In Loving Memory of My Dad

He was 27 years old when the doctor handed him a bundle of joy – a life he would share with mom for the rest of our days. As the doctor said...'Glen, you have a healthy baby girl...congratulations.'I’m sure he held me close, kissed my forehead, kissed my mom, & whispered I love you within his heart as he welcomed me. For that very split second, he was holding the youngest life on the planet...As time
passed, another life came to us, my sister,Brenda & our family was created. Over the years, we shared times of laughter, discovery, tears, disagreements & reconciliations. We talked at the dinner table about our day. Mom & Dad always took time to be there when we needed them, encouraging us along the way.

 

We learned about respect, family values, & God.

When I was very young, dad worked swing shift at Luke Mill. He would get up early & have breakfast with Mom - I would join them at the breakfast bar. We would welcome the morning over coffee (yeah, I started young) As he be walking out the door on his way to work...I would say to him:  “I love you, Dad -Tell Brooks & Gus, I said hello,”
He would kind of wave to me with his lunch box, & while placing his hat on his head, he’d reply “I will & I love you too, Chum.”As the years passed, I looked forward to our time together after his late shift from work. Usually after everyone was in bed, we would share a laugh at one of the many Benny Hill’s antics. And he would tell me about his day & I would share mine.

We would share talks & plans for life while standing under a chassis of his car, & later with my car on the ramp. From our time together, I learned about the care & art of detailing cars, business & life skills & how to stand on my own...

There are many moments that I remember ...yet one memory I would like to share that is very special.
The look on Dad’s face when for Father’s day one year, I presented a model car I had completed from looking at a photo of him with his 54 Chevy Bel Air. It was a project completed in love. He kept that car for 30 years....the model, that is. As long as I can recall,we have always shared a passion for the antique, classic, & vintage automobiles. For this model car was a gift that touched his heart, a common bond between father & daughter that would later have a spiritual meaning...

A couple of months ago I was home visiting dad. It was good for we had time to talk, & share our final goodbyes. But at night God shared dreams with me. And this one specific dream really was a message to my heart. In the dream I took dad’s bel air to the mechanic because it was rusting, the headlights were dim, there were creaking sounds that indicated a need for service & the engine was not performing well.

The mechanic informed me after contacting the manufacturer that dad had accepted the lifetime warranty extended from the original designer of this model. He would only have to return the model he presently has - no matter the condition - for a brand new one. So he did. My dad had accepted the Lord & exchanged his old for the new. Now - He has a new body, new heart, new eyes...and probably some hair...no bald tires in heaven, right. :o)

The next morning I shared this dream with Dad, Mom & Brenda ... it was awe inspiringly comforting. As I felt the Spirit reveal to me the message behind the dream. I cried.

For 53 years ago my relationship with my earthly father began when he was handed a small frail body, completely dependent upon him & mom for everything. We loved one another from the very first breath.

Recently my dad experienced the very same dependency as his earthly body grew frailer by the day. He was loved to his last breath.

Now, I can imagine him resting in the arms of His Heavenly Father. No longer is Dad a small, frail body that had no choice but to submit to the decease that overcame him....

He is whole. He is perfect. He is complete.

His were the first arms to embrace me. He is the man I called Dad all of my life.  I called him that as I kissed his forehead one last time. And with a peaceful goodbye I am sure that heaven extended a joyful hello.

As I was writing this...I spent time looking at old snapshots taken over a lifetime. Christmas of 1997 Mom & Dad gave both Brenda & I each a box filled with family pictures & memories.

 

On the underside of the lid, dad had penned this poem to me:

"When you are busy & on the go;
And life doesn’t seem to be much fun.
Take time & look at these old snapshots.
And don’t forget you are always our ‘chum’." Love, Dad

So, Dad, I love you too & for old times’ sake,"

Please...tell Brooks & Gus, I said hello."
I will miss you & will never forget you. If I could remember that first day in your arms, I’m sure I would have felt that love...Yes, I will always be your little girl...'Chum'.

I Love You, Dad.
Sharon

 

“God, our heavenly Father, thank You for sharing Your Son with us so that we may share our lives with You. May we appreciate the moments we are given, the lives we are to live, the blessings You wrap around us. May others may see You living in us. Thank you for giving us Your gift of  love & eternal life, & for patiently waiting by heaven’s door to welcome us home. Lord,

You have given us peace, assurance & comfort in our spirits as we place our Dad, & husband & friend in Your arms. Amen"

 

Cecil G. Dawson
11/24/1932 - 05/29/2013

 

 

            Dad...here is one of our favorite tunes... 'Sugar Blues'

 

 

 

... Serving Seconds ....

Seconds are the small segments of a life-time that link minutes to one another to create an hour that joins hands to become a day. These days then mosey on to form calendar months, years, and time. We seldom notice them as they move swiftly past us and rarely, do we give them a second thought. They just are. However, when 'seconds' are more apparent, we take time to pay attention. Stay with me for just a second, maybe even two....

