This
Is Us ~ 2016
January
found us viewing the screen
A
Star Wars chapter, and my own video scene.
I
recorded my testimony, A Sojourner’s story,
A
billion dollar winner chosen in our town!
It
wasn’t us, though riches abound.
Thirty-nine
years married, dinner we ate
At
a new fancy place we thought great.
An Eagle flew and Major Tom lost control;
Oh
those songs of harmony, we know.
My
own song of Amazing Grace
Continues
to unfold at Wednesday’s writing place.
On
Valentine’s Day I wrote a random post
A
message to Timmy, I miss him the most…
But
You, God, gave me messages so clear,
A
day I’ll remember of hearts and angels near.
The
one white rose blooms again on the day
We
mark 9 years of Tim’s journey away.
March
moves in and spring is planted,
Basketball
games, local champions granted.
Mid
month March found me quite ill.
Bronchitis
kicked me hard against my will.
Easter
and hope arose in the dawn
As
Grandpa’s tulips poke up from the lawn.
A
movie, “Miracles from Heaven” took in
With
two favorite friends, a faithful win.
After
the show, a hydrangea purchased,
Butterfly
photo, my own miracle resurgence.
April
comes quickly as I prepare the garden;
A
whimsical birdbath tweets for a remodelin’.
Getting
the paints and brush supply,
Spring
Break finds me brighting with my artistic eye.
We
say Good-bye to a Laker legend;
Ted
keeps cooking, his favorite regimen.
Turning
60, he made the mark,
Off
we headed to our favorite Disney Park.
Purple
rain fell from the sky; the world grieves
But
much closer to our hearts and home, a young man leaves
A
crown of glory is your remembrance for us.
We
know you’re with Jesus, Ryan, in Him we’ll trust.
May
brings my birthday, 62…no fear,
But
surreal this number, my Father’s last year.
Ted
visits the ortho doc hopeful for a plan...
It
will be more complicated, wobbling at each stand.
The
Boys in Blue are giving us cheer;
Wrapping
up a new assignment in a special class this year.
My
ministries a blessing, filled me with purpose;
Spent
a day at a retreat, planting deeper than the surface.
My
garden in blooming, added a new raised site,
For
herbs and a trellis, flavor and height.
Season
7 of my Writers’ group ended in celebration,
We
now know “who done it,” in our mystery writers’ creation.
School
season ended with retirements and swelter;
June
7th we voted in the Presidential primary banter.
Attended
a concert and went to the place
Where
everyone’s a kid and music makes our pace.
Father’s
Day comes and he wants a pie,
Triple
berry it is, and Heaven gives a sigh.
Summer
is here and my plans are to write,
Finish
the book where the end is in sight.
Reunions
are planned with high school friends;
I’ve
planted those flowers the butterfly recommends.
Ted
visits the doc, hoping for news,
But
seems his kidneys have the “compromised blues.”
Writing
resumes as I come close to complete,
July
gathers neighbors to celebrate at Freedom’s Feet.
The
news is so tragic, can hardly comprehend...
Attend
a Commencement where black bands descend.
Set
the date for the upcoming walk,
And
You Lord, I know are my steady Rock.
Reminded
of past successes and chronic diseased lives,
Honored
to do this, for more kids to thrive.
August
arrived and to the beach I do head
To
spend the day, sand and sea we tread.
Here
with a best friend, have prayed side by side.
Faithful
is Your Love Lord, like the ocean’s tide.
Ted’s
pain unbearable, he continues to persevere
Until
the gout finds him down; not much I can do here.
Cherry
juice and patience, Olympics distract.
A
week off work until the swelling retracts.
A
daytrip with another, my special friend, Mel
Finds
us at a preserve where butterflies dwell
The
docent, so nice, gave me the chance
To
release my own Swallowtail, toward Heaven I glance.
A
new school year approached in just a few days;
August
brings the last words of “Amazing Grace Upon Grace.”
I
wrote of remembrance, inspired by his friend,
And
God moves to connect us by the Spirit He sends.
Ministries
start back up, and my book is complete,
Overwhelmed
by the process, so filled with the Sweet.
Purchased a resource, help to sort out the potential…
But
relying on God’s Word for me is essential.
September’s
end is a year long wait,
Our
“Timmy weekend” planned, a desert escape.
Golfing
and dining, we went to a zoo...
But
Joshua Tree’s rocks—an inspirational view!
Corey
fishes and dreams of the day
When
his reel gets the big one, a lot he will say.
Wanting
a new start, he leaves his job on a whim;
What
can I say, but I always pray for him.
Fall
is here and October brings to fruition
The
NephCure Walk and fundraising donations.
This
year’s efforts came at quite a surprise,
"Super Hero Status" put tears in my eyes.
A
small family reunion, new twins to receive
But
their great grandpa, my uncle, for him we did grieve.
I
captured a picture of my cousins again,
Recreated
a time, now and then.
 |
|
Jenny,
Uncle Bruce, Michelle and Sean (my Uncle’s grandkids)
|
 |
|
Michelle
and Jenny
|
 |
|
Brooke
and Brielle
|
We A few more pics of people we love
We
treasure these friendships, some by blood.
We
may not see you often, no not quite enough
When
we get together, the parting is tough.
 |
| Angel and Ted |
 |
| John |
 |
|
Cindy,
Malorie and Lauren
|
 |
|
Katie
|
 |
| Cousins, my sister, center. |
 |
|
My
friend Eileen and family
|
 |
|
Al,
Eileen, Linda, Danny, Norma, and Bobby
|
Now
on to November, a month of gratitude
Election day chatter really became rude.
Can
America be great again? For me it always is,
But
this world’s a different place; evil surely lives.
Bombings
and ambushes, airports—the police
Dallas,
Orlando, Brussels and Nice.
Shootings
and fires, earthquakes and floods
The
world is smaller, hackers code in mud.
On
to December where Hope abounds
Found
in each ornament, candle and sound
The
Light of the World renews something gone dim
If
only we’d believe all year in Him…
His
promises hold true, His love, Perfect, Divine
He
died so we can live, no longer deaf nor blind.
Free
from the strife, the anger, the guilt,
The
burdens of life, the disappointment built.
How
much better our days, our weeks, our year
If
the Lord came first, we gave Him our fears.
I
choose to surrender each day I’m granted
To
look for His Grace, and see more where I am planted.
He
has a perfect will, for me and for you.
Lead
us closer Lord, what you’ll have us do.
This
Is Us Lord, we cannot thank you enough
For
giving us Grace despite all our imperfect stuff.
P.S.
Corey’s new job, install and sales
Security
devices, no longer the nails.
Pray
for success and a peace from within
For
patience and perspective, a smiling grin.
The
VanTilburgs
Ted,
Coleene and Corey
*Timmy
is always near.
