It seems like I spent half my life in the waiting room of the orthodontist. During those minutes and hours of waiting I over hear (thanks to very loud and not very discreet talking and the annoying use of cell phones) many conversations. So I thought I would share them with you on an ongoing basis, so perhaps if you are one of those people who talk loudly in a waiting room, you might be compelled to think twice.
There was the time a woman talked for over a half hour on her cell phone as if it were her personal office. When she finally hung up you could see the rest of the waiting room parents relax their shoulders in relief. When her phone rang and she picked it up within seconds of hanging up, two women across from started to snicker like two teenage girls. I think we bonded.
Today's topic I didn't want to hear - toilets and the need to flush them and the brands that don't cut it. Sadly this was a conversation between two mother's in the waiting room, so I had the privilege of hearing both sides.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Rejoicing for Dawn
My friend Dawn Sheveland passed away on Friday, another victim to Pancreatic Cancer. She fought her battle well.
Dawn and I have been friends for 15 years - most of them when we didn't live in the same city. When we lived and ministered together we didn't really have a classic friendship - she was our senior pastor's wife and I was the wife of the middle school pastor. Dawn was my example of a pastor's wife - not the stereotype - but her own person, loving and serving God how she was wired. She opened her home to us other pastor's wives every month where we could vent, share, cry and pray for each other in a safe place. That foundation was the springboard to our friendship.
When she moved away and things got tough for us in ministry, I knew she would be a safe, non-judgemental counsel. Dawn always understood and always had the right things to say to encourage me to press on. She impressed me with how quick she would respond to emails - always no more than a day. Our emails then grew from just ministry issues to sharing about our families and our lives - our friendship grew. Her love for Jerry and her family was always so evident. Her sheer delight in her grandchildren was always felt - I was amazed I would have to "ask" for pictures.
Dawn's diagnosis of cancer didn't slow her down. She continued to travel as much as she could. Her emails were always hopeful. She never spoke of dying, never shared prognosis or stage of cancer. I just knew. I only sensed the progression of the disease from knowing the chemo was not working, and knowing the evilness of the disease. Her emails did not come as quickly and became only a few words. I'm glad I was able to tell her what a great friend she was before she left us.
Our last meeting, I realize now was such a God thing. We met in the San Diego airport, we were flying in, I'm not sure if they were flying in or out. Either way, there we were at an international airport and found ourselves next to each other to talk and give a hug for just a few moments.
Dawn always rejoiced in her savior. She is now pain free celebrating with Him, while we that are left mourn her passing. She always signed her e-mails "rejoicing" no matter what. I know that was not only her salutation, but they way she lived her life. I will miss her.
Rejoicing for Dawn
Dawn and I have been friends for 15 years - most of them when we didn't live in the same city. When we lived and ministered together we didn't really have a classic friendship - she was our senior pastor's wife and I was the wife of the middle school pastor. Dawn was my example of a pastor's wife - not the stereotype - but her own person, loving and serving God how she was wired. She opened her home to us other pastor's wives every month where we could vent, share, cry and pray for each other in a safe place. That foundation was the springboard to our friendship.
When she moved away and things got tough for us in ministry, I knew she would be a safe, non-judgemental counsel. Dawn always understood and always had the right things to say to encourage me to press on. She impressed me with how quick she would respond to emails - always no more than a day. Our emails then grew from just ministry issues to sharing about our families and our lives - our friendship grew. Her love for Jerry and her family was always so evident. Her sheer delight in her grandchildren was always felt - I was amazed I would have to "ask" for pictures.
Dawn's diagnosis of cancer didn't slow her down. She continued to travel as much as she could. Her emails were always hopeful. She never spoke of dying, never shared prognosis or stage of cancer. I just knew. I only sensed the progression of the disease from knowing the chemo was not working, and knowing the evilness of the disease. Her emails did not come as quickly and became only a few words. I'm glad I was able to tell her what a great friend she was before she left us.
Our last meeting, I realize now was such a God thing. We met in the San Diego airport, we were flying in, I'm not sure if they were flying in or out. Either way, there we were at an international airport and found ourselves next to each other to talk and give a hug for just a few moments.
Dawn always rejoiced in her savior. She is now pain free celebrating with Him, while we that are left mourn her passing. She always signed her e-mails "rejoicing" no matter what. I know that was not only her salutation, but they way she lived her life. I will miss her.
Rejoicing for Dawn
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Telling the Truth
As parents we teach our kids to tell the truth; to be honest; to avoid gossip or share things that are untrue. We teach them not to say things about someone that will tear down their character. Somewhere, thanks to the internet, this line seems to disappear when it applies to adults.
It seems each week I received a forward from someone (especially fervent in election times) stating "truth". It came from a trusted friend, or I'm assured that it was checked out. I have to say of all the probably hundreds of forwards I've received NOT ONE has been true. Not one!
When I receive a forward now, my first response is to just hit the delete key. Sometimes, in a weak moment, I read them and then check them out at either www.truthorfiction.com or www.snopes.com. I then cut and paste a response back to my sender to do a small part of stopping the rumors. I know it won't help. When did it become okay to share lies and rumors about topics and people, simply because we don't like them or agree with what they stand for? Isn't the real truth and facts enough to support our views?
It's then I realize we live in an age where CNN reads random people's emails on air as if they are authorities worthy to be quoted. It is also the age where anyone can blog their ideas for the world to read and repeat - hmmmmmm I guess I'm a part of that one. Don't quote me :)
It seems each week I received a forward from someone (especially fervent in election times) stating "truth". It came from a trusted friend, or I'm assured that it was checked out. I have to say of all the probably hundreds of forwards I've received NOT ONE has been true. Not one!
When I receive a forward now, my first response is to just hit the delete key. Sometimes, in a weak moment, I read them and then check them out at either www.truthorfiction.com or www.snopes.com. I then cut and paste a response back to my sender to do a small part of stopping the rumors. I know it won't help. When did it become okay to share lies and rumors about topics and people, simply because we don't like them or agree with what they stand for? Isn't the real truth and facts enough to support our views?
It's then I realize we live in an age where CNN reads random people's emails on air as if they are authorities worthy to be quoted. It is also the age where anyone can blog their ideas for the world to read and repeat - hmmmmmm I guess I'm a part of that one. Don't quote me :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)