Goodbye 2008

Well this year is almost over and I can honestly say that I am NOT sorry to see it go. It has been a trying year for me and my family. We have had one medical situation after another since March. Month after month. I mean January and February we were good and then BAM!!! I jokingly referred to our home as the "Shelton Family Memorial Clinic" for most of the year and of course with the exception of the "head nurse" aka ME, the Clinic was not really a pleasant place. We just kept rotating patients....Katie, my mom, George, Katie, my mom, George. I NEVER GOT TO BE SICK ONCE!!! Okay, I got to be sick but alas there was no nurse available as she was SICK!! But as I look back... I realize that God was with us every step of the way and things could have been so much worse. What a year!! Katie graduated from Lake View and got ready to "move out" to go to school. It was such an adjustment for everyone. She grew up almost overnight and became so independent and responsible. And as I watched that with pride, I also felt a little sad that my "little girl" was not so little anymore. And as I look back on that.. I again see the hand of God in her life as she ventured out into the world and BACK to church. We had helpers come and go at Shelton Plumbing and that was an adjustment for George. We knew the economy was bad, but never dreamed it would impact our little "family" business. And then it did....... ALOT! And despite all the DRAMA, we made it through and here we are anxiously awaiting a new year with hope of new adventures and chapters in the book of our lives. I am grateful for SOME of the trials of the past year, as I learned from them and IN many of them deepened my relationship with the Lord. I truly believe that He will hold me and keep me all the days of my life. My wish/resolution/desire for 2009 is for me AND my family to be healthier physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So, I leave 2008 behind grateful for the lessons learned and the obstacles overcome. Grateful for another year of life lived with all the good and bad that comes with it. I hope that I will carry that with me into 2009 and know that no life is without sorrow and trials. That we all face hills and valleys. That God will be with us through it all if we just trust and have faith. So, here's to 2009... I am ready!!! I wish all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!!

All Dogs Go to Heaven

My beautiful blue heeler Beau is being put down this morning. He is 10 years old and he has belonged to us since he was 8 weeks old. He can catch a frisbee, a ball, or anything else that you were willing to toss in mid-air. He entertained all the neighborhood kids and passer-bys who wanted to throw the frisbee for the "flying dog". He is extremely smart and stubborn. Is house trained but stayed outside mostly. As he got older it became a game of "outwit, outlast, and outplay" when we would try to put him out and it was cold outside. He would take off running and drag himself under our bed or any place else where it was impossible to get to him. One day, he had wedged himself in so tight under our bed that he just slept there the entire day. We ultimately had to help him get out. They say that 10 years old is a good life for a dog. I guess. But the aging process isn't really kind to any of us. He started having "accidents", and a couple of months ago had a seizure. He was on an arthritis medication and still played frisbee with George but now instead of out in the field behind the house, they played in the back yard where Beau didn't have to run as hard or fast. Saturday, he had three seizures and the last two were pretty violent. We took him to the "hospital" at 11 that evening and the next morning after church picked him up with some anti-seizure meds. He never got to take them. He had another seizure at the vet's office that morning and just couldn't recover. After nursing him all day and staying up with him off and on all night....I made THE CALL this morning. Our wonderful vet is making a house call at 10:00. He is going to assess Beau and then make the decision. But I already know. I love that dog... A LOT. He is like a member of the family. He is not himself. In fact, he is a mess. It is breaking my heart but because I love him I know that I have to be merciful to him and give him rest. It is said that dogs don't have souls. That is why they don't go to heaven. I agree with part of that. Beau doesn't have a soul but he has heart and spirit. And that will live in my spirit. My love for him will live in my heart. And when I die I will take it with me. So, yes, he will get to go to heaven.... in my heart. I will miss you dear friend. You were a great dog.

Not doing Christmas

All I have heard for the past month is "I/We aren't doing Christmas this year." Not doing Christmas? What does that even mean? You are just going to leave the country? Oh wait, Christmas is EVERYWHERE!!! I notice people don't say "we are not doing Thanksgiving, Easter, or Halloween." Let me guess. Those holidays are about YOU. About EATING. About little, if any, effort!! Christmas involves giving. And I know, before you even think it, it is or SHOULD BE about the birth of our Saviour. I get that. I celebrate that. But Jesus was OUR gift. A gift to the world. How do you just say, "I'm not doing that?" I know that economically things are tough and they are at the Shelton household as well. But this bitter, cynical attitude about Christmas? That is not a money issue. That is a selfish issue. (Gospel according to Shelton). My husband has never liked Christmas but his is a MAN issue. Shopping? Are you kidding me? The Christmas fairy does all of his shopping and wraps and labels stuff and he just sits back and receives the "thank-yous." OOPS, now I am sounding bitter. And I am not. We are DOING Christmas this year. And it won't be on a grand scale because the economy IS bad. But we will "do it" just the same because we love to give at my house. Because the economy was pretty rough on Joseph and Mary (couldn't really afford a motel) but God DID Christmas anyway. He didn't wait for a better place to come open to give us His gift. Because this is and should be a joyous time. Why is everyone so angry? Why is everyone so anti-Christmas this year. I am particularly amazed at my friends that say "this year we are going to truly celebrate the reason for the season". Haven't you been doing that all along? Do gifts prevent you from doing that? Or the ones that say "we are going to make memories this year" or "not waste money on a bunch of crap". Well memories aren't made, they happen. And I bet no one has ever actually bought crap. Where do you go to get that anyway? I just spoke to one too many people this week that had this whole anti-Christmas attitude and it made me feel guilty for buying gifts (which are within my budget I might add) and for singing carols and looking forward to time spent with family and friends. So, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and you can find him at my house Christmas morning, along with the food, the presents, the memories and oh yeah....the crap!! Merry Christmas and to all a "LIGHTEN UP!!"

