Life 1.0.1 for Janet... Memories at Christmas

       So you see: it was the beginning.  A happy beginning.  With love multiplied times over because of the new addition:  a miracle baby was born and living with them.  Teresa and Carl Aulicino were the proud new parents.  She was 27 and he was 30 years old.  They are the subjects, along with their new baby whom they named Janet Victoria Aulicino, of this brand new adventure.

       Teresa came from humble beginnings and as a child had no toys, not even a doll. And so, when presented with this new bundle of joy, she was afraid of hurting her.  She was filled with awe at this new wiggly being.  But it took only a short while for her to become comfortable with being a Mother.  And she was a good Mother.  Totally involved and captivated by her new baby daughter.  She felt so totally blessed with her life.  

        Some of the things they did together were delightful and so worth remembering. They would run together and play.  They would play piggyback at home on Daddy’s back and on the sled in the winter snows with Mother.  They would roller skate and bicycle in the spring.  They would vacation in the Poconos and also go swimming in the warm waters of Florida each year.  They so enjoyed the drive to Florida together in the black Oldsmobile they all loved, as they sang and played car games and drank Pepsi to keep cool. 

         At home they would also shop.  I think coming from a place of near poverty, Mother really enjoyed the blessing of being able to shop and shop and shop. Especially for clothes for Janet. 

         They would run to the door to welcome Daddy home.  And then they had the nights together.  They were only 3.  But they were happy.

At the Crossroads

Here we are. It’s decision time. It’s dig-the-heels in time. It’s show what you’re made of time. It’s love for all your worth time. It’s the crossroads of life. We are here. 

How did all those years fly by so fast? You hear every older person say that those years, indeed, do fly by, and yet you just know you have forever... and so you really don’t understand. You really don’t dwell on it nor do you pay attention to where all the time goes or to how you spend it. The dailies take over. And the time is gone. Forever.

But, the time accomplished a lot. It wasn’t wasted. Well, maybe a little. However, you lived life. Your life. The plan marked out for you before time began. You devoured the time and used it and wanted more most often. 

When you look back & recount the years that have passed you feel emotions too numerous to count. A plethora of  feeling. But, it’s the going forward that matters most. What you learn from the recount. You learn and you know that the future will be brighter than the past. And you go on to better things. 

And as you go on, you’re not alone, you have your forever love with you and so that makes the crossroads easier because you both go on hand-in-hand.

And when you realize that you are at the crossroads, the  planning for your future takes on significant meaning. Now that you know and have a handle on the time left for you,  you plan, dream and wait for the crossroads to end... And  want to jump into that next phase of your life.

The Crossroads of Adventure

Here we are at a crossroads of life. Move forward into the joy that awaits or stagnate. Of course, we move forward. Adventure is what life brings. Sorrows and joys. Aging but still youthful. Forward is the only way to travel. There is no great divide. No fence. Only wide open opportunity.

So, we were once young and now do we call ourselves old? I say not. Others see differently. But we see the image of what was transformed into what is and call it wonderful and a thing of beauty. We see ourselves young. And youth moves on...

Toward what? Where? Those are the questions of any age. 

So here is a maxim to live by:

"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, that us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."           Hebrews 12:1

Dare we do any less. Youth strives and perseveres. Ageless wonders, such as we, know to keep on keeping on through all that youth has yet to encounter. Age has the advantage of gained wisdom. Let us not lose sight of the goal. Nor should we ever give up the joy. Give up? Who would dare such a thing and yet go on living! Not us. The moment is always at hand to have an adventure and see the unmarked road. 

So, the saga continues and we go on. The end is never known, but the journey is the adventure and joy. “There but for the joy set before Him...” Wonderful words in spite of the pain. Looking to the end result. We never know the way but we know who does and so we go on. 

Sadness

How deep can sadness go? 

So far down that when you think you’re getting to the bottom you realize that there’s still such a long way to go before you can get back up & get to the person you think you remember yourself to be…

It’s not despair really. It IS utter sadness. And now you’re numb. You’re simply so numb that you only just realized that the numbness must be a protection to help get you through the sadness. 

The healing can only begin when you’re fully conscious of just how bad you really feel. How bad things really are. Within and without. 

When you’re truthful with yourself and let all the emotions have their way within you, then you can stand – or sit - in shock at how wrong you were about the people who have made you this very sad and heartsick. And you can start the long, hard climb back up and out of the depression you sunk down into. 

