Chemo and Coranavirus ~ really?

I'm probably living my worst nightmare.  Bill's going thru chemo for the 2nd time.  Not sure how it will go but we sure didn't need a novel virus at the same time.

There have been multiple times where I packed up his "bag" with his id, his insurance cards, wipes, something to open doors with and I dropped him off and waited in the parking lot because I wasn't allowed to go into the hospital with him for his labs prior to chemo.

He did really good on his own.  His texts were interesting and we finally decided on a check mark to say - "I'm finished - you can pull up to get me now."

I couldn't hover at the Oncologist's either.  So I carried my bottle of Thieves, Household Cleaner - sprayed the door handles down and helped him get into the lobby.  Then the waiting started.  Waiting for the call of "I'm ready - last bag just got started - come get me in 30 mins, etc."

We've done well.  He's held his own.  I'm really proud of him!

I honestly can't imagine doing life without my Bill.

Thanks for visiting ! Reia

The Songs in My Life ~ Wonderful, Merciful Savior

I know I just wrote about this song.  I haven't been able to get away from it.
I guess when you have a song to sing...you have to sing it.

Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash

So I did.

I found some beautiful pictures on www.unsplash.com to go with my recording.
(I placed the credits in the YouTube comments.)

From my heart to yours  - hope you enjoy my cover of Selah's "Wonderful, Merciful Savior".

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs in My Life ~ Oh Draw Me Lord

There are times when you're singing songs you've known for awhile.  Then they're songs you just discovered.  That's me tonight.  I want to put together a new cd for when I'm driving to and from my students' homes.

I particularly wanted Selah's "Wonderful, Merciful Savior".  It's been on my heart a lot lately.

Being frugal and wanting the most for my money - I started listening to Selah's album "Press On" and discovered "Oh Draw Me Lord".  Wow - talk about a prayer from my heart.

One definition for Draw - pull or drag so as to make it follow behind.  Yep, that fits.

Oh, draw me, Lord

Oh, draw me, Lord

Oh, draw me, Lord

And I'll run after You

Dear Lord - please pull or drag me so that I'm made to follow behind you -
always -
every day of my life.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

What If You Could Have It All ~ My Friend I Do...

I can't tell you how often I've heard that phrase over my 60 plus years of life.  To which I pondered - what is "having it ALL"?

I've seen people chase the material things only to find they don't fulfill - they don't satisfy - they're empty.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

My mother often pressed upon me this phrase - "the true meaning of life".  It stuck.

Each of us may have a different definition of "the true meaning of life".  Mine's all about "that which money can't buy".  The love of God, the love of family, the love of friends, the love of a church family - the rest doesn't actually matter.

I always fall back on Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Kathleen Carnali - Micah 6:8

So when I look at people - I don't notice the clothes - I notice the face and the eyes. Are they smiling eyes or hurting eyes?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

May we all act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Beatles ~ There are places I remember...

...some are gone and some remain.  "In My Life" - a song that rips my heart and makes me ugly cry.  In My Life

I guess you could say I'm a "feeling" person.  I have a long memory for the people crossing my path in life.  Right, wrong, indifferent - I remember people.

Along my path of finding "Mr. Right" - my present husband - I found a lot of "not quite right but you touched my life" people.  Most parted ways because we weren't a good fit.  Of those that crossed my path - some have departed this earth way too early and some found the "right fit" that wasn't me.

When I met my present husband, we had long talks about songs/music/life.  I told him I was trying to find a song the Beatles had sung.  He found it for me, bought the cd for me as a gift and I sat in the silence of my bedroom - in the dark - and let the song flow over me - breaking me down - healing me.  I cried ugly tears as the song washed over me and I was so thankful for this man - my Bill - that provided this private healing time.

"Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers

There is no one compares with you

And these memories lose their meaning

When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I'll often stop and think about them

In my life I love you more"

...and I have for over 25 years.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

The Songs in My Life ~ I'm Already There

I'm going through a list of my favorite songs.  We're in a new normal with Bill's lung cancer/lung problems.  I'd forgotten about this song.  I'm reminded so often of why I fell in love with him and why I stay in love with him.  This song is one of the many reminders.

I'm Already There by Lonestar

Bill's work was in the Metal Cutting Industry.  If a machine cut metal, he's seen it.  He knew how to write the software to make the CNCs (I'm sure you know this but just in case - Computer Numerical Controllers) tell the machine to do what it was supposed to do (simplified version and probably not exactly correct).

He was often called into a plant as a troubleshooter when machines were down.  He was once told that if he didn't get a machine going soon he was going to "shut down the whole GM line".  You can imagine what he said to that comment.

Anyway - I'd drive him to the airport on Monday and pick him up on Friday only to do it again the next week.  After he'd hurt his back and was finally home, I heard this song and just fell apart.  I promised myself and him that I'd do anything legal and moral to keep him home with me.  It's been over 20 years and I've kept my promise so far.

Promises made - Promises kept.  Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Sweet Southern Comfort ~ I'm home

My growing up years were in Central Florida.

My young woman - raising a family years were in Northern Virginia.  The first time I glimpsed the view of DC - my breath was taken away.  What a magical place.

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Then it was Nashville - didn't think I'd like Nashville but I knew I could make it there as a single Mom.  (I did like Nashville and I met my Bill there.)

Photo by Tanner Boriack on Unsplash

A few other moves and we landed back in Northern Virginia.  Girls were grown and I kept feeling the call to get back to my "Deep South" roots.

Every time I heard Buddy Jewell sing "Sweet Southern Comfort" I wanted to get "home".

Sweet Southern Comfort

We've been back nearly 15 years and it feels like yesterday.  It's my "Happy Place".  I drive by and can say, "that's where Traci was born" and "that's where Ginger was born".  Yes, my "Happy Place".

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

Small town - Magnolia trees - hot, hot, hot days - 6 weeks of winter - beach 90 minutes away - SEC - I'm home!

Thank you, Lord, for the many journeys I've had and all of the people I met to include my Bill.  Thank you even more for getting me back to my "Deep South"!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia