Category: Glimpses of Life

Cop out … that’s what some might say about Christian decisions. They aren’t popular with the majority – perhaps because Christians tend to be in the minority.

Along life’s road, we are given so many choices. Some seem like no-brainers – “Do I have cyanide for breakfast or not?” Others are more challenging – “Should I move or stay where I am?” I’ve been told that I should follow my gut in decision-making. But my gut doesn’t always tell me to do what’s right. Actually, in most cases, when I am struggling with a decision it’s because my gut really knows the right one but I feel a pull to make the wrong one. The “gut” though likes to feel good and so many people, including Christians, choose to follow their gut and deal with the consequences later.

At 50ish, I’ve learned to slow down and think before making decisions. Does that mean I’ve lost my spontaneity? No. Eventually the spontaneity comes from the training one has done in their life in making the right decisions.

I always liked the poem called “The Road Less Traveled” by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Indeed, looking back on my life, I have made so many decisions that today make it easier for me to choose the path not taken – not taken because people say it’s too hard. But through the brush, the thorns, and the darkness, light appears at the end and a rejoicing heart emerges for having traveled the road less taken.

Finally! Real hot chocolate! I have missed my Peet’s so much. The hot chocolate in Minnesota (St Paul area) is okay but sitting here drinking my cup of cocoa feels so wonderful.

My days in Seattle are quickly passing by. I’ve been able to see so many people already and tomorrow will be a “slow” day for me. Right now, I am between “friends.” Walking into my old Fremont neighborhood brings back a lot of old memories.

I will have to return before I leave —

The area has changed somewhat. The Aurora Bridge (Highway 99), which can be seen from this area, has been fitted with suicide barriers. Too many people jumping to their deaths from the bridge led them to set up the barriers as the houseboat owners who live underneath the bridge complained.

Today is cloudy, cool and a typical Seattle day although I would have expected it to be a wee bit warmer while I was here visiting.

Yesterday, I took an elderly lady out to lunch and it poured and poured so we were not able to get inside the Alderwood Mall for walking. Instead we settled for a KFC. Coming to Seattle and eating KFC is like … well, let’s just say it’s not on my list of top 10 things to do. But we have to accomodate the weather here. I was surprised she still remembers me since she has onset dementia. The minute I walked into her room though she lit up and yelled “Norma!” It was heartwarming.

I feel so blessed here in Seattle with so many true friends. I just shake my head and thank God for allowing us to live here and getting to know these wonderful people.

My trip to Seattle finally came to fruition as I flew in yesterday afternoon. (Unfortunately, a tornado hit the Minneapolis area shortly after I left causing damage.) The clouds greeted me warmly. I got rather nostalgic as I drove into the city. The rental car company had me take the wrong car out of the parking lot and I was stopped as I left to exit. Fortunately, they allowed me to drive away with the newer Nissan Sentra instead of the subcompact I had rented — and for the same price.

I started visiting a couple who have been near and dear to me for awhile. He’s the quiet type and recently had an accident with his foot for which he does not want to get medical attention. So I’m pressing for the doctor visit to happen as the foot does not look good. The accident happened over 2 weeks ago and the foot is still quite swollen and does not look like it’s healed quickly enough.

My evening destination led me to another couple. I can’t say enough about them — I probably shouldn’t because they may read my blog too.  haha  They have opened the doors to their home for my family time and time again. I had fresh salmon for dinner which I haven’t had since I left Seattle. Then we stayed up talking and talking. It was great to see them again and I’ll see them later this week. I slept soundly in the bed that was made for me — just like I did the last time I was there.

This morning, two more couple friends. I feel so blessed that I know such wonderful people. How did so many wonderful people cross my path? Breakfast at Portage Bay – lively conversation and a tad bit of sadness as I left them, although I hope to see them again later this week.

Now I’m waiting for my son to arrive so we can have lunch. I haven’t seen him since November so I’m really looking forward to this visit. We were supposed to do some shopping together but I don’t know if he’ll have time as he needs to head to work sometime. But again — a “later this week visit” will occur.

Seattle seems so much more vibrant with colors than Minnesota. I think Minnesota had a late start for spring this year.

While driving around, I can say don’t miss the crowded city streets. One lane driving with cars parked on both sides – makes me nervous. And having to pay for parking everywhere you go …

I did drive by our old house here. It looks so dreary. The blinds are drawn in every room. I didn’t think they had a day sleeper but maybe someone’s sick. Driving through the back, it doesn’t seem anything has been done, i.e. no lawn mowed, no deck furniture yet. The neighbor finally put a fence up in the back. I remember asking him if he’d go in half with us on the side fence and he didn’t respond. Oh well …

The rest of the week will be busy and I may have limited internet access except on my phone. One more visit to an elderly friend and then I’m off to another couple’s house which is my home for the week, although I won’t be there much except for sleeping.

Coming back brings many memories and unfortunately there are many people who don’t know I’m in town and who won’t get a visit because time just won’t allow for it. Perhaps next time …

I’ve been thinking about Seattle and my trip there soon. All the friends I’ll see and won’t see. My time there will not be long enough to visit absolutely everyone I know. Sometimes though, small “bits” of people make the time more valued.

I believe it’s because we don’t take the time for granted. And, this could be the last time we see the person. But isn’t that the way it is anyway? One minute a person’s alive and the next they are dead because of health or accidents.

Small “bits” of people – sometimes that’s really all we know about them anyway as people are too tightly guarded with themselves. Not all – just some. And it makes it hard to get to know them on the inside.

Fortunately, I have friends who are open and honest. Oh – but not too honest. (laughing)

I miss my friends in Seattle. It’s only distance though as sometimes we didn’t see each other very often. But the distance seems to make a difference because we can’t just run over and talk, sympathize, empathize or have a “spot of tea.”

I’m still unpacking boxes and clothes that arrived from Seattle about 2 weeks ago. Since they had been in storage for 5 1/2 months, I’ve had to wash everything which has made unpacking take much longer than it should. Still – it’s the right thing to do unless I want to smell musty the rest of my life.

The ironic thing is that now I am packing clothes for my trip back to Seattle. I’m finding that I need new clogs as the ones I’ve been galavanting around in hurt my feet since the sole has worn pretty thin. Then, there’s trying to find simple clothes to take back with me. Rather than go through every box looking for unstained t-shirts, I will happily shop today for a couple of new tops.

Having said that — I dislike shopping. A friend in Seattle once went shopping with me and it was wonderful. She would find clothes for me and bring them to the dressing room. Wrong size? She’d find the right one. Wrong color? She’d run out again and bring me a different color. It was simple. But it’s unrealistic for me to expect it’ll happen today since she lives in Seattle and I’m not shopping at Nordstrom’s.

I used to wear Birkenstock sandals all the time in Seattle. Not sure if I can find them locally here in Minnesota.

Can a 50+ year old still wear Birkenstocks without looking hippyish? Awww .. why not? Who cares what other people think? The question should be “Am I comfortable?”

Okay — time to psych myself out to shop.

[amazon_link id=”B000G6TMEI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Birkenstock Sandal[/amazon_link]

One of the blogs that I regularly follow recently had a post on humanity “veneering” itself. I found it to be so true of a lot of people and thought I’d share that blog here.

Click here to read.

There are people we feel more comfortable being around because they can look at our imperfections and realize that they are part of what made us who we are today.