~Ok so you did and now you wonder for what you waited. Well, it could be anything. On second thought it may be nothing at all. But let's take a second look at this small but powerful word, action, status, & position that wears the name that is really second to none.

Everyone wants to be first. What is so great about first? No one really remembers who came in second. However, the runner up to a contest eyes the trophy with desire even though they found themselves with the red ribbon this time. Run past first to second and you are halfway home. Stop at first and you are further from the goal. Get to third, and well, you get the idea.

The birth order designs placement opportunity as the second born is also the youngest child or merely the second to the oldest. That would mean that the first born is simply second to none.


Remember the second helping you ate last holiday meal; it was either because you were still hungry or wanted the repeat sensation of the tastes that satisfied you the first time around.
Seconds can be fun, fattening, frustrating, family related, and frivolous for favor in competition. You have only so many seconds in a lifetime. Make the most of the first and second moment of your day.

Give second chances.
Accept second chances.

Take that second look at life and remember you are only seconds away from becoming your best…

"Order Up!"

"May I See A Menu, Please"

Sometimes we go out to eat & then stare at the familiar menu of selections as if it is the very first time we have seen it. Then, we will ask the waiter about the ‘special of the day’& if THEY like it or not. Why do we base our selection choice often on the scale of someone else's likes & dislikes when it is our meal? Everyone’s pallet is different.It would appear that conversation accompanies cuisine in similar ways. Yet, rather than be cautious & concerned about our tone of conversation, & weight of our words, we ramble off statements with little or no consideration as to how they will look on another person’s feelings. We take liberties with the pre-determined portions of praise & curried conflict heaped upon someone else’s plate when we should be more considerate. We would be wise to taste our words before dishing them out.

When you speak, do you weigh your words opposite your thoughts before opening your mouth? Do you regurgitate your opinions & spit & splatter them upon others? Do you shove them down another person’s throat? Is it easy for all to see that you’re full of yourself & not only do you need a healthier dialog diet 'butt' you could stand a little help when it comes to how to scale down your fattened ego of expressions? Don’t worry; you are not alone in this self indulgent society of overweight sentiment.There are many who need to tighten the belt on their panting of complaints & find more compassion in their conversational cuisine. We would not be so miserable to ourselves & to others if we would just walk away from debates, disputes,& side dishes of drama. Indigestion from certain relationships could be avoided if we kept our opinions, comments & harmful whimsical rambling of words to ourselves. It’s good to know when we have had enough of even a good thing…let alone, something or someone who is unhealthy.
Today we have fast food & fast talkers that devour one another with a second helping but rarely a second thought.
Even our sentences contain words related to eating & food.

Phrases like:
You are going to have to EAT your words.
What’s the SKINNY on that?
Oh, we are just CHEWING the FAT.
You haven’t got the STOMACH for that.
I have a lot on my PLATE to do.
They have a healthy APPETITE for living.
You can DISH it out but you can’t take it.
I’ll take another SLICE of the PIE.
That’s CRUMBY.
Have your CAKE & EAT IT too.
Life’s so short, take SECONDS first.
That’s GRAVY.
He had to be SPOON fed all the way.
Your words really cut like a KNIFE.
You speak with a FORKED tongue.
He’s really MILKING the opportunity or is he just EGGING you on.
We had a celebrity ROAST for him even though he’s just small POTATOS in the industry.
It was really WATERED down.
Have you ever been BUTTERED up?
Seriously, what’s the SCOOP on that?
They are the top BANANA.
You are the APPLE of God’s eye. (That one, I like...;)

We talk about FOOD or food related slang even when we are making reference to something that has nothing to do with food. It is self consuming. We wrap our thoughts in niceness or humor, with a lot at ‘Steak’ & even though we meant ‘well’... ‘Rarely’ is this skill-et ‘well done.’

Never leave a conversation or any area of concern that may be ready to boil over, unattended. This could cause a fire that burns a relationship so badly that even the most sincere of apologies cannot extinguish it before its total demise. Season your words to taste. No more, no less. Mean what you say-say what you mean. Get out of the kitchen of comments if what is being prepared does not suit you. Why partake of something or associate with someone who is not to your liking. Be as selective in your relationships as you are in your dining. People of quality are sustenance for the soul & are to be appreciated for their own ingredients to the relationship. Our words reflect our hearts so always strive to be a Gourmet of Edification.

Menu Options:

Too Many Second Helpings:
It is easy to see & clear to hear that many people are extremely obese in physical demeanor & in how they wear their feelings upon their sleeve. Over indulgence is not at all attractive. Words can quickly become a premeditated sentence of situational suicide. Since we are what we eat, say,& profess.What happens if we open our mouth & nothing but air (or error) comes out? Then what? Yet, many are exercising their freedom of speech while not following the proper form in how they weigh words before speaking. Every day we see people in constant communication without even thinking about it. It is like breathing. Phones & fingers move quickly sometimes before the words even form in their minds or the light turns green as horns blare from irritated bystanders. This inconsideration towards others is the feverish food fight of fast forward thinking. Even though driven for better, they are mindlessly tossing the trash out the window of opportunity expecting someone else to pick up after them. This is rudeness with reasons no one will respect. We do this with our words. We say things, hurtfully & expect someone else to come along & make it all right. Wrong! Whether it be spoken from a podium, pulpit, or pillow, WHAT you say is not as important as HOW it is said, heard, & perceived. You know you have said…”yeah, but what I meant was…” This is the specialty of the house…a side-dish of dropped intention soup. A mess you will undoubtedly be cleaning up repeatedly, unless you hear your thoughts through before you pass the taste- test of talking.

