Peace

My mom died very peacefully this past Wednesday evening, October 23, 2024.

I took this photo during the early afternoon.  That is the way her hands were.

She waited for a particular caregiver to arrive for the overnight shift.  Both my sister and I were with her.

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.  (Exodus 20:12 NIV)

It has not been easy.  I visited Mom almost every day during this past year to help make sure she was getting what she needed, but mostly to spend time with her and let her know I was there.

I was coached by many people, particularly my sister.  She had helped care for her in-laws several years ago and the wisdom she shared with me helped me adapt to our mom's situation.

My sister advocated for our mother's health and our brother watched over her finances.  My sister lives five hours away from Midland, and my brother lives out of state.  I am the eldest.

Mom was in the memory unit for about two years.  She was very strong physically, but became an elopement risk and needed help staying safe.  She was not very happy to be "put in jail," as she called it in the beginning, but it is what she wanted when she was of sound mind and she eventually became generally happy in her surroundings, although she could be "growly bear" at times.

The caregiving staff loved her.  In her last days, many of them came in to visit her on their own time.  One came in on her day off to twirl Mom's hair.  My sister and I were very touched.

The caregiver who was with us when she died said a couple of days before that Mom had been making strange noises, almost like "tongues."  I told her that's what it was.  She said it was like a language.

In her final months, Mom had started making strange babbles.  Most people said nothing about it, but I knew what it was.  I knew about her history.

Back in 2016, she was baptized in the ocean and received the Holy Spirit. For those interested, I told some of her story in a previous blog post:  The Rage of Neptune.

I do not recall ever hearing Mom "speak in tongues" after being at Neptune Beach, and I do not believe she knew she had that capability.  She continued with her life-long church-going habits until she was no longer capable of going to church, and I do not recall ever discussing it with her, but as her mental capabilities faded the Holy Spirit made His presence known through her "prayer language," as I call it.

Towards the end, she was not speaking much but her "tongues" would appear as she dealt with stress, like when the caregivers had to move her and take care of her.  It was very much like how I use my prayer language when I don't know what to pray for or am under stress myself.

I believe the LORD was letting me know He was in her and that she was okay.  I thank Him for that.

(For those who would like more information about this, please read my posts:  The Car and the last part of S.W.A.T.)

People were amazed that my sister and I spent as much time as we did with Mom as she was dying.  They said that most people do not do that.  I told my sister afterwards that I believe it is because people are not comfortable with their own mortality and what death means.  I am comfortable with it because I have faith.


Grieving happens along the way when a loved one has a long-term illness or condition.  There are a few tears in the end, but generally the final departure is a relief.  That is how it was with both of my parents, but not my wife.  I lost her during a matter of hours and my grief for her was intense and prolonged.

Both my wife and my mom are now gone, and I am at peace.  I sense freedom, freedom to embrace what the LORD has in store for me.  I can now travel.  During the two years my mother was in Memory Care, I only spent one night away from home.  I knew the LORD wanted me in Midland because my mom was here.  That constraint no longer exists.  The possibilities are endless.

We shall see what happens.


All glory to God.


Ghosted

I knew it was coming.

Back in May, a neighbor told me he and his local band would be playing at the popular "Bully" bar/restaurant in Midland, and being single and needing supper I decided to go.  He was pleased to see me in the audience.

It was rather loud on my older ears, but they played a number of songs that took me back to my younger days.

One of the songs really affected me.  I recognized the riff and asked my friend what it was at a break.  He told me, and when I got home I searched for it on YouTube1 and downloaded it from Apple the next day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd-qI62gNJM 

"Wicked Game"

Chris Isaak

World was on fire and no one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No, I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you
(This world is only gonna break your heart)

What a wicked game you played, to make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you
What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way
What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you

And I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you

World was on fire and no one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

No, I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I don't wanna fall in love
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I...
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
(This world is only gonna break your heart)

Nobody loves no one


Source

Ghosting (behavior)

Ghosting, simmering and icing are colloquial terms that describe the practice of suddenly ending all communication and avoiding contact with another person without any apparent warning or explanation and ignoring any subsequent attempts to communicate.

The term originated in the early 2000s, typically referring to dating and romantic relationships. In the following decade, the media reported a rise in ghosting behaviors, which has been attributed to the increasing use of social media and online dating apps. The term has also expanded to refer to similar practices among friends, family members, employers and businesses.

