I took a stroll in the yard around 6:15am The sun was out and warm, the sky was clear with a beautiful hue of blue. White billowy shaped clouds abounded and the plants were vibrant with new growth! The spring bulbs my daughter-in-law Sara planted in the garden were starting their ascent up through the topsoil and little green sprouts were crawling through their dark surroundings to reach the light. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we took the time to notice these things every day? Each day with it's own unique differences and changes?  

Work is keeping me so busy right now that it's hard to take time to stop and smell the roses. The hours have been long and sometimes grueling. Many times as late as 10pm or even 2am in the morning! I had a client even call me last night and leave a message at 10:30pm telling me to call her as late as 1:30 or 2AM. Can you believe it? I didn't.  

Our lives seem to be so taken up with excessive work, getting ahead, being behind, making investments, paying bills, crawling out from under, staying on top, or even just learning to breath all over again, every new day. Breath in, breath out! We get so caught up in these things that we forget about the beauty all around us daily. We've forgotten to take strolls in our gardens, to smell the sweet fragrance of the flowers, to watch a caterpillar crawl along the ground, or a bird build its nest. Oh how we have forgotten to take the precious time we need to spend with our families, both individually and as a group. And what about quiet, meditating time, with our Heavenly Father? Time reading His Word, and in prayer?  

In the sermon two weeks ago, the Pastor was talking about reports he had read that said most people today were feeling more comfortable about being at work than in being at home. Our work places have become home and our homes have become work. What a sad commentary about our country, and this world we call the modern times.  

We start pushing our children and ourselves to accomplish and achieve from the moment we are born. Not a moment of peace and down time, not allowing ourselves to be children, young adults, or carefree individuals for even a moment. We have to make sure we go to the best schools, get the best grades, make the most money. There are dance lessons, music lessons, baseball practice, success seminars, etc., etc., etc. It goes on and on.  

There is nothing wrong with these things, but we push them to the limits, and haven't taken the time to analyze the results of this type of life on us as individuals, as family units, or as a society.  

If we are not pushing our children to achieve with constant activity and events, then the opposite extreme is true and we are working so hard on providing financially to make ends meet, that we are never there for the children either physically or emotionally, and they are becoming latchkey kids who are raising themselves with no direction or proper parental examples, or societal mentors.  

All we have to do is look around us, read the papers, watch the news on TV, and we can see what the results of this type of insanity has caused. Eleven year old children picking up guns and assault weapons to blow away fellow classmates and teachers, and they don't seem to even realize for a second the value of the lives they have taken away until it's too late. Being sorry after the fact, is too late!  

Each of us need to individually take a hold of our own lives and start the change right here! We have to stop and remind ourselves to walk the garden, smell the roses, play in the dirt, take time for each family member and special friends. Not just going shopping or to a movie, but talking and just being together discussing what is important to each of us, and who we are as individuals.  

We need to take time to listen to the desires and concerns of those around us, finding out who they really are, and discovering who we really are. Finding out what frightens them and what brings them joy, as well as how we ourselves feel about these things.  

These are the times most remembered when our lives are at their end. Memories made and kept. Silently watching a particularly beautiful sunrise or sunset with a loved one, or by ourselves. Sharing our deepest desires or insecurities over a cup of coffee or glass of water with a twist. Laughing hysterically over a memory brought to mind while discussing a past event that was special to all present. Taking time to walk with God. Being in fellowship and communicating with Him, as we were created to do.  

How many "lasting pleasant memories" have you made lately? Special memories for your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, those in the workplace, and with special friends??? You can take time to plan it or it can be totally spontaneous. But whichever way it is. JUST DO IT!  

I'm at a point in my life right now when I've decided to do something solely and completely for me. I have wanted to go to Washington D.C. and visit the monuments and especially "The Wall" for as long as I can remember. My "adopted" brother Mike McCullough was killed in Viet Nam, and his name has been placed there in memory along with thousands of others who gave their lives for a very unpopular war. And one they did not ask for.  

It has been a dream of mine to go to the "Wall" in person, and reflect on the reality of life, death, and the choices, both good and bad, that I have made in my own life. I will also be reflecting on the choices that others have made, which I had no control over, but I had to live with the results or consequences of their choices and decisions.  

On April 9, 1998, next month, I will be flying out, the day before Good Friday, to Washington D.C. for a personal & spiritual pilgrimage. I am going alone. No children, no friends, no family, NO WORK! I have never gone away before without taking a number of my kids. I have always loved it! But this time is for me, and me alone. Time to reflect and spend time with God.  

My sister Shirley was killed the day before Easter at 27 years old, when she fell off a horse, crushing her skull and breaking her neck. She left 3 baby boys behind, ages 6, 4, and 15 months at that time. As hard and as difficult as it was loosing her, the fact that it happened the day before Easter has always been a blessing to me to be reminded so immediately after her death that we have Eternal Life available through the Resurrected Lord.  

It will be Easter time while I am in D.C. in the middle of the Cherry Blossom activities. I have chosen to make a lasting memory for myself that will last a life time. A personal time for renewal, growth, and retrospection. A time with God and with myself.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS EASTER? I hope, making special memories for yourself and others. 
 

Connie Gibson - MOM II