Feelings

2696

Good Afternoon,

I have a strong Faith that keeps me excited about following Jesus everyday of my life.

Like everyone, I'm tested on a regular basis --- a couple days ago was one of those times.

Without going into a lot of details, I was asked to look for my twelve grandson who had a wreak on his dirt bike. As I drove to where I thought it was -- I prayed as hard as I have ever prayed in my life. 

Being the first on the scene, I recognized immediately that he had broken collarbone (with protruding bones) and probably a broken wrist. 

After five hours dealing with ER --- he was able to come home with each arm in a sling. (with one in a cast) Today, Max came over to seat by the pool --- getting up on occasion, to walk around, stopping by the diving board etc. I can only imagine what he was thinking and "feeling".

xxxxx

Speaking of feelings --- being almost 75 --- I grew up in a time when "feelings" just were not part of  my life.

In fact I really never understood what a feeling was until I reached the age of 26. I heard of a group that sat around expressing feelings. It took quite a while , but I finally learned how to share feelings.

That was 48 years ago!

xxxxx

Moving ahead to this weekend, I have a hard time putting into words how I "feel" except to say Our Lord is in charge and will lead us through the challenge before us.

One day at a time --- in a word --- I feel empty.

In my heart of hearts and in the pit of my stomach I feel EMPTY. 

I honestly believe our family will be stronger and more willing to help others in need. Also, we were so blessed --- it could have been much worse.

THANK YOU LORD!!

Peace,

Grandpazach

Photo: Max on his first day of school--- just a few days before his dirt bike accident.

Him and his brothers are as tough as they come--- he will be good as new in a few weeks --- just in time for basketball season. 

I didn't mention it above, but this put an abrupt end to his football season. He is a excellent running back and middle-linebacker (playing on both sides of the ball).

Flow-Diary-Writing

2698

Good Evening,

From Journalkeeping ....Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice:

"Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon offer this advice about sacred writing: 'You find a moment .... You open the journal, pausing to recollect where you have been and who you are becoming. It is as if between the covers of your journal you enter place of spiritual retreat and contemplation, much as a nun or monk enters her or his simple cell. Here the rapid flow of daily business is left outside. In the private world of your journal a sense of spaciousness unfolds, held in focus by the thoughtful movements of your pen on the page.' This kind of sacred flow writing simply records awareness of the Spirit's pervasive presence in nature, people, and other experiences. If you only wrote this kind of reflection, this praying of experiences, you would have a profound experience if the Divine. Try praying your experience in flow-writing.

xxx

I want to write something about Max's Accident yesterday, but I'm not quite ready.

I'm amazed at well he is doing today--- what with a serious broken collarbone and broken wrist.

He can't see Orthopedists until next Tuesday --- what with Labor Day Weekend Etc.

In the meantime, his football team sent him a lot of get well type stuff --- very nice of everyone. Tracy has had an outpouring of support.

I've been off Facebook book for 40 days (not completely --- but I cut way back) 

Today, I posted a lengthy, rambling post about Max and his dirt bike accident and how I was the first on the scene etc.

He really is a tough, strong young man --- it could have been a lot worse. As always, once the dust settles,

our family is going "grow" from this unexpected experience.

Peace,

Grandpazach 

Photo:

Titled a Moment In Time

--- Linda and I with Bishop David Malloy at the Silver and Gold Mass celebrated at St. Mary's in Huntley, Il.

We were are about to celebrate 55 years of of wedded bliss -- never a dull moment.

A couple of  other Moments in Time:

75 years ago. --- born

70--- mom left our family

60--- graduated grade school

56 --- graduated high school

55 --- married

50---- graduated college, moved to Mt. Prodpect, Il.

           Started career at CBOT, started a new business 

           named Linda Z's ( still in business, my father 

           passed away (50 years ago this month)

47--- bot CBOT membership

45--- moved to Inverness

40----started gardening, started Birding, started 

          Journaling, first Retreat at Bellarmine Hall

37--- started strong ten year investment program 

30---- my first Christ Renews His Parish -- a very

           Special experience 

29----walked Debbie down the red carpet at her 

          Wedding ( one of the very special days of my

           life)

25----- two Retreats at Holy Family, started learning 

            about the most well known Monk in the 

             world --Thomas Merton.

20---- had an awakening, stopped chasing money (a

          very blessed day for me -never looked back)

16--- walked Tracy down the red carpet at her 

           Wedding (one of the very special days of my 

            life)

14---- Anna (our Granddaughter died and went to 

           Heaven)--- Truly Inspired to read Purpose

            Driven Life for 440 days (11 times)

12----moved to SSPP in Cary,Il. 

10---- two major Cancer-type operations and 37 

          Radiation Treatments 

5---- envolved day and night with Ministries

0---- Up to the minute ---- Grandson Max, had a bad

         Dirt bike accident and ended up with both arms

         in slings ( badly broken collarbone on left side 

          and broken wrist on his right side -- his writing

          hand)

           As always, God will lead Max and our extended 

            through this and will come out the other end  a 

            Stronger more Faithful Family.            

Clear Out Clutter

2699

Good Afternoon,

This is always the time of year when I do my best to improve and learn a few new things --- just like all the children that either just went back to school or are about to start classes.

I grabbed a book titled --Organize Yourself 

And randomly opened up to the following:

BEWARE OF TIME WASTERS

For each of the following time wasters, there is an obvious solution. In the the list below, how often do you recognize yourself?

*Not having a plan; lacking direction

*Failing to set priorities; trapped by indecision 

*Inability to say no

*Attempting to take on more tasks than you can

      possibly handle 

*Failure to delegate; trying to do everything yourself

*Scheduling activities so that you have too much or 

       too little time for something 

*Putting off something which should be done today 

*Focusing on how busy you are; avoiding priorities 

*Suffering from personal disorganization; unable to 

      find things because of CLUTTER.*Jumpng from one activity, project, item to the next 

      instead of getting one thing done

*Leaving tasks unfinished and having to re-think what

       you were doing in order to finish up

*Getting bogged down by detail instead of keeping 

       your goals in mind

*Starting a project without having enough information 

*Lacking skills to accomplish what you intend (e.g., 

        having to hunt-and-peck at the typewriter because 

        you don't know how)

*Being kept waiting

*Being interrupted by the telephone

*Socializing during times you set aside for projects

*Being interrupted by visitors who drop in

*Not getting to the point in a conversation; not saying

        what you mean

*Attending meetings without an agenda

*Not using your commuting or travel time wisely

*Watching television when you had planned to do

        something else

xxxx

Good Luck!

Peace,

Grandpazach