Fall Wow!

What a day! Sunshine and lovely fall colors. Many folks took their boats out on the lake and their cars out to see the greatness of God's creation. My f88 years young father-in-law said 'the Lord sure did good' as we took him for a drive today. When the sun shines and its warmth touches our skin - our life is energized to live. Living - a great gift from a loving God - is something none of us should take for granted. Each day we hear too much about violence and death. Life is precious. We do not know which breath will be our last - but we do know that this breath is a gift - God breathed into lifeless dust to make us - the humans on the face of this earth. We are filled with God's life and love. What are we doing with it this day? Are we praising God by living appreciative lives?

Fall

Man, the colors are so vivid this week!!! The trees are strutting their stuff this year. The lovely bright colors are so wonderful, vibrant and alive. I am awed by the wonderful plan of creation - the trees go into dormancy with style and festivity. I was thinking... Why are we not more like trees? As we age why do we say our lives fade when in fact they could be a blaze of glory? Why do we set the elderly aside rather than learn from their wisdom and experience? Maybe what we see as confusion could be seen as an alternate perspective. Everyone is gifted by God with something to share. Each life has value. Many folks drive many miles to see leaves preparing to fall and die. Could we not also drive to the nearest elder care facility and see the glory there? Hmmmm

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Mahjong - Free Online Games - Games++

Oct 25

Greetings!
So many people die young. In this century people should be able to have quaily living well into their 90's yet so many have little quality and/or die much before that. Some death is brought on by natural disasters as we have seen to much of in the past year or so. Some death is brought on by hatred such as war, gang violence and murder. Some death is brought on by poor self care and/or poor self esteem. Some folks are dead even as they walk around. The thing we can influence the most is ourselves and the life we live. We can choose to live vital lives filled with quaility - love, joy, hope, peace, relationships, spiritual connections... We can choose to be robots - or empty vessels. We can choose how we treat our bodies which are temples of the most high God.
What do you choose this day? Do you choose life? Are you willing to take the responsibility required for your freedom? Some days it is easier to be a walking dead person, but most days the gift of life called the present is worth the challenges set before us. Live! Love! Laugh!!! Share. You are worth it and the rest of the world needs your shared vitality of spirit.

Memorial poetry I have written for families I have served.

As Charlotte’s body faded
Great love commenced to show
For Harold freely took her any place she wanted to go
For years he was her driver
Her housekeeper cook and friend
Harold’s love was deep and strong
From the beginning until the end
Denise returned her mother’s love
With tender sacrifice
For many weeks she sat bedside
Setting aside her normal live
She fed and turned and tended
To Charlottes’ personal needs
And by her loving actions
Tender time for Harold freed
And Missy mama’s baby never too far strayed
She sorted meds and visited and cared for Charlotte each day
Mike was Charlotte ‘s wake up call
Each morning they would chat
Mike gave her news updates and views
As drinking coffee they sat
Dennis would check in each day
Just to see Harold & Charlotte ok
Grandchildren, close friends, students and sister
Did what they could to encourage and uplift her
As charlotte transitioned form this life to the next
She surely was surrounded by the best
And each one now is left to adjust
In honor of Charlotte live fully we must. 3/14/05


91 years is a very long time
at least that’s what some people say
still 91 years is not enough time
when love grows with each passing day
o no one is perfect – no one can be all
still this one called Elenora to us still stands tall
she loved us – she told us just where we stood
she a part of what makes us now good
we miss her in our hearts our hands miss her touch
minds and hearts fill now as memories flow
we really don’t want to – but we’ll let her go
9/23/05

Deb your soul is now set free
To be the best that it can be
You knew such confusion and struggle in life
You now set free from earthly strife
We don’t know how to feel this day
And trust that God will send our way
A memory to make us grin
A confidence from deep within
That the love of God has done what’s best
And in the loving arms of God we’ll rest
Assured that you are with God there
And God knows how to for you care
October 14, 2005


Marty’s not resting or sleeping
For that is just not Marty’s style
Marty is now celebrating
With zest that had waned for a while
Marty is again a young playboy
Who celebrates life every day
And finds the good in each moment
No matter what passes his way
Creating new music to lift souls
Burdened by life’s pains and trials
Will keep the renewed Marty busy
I’m certain for a very long while
His music will drift into your hearts
His smile will light up your face
And you will still hear and see Marty
Beside you in his special place
He’ll help you to be optimistic
He’ll challenge you to be true to you
He’ll remind you this moment is all you possess
And coax as each of you do
The thing that feeds your souls and spirits
That which sets your best self free
So today is a grand celebration
Of all that is yet gonna be
10/6/05


‘To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.’

