I can't believe how much time has gone by since I last sat down to write this blog...Oh wow...where DOES the time fly? It's Christmas time, and we all have a multitude of things to do... I think I wrote about that the last time...the Christmas lists...somehow I can't seem to get many things crossed off of my list. It just keeps changing and growing.
This past week we stepped into a new era in our lives...my mother in law came to live with us. Whether it is permanent or temporary is yet to be determined. But either way, we are first of all, blessed to still have her with us. She is 87 years old and full of life. However, the time has come for her to not be spending so much time alone in her own home as she has been doing for these past fifteen years since my father-in-law passed away.
Along with this new passage comes the obvious adjustments...space...privacy...time...but one of my facebook friends told me today that her dear mother in law just passed away this week, at the same age. So we count our blessings.
As I sit here writing I have been listening to her chatting with her other daughter in law and her youngest grandchildren on the phone. She sounds so happy about being here...she justs brags and brags on us. That makes it worth it all...knowing that she is happy and safe and content.
Whatever adjustments we have to make in this life, when it is for the betterment, protection, and care of another loved one or friend, it is worth whatever sacrifices we have to make. Life is very short...we must savor every moment as if it could be our last....after all, it could be.
Yes, Christmas is a time for sharing, giving, laughing, and loving. Our Christmas will indeed be all of that and more. I am counting my blessings tonight. This is just one portion of the full list.
Thank you, Lord, for Your watchcare and protection over our family...and for being here with us...
Emmanuel, God with us!
 |
| The Steiner Clan L to R first row: Pam and John Steiner Back Row: Benton, Peggy, Nicholaus, Bill, Vivian (Nanny) and Shannon Steiner |
Hello Pam,
ReplyDeleteYou may or may not remember us, but this is Scott and Karen Lowe. We knew you guys from the year you spent at Barclay College in the mid-90's. We had Thanksgiving at your place in what was one of the best Thanksgivings we've ever had (we watched football and the Beatles anthology with you). We have been trying to somehow track you down all these years with no success until now. I am so happy to hear that Matt is coming back from his bout with cancer. My family has been touched by cancer too, unfortunately. Anyway, Karen and I would love to re-connect with you guys, even if it's through e-mail or phone. My e-mail address is scott.lowe09@gmail.com. We are all the way across the country from you guys in Portland, OR. I am pursuing my M. Div., with the hopes of going after a Ph. D. in the future. I know you guys know what that is about. Anyway, I'll wrap this up, but please send me an e-mail when you get this. It would be really good to hear from you. Please tell John that he is the only one who ever made English Literature mean something for me in my life. Blessings.
(I already answered this comment in a private email) What a surprise to hear from some long-lost former students of my husband's from when he taught at Barclay College for one whole semester way out in Kansas! That was another of our interesting adventures I will have to write about someday. Yes, Scott, I well remember that special Thanksgiving Day spent with you and several others who also were far away from home (like us). We have very pleasant memories of that time together. Thank you for reminding us...and also thank you for the kind words to John. He truly appreciates hearing from you! God bless you both...and we hope to hear more from you in the future!
ReplyDelete