Sunday, September 11, 2011

Ready?

We have all heard the phrase "Live today as if it were your last". Today, (9/11) we are reminded of just how fragile life is. Very few of us will know when it's our time to vacate this world and enter God's kingdom. For the majority of us our time will sneak up on us in the dark with no fanfare or warning. Are you ready? Boy, that's a loaded question. Mama always said "Make sure your under-ware is clean incase you're in an accident." I believe we need to look at life holistically. We know the drill. Make sure you've brushed your teeth, taken your vitamin, eaten a good breakfast and dressed for the unexpected run-in with an old classmate from high school, but there are more things we should add to the list. Kiss your spouse and children as often as you can. Give a compliment when due. Call an elderly relative or friend. (I'm elderly!) Take someone to lunch. Write a note to someone to let them know you're thinking of them. Clean out a drawer. Say a prayer of thanksgiving. Smile every chance you get. Drink your coffee or tea from the prettiest cup you own. Have a good conversation with someone who is lonely. Offer to be a companion to a doctor's appointment or treatment. Make preparations for the time when you are no longer here, it's the nicest thing you can do for your children. Get rid of the stuff you thought your children might want but have told you, no thanks. Play. Take care of your health, you only get one body. Love. Hug as often as you can get away with it. Be quiet, you deserve peace. Forgive. Sing. Dance. Read. Exercise. (Ugh, that's a hard one for me.) Speak up, someone in the room may have a hearing problem. Do something, just because. Add to the list! Let me know what you come up with. God Bless America! Jan

Saturday, September 3, 2011

GO HUSKERS!

If you live in Nebraska, it is mandatory that on a fall Saturday you shall wear RED! It is imperative! It does not matter if you are a Husker fan or not, you must wear RED.

Our family has had Nebraska stadium seats for over 60 years. Yes, the same seats in the same place along with about 100,000 other people. My mother-in-law tells me how the protocol of attending a football game went when she regularly joined the festivities (back in the days). It was more than a football game, it was a social occasion all the way through.

My mother-in-law was a marvelous seamstress and always dressed like a million dollars. She related how she would be dressed in her finest with matching coat or suit, always in beautiful high heels, hat and matching hand bag. We still have the thermos she and her husband would carry to the game with hot coffee or hot chocolate (when the boys were along). Yes, even on the coldest days, fashion took preference over practicality. Now a days however, you are lucky if the college students look like they have made an effort to cover up their sleeping attire.

The spirit has not changed throughout the years. The prep talk begins on Monday. Are you attending the game this week? Or whose place are you watching the out of town game at? What are you serving at your tailgate party? Finally by early Saturday morning, all of the details have been sorted out.

I am NOT a die-hard fan of almost anything. I do however wear red as often as I remember to. It does give me a good excuse to purchase a new something or other. I'll take anything as an excuse these days.

Well, off they went this morning. My family is currently at the football game today dressed in red with big smiles across their faces. I'm not sure who they were playing today but my understanding is -- we should surely win. Let's hope so so the smiles will stay in place.

Can hardly wait until Monday when the whole scenario begins again!

GO BIG RED!
Jan