The most common cause of ghosting in a personal relationship is to avoid emotional discomfort in a relationship. A person ghosting typically has little acknowledgment of how it will make the other person feel. Ghosting is associated with negative mental health effects on the person on the receiving end and has been described by some mental health professionals as a passive-aggressive form of emotional abuse or cruelty.

Ghosting has become more prevalent. Various explanations have been suggested, but social media is often blamed, as are dating apps, polarizing politics and the relative anonymity and isolation in modern-day dating and hookup culture, which make it easier to sever contact with few social repercussions. In addition, the more commonplace the behavior becomes, the more individuals can become desensitized to it.

In 2014, a YouGov survey was taken to see if Americans have ever ghosted their partner to end a relationship. In a 2014 survey, 1,000 US adults were interviewed about ghosting, yielding the result that just over 10% of Americans
[11% -- surprise, surprise] have ghosted someone to break up with them.  (Wikipedia)


I forgive you.


All glory to God.


UPDATE, October 27, 2024...

Who was Isaac's mother?


UPDATE, November 11, 2024...

1 For the record, the video in this post was not the one I found when I first looked for the song on YouTube.  I did not see this particular version until I was looking for an example to include here.  When I found it, however, I knew it was the one.

I am forgiving her for ghosting me, for abruptly accusing me of something I did not do, and then cutting off all communications.  I have no qualms about anything else, and desperately hope she gets back in touch.  I want to be her friend.


Wisdom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCsIfJZVp7o 

"Wisdom"

Twila Paris

I see a multitude of people
Some far away and some close by
They weave together new religion
From tiny remnants they have found
A bit of truth, a greater lie

And all the prophets stand and sing a pleasant song
A million cords that bind the spirit growing strong
My heart is breaking
I must remind them...

You are the only way
You are the only voice
You are the only hope
You are the only choice
You are the one true God
No matter what we say
You are the breath of life
You are the only way
Give us wisdom
Give us wisdom

There is a moment of decision
But all the days go rushing by
An undercurrent of confusion
To threaten all that we believe
With little time to wonder why

And all the prophets sing the same familiar song
Even the chosen can be led to sing along
These hearts are breaking
Will you remind us...

You are the only way
You are the only voice
You are the only hope
You are the only choice
You are the one true God
No matter what we say
You are the breath of life
You are the only way
Give us wisdom
Give us wisdom

You choose the simple things to overcome the wise
Wisdom is granted in the name of Jesus Christ
In the name of Jesus Christ

You are the only way
(You are the one)
You are the only voice
(You are the one)
You are the only hope
(You are the one)
You are the only choice
(You are the one)
You are the one true God
(You are the one)
No matter what we say
(You are the one)
You are the breath of life
(You are the one)
We need You here today
(You are the one)
You are the only way
(You are the one)
You are the only voice
(You are the one)
You are the only hope
(You are the one)
You are the only choice
(You are the one)
You are the one true God
(You are the one)

No matter what we say
(You are the one)
You are the breath of life
(You are the one)
You are the only way

 
Give us wisdom
Give us wisdom


Source

 

All glory to God.

 

If You Want To Communicate With Family...

Click to enlarge.
Last evening, the American Federation Fiduciary, Anna Von Reitz gave notice that today, October 1, 2024, is the day the U.S. Military will shut down all communications and broadcast the "popcorn show" they have been talking about for years.

She said people should download the "Signal Private Messenger" app to their phones in order to stay in touch with friends and family during the coming days and weeks.

She also advised people to not watch or listen to what the military will broadcast.  She said to think of the first Indiana Jones Movie (Raiders of the Lost Ark) where the nazis opened the Ark of the Covenant and Indiana told his girlfriend not to look.

Please take this seriously.  You may not have a chance to download the app once things start happening.


All glory to God.


UPDATE, October 3, 2024...

Thankfully, the communications shut-down did not happen.

Here are some related articles that came out afterwards...

Article 5046, International Public Notice: To the Joint Chiefs of Staff, October 2, 2024.

Article 5047, International Public Notice: Announcement, October 3, 2024.

Article 5049, Internal Memo: No "Stand Down" Orders, October 3, 2024.


UPDATE, October 5, 2024...

The following article was just published...

Article 5052, International Public Notice: Change of Government Underway, October 5, 2024.