Karen O'Connor

Today I had a chat with God about these senior moments that seem to be multiplying.

Thank you, Lord, for watching over me when I almost put my TV remoter into my purse instead of my cell phone.

God, what do people mean when they say something’s ‘good for a laugh’? Are they laughing with me or at me? I can’t always tell.

Lord, I love knowing that each day you are with me no matter how many senior moments I have.

Lord, I don’t have the energy to grow any older. Someone once said it takes all you’ve got to grow old. Well, everything I thought I had got up and went.

Thank you, God, for being with me when I get confused or scared, or a victim of my age instead of a victor in you.

Beautiful Sunset over the Las Vegas Desert

I saw this scene in person a couple of years ago with my son Jimmy who lives nearby. Now we are thousands of miles apart as I’m in Ohio and he’s living in Nevada. But we enjoy a phone call almost every night.

When I lived in California I thought it was one of the most beautiful places on earth.  And it is. But Ohio has its own beauty, which I am getting to know and love. People are kind and friendly and my apartment is warm and personal.

In my old age, I’m realizing that the most beautiful place on earth is wherever I am–wherever YOU are. And it can change from day to day. Think about that. We make our home and place what they are regardless of the location on a map or someone else’s opinion.

Today I am thanking God for my place in His creation!

In Psalm 26:8, David declares, “O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.”

I ran across this story that I wrote about my mother some years ago and I decided to share it with you since her birthday passed recently. She died in 2003 at the age of 89. Shortly afterwards my sister June gave me a copy of one of her diaries. Mom was known for her dry wit and ready sense of humor. She also had a loving partner in our dad. They had fallen in love when she met him at age eighteen. Everyone could see it in their eyes and romantic gestures toward each other.

So I was not surprised to find this writing on one of her pages.

To Phil:

To hit my target heart rate,  I can exercise vigorously for twenty minutes OR I can sit around and think of you.

Eva❤️

May the Lord bless each of you with such love.

Praying Hands

Thank you to all of  you who prayed for my recovery from my small stroke and from bronchitis. They were a real setback for a few weeks but I’m almost clear now. God is gracious.

I opened my book on gratitude today and appreciated every quotation:

“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.” (Anonymous)

“The winds of gratitude are always blowing; you merely have to raise the sail.” (Anonymous)

It’s amazing how blessed we are by things we often take for granted until they are suddenly taken away.

“Rest and be thankful.” (William Wordsworth)

May I suggest that we open and close each day with gratitude.

A Mother’s Day Buffet

What a treat! My grandson and his wife created a spread to rival any restaurant. The food was delicious. But most of all was the love that went into each dish. You could taste it.

This experience reminded me of Grandpa’s homemade bread when I was a child and the mouth-watering baked apple slices drizzled with frosting for dessert, one of Mom’s prize-winning recipes.

Before we dug in, we held hands and prayed thanks for the food and for the love we shared around the table. Grandpa and Mom are gone now but their spirits lives on in my memories.

I also treasure the funny stories Grandpa shared about life in Ireland. As the years wore on I began to treasure him more and more. He was no longer an old man, but a delightful relative that would live on in my heart as someone who taught me how smile and pray and laugh and live to the fullest.

Who has taught you how to grow older with grace and gratitude and a good laugh?

“To thrive in life you need three bones: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” Reba McEntire

Also remembering my deceased sister June on her birthday today.

P.S. I went to a Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday, May 26 and as we settled into our seats, I had a sudden TIA (a small stroke.) Following five days in the hospital and numerous tests, I was released to return to Provision. I’d appreciate your prayers for a full recovery. I’m taking the next week or so to rest, and thank God for no side effects .