The Girl Who Walks - Episode 5

It's been a minute since I wrote about the girl who walks. My influencer. My encourager. My inspiration. The last post about her, was on September 12th, 2024. At that time, she was going through some unexpected challenges and had to discontinue the walkabouts, so she might give herself time to heal. It was a sad day when the sun began to rise and she could not make the morning journey she had become accustomed to. The fresh breezes whipping her hair and causing her face to become rosy with the cold fall morning air rushing past, was something she was going to genuinely miss.

Those morning walks were more than just exercise for her. They were therapy. Creativity always came front and center as she envisioned all that could be. All that was within her reach if she only believed it possible. Those were the times of renewal for her. Times of quiet meditation as each foot slapped the roadway as if they were drum slap mallets, slapping a drum. She kept rhythm with each contact as if it were music instructing her of the value of life. Reminding her just how much she was loved, even though she battled to believe it. Those were the times God reminded her just how deeply SHE loved, and why. Those were the times she was reminded of the release from captivity of years gone by and how to bring every thought into subjection. To say she missed those times is an understatement.

The year between then and now, has brought so much change in her life. What she had always known, did a 180, and she began living a life that feels as if it must have been meant for someone else. This transition has required her to rethink many things. She's always known the beauty life brings, but now she has the time to notice more than what surrounded her when life was full of distractions. If she can only let go of what was...  

And now...she is back! The ligament that encapsulates the outer edge of her foot and stretches up and around her ankle, seems to have repaired itself nicely. It still reminds her, from time to time, to not over-do it. Still...the fresh morning elements beckon her...and she can't resist. She can't resist the urge to "come for a visit, child," as the Father of all, whispers her name.

Today's "feels like 45º "early morning weather provided the most amazing comeback she could have dreamed of. As she walked, her fingertips became chilled, the skin on her face welcomed the cold wind, and her hair grabbed every movement presented. There was a briskness in her walk that said she was back for the long haul. At last, she was alone with the God of the Universe, and possibly an angel, or two, out strolling on the neighborhood's quiet, early morning streets. 

Had it not been for the gentle reminder of tightening pressure the once-damaged ligament provided, she would have kept walking. Maybe another day, since we are heading into the cooler months of the year. Maybe the foot issue will strengthen as she uses it. I can't wait to see where these walks take her and what is spoken to her heart as she listens to the music of the steps.

Walking again, here you will find me...in Mary's World. #myjourneyamongtheunseen #walkabouts #lifeasIknowit #changecanbegood #theforgottenway #earlymorningwisdom

When Threats Become Real

Ha! The thinker...

It went down this past Monday evening. It had been a calm and rewarding day as we watched, in part, technicians repairing our crawl space issues of falling insulation, most likely caused by all the humidity our neck of the woods loves sharing with us. We have our HVAC system checked twice a year, and when the last inspection was complete, we learned a lot about the situation we had looming. So, once again, home ownership demanded more money.

We had a great crew working, and we enjoyed the back and forth conversations, when opportunity presented itself. I do believe that most of humanity is good. They want the same thing we want. Peace, prosperity, friendship, love, and agreeing to disagree on occasion.

It wasn't until the evening hours, long after the crew had left, that fear presented itself. Dennis, being the amazing father he is, had accepted a simple request of picking up an item, purchased off Facebooks Market Place, and delivering it back to one of our daughters. His truck comes in handy. He uses it for many things...mainly requests from me. 😉 So, today was no different than any other, until the unexpected happened. 

The pick up destination was a 40 minute drive, one way. It took him to a "questionable neighborhood", an unfamiliar neighborhood, that made him a little uneasy as the evening hours were about to enfold him. He had made the trip alone, as he does much of the time. Never fearful. Never concerned. That was about to change...

Progression of events as they happened once he arrived at said destination:

1) Item that was suppose to be laid out in front of the house, because it had already been paid for, was not in sight.

2) D knocks on the door, several times, with no response.

3) Eventually, the garage door opens and home owner emerges. No eye contact. No greeting. Odd...

4) Homeowner helps D put the item in the back of his truck and grunts as he turns to leave.

5) D said the niceties he alway does; being friendly regardless of how he's received. He then leaves and turns right at first stop sign, following Seri's orders. He notices a few small kids sitting on the ground as he continues his coming home plans.

6) A car pulls up behind him and follows him, then sharply moves up beside him and accelerates to maneuver in front of his truck as they swing their vehicle into a blocking position that cuts off the roadway. Their car is now sitting across the lane, instead of in a forward position, blocking him from forward movement.

7) One of the 3 people in the car, gets out, thinking D will stop, as if to engage him.

8) But...instead of stopping, D maneuvers into the passing lane and goes around them (good boy), giving them a little wave as he goes around them. He had no time to process their intentions and he ALWAYS gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. He trusts people way more than I do.

9) The guy jumps back in the car and the 3 tailgate D to the next stop sign, where D had to stop because of traffic in the intersection.

10) At this point they all 3 jump out of their car (2 guys and 1 girl) and come up to his drivers window with accusations of him taking pictures of their kids (at the first stop sign). They wanted to know what he planned on doing with those pictures. He assured them he was not guilty of what they were claiming. His words: "I'm a Christian man and don't believe in doing that kind of thing."

11) They demanded he give them his phone. He refused. I'm shaking just remembering his telling of this story when he got home. Thank God, he did come home...and in one piece.

12) When he refused to give them his phone, one of the young men (he thought they all looked to be in their 20's), said, "It's a good thing I don't have a gun." This just got real and very clear as to what their intent was.

