Fifty one years ago, my high school class walked across the football field and got our diplomas. And for the most part, we kept on walking. Every five years, we get together for a few hours. In the last three years, as we planned for our 50th reunion, which should have been in 2020,  we bonded in a different way through the power of facebook. And now that many of us have inherited our Mom’s stash of photos, we were able to collect all of our class group photos. 

Last week, I posted on facebook, “I would really like to know the 'Chronicles' version of my life, instead of just living out the 'Samuel/Kings' version.

I would like to know what God is doing in my life and my world. And how far I’m missing His plan. 

Today, it was my time to read Psalm 88. In the opening remarks it indicates this a ‘Suffering of Affliction.’ The first time this Psalm really stood out to me, was a day during the second week of recovery from my sixth chemo treatment. That morning my fever of several days had finally broken and there was hope I was going to come through. But I was exhausted. I knew all I would be able to do that morning was read the day’s Bible passages. I was anticipating I would be uplifted. 

However, it was Psalm 88, and I was devastated. It spoke to how I was feeling with out pointing to hope. It was a time when I did feel like darkness was my only friend. 

Oh, how I long to walk into any store and see full shelves. Not that I want to buy anything.

Easter and bluebonnets, are always great reminders that hope is on the horizons. Even if the difficulties of COVID.

Hebrews 12:2, NASB

Passion week has begun! And there is more hope in the air for our world. 

But I’m praying for guidance to see all things I was suppose to learn during this special season that I’ve missed. I don’t want to have to go back and learn the things I’ve missed. 

Getting back into the grind after spring break gives us an idea of what returning to real life will be like. 

What will be the hardest for you to go back to doing? 

Fully vaccinated. 

A moment in time, I wasn’t quite sure would happen, to be fully vaccinated. This is a time in the mist, not quite time to step into the sunlight, but not wanting to stay in the darkness much longer. 

Finally, a day of hope

With today’s release of guidelines for fully vaccinated people by the CDC, we finally have a day of hope. 

You still can’t buy a box of plastic knives. (At least, at the stores I shop in.)

You can buy a box of forks, a box of spoons, and a box of assorted utensils. So knives are out there. 

Some people think I was stuck in the house for a week. But, in reality I did some traveling. 

I had just finished some time in England attending balls with a Duke and the Diamond of the Season. Then I spent some time in LA experience the hard life of a detective who was always trying to get to the truth. I spent some time in New England walking the life of a young female poet when women were meant to be the best housewives in New England. And then I go to make three trips to the moon. All of this was done with some license. 

This week here in North Texas, we are experiencing another calamity with devastating cold, record breaking temperatures. The predictions are they are going to be around for over a week. We are experiencing ‘controlled’ power blackouts now to maintain the grid. 

I opened my calendar app last night and was pleasantly surprised to see I only have commitments on three weekdays for the rest of the month of February (during working hours.) I don’t remember the last time that was true. 

Perhaps, this year is starting to come together. 

In Queue.

Last week, I was in line of cars for 95 minutes to get into the parking lot where the vaccination was being given. I’m not complaining. I was comfortable in my car, not standing. And the line was constantly moving. 

As always, when you are in the middle of one major crisis, there are a million of other crises. 

Waiting, you would think I’d be a pro at it by now. As of today, I’ve published 300 episodes of the Adventures of My COVID-19 Rabbit. The lockdown started 7 days before that. 

This time has given me a whole new perspective of waiting. Oh, I had years of the excitement of waiting for the first day of school. Waiting for some life event. Waiting for the birth of a new family member. 

Today, I read the story of when Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. In the version I was reading, it said Hagar wandered aimlessly in the wilderness. I stopped reading and said ‘wandering aimlessly.’

That pretty much sums up how my life feels. This last week for sure, but maybe for several past years. 

It’s a little hard to celebrate a new year when there is absolutely nothing new about it, with the exception of one number. 

And a new resolution, goal, a new path won’t right what’s wrong.

It’s time to choose my one word for 2021. It is going to be a challenging year for me in many areas of my life. I have not been looking forward to choosing a word for next year. 

The One Word I have chosen for every year has provided an interesting focus for that year. Always what I needed, but usually the outcome was not what I was expecting. 

I was able to see the ‘Christmas Star’ tonight. And with my binoculars. I did see the two separate stars. Gazing on it, I thought  about the year in general for me and my needs for the coming months. 

In the last few weeks, as I’ve felt my depression lifting after several years, it has become clear to men I need the last nine months off from the day to day grind of my regular life.