
March 31, 2017 Being
There
There was a chasm
between me and my Dad even though he was just an arms length away. He
could hardly hear and hardly see. I traveled quite a distance to be there
and I brought my daughter and grand kids to meet him. We were all excited
to see each other but after the initial hugs and kisses there really wasn't
much to discuss because his hearing aid just produced "Charlie Brown"
noises.
He's staying with
my sister. My brother-in-law bought a humongous HDTV for him but he couldn't
hear even when the volume was set at full blast. Last I saw my bro-in-law
was tinkering with a wireless headphone that connected to the TV but there
were still some bugs.
At first I was frustrated
thinking that we weren't bonding as planned. But later on, I realized
that the conversation was secondary to just being there. Do you know that
feeling?
To him, just seeing
us and seeing the kids jump around and play with my sister's dogs was
enough joy to sustain him.
Years ago my church
mate, Engelbert, told me that when his son prematurely died he was furious
at God. He was so miserable that he locked himself in the house and refused
to see anyone. Even his wife was afraid to go near him. One day his best
friend came knocking. He cursed his friend at the door and told him to
leave but his friend took all the insults in and refused to budge. Engelbert
gave up screaming at him and allowed him to shadow his every move. Wherever
Engelbert went, his friend would follow. But his friend never said a word.
It must have been days ... perhaps weeks and that's all his friend did
--- follow quietly. Engelbert finally used up all of his curses and anger
until he finally accepted his fate. The sun started to shine again.
Engelbert said he
should have killed himself if not for his silent friend.
Of course other people
handle heartaches differently. I visited Heather today (remember I talked
about her 2 weeks ago?). Her son passed away and I knew she shouldn't
be alone. I didn't plan to talk much but our conversation jumped from
topic to topic. Heather's an amazing conversationalist and for her talking
is how she copes.
Sometimes we hesitate
to reach out to those who are hurting or those who are alone because we
don't know what to say or do. We forget ... I forgot ... that our presence
alone may be all that is needed. Reach out and touch someone? Yeah, do
that. Words would be nice but really ... no words necessary.
If
only you could be silent! That's the wisest thing you could do.
Job 13:5
TGIF people!
Holy
Golf Contributed by
Pete of Virginia
(an Oldie but Goldie)
Moses, Jesus, and
an old man were enjoying a friendly round of golf together.

Moses stepped up to
the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and landed
in the water trap. Moses then parted the water and chipped the ball onto
the green.

Jesus stepped up to
the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and landed
in the water trap. Jesus just walked onto the water and chipped the ball
onto the green.

The old man stepped
up to the tee and hit the ball. It went sailing over the fairway and headed
for the water trap. But, just before it fell into the water, a fish jumped
up and grabbed the ball in its mouth.

As the fish was falling
back down into the water, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish in
its claws. The eagle flew over the green where a lightning bolt shot from
the sky and barely missed it.

Startled, the eagle
dropped the fish. When the fish hit the ground, the ball popped out of
its mouth and rolled into the hole for a hole-in-one.

Jesus then turned
to the old man and said: "Dad, if you dont stop fooling
around, we wont bring you next time."

God's
Problem Now Contributed by
Tom of Pasadena, CA
His wife's graveside
service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder,
followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder
rumbling in the distance.

The
little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, shes
there."
TGIF Videos

Some
Girls Have All the Luck Sent by Charlie of New Jersey
One of my friends
has this terrible crush on "George." Dee, this one's for
you.
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The
Prayer Sent by Tom
of Pasadena, CA
You know the
song "The Prayer," right? You know that's a duet, right?
Betcha haven't seen this yet.
|

Blended
World Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA
Here's a little
history lesson for you. Sprinkle that with a little science, a little
ancestry and a little politics. What an interesting blend.
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ONE
MORE GAG FOR THE ROAD Thanks
to Naomi of North Hollywood, California

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