Health Trek Day 52

I am taking a quick breather to pause and reflect in midst of sewing, cleaning and tomorrow cooking for the holidays. I feel like I am beginning to sound like a broken record talking about the true meaning of Christmas, the old traditions and all the preparation we go through. So today I am just going to share a really nice e-mail that I received from my sister in law last week.
The Bell
Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it.
From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down,but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and end even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to see...

This story reminded me of an incident that happened to a friend of mine. He is 85 years old and had parked in a handicap parking space so his frail wife could make it into the supermarket more easily. He had placed one of those cardboard handicap signs in the window of his car as all of us who use those do. He had gone back to the car to get his wife's sweater when a lady started yelling at him and accusing him of stealing a handicap space depriving someone who was really handicapped. He was so surprised he found himself speechless as this lady berated him up one side and down the other. He just shook his head and went back to his wife who was waiting in a wheelchair out of the cold, just inside the store. I think many people are too quick to judge just by what they see with their eyes. First of all this man himself is 85 years old, parking in an icy parking lot. Even if he was in the best of health, at his age falling on an icy pavement could be the death of him. Secondly, you can't tell by looking at someone if they may have COPD, severe arthritis, be recovering from surgery, have heart problems or dizzy spells. There are so many reasons why someone might have one of those cardboard handicapped signs, they are too numerous to mention. So for this lady to judge my friend without knowing the circumstances is unconscionable. Sometimes a family member may be driving an elderly person around too. So a good reminder for us all. Don't judge a situation until you have all the facts. There may be things we can not see. So be the bell and help even if it is just by being tolerant of others.
Rock On!

Christmas Poem 2007

Merry Christmas Memories

What magic do we know this day
That abounds year after year.
Is it mistletoe, or lights that glow
or wishes of good cheer?
The price one pays for a shiny toy
or the IPOD beneath the tree
will be but shadows in the mind
just a hazy memory.
Each cozy home creates it's own
Embellishes a tradition
that has passed down from parent to child
for many a generation.
We make our Noel feast unique
by surrounding ourselves with love
inviting friends and family
as we give thanks to the Lord above
The magic that abounds this day
is the memory that we share
as we pass on the Gift Christ gave to us
and spread love everywhere
Don't worry about the money
or if your gift is the perfect size
Just plan some beautiful moments
that forever your heart will prize
Christmas is making memories
That will make your spirit soar
So savor each precious moment
So they will last forevermore.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year to all!

Judy Patt Hall
Christmas 2007