Obstacles

If you are like me you have obstacles (mostly small) in every area of life, how we deal with them ultimately separates the men from the ladies (pardon the expression) but I have been dealing with one lately that I believe may put me in the proverbial nut house before it's all said and done.  What is it you ask?.....the lack of high speed internet service!  Yes folks, although it's the 21st century, there are still those of us who do have access in our homes....so frustrating.

I feel like there is a highly creative person just screaming to get out but she has no digital avenue in which to release herself!  Imagine how annoying it is to live 12 miles from a major interstate and have a broadband signal a mere 2 miles away.  Ever been reaching for something that is just inches from your grasp but no matter how hard you try you just can't seem to take hold....yea, that's me.  Cable internet is not offered in my area and satellite internet service.....well, have you seen those prices!  I would be smarter buying my own satellite than paying those monthly fees!  While others are blogging away posting lovely pictures of their families and daily events in their lives, I am drumming my fingers on the desk waiting for my blog to load.  So much to share with so little means to share, *sigh*.

If anyone in blogger-land can offer some advice to this conundrum, please feel free to share.  My inner creative self needs an outlet!

Once upon a time.....

........there was girl that lived next door to my family. Her name was Amy and she had a sister, Rachael that came to be one of my best friends. As we grew up, Amy became a friend and the girlfriend of one of my brothers. Because our houses were just a few feet from each other and the fact that she and my brother were inseparable, we saw each other almost every day. I grew to love her just as I did her family. Throughout my late teens and early twenties, there aren’t too many memories I recall that she was not a part of in some way. With Amy dating my brother, I had the sister that I had always wanted within reach. She was beautiful, charming, vibrant, and full of life and had a very quick wit.

All too quickly my dream of her as my SIL came to an end. She and my brother broke up and he joined the Air Force shortly thereafter. Amy’s heart was broken. We had so many conversations after their relationship ended some that I still remember like they happened just yesterday.
A few years later, Amy married and moved to a neighboring city. Our lives began to take different paths and we grew apart. Circumstances would dictate that I would see Amy less and less as the years passed.

Sadly, last December, at the age of 42, Amy entered into eternity to meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My heart is still heavy even as I write this today. On one hand, I am overjoyed that one day we will sit together on the shores of that great city and talk like we did so many times before but on the other hand, I am saddened by all the missed opportunities to tell her how much I loved her when she was just a few miles down the road.

Amy would have celebrated her 43rd birthday in July and with its passing I am reminded again that I will have to wait until God calls me home to see her again. What a sweet reunion that will be…….

Reminiscing

After reading a post by my niece on her blog recently, I was reminded of so many things that I miss from my own childhood.  

Running through trails that had been raked through the leaves on a crisp fall day.

Climbing trees and playing on rocks in the woods across the road from our house.

Riding my bike with the kids down the street on old country roads.

Mom's Fried Chicken, (it's still the best I have ever had).

Mom's Chicken n' Dumplings (these too, are the best I have ever had).

Sunday dinner gathered around the table with family while enjoying either one of the two dishes listed above!

Waking up to hear mom singing old southern gospel hymns on Saturday morning while cleaning. *In the summer, this was always accompanied by open windows and the smell of fresh cut grass.

Listening to Ann Murray's 'You Light Up My Life' at night when I was little and couldn't sleep. 

Our Friday night trips to the grocery store and Long John Silver's with Mom.

Visiting dad at work for dinner as a teenager.  *He worked 2nd shift.

Sitting in the bathroom with mom at night watching her 'roll' her hair while we talked.

Watching mom sew.

Climbing the trees and making mud pies in the front yard of my grandparents old farmhouse with my cousins.

Watching Papaw whittle on the front porch while it rained.

Summer days seemed to last forever, holidays were spent surrounded by family and the word 'stress' seemed like something from a foreign language.  Each time I see my parents, my brothers, their wives, my nieces and nephews I have memories that make me happy and sad all at the same time.  Happy because of the fun we have had and the experiences we have shared but sad because life now moves at lightning speed and the hours we spend together are now fewer and further between.  Lives are hectic, schedules are crazy, work is stressful and the days seem to get shorter and shorter with each passing one. Thankfully I have not only the memories of my childhood to look back on but also the opportunity to make more memories with the people I love the most!