It's Not Over

Today we laid to rest a dear friend. From my perspective she went away too young.  Part of our lives will be empty now…this friend radiated light and laughter. She was the kind of person that each time you were around her, she made you feel like a million bucks. You couldn’t escape the Jesus in her eyes.

She and her family dealt with constant change and loss for the year and a half since disease knocked on her door.  The illness that possessed her took ability by ability.  Finally, one early morning this week it was over. She stepped into Jesus’ arms forever.

Or is it over?  Yes, her suffering is over, but also I got to thinking about a talk that David gave to a group this week. He focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Just when his heartbroken followers and family thought it was over, it was only beginning.

And so it is with my friend. She is just beginning her new life. …And she wanted to ensure that others have that chance, too. We were part of her funeral service today. Now, as a former hospice social worker, I have been present for the deaths and funerals of more precious people than I can count.  But this funeral will forever stand out.  Those there were allowed to share tears and memories as she was talked about and shown through photos, but by her previous design, the service was saturated with the gospel. The ending included an invitation to know Jesus personally.  …Just as she wanted.  It was a celebration of life–hers and the life Jesus gives everyone who chooses.

She’ll be remembered for these things and many more.  Her life and legacy go on.

I’m not trying to be morbid, and I know I’ve written a similar post in the past, but it bears repeating: what do you want people to remember about you?  I’m asking myself the same thing.  And that begs a second question.  What are we doing today to build that legacy?

Wondering

The last post was a whole lotta me. Now I’d like to hear about you. I’m in a funky mood, so plunk your “go with the flow” hat on your head.

It’s a new week. For many it’ll be an ordinary week as far was we can tell, barring you lucky ducks who get a Presidents’ Day break. For most of the rest of us it’ll be business as usual. It’s easy to slip into auto pilot sometimes, isn’t it? The weeks fly by, and then we wonder what stole away the year.

So…let’s sit and pause for a moment. What could set this week apart for you? What is one thing you’re hoping for during the next few days? When you look back on this week, do you think anything stand out?  It can be serious or funny. Do tell.

Honest

Mr. Blundering Discoverer (Travis W Inman) has tagged me with the Honest Scrap Award.  Thanks, Will! So, I’d say it’s finally time for a new post.  Thanks to all of you who hang in there with me on this blog.  Here’s the deal…

The Honest Scrap award:

A) First list 10 honest things about yourself – and make it honest (hence, the award ‘Honest Scrap’), even if you have to dig deep!

B) Pass the award on to 8 bloggers that you feel embody the role of the Honest Scrap. (This is an award only to display on your blog that everything you write on it is in truth, sincerity, and integrity.)

So I can honestly say that:

1.  I love surprises. I just spent time with a couple of close friends, and we got to talking about how David proposed to me. Since we knew a year and half before then that we wanted to get married, I’m sure it was a challenge to surprise me with the actual proposal.  He did an amazing job.  I love telling the story.

2. A certain, random something feels to me like fingernails on a chalkboard. I don’t reveal this to many people in case they ever want to use it against me.  Most of you I know just through cyberspace, so maybe I’m safe!  =)  My Achilles’ heel is this: I can’t stand to hear or watch someone rub their hands across fabric, like jeans or bedsheets or furniture. I know, I know…odd.  What’s your quirky thing?

3. I love being an aunt. Speaking of that, I have to wish my nephew, Jacob, a very happy 14th birthday!  I can’t believe he’s this old.  His Uncle Dave and I are so proud of who he is and wish we could see him and his sister more often.  I’m also the worst aunt; I still have his Christmas and birthday presents sitting here at home!  (Sorry, Jacob!)

4.  This is hard for me. While I strive for honesty and sincerity with everyone, I’m comfortable revealing my innermost thoughts and feelings with very few people.  Usually I’d much rather talk about you. =)

5.  Speaking of secrets, I’d love to be the next Sydney Bristow (“Alias”). I relish the thought of working as a super spy with wicked kickboxing moves!  Hmm…maybe I could use that in my current anti-drug coalition job…the Drug Vigilante of Southeast New Mexico…What should my spy name be?