Seasons come and seasons go
Yielding fruits from seeds we sow
Reading the seasons and picking right times
Important in a farmer’s mind
Seeds planted in plowed land
Yield a harvest to feed the human band
Seeds scattered in human hearts
Enhance a far more sacred part
Music of wind and rain and snow
Help each sprouting plant to grow
Music of the violin
Feeds and nurtures from within
Each of us a nurtured seed
Fed by each fine memory
Play the music plant the fields
Each will help your broken heart heal.
2/11/2005 12:20:03 PM

Ornery, silly, entertaining, fun
Storyteller, spunky, witty one
Quick with a reply invited or no
We now begin to let you go
Your leaving does not mark the end
For our love and connection transcend
The death of your body, all struggles past
Your legacy of laughter with us will last
We will tell tall tales and celebrate life
We have the tools to overcome strife
Mary you taught us more than you know
A warm spot inside with your name will glow.
9/3/04

Remembered with laughter, remembered with tears
In our hearts you will always be here
You bring the strength, the hope, the cheer
Your memory to us will always be dear
You are much more than mere words can express
In your honor we’ll seek happiness
We’ll live our lives fully - Count blessings each day
We will tell stories and remember to play
We will share love more freely and have no regrets
We will face boldly each little life’s test
We’ll hold to the courage you so long displayed
And yes we will see you again some bright day
3/3/05

Lawrence Edward Travagline
A man who touched the heart and mind
With talent, with colors and textures and words
No wonder our hearts so deeply do hurt
Saying good-bye to the you we once knew
Is not an easy thing to do
We gather your life to memorialize
Doing so makes us realize
Your life still has power to touch us this day
With love and with guidance along our life’s way
We love you forever and must set you free
We hold to the positive in your memory
2/23/04


Loved and missed in so many ways
Margaret hurt too much to stay
Fight she did – gave it her best
Now with God she is at rest
She sends peace to each one here
Also memories to being smile and tear
Live your life fully enjoy everyday
Speak the love you need to say
Each share your stories and offer compassion
This is one form of life everlasting
Margaret/mom/Suzie will be so proud
Her spirit forever will hang about
2/15/05

A few short words to say good-bye
We laugh, we cry, we smile, we sigh
Words could never capture real you
That each of us is glad we knew
We know your faults we know your strengths
We know for us you would go to great lengths
We know you loved playing relaxing and fun
We know you dearly loved your sons
We know for you life became a chore
You felt sad and you felt sore
You said good-bye in your own way
And we honor your freedom as we gather today
4/17/04

Today we gather to bid farewell
To wife, mother, grandmother, friend
The pain of parting we cannot tell
She gracious and loving ‘til this life’s end
Our memory sees her as if she were here
Our eyes freely shed many a tear
A kinder woman there never could be
And now her spirit has been set free
Free from the confusion, suffering, pain
Free to live graciously, joyfully again
Free to be with us wherever we go
For Virginia loves us greatly this we know
6/19/2003


One filled with love - Father husband grandfather
One filled with kindness - Hard working fun brother
Card playing fisherman veteran Marine
O the things his eyes have seen
We now bid farewell to the Chuck we once knew
Memories of fun times with you remain new
Let go we must as your spirit soars free
You live on around us even when we can’t see
In your honor we’ll tell tales play cards and go fishing
And never your touch and your smile stop missing
3/22/05

Never easy to say good-bye
Still no matter how hard we try
Relationships change in so many ways
Teaching us to cherish each day
Each day doing what must be done
Yet mixing it with something fun
Play and laugh and love and share
And angels will walk with you everywhere
2/15/05

Music and laughter ring in our ears
But tears we shed for your are not here
We miss you now and we always will
Through memory within us you are alive still
10/13/04

United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ

Beliefnet: religion, spirituality, prayer, God, angels, politics, meditation...

Beliefnet: religion, spirituality, prayer, God, angels, politics, meditation...

Creating a Blog to share my thoughts

10/19/2005
I have been hearing about blogs and think they sound like a great communication tool. So here I am, trying to blog. My life is interesting and fun. I am an ordained UCC minister who currently is a full-time funeral director. I think it an honor to serve families in need of support and comfort. I love to teach and try to educate myself and others daily. So here my journey with blogging begins.........

10/20/2005
What is life? Is life that which makes our bodies function? Is life that which defines who/what we really are? Is life the same as soul? Are we really living if all we have is air, food, water, work, sleep? How do we life our lives fully? When do they begin? Does life ever end? I believe we have always been and always will be. Each moment we make choices. For all eternity God the Creator has given us freedom to choose. Each choice has its consequences - good, bad and indifferent. Each day you choose what type of day it will be and your choices bump up against the free choices of other living beings. Earthly existence is great, it is a learning ground for the development of your soul. God is alive and well and chooses to relate to you and share each day with you. God gives you life, God dwells in you, God has gifted you, God wants/needs you to be all you can be, learn all you can learn, share all you can share. You are God's gift to others. Be good stewards of your gifts and good ambassadors for God.