What a way to begin the day!

Man, it was soooo cold this morning, I simply hated the prospect of climbing out of bed. Sometimes we have no choice in the matter and are forced to throw off the covers, walk on the cold tile floor for a minute or two, and then head to the kitchen on more cold tile to get a soda. Back I dashed to the warm bedroom where my little heater was hard at it and had been all night long and dived under my covers. The news was pretty much a re-hash of the week's events so I opted to grab my "Grandma Speaks" book instead of watching TV.

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In reading chapter upon chapter in rapid succession, it occurred to me that the author, Pearl Rainwater, is just a pseudonym for Judy Rusert! Aha, you are so busted, Judy! While I realize it is not actually Judy's writing, it certainly could be. She recommended this book series to me, the "used" ones I mentioned in a previous posting, and I am richer for it. First 'The Shack' and now these books. Wow! The chapters consist of a number of paragraphs about the author's life and family, spaced with the appropriate Scripture passages which tie it all together. For example, Chapter 8 begins with the passage from Matt. 18: 10-14, which cautions not looking down on little ones, that their angels in heaven are always seeing the face of God....Oh yes, good stuff.

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Finally I did have to get up and dressed as it was time to leave for Bible study over at Victory. Before I left, though, Jean Nichols called to report that Twila's hip replacement was already complete and all went very well. Praise be to God! Twila was still in recovery and had not been assigned to a room yet but Jean promised to call back with a room number and phone number when she had it. I called Pastor with the news as well as a few others who would be interested. Even called Mom to let her know and she was so surprised that the whole thing was over already this a.m.! It is an hour earlier there than here, of course.

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We had a full house at Bible study as two 'snowbird' members returned to the roost. They own a restaurant outside of Milwaukee which their kids now run so the parents can enjoy retirement in "warm" Florida!!! They remember me and I them from when they came to check out Good Shepherd many years ago. (I worked in the church office at the time and had a nice long chat before Pastor came in to meet with Dick and Audrey.) It was great to see them again and join "our" Bible study!

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Before class began, Pastor filled in the attendees about Timmy's accident, then included me in the opening prayers as well as those who were having surgery or health problems. That was incredibly thoughtful and greatly appreciated. Audrey reached over and clutched my hand, again, greatly appreciated.

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I would have liked to meet Justin for lunch today but had to get back to this side of town because of a Board of Directors meeting for Art Guild at the library. It occurred to me it was Martie's day to work so I called her to meet for lunch at Pengree's before my meeting and her working. Great! Wishing they had meatloaf, I am on a kick these days!, we instead shared a patty melt and fries. Oh well, perhaps next time we will strike on meatloaf day!

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The meeting room at the library was freezing cold, certainly had to have been without heat for some time. Sonya allowed me to drape my lap with her leather coat as she had her internal furnace turned up extra high. Her heat did not help me any! I simply could not get warm and could not wait to get out of the meeting. It went quickly because the President was ill and Sonya ran it instead. Once back to my car which was warm from the sun and my heated car seats, I hustled it back up here to defrost.

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But not for long! Kathy B. called to say she had taken off of work early for a test so was available for dinner and a movie! We had talked about doing this on Sunday but tonight works just as well. I will put on socks and oxfords so my feet are warm and even take my "Bible study" blanket along to the movies. I have to get to the bank first to get some cash as I got cleaned out at the BOD meeting for a gift for our President!

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Justin was here to clean yesterday and he once more invited me to the opera! Saturday the Met Opera House in New York is broadcasting live to the area theaters the opera about Orpheus. Of course, we are going, but to his AMC instead of Orange Park because last time it took a long time for them to connect with NYC and we missed part of it. He has a gift card or two to use up so we will use those to help defray our expenses. It is still open as to whether or not we will worship at Victory Saturday night, guessing it depends if he makes plans with his friends or not. I will be satisfied with our time at the Opera....

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Last night Suzanne made me roar with laughter after choir. She was telling me a story about traveling to New York City on business and about her hotel situation. The room was small and cheezy, a twin bed and over $300 a night to stay there. She said she walked into the lobby to check in, pulling her bag behind her, wearing her jeans and sweatshirt, as usual. She started to tell me that a lady was standing there "looking all New Yorkish"....................and that is all I heard. I lost it, totally lost it, looking all New Yorkish.....so funny! Just what Justin and I love about NYC, she hates! Go figure!

