SRKindredSpirits

My Dads funeral was on a cold winter day.  The actual funeral service really didn't mean much to me. It seemed the preachers just talked about random stuff ( like sexual assault and how we shouldn't be cremated -it was weird). My mom made it very clear which kids she wanted with her and those of us that were not welcome....  Anyway, it was probably the weirdest funeral I've ever been too, and I've been to alot! (My ex husband and I used to manage a Cemetary and help at the funeral home, so I do know a bit about funerals.) But, when we got to the graveside, the most beautiful, big snowflakes were falling all around us. The little country Cemetary was covered in a white, fluffy, blanket of snow.. it felt like God made it perfect just for me!  The graveside service and story about my Dad, ment more to me than any other thing that was said during the funeral.  The following poem was read by my Dad's long time customer and preacher friend, at the graveside service.     T

I absolutely hate the visitation line at viewings and funerals. No matter which side of the line I'm on. I hate standing there next to a deceased loved one for hours at a time. The loved one is gone, its just an empty shell (if you know anything at all about embalming/autopsies, you know that the body has been so mangled, glued, wired, sewn, painted, etc, its really not the same person at all.) I hate trying to come up with small talk with people, or trying to comfort them when I can’t even comfort myself. I hate having to endure people I barely know trying to “solve” my grief, as if some saying or cliché can take away the pain. I hate the awkward things people say, like, "oh, doesn't he/she look so good!" Excuse me. You don't look good when you're dead.... you just don't. (This is one of the reasons that I will not have a veiwing, an open casket, or a traditional funeral when its my time to go.) And most of all, I hate the cheap casket-side theology that

I was by my Dad's beside when he died today.... Someone had said, that we should have prayed to God for a miracle so that my Dad would be healed completely here on earth..... But after talking with my sister about it... the way that I see it, my Dad's death was a miracle. It was a miracle that he lived for five months after his diagnosis, without standard treatment. It was a miracle that he was in his right mind up until the day that he died. It was a miracle that we had five good long months to talk with him, to be together, and to learn things about his life and spend time with him.  Dad and I just understood each other so much more... we just let the past go andade so many good memories.... just like the following song.  https://youtu.be/DTFbGcnl0po It was a miracle that he was pain-free the majority of the time.. It was a miricle that he was only in pain at the end. That he didn't have to suffer long. It was a miracle that we were able to be by his bedside when he passe

My dad was diagnosed as having Glioblastoma in September 2020. It is the fastest growing brain tumor there is.  Its hard to watch the dad I knew get weaker and weaker, but at the same time it has given us time to be together, time to talk, time to laugh, time to cry together, and time just to be.  He has told me more about his childhood, his teen years, his work, his marriage, church issues, and life decisions than I never dreamed of knowing. We have talked about our past relationship (or lack of it), our reasoning at the time, and what we wish we'd have done different. We have talked about Heaven and God and the Bible. We have talked about my cancer, my kids, my marriage, my life, and about dying.  We have shared secrets, some may be told after he's gone, but most of them I'll keep to myself and hold close to my heart....  We have our own little jokes about mom or my siblings or just people in general! Dad has a great sense of humor through all this and he makes me laugh!

There is always one day that is simply emotionally confusing for me and that is:  The Ex-Anniversary Date Twenty years have passed since the day I stood with my first husband Jim, in the basement of a courthouse in Athens, Georgia and said my wedding vows. And even though we’re divorced… and Jan 8th will come and go WITHOUT a 20th wedding anniversary… I will still celebrate it. I do every year. Our Wedding Day - Jan 8, 2001 I will celebrate the good memories, and the life we created while we were happy together. Because… there were a lot of good times. I will reflect on the sad time, the dashed hope's and dreams, the words left unsaid. And I'll wonder about the what- ifs.... it's all part of our story. Circumstances can never change the past. The only thing we can do is grow ourselves to change our view of the past. For me, this date is a reminder of my/our story. I have accepted the fact that I have no clue how to feel on this day. You'd think

Happy 15th Anniversary to my ONE friend, my lover, and my hubby! I love you Stephen! "One Friend" I always thought you were the best I guess I always will I always felt that we were blessed And I feel that way still Sometimes we took the hard road But we always saw it through If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you Sometimes the world was on our side Sometimes it wasn't fair Sometimes it gave a helping hand Sometimes we didn't care 'Cause when we were together It made the dream come true If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you Someone who understands me And knows me inside out And helps keep me together And believes without a doubt That I could move a mountain Someone to tell it to If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you Someone who understands me And knows me inside out And helps keep me together And believes without a doubt That I could move a mountain Someone to tell it to If I had only one friend left I'd wan

  I'm so tired...physically, mentally and every other part of being tired that there could be. I feel like my freedom is slowly forcefully being taken away from me and theres not a thing I can do about it.  I'M really tired of being TOLD WHEN, WHERE AND HOW TO WEAR THE MASK.... If you don't wear it you can't go to certain places because now they require it. I have stopped shopping at stores that require it, but now our whole state is making it a mandate. (I still refuse to wear it though.) It's sad watching our freedoms being taken from us. It's sad that most people are willing to blindly follow such nonsense. I don't want to raise my kids in this world...  heck, I don't even want to live in this kind of world myself. What happened to our individual rights? This isn't about health.... its about, control, politics, and setting us up for a communism take over.... it has nothing to do with health. It's just another way the for the leftists to destro

