5 golden years

my thoughts

  • forgiveness, part 2

    A Mark Twain quote to ponder, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” What Forgiveness is NOT– Forgetting: if you forget the wrongdoing, you might find yourself in the same situation again – Condoning: the wrongdoing is not okay, don’t accept it – Denying or Minimizing: you…

  • when forgiveness is not enough, part 1

    As the old adage says, “Words are cheap,” and never more so than when you hear, “I forgive you,” with no change in the person’s behavior. Perhaps this comes from other words ingrained in our culture, in the words of Jesus,  “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us,” which…

  • finding humor

    Responsible for taking her driver’s license (details in a coming blog), I felt an obligation to become a chauffeur, Mother as a front seat passenger. Known for her unique driving method which developed due to macular degeneration (ability to see only periphery), stiff neck (limiting her motion and ability to see). She prayed and went…

  • no comment

    “You got me in trouble.” This comment from Mother left me puzzled, my facial expression betraying my ‘do not respond’ self-pledge. [Any response, positive or negative provides fuel. More about fuel in coming posts.] As I rapidly searched my memory for any such occurrence, Mother continued, “You told on me and the principal called me.…

  • accepting truth

    As Mother aged, her defenses gradually let down and she started sharing her hurtful deeds. “Your Father was a genius and I didn’t know how I was going to discipline you.” Mother solved this dilemma with repeated beatings, beginning from babyhood. One such example, often retold at family gatherings, complete with giggles from others, continued…