to do something new.  I'm still learning new things every day, and I'm sixty eight years old; and don't forget that I am chronically ill.  So, if I can do it, so can you.  Just take that first step, today!  Good luck.

Have a great week and be safe always.  Remember that God loves us all and He sees everything that is in our hearts.  So, make your heart pure.
Susan

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

My newest short story!

 

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to tell you about my most recent booklet.  It's called, "Melody of the Waves."  It will be available at:  Amazon.com for electronic reading devices starting tomorrow (August 4, Thursday.).  I hope you will check it out.  The cost is $1.00.  I hope you'll check it out. 
Susan