It's not the best job that will be remembered most, or the clothes a person wears....It's usually the friends or family that come our way....Yet life somehow takes them away when you least expect it..Friends may move away. Some lose communication...and some may even pass through to eternity.
It's just a part of life yet it can be hard to deal with, at times. I couldn't figure out why I have felt sad in spurts, recently, but then I realized I have dealt with a lot of losses in the past 17 months. So I guess I have a reason for these emotions I feel...Yet I do know that I need to get out of the sadness and into focusing differently. I have had to turn on funny movies or videos, watch clean comedy shows, listen to uplifting music, and keep myself motivated because losses can get a person down...
Seven people I know, plus a neighbor's dog that I loved, passed away in this season of my life. I have to focus on the great memories and what I learned from them so the sadness and grieving process would minimize. I want to share with you something from each.
There was Lois Arneson. She was one of those ladies who treated everyone with love and kindness. She would call me "dear little one" for about 13 years. She was like a grandmother to me. She has a special place in my heart for she showed me who God was by her actions. . The love, the care, and the kindness was truly genuine...I love her lots and miss her. She has written me many times in the years I have known her. I appreciated when she sent me Christmas cards and birthday cards with poems attached to them. I cherish the letters, cards, blankets and other items she sewed for me.
Roy Vasquez. He taught me to minister and show love to various types of people. He was a former neighbor and was a big brother to me. He would call me "Tiny Tot," I think it was because I am short and it was close to Tater Tot. I sure do miss that brother of mine. At that time, his brother Bobby and another brother, I can't seem to remember the name) started calling me "t-bone...I guess you can say that Roy's family loved Food.
I enjoyed helping Roy in various activities and ministries, such as:the prayer ministry, and the Water Splash Extravaganza. My only regret, is that I couldn't get a hold of him the last year when he was dying. I wish I could have seen him. Yet I am thankful for the last conversation I had with him a year before he died. He is one family member I will never forget, as you see, he was "my brother from another mother," as he would say.
Katie, a neighbor. I will learn from her boldness and I will always remember her beautiful smile. She taught me that when you go through tough pain, it's okay to smile. She was Aunt Katie to everyone who know her. I appreciate the talks we had, especially toward the end of her life and how she allowed me to pray with her during some painful days. I was so impressed that a women of her age (80 or 90 something) would be online. We laughed a lot when I was trying to fix her internet connection because her computer was in the bedroom and the modem was in the living room for some reason. So I kept running back and forth, wearing myself out, as the Verizon Tech, on the phone, kept telling me to push the buttons on the modem and the computer when it wasn't working right. Funny memories. I miss you, Aunt Katie...
Charlotte, a neighbor- I didn't know her that well, but I did watch her get around. She silently taught me that even though she was going blind the last couple of years, she still kept on going.
Bill Hammontree- a friend. He was a man who loved to help people and showed kindness. Him and his wife would help me with rides I needed to church, at times. I am grateful to be apart of their kindness. I am one of many, they have helped give rides to church.
Bill Faulkner- a man with a great sense of Humor...I miss joking with him on facebook and church events. He was one of those guys that just made you laugh. I enjoyed his humor over the ten years that I have known him.
...then there was little Taffy, I miss my neighbor's dog who died last year. She was also apart of my life as well. I used to take her on walks and pet her many times each week for over 3 years. It's so nice how a dog can show you much love. Some may say, that it's just a dog. I say they are wrong, because a pet, can be a family member.
My dear Friends that left this earth. You will not be forgotten....you have left fingerprints on my heart.
I had written this blog about a week ago, then I found out yesterday that another friend of mine died this week or last. Her name is Virginia Thornburg. Virginia was a sweet, little lady; she was the one who started my nickname about fifteen years ago. She would see me in the foyer on Tuesday mornings. I was helping with the youth office work and she was leading the ladies Tuesday bible studies in the morning. She had a hard time remembering my name so she would associate my petite-ness with my name and call me "Teenie Tiny Tanya." Then sure enough, others started calling me that, but then it was shortened to "Triple T (by Jon Llera)." and then eventually I got the nickname "Teensie" which people continue to call me and I even started this blog called "Teensy Tidbits". These nicknames all started because of lovable Virginia. I am grateful for the times we have talked on the phone. I eventually started going to the ladies Bible Study that she taught and gained a lovable friendship. Her late husband was also dear to me. He was like a spiritual father; he would call me his daughter. I miss the both of them.
Thankyou for listening.
