This writing is a jumble of different thoughts, so please bear with me, (or perhaps you should just pass it on by right now).
I have been unwell for about a week. The reason I mention it at all is because it plays a part in this writing. Today I finally broke away from my home 'which is my Sanctuary' to get out for awhile. I have found that if I get out and about for at least a small bit everyday, then the walls I am surrounded by don't close in on me, and relying on my own company and conversation doesn't become my downfall into the abyss of 'aloneness insanity'.
There has been many personal issues in my family this week, and when my family is affected then it affects me. I call this my Mothering instinct, which has always been apart of who I am, and will never change.,but my family sometimes considers this interfering. Oh well, I guess you could say I care too much, rather then not at all. I consider it a warm and fuzzy when someone cares enough about me to get involved.
I was suppose to be in South Carolina helping Amy with the girls this week, while the movers prepared them for their move to D.C. This did not happen due to a mix up somehow, or someway! So now unfortunately Amy is on the 'Army's limbo train' of hurry up and wait. This whole situation is a mess, but the blessing is, I now am feeling well enough to be a help and not a hindrance which is what I would have been.
My sister-in-law Nancy's family has been undergoing the loss of her Dad, Max Lewey this week. I and my brother's understand the magnitude of giving up a parent. The reality that is life, is that eventually this will happen, but actually having this take place is something you are never ever prepared for. I grieve with Nancy, Jim, JoDee, Mindy, and Rebecca as well as Nancy's Mom, Ellyn and her sister Janie and her family. I have known Mr. Lewey for many years now, and I can say that he was a very fine man, who loved his family greatly and well. Although, I haven't gotten to spend a lot of personal time with him over the years, I feel like I have because of the shared stories about him from Jim, Nancy and my nieces. Those stories are not mine to share at this time, but this one story I will share here because I feel like it, like no other defines this 90 year old man's character.
Mr. Lewey has been unwell for sometime now and has been in the hospital trying to recover. Although he had been unable to return home, he was still well enough to speak with his family and the round the clock care givers tending to him. When I spoke individually to Nancy and Jim yesterday about the arrangements for his 'Celebration of Life Service' they both shared this story. I hope I have all the details right.
Mr. Lewey was in his hospital room and when different care givers would approach him to see if he needed anything, he would say "No I don't, but can I hold your hand I would like to pray for you" he would pray for each one individually and ask the Lord to help them as they go about their lives and the task's as hand. Towards the last a Nun came in and asked to pray for Mr. Lewey, he didn't refuse, but instead he prayed for her. Such a testimony.
This story signifies to me that Mr. Lewey was confident in the fact, that he was embarking on a new journey and he was prepared and ready, but he cared enough about those around him that he was asking for God's spiritual guidance for those not ready for the journey.
I rejoice with his family that Mr. Lewey is at the beginning of his new journey with the Lord and what a wonderful journey it will be.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
 |
| Gardenia Perfection |
 |
| Opening Day |
 |
| A beautiful Array! |
 |
| Faithful and loyal Nature's Gift |
Above are a few pictures of my Gardenia tree. This species is called a Gardenia on a Standard for those that are interested. I have had this tree for, I am thinking at least 20 years now. It has had it ups and downs over the years and has grown from a small flowering stick into the way it is today. It is a tropical plant and so must be moved in out of the weather when it turns cold. It usually spends it's winter in the garage with very little management or care until spring, when I start watering, feeding it with liquid feed, and offering it sunshine during warm days and returning it to the garage in the early evening. I know most of you are saying this is way to much trouble, but I do not feel that way at all. Over the years I have given one to Barbara and one to Amy but unfortunately, their's did not survive.
I decided I should share this story about Gardenia's and why I love them so.
When I was a budding teenager, my family lived in Tangelo Park, Florida. We lived in a brand new tract home in a new subdivision. My parents had never owned a home, and had definitely never lived in a new home until this time. My Dad was in the U S Air Force and was stationed at McCoy AFB in Orlando, Fl.
My Mom who loved plants and flowers, was thrilled to be able to plant all sorts of tropical tree's and plants.We had Orange tree's, passion flower plants, and many other exotic flowering plants, as well as a small little lemon tree that produced so many lemons that it couldn't hold it's little limbs up due to the weight. We as a family loved Florida, and enjoyed our home. Of course now I know that the cost of that home was that my Dad had to work a second job after he finished his shift working on the flight-line for the Air force at McCoy. He found a job working for Martin Marietta, doing security in the evening. At that time and for many years after that we only had one vehicle, so if my Mom needed to use the car she had to take him to work to his second job and then return back later to pick him up. Anyway, they would load the four of us kids into our blue and white 55 Chevy and off we would go to take Dad to work. That was where and when I discovered Gardenia's. There was a long circular roadway that led into the Martin Marietta Complex. All along that roadway was nothing but large Gardenia shrubs, and they were always loaded with those beautiful, solid white, delicate frilly, sweet smelling blossoms. I adored the drive there and the drive back because of those flowering shrubs. Of course I never thought about my Dad or the reason he was having to work another job. He was a family man foremost and he never let on that he was tired or out of sorts about having to go. He would just say "alright Sissy Boo help your Mom get your brother's in the car so we can take a ride out to your favorite sweet smelling place" and I would, and off we would go. So I always planned on having a Gardenia shrub one day, but it didn't turn out to be a shrub it is a Gardenia on a Standard, and every time it blooms, it brings back sweet memories of those carefree times in Tangelo Park, Florida, with my dear sweet parents and my three little brothers. Happy, happy times.
As a post script to this I have to say that then just as now the housing market was in the weeds. When it came time for my Dad to move once again, this time to Little Rock, Arkansas, Jacksonville AFB, my parents were unable to sell their home and had to walk away from it, like so many were doing during that time. It caused my parents many sleepless nights and my Dad never really got over the embarrassment of being unable to settle the situation any other way. He believed that if you made a debt, you payed your debt, and you lived within your means, and if you couldn't do that then you didn't do it. I will add this too. My Mom of course kept in contact with many of her neighbors after we left and this is what they told my Mom. We had no more then rounded the corner, when a neighbor when over to our yard and helped themselves to my Mom's lovely prized tree's and plant's, they stripped the yard bare like vultures! Needless to say my Mom in all of her best hill country, Eaton Fork Road, Kentucky vernacular, had more then a few words to say about that event. I don't think she ever stopped chewing the gristle on that bone. This makes me laugh because 'Murly Dick' as her Dad called her had quite the ability to curse like a sailor if she wanted too, and she did quite often whether the need arose or not!
Well I really was going to write more but suddenly I feel drained. Emotional subjects can do that to you.
My prayers go with the Lewey/Johnson families as they bid farewell to Grampy Max.
Also my prayers go with Chris and Barbara and the boys as they make their way to The Outer Banks for a much needed time away.
I am also asking all of you for prayers for Amy, Mark and the girls as they transition from living apart back to living together as a family in a new home, in our Nation's capitol, as well as coping with trying to sell their home in good old hot South Carolina.
I do know this of a certainty
Matthew 19:24-26 ... [26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Thanks and God Bless....... LSJL