My niece's posting from her blogsite, for those who couldn't find it.....

Monday, January 19, 2009

Where were you...
WARNING: Just a warning to all of you...this may be a tear jerker.

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Where were you eight years ago today?

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"Why eight years ago," you ask? It's not an easy number to remember such as 5, 10, or even 20 years. How would you remember what went on or where you were on such an odd year? Well, for me eight years ago today was a very sad emotional day. Never in my life did I think I'd feel so many different emotions.

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Eight years ago today my entire family and I were in Florida to say good-bye to a very dear loved one. It was eight years ago today that we laid to rest the one person who we didn't think would pass at such an early age. We were all at the funeral of my five-year old cousin, Timothy Charles Day. What made the whole event even more trying was that today would have been his birthday. We buried a five year old little boy. I have a five year old, and I can't even imagine what it's like. Every year it's the same sad feeling I get when I think of how awful it was the night I received the horrible call. "We lost Timmy tonight." Yes, we may have lost Timmy, but on the happy side of things, look what heaven gained! The bright eyed smiley little boy with the lowest voice I ever heard from a little fella.

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I can remember walking into the house the night we arrived in Florida. It was very hard for me to look out at the pool. I collapsed into Roger's arms and just sobbed. Then Kim said something to me that I will never forget. "Timmy's sitting on Jesus' lap, probably pulling on His beard." Yeah, he's sitting on Jesus' lap. What a perfect vision. Kim always knows just the right thing to say at just the right time. The Lord may have taken Timmy from her, but He blessed her with the gift to comfort others in times of sorrow. I feel that to be a bitter sweet blessing.

A year or so later, when Vickie and I took our girl's vacation, we stopped to visit Timmy's resting place. Vickie's mother had just passed away a few weeks prior to our trip. All of us were standing by Timmy's grave crying for different people. Kim knew just what to say then too. "Mom" passed away while sitting at the dining room table getting ready to eat a meatloaf sandwich. Kim put her arm around Vickie and said, "Your mom prayed, "Come, Lord Jesus" and this time he came." Oh how true. Vickie told me that night, "I never thought of it that way. That makes me feel better."

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Kim wrote in her blog today about people saying, "Get over it." or "You need to move on." What kind of words are these??? To me, they are a slap in the face. You never fully get over losing a loved one. They are always in your heart and memories. I remember the Friday before Timmy passed, I talked with him on the phone, and he sang to me. He sang "Who Let the Dogs Out". I used to think it was a stupid song. Now it's a treasure I'll never (get over) or forget. There are just things that you can't move on from. Yeah, it's been a whole eight years, but it's going to take forever and back to GET OVER IT. Never once has anyone said that to me, instead, only words of encouragement.

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I've had a few downer days this last week, and there are several quotes I'd like to share from people who tried to comfort me. Each quote shows that yeah, it's bitter sweet that we lost a loved one, but look where he is now...PARADISE!

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"It comforts me to know that the last 8 years have been much better for Timmy than it has for us. It's sad we didn't get to see him grow up but we will see him again. I wonder if he will be the same age or if you age in heaven?"

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"Chin up, he's in heaven smiling down. We should all be so lucky."

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Some day we will be so lucky! I'm so looking forward to being up there and seeing what it looks like sitting on Jesus' lap. Of course, I have the manners to not tug on His beard!

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Because Timmy was called home at such an early age, Kim has had the opportunity to "counsel" other families who have lost children. The Lord has blessed her with the gift to console. She went through the pain and sorrow of losing a child, but she can feel the joy of helping others to overcome their sadness in times of grief. What a blessing that is for all those she consoles. And my family and I are blessed that we have such a strong caring individual who shares her story to help others.

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We don't keep stories of Timmy to ourselves in the Ellison household. We talk about our cousin quite a bit. We want our boys to know what kind of a loving and happy child Timmy was. Gabe asks questions about him once in awhile. "Is Timmy the boy by Jesus?" "Timmy is in heaven with Jesus, right mom?" I only wish they could have met the boisterous little guy we were able to love and adore for five years. I also have the poppyseed donut in the face to remember him by! For those of you who were there you know the laugh we had.

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Good night to you all and God bless you!