This is where the girl got involved and spoke for the first time, letting Dennis know they watch over their neighborhood and don't like strangers coming in, to which Dennis responded, "It's good that you do. Someone needs to." 

I do think his demeanor actually disarmed them. Brought peace to a situation where there was none, with every possibility of escalation. She told him to never come back to this neighborhood, and he responded with, "Don't worry. I never will." And they retreated to their car, releasing him from the threat of harm.

Terror on the streets, in the neighborhoods...of America.

He tells me his thoughts as he slowly pulls out into traffic. He had kept his "cool" with them, all the while his insides were churning. His emotions ran the gamut after he got away, causing him to pull over to the side of the road to regroup trying to figure out where he even was. 

It was a long night. And it still invades both our thoughts. I have always been an observant individual, almost to the point of paranoia. All the more so now. I will never allow myself to be in a compromising position if at all possible. But D? Even though he is still dealing with the memory of that event, he seems to be his old self. Mostly. I did notice, however, when I came back from running errands yesterday, the door to our house was locked...with him inside. That is definitely a first!

As I'm working on this post, he popped in to tell me that he still has to pray when all the different thoughts come to him about that interaction. He is still shaken as he thinks of all the wrongs that could have happened. Thank God no gun was involved. Not because guns kill people, but because people kill people. Guns may make it easier, but had they really wanted to hurt him, they would have. 

Thank God he had the character to disarm them with kind sincerity, even while his insides were on high alert. Thank God he didn't respond with anger about the accusations. Thank God he didn't challenge them. Thank God he stayed put and never got out of the truck to address this. Thank God he got home safe. 

I pray that some small word D spoke, pierced their souls. That because of my husband's kindness to everyone he meets, even when directly accused, struck a cord within them, and they, too, had a reckoning with God that night. 

"Do not be overcome by evil (don't allow emotions to rule you, so that you respond poorly), but overcome evil with good." ~Romans 12:21

 So very grateful to have my husband still with me, here you will find me...in Mary's World.

My View from Here

I know. I know! We just started Fall, why am I jumping into Winter this early?! Well...I recently ran across a writing that beckoned me because of the "season" of life I find myself to be in. It had no author that I could find, but it isn't mine. I add my 2 cents worth at the end. Of course I do... 

They call it the winter of life...the years when hair turns silver, bones ache a little more, and the world feels quieter. For many, it sounds like an ending. But those who are living it know the truth: winter has its own beauty.

In youth, life is spring...full of beginnings. In adulthood, summer...busy, warm, overflowing with noise and responsibilities. Autumn arrives with reflection, slowing down, watching children grown and dreams settle into place.

And then comes winter. 

At first, it feels cold. Empty nest. Quiet house. Loved ones gone. The snow seems heavy.

But look closer. Winter is also when the world glitters brightest under the morning sun. It's the season of warm fires, of hands wrapped around tea cups, of conversations that finally have time to breathe. Winter is when you realize that happiness isn't rushing anymore...it's in remembering, in cherishing, in stillness.

One grandmother put it best: 

"I used to think getting older was losing pieces of myself. Now I see it's gaining a clearer view. I don't need everything I once thought I did. I just need love, peace, and the people who choose to stay."

The winter of life teaches us this: every wrinkle is a story, every scar a survival, every laugh line a proof that joy was real.

So, if you're blessed enough to reach this season...wear it proudly. Wrap yourself in gratitude. Share your wisdom with the young. And remind the world that winter isn't the end.

It's the soft glow before the dawn.

Final Thought: Don't fear winter. Embrace it. Because the quietest season can hold the loudest love. ❤️

My View from Here...

I do love this time of my life. The last season of life...the next chapter, as I know it. A birthing is about to take place. A new life is about to begin. In more ways than one.

I would say, for me, at least, the transition from the world of business to the world of retirement has been a journey in and of itself. It took me a bit, but I think I have finally arrived. With only 4 months in my rear view mirror, I have become accustom to this way of living. It feels good most days.

I couldn't tell you any differences I felt when I entered the "winter" of my life because I was still working my small business until the ripe old age of 78 years. Energy was abundant because of what my hands were finding to do, I loved. During the sometimes long hours of any given day, I rarely became hungry. Nor did I tire. Not until my tush found its groove in the drivers seat of my car at the end of the day, did my body even realize it needed nourishment and rest. Those were good, fulfilled days. Mostly...

But now? Now I find myself realizing I really AM in the winter of life. It stares me in the face every day. I no longer feel the need for beautifying my looks since I have no clear agenda other than putting one foot in front of the other and making stabs at reorganizing my life as I become more knowledgeable with how creation works. My hands are in dirt (a lot), as I now am helping the plant world (instead of the human world) be beautiful. Still full of challenges, just no feed-back, other than what the outcome tells me. It's pretty much a silent world. It's as if I have stepped into someone else's life. 

From the age of 7 years, I have worked. Rising at 4 AM and not laying down until the days work could be called done. During the "responsible for others" era, that time was quite late. So, now...well, it's just weird. But fulfilling...most days. I've still a lot to learn.

I do love this time of life, though. It's so much easier to see the absolute miracles of life. And, it's not that I've lived without feeling the nearness of God and the daily miracles of life, because I have. All one has to do, really, is be quiet for a bit and listen. All one need do is look at creation. There are so many miracles floating right in front of our natural eyes, and once we breathe and take in the goodness of God, we can feel His unconditional love for us. Inside our being. And it feels good...

Embracing the quietest season of life, seeing love differently...here you will find me, in Mary's World.