I am Definitely the Smartest Person in the Room

I am testing young adults (17-18 year olds) before the Christmas break. As usual, there is kind of a fellowship time at the beginning of class. I listen to them speak and what comes out their mouths covinces me that I am the smartest person in the room. Every day, every class period. Yesterday, I had a young lady who could not understand why she got a ticket for parking in a handicapped zone at Wal-Mart when she had to hurry in and get her lunch so she wouldn't be late back to school. I tried to explain the concept of "handicapped" and she said "well I never thought it was for people who couldn't walk." Okay, perhaps she parked there because she is MENTALLY handicapped and then I would agree that she didn't deserve a ticket. In fact, she should get a parking sticker. Perhaps a brain in a red circle with a line across it? So day by day, I feel more intelligent. Today, however, was extra enlightening!! We were doing a quick review and I was just peppering them with questions and everyone was answering spontaneously. I asked the class the following question, "Due to the prosperity of the 1920's people began to purchase goods on?" The answer of course was "credit". But one young lady shouted out E-BAY!!! Yes, in the 1920s they had e-bay! I am not only the smartest in the room but today I am Einstein!!

E-bay.....yikes!! The future of America people. Scary isn't it?

Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing. It all depends on how you look at it. Did you know that in harassment cases, what matters is whether or not the person FELT harassed? That, according to the law, their perception is what matters. In fact the law states that if the person FELT harassed then NO MATTER the intent, harassment occurred. So, the law is based on perception. Perception is reality. Police will tell you that 5 people can see a car accident and each one will have a different "eyewitness" account. The end result will be the same but the "details" will vary according to the witness' perspective. I have seen and heard many different perspectives in the last 5 days or so as we are experiencing a transition in our church. Transition.....that's another funny word. We all know what it means but it has become political speak for "you might not like the change that is coming." If you don't believe that... just ask the Republicans right now as they are "transitioning" to a new president! Anyway, you have to be careful when listening to people's perspective on certain events or people. They are really telling you what amounts to "their side". They don't even intend that.... but they are speaking from their perspective... which is like I said...their reality. It is intermingled with how they FEEL. We all do it. When we are conversing with friends, family, or loved ones we do it. If we are talking sports, religion, politics, or even who has the best/worst life...it is spoken through OUR perspective OR our view as it applies to us. Things in our conversation are tempered with how they AFFECT us. And on emotional issues, it is really hard to find the truth amidst the perspective of the person speaking it. That is why we must weigh and measure what we say, how we say it, and more importantly, why we say it. And the same in the hearing.... what are we hearing, why are we hearing it and what is the motive of the person speaking it? So, is there ANY truth out there? Yes, but sometimes you have to really sift to find it. But then, that is just my perspective.

Doo-Wap Doo- Wap

I LOVE to sing. I LOVE music. My life has a soundtrack (read previous blog of same title!) Well I have always, with salt shaker (or spatula or whatever I could find) in hand have put on mini concerts in my home. From small child, to teenager, to yes even now. Of course I do this when no one else is home and I am ALWAYS the headline act!!! No second billing for me. UNTIL NOW!! Sunday night I (along with our choir) got to sing back up to Grammy Award winning artist Larnelle Harris. Oh my gosh!! More fun than a barrel of monkeys. Seriously, I had the best time ever. Katie stood next to me and she and I had the time of our lives. I have found my calling. A Doo-Wap girl. Okay, I am definitely going to have to have some kind of surgical procedure done first in order to LOOK as good as I SOUND...but I am retiring in 3 years and there will be plenty of time. Another "dreamgirl" has been discovered...even if it is only within the confines of her mind!!