The Assumption Appetizer:
This is featuring a popular dish named after many who partake: ‘Me-ism’. This selection takes only a little time to boil over,as it will spew its heated substance on the most sensitive of tough skinned hearted people, & then often leaves a scar of a memory many would like to forget. These people speak in dashes of demands. But rather than keep their words in small easy to swallow bite size morsels, they take each irresponsible action & irrational decision to irritate as many people as they can in one sitting. This is grammar gluttony.Let's dismiss them from the table, shall we.

Too Hot To Handle:
In a heated & haughty (hot) debate, discerning disagreements, or a deliberation of dialog, keep your words short, sweet, & smooth. These very words that dissolve from your thoughts to your voice must be easily digested. For this to happen, they must be measured precisely, pronounced properly, stirred with care as to not stick or scorch,& when tasted by the listener, they need be considered - a delicacy of edible expressions.

The Lighter Fare:
Look at poetry. As a poet paints their emotions in prose,& flavorful limericks, they season them with the right amount of sugar & spice & everything nice. These morsels will be tasted by the most sensitive of poetic palates. This recipe for rhyme is an art form. Therefore, be an artist. Mix & blend the colors of your thoughts in such a manner that when another hears your words, they appreciate your good taste. They will be blessed having shared an enlightening experience that will surely linger long upon the palate of their mind.You will be making an impression that will feed their soul.

Order Up...Wait on Words!!
Be a server & a servant of The Words that nourish & matter most…the Bread of Life.
Go ahead...have a seat. We will be with you in just a moment. While you are waiting-Take a look at GOD's Menu for Living.
Yubw8n.


NOTE FROM SHARON: "This writing was inspired by that of a reading I did years ago. What I learned stayed with me over time. Our words can set us free or we can be surely HUNG BY THE TONGUE. I trust the thoughts I have expressed in this blog will bless your heart & be food for thought. Always speak with words that you yourself would be able to swallow. And remember...once they leave your mouth, there are no leftovers or true do-overs."

Success is yours. Victory and defeat are born in the mind, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Humans speak what they believe and think, often causing defeat. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21) Jesus said, "My words are spirit and life." (John 6:63) Fear will prevent you from speaking victory. This little book has helped many to rise from their defeated condition to a victorious life.

What you say...is often what you get. Place this 'read' on your menu.

Realizing "It" Matters

It's the little things in life that matter. The snuggle of a kitten on a cool evening. The look of appreciation from a puppy as you hold him on the way home from the vet. And the happiness you feel when you share moments with those 'humans' in life that matter to you.

We get busy. Sometimes too busy. And in that hurry-up & wait mentality, we miss it. What is "IT"?

It may be the deep breath we take first thing in the morning followed by a long stretch of our body and the instant opening of our eyes to a new day. Or that one of a kind snow flake that floats -seemingly without destination- to the ground on that first late autumn flurry.

Why do we let these little things of joy pass us by? I remember as a child growing up in WV the times shared playing tag football on Sunday afternoon with my friends. Running to the back door, screen slapping shut behind us, and grabbing a cold glass of lemonade that Mom had prepared for us to cool down before supper. (Yeah, we called it supper) And later, after saying good bye to the friends, wash up, help with chores, and then family time. These are moments that I hold dear and recall at moments even I least expect.

Now as an adult, I watch the 'kids of today' going in different directions (not all of them good ones either) as they try to 'make a statement' about their generation. What memories are they creating for their lives? Is it me or is their concern for their ultimate destination lessening with each year as they barely get by? What morales are they really being taught to build upon? Sad yet true.

I hope that after you are done reading this, you will stop and close your eyes for just a brief second. Go back through the pages of your life and find a chapter that brings a smile to your lips, a tear to your eye, or a giggle to your belly. Do this whenever stress is stepping on your attitude, kicking you in the 'butt, that is just the way it is' excuses, and you are feeling less than. You matter.

Now, hold it. Hold it. Just one more minute. Ah, there you go. You have now successfully replaced a moment in what you had titled a 'bad day' with a memory that matters to you... now you are starting fresh from this moment on.

These little things that matter- matter. Be sure to share a memory with your loved one, your children, your pet. Make time to visit a Senior Adult and listen to their chapters of life. Enlightening moments of a time gone by.

Remember~Give love and watch that love return to you.
NEVER BE AFRAID TO:
Smile More.
Laugh More.
Love More.
Be More.

You know what's coming next right.....
Have a Blessed day...One Moment At A Time.
So~
Yubw8n? (Why You Be Waitin?)


Promo2motion LLC ©2011sedawson Promo2motion.com