You’re inconsolable, grieving, heavy-hearted and broken-hearted. But, you will stop the grieving. You will be consoled. And, your heart will sing with joy again because there is an ‘after’!  

Jesus is your constant. You rest in Him. He has never failed you. The Father’s wings are wrapped tightly around you and He keeps you close. He has told you that there will be an after. He whispers His Word to you and settles your heart. 

The Story of Our Chloe

Chloe came to us when the timing was so very right. Not too soon to be appreciated, & not too late to be at the end - and then, too late. We believe she came straight from God's hand. He gave us such a good gift. We didn't go looking for her. She wasn't even there the day before at the shelter, - but then, surprise, there she was. It was as if she was waiting for us - not knowing how much WE really needed her. 

Our Molly girl needed a lift and Chloe was it. She helped Molly's last days and then was there for us afterwards. God knew all along just how much we would need her. 

From day one she has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives.  We love her so much. 

Live Life

Now is the day to reflect on what will be. 

Life begins now! 

Everyday is a new opportunity for a new beginning. A new beginning at living life. Living your life will bring joy to you body, soul and spirit. Living not just breathing will transform you from being inward to having a new outward perspective for the new adventures found. For the joy they bring.

Going through the motions of living and being very busy will fill up your days but not give the fulfillment our God would want us to have from enjoying this planet he placed us on. 

Going out and exploring our world will lead us to new people and situations where we can get joy by bringing joy. Being open to looking at your day in a new way can take your breath away. The moments make the day. Breathe them in and find a new inner joy. 

Go and do. Step out of your restricted world and participate in the bigger world all around you. Take a drive to nowhere in particular and find out what’s in store for you around each bend. Go to events and grow in the newness of it all. Take classes and grow in your interests. 

Don’t sit just waiting...

Go and really live. 

My Shoes

My shoes are my shoes. I walk in them and time shows the pattern etched inside. I walk and walk. Sometimes my walking is in vain as I can’t accomplish what I planned. Sometimes my walking is my joy because of where these shoes have taken me. These shoes can tell a story. They can tell you the story of my life. It can be a joy-filled story or a story of pain and sadness. It can be a story of adventure or of simply a walk in my neighborhood. I can also get out of my shoes from time to time and then there would be gaps in the story they can tell. My shoes can rest and yet still transport me to another time as they sit back, take a break, and let my mind wander instead of my feet. 

What if I change my shoes, then what?! Shoes can tell of different occasions. They can tell of life experiences. They can tell of the fabric of life. The intertwining of life. The people of life. 

But, it’s the everyday shoes that have the real story to tell. The shoes that take you everywhere and know everything. The shoes that you can rely on. They steady you and support you in all you do. 

The Future Together with Our God

As we go forward this year, do we go with God? Do we have the Almighty at our side knowing that with Him there is peace, joy and wisdom for all at hand. Do we lean on Him and know He shapes our tomorrows? 

Do we foresee that the future will be God developed and do we accept whatever His hand may bring forth? 

Such questions should be at the front of our thinking and each day should bring delight as the answers work themselves out. Such surprises sometimes, to be sure, but day-in and day-out we go with God onward. The future is His and we pray we will walk assuredly into it, with joy, knowing God is for us and heaven on earth is possible.

Barking at the Moon

Barking at the Moon

A dog barking. Just for the sheer pleasure. The joy. Does he like his own voice or does he just get carried away. How long can it go on & on & on... The bark can stay a bark or it can then gravitate to a howl. Even a broken howl. A barking at the moon kind of song, in fact. Do you think the bark has connected him to a primitive brain wave that calls to him and sends him into a reverie. A subconscious connection that delights him and carries him away into a world of his own sounds. 

And what about us? Wouldn’t we like to go into some blank space sometimes where we can just delight in the nothingness. The void. A rest of sorts. Without sound & yet listening. But for us, we know we’re never alone. For a dog, he has his everyday pleasures and being lost in barking at the moon may be one of them for him. 

For us, a soundless place would be divine. Yes, actually. Soundless, yet filled with all the hope, love and joy that will make your day a thing beyond. An act of solitude that will fill us with a vision of all the possibilities a day may hold. A simple event in your day that will turn you around from introspection to what awaits you next. And you know that you’re walking in a plan for your life made for you before time began. You come out of your special soundless place assured that all your days are ordered and you just have to ‘be.’