Think About What Is.....

December 24, 2011

"Whatever is true....

Whatever is lovely....

Whatever is right....

Think about such things."  

Phillippians 4:8

On the way to Dallas last week......A Blessing!!

Merry Christmas-Eve!!!

As I sit here, waiting for inspiration on what to write you, I must tell you I sit here with a smile on my face, looking outside at the misting rain falling, the dry lake that is starting to come back to life, the friends and family we have been so blessed with, and I can't help but be reminded that each of us, yes....YOU.....have all been given the same blessing!

The Blessing of Christ!  

You know, I think if Christ were physically sitting next to you right now,  He might be saying "As you celebrate the wonder of My birth, celebrate YOUR rebirth into eternal life" or maybe He might say "This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-filled world.....receive MY gift with awe and humility."  I don't know about you, but this time of year, to me, isn't about the gifts we give each other.....it isn't about the parties we attend; it isn't about the Christmas tree lights working......nope....it's all about the Blessing.

Unfortunately, some of you are going to have stopped reading this Blog by now cause its too "religious" or maybe not what you want to think about today, but if you're still reading, please stop at some point today and mentally write down all the many Blessings in your life.   That's what I'm doing......see??

Friends.......My Blessing

My Blessings

My Chuck

My Family

My Friends and Neighbors

My Murphy, Molly and Kruger

My Home

My Church

My Health

My Inner Peace

My Talents

My Favorite Chair

My Coffee

My Computer

My Dorkiness

Well, you get the idea.........What's on YOUR Blessings List?

From the Etheridge's home to Yours, may you find the Blessing of Christmas......

You Will Be Missed, Cici

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

"Our most difficult task as a friend 

is to offer understanding when we don't understand." 

 ~Robert Brault 

It's taken me all week to start this Blog, and even now I'm not really sure how to begin......

Her name is Cici.  She and I have had many a laugh over the fact we don't really know how we know each other.....we just do.  Over the years, we would run into each other around town, hug and ask how the other was doing....all the while wondering in our heads how we knew each other.  I just figured she was one of those angels God drops into your life because He knew you needed them.

As time went by, our friendship grew.   She introduced me to her Women's Bible Study group and afterwards, we would eagerly grab a bite to eat and catch up on each others life.  Many times, we fought for air-space as we were both talking at the same time, picking the brain of the other.  Although Cici was much more the intellectual than I, she would lower her intellect just for me so we can communicate on the same level.  

The last few years have been difficult ones for Cici.  Although it wasn't always obvious, she was struggling.  A troublesome marriage; problems at work.......family relationships that were strained....you know; things that most of us deal with at one time or another.....seemed to plague her all at the same time.  And hard as she tried, she couldn't seem to move past them.

And then I received the call this weekend......

Cici had taken her own life.  As she said in a note attached to the poem below that she mailed to me hours before ending her life,  "How blessed I have been to know you, precious friend!  May God forever bless you!!  I am just in too much pain."  Love Cici.  And with that, she included her own obituary.

PARTING

On crowded strees, in busy mart,

When from our dearest friends we part,

An optimism fills the heart

Than which there is no greater;

There is no tinge of sorrow then - 

We know full well we'll meet again,

It may be soon -- we know not when - 

"Well, so-long -- see you later!"

How casually the words are said!

And still before the day is sped

The one of us may yet be dead,

For Death's a stern Dictator;

But cheerfully we met and part,

On crowded street, in busy mart,

And voice the hope that's in our heart - 

"Well, so-long -- see you later!"

It cannot be that Death's the end,

For somewhere just around the bend

I'll meet with you again, my friend,

And join our kind Creator;

So when my Summons comes some day,

Don't grieve that I am called away,

Just clasp me by the hand and say --

"Well, so-long -- see you later!"

Sleep tight, my dear friend.
I'll see you in the morning.....