6.  Sometimes I psych myself out, letting myself be intimidated by others’ writing ability. I’m coming to terms with this, recognizing that God gave me (and all writers) a unique writing voice that is a gift from Him. Now it’s my job to hone that and write solely for His glory.  I love catching glimpses of Him and His creativity by reading other writers; I’m challenged and inspired. I love the adventure of it all.

7.  Often I’m a smart-alecky prankster at heart. I usually mean no harm, but so often I have to bite my lip to keep from hurling snarky, funny comments at inappropriate times. People who think I’m only “quiet and sweet” might be surprised about this.  I’m not proud about it.  (Though I might be funnier than some people realize.)  Rosslyn, this is where knowing you did a study on this convicted me!

College was a goldmine time to unleash the prankster part of me.

8.  I’m both a homebody and a travel-loving woman. When I’m in town home is where I want to park it, but after a couple of weeks, that travel itch creeps back. My curiosity is almost insatiable.  I could spend hours pouring over maps.

9. I didn’t grow up wishing to be a minister’s wife. In fact, I wasn’t sure what to think when I realized that David I would get married, and that he was called to be a minister.  I was ecstatic looking forward to having David as my husband, but I wasn’t so sure about the church staff lifestyle part of it. Since then, though, I’ve come to love it. No, it’s not always easy, but it’s such a privilege to encourage my husband in ministry (I’m so proud of him) and to have a unique ministry role myself.  I’ve grown comfortable in my own skin with God’s and David’s help.  And people are so funny…this life is a never-ending bonanza of story inspiration.

10.  I didn’t always like the unusual spelling of my name. …especially when I was younger.  I longed to find one those little personalized souvenirs with my name spelled right.  Now I like it. I like that it’s different, and it makes me notice unique things about other people.

So, now it’s time to tag others.  Instead of eight, I’ll keep in in the family and tag David (Reflections of Creation) and Christi (Altered Ambitions).

Lucky Duck

Here’s an invitation to come join the fun.

Writer Avily Jerome supplies a new word game each Wednesday; it’s always chuckle-worthy. This time, we get to help build a story…one sentence at a time.  I want to know how the story turns out, so if you haven’t already, go here to either jump in or enjoy the ride, too!

Dearest Aunt Ottilie

Around Thanksgiving I asked you to help me name a character in the novel I’m writing. This secondary character is a rabble-rousin’, tall tale-tellin’ whirlwind who’s the most loyal friend you’ll meet. (Here’s that post, and here’s more about the story.)    A poll was posted, and your suggestions rolled in.

Then I came out of left field and told you that I was naming her Otto, short for Ottilie. I figure that I owe you an explanation.

So, here’s where that came from: over Thanksgiving we visited my family, traveling with my parents to spend time with both of my grandmothers. My grandmother on my dad’s side (“Grandmama” to me) is the daughter of German immigrants.  While there she showed us some of her personal treasures and family heirlooms she had rearranged.  Each was placed carefully on a doily-topped table (that’s a lacy covering for you men-types!).  In passing she picked up a faded, old hardback book. “…And this is the book that my aunt wrote.” The name “Ottilie Wildermuth” spanned the front. The title was in German.

Of course, being a writer type myself, I zeroed in on this little tidbit. Who was she? What did she write? Did any of her writer genes trickle down to me?  =)  Grandmama doesn’t know too much about her, except that she was an aunt in Germany on her mother’s side.

My history-loving curiosity wouldn’t let it rest. I went straight to the fount of all knowledge and wisdom: Google.  It offered a few answers. Apparently Ottilie lived in the mid and late 1800s and created a number of works.  Most of her writing career was spent writing novels and short stories for women and children.  She also worked as a magazine editor.

I wish I knew more about her. …But thinking about her during the drive home at Thanksgiving, the name Otto stuck with me.  My character informed me that it was settled.  So Otto she’ll stay. I wouldn’t want to argue with this one!