'Pastor, what is this?'

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it.

The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'

'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this?

The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.' Soberly, they just stood together... staring at the large plaque.

Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked, 'Which service - the 8:30 or the 10:45?'

This Should Keep Us All Thinking...

Just got this one in an email from my sister... What a message! Obiously you can't exactly forward this page, but feel free to forward a link to the blog, or go to the youtube site directly by clicking here.

On the site under more info it says:
I know a lot of people are saying the story isn't true, but it doesn't matter if it's true or not, its the message in the story.

Songs:
First is "It Ends Tonight" by The All-American Rejects
Second is "Tomorrow" by Avril Lavigne

Definitely will make you go hmmm...
Johnny:)

Where's Dad?

Back again... another year gone by. Not sure about you, but for me it hasn't gotten any easier. Different - but certainly not easier.

Here a while back - while dropping Elijah off at a friends house near Dad & Trish's old neighborhood - I detoured to drive past the old house. Guess what? No Dad to be found.

Fathers Day, when I stopped by Mt Tahoma? He wasn't there either!

So where IS Dad? I've searched for 2 years now. I've looked for that place to go when I really need to find him. Well, on this the 2nd (for lack of any better words at this early hour) anniversary of Dad's passing... I wonder no more.

I took today off work. Looking ahead, I kinda expected this day would probably have it's ups & downs - highs & lows - hills & valleys (I'm sure you get the idea), so I planned ahead and took a vacation day. But how do I spend it? Where do I go to be with Dad?

That's where the learning came in. Dad always told me Dina was smarter than I am... I guess last night, that point was proven once again.

As we chatted about todays plans, I was rambling through pros and cons of visiting Tahoma again. Being the eternal optimist she is - Dina suggested going somewhere else to spend the day with Dad. Somewhere I'm certain to find him.

Like McDonald's or Starbucks for a cup of coffee & bit of the morning paper... that sounds like it might be a good place to start ...I bet I'd find him there!

Maybe a surprise visit to the school (Dina's there running school pictures today) or a family member or friends office to say 'hi' - just cause 'I was in the neighborhood' ...I bet I'd find him there!

A trip to South Hill could be a great place for a walk and some frugal shopping at Target ...I bet I'd find him there!

Dina reminded me that there are tons of places to find Dad. Some expected & searched for - like Starbucks or the mall. Others, possibly just a glimpse of him in passing - like in my sons as they get more & more grown up, or even in my own reflection in the mirror from time-to-time.

I know Dina misses him as much as I do. But while I frequently catch myself in the midst of little pity parties, she's reminding me to search for the silver linings... a lot like Dad used to do!

Take a look around as you go through your day ...I bet you find him there, too!
Pedro:)

Splendour in the Grass...

What though the radiance which was once so bright, be now for ever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower.

We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.

In the primal sympathy which having been must ever be; In the soothing thoughts that spring out of human suffering; In the faith that looks through death; In years that bring the philosophic mind.

-William Wordsworth
(Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood, 175-186)

Making Pancakes...

Got this email from a friend that, like Dad used to do, gets & sends bunches of email every day. Sadly, many times (due mostly to lack of time) I scan through to see if anything other than the preverbial forwards, etc... deleting some of them (sorry, Betty) without paying much mind.

This one (of the 7 I received tonight) stuck out for some reason. Nice little story, so thought I'd post it here.

Johnny:)
You're the only person that can control how your day goes tomorrow... Make it a GREAT one!
_____

MAKING PANCAKES
Six year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated.

He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

Just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon 's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us.. We try to do something good in life, but sometimes it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do.

That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us... even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up - we can't stop trying to 'make pancakes'. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then we'll be glad we tried...