Reaping

I must admit that I truly believe that we reap what we sow. Some people call it Karma. Some people use the saying "What goes around, comes around." They all basically say the same thing. Believing this helps take away the sting of betrayal, hurt, etc. 

I try to sow good things: hope, love, peace, understanding, and joy. But, I am realizing that I need to be more choosy about who and what I nourish in the future. I want to nurture people who will pay it forward and nurture others, not take advantage of them. I want to support worthy causes that use the money for people and not administrative costs. 

However, sometimes sowing in what seems to be the "wrong" place, turns out for the good. It may cause needed changes to occur or  bring dark issues into the light. I believe that all things really do work together for good when done in the right spirit. 

Still, I will strive to invest more wisely in the future and reap good things.

 

The Party

It all started with a meme I shared on Facebook. It said: "This being an adult isn't working out for me. If you need me, I'll be in my blanket fort, coloring." 

Before I knew it, dozens of people has replied to my post and most of them wanted to join me in my blanket fort and color. So, as my 55th birthday approached, I began to concoct a plan. Why not have a party and combine it with a fundraiser for one of my favorite local charities, the Good Shepherd Community Center? 

Hawkins United Methodist Church was kind enough to donate their fellowship hall for the evening, and the plans began. A blanket fort was built. Cookies, brownies and door prizes were donated. I ordered pizza and brought soft drinks. I had spent the past 2 months buying crayons and colored pencils on sale and printing out coloring pages. Some colorful dominoes and checkers were provided for folks who did not want to color. Music was a collection of old TV theme songs. 

Dear friends helped with setting up, making sure people were fed, and cleaning up. "The Nana" sat at the front door in her wheelchair and made sure everyone ponied up a donation for the cause. One of the highlights of the evening was when my oldest guest, at 90+, crawled into the blanket fort. I want to be Miss Martha when I grow up! 

I had no idea how many people to expect. I put notices up in several places. There were several other more high profile events going on. Some of my friends were busy with health or personal crises. But, many of my favorite people, both friends and family came, and I was happy and thankful to see each one. 

By the end of the evening, we had raised $675.00 to help Good Shepherd continue to provide much needed programs to local families. 

I can't avoid growing old. But, I don't have to completely grow up. 

Yet. 

Double Nickles

Today has been such a lovely day! Up a bit too early at 5 AM, but I managed to begin answering birthday wishes on Facebook, get ready, gas up, buy a cake for our second Sunday brunch, and get to Hermanville by 8:15 to practice my solo before anyone else arrived. 

The congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to me. What a treat! And the excellent sermon by our pastor, Charles Pope, was another treat. 

My husband took me out to lunch and I got to see Peyton Manning play for a few minutes before heading off to Heritage House, where I sing for afternoon Sunday School class on the second Sundays of the month. I got to see some of my favorite fellow senior citizens. 

Then home to eat a second slice of cake. Hey, my birthday only comes once a year! 

It seems like forever since I have had a birthday that was this stress-free. Birthdays of the past few years have been spent with loved ones in hospitals or waiting for test results to see if cancer had returned or spread. I remember being so exhausted that I completely slept through one birthday when my Daddy was sick. 

I am always rather humbled by all the birthday wishes I receive on Facebook. I know they remind folks. Still, I am amazed at how many people take the time to wish me a happy birthday. 

One of the best things about turning 55? The discounts! My age now entitles me to some nice discounts at a lot of places. And, believe me, I am not so vain about my age that I won't be asking for them!

http://www.lifecarefunding.com/blog/senior-discounts/ 

Fifty-five and still alive and kicking!

 

Like Us

I have come across several articles lately regarding the fact that we tend to be attracted to and make friends with people like ourselves. I suppose, on some level, we tend to think that other people should be "like us." I find myself guilty of this more often than I would like to admit.

I have a wide circle of varied friends. They are not all "like me." I would not want them to be. 

However, there are some behaviors that I do not like in my friends or anyone else. Being honest, not just with me, but in their daily lives and businesses is important. Being courteous, (yes, even to family), is high on my list. I admit to not having much patience with people who are manipulative and deceptive. I don't particularly care to be friends with people who are just plain "ornery" as my late Dad used to put it. I am not talking about bad moods or reacting to stressful times. I am talking about people who stiff their waiter or waitress on a regular basis. People who physically harm other people or animals. People who live to argue 24 hours a day. I enjoy an occasional debate, but ALL THE TIME? No.

I am not perfect. I am not even close. But, as I become older, (and hopefully) wiser, I try to become more like the person I want to be. Often, that means surrounding myself with "good" people. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of them out there to learn from.