I was raised conservative, and although church politics, and a total disregard and respect for God from so called christians, keep me away from attending church regularly, I am Independent Fundamental Baptist in my beliefs.   But when it comes to reverence and worship, Catholics know how to do it right . This post may get a bit deep and longer than usual, but it's something that I think is important.  The problem with new-style churches, weather small or mega, isn't just that they're ugly - they actually distort the Faith and lead people away from God. Yes, it is true that the Church is a group of people, rather than a building, and that Moses worshiped in a tent, but to talk of churches as theologically little more than rain shelters is misleading. The Mid West, the Far West and the South are dotted with churches that are simply atrocious that have gone up in recent years. The traditional church communicates the Faith, while the modern one simply doesn't - it is a dang

I twist the wedding band on my left ring finger. I never know what to do with my hands, especially when I’m nervous. Every five years or so, I find myself here.... I’m at a little restaurant twenty plus miles from my home... I'm always here first. I see him at the door before he sees me. I watch him look around the room. My heart is beating fast. The whole scene freezes as he walks towards me. I am transported back 21 years to when I first met him.... so much looks the same, all the memories come flooding back. We used to be in love....we made it look good; we made it look easy. And it was good, but never easy. Life was hard back then. I rise to hug him. Our bodies still fit so well together. I remember his smell, part cologne, part Marlboro cigarettes, and part cinnamon certs. I pull away. We sit, surrounded by the noise of the old folks getting their morning coffee and chatting about the weather. It feels awkward. I never know how I'm supposed to a

Every spring I drive down to a little Amish greenhouse for flowers and vegetable plants... And on the way, I drive through the little town of Carlos. I love old, rusty, used things and old buildings just speak to me!  This little town is one of those places, that on a calm and quiet day, you can almost hear the screen doors slam as each person came and went..... and invision horses and wagons driving up and down the street.... Carlos is barely a dot on the map in Randolph County, Indiana today, but at one time it was a pretty substantial town with a number of businesses and residents to call it home.  From what I have read, it used to have a school, gas station, bank, grocery store, beauty salon, creamery (aka the butter factory), skating rink, doll museum, and a post office in the back of the general store. But the thing that makes it most unique (at least to me) is this castle-like grain elevator, complete with crenellated wall.  In its time, th

In a world where everyone tells you to dream big.... and everyone is chasing after the next big thing.... I'm here to tell you, it's okay to dream small! And, since the first time I heard this song by Josh Wilson, I fell in love with it.... Dear Momma, Dad, Husband, Wife, Kids, Teenager, Biz owner, Employee, and anyone else out there.... its perfectly okay to dream small! Go give it a listen at: https://youtu.be/dOBaLrItEyc It's a momma singing songs about the Lord  It's a daddy spending family time That the world said he cannot afford These simple moments change the world It's a pastor at a tiny little Church Forty years of loving on the broken and the hurt. These simple moments change the world. Dream small Don't buy the lie you've gotta do it all Just let Jesus use you where you are One day at a time Live well Loving God and others as yourself Find little ways where only you can help With His great love A tiny rock can make a giant fall Dream small It

  Love is a funny thing. I have loved, and lost, and loved again.  I figure, that I am doubly blessed to have loved twice.  Love doesn't just disappear when you lose someone. It's always there, a constant reminder of what once was.  There are different kinds of love, that's true, but it always has been and always will be, love. Love doesn't Fade with time - it doesn't burn out. Love is like memories - in our hearts. It still makes me smile. It makes me dream. It helps me forgive.  You can always love more than one person, but there will always be one person you love the most. To my husband Stephen, you are my love, my everything... and I choose to always, and forever, love you.  Thank you for being My Love! Happy Valentine's Day! -Rhoda

I have always loved driving. The longer the drive and louder the music, the better I like it! A few months ago, I became a driver for a Ford Car Dealership. It pays next to nothing, but it helps me keep my mind off my health issues, gets me out of the house, and gives me a sense of fulfillment. I take and pick up cars at the auctions, do dealer trades, and drive customer cars. Sometimes I get to drive fancy high dollar cars... the mustangs, pick up trucks, and explores are still my favorite. I love my job. I love to drive. It's what I was born to do!

My family riding the 16 mile loop on Jekyll Island, GA - 2019  I'm sure we have all heard the saying that a walk can fix almost anything.... but did you know the same could be said of taking a bike ride? “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike”  – John F Kennedy Riding a bike offers many health benefits. Regular cycling will help strengthen your cardiovascular system, enabling your heart and lungs to work more efficiently and getting more oxygen where it’s needed, quicker. This means you can do more exercise for less effort. Cycling just 20 miles a week reduces your risk of heart disease to less than half that of those who take no exercise. There’s also evidence that any exercise is useful in warding off cancer, but some studies have shown that cycling is specifically good for keeping your cells in working order.  Does your immune system need a boost.. Riding a bike and getting some moderate exercise can boost your immune system, so you c