Good morning and welcome. It's Thursday, Valentines Day eve, February 13, 2025, and, I am off and running fueled by some good ole strong Community Coffee. How about you? I mentioned the Valentines Day recognition because US consumers are projected to spend a record $27.5 billion to celebrate love. I don't know about you but that sounds like a lot to me. Throughout the years I confess to have spent a few bucks to recognize the woman I love. Today, we mostly talk about which restaurant we might go to, early, of course. Early. That's right folks, like maybe 4:30 to 5 pm, something like that. Choosing a place becomes quite difficult because to be honest, we eat out pretty often. In earlier days eating out was more special since our budget didn't allow it so often. It may not allow it today but at our age we just do it. I can go on record to say this about that. I am married to a gal who can cook, period. Therefore, I always prefer eating at home, but, she is a busy lady, going here and there, doing this and that, so, it works out better for us to get an early supper now and then in a variety of eateries. We almost always go for lunch after attending services at our local called out assembly, (Mims Baptist Church, Conroe, TX), and that's when the fun begins. "Where would you like to go?" Response: "I always decide, why don't you choose today." "No, I can't think of anywhere, so you choose." Response: "You always do this to me. Okay, let's do Chinese today." "If that's what you want, couldn't you think of something else?" Response: "This is what I am talking about. You always do this, so, why don't you choose since you didn't really like my suggestion." "Now that I think about it, I believe Chinese will be fine." We are at it again in trying to choose a place for our Valentines Day meal. Nothing decided yet, but, I'm sure it will become known soon.
I notice in those who suffer from dementia how they can remember far back but not so much in the here and now. I knew a man who lived to be over 100 years old who could tell me what he paid for lumber and nails back in the 1920's, but, as he continued to drive well into his 90's he might just have a procession behind him 2 miles long since his top speed was maybe 35 miles per hour. He once told me how surprised he was to find out it was illegal to go through a winking red light. I know some people who have pretty much made it their approach to life in forgetting as much as they can about their early days. Not me. I was privileged to grow up in a small town, or village, in Louisiana, and, I remember many of the days I spent there. I haven't lived there in over 55 years but I remember the shenanigans, the people, my family and friends, and how it all helped shape my life today. I still have some really good stuff blocked because of the sudden unexpected death of my dad in 1954. I occasionally can grab hold of something here and there but we all took his passing very hard. Our mom and the six of us children moved from Port Arthur, Texas, to the little village of Hornbeck, Louisiana, population then was around 400. Talk about culture shock! I've written a lot about it over the years but I'll paint this little picture for you. I was a 3rd grader. Needless to say, boys in Hornbeck did not wear short pants to school. The reception I received sent me home crying for some blue jeans. I got over it. Over it. Over it. At any rate, the thing that really made the difference was the love shown to us by those in that little village. Since everyone there knows everyone's business, it was clear that we were pitiful. My mom was widowed at 31, with six children in tow. I say love because the folks there helped us as best they could without us knowing they were helping us. It was years later that it became clear how blessed I was to be surrounded by such caring generosity. Others, even those I grew up with left as soon as they could and continue today to say how they never want to see it again. Not me! I thank God that He took care of us during a critical time in our lives and He used common, ordinary people in a tiny little town to be His hands and feet. I went often over to the old home place while my mom and stepdad were still living, but, alas, I go now for special occasions, mostly funerals. Yet, I am still thankful. Yep. Still. Amen and Amen.
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