Thursday Thinking

It’s just the 27th day of the first month of the year. We already know of two people, lifelong friends, who will not be with us at the end of the year. It’s hard to learn that so early into this new year, especially after four significant losses last year.

The advantage to such advance notice is you get to say your good byes. You get to make visits and let them know what they mean to us. Sometimes, you see your loved ones health and body diminishes before your eyes. They are still there. Their minds are still as active as ever. They certainly deserve the respect you’ve always given them. And their spirits hopefully stay as vigorous as ever. They’re entitled to be sad, to be angry, and to be a little grumpy from time to time.

We are all going to meet our endings sometime. Some sooner than later. Others will be here a long time. It’s always too soon. Even when you expect the loss, it’s still a shock when it actually happens. Only God knows when our time on earth is up. There is an old Tim McGraw song, “Live Like You Were Dying.” We should all do that every day.

Why? We would enjoy ourselves much more while truly living. I have a friend who is turning 50 this year. She has vowed to do something different every month for the year. Different things she’s always been interested in doing, but has never tried. How fun! It’s great to try new things; keeping an open mind will help keep the mind working. Your world is bigger. Life is more interesting.

I’m lost in thought about our friends, and wondering about our other friend who just passed away; his remains are coming to Omaha for burial, I’m wondering when that may be. We are hoping for closure. Meantime, just keep this in mind:

Six Ethics of Life

Before you Pray – Believe

Before you Speak – Listen

Before you Spend – Earn

Before you Write – Think

Before you Quit – Try

Before you Die – Live

Make sure you hold your people close. Be careful out there, and we’ll see each other tomorrow.

Sunny Saturday

It’s a cold but beautiful sunny day in Gretna, Nebraska today. The Home Office has sunlight streaming through the entire house. It also smells like delicious home made chocolate chip cookies and brownies, our contribution to a birthday party later for our friend, Lou Riedmann. His daughters and son are celebrating large this year, with the family welcoming all of us.

We found out early this morning our other friend, Jay Donoho passed away in Oklahoma. He was a friend through the VFW. He moved away after his wife Teri died, and we’ve kept in touch with him through messaging, FB, and phone calls. We were hopeful he would move back to Omaha someday, and he would have made a good Post Commander. He will be buried in Omaha with his wife, Teri, at the Omaha National Cemetery. She was young and passed from cancer, Jay did, too. Complications were too much for him. Sad to know he is gone, too.

In reading back on some postings Jay did over the years, it tells me we didn’t know our friend well enough. His wife was ill during most of the time he lived in Omaha, and most of the conversation was driven by how we could help support Teri and him, and recently by his health. He loved scuba diving; he and Teri made many trips and had beautiful photos. He loved his mom, kids, Jesus, and the Air Force (in any order). He will be missed by many. It’s just sad, the more we lose, the harder it is some days. It happens as we get older. Part of life.

I broke many Keto rules early today, by eating cookie dough but it was so worth it. I can start again. Weight was gained over December and is stable, those 10 pounds are now 7, and we’re going in the right direction. We are having a variety of soups, appetizers, desserts, etc. tonight. It should be a good time. What do you have planned for the rest of the day? I hope you enjoy your people today and tomorrow. Be safe out there, and we’ll see each other tomorrow.