Hopscotch in the Park

Yesterday I took a jog in Santa Fe Park. It was a glorious afternoon and there were people jogging/walking/running. Some had their dogs. Men were playing golf. Several were picking up pecans. Others were fishing. Kids kingdom was full and children were playing behind the YMCA as part of the day care program. I had the best music on my IPOD and after laboring the first quarter mile (which is usual for me) I got into a rhythm and was just enjoying the sights and beauty of the park. On my way back through I read all the signs that are a part of the tour of lights and just was having a whale of a time. But nothing compares to what happened at the end of my route. I decided instead of stopping at my usual stop that I would jog down through to Celebration Bridge. As I got on the bridge, I noticed a dad with his two little girls sitting on the bridge posts. At their feet was a net. They had been seining for bait. I went past with a smile and a wave. On my way back by, I noticed hopscotch tiles on the bridge. I was walking in perfect rhythm to my music when I spontaneously did the hopscotch. When I got to the end tile I jumped on it with both feet and looked over at those precious little girls. No words spoken. Their faces broadened into the biggest of smiles and so did mine. I walked off and felt the carefree happiness of a child. As I made the bend I looked back and they had "pulled" their daddy over to the tiles and I could see him "hopping" on the tiles and explaining the "game" to his little girls. A special moment for all of us!! I was glad to be a part of it. Hopscotch in the park. Maybe today when I go I will bring a rock and really play!!!

Lightening the Load

We all carry a load of some sort. A few weeks back someone really hurt and disappointed me. I thought it was just good old poisonous anger but it stemmed from hurt and disappointment which is where anger really comes from I think. Anyway, I just nursed these feelings and let them sort of dictate my relationship with this person and my attitude about a lot of things related to them. Yesterday God grabbed my attention (yanked is a better term) and told me that I needed to not only let these feelings go but to forgive the person who had caused them. I remembered a sermon I had heard a while back that said that one way to erase the bitterness in your life is to not only forgive the person who has hurt you but to tell them (when it is possible and realistic to do so) that you forgive them. Are you kidding? Go to the person who has hurt or disappointed you and tell them you forgive them when they haven't even asked for forgiveness? That's a little presumptuous don't you think? Well that sermon came to mind yesterday and I made an appointment to see this person. A friend of mine tells me that I am like the old cartoon character that has the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. I always say "yeah and the angel stands there daily thinking man, my life sucks because the devil wins out more often than not". And the devil was there yesterday. I had decided that when I told this person I forgave them I was also going to "revisit" what had caused the problem in the first place and do all I could to not only make my side known but to try to make this person feel bad. After all, God had led me to this place, right? Well today I met with the individual and the devil DID NOT WIN OUT!! God was indeed in this from the beginning and He carried me through today. I was sincere, I spoke my heart, witnessed a little, and gave God the glory for all of it. The meeting went great and I left with a sense of peace. The individual was receptive and opened up to me about their own spiritual struggles. We were able to talk like children of Christ. It was good. God is not a liar. "If you have aught against your brother, you should go to him and make it right." I am paraphrasing but you can find it in Matthew. Every time I follow God's instruction, it turns out to be such a good thing. DUH!! So today I am lighter. A burden is lifted. I think that is how we have to approach such things. One at a time. Lightening the load.

Right in front of my face

Yesterday I lost my school keys. And what followed was a total 100% freakout!! I dug through the trash, had my assistant principal look at the cameras on my hall to see if we could see me with them, called all my friends, and eventually had my husband stand on a ladder and hold a flashlight while I dug through the school dumpster last night. EEWWW!!! And of course I did not find them. I was sick. Just sick. Almost couldn't eat supper. (you notice I said almost) Came to school today heavy hearted as those were my keys to EVERYTHING!! For teachers, our keys are basically our lives. Sad but true. As the department chair, I have the keys to EVERYTHING and of course everything was locked and now I have no keys. After a departmental meeting this morning, I was getting a test for a colleague and opened a FLAT notebook that had been on my desk the whole time and that I had even picked up and moved yesterday during my frantic search and BAM! there were my keys. Right in front of my face. Well hidden by a binder but still. It set me to thinking. I had gotten so upset and tried hard to spread that to all of my friends and loved ones (misery DOES love company) when what I was upset about was right in front of my face. Wonder how often that happens in my day to day life. I worry, stress, and seek for answers or solutions when it is most likely right in front of my face. Last night at supper George prayed and he did ask God to help me find my keys (he sort of snickered when he said it because he just thought it was silly that I was so upset) and I said "God doesn't care about my keys" and he said "I am fairly certain He does." I thought about that and realized that God cares about everything in our lives because He cares for us. He wants that relationship with us. It's not about "lost" keys. It is about US. He cares when we are upset, or stressed, or happy. He wants to share EVERYTHING in our lives. I am starting to find that in everything there is something that God is wanting us to learn. He tries to share with us and sometimes we can't see what is right in front of our face. I want a full time relationship with God. I do. And I work, and worry, and try to do all the things that I think will "get that" for me. How stupid. I learned, with the keys, that the minute I got out of the way, the minute I quit trying to do it all on my own, the minute I just let go.....there they were. I know it seems weird to use lost keys as an analogy to finding a relationship with God but that is how my mind is working today. And it is MY blog after all. I don't have to search and worry and stress about my relationship with the Lord. I don't have to search frantically to find Him. He is right here....waiting for me to let go and let Him, counting the moments until I relax, and look for Him...right in front of my face.