Okay, so I’m shaving & I guess I got too close, but it caused an ingrown hair, and I hate it when that happens – I actually felt mad (for a second or two)!!  You know… I think anger is a lot like an ingrown hair.  Anger is, but one of the many mixed feelings associated with grief.  And of all those feelings, anger is probably the most dangerous – that’s if we don’t (appropriately) express it.  If we’re angry – I’m talking really mad – over a long period of time, and we’re not expressing that, then it’s like that ole strand of hair that just keeps on grownin… it literally gets under your skin!  And you know what happens then… that’s right… it gets red, it causes a bump, etc. – it’s ugly & it can even hurt – you gotta get it outta there.  Anger is the same way – if you don’t express it (appropriately of course), it’ll end up hurtin ya in the long run.  It’s a normal feeling we all have from time to time, especially as a part of grief.  Don’t let it get the best of ya:)

The other day, I was just thinking about how many different ways we can use the word, roll.  I mean, just think about it… the rolling hills, the clouds rolled in, old man river just keeps on rollin along, roll with the punches, how ’bout this one… Roll Tide!  There are others… like  – well, what about that Tina Turner song, Rollin on de River… then there’s ‘on a roll’ of course, and I’m sure there’s others – I just can’t think right now…  And then I was thinking… that word, roll, is a really good word, but I guess it can be used negatively too, like… ‘If he knew that, he’d be rollin over in his grave’, but I digress.  Usually, it’s a word of encouragement.  One of my favorites is ‘let’s roll’!  Y’all remember that one, don’tcha?!  In closing, I juswanna encourge you to keep on rollin along;-)  Just keep moving forward…

What if your in-law dies, someone with whom you were very close, and your spouse’s family arranges for a service that’s nothing at all like what you would have – perhaps so much so, that you’re beyone dissappointed – your a little mad…  But you have no say, because you’re (just) the in-law…  I actually have a dear friend (in another city) who’s going thru this right now.  Her mother-in-law died just this morning – they’re gonna cremate and have a very simple service, but my friend would prefer a more tradtional service.  Well… I say let ‘em do it their way, and then you have a service of remembrance, which you control!  It could be an intimate gathering with very close friends – perhaps even over lunch.  It could be that you actually go all out and rent a ‘party’ room somewhere and ‘entertain’ a larger group of extended friends and family.  It could be a time set aside where you simply, but very reverently kneel in a church all by yourself.  Or light a candle and look at old pictures.  Or whatever… be creative – do what works for you.  (I suggest you not do something big unless you have your spouse’s blessing!)  When it comes to ‘funerals’… there’s really no right or wrong.

What ideas do you have, or what have you known others to do who found themselves in this position?  I wish you’d share some of your thoughts on this – it’s a very important subject and this ‘conversation’ would surely help a lot of people!

I made it to 50!!  Wow, half a century!!  I had a great time on my big birthday – got lots of Greetings, which made me feel good.  I will admit… it kinda feels weird starting this fifth decade since Yvonne didn’t even make it through her fourth decade – she was really so young when she died – only 47 – that’s just too young to die – I almost feel kinda guilty for making it further than she – does that make sense???  I can’t believe she’s really dead.  And I can’t believe I’m really 50.  Man… I gotta get in better shape!  Remember the lyrics from that song in the movie, GREASE… ‘Better Shape Up’ – ooh, I got to – too much birthday cake & ice cream, but boy… was it good!!!

I understand this is the 50th anniversary of The Pill…  I wonder what God thinks about that…  Hmm…  Some don’t believe in taking The Pill, because of religious beliefs, which I can respect.  Because of my religious beliefs, I don’t believe in pre-marital sex.  I do; however, believe in responsible behavior (whatever that means – I know what it means to me).  I guess this is a personal topic, huh…  Actually, I believe it’s probably best for each of us to ask God for some guidance & direction here – surely Father knows best!  In fact, we probably should ask God for some guidance & direction in other areas of our personal lives – every area would surely be best!  And once we ask Him, let’s be sure to listen – I mean really listen, to fully understand what He tells us.

I just turned on the TV and what I saw was the end of a Hallmark movie called When Love is Not Enough – prehaps you saw it.  It’s the story of how AL-ANON began by a loving, devoted wife of an alchoholic.  Her name was Lois Wilson and she was quoted at the end of the movie, “Hearts understand in ways minds cannot”.  Just think about those words – they’re lovely…  Before writing this blog entry, I Googled it & learned that now, besides AA & AL-ANON, there’s also ALATEEN.  If you’d like to know more about it, please don’t hesitate to just Google it.  For anyone needing free counseling, please contact Dr. Paul Stripling, Director of the Hand-in-Hand program at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, which offers complimentary counseling for anyone experiencing any kind of grief, no matter what is causing your grief.  If you’re on the fence about reaching out for help, I beg you… make that call today – there’s help, there’s HOPE!  (254) 753-3691

Today would have been my wife’s big 5 0 !!!  I married an older woman – my 50th’s not till next mo!!  So… how’s the best way to mark such a day?  What do you do?  It’s been less than three years since she died – doesn’t seem possible…  Some of our family went to dinner with close friends – that’s how I decided to ‘celebrate’.  It was fun – we told some old stories & laughed a lot:)  It felt good & seemed like the right thing to do.  You know… I really believe an evening like I just spent helps us remember the happy times, and oh… there were plenty of happy times!!!  How do you mark such a day?  What do you do?  How do you ‘celebrate’?  Or do you?  If not, why not?  There are no rules – you’re neither right nor wrong… I’m just wonderin… let’s share what works, and why – come on folks… let’s help one another!  Won’t you share your story?!?!  Please:)

I strongly encourage you to check your body for cancer as best you can.  Please go for professional tests.  It’s not gonna save your life, but it’ll postpone your death until that very second, on which God has decided is best for you!  I’m not asking you to think about it – I’m pleading with you to do it now.

Planning in Advance is smart, practical, saves money, and allows you to pay it off over time.  There is one thing… you probably only oughta plan with a Funeral Home you believe really will be there for ya when your time comes.  Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey is surely the most stable of all the area Funeral Homes – I’m just sayin…

This morning in church, I got to help serve The Lords Supper or Communion as it is often called.  Not only did I get to partake, I also got to serve.  I felt so fortunate getting to be of service to others.  I just wanna encourage you to find ways that you may be of service to others so you can feel blessed as I did this morning.