Oh my, oh my, oh my

1918 ~ 1973

January 27, 2014

Dear God,

First of all, I need you to do something for me. Please find my dad in Heaven and wish him a Happy Birthday from me. I always think about him on his special day and pray that he is at peace from the lingering torments of war atrocities. Only you know the full extent of trauma this young man from small town America endured. I want to say, "Thank you" for healing my heart, mind, and soul and being able to love my father as Christ has loved me. To have been healed and be made whole has been a divine miracle!

Ernest Tilman Pederson was born to Carl August and Margaret Bertine Torguson Pederson on January 27, 2018. He was delivered at my grandmother's sister's home (Bessie Kaldahl) ... my grandmother's last child ~ number 7.  Raising my cup of joe to you this morning, dad!!

The Kaldahl Home where my father was born
(photo taken 7~2011)

Secondly, this morning I was a woose. I was flat out in pain and life just plain sucked. My usual positiveness went on vacation leaving me to give myself a pity party and curl up with a heating pad. I can totally understand why people with chronic illnesses, continual pain, and situations that seem so unsolvable just give up. I won't; but, I understand...

You know, Lord, it really is true, we don't know the real value and blessing of something until it is no longer. I've never been a sickly person and still am not. It's my bones that started giving me fits when I was in my 50's. My first back surgery was in 2004 and I can't even count anymore how many surgeries I've had on my feet, neck, and back. The problem with all those surgeries was that they threw my body into a tailspin and I developed Fibromyalgia from the physical trauma. Needless to say, I am doing everything possible to avoid further surgeries. I am praying for you, the Great Physician, to heal my bones. I know you eventually will; however, until then, please grant me an extra measure of patience and peace.

I look back remembering my weight lifting days, my dancing days, my traveling days, my hands on decorating days and, I guess, I thought they would go on forever. What I couldn't even begin to think was that I wouldn't be able to do whatever I wanted to do in retirement. Can I be honest with you, Lord? That pisses me off and makes me sad. I hate to be a burden to those around me which makes me even happier that I have you to talk to. I know you will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6) and that you will never take me where you cannot sustain me. Life truly is so very fragile yet I never go down without a fight!

What do I do when life deals me lemons? Make lemonade! Let's see what was my lemonade of life today. Wellll, the gas fireplace in the cottage has been on the kafritz for weeks now. I could turn it on manually by getting down on my knees but that was frustrating the fool out of me. I got out the manual and filled the claw foot tub with lots of hot bubbly water. While I soaked and cleared the cobwebs from my mind, I started at step 1... Problem was, I got out of the tub and promptly forgot about the fireplace deciding instead to read Mary Higgins Clark's TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE.

One thing about retirement nothing has to be done at a precise moment. I enjoyed the book (it must have been good because I read it in a single sitting) then moved on to a load of laundry. Tonight when I came out to the cottage, it was cold and I remembered my quest to fix the remote. Michael was fussing at me saying I was going to set myself on fire so I shooed him out. I FINALLY got new batteries in and, at least now, it is working with the remote. Yay!! His last words to me ... "You are so darn stubborn." I guess I am.

It is late and my eyelids are starting to droop. I have warm jammies to climb into, my furry kids have been out for last potty call, and I want to put on some soft music and read a Psalm or two.

1940's ~ 50's Men's Fashion

Don't forget now, Lord, to find my dad. He's probably out dancing with my mom!! Do you suppose the Dorsey brothers are playing the Boogie Woogie? Funny the things I remember ... my dad and uncles were such sharp dressers ... In January, they'd all be wearing long winter coats, leather gloves, hats, and things they called "rubbers" that fit over their spit shined shoes. Their suits fit perfectly, white shirts starched, and ties deep with color. Something else I remember ... my dad loved my mom and my uncles loved their wives. Family was really important!! I like thinking about that.

Watch over my Readers, Lord. Grant them a good night's sleep waking them to a new tomorrow filled with love, laughter, and YOU!!

Amen.

Miss Dottie

PS I like it that you've put so many wise people on this earth. I've been reading a little bit about Eleanor Roosevelt and like this particular quote: "When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted." Know what I stand for? I BELIEVE in YOU!!!!

PSS 

Dad ~ Thanks for sending these love
letters to Mom; and, Mom ~
Thanks for keeping them. They give me
warm fuzzies when I read them.