My Own Front Porch

Whew!  It’s been a very long day!  Admittedly, I had more downs than ups today and it was very hard to keep smiling.  Although I don’t like having days like this, I can see where they might fit into a bigger plan.   So, I’ll try to learn from my situations and move on…hopefully to bigger and better things.

Sipping coffee and perusing the web for some info on Orphan Trains (homeschool fodder), I thought it might be fun to dabble in a little genealogical research.  I punched in my maiden name and was instantly stunned by the results.  Staring back from the page was a woman I hadn’t seen in about 15 years.  She stood up for me at my wedding and I’m embarrassed to tell you…I haven’t seen or heard much from her since then.  Yes, we are related…distant cousins.  Her last name was the same as mine, before I got married.  The article in question was…her obituary!  Worse yet, it was dated for the end of August (almost 2 months ago)!

I’ve lost touch.  I recall thinking recently…’look at all these friends I have on my facebook!  I should see if Joanne is on here.’  I never did…  Had I punched her name into my fb search box a few months ago…I might have gotten a hit, at least on one of her siblings; most of them still live in my hometown.  Now, all I can do is wonder how things were toward the end of her life.  I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or even offer an excuse for my long absence.  Life happens.  I know she understood that, but it doesn’t make me feel any better right now.

Looks like glowing embers in the fireplace, doesn't it?

I am comforted in knowing that she was a Christian and is in a better place now.  She was very sick toward the end of her life (according to her obituary)…  If anything, I’m learning to look for the lessons in life (and death).  I will definitely pay more attention to my relationships and concentrate on nurturing and building strength into each one.

Thank you for indulging me today.  Just needed to get that off my chest.  Tomorrow is a new day…  Can’t wait to see what’s in store.  Maybe I’ll get some cards mailed out…get back in touch with some people…most every thing else CAN be put on hold.